tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13241123070367558172024-03-13T13:20:28.795-07:00Jo de Ruiter IllustrationI'm curious about most things, so I draw them. I hope you like what I draw...Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-72881946164609186322017-11-22T08:44:00.002-08:002017-11-22T08:45:01.086-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't blogged for a while, a lot of the work I've been doing I'm unable to share, top secret stuff ;P So here's a couple of Otters in love to pass the time...</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djVzf4f3FoI/WhWpKnZFQII/AAAAAAAABko/dc9lWGVNSxAWxyrIpgwWwUfIN9Dcui1YgCLcBGAs/s1600/sea%2Botters%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djVzf4f3FoI/WhWpKnZFQII/AAAAAAAABko/dc9lWGVNSxAWxyrIpgwWwUfIN9Dcui1YgCLcBGAs/s320/sea%2Botters%2B01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-21553519086789887732017-08-23T01:19:00.000-07:002017-08-23T01:23:15.989-07:00Mini Mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UsWZAYl49dA/WZ06HqXFPqI/AAAAAAAABcM/PGulEjNeSx0u1y9pGSiWQQFt3qUDolsPACLcBGAs/s1600/mini%2Bmind%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UsWZAYl49dA/WZ06HqXFPqI/AAAAAAAABcM/PGulEjNeSx0u1y9pGSiWQQFt3qUDolsPACLcBGAs/s320/mini%2Bmind%2B01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meet Mini Mind. He's the permanent resident at the wonderful Thought Foundation in Newcastle. He's made up of lots of bits and bobs thrown away by us. He's a lovely creative, curious and thoughtful soul. He's just putting together his very own blog, so watch this space!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">http://www.thoughtfoundation.co.uk</span>Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-30707271815850328912016-05-24T03:03:00.001-07:002016-05-24T03:05:42.440-07:00Dump Truck Duck Blog Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I003dhXLmKw/V0QmMLUlrjI/AAAAAAAAA8c/-u1OxW8C2FgScj7mIwZuDlcw5TXBiIzagCLcB/s1600/DTD%2Bblog%2Btour%2Bgraphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I003dhXLmKw/V0QmMLUlrjI/AAAAAAAAA8c/-u1OxW8C2FgScj7mIwZuDlcw5TXBiIzagCLcB/s320/DTD%2Bblog%2Btour%2Bgraphic.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rumble, rumble, hear that truck? At the wheel is Dump Truck Duck, and he's</span> going on a blog tour! Here are the dates to where he'll be traveling to and when. hope to see you there!</span>Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-77765289281003153852016-04-22T02:28:00.001-07:002016-04-22T02:28:05.490-07:00Dump Truck Duck<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Out April 30th</i></td></tr>
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Dump Truck Duck, written by the wonderful, Megan E Bryant, is due to be released at the end of this month and I'm very excited about it. It tells the story of a very hardworking determined little duck, who with the help of his fellow duck workers and some seriously heavy machinery, clears a dump site and creates a beautiful park for all the little ducklings and their families to play in. You'll definitely enjoy this one if you're a fan of ducks and/or trucks! </div>
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<br />Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-72894837709897063532016-02-03T06:54:00.002-08:002016-02-04T03:54:59.765-08:00Where are you from?<div style="color: #3f3f3f; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, Sacha Baron Cohen's new movie ‘GRIMSBY’ (titled ‘Brothers Grimsby’ in the USA) is due to be released this month. Being a Grimsby lass myself, and like most of the town, I’m both excited and apprehensive about it. Grimsby is very rarely shown in the best light. I live away from home now, and people often want to know where my accent's from. When I answer “Grimsby”, I get a lot of grief. Even people who have never heard of it before come back with the original witticism, “sounds a bit grim!”. Well to be honest, it can be. But then again, not at all. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One thing us Grimsberians have that a lot of other UK towns don’t have is a definite sense of identity. Although we are often voted the worst town in the Uk, we are also proud to say we have the best fish and chips - according to booking.com we have, so it must be true! We’re fish and chip snobs. