Where did January go?

Did I just blink and miss another month? Thankfully as I look back I realise it is because I was too busy being creative. 

I had a go at upcycling an old bird cage into a light shade for the studio.

I also finished a work that has been hanging around the studio for a while. Every now and then I would go back to her but I was just never really feeling inspired. Then I had a eureka moment and I am so pleased with how she turned out. 

Also the sketchbook artworks are keeping me busy. 

Acrylics

Acrylics 

Acrylics

Acrylics

Pen and collage

Pen and pencil

Pen

Pen and pencil

Pen and watercolours 

I am thinking of getting some of my favourites made into prints. 

I also had a fun session teaching collage to kids at the local bookstore. ( Pictures and Pages). We used a photo of the children and an image of a place in the world, then we turned them into a collage.

Till next time xxxx

The sketchbook challenge continues...

I am really enjoying the sketchbook challenge that I have set for myself. Some days I do something 'serious' and other days I play. 

Here's is what I have done over the past week: 

Permanent marker

12 Apostles. Watercolour pencil

Permanent marker, watercolour, pen and watercolour pencil

Katrina's (Day of the dead). Pen

Acrylic and collage

Summer in the city. Acrylic and collage

Acrylic and collage

Acrylic 

Thanks for visiting. See you again soon

Sketchbook progress

The sketchbook challenge I set for myself is proving to be enjoyable. When I sit down each day to start I have no idea what I am going to do. So I will look around the room, poke though a box or stare at my materials for a minute then just go with the first idea that comes to me. 

Here is what I have come up with over the past few days...

Art materials. Watercolour and coloured pencil. 

My hand. Tissue paper collage and acrylic background. 

Bug off. Pen, tissue, acrylic, collage and stickers. 

Eye spy. Pen in post it notes and collage. 

See you next time

Welcome 2015

It is hard to believe another year is already upon us. Last year was an amazing one with exhibitions, teaching art to adults and children, having an article published, and of course my trip to Mexico. I am looking forward to seeing what this year has in store for me. 

I don't normally make New Years resolutions but decided I would this year. It is to start an artwork a day in a sketchbook. This is not something I usually do so I felt it would be a great challenge for myself. The plan is a simple one. Spend 10 minutes to an hour creating an artwork on any subject.  

Here are the first few days...

An artwork a day keeps the psychiatrist away. 

In the garden. 

Cooper. 

I will post some more in a few days. See you then. 

The big adventure. Day 18

Wow. What a trip! 

I have had the most amazing time, met some great people, been to some wonderful places and ticked a few things off my bucket list. I am so happy I made this trip and am incredibly thankful to my little family and in laws for helping me have this time to do it. Also thankful to my lovely friend Anita for joining me on this adventure. 

Our final day was spent in Fiji. I spent half of it horizontal after the long flight from LA then headed to the pool for sunshine and drinks. 

Sunrise in Fiji. 

Thanks for joining me on my big adventure. After 18 days, 9 flights (and the tedious customs and waiting times), 3 countries and god knows how many kilometers of walking I am pleased to be home with my family.  Xxxxxx

The big adventure. Day 17

Guess where I am.....

We had the best day. Anita and I had a 12 hour stopover in LA so decided to do a cheesy tour. We had so much fun. We had a lovely driver but far out he was boring. So we got pissed on a huge jug of sangria during the lunch stop and then it was a blast.

We went to Venice beach

Beverly Hills 

The farmers market.  Vegan paella and lotsa sangria at Little Spain. Happy days. 

Mann's Chinese theatre and the walk of fame. 

Ran into a few Johnny Depp's

 

 

And apparently Michael Jackson is alive and well and hanging out in Hollywood. 

It was super cheesy but was such a blast. A great way to say goodbye to this side of the world. 

Hasta mañana xxxxx

The big adventure. Day 16.

Today was our last day in Mexico. Sad face. 

I was over old churches, markets and lots of people so today we went to the zoo. And do you know what we discovered- that the zoo is more fun without kids! 

While I am not a huge fan of zoos, the one in Guadalajara wasn't too bad. It was pretty cool to see animals that we don't get at home. The gondala ride from one end of the zoo to the other was great too. 

I was so in love with this little guy. He came straight over and started talking to me. We talked for ages. I had to wait for him to end the conversation and go because I felt mean leaving him. 

This lady saw Anita eating nuts and wanted some too. 

This was my favourite thing. They have a big platform in the orangutans enclosure that connects to other platforms with ropes so the orangutans can move around the zoo. 

Hasta mañana xxxxx