Inklings

Tree obsession

2012-01-24T13:33:00.000Z

Think I have a tree obsession. Not sure how bad it is yet, but I've noticed, in the past 2 days I've done at least 5 drawings of them. This obsession came to light as I've been going through old drawings and photos of mine trying to find ideas to turn into etchings. Putting together several images, I realised two thirds of them where trees, or wood related.

Very quick colour sketch, one day to turn into a proper painting, but I loved the way the winter light hit the bare poplars, with some of them in rich lilac shade.

I love seeing how fallen trees carry on growing, their branches turning into trees themselves, carrying on despite the odds.

So, not sure where these drawings will take me, but I have an idea it could be quite an absorbing project ahead of me...

Wolf Alice

2012-01-17T19:52:00.002Z

So this is is one of the things that I've been doing that is keeping me out of trouble till the wee small hours of the morning. (5.30am to be exact but nothing like a last minute panic to get the creative juices going...)

Managed to get three illustrations and an idea for a cover (above) done for an illustration competition for the Folio Society. I love, love, love this publisher. They publish beautiful hard back, mostly illustrated books. All great quality, and its been one of my dreams to become one of their illustrators. Anyway, I heard about this competition only relatively recently, so once I read the book - 'The Bloody Chamber' by Angela Carter, I couldn't wait to try some ideas. The book is a collection of short stories, all adaptions of fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood, Beauty and the Beast, and Puss-in -Boots, but for adults. So some pretty interesting interpretations of the old favourites, which made it really exciting to try and illustrate. The one above is called Wolf Alice, about a girl bought up by wolves, and half 'tamed' and humanised by nuns but left to live alone with a werewolf in a castle. Great story.

So, now its a case of crossing fingers, waiting, and hoping to hear the results. But as they say, its the taking part that counts...

Weaving the Past

2011-12-05T00:36:00.001Z

So, here is one of the reasons that I've not posted in a wee while. Due to serendipity (I love that word) I got chatting to a lovely lady called Cheryl James and we got chatting about art and photography, and she mentioned that she was doing an installation in an old mill. I said how I would love to draw a place like that, and lo and behold, she said there was space for me to join her in her exhibition.

Its an amazing mill, still using machines dating as far back as early 1900's, most are from the 40's and 50's, and if they could talk... One lovely guy working there, been working in the mills for 50 odd years, and only been out of work for 5 minutes. Said he got made redundant from one mill, walked down the road and got hired at the next mill. Had incredible stories, but getting him to stop...

Each machine had beautiful parts, each one individually designed for a specific use, but taken away from its context a great sculptural work of art. Not sure that is what the engineer/designer had in mind when he made it, and not sure that I captured it, but I could have spent months in that place drawing.

So, many visits later, drawing the two men working there, the old looms, the weird and wonderful contraptions, I found myself putting up an exhibition with Cheryl. All crazy and usual last minute panic to get things done, but I did it. So, if anyone is in Selkirk, its on till the 20th December, at Andrew Elliot Ltd. Phew.

Secret beaches

2011-09-03T20:15:00.000+01:00

Finally found this lovely beach in East Lothian near North Berwick. A few people have told me about it over the years but said I had to find it for myself as it was so special. So all I'm saying for those who care to find it, its east of North Berwick, and left down a little leafy lane, and down a bit...
Fabulous secret not so little beach, a few people there but all studiously ignoring each other pretending it was just there for themselves. Great views over the Firth of Forth, and Bass Rock covered in guano shimmers in the sun. Bliss.

Blaeberry's and wave chambers

2011-08-29T22:50:00.000+01:00

Couldn't resist squishing the blaeberry on the paper to see what colour it was. Went down to Kielder Forest in Northumberland and came across a huge patch of them. Spent what felt like an hour picking them in the heat surrounded by flies and midges, and ended up with only a wee bag of them. Just enough for a pie, but oh what a pie! We were actually on our way to see the Wave Chamber by Chris Drury. A stone built beehive that you went in, shut the door and sat in the dark, until you realise that you're looking at waves on the stone floor. The hut is right on the edge of the reservoir and its a camera obscura reflecting the water into the hut. All you can hear is the water lapping at the shore, and see this reflection. Lovely meditative place. If I ever have a river or a pond, I would build one

To Tatamagouche

2011-06-09T00:35:00.000+01:00

So made it north after the Big Apple. Thought I'd try and draw all the animals I saw whilst up there - was dying to see a moose and a bear, but no luck. Or thought I saw a moose, but have a feeling it was just a deer. Definitely saw a beaver though, very exciting swimming alongside the road in a ditch. And a porcupine. Dead one, but definitely a porcupine.... But by far the most exciting one was what we think was a snowy owl. Just above my brother's field, circling the trees, huge and beautiful. My brother and girlfriend moved out there last year and have started a flower farm, beautiful place, all organic and free living. Check our their blog if you get a chance, great reading about all their adventures in setting up a farm in a totally new environment to them. I'm so glad we made it out there, and great to be able to contribute my lil bit to their cause!

Tried to draw the dutch barns all over the place, but this was done from the train across to Nova Scotia, so they flew past, so, I know they look nothing like the beautiful dutch barns, but wanted to capture the feel of them surrounded by thick snow and the water and hills beyond them.

Jamie and Fay collected their own maple syrup, so exciting going down everyday to see what was in the bucket. Took hours to boil it down to anything remotely resembling the stuff you see plonked down infront of you with your pancakes, but so tasty, knowing you've collected it yourself.

So many houses had these little lighthouses in their gardens. Loved them. Only managed to get three of them, but they had all sorts of different shapes and sizes.

This was drawn at Peggy's Cove, a beautiful place, a mecca for artists the world over. Not a great representation this as it was drawn in what must have been -10 degree wind chill, so no feeling at all in my hands, or brain, but one day I'll return in the warmth. It has a great lighthouse, and the whole village has been built on granite. William deGarthe, an artist, lived there and when he was 70 he started carving out a 30m mural on this granite dedicated to the fishermen. Amazing piece of work, but 7 years later he died, not having finished it. Amazing dedication to work on something that consistently, to still maintain that vision after all those years.

New York 2

2011-05-30T22:55:00.000+01:00

Loved all the different fire (?) hydrants I saw on my trip. Don't know what all the different colours meant, but I especially loved what looked like gold ones on Park Avenue. How decadent.