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Us Grimsby folk get a lot of stick, but what we’re bloody good at doing is laughing at ourselves. Our famous football chant is a prime example. Other teams' supporters used to take great pleasure in singing “<i>You</i> Only Sing While <i>You’re</i> Fishing!” at us. What did the Town supporters do? They took the song and sang it about themselves, “<i>We</i> Only Sing While <i>We’re</i> Fishing!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #3f3f3f; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">One of my proudest Grimsby moments was in 1998. The Mariners were having a cracking year, and to top things off, we were going to Wembley for the </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Football League Trophy Final (also known as the Auto Windscreens Shields Trophy). One week before the match, The Grimsby Evening Telegraph were asking for town supporters to go to Blundell Park, not to watch a game, but to record us singing our famous chant. My Dad and I were season ticket holders so we just had to go. On the day of the match final, as we were leaving Grimsby, there was a great big sign reading “Last one out, switch the lights off”. The whole town were heading to Wembley - it did take us 120 years to get there, it was blimin’ exciting. Thanks to Donovan’s 19th minute goal, we won! The atmosphere was electric. Then they played it, with 30,000 Grimsby Town fans singing their hearts out over the top of the recording. “We Only Sing While We’re Fishing” actual made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and put a tear in my eye. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Whenever we drive back to Grimsby and I see our landmark, the Dock Tower, I remember moments like that. So however this movie portrays us (and I bet we’ll all know people, have family members, or know places that are pretty accurate), we can bloody laugh at this too and hold our cod-heads up high!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grimsby - Dock Tower</td></tr>
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Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-66166316018634291952016-01-14T07:33:00.000-08:002016-01-14T07:33:02.905-08:00Pet Shop. Heads-up illustration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRKBpE6BNeQ/Vpe_BQTptiI/AAAAAAAAAks/uLS677Cuqj8/s1600/pet%2Bshop%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRKBpE6BNeQ/Vpe_BQTptiI/AAAAAAAAAks/uLS677Cuqj8/s400/pet%2Bshop%2B01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This little illustration is for my agencies calendar 'Heads Up'. This year Im March 29th. This year we're planning on getting a puppy, so we have lots of pet shop visits to look forward to!Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-84913352415597267362015-11-29T06:09:00.002-08:002015-11-29T06:09:59.959-08:00Sleepy Koala Bears<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8r4cR51n5Q/VlsGNeyhkfI/AAAAAAAAAkc/KLzuO0MteVg/s1600/goodnight%2BKoala%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8r4cR51n5Q/VlsGNeyhkfI/AAAAAAAAAkc/KLzuO0MteVg/s400/goodnight%2BKoala%2B01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've just returned from a wonderful trip to Australia, visiting family. Whilst we were there, we visited a Koala Sanctuary which was just wonderful. I even got to hold one! As soon as I returned, I made use of my jet lag, and got painting! Here's a bunch of sleepy Koala's that we met at the sanctuary!</span>Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-55736661819953300282015-09-09T05:22:00.003-07:002015-09-09T05:23:26.084-07:00The Longest Reigning Monarch <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSS4fZmrlAA/VfAjgVWcadI/AAAAAAAAAkM/X6dEOAz92NI/s1600/The%2BQueen%2Bbedtime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSS4fZmrlAA/VfAjgVWcadI/AAAAAAAAAkM/X6dEOAz92NI/s320/The%2BQueen%2Bbedtime.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest reigning monarch. I did this illustration a few years ago, but I thought it was quite appropriate for today "<i>WHOOPIE</i>!" Congratulations Liz! </span></div>
