Just a quick post to wish all my Blogger friends a very Happy New Year.
How I wish my New Year's resolution could be to dispense with computers .... but in this day and age I think thats an impossibility :-)
My computer has finally died .... the Tech Guys tried to deal with the problems remotely but suspect that the problems are being caused by a corrupt hard disk so its been taken to computer hospital to be fixed - hopefully by the time we get back from holiday.
We fly to Fuerteventura on Sunday morning so my next post will wing its way from sunny climes assuming David can get the netbook set up for me to use ...
Enjoy the celebrations everybody and look forward to catching up in 2012
Friday, 30 December 2011
Sunday, 25 December 2011
CHRISTMAS COMMISSIONS ORDER BOOK FULL
My 2011 Christmas Commission order book is now closed (21 September). I have reserved some space in my diary to accommodate Gift Voucher recipients should they wish to redeem their vouchers before Christmas. But I will need these to be confirmed by end October.
So here's a topical message from Gizmo - a beautiful cat I portrayed a couple of years ago (pastel on Fisher 400 paper).
Just click the start arrow and sing along (not)!!
So here's a topical message from Gizmo - a beautiful cat I portrayed a couple of years ago (pastel on Fisher 400 paper).
Just click the start arrow and sing along (not)!!
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
20/12: LAST CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT 2011
I was asked to lengthen Maggie's mane a little, then the portrait was approved. This is how it looked in the two different size mounts/mats. Ignore the shadows around the edges of the mounts/mats - they're simply laid on top of the portrait for demonstration purposes and not fixed
The smaller mount with aperture 14 x 10" to fit standard frame size 18 x 14" (which is what I call my 'medium' size)
and this is how it looked in the slightly larger mount - aperture size 16 x 12" to fit standard frame 20 x 16".
My client preferred the larger mount so it has been packed up and despatched to the Post Office this afternoon for delivery tomorrow.
Although that was the last of the Christmas commissions I will be working on the terrier I posted about recently, and also I will finally get back to a couple of graphite commissions which have been relegated to the back burner for a while.
Charlie's mum is pleased with the likeness but has reservations about the colour of his coat which she feels needs to be a little darker so I've been doing a little work on that. It is always difficult gauging fur/hair colour when relying on photos taken at different times of year/different light conditions etc., and its even more frustrating that colours will look different depending on the viewing monitor/screen. Poor Charlie dog was woken from his nap on the bed to be sat next to the photos I'd been emailed so my client could confirm which photo showed the coat colour most accurately. I'm told he was very confused by it all!!
I will be doing my usual Wednesday voluntary day job at Pilgrims Hospice so will work more on Charlie on Thursday. I'll then try to scan/stitch the portrait to get a more accurate picture to email to Charlie's mum. Taking photos, even with daylight bulb lamps, at this time of year is very hit and miss.
The smaller mount with aperture 14 x 10" to fit standard frame size 18 x 14" (which is what I call my 'medium' size)
and this is how it looked in the slightly larger mount - aperture size 16 x 12" to fit standard frame 20 x 16".
My client preferred the larger mount so it has been packed up and despatched to the Post Office this afternoon for delivery tomorrow.
Although that was the last of the Christmas commissions I will be working on the terrier I posted about recently, and also I will finally get back to a couple of graphite commissions which have been relegated to the back burner for a while.
Charlie's mum is pleased with the likeness but has reservations about the colour of his coat which she feels needs to be a little darker so I've been doing a little work on that. It is always difficult gauging fur/hair colour when relying on photos taken at different times of year/different light conditions etc., and its even more frustrating that colours will look different depending on the viewing monitor/screen. Poor Charlie dog was woken from his nap on the bed to be sat next to the photos I'd been emailed so my client could confirm which photo showed the coat colour most accurately. I'm told he was very confused by it all!!
I will be doing my usual Wednesday voluntary day job at Pilgrims Hospice so will work more on Charlie on Thursday. I'll then try to scan/stitch the portrait to get a more accurate picture to email to Charlie's mum. Taking photos, even with daylight bulb lamps, at this time of year is very hit and miss.
Monday, 19 December 2011
19/12: A LITTLE MORE PROGRESS
I've emailed this photo to my client and am awaiting feedback regarding any 'tweaks' required before I add the final touches .... I will do a little tidying up whilst waiting to hear but hopefully I can complete her today or tomorrow morning and despatch the portrait for delivery Wednesday ... cutting it fine!!
This was the previous WIP photo.
In an effort to simplify my size/price guide I refer to 'small' 'medium' and 'large' portraits as my 'standards'.
