Steep Hill Artists' Market - Saturday 3rd March

On the first Saturday of each month there will be a traditional and contemporary arts and crafts market. It will be held at the top of steep hill, outside the castle grounds: a truly beautiful setting. The first one will be held on SATURDAY 3RD OF MARCH. I shall be there with my very own stall, selling prints, originals and cards. There will be a variety of different stalls for you to peek at, selling anything from photography to ceramics. If you know people that would be interested, support your local artists and pass on the word. Or, if you fancy having a browse yourself, COME ALONG! You might find that special mothers day gift or card, or even something for yourself. There's also a variety of delightful shops, quaint little tea shops, and an abundance of award winning restaurants set in gorgeous buildings, rich in history, there for you to have a goosey at too. And don't miss out the chocolatiers, it's scrumdidilyumptious!

Hope to see you there, remember Saturday March the 3rd!

Wrap up warm!

As the temperatures continue to drop, mothers everywhere wrap there little chicks up snuggly and warm to brave the winter cold... This is one of the illustrations from 'little birdies' collection, it's to go on greeting cards, perfect for mothers day and easter. I'll be selling them at the Lincoln Arts Festival on March 3rd along with mounted prints and framed originals of other pieces of work.... hope to see you there!

Our New Cottage

So, we've had no internet for 2 weeks as we've moved into the cutest little cottage, in the cutest little village. I feel like we've been living in a Jane Austen book. It was actually quite pleasant being cut off from the rest of the world, but, I have to say, it's very nice to be back.

Until I move into my new studio (the 'HOUSED' project is very nearly underway) here is my new work space, right in front of the glass doors. I can look out onto our little vegetable patch and watch the world go by.

Pink Plastic Princesses in development

These are the little Pink Plastic Princesses in development. Starting with dip pen and ink, then coloured with water colour. I found it quite hard when it came to adding the colour to this one, I liked the black and white effect, but I'm happy I got the guts in the end. Soon there will be prints of this one on sale at the Harding House gallery on the gorgeous Steep Hill in Lincoln (voted best place last year!). 

Josephine's Birds

One of my dearest friends Lills gave birth to the beautiful bouncing baby Josephine on January 15th. This is a little illustration I did just for her, Josephine's Birds... Welcome to the world Josephine, I can't wait to meet you!

Little Pigs, Little Pigs... Please let me in!

This is a little sneaky peak at my work in development. The top picture is the initial dip pen and ink stage. I love to use an old mapping pen, sometimes it has a mind of it's own, and creates unintentional splats and markings. This is why I enjoy working with it, I like to surprise myself! After the ink has dried, I then begin to add the colour. I prefer to use water-colours. I tend to use too much water at the beginning, so the paint becomes (like the mapping pens unintentional ink splots) uncontrollable. I then rework the painting, adding light, shade and playing with texture and pattern.

Sailboats

This is another addition to my collection of seaside illustrations, only this time from the perspective of the local. I wanted to capture the serene nature of a seaside town in the morning. Soft blue light hanging over the town, the stillness of the water, only a couple of early birds are awake to see it. We can see their fire smoke beginning to emerge from their chimneys. Imagine them warming their hands by the fire, their porridge simmering on the stove, preparing themselves for a long day out at sea.