A bit more whimsey

Lily was a happy little girl, even though she was the only girl in her class with pink hair.

I don't quite know what it is with me, but I always struggle to give my girls - whimsy or stylised - a 'normal' hair colour. Perhaps I harbour a secret desire for magenta locks myself? I know I'd love long thick tresses. I even dreamt last night that I was discussing hair extensions with Cheryl Cole while visiting in her modest semi-detached. Been having the strangest dreams lately...

I've been playing with whimseys today for my Sunday Sketch, Art Every Day and Tam's class (nothing like a bit of multi-tasking I say!). They really are rather fun, if a little harder to get right than they look! This little girl looks so innocent and sweet, but notice how she has her hands behind her back... What do you think she is hiding?

Might do some more later, but really should think about getting dressed and having some breakfast first!

Chatter through the natter

I've committed myself now - words and pictures every day for a month. I was pondering today's entry while drying my hair this morning and came up with a delightfully witty piece of prose to post. Naturally, once the hairdryer stopped blasting at my locks then the thought had blown away too so you'll have to make do with this ramble instead.

My attempts at fine words are being slightly hampered by my boyfriend's non-stop natter in my ear about football...

 I find it rather hard to just give you a picture with nothing to accompany it; just not in my nature. I like to natter and share what's flowing through my mind. I remember trying 'Wordless Wednesday' once - I think I sneaked in a whole paragraph.

My pink lady is sketched on some patterned paper (which you may just be able to make out).

I give up... can't think of anything more to say.. perhaps the wonderful post will pop back for another visit later.

Happiness is...

"Happiness is a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly may alight upon you."

Nathaniel Hawthorne

What a beautiful sentiment. I googled happiness quotes this week in preparation for my entry to the Inspiration Avenue challenge on this very theme. There were many that echoed Nathaniel's words. We all need to take time to just sit and take life in sometimes to realise how happy we already are. That constant pursuit of 'If only..' just leads to much distress. However, one thing I have learnt though is that you can't just sit around expecting it to fall in your lap. If you want butterflies, you're not likely to find them lying around in bed. You have to go out and grow the flowers - then sit quietly in the garden you made!

If you want something you work at it. You learn, you practice and hone your skills. It doesn't just land in your lap.

As I posted a couple of days ago - I'm planting some seeds in my garden right now. I wonder when the butterflies will arrive?

Day 5 of Art Every Day. I thought I might as well join the NaBloPoMo gang too - that's blog posting every day month! It's also Happy Friday. So many reasons to post today!!

I found it!

The Sketchbook for the same-named project. I confess that I've had it for months and managed one drawing before promptly losing (and forgetting about) it in a cavernous mess of tangled art supplies.

Trouble is, I still don't quite know what I'm going to put inside. I lay in bed pondering my 'Story' theme last night. The thing is though that wrapped up in a duvet and darkness is not the best method for drawing (pun intended) sketchbook ideas from my brain. What I need is a large sheet of paper, a sturdy pen and then some serious mind mapping. I love this technique - just letting the ideas pour forth and spread tentacles across the paper.

Whatever I decide on, I think it might involve this little character. What do you think? I quite fancy playing with whimsey for a while and seeing what adventures we might have.

This poppet is destined for a fun piece based on Tam's lessons and for Inspiration Avenue's Happiness challenge - should be finished by tomorrow and as it's Happy Friday, seems a good day to post!

Day 4 of Art Every Day Month

Postscript
I just had to add this link to a wonderful post that really hit the spot this evening. If you've ever been nervous of painting on canvas, then be afraid no more. Have a read! It's from Victoria at Enchanting the Invisible - a delightfully magic space and entices you in with sparkling prose and pictures.

Putting it out there

The time has come to procrastinate no longer. The stars are in alignment (or so the delightfully named Shelly von Strunkel told me on the radio). I want my want and I'm gonna go out and get it. Even Wishcasting this week is pointing me in the right direction! Jamie asks: What do you wish to enjoy? Why everything about life and that includes how I earn a living!