This mare is a 'medium' size so she is drawn to fit a mount with aperture 14" x 10". However, I often 'expand' the portrait so my clients can, if they wish, use a larger mount/frame. The horse/dog/cat is no larger but there is a greater expanse of background visible. In my next update I'll photograph the portrait showing different size mounts to better explain what I mean
This was the previous WIP photo.
In an effort to simplify my size/price guide I refer to 'small' 'medium' and 'large' portraits as my 'standards'.
This mare is a 'medium' size so she is drawn to fit a mount with aperture 14" x 10". However, I often 'expand' the portrait so my clients can, if they wish, use a larger mount/frame. The horse/dog/cat is no larger but there is a greater expanse of background visible. In my next update I'll photograph the portrait showing different size mounts to better explain what I mean
Saturday, 17 December 2011
17/12: HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN SPACE and BEAT THE QUEUES
For a modest fee you can get 'up close' to my lovely old mare, Roxy! At this time of the year when she is encased in Winter rugs 24/7 she can get a little 'ripe' which I don't normally mind or even notice whilst at the stable yard
Today, we did our usual round of family visiting - both mums and David's daughter/partner/grand-daughter - it was dark and very cold by the time we got to the stables to visit Roxy. I had to spend time cleaning her legs with antiseptic wash which isn't a great task in this cold weather and I realised too late that I didn't have a heavy stable coat with me ... so I decided to keep my 'day' quilted coat on whilst doing the necessary.
Being in such close proximity meant that when we left the yard to drive home the 'essence of Winter Horse' soon permeated the car as the coat, and I, warmed up. I wasn't really happy when David suggested doing our weekend shop on the way home tonight rather than making another trip out tomorrow but .. what the hell!!.
As I started to warm up in the heated interior of the supermarket there were a few wrinkled noses and accusing looks when I got up close to other shoppers ... I was very embarrassed to start with but soon realised how I could use this to my advantage .... the crowds parted as I headed purposefully towards my selected food items and any slow movers were soon sent packing if I stood right up close to them and waved my arms around a little :-)
All offending clothing went straight into the washing machine when I got home ... but it was quite an eye opener. If only I enjoyed shopping - I'd be tempted to try this technique when the Boxing Day sales start on Monday ....
and here's the lady herself
Today, we did our usual round of family visiting - both mums and David's daughter/partner/grand-daughter - it was dark and very cold by the time we got to the stables to visit Roxy. I had to spend time cleaning her legs with antiseptic wash which isn't a great task in this cold weather and I realised too late that I didn't have a heavy stable coat with me ... so I decided to keep my 'day' quilted coat on whilst doing the necessary.
Being in such close proximity meant that when we left the yard to drive home the 'essence of Winter Horse' soon permeated the car as the coat, and I, warmed up. I wasn't really happy when David suggested doing our weekend shop on the way home tonight rather than making another trip out tomorrow but .. what the hell!!.
As I started to warm up in the heated interior of the supermarket there were a few wrinkled noses and accusing looks when I got up close to other shoppers ... I was very embarrassed to start with but soon realised how I could use this to my advantage .... the crowds parted as I headed purposefully towards my selected food items and any slow movers were soon sent packing if I stood right up close to them and waved my arms around a little :-)
All offending clothing went straight into the washing machine when I got home ... but it was quite an eye opener. If only I enjoyed shopping - I'd be tempted to try this technique when the Boxing Day sales start on Monday ....
and here's the lady herself
Friday, 16 December 2011
16/12: LAST ORDERS
This is my last Christmas commission, a beautiful mare I started work on today. I'm using pastels on Fisher 400 sanded paper.
I've got the base colours blocked in now and will work more on the finer detail on Sunday. Last posting day for Royal Mail Special Delivery is Thursday 22nd (guaranteed delivery 23rd) but I'd prefer to have this in the post a couple of days earlier. It's a 'last minute' order which I agreed to fit in as I can't resist a horse :-)
Although we escaped the snow/hail in our little part of the World, the weather has been very overcast and the light wasn't good for taking photos - even with daylight bulbs!
So, in my usual undisciplined style ... I outlined the horse, removing her bridle and rug at my client's request. I always have to draw in the eye first but then I got fixated on the ears for some reason (!!)
The ears won't look quite so odd once I start strengthening the colours elsewhere
Getting there .....