Went to a Korean restaurant as we used to live in South Korea when I was a kid, so we wanted to try all the food we used to adore, and it was far better than I remembered. I'm afraid the oil pastels didn't even remotely capture the delicacy and beauty of the food we were served, but great tasting bulgogi and kimchi again. Yum.

Drew these collection of people from our breakfast table one morning all walking past in their own little worlds getting ready for their day ahead.

Loved all the reflections in the glass. You would see hidden buildings reflected but you could never find the actual original building that made it.

Trump Towers to Tatamagouche

2011-05-27T01:12:00.000+01:00

So, I've been on a transatlantic whistle-stop trip around New York and Canada. A wee taster of two completely different places, both fascinating, and both great. Not nearly enough time spent in each place, but a good introduction to both brothers lives across the pond.

So, a few drawings will follow in various posts. A sketchbook was filled in all of two weeks, but I won't scan everything. But here are two of the skyline from the hotel.

Loved the water towers that were all over the place in New York. Apparently they all have to be the same style, only one company makes them, just to keep the integrity of the New York skyline. You don't really notice them at first, but once you spot one, you start to notice hundreds all over the place, I just loved the patterns and uniformity they made amongst the totally different buildings.

What a turkey!

2011-03-24T00:02:00.000Z

Loved drawing these turkeys. Could hardly walk under the weight of their own importance, all fluffed up and noone taking the blindest bit of notice. Never really noticed how beautiful their feathers were, quite subtle until you really look. Wish I had my paints when I drew them, but seeing as I was supposed to be working when I whipped my sketchbook out, probably would have been really cheeky if I had done so...

Two gone and counting

2011-03-03T12:30:00.000Z

So where have the past two months gone to? Gone far too fast, but must show I've been having far too much fun. Either that or just got too many things to do and not enough time.

So I'm back to doing my drawing calendar, did it last year sort of, but I tended to draw the days about a week or so later, and couldn't for the life of me remember some of the days, so its only a half filled diary. I've kept this one in the midst of my current sketch book, as last year I kept it separate and never took it around with me. If I can keep this years one going daily, as its always with me, it would be great, then at least I've got a reminder in the years to come of what a crazy ol time its been lately.

Natural Geometry

2011-02-12T19:19:00.000Z

How on earth do woodpeckers get perfectly circular holes? I've walked past this tree many a time and always marvelled at the perfect circles, so I finally decided to stop and draw it, and celebrate the clever wee elusive birds. Yet again the dogs waited patiently, well sort of. A stick kept being dropped at my feet at a not so subtle hint to get moving, stop drawing and start playing. One day I hope to catch a woodpecker on paper...

St Bride's Day

2011-02-01T23:58:00.001Z

Heard when I got up that it was St Bride's Day, goddess of fire and light. St Brigid is said to have helped the Virgin give birth to Jesus - whence she is the protector of pregnant women and midwives. Her pagan namesake, the Celtic goddess Brigit, was also associated with fertility and childbirth. Her feast day, is also the Gaelic spring festival of Imbolc, On this mystic day adders were believed to abandon their winter lairs: and the oyster-catcher birds, called in Gaelic Gille Brighde, ' the servants of Bride', made their appearance, bringing Spring with them. We saw a huge flock of them in a field today, coincidence? Not sure if I can remember seeing them earlier this year.
So this first day of February, we were told it was a good day to sow some seeds, so our new propagator bed was put to its test and tomatoes were sown. Shame she doesn't guard against forgetfulness. Forgot to turn off the hose filling up the water tank in the greenhouse, so guess what is now flooded...

Pottering On

2011-01-31T12:59:00.000Z

Can't wait, its feeling oh so that much closer to Spring and all it holds. Drew these pots in a friends' greenhouse while it was getting fixed after the snow bought all the panels in. Was meant to be helping but got distracted by all these cacti in their terracotta pots. Only very quickly painted afterwards, but it got me all excited about the planting plans and ideas that are shortly to be put in place. Also just started a fascinating book about the 'Secret Life of Plants' by Peter Tompkins. Written back in the 60's but still relevant. Makes me think twice now about how I talk and deal with plants. A must read for anyone who is even vaguely interested in plants.

This little piggie

2011-01-24T16:35:00.000Z

So that's the pigs gone. Great to have them, and learn all about them, not so great having to go out and feed them through 3 feet of snow over Christmas, but glad we did it. Thought I'd try and capture them, but all I mostly managed to get was their backsides as most of the time they had their heads down in a trough or the mud rooting around. They did like the occasional scratch behind their ears where they went off in a kind of trance and leant into my hand. Only found out last week though that they were males. Sorry guys for calling you girlies the last 6 or so months, you'd think it'd be obvious...

Resolute with resolutions

2011-01-18T22:49:00.000Z

So far this year trying very hard to stay focused. I know its taken me till today to post, when I promised myself I would post much more often, and I would do a drawing a day, but so far that's not quite happened. But I have already done an oil painting this year, and I've started planning the next few, and one art resolution is to get at least one into a gallery. Resolution two, to enter art competitions. As they say, you've got to be in it to win it.... Resolution three, revamp my illustration portfolio and send off to agents and publishers. Four, keep up the blog. Five, uuhm, stay focused...
So here's to resolutions. Anyone willing to keep on my case is welcome. I'll try not to kick and scream too much.

Happy Christmas

2010-12-24T12:57:00.000Z

Happy Christmas everyone. May it be as joyful as it is for my dog in the snow.

Incoming Storms

2010-12-23T23:16:00.000Z

Loving all this snow we've been having. When I'm not having to go out driving in it. And as long I've got all my thermals and waterproof footwear and socks two inches thick....
Missing the sight of green grass though. Not seen it for close to five weeks now, but on the plus side I've been very inspired by the elemental colours and shapes and pared down forms and contours the snow moulds out of the landscape. Been trying out oil paints for a change, and trying to figure out how to get my ideas and style down on canvas. Was struggling with a few paintings, so decided to go out with the dogs, came back to the studio looked out the window and saw this scene. (Sort of... kinda have to allow for artistic license and all that....) Got it down on canvas in the space of about 15 minutes which was great. Not a great photo taken of it, but just a record as its now off for a new life as someones Christmas present. They chose it themselves, so its not a big surprise if they happen to catch sight of it on here!

Still here, bartering away..