<br />Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-29325485096835602062015-07-22T01:50:00.003-07:002015-07-22T01:51:07.514-07:00Concept Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-wNpxP-YXE/Va9Y6FUON2I/AAAAAAAAAj0/Fmx6ftG8_XI/s1600/Rabit%2Bhole%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-wNpxP-YXE/Va9Y6FUON2I/AAAAAAAAAj0/Fmx6ftG8_XI/s400/Rabit%2Bhole%2B01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A little concept art for a story I've been working on "Stanleys New Sleihj'. Here's Stanley in his Rabbit Hole, racing to use his new sleigh on the freshly fallen snow.Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-50662836085538246582015-05-29T00:57:00.000-07:002015-05-29T03:12:54.371-07:00Boating Otters<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well the summer seems to be (almost) upon us, and this little family of otters have took to the waters on a little holiday. Only problem is, they don't know what to call their boat! Can you help them?</span><br>
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Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-48392882407660132772015-04-13T07:23:00.003-07:002015-04-13T07:23:57.729-07:00Time Lapse Art Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I decided to do a time laps video, so people could see the different stages of my painting, so here it is! Enjoy :)</span>Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-55776941477446756552015-01-22T04:42:00.001-08:002015-01-22T04:42:13.608-08:00Week 3 #drawingaweek2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UIGqdKTouR4/VMDwERWV04I/AAAAAAAAAig/Me5h2fo7uGU/s640/blogger-image-124359071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UIGqdKTouR4/VMDwERWV04I/AAAAAAAAAig/Me5h2fo7uGU/s640/blogger-image-124359071.jpg"></a></div>Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-72380375847342987942015-01-21T07:55:00.003-08:002015-01-21T07:58:21.389-08:00The Recycled Village<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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Here the tale of Mr Squirrel and Little Mouse continues...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After working all through the night, they were excited to take the recycled house to Mr Squirrel who must be so very cold right now!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When he opened the gift, he couldn't believe his eyes. His very own home. Mr Squirrel couldn't thank Little Mouse enough.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Squirrel lit the fire and snuggled up with his favourite book, he couldn't remember the last time he felt so toasty and warm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a knock at the door. Little Mouse had come to visit. He had brought a box full of lovely christmas decorations.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Together they began to decorate Mr Squirrels new home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh8aUNREutA/VL_I6HWhkZI/AAAAAAAAAhk/kleRT2AlYZI/s1600/15%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh8aUNREutA/VL_I6HWhkZI/AAAAAAAAAhk/kleRT2AlYZI/s1600/15%2Bcalander.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The house looked splendid, so very christmassy. They decided to write out christmas cards to all of their woodland friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edSzcGvPUJM/VL_I6XnSE5I/AAAAAAAAAho/CVHRQihiuh4/s1600/16%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edSzcGvPUJM/VL_I6XnSE5I/AAAAAAAAAho/CVHRQihiuh4/s1600/16%2Bcalander.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They set out to deliver them all...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-khxGwOqxmLw/VL_I7a_WYWI/AAAAAAAAAh4/JygkRhCwgsQ/s1600/17%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-khxGwOqxmLw/VL_I7a_WYWI/AAAAAAAAAh4/JygkRhCwgsQ/s1600/17%2Bcalander.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But when they got to their friends, they found that their homes had been chopped down too. Mr Squirrel and Little Mouse couldn't believe it; but they had an idea...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UoYowfCSxkA/VL_I799-OVI/AAAAAAAAAiA/VU5HgEu9TQQ/s1600/18%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UoYowfCSxkA/VL_I799-OVI/AAAAAAAAAiA/VU5HgEu9TQQ/s1600/18%2Bcalander.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The woodland creatures were a little confused. What on earth where they going to do with all the rubbish that Mr Squirrel and Little Mouse had forraged?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ou6kGqtOlOw/VL_I8xvCE2I/AAAAAAAAAiI/Hu-cKz-FVHo/s1600/19%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ou6kGqtOlOw/VL_I8xvCE2I/AAAAAAAAAiI/Hu-cKz-FVHo/s1600/19%2Bcalander.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But as they set to work it soon became clear...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4GXRaFXKBM/VL_I8soRYbI/AAAAAAAAAiM/n0z2PSR9x7M/s1600/20%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e4GXRaFXKBM/VL_I8soRYbI/AAAAAAAAAiM/n0z2PSR9x7M/s1600/20%2Bcalander.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With all the unwanted things that people had thrown away, they made their very own recycled village. Each little woodland creature who had lost their home, now had a new, very unique little recycled house of their own.</td></tr>
