cathy cullis

brooches

2012-01-27T13:04:00.003Z

embroidery brooches
(see my shop for availability)

have a good weekend

gothic gardening

2012-01-26T15:15:00.000Z

thinking of plant shapes, how organic forms connect and how they may emerge....what is left of last year's seed heads......years ago I became very interested in 'gothic gardening' and become a collector of black flowers - I still grow black violas amongst other things....I've added a selection of smaller postcard sketches in my shop today. Also this week I've been sharing new embroidery brooches - I'll hope to share some photos here too tomorrow....

sepia

2012-01-25T20:51:00.001Z

sepia12-25, a photo by cathy cullis on Flickr.

I particularly like today's shot, so thought I would share it here.

Hope your week is going well.

mosaic monday

2012-01-23T09:29:00.000Z

1. takamatsu city, 2. Untitled, 3. I put art everywhere., 4. postcards from whereva, 5. dolls, 6. Zine, 7.manos at Formex, 8. Untitled, 9. 38p67, 10. Untitled, 11. 073/365, 12. Untitled, 13. "Cassius play", 14.untitled, 15. Winter Beech Hedge, 16. 2012, 17. decayed rust dyed and rose tinted fragments, 18. ..., 19.Gonzo (circus), 20. restless

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy Monday to you..... this week's mosaic has so much going on - do follow the links to find out more about each artist - many thanks to my Flickr contacts.

This morning is a gently sunny, mild start to the week. We have been noticing here an absence - of birds. Due to the relatively warm winter days and nights, birds are preferring to stay in the countryside, rather than visit our town gardens. I accept the logic to this - and hope the birds are enjoying their open spaces. However, we do miss them here. Yes it saves my money - I am not buying so much bird seed as last year. With the snow last year I was buying seed by the bucket and I am not sure I could do that for very long. It is quiet. Yes, there are birds about, I still see the neighbourhood magpies, pigeons and there are sparrows that come and go. But even the crows are in short supply around here. And I miss them. Working alone at home, I often look out to see the birds - they share my thinking space - and their movements keep me company.

So, besides bird news - what can I tell you - this week is going to be a happy mix of things for me. I'm working on new embroidery artwork - hope to have a few more pieces in my shop this week. New sketches too, perhaps. My daily projects continue. For the writing please visit my notebook blog nevering. For the sepia photography please see my flickr set here.

If I can make time this week, I am going to make a few changes to this blog - the template and layout etc... If not this week some time soon. I've seen a new template I want to try. It will mean having to move things around a bit and I hope to add a little more info, and other things.

Thanks always for your very kind comments.

Wishing you a very good week ahead x

untitled book - watercolour

2012-01-22T14:25:00.001Z

untitled book - watercolour and gouache on heavy watercolour paper

a selection, not all of the pages

this week I moved on from acrylics to my favourite medium - I enjoy both watercolour and abstract.... I've said it many times here but oh I'll say it again: I like working this way, it feels 'right', no bravado.... like painting poems. not easy, not meant to be easy. A happy challenge.

preview

2012-01-19T14:06:00.000Z

hello, it is Thursday already... I thought I should share with you a preview of some of the work that will be appearing in my shop from tomorrow....

an embroidery cuff or bracelet - dreamers in grey & red - this is one of a small selection of embroidery artworks that I have completed... these things take time, I've spent quite a few hours this week working on stitch. However....

weather song

rain poem

two new gouache sketches - so these and others will be in my shop tomorrow....

mosaic monday

2012-01-16T09:36:00.002Z

1. 5 Ways to Breakfast, 2. my_bowl_is_full, 3. Untitled, 4. yellow, 5. snow window, 6. January 13, 7. 木皆兒工作狀態, 8. Socarraet (esbossos), 9. INSOMNIA. Técnica mixta. 2012, 10. tree of life, 11. 469, 12.Wednesday...11.01,12, 13. Frida, 14. grenade, 15. coffee and knitting, 16. handmade notebooks

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy Frosty Monday to you..... a few days ago we got our first frost of the year. It's been a mild winter until recently, with spring bulbs already poking through, flowers from last autumn making a lengthy encore..... But now for the sparkle of frost....

Many thanks to the artists and photographers featured in this week's eclectic mosaic. Follow the links for more details.

This week I have firstly to package and send several orders - many thanks!

I've new work to complete and hope to have a variety of stitch and other things in my shop later this week. Hope to preview and keep you posted about that here.

My daily sepia photo project continues - and many thanks to everyone who has been popping over to nevering to read my daily writing there. Thank you - I am reading your comments. The process of posting something each day is getting me to write more in my notebooks, generally. Not that it is all great writing, but just to write each day - well that is my goal for 2012.

So yet another busy week for me. I hope you enjoy your Monday - take care and more soon.....

sleep until spring

2012-01-15T14:45:00.001Z

'sleep until spring'- is my second little book of the year, created over the past week.

Whilst working on the first book a few ideas came to me: I would like each book to connect with the previous one. There could be a lot to learn and there's no point in sticking to safe: experimental is the key to these little books, for me.

As I was painting all the layers and textures in book one, I was also making brush strokes on scrap papers, wiping strokes and little blotches of delicate colours. I collected these papers to use in this week's book.

And as I painted the sleepy portraits for this week's little book, I continued on making little abstract watery paint marks on loose papers. A selection of painted papers have been simply collaged, working as a painterly backdrop to smaller portrait pages....

Just as I did last week, I've used a restricted palette for 'sleep until spring', with red used sparingly this time, mixed to make pink. It adds a little warmth and a hint toward spring, perhaps.

The title of this book is a bit of irony, since my sleep is always pretty poor during winter - I am sure I am not the only one who looks forward to warmer, shorter nights to actually get some sleep! My body clock does not do winter particularly well....Next week's book will possibly be a little different in shape - perhaps - I've got a few starting points to explore.....

warm earth

2012-01-13T12:38:00.003Z

warm earth - still life

this is one of three paintings I have added to my shop just today... I particularly enjoy these tones and simple forms...

I've also added a new embroidery cuff artwork today.

It's been a busy week and I have not posted very much here - but I hope perhaps you are enjoying my daily writing posts over at nevering.

more this weekend - have a good Friday x

mosaic monday

2012-01-09T10:14:00.003Z

1. tidying up the studio, 2. Untitled, 3. 8 januari, 4. flickr.com/photos/25179368@N06/6646863783/, 5.TODAY****, 6. zelda_49_bis, 7. 54570013, 8. a-312-w, 9. Chimonanthus, 10. wrestler, 11. Ink Faces, 12.Welcome 2012! :), 13. Falling, 14. P1120299, 15. She was determined to live life without compromise and with good taste., 16. studio wall, 17. tea shelf, 18. ..., 19. Emaki study 20111229, 20. we will happy !, 21. "Height and Distance", 22. the vagaries of a lucid mind, 23. Pig, 24. INSOMNIA. Técnica mixta. 2011, 25. Mystery of the forest - Pixie Ann

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy Monday to you.... on this grey day, though the sun is trying to come through.... Many thanks to the artists featured in this first mosaic of 2012.

This week I am continuing to work on new work, a variety of ongoing projects. I've a new stitched piece that I am halfway through and am hoping it will come together as well as I want it to:) I am looking forward to working on that this week. Also, I have my next little weekly book to create - and thanks so much for your kind comments on yesterday's post. The daily sepia photo project is working nicely, so far so good. Also, I really would like to make time to get back into my 100 portraits on brown paper - we shall see.

So a busy week ahead and I have a new batch of zines to send out asap. Many thanks for visiting my shop recently - you may have seen the new zine, new paintings and new embroidery work too. Hoping to add new work regularly. Perhaps a few new items later this week.....

Wishing you a happy, creative start to the week x

little books - 1. winter blues

2012-01-08T16:19:00.002Z

I've spent the past week making time to work in this little book..... this is the first book in my weekly series of small sketchbooks/artist books.

For this book, I decided on a restricted palette of white, burnt umber and phthalocyanine blue (yes I grabbed the tube to type that name, it's not a spelling I know off-by-heart).

It's not often that I choose to work just in acrylics and I did not think much about it. Except that I had played with these colours together previously and liked the possibilities. The theme 'winter blues' came about easily enough.I'm sharing here some but not all the pages....

What I learned this week: I like acrylics more than I thought.

What I tried that was a little different: I aimed to create texture and layers, and overpainted.

How much time did I spend on this book: quite a bit of time, spread over days, about 5-7 hours total. I did a lot of going back over.

Thoughts for next week's book: maybe more painting, perhaps.

this is actually quite a tiny page - but you are seeing it here larger because it's one of my favourites....

I challenged myself to a seated figure - that is something I am never happy with.....

Thanks always for your comments this week - much appreciated.

blue

2012-01-04T14:00:00.003Z

detail of 'Blue Arrangement' - a new still life sketch

this is one of five new original paintings I have added to my shop today - along with copies of my newest zine: 'home'.

and the winners are.....

2012-01-02T15:48:00.004Z

'sepia photograph': day 2

Many thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway - to win a copy of each zine that I publish in 2012. Over ninety people entered, I wrote your names on little slips and my son did the folding and the shuffling of names in the magic hat. Three names were pulled out: Tiger, projectforty, Rikkianne. I have contacted you: please get in touch with your home address and I'll be sending zines later this week.

My next forthcoming zine is out this week, copies will be in my shop from Wednesday. 'Home' is a little book of sketchbook sketches and photographs. It comes with a printed postcard too.Mosaic Monday will return next week. I need to catch up with my flickr viewing pleasure:)

Thanks also for details of your projects for this year. I'll be adding links to the little 'other people's projects' section over there on the right - please bear with me for a few days as I get back into my stride after the holidays. My etsy shop is open and I'll be sending out packages from this Wednesday and then onwards, as usual. Hope to have new work in my shop regularly. I have new original paintings and they will most likely appear on Wednesday. New stitch work in the shop Friday or Saturday.

Time has just flown by these past few weeks - it's a mild start to January here, a little chilly today but bright.

Wishing you a good week ahead - and thanks again for your comments.

Happy New Year - my projects for 2012

2012-01-01T11:54:00.004Z

A Happy New Year to you..... and MANY THANKS INDEED to everyone who has signed up for my zine giveaway (there is time until Jan 2nd 12noon UK time to sign up). Thank you for your very kind and thoughtful comments.

This year I have decided on several projects to keep me busy.... I am aiming to make a small artist book/ sketchbook for each week of the year. Above is my first, simple blank book. I'll be working in a variety of media and exploring all kinds of ideas, different book construction and styles. I'm looking forward to starting on the blank pages and making each week slightly different. That will hopefully keep me busy and interested for the whole year. As I am giving myself just a week to complete - and will be working on this when I can find a moment between other things - the books will be small in scale and not hefty tomes. I'll be starting and finishing on Sundays. So from now on Sundays will be the day I hope to share books here with you. Right now I am not sure if some of the books may be available for sale or not, will see.....