I'm really 'flitting' around on this one ... but I'm pleased with how much I achieved today. Its a combination of starting early and not getting distracted by the computer which 'died' on me yesterday. Its been taken back to 'factory settings' and is still not working properly, refusing to run Firefox, Chrome, Paint Net. I/we (this is a job for hubby I think) now have to really get tough with the 'Tech Guys' who we pay a monthly fee to for support. They've never managed to sort out any problem for us yet so I've had enough!!! Their boast is that if the problem can't be fixed they'll replace the machine with a brand new one FREE ... Watch this space :-)
I've got the base colours blocked in now and will work more on the finer detail on Sunday. Last posting day for Royal Mail Special Delivery is Thursday 22nd (guaranteed delivery 23rd) but I'd prefer to have this in the post a couple of days earlier. It's a 'last minute' order which I agreed to fit in as I can't resist a horse :-)
Although we escaped the snow/hail in our little part of the World, the weather has been very overcast and the light wasn't good for taking photos - even with daylight bulbs!
So, in my usual undisciplined style ... I outlined the horse, removing her bridle and rug at my client's request. I always have to draw in the eye first but then I got fixated on the ears for some reason (!!)
The ears won't look quite so odd once I start strengthening the colours elsewhere
Getting there .....
I'm really 'flitting' around on this one ... but I'm pleased with how much I achieved today. Its a combination of starting early and not getting distracted by the computer which 'died' on me yesterday. Its been taken back to 'factory settings' and is still not working properly, refusing to run Firefox, Chrome, Paint Net. I/we (this is a job for hubby I think) now have to really get tough with the 'Tech Guys' who we pay a monthly fee to for support. They've never managed to sort out any problem for us yet so I've had enough!!! Their boast is that if the problem can't be fixed they'll replace the machine with a brand new one FREE ... Watch this space :-)
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
14/12: NORMALITY RESTORED (ALMOST)!
Yesterday was one of those days when it seems anything that can go wrong, will go wrong .... had to check it was Tuesday 13th and not Friday 13th.
It started when we got a call cancelling a meeting David and I had been about to attend - we've waited 29 weeks and got the cancellation call 2 hours before the appointment. The person we were meeting was sick and as she worked from home and had all the relevant papers there, nobody could take her place.
In the ensuing telephonic 'discussions' I totally overlooked my appointment at the spine clinic so got a call from the receptionist and had my wrist slapped :-)
Having unexpected time on his hands, David thought it was an opportune time to test the burglar alarm system and replace worn batteries etc., so the deafening shrieks coming from the house at various intervals weren't just from me!! Oh it was heaven in our house yesterday :-)
and as evident from last night's panic Blog post ... Windows wiped out all my emails. I check emails periodically through the evening and all was fine at 7.30 but at next check every mail folder was empty. The system hadn't crashed and there had been no updates so far as I could tell ... but the messages had all vanished. David tried unsuccessfully to find/restore them for about 2 hours. This has apparently happened to lots of LiveMail users judging by all the cries for help posted on the 'net.
Eventually I found a way to reinstall a previous session of Live Mail which recovered all messages barring those received/sent yesterday so feeling a little happier now.
Anyway, I did more work on the little terrier and have emailed this to his 'mum' for guidance regarding his coat. In the reference photo there is a lot of hair obscuring his eyes - I've omitted these but waiting for approval or otherwise before carrying on. Its easier to add more hairs than to remove them.
Colour isn't true as the photo was taken early evening in artificial light.
I'm out for the day doing my voluntary 'job' at the Pilgrims Hospice eBay office ... back at the drawing board tomorrow ... happy days!
It started when we got a call cancelling a meeting David and I had been about to attend - we've waited 29 weeks and got the cancellation call 2 hours before the appointment. The person we were meeting was sick and as she worked from home and had all the relevant papers there, nobody could take her place.
In the ensuing telephonic 'discussions' I totally overlooked my appointment at the spine clinic so got a call from the receptionist and had my wrist slapped :-)
Having unexpected time on his hands, David thought it was an opportune time to test the burglar alarm system and replace worn batteries etc., so the deafening shrieks coming from the house at various intervals weren't just from me!! Oh it was heaven in our house yesterday :-)
and as evident from last night's panic Blog post ... Windows wiped out all my emails. I check emails periodically through the evening and all was fine at 7.30 but at next check every mail folder was empty. The system hadn't crashed and there had been no updates so far as I could tell ... but the messages had all vanished. David tried unsuccessfully to find/restore them for about 2 hours. This has apparently happened to lots of LiveMail users judging by all the cries for help posted on the 'net.
Eventually I found a way to reinstall a previous session of Live Mail which recovered all messages barring those received/sent yesterday so feeling a little happier now.
Anyway, I did more work on the little terrier and have emailed this to his 'mum' for guidance regarding his coat. In the reference photo there is a lot of hair obscuring his eyes - I've omitted these but waiting for approval or otherwise before carrying on. Its easier to add more hairs than to remove them.
Colour isn't true as the photo was taken early evening in artificial light.