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<br />Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-13254752483054901732014-12-10T04:01:00.000-08:002014-12-10T04:01:01.503-08:00Illo_advent 'Mr Squirrel and Little Mouse'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Each day up until the 25th I've been joining in with illo_advent. I thought I'd use each day to build a story. Here's the story so far…<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqr6xOdoVUs/VIgzSkAYkeI/AAAAAAAAAfs/ydqhn4EB-k4/s1600/1%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqr6xOdoVUs/VIgzSkAYkeI/AAAAAAAAAfs/ydqhn4EB-k4/s1600/1%2Bcalander.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Squirrel came home from foraging nuts one day to find a man had cut down his home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCOD4wwcWsU/VIgzYJbw9nI/AAAAAAAAAf0/5VJF_GBMmuE/s1600/2%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCOD4wwcWsU/VIgzYJbw9nI/AAAAAAAAAf0/5VJF_GBMmuE/s1600/2%2Bcalander.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He didn't know what to do.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z1A6Gg0qoGo/VIgzavzh1RI/AAAAAAAAAf8/pMm0wSHsBmk/s1600/3%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z1A6Gg0qoGo/VIgzavzh1RI/AAAAAAAAAf8/pMm0wSHsBmk/s1600/3%2Bcalander.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little mouse saw Mr Squirrel left out in the cold, so gave him a woolly hat and scarf to warm him up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_i7Vucfu1h0/VIgzdHzKXfI/AAAAAAAAAgE/Vr2oUlDE8RI/s1600/4%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_i7Vucfu1h0/VIgzdHzKXfI/AAAAAAAAAgE/Vr2oUlDE8RI/s1600/4%2Bcalander.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But Little mouse wanted to help poor Mr Squirrel some more, so off he went.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QqpZPyreOK0/VIg03MXZ6lI/AAAAAAAAAgw/5GIY3Y_ec5M/s1600/5%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QqpZPyreOK0/VIg03MXZ6lI/AAAAAAAAAgw/5GIY3Y_ec5M/s1600/5%2Bcalander.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So he rummaged through bins to see if there was anything he could use</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnXWMApHabk/VIgzfeFoe0I/AAAAAAAAAgM/hYRrr5KpF1E/s1600/6%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnXWMApHabk/VIgzfeFoe0I/AAAAAAAAAgM/hYRrr5KpF1E/s1600/6%2Bcalander.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He worked through the night </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Ty_dyZ39M/VIgzhrX3ykI/AAAAAAAAAgU/Bfjj82m6tvM/s1600/7%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Ty_dyZ39M/VIgzhrX3ykI/AAAAAAAAAgU/Bfjj82m6tvM/s1600/7%2Bcalander.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs Mouse saw Little Mouse working out in the cold, so brought him a cup of hot chocolate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht2f-88uvQI/VIgzlkBP05I/AAAAAAAAAgc/PGfk82W7D_Y/s1600/8%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht2f-88uvQI/VIgzlkBP05I/AAAAAAAAAgc/PGfk82W7D_Y/s1600/8%2Bcalander.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She offered to help Little Mouse.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1742qg1Idb8/VIgzoA9zs4I/AAAAAAAAAgk/UzU2AjIwcFc/s1600/9%2Bcalander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1742qg1Idb8/VIgzoA9zs4I/AAAAAAAAAgk/UzU2AjIwcFc/s1600/9%2Bcalander.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, poor Mr Squirrel was sleeping in the snow.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<br />To be continued...<br /><div>
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Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-63389794131577985542014-09-16T06:54:00.001-07:002014-09-16T06:54:39.517-07:00From pencil to paint<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinosaurs Swinging</td></tr>
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Sketching is so important when designing. The more you sketch, the more things change, they sometimes become what you didn't originally anticipate. Being an illustrator, a lot of time is spent indoors, by myself, with only the radio for company. The glorious part of sketching is that it's so mobile, you can do it anywhere. The world is your studio!<br />