I wanted a daily project also. Infact I have two. The daily visual project I have chosen is to take a photograph each day and explore sepia... I want to do this to increase my knowledge of photography and may through the year aim to take some film and develop myself. But for now I am thinking about all the possibilities of light and shade and subject: place, mood, living things. I'd like to take the unexpected. I'd like to make props and objects especially to photograph, and to make use perhaps of vintage sepia photographs themselves.

I'll be sharing my daily photo over at Flickr and here.

The other daily project for 2012 is daily writing and to do this I've decided to share something each day over at my nevering notebook blog. I'll not have time for posting polished pieces of writing each day, some may appear more 'worked on' than others:) I'll be sharing a mix of poems, notes, journal entries, stories, lists, fragments, writing about paintings, and other writing that comes about over the months. I'm thinking some of the sepia photos I take may inspire writing and vice versa......

As well as the above projects, I have also decided to join in with someone else's ideas:) My friend Carolyn Saxby is hosting a Tag Tuesday project. You can read more about here. It's my thinking that it's a good idea to join in with a group of people and try something a little different. So I'll not just be following my own thread all the time......

I'm adding links to projects in the sidebar over to the right there - so if you can email me with your 2012 project blog post I will link to it. I'm adding things as the details emerge, so there's no rush.

Thanks and all best wishes for the year ahead x

my 2011 - and giveaway

2011-12-26T14:44:00.002Z

1. 1, 2. sketchbook, 3. another view of 'deeper', 4. circus dreamers, 5. rainy day obsession, 6. a dolls house, 7. fortitude, 8. spring vessels, 9. seeing is believing, 10. untitled pair, 11. forget-me-nots, 12.fragile wings, 13. naming the flower, 14. vessels & fragments, 15. a bottle collection (detail), 16. Violet Goodenough, 17. www.flickr.com/photos/novembermoon/5852548063/in/photostream, 18. memory, 19.sketchbook, 20. brown paper sketch, 21. sketchbook, 22. together, 23. double visionary, 24. sketchbook, 25. neighbourhoodzine4, 26. dance the dance, 27. mixed media folk art dolls, 28. no farewells, 29.Untitled, 30. 15, 31. Adoration, 32. detail, 33. an earthy arrangement, 34. sketchbook dogs, 35.sketchbook, 36. golden gown

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Happy Boxing Day..... as this is a holiday Monday, the last of this year, I've decided to share here a mosaic of my own work from 2011. I've looked through my Flickr photos from January until now - and what a rich and varied mix.....

So I did a lot of painting with black gouache in 2011..... and not so much stitching as perhaps I might have liked. I really enjoy painting, I like the challenge of working with just one colour (black) and the challenge of imagination.... I don't think of myself as 'a painter'. I am someone who sketches and makes imaginative scenes and shapes, but I do not pretend to have any ambition beyond. I have worked on canvas this year and I think quite successfully, but I am not confident that painting on canvas could be my focus for very long - I like working small and I like the feel of paper so much....

I will continue to work in my sketchbooks and continue with my 100 portraits on brown paper, in 2012. I love painting on brown paper and so you will be seeing more....

I've been happy with my most recent stitching and am glad that I am working on my machine again. Earlier this year I got shoulder problems and all kinds of arthritic-type pain flared up. I didn't say much about it at the time, I just hoped it would go. And tried my best to get on with everything. I stayed away from sewing on the machine, as when I attempted any work it just hurt. Now I am so happy to say - I can work again, stitch again at my machine and whilst I limit myself to a few hours a day max, I am able to complete work and have no problems at all - it is a real joy. I'm so pleased people have liked my newest stitched pieces - there are more in the works....

2012 is going to be the year of more stitch and especially wearable pieces I think....

Clay - the tiny heads project was such a great focus to begin 2011. I don't honestly think I would have stuck at it for so long if I had not received such great responses from people - here and over at Flickr. I'm pleased other people got interested in clay too - and thank you for sharing your projects. I just had so much fun with it. Even if I stopped after three or so months. I made over one hundred heads and I still have them! Now, I don't know what I am going to do with them, still, and will let you know. I do know that I want to make more in the future - so..... there will be more characters to appear.....

Zines - I've enjoyed making each different zine in 2011. Violet Goodenough is perhaps my favourite of the few. A zine with poetry and some artwork, it has been very well received and I am grateful for the encouraging feedback. I've not written very much in 2011 - I want to write more in 2012. At least putting Violet together made me feel like a writer:) And there is more Violet to come. I'm working on the next installment..... I really put a lot of heart and effort into my 'Neighbourhood' zine and will treasure it as the one without faces but a strong sense of place and imagination....

Next year will be busy again - with just as much variety? I don't know. I do know I want to stitch more in 2012, and make more zines. Infact I have a special giveaway to offer here...

Special Giveaway time........ I have not offered very many giveaways this year so I thought I would go for it and offer a good one now.....

My next zine 'home' is due out January 4th. I also hope to publish at least another 3 zines in 2012. I'd like to offer 3 people the opportunity to receive all my 2012 zines as a gift. I'll send you the zine as soon as it is published. So that's the one coming up soon, one probably March time, one in the Summer and one in the Autumn.....

You are welcome to enter the giveaway, where ever you are in the world..... To enter please leave a comment - it's that simple. Also make sure I can contact you. If you have problems leaving a comment you can email me.

Three names will be pulled out of the magic hat on January 2nd - I will post the winners names here.

Thank you!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T14:01:00.002Z

many best wishes to you - if you are celebrating this Christmas I hope you have a lovely few days of fun and festivities.....

I'll be back on Monday, Boxing Day, to share a special mosaic of my personal favourites from this year - and to offer a special giveaway.....

winter solstice

2011-12-21T12:49:00.003Z

Winter Solstice..... and so I was thinking about going outside and taking photos of delightful frosty leaves and seedheads, and how the sun may glint in tree branches. But - it is a rainy, dull and miserable day.... and I had a better idea. Thinking of light and dark, this side of the year and the next, movement and changes, I'm sharing here a photo of the other side - the other side of a piece of machine embroidery work in progress. This was stitched earlier today and I've added a little more since. The final piece will become a cuff. Can you see the figures here, in their green, thinking of Spring ahead?

best wishes to you on this shortest day

mosaic monday

2011-12-19T09:24:00.000Z

1. BOaS FeSTaS***************, 2. Trying to Find My Place, 3. doll-sized gingerbread!, 4. Happy christmas in advance, 5. Anais, 6. Beethoven, Ode to Joy (Series), 7. Oranges and Cinnamon, 8. licht, 9.IMG_4689, 10. Angel, 11. Christmas Chickadee, 12. Aarti, 13. Chai Tea, 14. Untitled, 15. Picture 173, 16. giant acorn caps, logs, silver oak leaf, 17. bolsa, 18. Untitled, 19. Untitled, 20. collage of original printed and painted papers

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy Christmas week Monday to you..... many thanks to all the artists and makers featured above. Thanks always to all my Flickr contacts for sharing their images over there, so inspiring.....

It's chilly out and I slipped on invisible ice outside the house this morning, but stumbled enough to not fall down:)

This week - I am continuing to work on new items for my shop - one or two may appear this week, or I may put them in the shop after Christmas. As you may know already, my shop is open for the holidays but I'll not be sending out packages between 21st Dec and Jan 4th. If you see something and might like to reserve until January 4th when I am sending again, I am happy to do that for you just send me a convo message.

My zine 'Home' is just about completed - it's a happy little book of homely things with sketches and photographs. I've decided to make this one a smaller limited edition than previous recent zines - it will be limited to just 50 copies. More details to come - it will be available Jan 4th.

Now the holidays are just about here, I'm looking forward to spending time with my family. The past few months have felt pretty busy and we've all worked hard. Now time for some relaxing and fun...

Thanks again for all your recent comments and visits.

I wish you a very good week ahead.

sketchbook sunday - lost and found

2011-12-18T19:54:00.000Z

a few sketchbook pages that got 'forgotten'... both are from several months ago infact. The top image I have called 'little pilgrim' and I painted this in August, on a warm sunny day - such a strange wintry image for a warm summer's day - and I felt it a bit odd but I liked it very much and decided to 'keep it aside' until perhaps other images came along, similar, to keep it company... But this one has remained as a scanned image on my computer for months now and I have not added it to a zine or offered it as a print, though I had considered this could happen to it.....

I think perhaps in this sketch the little pilgrim is a little lost and trying to find her way. I remember now painting the figure in red and thinking she was a confusion of nun and red riding hood.... and then I put the image in my drawer of sketches.....

Such is the way.....

As for the dogs on brown paper.... I like their character very much and feel a little sorry that I had forgotten about them. I'm pretty sure they are not happy with their limb structures, ha! maybe I did not think them 'anatomically correct enough', but really.... I am not sure.

At least I have them and can share now.

Thank you for all your very thoughtful comments on projects for 2012 - I really do appreciate your feedback, I've still not come up with a concrete plan just yet. Please do continue to think too:) And let me know about any projects you do decide upon. Thank you!

daily project 2012 - a list

2011-12-13T14:04:00.000Z

At the beginning of this year I began my tiny heads project. I worked on this for over three months, before deciding to end on day 121. It was a fun learning curve and I was delighted with the responses I received.

*

Many artists decide to set themselves new challenges for a new year. Projects begin and end all year round, of course. A year-long project is a particular challenge that may or may not appeal. It can be daunting and yet how would it feel to really make it happen 365?! There are projects that follow the course of a month, day to day. There are projects that add up to 100, or more days, or things.

This blog post is about choosing a daily project for 2012 - whether you stick to it for the whole year or just a month or three. I'm hoping here to share some brainstorming ideas. Also, if you have ideas to add then you are welcome to leave a comment. I'm writing this to help share ideas - and help myself decide what I want to do in 2012!

A daily project can be that little something special for you to achieve. Setting a goal, or deciding to simply 'do this each day', may give an artist that little push to explore new ideas, a new material. It can be the best thing to do - if you have been feeling stuck lately. A project can be that kick up the skirt that might just make you get to the art desk, or the sewing machine, or the kitchen table and - do it.

Giving just a small amount of time each day, a creative process can become a daily practice. It may take on a spiritual dimension, or not. It may become the main thing in your life, or not. It may bore you after a few weeks, or not.