I'm out for the day doing my voluntary 'job' at the Pilgrims Hospice eBay office ... back at the drawing board tomorrow ... happy days!
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
13/12: NO EMAILS - URGENT!!!
As of 2000 hours this evening my Windows Live Mail account has been wiped out ... every message box is empty so I have no history of sent/received/stored emails.
Having done a Google search for a solution it appears that this is not uncommon with Windows Live Mail but I cannot find a way to find/restore the missing emails.
Does anybody have any ideas?
Please ... if anybody has emailed me since 8pm this evening, re-send the message as if I haven't responded its because I haven't seen it.
Needless to say I'm at my Wits end and will appreciate any help
OK - I found a way to restore Live Mail (Previous Version) which has reinstated all emails up to 0930 today - so all I have lost is emails received/sent between 0930 and 2000 hours.
Having done a Google search for a solution it appears that this is not uncommon with Windows Live Mail but I cannot find a way to find/restore the missing emails.
Does anybody have any ideas?
Please ... if anybody has emailed me since 8pm this evening, re-send the message as if I haven't responded its because I haven't seen it.
Needless to say I'm at my Wits end and will appreciate any help
OK - I found a way to restore Live Mail (Previous Version) which has reinstated all emails up to 0930 today - so all I have lost is emails received/sent between 0930 and 2000 hours.
Monday, 12 December 2011
12/12: STUFF!!
Stuff! is the title used by me and an artist friend when we couldn't think of titles for our emails .... and tonight I'm tired and can't think of a title for my Blog post!
I made the adjustments to the Cocker Spaniel this morning, and the revisions have been approved. So she has now been mounted (pardon me) and packaged up ready for despatch in the next day or so:
and ... on to Charlie!!
I received an email this morning from Charlie's 'Mum' who had popped in to have a look at my Blog and discovered the first progress pics. I normally don't send WIP pics to my clients until they've got past the 'ugly' stages where I've generally just laid down some basic lines/colours before building up the finer detail. So I was pleased, but a little anxious about her thoughts at this stage. She told me she won't be checking in again so she won't 'pester' me.
But, Hello Tracey :-) I do hope you will look in regularly to ensure I'm on track with Charlie. Once I've got the basics in place I'd really welcome your thoughts to ensure that the end portrait is just as you want.
I did a little more work on him today - I'm concentrating on getting the base colours in place which will really start coming to life when the top layers of fine/stray hairs are added. In the reference photo Charlie is 'backlit' by bright sunshine which makes the outer hairs look really white and bright ....
Unfortunately, I had to photograph this using flash tonight so the camera has emphasised the white bits that were drawn in to check that they'd show against the background ... but this photo is just to show that I've not been idle today and I'm having fun with this lovely character.
I won't be spending much time at the drawing board for the next couple of days so .... back on Thursday with the next updates!
I made the adjustments to the Cocker Spaniel this morning, and the revisions have been approved. So she has now been mounted (pardon me) and packaged up ready for despatch in the next day or so:
and ... on to Charlie!!
I received an email this morning from Charlie's 'Mum' who had popped in to have a look at my Blog and discovered the first progress pics. I normally don't send WIP pics to my clients until they've got past the 'ugly' stages where I've generally just laid down some basic lines/colours before building up the finer detail. So I was pleased, but a little anxious about her thoughts at this stage. She told me she won't be checking in again so she won't 'pester' me.
But, Hello Tracey :-) I do hope you will look in regularly to ensure I'm on track with Charlie. Once I've got the basics in place I'd really welcome your thoughts to ensure that the end portrait is just as you want.
I did a little more work on him today - I'm concentrating on getting the base colours in place which will really start coming to life when the top layers of fine/stray hairs are added. In the reference photo Charlie is 'backlit' by bright sunshine which makes the outer hairs look really white and bright ....
Unfortunately, I had to photograph this using flash tonight so the camera has emphasised the white bits that were drawn in to check that they'd show against the background ... but this photo is just to show that I've not been idle today and I'm having fun with this lovely character.
I won't be spending much time at the drawing board for the next couple of days so .... back on Thursday with the next updates!
Sunday, 11 December 2011
11/12: SUNDAY COUNTDOWNS!
Two weeks today till Christmas Day ............... OK that's over with then :-)
Three weeks today till we fly off to our house on Sunny Fuerteventura for some R&R after the hectic couple of months we've had in the run up to Christmas (portrait work and voluntary jobs).
I'm happy with how my Christmas portrait workload has gone, especially as I slotted an extra one in at short notice!