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<br />Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-71456226605700873852014-08-16T04:22:00.003-07:002014-08-16T04:22:43.726-07:00Daddy painter and little helper<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a9I2o4B09U4/U-87Yiu-6VI/AAAAAAAAAfM/bLSmdlvJ4cQ/s1600/daddy%2Bsquirell%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a9I2o4B09U4/U-87Yiu-6VI/AAAAAAAAAfM/bLSmdlvJ4cQ/s1600/daddy%2Bsquirell%2B01.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Daddy painter and little helper"<br /><br />Sometimes it's nice to help our folks out from time to time. Learn the art of what they do so we can appreciate and learn the skills they have. I shadowed my Mom at work when I was younger, I realised then just how hard she worked to put food on our table and a roof over our heads. My Dad would work even on his days off, and took pride in every job he did. I learnt a lot form my parents work ethic, I like to think I take pride in everything I do today because of them. I learnt that if you always do your best, you will never be unhappy with what you've done. If you are unhappy with what you've done, it's not a problem, just brush yourself down and try try again! </td></tr>
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Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-76875847694474761202014-07-25T03:31:00.002-07:002014-07-25T03:31:35.177-07:00Hels and the Pig<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Hels and the Pig</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My friend Hels claimed to be an un-creative person, but when it came to drawing pigs, hers were legendary. She would dig out her finest highlighter pens and draw a masterpiece fit for the fridge. Some would say it resembled a fox, but the twirly tail was a complete give away, it was clearly a pig! Once, this work of art mysteriously disappeared from the fridge, so Hels kindly replicated the original curio. She was a regular Andy Warhol, art for all! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AY1YQ6wBykY/U9Ixkj4hbII/AAAAAAAAAe0/V_ir0GRyVzg/s1600/hels+and+pig+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AY1YQ6wBykY/U9Ixkj4hbII/AAAAAAAAAe0/V_ir0GRyVzg/s1600/hels+and+pig+01.jpg" height="320" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hels and her Pig</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9PeBIubSXsY/U9Ixoh6LwaI/AAAAAAAAAe8/lC0qvLzGQig/s1600/pig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9PeBIubSXsY/U9Ixoh6LwaI/AAAAAAAAAe8/lC0qvLzGQig/s1600/pig.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Pig</i></td></tr>
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Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-29918866047111246812014-06-07T03:50:00.002-07:002014-06-07T03:52:18.174-07:00Little Ted's Summer Holiday Daydream<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ct3yNRHUdq8/U5LtHKOddmI/AAAAAAAAAek/Msr2noG2gFU/s1600/daydreamrgb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ct3yNRHUdq8/U5LtHKOddmI/AAAAAAAAAek/Msr2noG2gFU/s1600/daydreamrgb.jpg" height="400" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Teds holiday daydream</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We've just got back home from our summer holiday in America, and I've already begun to daydream about our next adventure in the sun. Especially on a drizzly, cold and gloomy day like today. As the rain patters against the window, I think of laying on a sun bed, drink in hand, unable to move as the sand is too hot. The sound of people splashing about and having fun in the water (sigh). Looks like Ted is daydreaming about a similar memory too!</span>Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-60829218045074089302014-04-27T04:46:00.001-07:002014-04-27T04:46:04.166-07:00Colour palletWhenever I've completed a painting, I always find the paint markings I've tested in the corner of the paper sometimes more interesting than the painting itself. A mini abstract of the original. Once I've completed my next book, I intend to put all the little tests pieces together, they tell a story of their own. They are the underlying thoughts behind the finished illustration.