Sharing it with the world, via a blog and/or Flickr, Facebook, can help you along the way. But sharing can also feel a little overwhelming at times, it may feel like an added complication when you are trying to achieve a little confidence with a 'new thing' or regain inspiration with something from the past. So sharing is not essential. There are projects I've made for myself that I have not shared publicly, things I've tried for a while. This is all part of learning what works for you, of course. That said, the positives of sharing a project are many: you get to showcase your work and how it develops, inspire others, and document the project for yourself. I think inspiring other people is one of the best, most fulfilling positives.

Deciding on a new project is not always easy. Some of my past projects have come around easily, I've simply found myself doing them. Others have been planned and thought-through. Some are started and abandoned (giving yourself permission to give up a project that is not working out for you is a whole other post - one day!).

So, you're thinking that maybe a new year could mean a new project for you. A daily project can be as complex or as simple as you like of course. Think about the amount of time you have for it and be realistic. Every day is every day, can you do this on a weekend too? Or how about a year-long project that does not include certain days? You set the rules and bend them as necessary.

I present here a brainstormed list of ideas for daily projects. The focus here is visual. Though I am including a few ideas for writers too. And so often artists are writers and writers are artists.

To give some kind of sense to it, I've divided into types: Journal based, textile based, photography based, mixed media and conceptual. There's a lot of cross-over, cross-pollination. And please note: these are not all my original ideas, of course, you may have tackled a few or more of these yourself already.

Journal Based Project Ideas

a collage a day - but with a particular focus eg: not using paper (using textiles, plastics, found objects). Or a collage a day using a current newspaper or magazines.

painted book - I did this for a month, November 2010 - you can see here. I painted sketchbook pages, using various paints and keeping it abstract. You might think of the pages as backgrounds or a wordless diary. I'm really seriously thinking about this as a year-long project.

Explore a word picked randomly from a dictionary - sketch, collage, paint.

Keep a journal as an alter ego. You might really want to explore a past artist's life and style. You could choose to be anyone you admire or want to know more about. Or create an alternate persona for yourself. For example, up until now you may have worked in a particular style but would like to explore something entirely different. Your Alter Ego Journal might give you an opportunity to work in a completely new or divergent way.

Drawing projects do not have to be journal based - but a journal or sketchbook is a good way of keeping it together. A few things to consider: a bird a day, an outdoor sketch, a line drawing without taking the pencil off the paper, monoprint (see my various monoprinting posts for technique ideas), self portrait, random object in your home.

Related idea: make a small blank book each day - with different binding techniques to explore.

Textile Based Project Ideas

I like the idea of keeping daily projects quite frugal and making use of things you have already. So many of my textile ideas are about 'using up', recycling, upcycling, or making small things that add up to a lovely collection.

making a small patchwork square
make a textile bead or ornament
stitch a row of embroidery on a sampler (teaching yourself a new stitch every so often)
make a small doll
make a simple wrist bracelet or cuff

sharing the items you make can add a further dimension: eg. you might want to put all the small things together and donate quilts to a charity, or you may want to 'donate and decorate' local trees, or sell items to fund the project.

But - textile projects need not always be about making and using materials and an end 'thing'. Design for textiles could be your focus. You could keep a textile journal with fantasy fashion designs and snippets of fabrics. Design a dress a day. Or a pair of shoes. Or draw an embroidery design for later use.

Photography Based Project Ideas

This feels limitless, perhaps. Choose something and photograph it each day. Watch a tree grow and change, for example. Photograph your day at a particular time of the day.

Photograph the early morning sky, your neighbourhood, your garden. Found objects. Shop windows. Doorways.

Self portraits - this could be particularly demanding and perhaps worth really thinking through carefully before deciding upon. I say this as someone who did a self portrait project many years ago and found it eventually taking too much of my time in perfectionism and making me feel quite vulnerable. So proceed with caution. Especially if you are going to share your photos publicly.

Conceptual and Other Ideas

I like the idea of giving something each day. Whether this is giving something away that you no longer need, giving time perhaps. This could be documented in a diary/blog.

Sending things: writing postcards and letters... But of course postage costs will add up. A year of stamps will be a large financial commitment. An alternative would be to write a letter or postcard each day and then send a week's worth or even a month's worth to a friend. Or write a letter or postcard to your child for them to read when older. Or write to someone fictional or historical and explain the world to them, as it is now.

Objects in places. I know of projects that have involved leaving small treasures in different public places. The classic balloon with a tag idea, but revised to become a haiku in a bottle, for example.

Just a few ideas then..... Please let me know your ideas and I will add them in here (with credit to you). It would be good to have your ideas here too and you are welcome to link to this post, of course.

And finally, if you decide to take on a project for 2012 - please let me know. If I can, depending on response, I'll put together another post at the beginning of the new year listing projects and giving links to blogs.

mosaic monday

2011-12-12T12:12:00.000Z

1. hoy, 2. Untitled, 3. Project Pic 11, 4. holiday bits, 5. dec102011, 6. madre e figlia, 7. afternoon rehearsal - woodblock print, 8. Sofá rojo / red sofa, 9. bird's idyll, 10. DSC_0025, 11. Christmas bakery..., 12. 「陽台城市語錄-積木城市」衛星空照圖, 13. miracolo italiano, 14. Tears for you, 15. INSOMNIA. Técnica mixta. 2011, 16. :), 17. Untitled, 18. Outsider Folk Art Gallery, in NYC, 19. Japan @ V&A Museum - London, UK, 20. untitled, 21. You did what?, 22. 2 originals for my collective show in Munich, Germany., 23. handmade wool bag by memake, 24. spool bird softies, 25. Wall Quilt

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy Monday to you... many thanks to all the artists and makers featured in this week's mosaic. It's a sunny if chilly start here. Not bad at all.

This week I am going to spend some time working on the final edit for my forthcoming zine 'Home'. I still have quite a bit to do. Putting together a zine does take time, but I find the process worthwhile and I learn a lot about putting images together and the basics of it all. This one will be out January 4th - which seems a while away yet but really is not.

I was listening to the radio yesterday evening (I listen to the radio nearly all day every day - not really tv watcher) - and the presenter was talking briefly about musicians who have been writing a song a day for the year. This reminded me of how it is not just visual artists who undertake a 'one a day' or a '365' or '100' challenge. It's a format open to all. It also reminded me that I really want to put together some kind of database of ideas. So that if you want to take on a new challenge in 2012 - well there's a whole list of ideas you can mull over....

So tomorrow I will blog 'ideas for daily projects in 2012' - or something like that - not sure of the blog entry title just yet. And I would love it if you could come back tomorrow and leave suggestions. I'll add all ideas (as long as not illegal or offensive) to the list. I am a list maker by habit, so the idea of sharing a list of ideas appeals to me as rather an indulgence. Let's see what we can come up with - ideas for visually-related projects wise. More tomorrow then.

I'm also hoping to add one or two new items to my shop this week. Please note that if you are in the UK there is still time to buy in time for Christmas delivery. However, if you are elsewhere it may not get to you before the 25th. The post office today (I've just come home from there) was busy but as efficient as ever.

Please also note: I shall not be posting packages between December 21st and January 4th. My shop will remain open during this time but I will not be able to guarantee an opportunity to get to the post office, due to holiday closures etc.... I shall put all this info in my shop but thought I would just note here also.

Have a good start to the week - and more tomorrow x

100 portraits on brown paper - update

2011-12-08T14:22:00.001Z

I thought it was time to update on this project..... it's moving slowly but surely, which is how I wanted it to work......

a few or so..... I'm now up to 26.I'll continue to work on these, perhaps they will get a little more attention over the coming weeks. Then, in the new year, a selection will be available, I expect, perhaps.Meanwhile, I'm busy stitching and sketching. Expect to see a few more new stitch pieces in my shop on Friday or Saturday.Thanks always for your comments.

new work

2011-12-07T12:07:00.001Z

New embroidery cuffs recently completed and in my shop today....... I discovered some lovely viscose threads in my box of spools, and have made use of.... It's nice to find something useful - I had been looking for completely different colours but these wanted to be stitched.....

mosaic monday

2011-12-05T06:43:00.001Z

1. looker aftering papercut, 2. moonstones gathering, 3. improbable., 4. Blackboard, 5. raconets :), 6. OT, 7. cambridge sketches- great st mary's & kings college, 8. All things considered, 9. Untitled, 10. Jim Harris: Untitled., 11. IMG_6678, 12. Bracelet, 13. INSOMNIA. Técnica mixta. 2011, 14. sova|gufo|owl, 15.The bud of the stars take icy. thorns, 16. I ♥ Lettering, 17. Wendell, 18. Domestic landscape 3-, 19.Studio Visit: Alison Macleod..., 20. Untitled, 21. La tombée des ailes, 22. In the studio, 23. Nocciolina pin, 24. Bebe the Couch Cat Love=Creature, 25. Untitled

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Hello Monday. I have a super-busy day ahead, so decided to post jolly early! Many thanks to all the artists featured in this eclectic mosaic. Follow the links to discover more.... I enjoy putting together such a wide variety of images and artists - artists and artisans in Europe, Japan, USA, Mexico and beyond.....

This week I am as always working on a variety of 'things'..... I'm still making sketches for my next zine, due out in the new year, but they come when I have a moment. Much of my time is spent stitching recently, though I am pacing myself because a) I need to make sure I look after my posture and muscles and b) it is good to look up and re-focus your eyes once in a while!...... Since I moved my sewing machine to a window spot, I'm finding it a pleasant little nook to work and I when I do look up I can watch the magpies on roofs and the clouds twirling into each other.... and then it's back to the stitch and stitches twirling into each other.....

Thanks always for your comments and visits here.

New items will appear in my shop this week - so take a peek if you get a moment....

have a good Monday

sketchbook sunday

2011-12-04T17:30:00.001Z

a few more pages in my watercolour moleskine sketchbooks... sketches for 'home' zine due out in the new year....

I've been hand stitching a patchwork quilt. It will take some time to complete and is my own random version of a log cabin kind of construction. I do not use rulers, set squares etc.... for this, or mostly any project, unless absolutely necessary.....

Anyhow, the hand stitching inspired the page above...

Many thanks for your comments and visits this week.

in the detail

2011-12-02T13:27:00.001Z

detail - 'beauty in scarlet red' - cuff (now in my shop....)

I don't think I'll ever know exactly how I stitch such tiny faces, they just sort of happen......

have a very good weekend x

Happy December

2011-12-01T12:39:00.001Z

Golden Gown - an embroidery cuff to wear....

I'm pleased with this piece - it is a wider cuff and would make a lovely statement with a simple outfit. When not worn it can be displayed as a small artwork. The stitch work is 7cm across in the centre. This piece has just been added to my shop.

Also in my shop I have added a new SALE section, with seasonal offers in there.....

When I am not stitching - and stitching is taking up a lot of my time lately - I am working on new paintings with a still life feel, inspired by my 'home' sketchbook pages. These new paintings will arrive in my shop at the beginning of the new year. It's now December and I know the weeks ahead I going to move fast, with holidays approaching..... Like I said Monday, I'll be here continuing to share my work.