2010-11-27T12:56:00.000Z

Hi, I'm still here. Just been busy with life and all that is involved with it. Still drawing, but where on earth has the time gone to this year? There seems to be no time to scan drawings, write emails, phone friends, go for long walks, paint pictures, enjoy sunsets. But ask me what I've been doing with my life and I haven't the faintest idea of what to say that takes up the time. Been trying to earn some cash, got about 4 jobs, but realised I need to stop and take a breath every now and then.

I have been seeing a guy who's been clicking my back into place and doing acupuncture down the spine, but as I've not been able to afford the fees, he very kindly accepted a picture in payment for three treatments - hence this picture above, bad photo as scanner not available at the time. But what a star he is, looked through my sketchbook, picked a style he liked, and asked for something similar of a Scottish scene. If only you could pay all your bills in pictures. Council tax, electricity, phone bill, food... What a much nicer place the world would be in if all the world was covered in art of all shapes and sizes. Bartering is the way to go in the world I think. Find something that each of you think is of value, and swap. Some vegetables for a bit of work in the garden. Or some volunteering with old folks or in a hospital instead of tax bills.

Better get my head out of cloud cuckoo land....

Dead but not ignored

2010-11-03T22:37:00.000Z

I pass this tree whenever I drive into Edinburgh. Its dead and has been for many years, as I've been wanting to draw it whenever I pass it. Finally I did stop, as I'm sure one day the 'Health and Safety' laws will deem it unsafe and liable to fall on unsuspecting motorists, or a farmer will think it's in the way and chop it down, so I thought I'd get it down on paper and commemorate its gorgeous strong shape and interlacing nude branches. A tree in all its naked simple glory. Didn't get it all down, but I hope got the essence of it, and hopefully soon, I'll finish it off in a painting.

End of the season

2010-10-01T16:47:00.000+01:00

Thought I'd post these wee watercolours I sold a wee whiley back of some beachhuts, based on ones that are on Coldingham beach near us.

Have always longed for one of these huts, but they get passed down through the families not surprisingly, so hardly ever get on the market, So I'll just have to content myself with my own tiny shed in the hills and pretend I'm looking at the rollers coming in on the beach.

Memories of Summer

2010-09-29T18:11:00.000+01:00

On this miserable wet day, or as they say up here 'dreich', I thought I would post a wee drawing I did of some freshly picked peas just before I ate them raw. The taste of summer, a welcome memory in this first proper feeling of autumn. Brrr.

Creative Blocks

2010-09-19T08:25:00.000+01:00

Lesley Purcell was talking about creative blocks, and it reminded me how I try and get over them. I had gone through a period of not doing much and decided to take myself off to the woods with the dogs and my sketchbook. This is the initial drawing I did (then it started raining hence the big raindrop splodges), then when I got home I added the colour.

Not a great painting, but I wanted to try and remember the bright green leaves in the sunshine beyond the tall dark trees. I also then found some Scots Pines, one of my favourite trees, in a clearing.

I couldn't see the tops of them, but just loved the bright red orange trunks against the dark trees behind. I'll eventually get them painted properly, but at least these wee drawings got me out of a rut (with any luck). I hope Lesley finds her way out soon as her work is way too good to not be out there!

A study in Ellipses

2010-09-18T17:01:00.000+01:00

One of the best things I was ever taught was by my mum on how to draw ellipses. I found it incredibly hard to do and learn, but she made me stick at it and I love drawing them now. Still struggle every now and then, but find it quite therapeutic in a weird sort of way, just drawing ovals and trying to get the angle and light and odd shapes occurring in glasses and reflections.
I'd just like to point out that all those glasses in the drawing weren't all drunk by me... it was after a party and done very late one night after everyone had gone home and I didn't have the energy to clear up quite yet...

Nuthatch

2010-08-23T12:32:00.000+01:00

This nuthatch was found dead at a friends house and was nearly thrown away till it was said that I would draw it. Hope I'm not going to start being known as the lady that draws dead things...
Anyway, it was amazing to draw, and I had to do it quickly so no time to do a detailed watercolour before it started crawling away on its own. Really beautiful little bird, and I couldn't capture the colour of its back, but the feathers were a soft grey blue with hints of lilac. But what amazed me was its claws. Such huge scaly feet and claws for such a little thing. Like some prehistoric keepsake from the old days.

Dr Sketchy's Anti art School

2010-08-17T00:41:00.000+01:00

Finally after a year or two of wanting to and never being at the right place/time or state of mind, I've made it to a Dr Sketchy Anti-Art School. Its life drawing with a difference, putting the fun back into the human form, ranging from the mad, bad and generally slightly kooky to the curious. This time it was out in the middle of the park in Edinburgh, and we got a chance to draw various acts from the festival, from burlesque dancers and their booty, to sword fighters and tea ladies. Great fun, and 3 hours passed in what felt like 10 minutes. A perfect antidote to a crazy week before.

But unfortunately I had to go before the half naked muscly man came on. Not that that was all I was waiting for, just purely wanting to stay for research purposes...

Happy as a pig in the proverbial smelly stuff

2010-07-30T17:08:00.002+01:00

So, this is the reason I've not blogged in a while. We've been building, sawing, hammering, and running around like a blue ***** fly trying to get the houses ready for the various new additions to the 'good life'. So the new chooks, 6 hens from an organic farm up the road, and one very young black cockerel who's been henpecked like mad by the others ever since he arrived. We've called the hen in charge Maureen, and the cock Giuseppe as we thought he needed a bit of an Italian stallion sounding name to encourage him and give him a bit more confidence. He's got one hen who he perches next to, like a pair of little love birds, so we think she may be a Juliet in the making. Perhaps he should be Romeo? We've put them in an old garden hut we raised 6 feet of the ground, and made a wee ladder for them to climb up so they can shut themselves in a night. They all quite happily go up, minus one who gets kicked out by the others so we have to put her in ourselves to deter the foxes.

In addition to this little family, we also acquired a share in three little Tamworth pigs. They're for the chop come end of the year, which is a bit unfortunate as I think we've all fallen for them. (Well I have anyway) We spent ages building the electric fence and mending the arc, and thought all was solid, when within 2 minutes of the weaners arriving they escaped, like the fence was never on. I fell about laughing, so much for our craftsmanship skills. An hour later we finally got them back, three little sows, all stuck together like glue.

