The tooth fairy

She's coming to our house tonight. Isn't that exciting! We'll leave the bedroom window ajar and the curtain slightly open so she can slip in. Her prize will be waiting in a specially made tooth box under the little boy's pillow. She'll be carrying a coin in her silk bag. Who knows how such a slight thing could carry such a weight? Such is the power of magic!

There's a real fairy tale feel in the air this afternoon, for we have spent the afternoon in company of a handsome Prince and the impoverished daughter of the local Baron forced to work as a servant in the home of her cruel and heartless stepmother. Of course it sounds familiar, but the the story, in this interpretation stripped of the traditional magic still not fail to leave a sparkle in the air. Readers, I've been watching Ever After.

Back in the kitchen after an hour or two of fantasy, I tie up my apron and return to my skivvy duties. A woman's life in the 21st century is a hard one! I do love this genre of film - when I was a child I would have watched enraptured then escaped to my world of the imagination to act out my own version.

Since setting the challenge at Inspiration Avenue this week as 'other worlds', I have been so immersed in the worlds of elf and fairy that I fear I may awaken tomorrow with pointy ears or a sudden ability to play the lute. This fairy is my fourth such painting this week. These creatures are flitting their way from my imagination to the page. Clearly they wish to tell their stories... and who am I to stop them?

If you wish to enter it's not too late. Just bring your entry to the ball before midnight tomorrow (that's 4pm EST!).

Mixed media - watercolour, inktense, ink and some magic sparkle.

Egg yolk

I haven't written a Happy Friday post for a few weeks - mainly because I've not exactly been my usual bouncing self. My writing this week has reflected the downturn in mood which swings with a temperamental wind. That's not really a great excuse is it? Makes me sound rather sulky!

I am, however, here writing for Happy Friday this week. I haven't exactly reversed completely out of the gloom but I have come to realise and appreciate just what I do have. When I wrote a post earlier this week sharing my feelings of overwhelm I was reminded just how valuable this wonderful online community is that I am a part of - the words of encouragement and support given by my fellow bloggers were just the lift I needed. I felt a part of a tribe and that's always a good, safe place to be. So let me just use this opportunity to say a heartfelt "Thank You" to you all.

Not only that but I have a loving family, I earn (just about!) enough and have time to play with my art. My life is full and happy.

Moving on, let's just share another little Friday Happy. I've just been dipping fresh bread cut from a loaf into egg yolk. Simple food. Simple pleasures. Rich egg yolk is one of the most comforting foods in existence - a life giver in every sense. Oh, and should I mention there was sizzling bacon on the plate too... and baked beans... all washed down with a nice cup of tea!

Bobricka

A confession. Prior to starting my blog and rediscovering the soothing power of a paint pot, I spent much of the previous couple of years immersed in a fantasy fiction and living out the words I was reading in the world of the MMO (massively multiplayer online game).

OK, it’s time to admit it. I have been a gaming geek. I did inhabit another world where my alter-ego 'Bobricka' ran amok among the goblins and orcs slaying and fighting her way through Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings online MMO (LOTRO). Yes, I did live life as an Elf Loremaster wielding a mighty staff and followed by a trail of animal friends only to willing to sacrifice themselves for my safety.

Bobricka, or Bobs as she is known to her friends wasn't the most skillful of her kind unfortunately. She also boasted an alarming tendency to both get lost or cast entirely the wrong spell in the heat of battle. But what she lacked in technical ability, she more than made up for in enthusiasm and general willingness to be in the thick of adventure.

I do occasionally dust her off and take her for a run around. At the moment she's in her house waiting for her next play date - horse munching on the rich grass outside. She's been trying on her numerous outfits - somewhat unbelievably she actually qualified as a tailor - an irony that never ceases to make me smile since I am useless with a needle myself.

Now, at this point, you are either wondering if I have lost the plot entirely or are jumping around excitedly eagar to tell me about your tank in WOW, Hox in Conan or Guild Wars Elementalist. The world of the MMO is a strange one. Don't knock it until you've tried it!

I adore fantasy fiction too. If a book boasts a dragon or two then I’m in, if portals exist between dimensions then take me there and if magic whispers on the wind then whisk me with it! I even have the first couple of chapters of my own attempt languishing, ignored in a deep dark corner of my pc.

It was the excuse to disappear back in fantasyland that prompted me to set 'other worlds' for the prompt on the Inspiration Avenue challenge this week. I really wanted to try painting an elf, so this was the perfect excuse. Aside from the pointy ear, I tried to give her a look of nobility - the possessor of ancient knowledge, a connection to nature and the spirits seen through her eyes.

She was created using the power of prismacolours, inktense and a few stamps.

Creative wishes

It seems like ages since I took part in the Wednesday Wishcast, but when I saw the prompt today I knew I just had to join in. Jamie asked us 'what we wish for our creativity'. Well, given the heartfelt post I wrote yesterday and the kind and generous support I received from my fellow bloggers I might well say that my creativity is already bestowed with all it could wish for.

How warm and comforting to read such words of kindness. It seems my post touched a nerve and gave us opportunity to how much these issues affect all of us every now and again.

By all means read yesterday's post, but if you haven't got time I basically poured out some of my current frustrations and stresses; my feelings of overwhelm; the creative drive and passion; pushing boundaries and finding the time to do everything!