I'm also writing and sharing new poems, with a seasonal feel, and posting them over at nevering.

Busy start to the month then!

It's a mild start here, with autumn and winter sharing the scene....

Hope your week is going well....

timeless

2011-11-29T14:26:00.001Z

timeless - a new miniature embroidery artwork

I've just added a couple of new pieces to my shop, including this one...

It's a very blustery day here today, feels like it is getting wintry.

mosaic monday

2011-11-28T13:39:00.001Z

1. wooden doodle bowl, 2. lily, 3. Untitled, 4. Thrown wide to the wind, 5. Song for kings IV, 6. Special discount, 7. grey garden, 8. The Riverside Combo, 9. DSC_0063, 10. arbol genalògico II, 11. a face a day_359, 12. Small Landscapes, 13. The Nouveau Bohemian Getting Ready In The Morning., 14. 滴滴答答, 15. feminine forms in modern architecture, 16. growing-up, 17. the-blonde---in-progress, 18. Casa Tia Sandra, vecina de la Tita., 19. dog portraits, 20. Untitled

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy Monday afternoon to you - I usually post my mosaics 'first thing on the list' on a Monday morning, but now with the holidays approaching I decided to get to the post office as quickly as I could. It was busy but not too hectic. Packages sent, now I can share with you this mosaic of intriguing and fabulous images - and many thanks for to all the artists for sharing their work, via my Flickr contacts.

This week I am continuing to work on new pieces of stitch work, paintings, sketchbook pages and more.

Just to update you on what is happening now the Holidays are approaching - I plan to keep my shop open throughout the Christmas and New Year days...... I'll be around and continuing to work, happily. I'll be adding new items to the shop regularly.

If you would like to purchase an item and hope to receive in time for the Holidays then here are the Royal Mail posting dates to consider: If you are in Australia/ New Zealand or Far East, then before 5th December. If in USA/Canada then before 9th December and in Europe before 12th December. If in UK then please consider purchasing before Tuesday 20th. As always, I will be doing my best to send things swiftly, usually I am able to post a package within 1-3 days. (Of course, if we have snow then things can get delayed a little.)

Thanks kindly for all your lovely comments on my sketchbook sunday posts. I'm really looking forward to putting the next zine together, due out at the start of the New Year. I'll let you know more when I know more....

Have a very good start to the week x

sketchbook Sunday

2011-11-27T19:34:00.001Z

New sketchbook pages - these may feature in my next zine - which will be 'home' -
due out at the very beginning of next year (not so far away.....)

I've been working on new sketchbook pages and new paintings with the 'still life at home' theme.....

As always, I'm attempting to express something not quite tangible, quiet, and thoughtful and personal, and yet universal and....... I'm enjoying the process so far. I look forward to sharing more.

Thanks always for your comments this week and always.

new mixed media embroidery

2011-11-23T14:28:00.001Z

new stitches - new mixed media embroidery collage works....see more details in my shop

Mosaic Monday

2011-11-21T09:41:00.001Z

1. Untitled, 2. heavy burden, 3. IMG_15071, 4. Untitled, 5. Untitled, 6. bits sewn down, 7. 11.08.11 / Cooking Utensils, 8. dog and door, 9. girl2-kitchen, 10. work in progress, 11. Untitled, 12. nov182011, 13. Emaki study 20111116, 14. polo horse, 15. I'm a Giant Challenge, 16. INSOMNIA. Técnica mixta. 2011, 17. Untitled, 18. CIMG3296, 19. L’hiver dernier, 20. Untitled, 21. sleeping nature, 22. a person is a person through other persons, 23. Lembranças pra poder me compreender, 24. Untitled, 25. Nothing but gold and black. təars [Prokofiev

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy Monday to you from a foggy, misty England....... this weekend has been f o g g y

oh there you are

and now it is still foggy..... many thanks to the artists featured in this week's mosaic. As always, follow the links to find out more.

This week I am continuing on with new work of all kinds. I hope to add a few new things to my shop every so often as the week goes by.....

I know that many people in the US this week will be celebrating Thanksgiving. So I send my best wishes to you for a happy time.

I'm hoping the fog might lift so I can take some good photographs of a few new paintings... have a good Monday and thanks always for your comments, especially thanks for your comments on yesterday's post. I'm inspired to do more...... thanks x

simple home

2011-11-20T16:51:00.001Z

Exploring things about home, in my own simple way...... I like to paint in a 'pared down' style and without referring to the subject. Despite just how frequently I am in a kitchen and stuffing laundry into a washing machine, I still had to have a sneaky look before painting one.....

As you know already, it's the simple things that sometimes have the most character. I like the stove.

I'm working on these 'home' watercolours and will perhaps put them together into future ideas....

I made a start on a new doll house project. (I was sparked off by Emily Henderson's I'm a giant challenge.)

This is as exciting as it gets so far. I've built the one storey modern house using balsa wood oddments. There is still a lot to do. The roof is not fitted on, I've just rested the wood there to suggest the slant. There will be part closed roof, part skylight. A lot of window. The scale I think is about 1:16, so I've been testing out bits of furniture for inside and think I'll make quite a bit like a very simple bed. Quite a modern home with a Japanese feel, my daughter and I are big Things Japanese fans. I like the colour of the bare wood so not sure if I will paint. Will see how things happen. The plan is for it to be life in a small space, with plants inside and out (think moss and bonsai in tiny pots). Many ideas, not a lot of time to play, but will hope to get there. I usually do,if I do a little at a time on these 'for fun' projects.....

2011-11-18T13:38:00.001Z

Simply - a new embroidery miniature - now in my shop. You can read more about the piece here.

These new stitch works are all small in scale. I like the challenge of working this way. In the past, I've attempted and successfully completed a few wall pieces, but at the moment these smaller works are keeping me busy....

I wish you yes simply a good weekend...

tiny chair

2011-11-16T16:06:00.001Z

a new gouache painting - tiny chair

I was encouraged when Rikianne Van Kirk asked me to write a little about my painting technique - I like to share my thoughts on this when I can and am thrilled to have my words featured on the Re-nest site here.

A little about the painting above - I have a fondness for things miniature and collect dolls house chairs amongst other things..... When I began to paint this I had no idea she was going to be offering me another chair for my collection, but infact she's not - she's offering a chair to you.....

I'm thinking about making another dolls house project in my 'spare time' - for Emily Henderson's I'm a Giant blog challenge - will have to see about that..... would like to....

hope your week is going well

Mosaic Monday

2011-11-14T10:51:00.001Z

1. Untitled, 2. The Nativity (after Piero della Francesca), 3. Recueillement, 4. Untitled, 5. IMG_5907, 6.Eu Chorei eu chorava, era Minha Mãe que me Acalentava, 7. Benett & little Boss, 8. studio days are good, 9. Untitled, 10. Untitled, 11. A new storytelling, 12. more colors, 13. River., 14. ninna oooooooo, 15. For JKPP Tanya Neizmen, 16. rings 3

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A very eclectic Monday to you! many thanks to the artists featured in this week's mosaic.... it is an overcast, chilly day here. I have just got back from the post office, a moderately quiet experience. Expecting things to get busier there as the weeks lead us toward......... holidays time.

Apologies for no sketchbook Sunday or other posts these past few days - I took a few days off from creating, to catch up with things around the home following a busy week.

This week I am looking forward to working more on stitch, I have painting that wants to happen and am designing a new mini-zine. But more on that soon. Expect something new in the shop most days......

Thanks always for your comments here. I really appreciate your thoughts and words. Wishing you a very good week ahead.

Adoration

2011-11-10T14:24:00.002Z

Adoration - this is a new embroidery artwork I have just completed.

This week is going by so quickly.... I'm enjoying the company of tiny stitched faces, they seem intrigued with their world....

I peer into their detailed space and then I take a break, stare out of the window, see the apples still on my neighbour's tree, the magpies sitting on satellite dishes - then it's foot on the pedal and I am back into the tiny other world.....

I've just updated my shop with this piece and a couple of new embroidery hearts.....

mosaic monday

2011-11-07T10:06:00.001Z

1. 11:30/, 2. Medical experiment 2, 3. Untitled, 4. November Postcard, 5. The Prophet Amos, 6. Untitled, 7. OT, 8. white christmas, 9. off on world wide adventures, 10. watercolour, 11. segundo plato / second choice, 12. collage 8, 13. untitled, 14. fallen, 15. Out and about tale, 16. Taking Space

A Happy Monday to you..... many thanks to the artists featured in this Monday's mosaic.... a few 'white secret squares' to discover here..... just follow the links to find out more about each image and the artist.

Today is my birthday - I like the number 42, I hope it will be good for me:)

This week I am working on new new new - and will be adding new artwork to my shop as and when. Hopefully something new most days this week.

Have a very good Monday and more soon.

sketchbook sunday

2011-11-06T18:45:00.001Z

watercolour sketches in a small moleskine watercolour book..... I've not worked in one of these before..... so I'm just playing with sketches and colour

new embroidery

2011-11-05T13:24:00.002Z

New embroidery - this piece is: 'Hope and Peace', very much inspired by early iconography, medieval art and more....

I am happy indeed to be working on new stitched artwork - I had to take a break from it due to a shoulder problem. Thankfully, my shoulder is a lot better these days and I am able to work at my sewing machine for longer. These pieces require a great many stitches and concentration. I'm pacing myself with the new work, so that my shoulder does not become a problem again, as I really want to explore new ideas and make new pieces.....

(New work has started to appear in my shop and will continue.....)

I hope you have a good weekend.

Memory Horses

2011-11-02T11:00:00.001Z

You may have noted a few horses in my work recently...... not a conscious plan but something that has quietly happened and the ideas are evolving.... I like primitive horse forms and remember seeing ancient sculptures in museums and wanting to pick them up....

So I challenged myself to sculpt horses in clay, using just memory and thumbprints. My aim is never to make things 'accurately'. That's just not me.

It was interesting to sit and sculpt these creatures. They took me here and there for hours at a time.

Photographing the horses was an interesting process. I knew what I had in mind and am glad to get these portraits to share. I'm offering prints in my shop: a set of two 4x6 prints and an 8x10 print.