They're slowly getting used to us, but still very jumpy, so the only chance I can get to draw them is when they're chomping. So, I imagine there will be many more sketches on their way, next time in colour. As for their names? Bacon, Chorizo and Salami....

Sandwood Bay

2010-07-07T22:39:00.000+01:00

I recommend to anyone who can face a 4 mile hike, and an extensive trip right up to the north west highlands, to visit Sandwood Bay in Sutherland. It takes your breath away, and its not just the hike doing that. Its a John Muir nature reserve, about a 2 mile or so long white beach with a loch behind it, and when we got there a thick ha was creating such an atmospheric scene, it felt like you stepped back to the time of pirates and the ghosts of the Spanish Armada.

We had heard tales of the resident ghost, and treasure that is supposed to be on the beach from ships that have run aground there, so we did the 4 mile hike with metal detectors.... like we were going to find anything on a huge white beach with massive sand dunes, but hey ho. So while one of us went off scanning with the detector, I sat and tried to paint the ha, the dogs ran wild up and down the dunes, and it was so idyllic, not even the ghost could scare off the sea eagle I saw perched by the loch. Bliss.

No head for heights

2010-07-03T10:40:00.000+01:00

Drew this the evening before we were due to head up one of the Cuillins on Skye. This lot are the Red Cuillins, and I had my back determinedly facing the Black ones that we were due to climb. I love climbing Munroes (mountains above 3000 feet), such a great sense of achievement - and the views if you've not got your head in a cloud are to die for. Well hopefully not literally.
Anyway, this was my first attempt at a Cuillin, and also the first time I've taken the dog with me. Initially I was more worried about her, but she turned out to be a real natural. Jumping about like a mountain goat and balancing on the most precarious rocks like she's been doing it all her life, and not disturbing an inch of scree. I was fine on the way up, a beautiful day, but the way back down, as I've not head the best head for heights, I was clinging to every bit of rock imaginable. Steep drop on each side, and trying not to hyperventilate. Breathe in at the nose, out from the mouth, in, out, in, out. But, they say you've got to face your fear don't they, and I'm glad I did, and now got another fear tackled and dealt with. Maybe not for good but at least vaguely conquered. It could have been a lot worse as my friend slipped down the scree and banged his head, and the sight of blood pouring out stopped my own panic and made me concentrate on his. Luckily not a big gash, so sticky plaster on, carried on down and dogs patiently waited for me to crawl down on my behind, and a very refreshing skinny dip in a crystal clear mountain burn cooled me down in all sensed of the word. Bliss.

Ambitions

2010-06-26T18:05:00.000+01:00

On one of the many ferries I took, I ended up in one of the passageways where dogs were allowed. So we sat and dozed and read, and I ended up drawing this, a young mother and her very active toddler who had slept all the way from Manchester, and now decided to be up and active on the 6 hour ferry crossing while her exhausted Mum tried to keep an eye on her.

I was initially trying to draw a young shepherd/part time lobster fisherman, who was in the dog section with us and his sheep dog. He was just 19, but already had huge plans and ambitions. He'd been over to New Zealand when he was 17 after saving up, learnt how to shear sheep, came back and was now a travelling shepherd around Scotland and the Outer Hebrides, shearing sheep during the season, with his big ambition to shear 400 sheep in one day. Last year he made it to 370 odd. He was also saving up to buy a big Charolais bull so he could start his own herd and breed prize winning cows.

I thought his ambition was great, its not often you meet someone that age who knows exactly what he wants to do in life. I kept trying to draw him but he looked so self conscious I stopped and drew the toddler instead who had no such fears, and kept on quite happily trying to wake her Mum up, in between making faces in the mirror, running over to pat the dogs, and stare at people from between her legs. Hope she grows up just as self assured as the young shepherd.

Seals

2010-06-25T09:34:00.000+01:00

We had a big colony of seals living just off where we were staying. The first night we didn't have a clue what that eerie sound was, all sorts of howls and squeals, so it wasn't till morning that we saw about 40 seals, all sizes and colours balancing on the rocks in the harbour, soaking up the sun. You can definitely see why the ancient mariners believed in mermaids and weird sea creatures and harpies with the sounds that came out of these beautiful creatures, especially when it was all foggy and incredibly spooky.
All blissfully happy basking, until the tide started rising again and the groans and grunts and cries of disgust and shock when the cold water started to lap at their sides and cover their flippers hanging off the sides. It was generally the big daddy of them all that lasted right till the end as he had the largest and highest rock, and he wouldn't let anyone else dare try to get on with him, even going as far as pushing a few off just to make sure they all knew who was in charge.

Literature & Lighthouses

2010-06-24T11:52:00.000+01:00

Did these two drawings in the space of a matter of hours, and again, its amazing the variety of weathers Scotland can throw at you on a whim, from blazing sunshine to a storm in a teacup, (or whisky glass being Islay).

Painting not great as not done on watercolour paper but as had nothing else to hand, I couldn't resist trying to capture the dark clouds racing north from the Irish coast. The lighthouse is a Robert Stevenson one, built in 1825, the grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson of 'Kidnapped' and 'Treasure Island' books. It was a family business building lighthouses, and Robert the younger bucked the trend and went off to test his literary leanings. I was actually named after one of his books, so I feel a lot of sympathy with him in doing what was definitely not expected of him. A man after my own heart...

Choughs away

2010-06-23T00:19:00.000+01:00

Did thison my first morning in Islay, and went a bit crazy with the inks, but I enjoyed doing it, and though the splats were accidental, I like the randomness and slight craziness of it all. Guess the sun and wind and beautiful views were inspiring me to let go. Had also just seen some choughs, (endangered birds that look a bit like blackbirds but with red legs and beaks and swooping flight) so that lifted us up no end. Tried to draw them but dogs were mightily interested in them too so had to drag them and us away.

Highlands and Islands

2010-06-21T23:52:00.000+01:00

Finally gotten around to posting again. Been here, there and everywhere, both physically and mentally as past few months been an upheaval in all senses of the word. In between all this, managed a trip to Islay and the Outer Hebrides, and the far north of Scotland, so over the next wee while I'll be trying to post a few drawings from the very inspirational trip.

All fired up with lots of painting ideas and designs, but in the meantime here is my first drawing of one of the 8 whisky distilleries on the island. Experimenting with my ink again, after a breezy lunch in the sun by the harbour, and while everyone else went off shopping I thought I'd spend the time catching the rays and a view or two. Though no drams were had in the making of this....

