Do you mind?

I was pushed out of bed this morning (a Sunday no less), by this girl who was begging to be drawn. Seriously, it's Sunday morning and last night I went out on a hen night and drank wine from a glass the size of a small bucket and she wants me to roll out of bed and get all creative.

Ah well actually it wasn't that difficult. I may have drunk more than my usual consumption of the fruit of the vine, but that isn't really that much truth be told... And I really did fancy drawing a girl with a touch of whimsey about her.

So, she took form on a splattered and stamped sketchbook page - more tea employed in the making of this (my boyfriend's 14-year-old daughter thought I was more insane than usual when she caught me flinging hot tea bags around in the name of art).

Yesterday the sun came out which was a somewhat shocking experience. It has been hiding for so long that I forgot that one was required to rub sunscreen in to exposed skin to protect it from sizzling. I'm a little rosy on the shoulders and chest today...

An early entry to Summer of Colour's Orange (I have another one for tomorrow!), and a Sunday Sketch.

Prismacoloured pencils on a background of tea splats and rubber stamping. Digital application of a brush by Kim Klassen with the words.

What do you think this is?

Experimental art this week is all about photography. We're immersed in reflections and tricks of light. Earlier in the week, I captured some fairy magic glinting at me through the trees, but today we stayed at home and relaxed over...

... a refreshing cup of tea

Yesterday, I tried in vain to 'do art'. Nothing was working, the Muse was out with her mates. All I wanted to do was paint a pretty picture of an orange lady ready for Summer of Colour on Monday and a dainty array of afternoon tea for Inspiration Avenue. I just made a mess. So instead, I played with photographs. The Muse came back from her night out and took a great interest, peering over my shoulder at the screen and making suggestions. I've never been one for reading tea leaves before, but this looks like an interesting story to follow up! Can you see the winged creature hovering over the brown speckled tea in the one above?

Where do you do your best thinking?

Mine is when free from all noise - just me alone with my thoughts. It might be while driving, trying to get to sleep or, like yesterday, running.

Now before you all go getting the wrong impression about this sleek runner pounding the streets, let me allow you into a little secret. I woke up this morning feeling as though while I'd slept some fiend had tied my legs in a knot round the back of my head and then pummeled me in the stomach... It  has been a while since I ran...

It's only since I became self-employed that I really stopped exercising - which was a total surprise because I somewhat naively thought I would have more time on my hands to fling myself about. The trouble is that I don't often take a proper lunch break and my home office is right next to the fridge. Then, at the end of the work day and by the time my son has gone to bed, all I want to do is paint.

The exercise stopped and the pounds began to pile on. Now that waistbands are beginning to dig in, it has become time to stop the rot. But it hurts...

Anyway, I digress. I was supposed to be posing the question about best thinking time. Has anyone else noticed that they always come up with their best ideas when they are least in a position to write them down?

 PS: For the avoidance of doubt - that is not me in the photograph!

Purple

I'm all written out this week. My professional writing skills have been stretched to their limits and I confess to being just a touch tired out. So, instead of attempting to write something clever or entertaining, I'm just going to post this for Summer of Colour's purple challenge and then go out for a walk in the sunshine!

Brits among you may recognise her, though I'm not sure it's a terribly good likeness. It's Cat Deeley, taken from an advert for jewellery (except I didn't quite get around to painting the jewellery!).

Tootles.

The beauty of experimentation

You really need to enlarge this image (just click on it) to get into the lush colour and texture.

The beauty of experimentation is that it is just that. In the words of a certain Mr Gump, you just never know what you're gonna get. And because of this uncertainty, we're not too fussed about the end result. I touched on this last week with my finger painting, but it's worth mentioning again.

It's just play and it's very relaxing - just what was needed after the week I've had.

Collage, textures, paint, glue, ink, more collage, paint and glue. Fun. Perfect for Paint Party Friday.

Wings? Eh?

It's not as easy as it looks this collage malarky. I was inspired by my experimental art course and the work of Derek Gores to create this wild Scottish beachscape. I was also doing some serious 'out-of-the-box' thinking with regards to the creative prompt at Inspirational Avenue - Wings.

I mean it would just be too easy to think birds, butterflies and bumble bees wouldn't it? Maybe I should go down the man-made aeronautical route instead? But then a song crept into the depths of my imagination and an idea was born.

This particular song was the first in the UK to ever sell more than two million copies. It was number 1 for 9 weeks and is probably sung by every tourist visiting this distant outpost of the British Isles. It is of course Mull of Kintyre by the group 'Wings' - see, I told you I wasn't thinking along normal lines!!

My collage sort of looks like a photograph I saw of the mist rolling in through the sea.. my desire is always to be here oh Mull of Kintyre....I'm sure the house may be a slight exaggeration to the one owned by Mr McCartney though. I doubt even he would have been granted planning permission (he has made his mark in the clouds though... look closely!).

This definitely looks better when viewed from a distance. I might paint over part of it to help with the illusion of distance. Lots of fun though.

Devil woman

Seriously she's been a devil this one. Perhaps starting with such a fiery red didn't help, I was clearly asking for trouble. The temper was rising, the tantrums threatening to explode.

Just look at that moody stare; I wouldn't cross her if I were you. I've a feeling her man may well have caused some upset. Did he stray? Did he not quite understand the question "Does my bum look big in this?" Either way, he's in big trouble that's for sure.

I think he should take her dancing - something wild and tempestous with a Latin vibe. A rose between his teeth and a Cuban heel might just take her mind off his misdemeanours. Or maybe he'd be better off with someone a bit less pouty!

She is celebrating Red week at The Summer of Colour.

Acrylic background, charcoal, pastels, a bit more acrylic and a dash of temper thrown in for good measure. Keep your distance!