I am a writer. I accept this now. I want to write more. I need to write more. I have been earning my living from writing. I need more clients. I must build my business. I want to pull that book out of me (kicking and screaming if necessary).

The most important thing to remember though is that this is what I know I will enjoy. It's my passion. Whatever I decide to do, I must hold onto that emotion and never let it become a chore.

So, here's what I'm going to do next.

1. Update my business website with all the things I've done and can do.
2. Tell people about myself - turn myself into a mini 'celebrity'. Become known in the right circles. Market, market, market.

[Back you demons. I can hear you saying "you can't write that. You're not good enough. Who would be interested in you anyway?" Go away. I'm not listening. I'm talking to the Universe, so kindly don't interrupt]

Sorry, where was I? Oh yes, getting my name out there. Well, just wondering if anyone would like me to do a guest post for them on their blog? I'd also be interested in finding other blogs and sites that look for guest writers, so if you know of any, please do share!

Eek, I asked! I am prepared for a deathly silence, but if you don't ask you don't get. No charge or catch for this - just a hint of what to write about.

I hope you're listening Universe!

You can contact me via my email link in my profile page or just leave a message in comments.

Art Every Day - Day 3. Some playing in Photoshop today. I went to a posh garden centre last week and took a stack of photos of all the lovely things they had on display. I couldn't afford to buy them, but anyway, how much more fun it can be to play artistically with their images! Expect to see a few more...

And why a picture of pots today? Planting idea seeds my friends. I wonder what will grow?

Her name was Lola

She was a show girl, but that was 30 years ago when they used to have a show...

Please stop singing that song Barry. I can't get you out of my head... "at the Copa... Copacabana... they fell in love". Agrhhhh!!!

If you read yesterday's post you'll know that Lola and I have had words; we've fallen out and we are most definitely not friends. Revenge is sweet though. Lola was going to be in her prime, but the layers of paint took their toll and she aged. She has become the Miss Haversham of the Copacabana, sitting at the bar surrounded the detrious of a life on the stage gradually crumbling into the hardboard scenery. She is for the Three Muses Showtime challenge.

Poor Lola, she lost her youth and she lost her Tony and she lost her mind...

Barry... I'm warning you...

I admit that this has been a real struggle. I painted her on canvas too. Perhaps it was the pressure of using expensive supplies. I think the final grim touch was adding long scraggly hair; but this was after I decided she was old, mad Lola sitting at the bar in her old finery getting drunk night after night, in which case she probably works! Once I came to terms with the Lola she wanted to be, then we made friends again. I red rimmed her eyes and painted on the smile that never quite reaches her eyes. It's a rather tragic song. Let's go find something more cheerful shall we...?
Day 2 of Art Every Day month.

Doing battle

The battle lines are drawn (with an HB pencil) and the ranks are massing. A number of skirmishes have already taken place with minor injuries on both sides but neither has established an advantage.

Lisa and Lola glare at each other, frown, grimace and smile. Colours spark from eyes then fade away and just as it looks one has the advantage then they back down.

I'm having a fight with my painting. Lola the showgirl is having a strop. She doesn't like her outfit, she wishes she wasn't facing full on, but would prefer just her right (best) side. Too late now I murmer as I attempt to bring some life into her features. The strobe lights are confusing the lighting. Someone mixed grey into her make up and she looks like a corpse. She just won't smile.

I'm sorry Lola but you had your to chance to be young and beautiful but you just wouldn't cooperate would you? We're moving instead to the later stages of the song - the bit where you're all jaded in your faded feathers. Yes, that will teach you my lady.... Showgirl indeed....

I hope to have her finished to post in time for The Three Muses challenge on Wednesday, but her face has just disappeared under another coat of white and her sparkly bikini-style top has become a black velvet dress, so who knows what she'll be looking like this time tomorrow. She may have to wait for a 'living dead' theme from some other challenge! I blame too much Halloween...

Postscript: I have just discovered that Leah Piken Kolidas is hosting Art Every Day for the month of November. Naturally I couldn't let this pass me by so have signed up. Here is today's! Anyone can join, so grab your pencils and paints and I'll see you over there.