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uQ8VrufsRwo/U1zt-c2Zh5I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/98Q6MvHiqSU/s640/blogger-image--301641286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uQ8VrufsRwo/U1zt-c2Zh5I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/98Q6MvHiqSU/s640/blogger-image--301641286.jpg"></a></div>Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-58169985246985873182014-04-14T08:56:00.002-07:002014-04-14T08:56:51.028-07:00Scary Walking Trees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My husband and I have just moved into a new house in beautiful Bath. It really is lovely. But being in a new home takes some getting used to. At night, as it gets closer to bed time, my imagination begins playing tricks on me. Each creak is something frightening, every shadow is something terrible. Outside, the trees come alive (no part of my brain will let me believe that it's just the wind), walking closer to the house, they're out to get me! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course, in the morning, when there's little birds sitting on the branches singing away, I shake my head. What a silly billy I can be, I love trees, they're beautiful. But as night falls, it all happens again...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQ--BfeCnWo/U0wB2r18oEI/AAAAAAAAAeA/9bENdhQcQmQ/s1600/walking+trees+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQ--BfeCnWo/U0wB2r18oEI/AAAAAAAAAeA/9bENdhQcQmQ/s1600/walking+trees+01.jpg" height="400" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Walking Trees, from "The Not-So-Haunted House"</span></i></td></tr>
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<br />Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-2392416702269601112013-12-30T14:12:00.001-08:002013-12-30T14:19:25.086-08:00Poodles adventure in Rome<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the beginning of the month, myself and my husband flew to Rome for a long weekend. I took a sketch book with me, but decided not to document Rome through my eyes, but through Poodles. He spent the whole trip tucked safely in my bag with his little head popping out. This blog is dedicated to Poodle and his adventure in Rome.<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kbe5HkKIeKc/UsHvqsFyy1I/AAAAAAAAAdE/JrC06FIWcdI/s640/blogger-image--1409066830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kbe5HkKIeKc/UsHvqsFyy1I/AAAAAAAAAdE/JrC06FIWcdI/s640/blogger-image--1409066830.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fh5WwPZ0D44/UsHvvP8LwwI/AAAAAAAAAdk/1IsZv9ZE58c/s640/blogger-image-1517939787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fh5WwPZ0D44/UsHvvP8LwwI/AAAAAAAAAdk/1IsZv9ZE58c/s640/blogger-image-1517939787.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"We had Pizza everyday! Some with tiny fish! The ice cream was the best I've ever eaten (and I've eaten quite a lot!) Down nearly every street there were real life nuns!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UoVn5WwsFqQ/UsHvsE8uTfI/AAAAAAAAAdM/L_qJ3rRd3lY/s640/blogger-image-1684438371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UoVn5WwsFqQ/UsHvsE8uTfI/AAAAAAAAAdM/L_qJ3rRd3lY/s640/blogger-image-1684438371.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"I went through an XRay machine at the place with lots of candles and people praying. Outside we ate a yummy panini"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F37pKPPHs2Q/UsHvucCobDI/AAAAAAAAAdc/DQBwAAfuKEY/s640/blogger-image-1059583240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F37pKPPHs2Q/UsHvucCobDI/AAAAAAAAAdc/DQBwAAfuKEY/s640/blogger-image-1059583240.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"People kept trying to sell us things, especially scarves, I don't really like scarves. We saw where the Gladiators fight too!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8TJJvPC5NjY/UsHvtnxgYSI/AAAAAAAAAdU/VfIeCN1wcUo/s640/blogger-image-661824098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8TJJvPC5NjY/UsHvtnxgYSI/AAAAAAAAAdU/VfIeCN1wcUo/s640/blogger-image-661824098.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"I sat on a very very old rock and we saw more nuns. There was lots of people buying bags outside a big old building. I ate some more ice cream. Then a man got told off for taking a picture of a ceiling, weird!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Patchy Poodle, Rome, 2013.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JfdEh1RrF-Y/UsHvwN3L94I/AAAAAAAAAds/TNMQe8Vel4w/s640/blogger-image--2142484535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JfdEh1RrF-Y/UsHvwN3L94I/AAAAAAAAAds/TNMQe8Vel4w/s640/blogger-image--2142484535.