Introducing an upcoming artist

Top billing today goes to a visiting artist. May I present Sky-Blue by Jessica Wright (no relation!). Jessica, a young artist aged just 8 years old, was inspired to create her after meeting 'Lily' on my blog last week. She left me such kind words that I knew Lily would find a happy home with her, so she slipped herself in an envelope and headed off to the South West.

A few days later and Sky-Blue landed on my doorstep. Isn't she lovely - just look at those adorable details from the paintbrushes in her pocket to the orange and red Argyle socks.

So, thank you Jessica. You cannot know how chuffed I am that my drawing inspired you so!

Well, it wouldn't be Sunday without a post for Sunday Sketches (well, actually it would, but let's not get in the way of artistic licence!). Here we have The Snow Queen, a coloured pencil sketch I did over a wintry magazine scene with a touch of acrylic and some sparkling powder added here and there.

Not many have seen the The Snow Queen for she hides in the dwindling ancient forests and only shows herself to the true believers. Sometimes I think I see her but then I realise she's just a pattern in the birch bark or shadows in the snow. She guards the trees as they winter, then sprinkles her magic on the earth in the New Year that sprouts and renews come Spring.

A Hunk A Hunk... (well, three actually!)

Three of the same for you today. See which you prefer...

Lord Almighty,

I feel my temperature rising

Higher higher

It's burning through to my soul

When I saw the prompt for Illustration Friday as 'Burning', Elvis just grooved his way into my soul, ground his hips and crooned the inspiration for this piece. I also knew where I'd find my models, having spotted them hiding in the pages of Elle just this morning - advertising 'Guilty', a fragrance by Gucci and looking smouldering and sexy. Guilty pleasures...

I was on fire myself. A quick first sketch on a bit of scrap paper, then two more. Naturally, the one I just slung together without much thought probably looks the best. I don't know... What do you think?

The second was the 'proper one', on nice paper and of course proved the hardest. I still like it though, even if it lacks some of the freedom and energy of the first.

Finally, I was enjoying myself so much I decided to make a third for my Sketchbook Project.

Can you feel all that burning desire?

See what happens when you take up an Art Every Day challenge - it lights the touch paper. I can't stop... I don't want to stop... What can I paint next?

All three mixed media - mainly neo-colour pastels, coloured pencils and ink.

The space below

There was a whole world inside of her

filled with stars and caves and demons and gold.

She tinkered and played in that world;

but it was in the space below - in the depths of deep

that the real stuff was. And it was here that she needed to go

Terri St Cloud

Art Every Day month would be so much harder were it not for all the wonderful creative challenges and prompts that stir my subconscious. I'll admit that 12 days in the pressure is on, but the pleasure I get from seeing shape form on paper is far beyond such trifling stresses.

This poetry prompt comes from The Creativity Castle. I saw a mind full of fancies but a locked heart. Who is she trying to kid? Open your heart, be brave and take on the world my friend!

Something a bit different from me. Not quite sure how I would describe this. A sketch? Doodle? Experiment? Whatever! It was fun and that's all that matters. She's also filling another page in my Sketchbook Project.

Pride

What is wrong with me this morning? The words won't flow. I think they've got stuck in the knotted muscle in my neck which is causing additional aggravation.

I want to talk about pride and triumph but the sentences don't flow and I sound like I'm reciting from a text book or being selfr-congratulatory.

Perhaps I have been approaching it all wrong and trying to be too formal. Shall I just write from the heart instead?

Tuesday night saw myself and colleagues representing Rackspace at the National Business Awards where we were finalists in two categories. I've been working for this IT Hosting company as a contractor on and off for a large part of this year and can safely say it's the best company I have ever worked for. Nowhere have I ever seen or felt such passion and excitement for a brand and what it stands for and frankly that brings out the best in me too.

I was exceptionally pleased with the entries I wrote for these awards, the teamwork involved in pulling the words (and then the finalist presentations) together and our place in the shortlist. I knew that Rackspace deserved to be in that group and I was determined to do all I could to ensure their place. It was hard work but it paid off.

We didn't win the top gongs on the night, but I came away with the strongest sense of achievement and the words of none other than our Prime Minister ringing in my ears - "Best of British".

