It feels like no time ago that I was updating this blog with my progress on last years 'doodle a day' challenge, and a year later, I have just completed the same project for April.

I must admit, I found it more of a challenge this year, now that I do not have a 'day job'. Which seems odd, as in theory I should have more spare time for these doodles. Yet, the pressure I put on myself to be productive daily, means that drawing a little scribble for the sake of it actually seemed frustrating at times, because I felt it was counter-productive. It wasn't of course, and the whole process has been valuable in the opposite way to last year.

The value in creating 'for the sake of it' for me was an important reminder that not every piece has to be perfect, and that even the work I feel is weaker, is not mine to judge that way. Some of the little drawings I made that I felt disappointed in proved to get lovely reactions from other people.

A big pile of doodles!

        

Most of these were inspired by day to day events, music I was listening to, and some quite random thoughts!
I also began experimenting again, with other processes which I haven't found the excuse to do in years. I spontaneously bought a batch of canvases and had some fun afternoons playing with paint and mark making, which sparked off new ideas.

You can find all the doodles I made on my Facebook and Instagram pages (links in sidebar)
Hope everyone is having a nice start to May :) x

Easter Wishes x

Greetings to all on this Good Friday!

My current view! You can't see it..but the rain is moving sideways :)

It's definately a day for computer work and for me this means being as comfy as possible..so why not work from bed!? My studio/Alex's retired man cave is a little chilly this morning so painting in there with no nice sunlight shining through isn't going to happen today.
When I think of Easter, I think of bright yellow daffodils and pastel colours...of sunshine and fresh air, so perhaps for people in Cornwall we may have to use our imaginations a little this weekend :)

I created this card a few weeks ago for Easter, or for a hopeful message at any time of year...

I adore birds nests and I am always on the look out for them...I remember finding lots and keeping them when I was younger, and using them to keep special treasures in :) This card is hand finished and available to buy over in my >>>>Etsy shop<<<<<
Last year I began a 'doodle-a-day' challenge in April and I have begun this challenge again, with the intent of creating a drawing everyday in April. I really would recommend it to artists as it's not only a good general daily practice but also wonderful for 'artists block'.

*I was just about to say that Alex and I don't celebrate Easter in a big way, but I have just been sent on a mini egg hunt around the house so I take it back :) I was given a cup to collect them in, but pretty much ate each one as I found it!
**To add to the fun, there are now two random ducks plodding around in the garden...we seem to have the most popular garden in the area....squirrels, badgers, foxes, owls, you name it, they have paid a visit!
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend x

 

Inspiration

Over the past few weeks I have had some time, without commissions to create some fun work on whatever I fancied painting. Having a gap in paid work sometimes overwhelms me and causes a block because...where to start? Of all the things to draw inspiration from and paint now that I have the time...I must create as much as possible! :)

Often after working to a more fixed brief I feel a bit drained of inspiration and to go straight to the drawing board after this is a recipe for panic! I need to refresh and 'refill the well'. After creating for a client, I often feel a bit stuck in a sort of more structured part of my brain that ignores my own personal preferences and tastes in order to get the job done. *I mean this is the nicest possible way...most of the people who request artwork from me have lovely taste...it just involves me staying on the chosen path!* :)

It is easy to over-look the fact that in order to create something, you need to first feel that rush of ideas that comes from being inspired, and that doesn't often happen for me whilst staring at a blank sheet of paper or trawling through pages online of what everyone else out there is creating....it pops up whilst I am on the train listening to music, out walking in the fresh air..whilst I am with friends and family....whilst I am actually LIVING!

Some of my favourite paintings were made between times...when I needed a release of expression and wanted to say something and they just 'happened' without much thought or planning!  

So here are some of the moments that inspired me to create some new work (which you can discover over on my facebook page or Etsy shop)

Thanks for stopping by :) x

Findings on a beautiful sunny walk...

Reading in the morning light...

Exploring antique shops in Lostwithiel..

Beautiful heather at The Eden Project..

Enchanting Caerhays Castle!

Watching the Eclipse from the cliff top...

Victoria Erickson

Isn't it such a comfort to find a writer who can express those thoughts that you can't untangle in your own mind...

30.

I chose to leave my 'day job' before Christmas after saving up two months living costs and deciding I just couldn't face creeping into my 30's without at least pushing myself to try and succeed in what I have been trying to do since I learnt to 'colour in'.

I have always associated having a regular income with security, growing up with parents who ran their own business from home. The business failed after many years of bad decisions, bad luck and a bad economy.

I could not see the advantages of all the chaos and unknowns that seemed to surround the way our lives were and it made more sense to me to have a regular job and income since school.
This has meant I have kept artwork as a hobby, that pays now and then, for the past fifteen years.

I have very rarely questioned my value at work, and mainly felt incredibly lucky and flattered when people were happy to employ me.
What I began to realise, after the initial novelty of a new work place, new discounts, new responsibilties, is that however I would perform or push myself, there was always a limit on my income. I would still recieve the same paid amount every month, whether it was a hugely successful one or not. Now and then there would be bonuses and incentives in larger companies, but these didn't often reflect the effort required to obtain them... and I kept thinking... yes, I could move up the pay scale in a company.. but what if there was no limit on what I could make for myself?

I think no-matter how stressful and crazy growing up with self employed parents was, the need for freedom of choice finally crept up on me through the years and I felt more and more resistant to dragging myself out of bed to make someone elses dream happen when all I wanted was the freedom to stay up all night and paint if I felt like it, or to not have to schedule times where I could be creative.

When you look back in one perspective, you only see what you want to see.
Now I try to look at the amazing things my parents made happen with their business. I have fond memories of rollerskating around their huge workshop when they employed a team of people, frantically packing our bags for holidays to faraway places....driving all the way to Scotland in a campervan with no time restraint or plan..... and mum always being there, making endless cups of tea and popping to the bakery down the road for freshly baked bread :)

My thirty years on this lovely planet have taught me that trying always feels better than accepting your fate and moaning how its not fair. I am not a person motivated by money, but I am motivated by living a life rich in fun and freedom, so lets see what happens :)

I will finish with a painting I made after receiving my first set of watercolor paints for Christmas when I was eight :)

A Doodle a Day

During April and May I set myself the challenge to complete a 'doodle a day' for 30 days. I am the kindof person who ends up daydreaming all day if I don't set myself tasks and things to achieve and I had been feeling like I had got out of practice with keeping a daily sketchbook.
Some sketches were observations of the world around me, others were inspired by quotes, music and sparks of ideas. As I am writing this I am tempted to set myself another similar challenge as it was so beneficial (and fun!) to me as an artist!

Happy May!

 Just a little update, although I am not sure where to start, as once I fail to update one project I have been working on, or a new idea or painting, I seem to fail to even try for a few months!
I realised this morning, you have to start somewhere! So, these invites feel very Spring like to me, and I have just completed them. They feel like the culmination of what I have learnt about producing Wedding Invites so far. I have tried to put into practice the knowledge I have gained, through trial and sometimes error! I love it when you can see, step by step the progress you are making!
These pretty designs are for a late summer, English-country-garden-by-the-sea Wedding! Wishing everyone a lovely May (My favourite month of the year!)