stop

Argh so much work .stop. Busy .stop. Tired .stop. No time for illustration this week .stop. Owners selling our house. stop. Painters will be here all next week . stop. Have to get all of our furniture out of the way .stop. Then will have to move house .stop. Argh .stop. .stop.

winter wonderdress

Now I work from home I don’t get out during the day too often. I mean I’ll pop down to the post office, or grocery store, or to a café, or even meet up with a friend in a park to soak in some sunshine, but because I don’t have a steady income anymore I try to steer clear of the shops… the temptation. But last week I had to go pick up some art supplies and I was left on my own around many shops for just a little bit too long.

Oh dear, I don’t often go on about clothes; I think the last time was about a year ago with the guitar shirt, but let me introduce you to my new dress. It’s Winter here, so this little snowy number stole my heart. It is illustrated you see. Look at all those critters! Wolves, polar bears, seals, walruses, and a goose I think. I just love it, and can’t wait to wear it somewhere (that’s the downside of being at home all day, there’s never any need to get changed out of my jeans).

After that I had a teensy case of buyers glee and went right ahead and kept on buying… I managed to happen across the Society of Illustrators Annual (a satisfyingly fat book), and the art store was out of what I needed but rather than leaving empty handed I went right on a bought BIG paper instead. Eeek. I know that doesn’t sound too naughty (a dress, a book and some paper), but these days that’s a huge shopping spree for me.

Anyway, back to the dress... On top of being fascinated by all the critters, I’m looking forward to being able to simply glance down at my lap or along my arm at them all, hence keeping myself amused during boring moments. I’m also acutely aware that this is the kind of thing my future children will discover a photograph of me wearing a decade or two from now, and laugh heartily and humiliated at how on earth I could find any such creation worthy of wearing out in public. :D

lonesome rabbit

Weee-heeee, another letterbox arrival!

This is my ATC from Annette at Carambatack. I was able to select this one from her collection of available ATCs (there are always new ones available, so if you feel like doing some more swapping, and nabbing yourself a lovely card all the way from Norway, then go here).

I chose Lonesome Rabbit because I found him to be quite unique; the crinkled texture and style of the little painting overall. I just adore him.

I love Annette's wild-haired ladies too, so I was lucky and thrilled to receive one on the front of this card. PLUS two of the most beautiful handmade, vintage looking gift tags (which I highly doubt I will ever part with).

What a package. Thank-you Annette!

All of this stuff is so lovely, but I must admit, I also got quite a kick out of the quirky stamp on the envelope!

rejection

My Illustration Friday attempt for "rejection".

(click here to biggerize)

under my umbrella

My second ATC arrived yesterday, this one is from Anastasia C and is called under my umbrella. It's so cool (I love it, thank-you Anastasia). Once again I love the colours and the retro styling. The background reminds me of vintage wallpaper and I adore the girls outfit. My favourite part mind you, would have to be the line of text that says "Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern?" (hehehe, that makes me giggle every time).

This package came with some inspiration: what I assume is a mini moo card (I've never seen a real one before) and a note on some beautiful stationary. Both of which I've been meaning to get for myself for aaaages.

Also, Jen the Canadian, let me know that she received her ATC from me yesterday too. How's that? We can post stuff to the opposite end of the earth and it will arrive in about the same time as posting it 10 minutes up the road from here. Pretty cool.

draw anyway

I don't know if you guys have seen this yet; Draw Anyway. It's a fantastic site which gives drawing tips, techniques to try out, and if you're up to it you can even do the exercises. And it's all in an effort to encourage us to draw (draw anything, draw anyway).

I know I've mentioned it before, but I use this mantra as my way of trying to scramble up out of those creative bogs of gunky darkness. You know, just draw, draw lots and don't look back, don't review, just keep going for a little while. I feel like it's good advice, but I don't always follow it myself... I have a habit of ignoring my better judgement. Anyway, that's why this site is sooo good. It's is WELL worth a look, it's got so many good things to try out. Doesn't pressure you into feeling like you've got to make a masterpiece, just something quick and fun to get you going.

I spent some time today playing with colouring some sketches digitally. I still don't know how to get them to look any good, but it was fun letting go and playing for a while, and I discovered some interesting effects. I also spent a good hour or so playing on the ArtPad site (these images are from that). It's great fun, and especially lovely watching the play-back animations to see how other people draw.

If you want to see how I drew a couple of scary monsters, then go and watch this. GRRRRRR! :D

Or, better still, go make your own here.

intersect

The first of the ATCs from our swap last week arrived yesterday, and it somehow managed to arrive safe, dry, and without a drop of rain on it through all this hideous weather we've been having. It's from Sara from toilet roll art, and it it just lovely. The scan doesn't do it justice really, the colours are fresh and the foil bits set it off a treat I tell you. Thank-you Sara.

In the envelope were some other little treats too, including my very own logo!

Actually I had a nightmare the other night about this swap. You know how when you do a swap, you often get those super generous partners who will put all sorts of extra bits and pieces in the package? Well, I've been so busy that my ATCs were sent as is, no fancy extra's; not a button, not a ribbon, not a sticker, nothin' (sorry guys). Anyway I've obviously been harouring deep guilt about this in my subconscious ever since, beacuse the other night I dreamed that all the swapped ATCs started arriving with some serious bonus prizes! Each and every one had extra gifts inside, and they were big. There was food, and knitted things, and bags and the biggest one was hand painted screens; you know those old fashion free standing changing screens, (3 large panels held together with hinges), yeah anyway there were 2 of those. In the dream I looked across my mountain of goodies and felt so so so guilty.

Moral of the story: if you're like me and sent the ATC on it's own, I thank-you for easing my guilt.
(Oh, and if you have sent extra bits... thank-you!)