Loving the Charcoal!

Over the past few weeks, encouraged by the beautiful artist Kelly Berkey, I have been experimenting with charcoal on wood. I want to try pushing myself to do something out of my comfort zone and using materials unfamiliar to me.

Wow! I am finding it hard. What I have discovered is that I think I am a bit of a 'neat freak', wanting straight lines, balance and symmetry. I find it really difficult not to pick up my pencil and go in to my drawings to straighten and tighten things up that I find messy and loose.

But, I am persisting hoping it will give me new skills, more confidence and a different perspective to my work.

Here are the most recent. I find it so fascinating taking a photograph of something I have been working on and comparing this with the original work. I often find I can so see so much clearer the next steps I need to take from this photograph than from the work itself. I wonder why?

Don't forget - today is the final day of my 25% off summer sale. Add code SUMMER25 at checkout xx

Interview with the Little Bohemian Butterfly

Hello! And, I hope you like the new look of my little blog. It's still a work in progress but I am liking how it's going so far. I really should say a huge thank you to Claire from a Little Bohemian Butterfly for all the help in getting me started and for giving up her time to help me out.

I connected with Claire when she came along to a show I was attending and she had an instant connection with my funny girls. After an online friendship grew, she asked if she could interview me for a feature on her blog, The Little Bohemian Butterfly. Of course I agreed and if you would like to have a little nosey at what we chatted about, you can click on her link above to reach her blog.

Claire has also posted an exclusive discount code there for my Etsy shop which can be redeemed throughout August. The code will be released on my site on Friday 1st August so blog readers will have it exclusively until then.

Around the World Artsy Blog Hop!

Hello, hello!

I have been asked to take part in an exciting new artsy blog hop by the lovely Minerva Levinston. She is a fabulously arty friend and self-confessed coffee addict; well worth nicking over and checking out her lovely work.

So, the 'hop'. I agreed to join in, answer four artsy questions and then pass it forward for someone else to do the same next week. Sarah Heath will be taking the baton from me next Monday, she is a fantastic paper artist and her blog is well worth a nosey!

Okey, dokey, question 1.

Why Do I Do What I Do?

I have always had an attraction to children's literature. As a former Primary School teacher I used to love creating and illustrating stories and making books with the children. I was finding myself loving the literacy and artwork so much more than anything else in school (except of course the children hehe!) that I made the big decision to leave school and focus all my time and attention on art and writing. I LOVE it and feel so incredibly lucky to be able to do it every day.

My Very First Painting exhibited and sold

Why Does My Work Differ From Others Of It's Genre?

Wow, that's a toughie. I say that because I am so influenced by so many artists that I love and admire. I can see their infuence throughout mine and my admiration of them has helped me to grow into my own individual style. I think that my own style has really only started to emerge relatively recently but I love to experiment and try new things that my style is likely to be constantly changing. Because of my love of writing and stories; my funny little girlies also tend to emerge from the painting with a name and their own unique little story. I would love to be able to develop this further in the future.

There is definitely something tricksy and mischievous about this little girlie but she is protesting her innocence nonetheless!

How Does My Creative Process Work?

My girlies emerge in the pages of my sketchbook. I don't think about what to do; I get my pencil and start. Sometimes they appear right there on my page and sometimes they take a little longer to show themselves. From the sketchbook page they jump on over to some art grade drawing paper. My very favourite paper to use is Daler Rowney Fine Grain Heavy Weight paper. I also love Canson Bristol which has a much smoother surface. I love my Prismacolor pencils and both these papers are great for these. Most of my girls faces are coloured using Prismacolor's. So waxy and great for blending - yummy! My absolute favourite time to sketch is right before sleep! My bed is my favourite place to draw. A cup'o tea and some great music and I am away! Although now I have my new studio, my hammock swing is fast becoming the place from which my girls emerge.

My beautiful studio

What Am I Working On Now?

I was asked to take part in the Bees Knees Exhibition hosted by the amazing Aunia Kahn at her Alexi Era Gallery in St Louis. I have just completed the artwork and this has sparked off a whole new love of graphite and ink drawings. I am also experimenting with oil paints for the very first time. I love trying out new things and seeing where the wind might take me! Here's a sneaky peek at two of my pieces in the Bees Knees Exhibition which opens Saturday 19th July.

Sunny Sunday Morning!

After a pretty yucky week in the Jackson household, we have woken up to the most glorious Sunday morning. Doesn't it just lift the spirits!

I have had a week of ups and downs but some new little girlies have emerged in amongst the madness. I will take pics and show you soon.

But today, I wanted to share with you my last faces for the 29 Faces challenge.

I hope the sun is shining where you are!

xx

Day 26

This little girlie shares her birthday with my real life little girlie. Though, she is not so little any more. 17 years old today - gone waaaaaaaaaaaaay too fast. She is growing into a beautiful, smart and independent young lady. SO proud of her (but that's enough growing now thank you very muchly hehe!!) Happy Birthday, Mathilda xx

Day 26

Day 13

Good Morning!

A bit of a grumpy madame today I feel!! xx

Day 11 - It's snowing!

The winter predominantly over and I thought we had escaped it. First I get the sniffles and now we have snow! I wonder if it will come thick enough to play?! I know my children will be excited already for a snow day!

I will be staying indoors. Brrrrgggghhh!

Hope all is well where you are.

xx

Day 4

This is a girl I started during my trip to India (so I hope I am not cheating!!). I added detail and gave her some clothes and then played about with some effects I found on picmonkey. I quite like the contrast of shade. Hmmm ... ideas lightbulb pings on!

Have a great Tuesday ! xx

Day 3

Hello! Monday??!! Yikes! This weekend has gone waaaaay too fast!

My Day 3 sketch for 29 Faces Challenge.

Happy Monday!

Strength in Sadness

Day 29

My final sketch for the 29 Face Challenge.

But, as there are 30 days in September and I originally set myself the challenge of a sketch per day, I am going to sketch another tomorrow. I think I am enjoying this challenge too much hehe!

Have a great Monday!

xx

Day 28

Does she remind anyone else of Kathy from Wuthering Heights? I am not sure if it is the whispy hair or her clothes but I think she definitely belongs in a period costume drama!

xx

Day 26

It's Friday!!!!!

It had better not rain!

xx

Day 25

She looks to me like she needs a good hairbrush!

xx

Day 24

She was a very quick sketch but I like how she turned out. She looks like a happy little lady to me!

Happy Tuesday!

xx

Day 23

Cats Eyes

Although I didn't set out to, I think she looks like she has cats eyes!

She makes me smile and I like that.

Happy Tuesday!

xx

Day 22

I have had a lovely weekend. There's been lots of sunshineeeee!

Fingers crossed it lasts at least a little while longer.

Hope a good weekend was enjoyed by all.

xx

Day 21

I am not sure if she is a little Alice or perhaps a ballerina in the making.

Happy Sunday.

xx

Day 20

It's Windy Up North!

Happy Weekend!

I'm off out to lunch with my mum and my grandma. We don't all get together very often so I am proper looking forward to it!!

Cake - yuuuuuuuuuuuuum!

xx

Day 19

This little girlie really makes me smile.

Nearly weekend again!! Yay!

xx

Day 18

Yes, They Really Are Going To Make Me Wear This 

She seemed to me to be uncomfortable in the dress and it reminded me of my daughter whenever she was asked to wear a dress. A BIG NO-NO!! I jotted down at the side 'Yes, they really are going to make me wear this!'