Alien Nation

Got the shock of my life when curiosity got the better of me. I borrowed a basic microscope from a friend as I wanted to see some plants and various other things up close and personal just to see what they were about, and I started with a small Creeping Thistle flower. When I focused in, I'm not afraid to admit, I jumped a mile out of my chair as this alien creature suddenly appeared in the viewfinder. It was all of 2mm big, not even quite 1/8th of an inch, so didn't notice it at all when I put it under the light, but in the viewfinder it was looked like a 10 foot alien creature with a definite human bloodsucking tendencies.

So this very small black blob, on closer inspection was an amazing insect with a really long proboscis type thing sucking the sap and two weird antennae type things on its rear end. Him (or her) and its friend were very obliging models and let me draw them, even in the full glare of the microscope light they didn't seem to mind having all their privacy taken away from them. I wonder if they saw a magnified eye looking down on them and were slightly freaked out themselves and were desperately sucking away at the sap trying to keep calm and hoping they hadn't been noticed. They were a beautiful deep rich purple with olive green legs and black knees. Though do insects have knees? The actual Creeping thistle was amazing too. I'll get round to painting it when I've got over my excitement of aliens.

I also looked at a fern with what to the naked eye looked like spores underneath, but on very close inspection it looked like a collection of worms under an umbrella. I know, totally technical terminology, but when they started flicking and moving I got freaked out and had to remove the fern. Maybe sometimes its not good looking too closely at things.

Who knew all this was right under our noses. I can see why the art director of Aliens apparently was inspired by creatures that appeared right here on earth. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Who needs aliens from outerspace, we've got our very own in our backyards. I think I'll have to do some research now in the anatomy of insects, as this has piqued my interest enough to seek out some more. Though, am slightly scared...

(ps ...oh, and those who are scientifically minded the magnification on the eyepiece said WF 10x/18 - whatever that means....)

Tree obsession

 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...

What a turkey!

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...

Hair of the Dog

 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...

January

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....

November

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

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...

Armchair travelling

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.

Night colours

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.

Pepper Plant

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.

Valentia Island, Ireland

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!