And now for something completely different...

2010-05-10T11:24:00.000+01:00

Was doodling these zentangles the other day, totally unlike what I usually do, but found it really meditative and great to do something non representational. Good to break away from the usual day to day every now and then, makes you look at things from a different viewpoint. Next thing is to try and work the graphic strong look into some of my drawings..

Hair of the Dog

2010-04-29T12:06:00.000+01:00

Found out you really shouldn't laugh at dogs when they're only half way through a short back and sides. It just hurts their feelings.

This bearded collie was getting his pre summer cut, but there was no time to finish the 4th leg or his back, so for the day he went around with one leg warmer like a Fame academy dancer from the 80's.
Next time I saw him though he was shaking his skinny little hips and had a very cool swagger to his step. He felt he was definitely one cool dude. And about a ton lighter...

Fallago Rig Enquiry- Court Reporter!

2010-04-26T15:52:00.001+01:00

So this has been my distraction for a wee bit. Our local community has just gone through a public enquiry, fighting the encroachment of yet another windfarm on our hills. We've currently got the highest concentration of windfarms in the UK in an area 26x15 kilometres wide, (currently standing at 464 either constructed, consented or in planning) so we're trying to stem the flood of 48 more from entering the wee haven of moorland in the middle. So, our two plucky local community council members (along with a landowners group) were up against the Ministry of Defence, the Developers, and Government planning. Its also a battle between two Dukes - Northumberland and Roxburgh just to spice things up a bit. I couldn't get to see the drama every day (which there was quite a bit I hear), but the days I was there I managed to turn myself into a court reporter.

There has been controversy aplenty, with Freedom of Information acts revealing secret meetings between ministers, developers and land owners and the developer's photos being passed off as recent, when in fact they were taken in 2007, trying to negate the effects of cumulative impact.

So, sketchbook was out while I was trying to following the various sides, and sometimes it got too technical so I ended up drawing the faces and shoes of Joe Public.

And discovered a very smart man in front of me wearing a pair of Mr Men socks which pleased me no end. Little things.

So, don't quite think I'm up to being a bona fide courtroom artist as you're not allowed to sketch from life but only take handwritten notes, but this was an interesting experience anyway. We're all now waiting with baited breath to hear back from the Reporter as to whether we've been successful or not. It really felt like a battle of David and Goliath proportions. Watch this space....

Spring?

2010-03-31T20:27:00.000+01:00

So we all thought Spring was here to stay, just started to get used to the two pairs of lapwings flying in the field opposite, and the sound of curlews over the moor, and the very new lambs leaping with adrenaline and wearing their little plastic coats, when a foot and a half of snow was dumped on us, lines were bought down, phones cut off, and floods causing chaos around Scotland. But managed to get these two drawings done for a local report before all the lights went out. Still cut off from making it back up my hill home, so thankfully sitting in my mum's lovely warm house. Bliss. Gotta love mothers.

Procrastination Part Deux

2010-03-27T11:08:00.000Z

Procrastination, deviation, delaying, dilly-dallying, pottering, deferment, postponement, retardation, delay tactics, avoidance, loitering, dawdling, humming and hawing, sticking head in sand, disinclination.

Think I've had far too much fun drawing and thinking up words. Think its time to pack up the dictionary and thesaurus....

2010-03-25T08:46:00.000Z

More procrastination going on here, but thought I'd celebrate the emergence of spring. All very exciting. If I find my watercolours one day amongst the mess, I'll actually start painting again, though maybe that's taking procrastination one step too far....

Procrastination

2010-03-23T10:49:00.000Z

So this is the reason why I've not been blogging so much. Or at all. These are the new residents set up outside the kitchen window, and instead of packing and sorting out the mess that is now the house and garden, I've decided to draw. And make a fence around the bees. And go away for the weekend. And go on a five hour hike. And make a bench. In fact, anything at all rather than face the awful job of packing up a house for the 14th time in 11 years.

February

2010-03-10T15:03:00.001Z

So, February. A month of winters and contradictions. Spring sprung, then bounced right out again to make room for yet more winter which hasn't finished with us yet. I write this in March looking out over the hills at snow still clinging on to the heather. Bees still hiding, but I spotted my first Lapwing at the weekend, which cheered me up no end. Watching them in flight does nothing but good for the soul.

Sunshine Award!

2010-03-04T10:09:00.000Z

Wow, Pam Johnson Brickell has awarded me the Sunshine Award for "Creativity and Positivity in Blogging." Huge huge thank you Pam, big honour from such a talented lady.

If one accepts the reward it must be passed on to 12 others. One must also let them know that they are nominated. Everything must be linked to everyone. I've now got to pass this on to 12 other creative bloggers, who I find inspiring, though trying to whittle it down to 12 is going to be hard, but here goes in no particular order!:

Wil at Carving Paper
Phyllis at Alden work
Charline at CSevenM
Lesley Purcell
Louise Egger
Stephen Hall
France Belleville
Raena
Gentian
Sarah at Curious Crow
Jennifer Lawson
Danielle C McManus

oh Fiddlesticks

2010-03-03T10:49:00.001Z

This is the first time I've ever tried to draw someone playing the fiddle. Guitar I can do, as the musician usually stays relatively still bar the fingers, but fiddle players are a different matter, especially when they start swaying and bobbing up and down to the music. I'm glad this one was silhouetted, made my job slightly easier....

People watching

2010-02-18T14:30:00.000Z

The two extremes of commuting life. From Mr Industrious at 8am, fixated on his laptop, extra strong coffee and blueberry muffin, to the lad fast asleep whislt in the middle of texting. The joys of people watching.

While the (other) boss is away....

2010-02-16T19:25:00.000Z

Thought I'd take this opportunity while Hazel is away on holiday of uploading a picture of her I did last week (just to avoid the wrath you see). It was after a very long day walking the NEC in Birmingham (those of you who don't know it, its a huge exhibition centre otherwise known as Hell on Earth) visiting friends and drumming up business at a trade show. So hopefully she'll excuse the non likeness as we were both shattered and this was coming up to 11pm on the train, and I was sitting too close to her, and I had had two glasses of wine..... I can use all the excuses in the world, but after knowing her for 16 years (OMG is it really that long!!!) you would think that I really should by now be able to get some sort of likeness...