And so, without further ado, here is what I wish for my creativity...

That it finds the time to slow down and listen to the advice it's been given by my blogging friends. That is enjoys the journey as well as the destination and that it continues to flourish and grow day by day, year by year bringing me endless pleasure!

Well, not bad for a wish! I'm off to see what others wished for.

Pic is another of my legoland flowers!

Crazy ramblings of the tortured artist

I feel so tired. I've been wracked with stomach pain for days. At first I thought I'd caught the same bug as my son, but now I'm wondering if perhaps it's stress. I haven't felt relaxed for weeks; there's this constant feeling that I should be doing more, creating more, setting in motion plans for the future. But I can't. I just don't have the energy. Days drift into weeks and I make no progress.

The spring is coiled and tense but going rusty. Wire scrapes against wire and irritates as it tumbles along the treadmill. Why do I find it so difficult to complete simple tasks? Why can't I finish one thing before beginning the next? Am I trying to be too much?

What is it with me? Why this constant desire to push boundaries? I believe this a positive trait and one I wish to keep, but sometimes it's just all too tiring. Since turning 40 I feel like I have to make up for lost time. That I should have been taking this creative path 20 years ago. Is that why I've had that recurring dream that I'm not prepared for my exams; that I've done no work all term and there's work to hand in? Perhaps that makes sense, or is it just an inner desire to keep learning and progressing and maybe finding that mysterious something?

I feel swamped by inspiration. I look at artistic blog after artistic blog, I follow links to further treasures, I take them all in. I want it all. I wish to throw myself into my art, try everything, master all. I strive for my own originality. I feel like there's something out there I'm trying to reach - my touchstone, but I'm swamped. The key is there, but it's mixed in with a thousand others. Are creative people ever content? Do we eventually find what we are looking for, or is our soul only alive during the search? Is that what fires us?

Should I stop looking at other people's work and just immerse myself in my own? All I know is that I just can't seem to settle at anything. Something creative is pulling me but I know not what, where or why...

I write this with no intention of posting, but the reason it is here and not in a journal or simple word document is that this is my sanctuary, my place of expression. I often use the medium of blogger to articulate my thoughts and pull them from the depths of my subconscious. It's intriguing what this blog has become for me.

Ah why not, let's edit this a bit and post... Cast those thoughts into the Universe and see what happens. I actually wrote this a couple of days ago now and feel a little better. I've spent hours focused on one aspect of my art tonight and completed two drawings I'm more than happy with. Perhaps I did just need to articulate my confused thoughts!

It's interesting that I felt the need to illustrate this post - with anything of mine... I'm saving the drawings for other posts later in the week so I dived into my photography stash and had a quick play with this pic I took last week - at Legoland of all places. No, it's not made of lego, but it is yet another art project in the making. When I saw them, I knew I just had to try and paint them at some point.

Link love

When the words and pictures won't come, best instead to share the work of others. I'm too tired for writing or painting tonight, so let me tell you about:

The Boy Wonder
A little something for those artists among you who dream of hitting the big time - especially those who have only been painting for a year or two. This artist started just two years ago and just sold out an exhibition in just 3o minutes and made a cool £150,000. Not bad for a 7 year old... (yes, you did read that right!)

The Magpie's dream sale
Do you love bright and shining things - especially those that look fab-u-lous adorned around your neck or hanging from your lobes? Why not treat yourself to something really special without breaking the bank. My friend Mama Moon is having a closing down sale of her incredible jewellery. Grab it while it lasts... (I have!).

Dreamy Inspiration
I have been meaning to post this for weeks and weeks and have been very remiss. I was lucky enough to win this beautiful print from artist Flor Larios when she had a giveaway. I keep it by my bed and their serene faces greet each morning with me. Go dream on her site and immerse yourself in such dreamy inspiration

Serendipity
Her name is Faerwillow and she writes as you would imagine - words of magic and images that float through the mist. A most fortunate discovery! Another chance to thank her for the photos and gifts she sent.

And finally...
I guess you may need to be a Brit to get this parody of Alicia's big hit. It tickled me anyway and almost makes me want to be Welsh! Who needs New York when you've got...

Old loves

Multi tasking today. Combining Sunday Sketches with working through The Drawing Lab (inspired from nature) and Mixed Media Monday where the prompt was to return to 'an old art love'.

Behold image 1 - sketch of flower

Until about 18 months ago, if I got my paints out it would inevitably be to paint something from nature - and as accurately as possible. This was copied from a beautiful photograph sent to me by Faerwillow - I won a giveaway of her photos. If you visit her site, you may just spot this one! She also sent me the most adorable Guardian Faerie to keep me safe. On the subject of giveaways - I think I shall have one of my own to celebrate reaching 200 followers... 8 to go!

I wasn't overly impressed by my sketch, so returned to my second old love... watercolours to see if I could improve things a bit.

Behold image 2 - watercolour washes

Hmm, I think I prefer acrylics, so much more forgiving. Now I return to my Drawing Lab lesson and consult additional media.

Behold image 3 - mixed media

The application of Inktense pencils, water and black & white ink pens as well as abstraction. Happier now, but clearly need more practice!