I'd like to make more horses. They have an interesting, tactile feel. They like to stand on picture frames. These horses themselves are not for sale, but perhaps I might make a few to offer....

doll tuesday

2011-11-01T11:21:00.000Z

Just a little big blue nose saying:

shop open

I've listed new things today and will be adding new work as it happens.....

thanks for taking a peek

Mosaic Monday

2011-10-31T11:37:00.000Z

1. Ghost Boy, 2. cobalt blue with iron oxide, 3. Untitled, 4. Emaki study 20111028, 5. Untitled, 6.geittestgrønn, 7. Untitled, 8. edith within the daisies, 9. wise owl, 10. Study 2- one hundred miniatures, 11. shout, speak, understand, 12. Melancholia, 13. untitled, 14. Untitled, 15. 023, 16. 83p61, 17.SDC14006, 18. sharp-end, 19. A Private Cosmos, 20. piggtråd1\Layers

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy Halloween Monday to you..... it has finally stopped raining here and might even brighten up.... Many thanks to the artists featured in this week's mosaic.

I understand parts of the US have a snowy white Halloween this year. I hope you are safe and well, where ever you are in the world.... Recently, I was thinking on how I focus on the seasons and changes, and yet I know not everyone in the world of course is moving from autumn to winter... for some summer is on the horizon. I am trying to remember that. We live in a big small world.

This week - I am taking photographs of new goodies today. I hope the pointy hat chaps behave for the camera. My Etsy shop is re-opening tomorrow. I'll be showcasing a new selection of artwork including a few new original paintings. dolls and a new print or two.

Enjoy your week ahead and take care x

sketchbook Sunday

2011-10-30T18:32:00.000Z

These are pages made over the past week. I like using dark, smudgy pencil. I spray the pages once they are done. This is a good habit as it stops me from going over things and editing too much.

mosaic monday

2011-10-24T09:38:00.000+01:00

1. scatter brain, 2. oct232011, 3. 10/22_sat, 4. Lean., 5. round bells, 6. mossige boot, 7. Untitled, 8.proteas, 9. Untitled, 10. 夫妇3, 11. Grab The Uranium, 12. Untitled, 13. 3books_2, 14. INSOMNIA. Técnica mixta. 2011, 15. wooden necklaces in progress, 16. East wall windows, Turbine Hall, Tate Modern, London

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy Monday to you..... another sunny day here. Many thanks to the artists featured in this week's mosaic.

It is half-term and I am spending time with family this week. I'm sure I'll find time to work on sketches and catch up with a few personal projects. My shop is 'on vacation' right now and will be closed until Tuesday November 1st. I'll be re-opening with a brightly different selection of goodies.

I'm always planning ahead to the next little 'mood-theme-focus'. For me, it is important to have a not too rigid schedule. I like to have a main focus and other things dancing around it. Some of my moods are brighter, or darker, or sweeter than others. Believe it I am looking ahead to what I am going to do in 2012. Suggestions for a 365 project are welcome! Though I am not sure I will embark on any.....

Have a great week x

sketchbook Sunday

2011-10-23T19:17:00.004+01:00

Sketchbook Sunday returns after a long-ish break.....

I'm working on sketches and ideas - would you believe for my next zine already? Due out December or January. Much depends on much and the flow of things.

The horses are appearing more in my sketches recently. They are toys and dreams of horses. I am timid around the real thing.

Thanks for your comments this week and always x

doll tuesday

2011-10-18T13:59:00.001+01:00

two dolls here - the red faced chap is 'never a dull moment' - as that is what is embroidered on his belt.....then there is: oh pants.... the first pointy hat chap to get knitted trousers. And yes he thinks they give him a sophisticated edge. These two pointy hat chaps are new designs for my colourful early winter selection - coming November 1st. I am enjoying knitting colours into stripes and thinking up new ideas for these chaps. They are good company.

mosaic monday

2011-10-17T09:45:00.002+01:00

1. String of Hearts, 2. beet lemonade, 3. Autumn in black and white, 4. De la mer, 5. show glass, 6. ghost girl treat, 7. INSOMNIA. Técnica mixta. 2011, 8. déjà-vu, 9. Untitled, 10. etsy treasury, Grey Day, 11. I'm on the freeway down at the harbour, 12. tea, 13. 'Fragments from a Life', 14. housemates, 15. sogni, 16.night visitor

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy Monday to you on this sunny, chilly morning...... many thanks to all the artists featured in this week's mosaic.

This week I am busy working on new things for my 'early winter selection' - to appear in my shop from November 1st. I am making quite a colourful selection of dolls and more. I hope the new work will brighten your days to come....ha, it is certainly brightening up my work space right now.

Meanwhile, I am offering, continuing to offer, free worldwide shipping on all originals in my shop. Take a peek. My shop will be closed Oct 24th - and will re-open November 1st.

I have packages to put together and lots of tasks ahead, so I will wish you a very happy start to your week...... more tomorrow.

just a note

2011-10-13T11:28:00.003+01:00

(beautiful mother of pearl buttons, a gift from a thoughtful friend....)

Just a note to say - I am offering Free Worldwide shipping on all original artwork in my shop from today. This is for a limited time only. (sorry for crossposting here and on facebook but I wanted to let you know).

Yes, for a limited time as my shop will be closed from October 24th and will re-open on November 1st with a new early winter selection.

Hope your week is going well....

Pointy Hat Revival

2011-10-11T12:53:00.000+01:00

Say hello to the pointy hat revival..... it has been a while. I have thought about why I am making them again and how to explain: it's something to do with a need to exercise my silly side and something more to do with a chat I had with my teenaged daughter. We were talking about how it is to easy to feel a lack of direction and how it's important to make the most of each day. She told me: mum do what makes you happy. Do something completely different for a while.

It's been fun knitting noses again.

I can hear them tap-dancing, even in their sleep....

He's a big guy. He is part snowman, part hat dweller. He really wants me to make a large white theatre so that I can photograph him and his friends in a brighter way.... to work......

These new chaps will be available November, I think.

mosaic monday

2011-10-10T09:27:00.001+01:00

1. Untitled, 2. Is it you, or is it me, 3. natural order /color, 4. chove, 5. Menagerie..., 6. Mr TeaBagMan, 7.essexgirl speaks, 8. Untitled, 9. Untitled, 10. Piano background, 11. man and table, 12. Untitled, 13. red-doll6, 14. birdies in box, 15. Untitled, 16. fall inspired tiny world pincushion 3

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Good Monday to you from an overcast England..... many thanks to the artists featured in this week's mosaic.... A few white squares for you to discover more...

This week is a busy one for me, with plenty to do and lots happening at home. I hope to share with you more photos of my new doll series - tomorrow is doll Tuesday.....

A bit of advance notice: my shop will be closed from Monday October 24th - Tuesday November 1st. This is due to half-term school break. I sometimes keep my shop open during school breaks but we all need some time off..... So, I will be re-opening my shop in November with a bright new early winter display!

My 100 portraits on brown paper is currently up to no. 8.... yay...... and I shall continue on.... see them so far here

I hope you have a good week - more tomorrow x

Doll Tuesday - sightings

2011-10-04T09:08:00.002+01:00

There have been recent sightings of newly-knitted pointy hats....

Maybe it's just a rumour. A rattle of buttons in a tin.

Perhaps I can hear their stripes coming together.

mosaic monday

2011-10-03T09:30:00.002+01:00

1. Untitled, 2. bike, 3. man with pipe, 4. memories of toys, 5. Untitled, 6. Untitled, 7. oct022011, 8. Untitled, 9. girl (bell) painted - her back, 10. [Le sentiment de. l'emportement, 11. la plantita de mi casa, 12. Aaron Smith, “Jeek”, 2011, oil on panel, 28” x 24”, 13. HandspunOwlWIP&Done-9-30-11 012, 14. stardust, 15. Some found the Waxwing family to be entirely too liberal., 16. Protraits, 17. red tropism (Collaborativ Art - Peter Seelig & Doris Stricher), 18. life 8, 19. Untitled, 20. Untitled, 21. 108, 22. 4, 23. ALS IK DENK ONTKOM IK NIET ALS IK VERGEET DAN BEN IK NIET, 24. Untitled, 25. “Cabelo Dourado”, 26. Untitled, 27. untitled, 28. Oddity Angel, 29. Untitled, 30. Forget-Me-Nots gone to seed

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A warm and sunny October Monday to you! Many thanks to the artists featured in this mosaic - lots of colour and line and thoughtfulness to explore in this one.

This week I am giving myself some time to work through new ideas. I'm also continuing to work on my 100 portraits on brown paper project - hope to share the next-to-come.....

Also, this Wednesday begins a new series of 'featured poets' on my nevering blog. I'm inviting other poets I know to share their work.

Have a very good week, thanks always for your comments.

100 portraits on brown paper - begins

2011-10-01T14:11:00.000+01:00

Today I begin a new project - 100 portraits on brown paper

the work above is no.3 and is my favourite so far....ha

She is quietly cheering me on as I begin....

This is another process-led project. I am not attempting to make one a day (as I did with my tiny heads earlier this year). Instead, I will most likely work on a few at a time, as and when they want to happen. Which I hope is often, as let's face it 100 is.....100......

They are about exploring the portrait as an organic, improvised, experimental expression.... I expect them to each have their quiet voice but to be honest I have no big plan or idea how this is going to evolve. Just as with the tiny heads, I will play with the media and see who happens.

I'm working on quite thin brown paper - and the portraits are each about postcard size.

And the individual portraits will be for sale. Once the project is complete.

To keep up with the project - you can follow how it is going by clicking the link over there on the right. I will post favourites here from time to time.

Thanks and have a good weekend.

doll Friday

2011-09-30T13:26:00.001+01:00

hello, this is Miss Bird

she is one of two dollys that I have added to my shop today (also a new painting has arrived there....)

Thank you for all your kind comments and emails this week.

Tomorrow is October - very hard to believe considering we are still very much in our belated summer spell here in England....

And tomorrow is the start of a new project for me....... 100 Portraits on Brown Paper

I will be sharing this project on Flickr - but will add a link from here to there, and will most likely share a few here as well..... It is not a 'daily' project - I will add portraits when they happen, but hope to make them quite regularly. I'll share more about the project as it (I hope) unfolds.....

have a very good weekend

the ghost tree

2011-09-29T13:00:00.000+01:00

the ghost tree

a pencil drawing

I have not worked in pencil for some time. But I have this very smooth paper sketchbook and I decided to draw rather than write on the blank pages. Though both might happen. As is often the case. Notebooks filled with poem notes get used for a quick shopping list. Or three.

Apologies for no Doll Tuesday this week. It had been my plan to share but it's one of those weeks when I am reshuffling my plans.

I'm feeling slightly befuddled by this very warm weather we are having. It is autumn and yet not. The sky today is faded denim blue, clear. The trees are full of crisp leaves. It is hot in the sun. I am thinking what would people like to see me making in the next few months? Trying to get my head ahead.... But right now with this rewind into summer again I feel slightly in a daze.....