January

2010-02-15T11:23:00.003Z

Finally gotten around to posting my January drawings. It has been one of those months, full of the complete range of emotions, weathers and activities, and its run on into February. Lets hope this rollercoaster slows down a bit or at least doesn't have as many twists and turns and stomach turning and heart stopping moments as the first month and a half has done! Though, I suppose it does make life interesting....

2010-02-08T11:12:00.004Z

Got a flash of inspiration yesterday, saw a beautiful landscape painting, done in oils and palette knife, so when I got back home, out came my oils, my knives, my photo references, and this is the result of some mad painting done in about 40 minutes. Supposed to be golden grasses and the heather of the Lammermuir Hills, and I admit it looks nothing like heather and colour a bit dubious...., but I braved the white page, the fear, the unknown and went for it. Phew.

Sketched and etched

2010-02-01T11:12:00.004Z

So, I finally collected the etchings I did a week ago. The trees were from a sketch I did on a walk, though forgot that the image would actually be reversed - live and learn I always say...
The 'bees on acid' etch (as a friend described it!) is actually the Giants Causeway, a drawing I did from a photo I took last year in Northern Ireland, and turned into an aquatint. I love the effects of the aquatint and can't wait to try some more. Now got to think up a new idea, as I've got a prepared plate to work on to make sure I do actually go back and not wasted this opportunity of 3 months membership.

Inspiration and perspiration

2010-01-25T11:55:00.004Z

I've just come back from a fantastic weekend printing course in Edinburgh, and have fallen in love with etching and all things related. Had fully intended to post my attempts today, but had to leave the prints behind to dry, so fingers crossed I can go and pick them up later this week. I did it at Edinburgh Printmakers, and had the good fortune to do it with a lovely bunch of people and a brilliant tutor called Bronwen Sleigh, who does beautiful etchings herself. Hard work, and got brain ache and arm ache but the total concentration on technique and creativity was brilliant.

So, all in all, an inspiring weekend, and now I've got 3 months membership included in the course price, I've got no excuse not to carry on. I may eventually etch this flower I drew a while back, or aquatint, or maybe once I've scraped the money together I might go and learn how to do lithography. Oh how the horizons have suddenly opened up.....

An afternoon in the life of

2010-01-22T11:05:00.002Z

This is the view from my desk, and this is the weather that happened in the space of 4 hours in an afternoon. Not great watercolours, but gives an idea of how quickly it can all change up here. Should have been working on something else, but couldn't resist trying to capture what was happening outside.

Let sleeping dogs

2010-01-21T10:20:00.003Z

My mum's dog has a big problem when Pulga and I come visiting. He has a big green bed, lovely and cosy and just the right size for him, but when my girl comes she squeezes her way into it with him, shoves her bottom around and makes a little space alongside. But if she gets in first, there is no way he on earth that he will push her out. He sits there grumbling and sulking until we make her get out. Sometimes its a dash to see who gets to the bed first, but usually she wins if she spots him making a move.

This time round, I bought her tartan bed, and both were quite happy by the fire, until Pulga got out, Finnegan squeezed himself into hers and she was left with his, much to her happiness as it was lovely and roomy, and much to his as he got his own small bed with no black thing joining him.

Sweetener

2010-01-20T10:06:00.003Z

Drew this little old lady sweetening her coffee. Either she was in a complete dream and didn't realise how much sugar she had put in her coffee, or she felt she obviously wasn't sweet enough and needed all the help she could get. I swear there were at least 6 empty packs of sugar, and more to follow. She also had 5 empty milk sachets. Coffee with your sugar madam?

2010-01-19T12:33:00.003Z

I've been trying to get together a series of sketches in preparation for an etching course I've booked myself on - here is the first. A wee group of trees drawn on a very cold but beautiful day trying to stay upright on an icy road, with a very patient dog waiting for me to get going again.

Not quite sure what drawing I'll finally covert into an etching this weekend, and not even sure if this one will make the cut, but can't wait to get started. If it all turns out well, I'll post my efforts next week, and who knows, it may be a new way forward for me.

Feeling woolly headed

2010-01-13T15:42:00.002Z

Designed a picture of a ram for one of our local community projects. Its going on a jute bag (if all agree!) to promote the launch of a new website for the area. From the earliest times the Lammermuirs have had sheep inhabiting the moors, hence the name - lammer is an old word for lamb - and to this day they still provide a basic income for the local farmers.

Apparently they are very intelligent. I had a friend who trained a lamb, and it used to follow him around, do tricks, and follow him everywhere - even as far as walking through the town behind him to go to the vets....

Sometimes, only a wallow will do

2010-01-11T10:50:00.002Z

Sometimes, when you're feeling cold, tired and just a little jaded, only a wallow in a hot bath will do.

2010-01-08T20:00:00.005Z

I thought with nearly everyone surrounded by ice and snow, we needed a splash of colour and a taste of summer (that will one day come) to keep our spirits up. This is a watercolour I did a while ago, so hope you don't mind the use of an old image, as I'm currently hunkered down in front of the fire dreaming of the green green grass.

Hope Springs

2010-01-07T12:24:00.003Z

Found some branches not totally covered in ice and frost and snow. Poor buds, hope they make it through to spring. At least this a sign though that not is all lost and something resembling spring is awaiting its opportunity...

Brrrr

2010-01-05T16:31:00.002Z

Since I painted this, the view has now turned pure white, not a blade of grass, or a patch of heather or a spot of blue sky to be seen. Even the road has disappeared under 3 foot high drifts. Fun for dogs, but not for getting snow in through the top of your wellies....

The last stand

2010-01-02T19:39:00.001Z

Happy New year y'all, wishing you all your hearts desires for 2010. Lets hope the creativity flows in all shapes and forms.

Hidden art

2009-12-21T12:36:00.003Z

Got fascinated with all the different footprints in the snow and tried to get them in the book with numb fingers and glasses steaming up. Love the patterns these shoe designers come up with. Its like a hidden art, only seen in flashes when people cross their legs, or leave imprints on the earth. Always there but never really noticed by anyone till the snow brings them out in all their glory. Lets celebrate the forgotten art of the sole designers!

