'I must be a mermaid. I have no fear of depths & a great fear of shallow living' Anais Nin

Hello! I have been swimming about in the depths for many months and making lots of amazing discoveries whilst exploring! Now I am just about ready to come back up to the surface and say hi!

This painting is one of a few that will be printed, along with older work and listed on my Etsy shop within the next few weeks. I have had many printing issues over the summer and eventually decided it would be best to start fresh and treat myself to some new equipment that will achieve the kindof quality prints I am striving for!

Watch this space x

Shine!

Hello! I am sitting here beneath a beautiful sunset after a day of cloudless sky in Cornwall! My skin has that wonderful taught feeling of being in the sun all day...and it is so overdue for everyone down here..we all needed that today after all the rain we seem to have had this July.

This painting is a little taster of a new project I have started...just for me.
Since graduating from art college what seems like years and years ago, I have mainly juggled day jobs with commercial illustration jobs in the hope that I could one day illustrate full time. It has felt a very slow process and I am finally beginning to work out why I haven't quite 'made it'

Most of the work I complete I don't connect with on any level...it is just like painting by numbers...drawing whatever is required and filling in the gaps. I don't often find myself getting lost in my work anymore...when the hours and hours pass and you suddenly 'wake up' and realise the light has faded and you haven't had a cup of tea for over four hours...eeek!

I am trying to once again recapture that. I have conditioned myself into thinking if I work hard on commercial work for years and years perhaps one day, I can reward myself with sitting back and only painting what I feel like. But, looking back on the past few years...that obviously isn't happening quick enough and neglecting that part of myself has made me so unhappy.

Little by little I hope to devote more time to more personal work...and this is the start so I am excited!

On another note. My faithful and hardworking printer has finally had enough...therefore my Etsy shop has once again been put on the back burner before I even got time to properly start it! I usually print everything myself but I need to either find a local printer or buy another which isn't a priority as such at the moment.

Lula...

Just a quick note to anyone who may read Lula magazine. I started collecting issues years ago and due to moving soon (hopefully) I need to size down my huge collection of magazines and books. I am selling a few past issues on Ebay here (Issue 7) and (Issue 5)
Both are very difficult to track down now and very beautiful...I will miss them!

Rose Jasmine x

I am over the moon to share that my lovely sister Jade gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this week!
Meet baby Rose Jasmine...

A very proud and overwhelmed Auntie :)

Twit-twoo!

I didn't think I would get around to finishing this before I left for the New Forest tomorrow...but luckily I have and I've just posted this new item on my shop  >>>the little owl pocket mirror<<<
Horray!

Heart Thoughts

Hello there on this beautiful spring Sunday!
Today I wanted to share a lovely book I found yesterday called 'Heart Thoughts' by Louise L Hay. This was one of those times that you stumble across exactly what you need without really looking for it. I was simply drawn to the colourful typography at first and opened the book to find it full of wonderful, uplifting words! I am a firm believer in at least trying to think positive and making the best of what you have, and thought flicking through and reading a page of this each day would help me do just that. You can find it >>>here<<<

I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a little lift now and then, or would make a lovely gift for someone who is having difficulty looking on the bright side! It's also just a pretty book for anyone who likes illustration and typography! :)

 

Oh and here are a few things I have been working on lately...(yes they are Christmas cards...for my agency!)

Sun + Stars

Hello on this beautiful sunny day!

I have finally recovered from my annual bug, and I am feeling extra good! The sun is shining through my window and I have had the whole day free for drawing.

Thought I would mention a lovely item I recently purchased. I like to buy from local sellers wherever I can, and I have been a fan of online shop, based in Cornwall- Bonbi Forest, for many years. I am a bit of a sucker for anything with stars on, so had my eye on this for ages, and finally bought it to cheer myself after being ill! Good excuse :)

I also love pretty packaging, therefore had to take a snap before I unwrapped :) A lovely comfy, light top for spring....which is finally here!!! So happy x

Sunday in St.Ives

Today was spent wandering around the streets of St.Ives taking photos and eating cream teas like tourists! It's so nice to enjoy the relatively quiet streets before the season begins. 

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend :)

 

Falling stars...

I am currently sat in bed, with a hot water bottle, laptop perched on my knees, sipping a herbal tea. I feel I have managed to escape my usual, annual hibernation mode until this week...I was so close to getting through the whole winter without falling into the habit of just getting home from work, eating something as quickly as possible and collapsing into bed!
So, although this evening I may be in bed at 9pm, I have still managed to fit in listing one of the few items I have been wanting to add to my Etsy store this week; a >>foxy little card!<<

Hope everyone else is coping with the cold snap better than me!! x

My new shop..

I have just opened my own little Etsy shop....>>>>>here!<<<<<
It features some older prints that people seemed to like when I had my Bigcartel shop online. I felt Etsy may be a little better in terms of exposure, as I had to do a lot of reminding people that the other one was there :) I will be adding newer work if it's up to scratch too!
I have made the big decision today to give up one of my two day jobs which I felt was holding me back a little bit, but I am still staying with my job at Crystals because its lovely..more on that later...almost the end of January, which means we must be a little closer to spring now yes!?

Cut + Paste

Today was spent making the last of one hundred or so Wedding invites for one of my best friends, little sisters wedding in the summer. This involved lots of printing, scoring, cutting and sticking! 

I really appreciated the process and it made me wonder again whether I would enjoy running my own business making personalized invites...I seem to be forever pondering lots of different business ideas, but can never decide on just one!

Sorry for the cryptic photo's- I don't want to show too much detail as the bride and groom must see them before everyone else :)

 

 

I spent a few hours during the afternoon at Chapel Porth beach with my Mum. The little bird below was very interested in my hot chocolate! Just as we got back in the car a storm rolled in and we couldn't see the beach through the hailstones battering on the windscreen...the weather is crazy...but I have seen three rainbows today :)

Today has been spent painting a new something for my card portfolio, eating cat shaped chocolates and gathering inspiration. The wind was once again howling outside so it was nice to have a whole day to enjoy being at home in the warmth.
We are hoping the weather perks up tomorrow so we can get some fresh air and take my new car for a spin. I have never had a car that hasn't been chosen for me, this one was all my choice, so therefore as small (easy to park) and friendly looking as possible (curvy not boxy). Its lovely to have my freedom back and to know I can escape during my free afternoons when I get home from work. I am looking forward it being warm enough to sit outside and draw somewhere pretty.

Wishing for Spring...

Yesterday was a typically blustery grey day in Cornwall..one which made me wish for Spring to come sooner! It is my absolute favorite time of year, I find it so inspiring and exciting.....I still have a little while to wait, so in the mean time I painted this whilst sat in a big woolly scarf in front of my heater!

Hello!

Welcome to my new home!

For anyone who used to follow my old blog here: http://jasminesumbrella.blogspot.com/  
All new posts and work will be put here from now on.
The year 2011 felt like an incredibly busy and at times challenging year for me, with many ups and downs within my family and lots of change...my old blog eventually lost pace and direction, so thought it would be nice to start fresh and here we are :)
I hope to share new illustration work and inspiration here, as well as things that make me happy day to day.....Enjoy! Jasmine x