I know many people are working on upcoming shows and events. This is something good to work toward, I am sure. Due to my family commitments, I am happily homebound and don't do shows. So my selling is mostly online. In the future perhaps I will get the opportunity to 'get out there' but for now it is not for me. Therefore my personal projects are really important in giving myself something to steer toward, for example making a new zine. Not sure what my next book will be just yet...... have you seen my latest 'Neighbourhood'? It has been selling quite well and I have had very nice feedback for which I am grateful always.

This late-late heatwave is set to continue for a few days yet..... I hope your week is going well....

Mosaic Monday

2011-09-26T13:02:00.000+01:00

1. Forget-Me-Nots gone to seed, 2. mossy fingers, 3. papers 0911_0004 per P P Limongelli, 4. Once before, 5. Untitled, 6. flickr.com/photos/20163360@N00/6179912931/, 7. encroachment, 8. INSOMNIA. Técnica mixta. 2011, 9. Emaki study 20110920, 10. sewing1, 11. Sunflower radiation project, 12. new canvas 1, acrylic on canvas 3' x 3', 13. Black & Gold, 14. gufi3, 15. "With all her children by her side.", 16.IMGP7693, 17. Berry paintings, 18. return to breakfast in the kitchen, 19. found, 20. new color for little jade plant

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy Monday to you..... it is mild and trying to be sunny here..... many thanks to the artists and photographers featured in this week's mosaic....

September is always a busy month, so little wonder it feels like it really can't be the last Monday of.....

This week I am again working on all sorts and hope to update my shop toward the end of the week with a variety of 'new things'... Many thanks for your visits and faves.....

Wishing you a very good week ahead - apparently we are going to have a mini heatwave this week?? we shall see......

come along with me

2011-09-22T14:19:00.005+01:00

This is a photograph of a gouache painting - 'come along with me'.....

(now in my shop today, along with two new dolls)

I am challenging myself to paint a little every day. If I let go of expectations and 'just paint' - then interesting scenes emerge. Sometimes.

'My people' have stories and they want me to tell them, in a way that can be told......:)

doll tuesday

2011-09-20T14:07:00.000+01:00

This is Miracle

one of the dolls that appeared in my shop last week and is now on her way to a home over the ocean.....

I am working on new dolls and hope to have a few in my shop on Thursday or Friday, or maybe both....

Meanwhile, I thought I would 'raid the archives' for a few doll photos, something else from a while back...

A basket of textile dolls, from more than a few years ago now. These were my earlier dolls that I first sold on Etsy in my novembermoon shop (which has closed now, as I now have my namesake cathycullis shop). It is interesting to look back and see what I made and how my days were spent busy with stitches, or otherwise...

I've created a variety of dolls over the years, but they are all 'me', or aspects of me in their own peculiar way! ..... & I always feel at home making them.

I look back and smile........ what a colourful past......:)

mosaic monday

2011-09-19T11:39:00.000+01:00

1. Untitled, 2. Her Slip Was Showing, 3. Exposição Bibelô, 4. 04, 5. Self as a building, 6. trees in progress, 7. Shopping In Wool Slippers, 8. seven - rust print, 9. blanco, 10. dollies9, 11. something happened but i was unawared of it - My Art Journal 2011-07-1 #004, 12. INSOMNIA. Técnica mixta. 2011, 13. freehand heart embroidery, 14. KAPOW!, 15. Coke can, 16. composición, 17. Jazz Hands, 18.peach path 2b, 19. The truth about the primitive man is not hiding in the past. The early human beings live within us, 20. Rustic Rag Rug

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Good Monday to you...... from a slightly chilly and clouding over England..... many thanks to the artists featured in this mosaic... two white 'mystery' images for you to discover too...

This week I am again working on all sorts. Many thanks for all your visits to my shop and of course this blog. And for all your kind comments. Tomorrow is Doll Tuesday... I am busy working on further new dolls...

Right, must get on..... Have a very good week

2011-09-18T13:24:00.003+01:00

I took this photo between rain showers yesterday...... this is an old vine in our tiny garden, and for the first time I have seen it so healthy.. the grapes are sweet if a little pippy.... Grapes like these remind me of old still life paintings, their soft varied tones....

Not sure if I shall try brewing some wine with them, I don't know much about that. Many years ago when I was a teenager my older brother made wine, I think it was apple wine. The big jar of it fermenting in the cupboard beneath the stairs....

This is just a brief hello and to wish you a happy rest of the weekend. I am about to post something more over at my poetry blog nevering...

It is pouring with rain again here....

doll tuesday

2011-09-13T14:09:00.001+01:00

Tuesday is now dolly day..... just so as you know....here is a new one, her name is Story and she is one of several I have been making recently..... They are time-consuming little people, despite their simple attire.... but making things by hand, sometimes time needs to slow down and let you get on with it carefully....it is really rainy here.... hope your week has started well

mosaic monday

2011-09-12T09:33:00.002+01:00

1. original art work, 2. Untitled, 3. JIm Harris: Untitled, 4. Untitled, 5. zigulì, 6. Untitled, 7. thread river, 8.Untitled, 9. Untitled, 10. Sprout Purse, 11. Emaki study 20110910, 12. Almost ready, fabric weaving, 13.Late Afternoon, 14. Saoirse Ronan, 15. Me about 60 seconds ago...;), 16. Reflections, 17. under the wings, 18. les amoureux dans les collines, 19. carrossel, 20. Collage 09-08-11 B, 21. "one way of defining what you are is to define what you are not", 22. Untitled, 23. porthole prints, 24. Cleveland Foreclosure Quilt - detail of community garden built over an abandoned residential lot, 25. Mist

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A good Monday to you..... greetings from a windswept, rainy England.....

Many thanks to the artists featured in this mosaic - lovely stuff - via my Flickr contacts....

I've been quiet over the past few days, haven't I..... things are quietly brewing.... This weekend I felt like being quiet. It was a good, reflective quiet. Now I am ready to make again...

I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the need to make - and then the need to be quiet. If I listen to this, everything usually works out ok.... I am attempting to listen to my own advise more often these days:)

Thanks for your lovely feedback re: my newest zine Neighbourhood. Thanks always for your kind comments here and elsewhere....

So this week: I have a couple of new paintings - both I really like and hope you will like too - and will be adding them to my shop later today.

I'm going to start to add the first of my new mixed media dolls series to the shop, most likely later in the week.... so I'll let you know here or on facebook or just visit when you feel like it.....

many thanks! have a happily creative week ahead....

no farewells

2011-09-08T14:53:00.001+01:00

no farewells

inspired by the change of the seasons..... I've been watching the shifting bird patterns, the light and shade so different, all of a sudden it feels.... I quite like that wistfulness....

this new gouache painting is now available as an original in my shop - along with a selection of drawings on tags and one other painting....

*

little black dress

2011-09-07T15:02:00.000+01:00

A folk doll - in papier mache, wearing a hand-stitched linen skirt and a little pearl..... She is one of a new series I am working on right now.... I am aiming at the middle-end of this month to have a selection completed....

Until then, back to work on her sisters....

hope your week is going well

mosaic monday

2011-09-05T13:45:00.001+01:00

1. (hipsters...), 2. Stitching New Landscapes, 3. Bat necklace, 4. some things, 5. Hand-cut & drawn cards., 6. Merge, 7. tricycle, 8. 6x8 inch wip acrylic, 9. bravo, 10. Love Letter II (Everything), 11. Untitled, 12. new sept pretties, 13. back to work on this, 14. antique coverlet pillows, 15. rabbit hole1, 16. Untitled, 17. Emaki study 20110903, 18. SM-nestingSept11-08, 19. Untitled, 20. fata / fairy, 21. girls with yarn drawing, 22. Linden Falling, 23. Pickled Beets, 24. illu bird 4

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Happy Monday to you.... September's here again and here is my first 'favourites mosaic' of the month.... many thanks to the artists featured for sharing their work via my Flickr contacts.

It's a blustery, sunshiney start to the week here. We are getting ready for the return to school. And I still get butterflies in my stomach.....

Many thanks to all who have ordered a zine or something else from my shop. I have posted several out already, I have a batch to post later today and will be sending a few more tomorrow.... Thank you!

This week I am working on all sorts.... and hope to update my shop again some time later in the week....

Have a very good Monday and creative week ahead....

lists of things

2011-09-04T13:36:00.002+01:00

two gouache portrait tags - there will be a selection made available next week (most likely Wednesday)..... many thanks to everyone for visiting my re-opened shop.

*

I like to write lists of things.... and thought I would put together a few lists to sum up the things I've been reading/watching/listening to etc... over the summer and continuing with.... in no particular order...

Reading

Of Mutability - Jo Shapcott (poetry)

various Greying Ghost chapbooks - I enjoy this small press very much
see their website: greying ghost

The Sisters Brothers - Patrick deWitt (fiction)

Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte (fiction - reread, I've read this book more than any other)

One Secret Thing - Sharon Olds (poetry)

Tongue Party - Sarah Rose Etter (fiction)

Stories for the Nighttime and Some For the Day - Ben Loory (fiction)

Perry Grayson - Jacky Klein (art)

Mysterious Wisdom, The Life and Work of Samuel Palmer - Rachel Campbell-Johnston (biography)

listening

Laki Mera - The Proximity Effect
Kate Bush - Director's Cut
Brett Anderson - solo material various
Sufjan Stevens - various tracks
Suzanne Vega - various tracks
Joan as Police Woman - The Deep Field

and a lot of chilled-out late night music especially listening to the Late Lounge on Jazz FM

watching

Arietty - movie from Studio Ghibli
Bored to Death - HBO comedy
30 Rock - US comedy
Frasier - classic US comedy (my son calls me a 'Frasier fangirl' ha.... I find it is one of the shows I like that I can watch in the evening when he is around and nothing about it worries him, as he is very sensitive)
BBC Four arts & music shows - especially When Rock Goes Acoustic
looking forward to - Hidden Paintings this coming Tuesday on BBC4

and a lot of news... this August had a lot, didn't it.....

neighbourhood zine

2011-08-31T09:36:00.004+01:00

neighbourhood - my new little book/zine - out tomorrow

features a series of sketches and paintings exploring my own imaginative neighbourhood, places of town and twilight, trees and sky, dream-like.... printed on lovely smooth white presentation paper with hand stitch binding.

will come with a printed glossy postcard

limited edition of 100
price £6

*

you will note when my etsy shop re-opens tomorrow - a currency change. I am selling in my own British pounds from now. Please be assured etsy/paypal deal with all the exchanging of different currency. Thanks for your understanding as I work toward making my sales and accounting more straightforward for myself, giving further time for creating....