2009-12-17T14:25:00.003Z

First real snow of the winter today. Trees and land covered, and things never noticed before are really standing out. Shapes and angles of branches, colours more intense and vibrant, the different marks and pattern from boots in peoples footprints, sunlight drawing a golden halo around an impatient dog who's not interested in this at all but just wants you to get on with it and throw the stick....

Singing the changes

2009-12-14T17:00:00.002Z

Finished another commission - music related again (I sense a theme). This time working from photos, and hopefully I've got the likeness okay. Though apparently, I've knocked a few years off him, but he may appreciate that it being his birthday....

November

2009-12-09T11:39:00.005Z

Finally got round to posting the latest instalment of my daily meanderings. Another busy month at the end of a busy year. Crazy, but life is good. Already got the sketchbook lined up for next years' box drawings - one exclusively for this 'diary' rather than muddled in-between my current drawings in my sketchbook. I've never been able to write a diary - or at least one that goes on all year,(it usually peters out by mid January) so this year has been quite an achievement for me, and I find more interesting looking back and remembering fun and interesting days. Almost cant' wait to start the new one, but I don't want to go and start wishing my life away before this year is even over and done with.

Testing the waters

2009-12-04T11:31:00.002Z

Been trying out a new style of ink drawing. Not at all sure it works, think the big black cloud is too black, but was trying to go for the more graphic look with solid colour and texture. Think I need a few more attempts at this before I get the balance right...

Miles away

2009-11-30T11:06:00.002Z

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments - thought you might like an update with photos from THE night.

Great party, great music, & great company with my two guys joining in on the fun. Not great photos but you get the general idea...

Miles Davis gone wrong

2009-11-27T11:03:00.004Z

Was asked to do some drawings on a big white wall to sit behind a stage - a friend has converted a barn into a studio, and now he's got a big birthday/opening party planned. So as he likes jazz and music in general, I decided to do Miles Davis.

Did lots of research, found a great photo of him when he was young so thought that would be a fab drawing to do, did lots of compositions, positions, different instruments, different musicians, then gave up and decided to just go with the flow when I saw the actual wall.

So, whacked on the music, got out the charcoal and brushes, got into my 'zone' and it ended up being nothing like Miles at all, but a couple of young guys in their 'zone' just enjoying the music.

Kind of pleased with the results (even though its nothing at all how it looked in my head), it being the biggest drawing I've ever done. Perhaps they'll encourage the real musicians into their zone....

2009-11-26T10:10:00.002Z

Getting my regular fix of the sea. Love the hills, but occasionally only a blast of cold salty sea air will do it for me. So drew the lifeboat hut, slight artistic license here as not quite these colours, but I love drawing lobster pots and impossible boats. Why are cars and boats so hard to draw?

Armchair travelling 2

2009-11-23T08:31:00.001Z

Another market, another Spanish town, this time Sitges. Still stuck at home, so more wish fulfilment travelling required...

Armchair travelling

2009-11-20T15:24:00.003Z

Getting huge withdrawal symptoms for Spain (especially looking at the wall of rain that is UK at the moment), so thought I'd do a virtual tour through all my old sketches and drawings. Looking back through my books immediately takes me back and surrounds me with sights, sounds, smells and constant chatter that the Spaniards seem to live and thrive in. Bliss.

So, virtual travelling, not quite the real thing, but good enough until it can be done for real.

Peace and quiet

2009-11-19T10:12:00.002Z

Just had a marathon trip around the UK, both business and pleasure, and after the madness of the south of England, its great to be back amongst the relative peace of Scotland. Car did about 800 miles, and gave up 20 miles from home when I tried to go out in it again. Glad it got me back that far, so I don't blame it really for saying enough is enough. So, stuck at home relying on lifts, but at least its keeping me out of trouble...

Bedtime for bees

2009-11-12T10:53:00.002Z

Had our first winter meeting at the Border Beekeepers, and though this isn't an actual bee, I found this bumblebee a while ago and thought that I would draw it. Bees are now tucked up for winter, and hopefully we'll see them safe and sound come spring.

Kissing season

2009-11-10T10:42:00.001Z

There is an old tale that when the gorse stops flowering, there will be no more kissing. As is evidenced with the number of buds I found on the bushes, I think we'll be alright for a wee while yet. Phew.

The Great biscuit debate

2009-11-05T10:12:00.003Z

I have a dilemma everyday, whether to go for the cracker or the oatcake. I know, wars, recession, climate change etc etc , but this features pretty high up on my agenda. Trying to stay off the choccie biscuits and be good, so as a wee snack have taken to nibbling on one or other of these. Not exactly inspiring but healthier. Whilst drawing them, never realised how great the writing was on the Jacobs crackers, really intricate. Also realised how hard it is to get an oatcake looking like an oatcake....

Alchemy

2009-11-04T09:57:00.003Z

Got invited out at the last minute to a concert near me. Could have kicked myself when I found out I forgot my sketchbook, so in the dark scrambling around in my handbag I managed to find a scrap of paper and pen and drew Darden Smith, an american singer/songwriter who was great and sang fantastic stories about his life, experiences and relationships. He said "songwriting is like alchemy: its a way I can touch that mystery - art, god, whatever it is out there - and I'm in love with that. I write because I like touching that mystery, that magic. and there is no end to it." Bit like drawing really.
McIntoshRoss were on next and in the interval I managed to find some postcards to make odd scribbles on the back. They're a husband and wife duo, Lorraine McIntosh and Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue fame. Didn't get their likenesses at all, especially her curly hair, but my excuse was I was drawing in the dark....

October

2009-11-03T11:04:00.001Z

So, more thumbnails from another action packed month in an action packed year. Can't believe its already November. So much for my new years resolution to make a Christmas present each month, not done one yet!

Mussels

2009-10-29T20:31:00.004Z

Saw this clump of mussels clinging to this beautiful mottled pink rock (the kind of rock I would take home with me being a habitual beachcomber). Don't think I've quite captured the lovely texture and colour of the rock but I enjoyed going back to watercolours. Luckily Pulga was happily swimming and barking at the splashes so didn't come and help me paint.

2009-10-28T13:15:00.004Z

Been going crazy with the inks again this weekend. Sketching outdoors can be quite challenging trying to stop dogs from knocking over ink pots, putting dirty paws on your sketchpad, sitting on your lap while they wait for you to finish (favourite habit of Pulga's), bringing you muddy sticks to throw, and generally being really helpful in letting you achieve your creative endeavours. Can't begrudge them though, I get just as excited as them whenever I make it up to the highlands and see the amazing views again.