A video message from David Cameron congratulated all of us finalists saying we were an "inspiration not only to the business community but those in government trying to support recovery".


“These awards, they really do show off the best of British...You are the doers and the grafters who will get this country back on its feet. The people who will get our economy growing again. And it’s absolutely right that we should take this moment to recognise what you do”, the Prime Minister said.

Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, then took to the stage and delivered the keynote speech to the room packed full of the country’s top business leaders and entrepreneurs and I was there. I was a part of it and it felt amazing!

I'm proud of Rackspace, being British and proud of myself.

In an hour's time we pause and remember others who sacrificed their lives in their pride and love of their country.

How do I wish to grow older?

Why, disgracefully of course. I've been far too conformist all these years. I shall most definitely be 'wearing purple' and cultivating eccentrities in grubby corners of my home that don't see a duster because I am too busy painting and writing strange stories and romantic romps. I shall dance around supermarkets and sing in the bank.

I'll probably have paint stains on my fingers and bits of paper sticking to the back of my clothing. I'll totter around in high heels and evening dresses whenever I feel like it and roll in the grass. My make up and hair will depict my mood. I think I'll get hair extensions and wear flowers tucked behind my ears. I'll jingle and shine when I walk as all my jewellery dances along with me and catches the light.

I'll the be crazy relative that the young uns like to visit because there's always something interesting to find in my house - whether it's a fanciful tale, an intriguing guest or something sticking out of a drawer that sparkles and shines in the sunlight.

I'll be forever dashing off on adventures with my loved ones. Together we will be explorers of the world, gathering treasures and stories to share.

Growing older will be a pleasure. Starting with today when I promise I shall dance around the supermarket (wearing purple) while I pick out the ingredients for our evening meal. No time like the present I say!

Cast your growth wishes with Jamie Ridler and the gang over at the Wishcasting site.

Picture is just some eye candy I made from one of my summer photos - as it's purple I thought it was sort of appropriate. It would look lovely in my hair don't you think?

Art Every Day - Day 10

The birds

The storm raged, the wind howled and the rain came down in torrents. The worlds shifted out of alignment that night as the black bird made his way from one to another...

 Forcing myself to create for Art Every Day month is a wonderful experience. I end each day with 'something' and often surprise myself. I love this piece. I realised I hadn't even thought about the Three Muses Blackbird challenge this week, so sat down and opened my mind. Leah's simple silhouette drawings sprang to mind and reminded that I didn't have to go complicated, that illusion was often far more powerful.

I took my imagination into the elements (the photoshop kind) and let rip with a few secret ingredients.

OK, perhaps not so secret. Shall I share? First up a background I've painted, sprayed, dripped and dabbed with acrylics and inks (intended for a later mermaid painting) and then wonderful play with brushes! Yes, brushes! The bird, moon and tempestuous sea were all imported brushes. Clever eh? Then I applied a few textures and masks et voila!

How lucky we modern artists are. Who would have thought what a wonderful outlet to creativity our computers would become?

Look.... a ghost bird too.... spooky! Same background - just changed the colour. Mask applied from Designerdigitals.com.

I love Photoshop!

Every picture tells a story

Well, it looks like that's it. The rain is falling in stair rods and lashing the leaves from the trees. Winter is peeking out from the clouds and readying to hold us in its grip for a few dismal months.

However, all is not lost, for is not the party season upon us? Why as soon as tomorrow night I shall be donning my glad rags and stepping out among the glitterati.

Thoughts of little black dresses inspired this piece for Illustration Friday's 'afterwards' theme and also finally got some work into my sketchbook project book. Look at this girl, how prim and proper she looks as she prepares for the office Christmas Party. She spent a fortune at the hairdressers getting that hair pinned, her make up is applied with the delicacy of a pre-Raphaelite working on a Greek beauty and the crushed velvet of her brand new sparkling party dress skims her curves perfectly.

Hours later she stands surveying her reflection once again. Every picture tells a story my friends and I think hers speaks of too much sparkling wine, an overdose of uninhibited dancing and someone else wearing her lipstick - look at that secret grin and try telling me otherwise!