Hope your week is going well - more tomorrow....

mosaic monday

2011-08-29T13:28:00.002+01:00

1. Untitled, 2. end of summer - flying south, 3. Tickled, 4. aug282011, 5. woman with a scarf, 6. Untitled, 7. Charolette, 8. Dolores, 9. My Art Journal 2011-07-1 #008, 10. totem., 11. Untitled, 12. Head over Feet (2011), 13. Ayn, 14. morning, 15. Fear of Irene, 16. praticando pilates, 17. adestradinho, 18. I am not what you expected, 19. studie 434, 20. Look what i found!

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A happy Monday to you - from a cool but sunny England, with autumn gently waiting in the air..... many thanks to the artists and photographers featured in this week's mosaic, via my Flickr contacts.

It's still the school holidays here, for another week and a bit infact. So I am spending time with family and getting on with this and that.

This week my shop re-opens on Thursday. I have my new limited edition zine ready. I also have a few new prints and original paintings, & clay heads.

Mid-September you will see a new series of mixed media dolls begin to appear: think paper + hand stitches + small enough to decorate a tree....

I'll be previewing new things before Thursday. Until then, all best wishes for the week ahead and thanks always for your comments.

take it easy

2011-08-27T13:34:00.003+01:00

A tiny teeny tiny snail found itself on my fingertip as I was cutting fennel....

I like these diminutive violas 'honeybee'. My Granny did not like pansy faces but I like these sweet cheeky ones. Because Granny was so adamant that she did not like pansies, now every time I see them I am reminded of her. And although they were flowers she preferred not to have in her garden I happen to like them, not to be a rebel (somehow planting pansies will never be a rebellious act will it?) but because they make me smile. They appeal to my cheery side (& remind me I have one on certain days).

As much as I love simple green spaces, even if I had a zen garden, I would need a pot of pansies somewhere.

I've been spending time doing lots of other things this week - and taking it a little easy. Discovering the texture and method that goes into moss stitch knitting. Reading several good books. Going to the seaside. Trying not to work but making a few plans for the future anyway - and finally getting to that happy place called having a zine/book done. And I hope you will like it.

I have just about everything ready for my shop re-opening on September 1st (this coming thursday). I'll show you more next week. Until then have a good weekend. I'm thinking of you especially if you are on the East coast of the US and send best wishes.

take care

mosaic monday

2011-08-22T06:23:00.000+01:00

1. for the same things, 2. MONTAÑAS DE CRISTAL/crystal mountains, 3. Hi Yo Silver!, 4. nostalgia, 5. A pocketful of time, 6. dream, 7. summernight, 8. P829002, 9. new work, 10. Pom granin, 11. bee mania, 12. Strawberry jam spoon, 13. collection so far..., 14. Primitive Mods, 15. little blue stitching, 16. Tea drinker, 17. 12 august, 18. Untitled, 19. Large Knitting Nancies at large again, 20. 老家, 21. The quartz of the black mountain, 22. notas y garabatos del amor, 23. summer self-portrait, 24. 30.07-05.08, 25.alfileterotuna para Virginia, 26. punk, 27. rudbeckias, 28. S/T Óleo sobre madera 41 x 33 cm. 2011, 29.Braided necklace with lace detail, 30. sept.2011_amyhuddleston_flatcolorloft

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Happy Monday to you --- am up early to begin a busy day..... many thanks to the artists featured for sharing their work via my Flickr contacts....

Have a very good week x

moving in & sneak peek

2011-08-21T14:10:00.004+01:00

things are moving into no.1 Paper Villas my little alternate home (and holiday project)..... still a few things to come, like a painting for that left hand wall..... the knitted rug is a darker purple than appears here. The furniture is all vintage dolls house pieces I have bought. The curtains are made using my own little harlequin design printed on to fabric.

upstairs, a simple bedroom - I am keeping this unpainted and quiet to contrast with the richness of downstairs... I am working many tiny stitches into the little eiderdown quilt....

I am already thinking about other rooms, in other little houses, some time.....

And here is a sneak peek - the cover of my newest book - it will be out on September 1st - neighbourhood

Yes is it was going to be novembermoon - but then a series of new paintings and sketches 'happened' in recent weeks and this is the result.....The paintings are of imagined, dream-like, twilight-lit places.....

I am very happy with this one. I'll share some more pages as we get nearer to launch!

Hope you are having a good August - now we are already over halfway.... thanks always for your comments.

no.1 Paper Villas

2011-08-16T13:21:00.000+01:00

Apologies for no Mosaic Monday this week - a bumper one next.... happy Tuesday to you and hope your week has started well.

This is a personal project of mine that I am working on.... Last December I made this paper house, using papier mache and pages from old novels...

Now I am finally getting to work on the interior.... The house has two rooms, a sitting room and upstairs a bedroom. I have a a few pieces of vintage dolls house furniture that suit quite nicely but will make the rest myself. Curtains, rugs, picture, knick-knacks. But not too cluttered. I want to keep the primitive feel of the house.

Perhaps there may be neighbours in the future, but for now I am happy to be spending a little time decorating no.1 Paper Villas

land quartet

2011-08-14T14:24:00.004+01:00

1. uphill, 2. together, 3. ">like November, 4. a small fire

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

a quartet of four 'land' paintings.... these are watercolour and gouache on watercolour paper

I think they may have their roots in last year's monoprint series of landscapes and abstracts..... (see example post here)

I also think they may be featured in my soon-to-come next zine, Novembermoon no.4 - not 100% certain yet, as I am still working on what is going in...... the process of sitting with all my various sketchbooks and loose paintings etc... and diving in to find 'treasure' can be fun and a little nerve-wracking... I am glad I have no big rush just yet... I like to take my time to make a zine just right.

head thursday

2011-08-11T12:47:00.002+01:00

double visionary & doll-like dreamer

both head portraits are part of my upcoming autumn selection

they are painted with layers, washes of acrylics.... they have little intentional dings and marks to suggest age, they are not heads that want for anything more but are portraits to sit there and ask questions perhaps....

stitch

2011-08-10T18:55:00.000+01:00

new work

2011-08-09T13:44:00.003+01:00

in these uncertain times

what can I do to make things better?

new recent work

mosaic monday

2011-08-08T10:42:00.004+01:00

1. Logwood, Maple, Cherry, Acacia, 2. Flatcolor loft, September 2011, 3. Week eight: orange, 4. Untitled, 5. wandering, 6. A força e a independencia da mulher / The womans force and independence, 7.Untitled, 8. Untitled, 9. Medellín, 10. little stars, 11. a sampling of my little army..., 12. Untitled, 13.Untitled, 14. Untitled, 15. The Sailing Hat, 16. embrace those shifting weather patterns, 17. harvest walk, 18. studio wall, 19. H.D, 20. Untitled

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A happy sort of sunny Monday to you.... and many thanks to the artists featured in this week's mosaic...

This week I am here and there, doing lots of different things, seeking inspiration and playing with ideas...... I hope to share more as the days go by... I have recently made some new paintings that I am rather happy with, and look forward to sharing those some time. I'm working on several different things, a little at a time, and feel I am making some progress, happily so.....

My shop is now closed for a few weeks whilst I spent time with family + working on new autumn collection..... I am still around to answer questions etc....

Thanks also for all your comments over the past several weeks. I am pleased to know you are reading and engaging with what I share here....

Have a very good creative week ahead x

sketchbook Sunday

2011-08-07T14:28:00.001+01:00

recent sketchbook pages

it seems I am still very much exploring ideas on childhood and the figure as an archetype.... I'm challenging myself to just make pictures in my book pages and just see what happens...

head thursday

2011-08-04T17:45:00.003+01:00

a new head portrait - one of a series I am making through the summer....

mosaic monday

2011-08-01T06:08:00.000+01:00

1. magic feather pods, 2. Untitled, 3. temple., 4. detail stacking blocks, 5. leave a light on, 6. Your peonies, my phone number, 7. Untitled, 8. rays - rust prints, 9. bhtb, 10. bastardo, 11. R+T3, 12.Gathering in the mountains, 13. ///, 14. Untitled, 15. Gaussian gauze, 16. Salted Lace, 17. Untitled, 18. # 1367 "Stars", 19. field study six, 20. Untitled

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Welcome August...... and a happy Monday to you.... I am up early getting certain things done before a busy day ahead... certain things including of course this week's mosaic.. many thanks to the artists featured. Please follow the links to discover more....

This is the final week my shop is open before a three week break - so perhaps if you wanted something now might be a good time..... as when I re-open in September there will be a brand new selection. Some of the prints and zine will still be there but as for the original work - this is the final week.

During these coming weeks I am working on new visual artwork and also the extended version of Violet Goodenough. It is a project that is going to take a while and then I plan to send to various publishers - not sure who wants a prose-poem manuscript these days or ever, but here's hoping..... I've been very encouraged by the feedback I have received from readers of my zine version.

We plan to see the new Studio Ghibli movie Arietty this week.... my children and I are fans of the studio and all their animations. Here's a review of the movie via The Guardian.

sketchbook Sunday

2011-07-31T14:16:00.000+01:00

my newer sketchbooks are slowly becoming inhabited...

have a good Sunday x

head portrait

2011-07-28T11:15:00.000+01:00

a head portrait...

I am working on new heads (they are slighter larger than the 'tiny series) for my 'autumn collection'....

I hope to share a new head each Thursday during these coming summer weeks....

Just a reminder that my Etsy shop will be closed from August 8th until September 1st when many of the new autumn things will be available....

hope your week is going well...

mosaic monday

2011-07-25T13:19:00.000+01:00

1. 5 girls in a row, 2. Façades, 3. MUDANZA, 4. peter hurley | danny espinoza, 5. cloud mobile, 6.Untitled, 7. Untitled, 8. werkinprog, 9. musk ox, 10. frozen, 11. House snail and books, 12. Myth, 13.colar de franjas, 14. studio bulletin board, 15. Wallum Glass Pendants, 16. Untitled, 17. Emaki study 20110720, 18. 4 larger works in progress 6, 19. Trees 2, 20. Trust...

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Happy sunny Monday to you...... many thanks to all the artists featured in this week's mosaic - via my Flickr contacts. So many lovely images for you to explore, just follow the links.....

This week I hope to make the most of the sunshine and spend some time relaxing - but I am also still working away at new ideas, making marks in sketchbooks, playing with stitches and clay.....

I hope to share new things and glimpses as the week goes by.... have a very good one....

sketchbook Sunday

2011-07-24T13:33:00.000+01:00

recent pages from my sketchbooks.... my sketchbooks are about being playful - sometimes the simple quick sketch sums it up.... does not have to be 'good'.

giddy up!

enjoy your Sunday x

clay work in progress

2011-07-22T11:04:00.000+01:00

a work-in-progress shot...... I would like to create some sculpture work for my tiny garden..... rather than making tiny things I am aiming toward, thinking of, one or two larger pieces.... but before ordering a ton of clay - stop and plan!