Old Man of Storr

2009-10-27T11:11:00.002Z

Was away up in the highlands of Scotland this weekend restoring the soul, and getting a chance to use the new pens. Bliss when you're hunkering down out of the wind and rain...

Hmmm, new pen...

2009-10-22T12:30:00.005+01:00

Just bought some new Faber-Castell Pitt artist pens, and thought I'd try them out on a few simple line hand drawings (does anyone else find nails hard to draw?). Love the brush one giving the variety of thickness in the line.

I'm like a kid in a sweetie shop when I find an art supplier (or 2nd hand bookshop even), and think its a good thing really that I can't afford much at all, otherwise I'd be buying the place out. For some reason though I can't resist buying gorgeous sketchbooks with lovely hand made paper, but I find it really hard to find a medium to use in them. Must get over this obsession and either stop buying them or experiment with everything I've collected over the years and hope something sticks!

Night colours

2009-10-21T11:39:00.003+01:00

Decided to give inks another go, and tried to capture the weird orange night time light you get from street lights. It was some sketches I did on some recent travels and I got the sketchbook out to try and ignore (and capture) some of the more shady characters hanging around.

2009-10-19T12:06:00.003+01:00

Went for a magical walk in the woods this weekend, and picked up all sorts of beautiful moss covered twigs and golden leaves.

I read an article asking people to find ancient trees in your area, and try and work out their age. Apparently, for every 1.5m circumference, the tree is 100 years old. We found a huge beech tree (and turning into tree huggers) we measured it to be around 7 metres which by our calculations makes it to be around and witnessing the 1500's. We worked out that when it was a sapling Michelangelo was working on David, da Vinci on Mona Lisa, Henry VIII was divorcing and beheading, and since then its seen the rise and fall of the Ottoman and Ming empires, America colonised, Incas wiped out, industrial revolution, and moon walks. Pretty humbling. Bet it has some stories to tell. One day I'll do a watercolour of it...

Fur balls under the bed

2009-10-16T07:51:00.002+01:00

Every morning, Pulga and I have a chase game where from god knows where, she finds one of my socks and proceeds to run up and down the corridor and under my bed with it. Find its much better than yoga in waking up in the morning....

Pepper Plant

2009-10-15T11:25:00.002+01:00

Not done this poor pepper plant justice after all its gone through. Only just getting fruit now, after starting it way back in May, and its now looking like a cheese plant with all its holes from its resident (now evicted) caterpillar. It was only when I started to paint it that I realised what a beautiful spottled purple stem it had, as its been back lit all summer sitting on my kitchen window. I should make the time really to do a proper painting and do it justice.

Travels

2009-10-12T12:13:00.007+01:00

First time in absolutely ages that I've sat down and drawn a scene like this. Had plenty of time to wait in Leeds, and even though I'd only had 2 1/2 hours sleep the night before thought I'd combat the tiredness and draw. It worked wonders, and killed half and hour, and surprisingly felt really invigorated after it.

Love people watching, but sometimes its a real challenge to capture them without them realising, as they usually move just as you're half way through.

Did this sketch on the train, of a really scary, grumpy looking guy, then suddenly his wife appeared from behind the seat, lent on his shoulder and they looked like the happiest couple on earth. Felt really bad then about my first impressions.

Scottish Elements

2009-10-07T11:23:00.002+01:00

Did this watercolour sketch on a very cold blustery walk, and just as I started, so too did the rain, adding to the general watercolour look. As they say in Scotland, fed up with the season? just wait a minute and another one will come along shortly.

Valentia Island, Ireland

2009-10-05T16:59:00.002+01:00

Did this wee sketch last night for my brothers birthday card. The whole family went to Ireland in the summer for a week, first time we've been together like that (not counting Christmas' etc) since we were kids, so it was a great giggle. This was done with ink and dip pen, didn't even attempt to try and get the rich colour of sunsets and golden grasses so just went for the rosy red look. My poor family are very long suffering as they get a picture for every occassion, especially when money is a bit tight!

2009-10-04T17:39:00.002+01:00

Took Pulga to the beach, beautiful but incredibly windy indian summer day. Had all the kite and regular surfers out, thought not appearing in this drawing - think going past too fast for my pen to capture!

Guitars and G strings

2009-10-02T11:07:00.002+01:00

Just started my first guitar lessons this week, and as a reminder on how to actually play properly I drew Rob and tried to capture how it should be done! I've got Twinkle Twinkle little star and Happy Birthday now as a repertoire - can see my name in stage lights already...

September

2009-10-01T15:01:00.005+01:00

After being inspired by an artist, Martin Wilner, I've taken to doing a wee sketch every night on something that happened that day. Sometimes I really struggle to think of something interesting to draw, sometimes its trying to just pick one thing! Usually they're unintelligible to anyone but me, but I've found my memory is so much better looking back through the year and remembering what happened that day, as I usually have the memory of a goldfish...

Martin's drawings are amazingly detailed, and one day I might turn these scribblings into a finished work, but in the meantime I find its a good exercise to at least get me drawing one thing a day if I don't have the energy to do something bigger and better. My January drawings are very neat and careful, but come September, they've become more of a scrawl!

2009-09-30T10:26:00.002+01:00

This is about the only time I can capture Pulga, as she's normally jumping 3 feet high in excitement, whether its balls, sticks, bunny chasing or just general life excitement...

2009-09-28T20:33:00.002+01:00

Found this mouse on my walk this evening, had no damage to it at all so no idea how it died. Pulga patiently sat while I drew it, think she's getting used to it now, though think it was the last straw when I also found the last of the bell heather to capture.

Dog falls, dippers and dragonflies

2009-09-28T10:32:00.004+01:00

Hidden Valley in Glen Coe, looking down from half way up Bidean nam Beinn

A weekend of dragonflies, dippers and waterfalls in Glen Affric. An indian summer, that only Scotland knows how to do in style and couldn't believe we took out our t-shirts and sun cream from our rucksacks earlier.

2009-09-24T10:56:00.001+01:00

Pulga catching a few zzz's. All I could see was this inky blackness in a vague shape of a cosy dog.

First Sloe Harvest

2009-09-23T11:08:00.002+01:00

I picked 1.5kg of sloes. Now I've just got to figure out what to do with them....