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-6451741219721743742013-10-25T03:00:00.000-07:002013-10-25T03:00:00.865-07:00Penguins! Penguins! Penguins!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dbYk1M89B4U/Umo-QhoeS_I/AAAAAAAAAck/4FnQHvkm0gM/s1600/penguins+on+patrol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dbYk1M89B4U/Umo-QhoeS_I/AAAAAAAAAck/4FnQHvkm0gM/s400/penguins+on+patrol.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ht-yKF2_Zpk/Umo-TwcZ7BI/AAAAAAAAAcs/7rm6aTgNazw/s1600/tangled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ht-yKF2_Zpk/Umo-TwcZ7BI/AAAAAAAAAcs/7rm6aTgNazw/s400/tangled.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This month I have mostly been painting penguins. The top illustration is from a story I've written. The little girl is terrified. She can hear loud bangs in the kitchen. The noise is coming from the fridge. She musters the courage to open the door and see what's inside; to her surprise a waddle of penguins (a '<i>waddle'</i> is now the official collective noun for penguins on land according to the international penguin conference held in Chile. The collective noun for penguins in the water is a '<i>raft</i>'. Well there you go!) waddled out onto the kitchen floor. </div>
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The bottom illustration is from this weeks illustration friday '<i>entangled</i>'. I was beginning to design some christmas cards involving penguins and thought this was a perfect opportunity to capture them in sticky situation.</div>
<br />Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-35247322360659129102013-09-21T09:40:00.002-07:002013-09-21T09:40:34.124-07:00Creating Characters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-folcRXqwVak/Uj3It476faI/AAAAAAAAAcU/XuP5VBf0jRs/s1600/tartan+girl+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-folcRXqwVak/Uj3It476faI/AAAAAAAAAcU/XuP5VBf0jRs/s400/tartan+girl+01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I find one of the enjoyments about creating a new character for a story is exploring their personality through body language. Before I did my Masters, this was something a really struggled with, so I joined a life drawing class. I found when we did faster sketches, about one pose per minute, I got a much better at recreating the figure more accurately. I also spent hours in tea shops drawing the passers by. When people are unaware they are being sketched, their body language is far more natural. Practice really did help to make my characters more interesting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's my latest character for a story I've written. I wanted her to be a little shy and nervous, but with a good sense of humour and a flare for fashion!</span>Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-47117593274393932522013-09-07T11:18:00.003-07:002013-09-07T11:18:59.472-07:00There's Another Bunny Rabbit!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJYXow9LR4g/UituCvx61UI/AAAAAAAAAYU/ZBbu_xG8ZXc/s1600/lush+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJYXow9LR4g/UituCvx61UI/AAAAAAAAAYU/ZBbu_xG8ZXc/s320/lush+01.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<br />Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324112307036755817.post-38155436796582399162013-09-07T07:49:00.002-07:002013-09-07T07:50:23.829-07:00Bunnies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eFZROJ1uwu8/Uis7lNuNaCI/AAAAAAAAAX8/jKVXCgs2NIw/s1600/baby+boy+bunnies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eFZROJ1uwu8/Uis7lNuNaCI/AAAAAAAAAX8/jKVXCgs2NIw/s400/baby+boy+bunnies.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZJlooQO6MA/Uis7l-3_dNI/AAAAAAAAAYE/J4-r2of-qp4/s1600/baby+girl+bunny+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZJlooQO6MA/Uis7l-3_dNI/AAAAAAAAAYE/J4-r2of-qp4/s400/baby+girl+bunny+01.jpg" width="281" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mother Bunny and Baby Bunnies...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">These little bunny illustrations</span><span style="text-align: center;"> I did for two of my oldest friends who have recently entered into motherhood. They've given me lots of ideas for this years set of christmas cards. Watch this space!</span></div>
Jo de Ruiterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01339527913269912553noreply@blogger.com2