I've been doodling and sketching with gouache. I've also discussed with my daughter the kind of sculpture that she likes, and would perhaps like to help me put together, or at least have some input. (Perhaps she might also make her own). Her thoughts are she prefers abstract to figurative. You know me and my love of figures, but also I like the abstracted form.... I showed my son my sketchbook very quickly this morning and he pointed to one of the figures. This is the one I am modelling... I'm making a small prep version before I do make a larger one, if it feels right.

This clay is air-dry Newclay. I don't have a kiln or access to one, but that won't stop me. Once dry newclay is pretty damn hard, and can be treated with an extra hardener coating. And then painted/varnished - to look like a ceramic glaze. The sculpture will live outside in the spring/summer, under glass cover.

Well, we shall see how this goes..... You may be wondering (or maybe worked out already) why the figure here has newspaper stuffed inside - that is to stop the hollow form from caving in as it dries. I want the figure to have lots of thumbprints. But I also want to keep to the idea of abstracting.... so I will make the lower half a lot more uniform with the 'legs' less expressive than the torso...

Have a good weekend and more soon....

calm & inspiration

2011-07-20T18:16:00.000+01:00

A windowsill - early morning - I am an early bird, always have been..... I like how simple objects together have a certain calm in early morning light.....

Today I went to a fabulous exhibition at the British Museum - 'Treasures of Heaven'.... I am so pleased I made the time to go and see. I will tell more about it soon. Very inspiring. Here's a link to the museum site to find out more.

my little healing space

2011-07-19T19:03:00.000+01:00

After having a day that's been stressful and rainy (we all have them), it was so nice to see a few rays of sunshine and to step outside into my little side garden.... this is my healing space, my little sanctuary. It's not especially private, I don't have the luxury of high yew hedges. However, I know that even if the space is rented, the pots and plants are mine and I have grown many from seed or cuttings.... It is not perfect, and I want to add more. This summer I would like to make some sculptures to live in there and make the space more individual. I'm going to visit a few exhibitions and get some ideas and inspiration....

I recently came across the work of Lotte Glob - her croft landscape was recently featured in Ceramics Review magazine and you can see more about this on her website. Of course her landscape is very different from my little urban space.

Thanks for your kind comments from yesterday. I am indeed looking forward to some time to recharge and play with new ideas, and to grow little creative random stalks that might lead to who-knows-something-interesting......

enjoy the rest of your Tuesday

mosaic monday

2011-07-18T11:14:00.000+01:00

1. maquina 3x4, 2. why, 3. The Reason Why, 4. etude 422, 5. Untitled, 6. Untitled, 7. Block #1 for DRAWN IN A DAY (drawn, above), 8. Untitled, 9. ///, 10. McNally Jackson, 11. city on the hill, 12. The Journey. New Miniature Artist's Book., 13. "As aldeias são as pessoas", 14. TADA365 #191b Printing with leaves, 15. in a vast turquoise ocean, 16. the language of art, 17. Jean Martin Charcot, 18. Untitled, 19. Painting 07-06-11 B, 20. she wept until her tears turned to silk

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Hello to you on this cold and damp July Monday..... yes there is something wrong with that phrase but moving along...... many thanks to the artists featured in this week's mosaic.

This week - I have just returned from the post office, having sent several packages and hope to have more packaged and sent very soon. I'm going to continue with my sketchbooks and planning ahead....

A little advance notice: my Etsy shop will be 'on vacation' from August 8th - September 1st.

I am not going anywhere exotic - I am not going far at all (perhaps a few day trips). So I will be around to answers questions, and will continue to blog etc... The vacation will be for me to focus on spending time with my family and to work on new new new for the autumn. In particular, I am looking forward to putting together Novembermoon no. 4 - I'm hoping also, if the summer weather allows, to work on an outdoor clay project. I'll share more about that when/if it happens.

I'll be re-opening my Etsy shop on 1st September with a new range of artwork and a new zine, hopefully!

Ok, enough shop talk, I need to get on with things around here. Lots to do. School finishes at the end of this week - looking forward to that final end of term feeling and pizza (we have pizza at the end of term, it's our little family tradition/treat.) Let's hope for some sunshine to come!

Have a very good week ahead x

sketchbook Sunday

2011-07-17T14:10:00.000+01:00

sketches on brown paper....

'caring for her childhood self' is the title I have given for the first.... the other pages inspired by this rainy weekend... really, we are having April in July here.

Thanks again for all the lovely comments (both here and there) re: my Etsy Featured seller interview - here's the link

Also, just to repeat it: I am pleased to say that I shall be making a donation to Oxfam tomorrow (I pledged to give 10% of my art sales for this week). You can read more about the crisis in East Africa here.

Have a good Sunday

just flowering

2011-07-14T16:28:00.000+01:00

A view of our tiny herb garden this afternoon, with fennel and oregano just flowering..... It is one of those rare and lovely days: not too hot, not too chilly, sun is out, gentle breeze.....

Thank you for all your very kind comments re: my Etsy featured seller interview. I am so grateful for all the positive feedback regarding my work, it means a lot. I'm spending the next few days carefully putting packages together, thanks.

And as I tweeted earlier this week I am donating 10% of my art sales this week to the wonderful Oxfam.

Etsy featured seller

2011-07-13T17:20:00.000+01:00

a page from my brown paper sketchbook..... this is available as part of a set of prints in my Etsy shop today..

I am in a bit of whirl because now I can tell you - today I am Etsy's featured seller..... I am delighted and hope that you may enjoy reading my interview:) yes!

thank you

mosaic monday

2011-07-11T09:45:00.000+01:00

1. 20110620singleward, 2. Bloc 11 Opening Reception Postcard, 3. Bird Rock, 4. car and caravan with tank A2, 5. Mary, 6. Boom de la historieta en Colombia, 7. Dear Mother, 8. Untitled, 9. Untitled, 10.sketchbook, 11. collection, 12. Spanische Tanze, 13. summer loop scarf in security dots, 14. DSC07754, 15. Mouse Trap - Page 1, 16. Selena, 17. Untitled, 18. Untitled, 19. Untitled, 20. Bogotanismos I, 21.Untitled, 22. de draagbare rommelmarkt, 23. absent friends 2, 24. até 16 de Julho na Mãos à Arte, 25.don't touch what you can't afford to get a thump for

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A Happy sunny Monday to you..... many thanks to the artists featured in this week's mosaic.

The last few week before the school holidays and I am busy busy.... I really want to share lots with you now, before I take a little time off in August. So today I shall be updating my etsy shop with a new selection of paintings + art cards +

Thank you for your comments here and I hope that you will have a very good week ahead x

metapainting

2011-07-10T15:20:00.000+01:00

Detail from a new still painting: 'The Magpie Painter'. You can see more of it here. This work will be in my shop tomorrow.

Metapainting..... (a painting about painting) Well, strange or not, I enjoyed painting the brushes in this one - they seemed to take on little lives of their own....

It is a larger work for me: 40 x 40cm - me who is used to working on an A4 kind of scale.... We seemed to spend an awful lot of time getting to know each other. But gradually, many layers and ideas later, the painting decided it was complete.

I've earlier posted the final nevering for this week of posts. Thanks for looking and reading.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

a little birdie told me....

2011-07-08T14:16:00.000+01:00

it's been a busy week - with writing each day and posting over at nevering (with sketches too)

I've also been working hard on new still paintings. I shall have three new ones in my shop, this coming Monday. The one above is completed now and you can see it here. The other two are still in progress and will keep me painting this weekend. I'm enjoying the process. Interesting how the tension in my shoulders that I get when I stitch using my machine - has faded away whilst painting these. Perhaps not that surprising but the feeling is quite welcome....

Also in my shop on Monday, a further selection of new prints and tiny heads postcards.

Have a good weekend - I shall continue to post over at nevering.

mosaic monday

2011-07-04T11:08:00.000+01:00

1. field, 2. Seek Help, 3. 114a, 4. LA ÚLTIMA TAZA DE CAFÉ, LAS ÚLTIMAS PALABRAS, LA ÚLTIMA LOCURA, 5. olio3, 6. Untitled, 7. Dream Board, 8. companion3, 9. Untitled, 10. Jim Harris: Untitled., 11.ceiling of the guggenheim, 12. work in progress..., 13. The long wait, 14. a close up of the protagonists, 15. Untitled, 16. Untitled, 17. Untitled, 18. 3x3start, 19. DSC08898, 20. school presentation

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

A warm Monday to you..... and a happy July 4th to all that celebrate today...

many thanks to the artists featured in this week's mosaic - always a joy to put together - I am grateful to all my flickr contacts for sharing their lovely, varied, imaginative and super images

This week - I am working on a week-long project over at my writing blog nevering...... I shall be posting one or two new pieces of poetry or prose each day. There may also be new sketches to keep the writing company. I am welcoming responses in the way of reader's own writing relating to the post, responses in the form of links to sketches/drawings etc....

I hope you might like to take a look over there a few times this week.... see what's happening - I am not sure what I will be writing about exactly yet - that's the interesting part ha!

It is really warm here. I said that before but it is....warm..... I hope to get some painting completed this week too and perhaps there will be a new still work in my shop later on this week....

New tiny heads postcards on their way also....:)

enjoy your week and more soon x

sketchbook Sunday

2011-07-03T15:23:00.000+01:00

pencil sketches in a sketchbook..... some doodle-ness..... I have not used a pencil for a while! but I found a pack of sweet little mechanical pencils in the supermarket and tried them out.... doodles can lead you to realise some interesting and strange notions.... or nothing much at all..

but this kind of sketching and doodle work helps me with my stitched pieces - for example this recently completed mixed media collage: 'somewhere else'

the lines become more exact, of course, the figures are less speaking more....

*

this weekend is really rather muggy - my ten year old has baked a cake and I did very little to help, it was lovely to see his enthusiasm....

I am looking forward to a week of sharing new writing over at nevering - beginning tomorrow

enjoy your weekend x

hello another bird

2011-06-30T15:18:00.000+01:00

a corner of a new painting..... I have been working on this one for some hours over the past few days - and now it is completed, (ready to go into my shop tomorrow with a few other pieces...)

see here for the complete 'just before the fennel flowers'

As I put the finishing touches to this one, I noted how the sky outside had turned from blue to grey, the stormy grey that makes the garden glow.... the greys of this painting....

simply

2011-06-29T15:58:00.001+01:00

a detail
of a mixed media work..... 'somewhere else.....'

name the book

2011-06-28T18:42:00.000+01:00

Found feather..... I think it is magpie's..... a small prize for the first person who can id the book it is resting upon..... clue: american female author.... leave your answer as a comment and make sure I can contact you

early stages of a still painting..... not the first layer but 3/4 layer infact..... this is the working out where shapes are going to be stage, and how the space is going to work as a whole..... a lot of work yet.....