St Bride's Day

St Bride's day today. The start of Spring. Apparently...
Sowed a few seeds today too, apparently an auspicious day to do it, so lets wait and see how they do, although last years crop that we sowed that day did really well in the end so perhaps there is some truth in it? Thought I'd draw the tulips just about to open, the start of things to come...

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...

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...

People watching

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.