Although I've shown some Work-In-Progress photos on my blog I'm reluctant to add the subjects' names in case they show in a Google search ... so just to say that the portrait of the beautiful rescue dog shown in my last Blog, has been approved and packaged up today ready to be posted next week. I use Royal Mail Special Delivery service which guarantees delivery before noon the day after despatch (and provides insurance)
The 'daughter & dog' portrait finally got signed, framed and packaged today ready for delivery to the local seafront Hotel who will hold it for my client till he visits Kent with his family in January. Unfortunately I will be away (in the sunshine) so won't get to meet him on this occasion although he has hinted at another project in the future so we'll no doubt meet up then :-)
Here's the photo of the cocker spaniel I emailed for critique/approval today.
I've been asked to remove the brown colour from her chest fur (no longer there following a bath today) and to remove the collar and brighten one of the white areas ... these are all minor 'tweaks' and easy to do before the pastel is 'fixed' but I'll wait till tomorrow and make the adjustments when the light is better.
Whilst waiting to hear back regarding the spaniel's portrait I made a start on the next dog portrait (not necessarily required for Christmas). I received a photograph in the post showing the dog in the pose my client wants me to use but the photo is bleached and its not possible to see much detail in eyes/nose/mouth etc .. I've also been provided with some digital photos by email from which I can extract the details I need.
I sketched the dog in graphite on Fisher 400 sanded paper then realised the fur/hair colour really wasn't going to stand out very well against the colour of the support so I have coloured the background slightly using Pan Pastels (generously supplied by Colorfin for me to trial) this will be adjusted as necessary as the portrait progresses.
Very early days yet ... but as usual I needed to see some features (eyes in particular) which to me gives the portrait personality as I work on it ... its a very basic sketch but I'm happy with the sizes/measurements/placement of the major features
I've started adding some colour to the ears and nose but at this stage I'm sitting next to my computer flitting between the various emailed reference photos to check detail. In the hard copy photo showing the required pose, the dog has his Winter Coat and locks of stray hairs are obscuring one of his eyes, so there's a lot of artistic licence being used in this portrait .... I'm enjoying the challenge.
He is another rescue dog ... so nice to hear the happy endings for these lovely dogs/cats/horses who haven't had the best starts in life.
Three weeks today till we fly off to our house on Sunny Fuerteventura for some R&R after the hectic couple of months we've had in the run up to Christmas (portrait work and voluntary jobs).
I'm happy with how my Christmas portrait workload has gone, especially as I slotted an extra one in at short notice!
Although I've shown some Work-In-Progress photos on my blog I'm reluctant to add the subjects' names in case they show in a Google search ... so just to say that the portrait of the beautiful rescue dog shown in my last Blog, has been approved and packaged up today ready to be posted next week. I use Royal Mail Special Delivery service which guarantees delivery before noon the day after despatch (and provides insurance)
The 'daughter & dog' portrait finally got signed, framed and packaged today ready for delivery to the local seafront Hotel who will hold it for my client till he visits Kent with his family in January. Unfortunately I will be away (in the sunshine) so won't get to meet him on this occasion although he has hinted at another project in the future so we'll no doubt meet up then :-)
Here's the photo of the cocker spaniel I emailed for critique/approval today.
I've been asked to remove the brown colour from her chest fur (no longer there following a bath today) and to remove the collar and brighten one of the white areas ... these are all minor 'tweaks' and easy to do before the pastel is 'fixed' but I'll wait till tomorrow and make the adjustments when the light is better.
Whilst waiting to hear back regarding the spaniel's portrait I made a start on the next dog portrait (not necessarily required for Christmas). I received a photograph in the post showing the dog in the pose my client wants me to use but the photo is bleached and its not possible to see much detail in eyes/nose/mouth etc .. I've also been provided with some digital photos by email from which I can extract the details I need.
I sketched the dog in graphite on Fisher 400 sanded paper then realised the fur/hair colour really wasn't going to stand out very well against the colour of the support so I have coloured the background slightly using Pan Pastels (generously supplied by Colorfin for me to trial) this will be adjusted as necessary as the portrait progresses.
Very early days yet ... but as usual I needed to see some features (eyes in particular) which to me gives the portrait personality as I work on it ... its a very basic sketch but I'm happy with the sizes/measurements/placement of the major features
I've started adding some colour to the ears and nose but at this stage I'm sitting next to my computer flitting between the various emailed reference photos to check detail. In the hard copy photo showing the required pose, the dog has his Winter Coat and locks of stray hairs are obscuring one of his eyes, so there's a lot of artistic licence being used in this portrait .... I'm enjoying the challenge.
He is another rescue dog ... so nice to hear the happy endings for these lovely dogs/cats/horses who haven't had the best starts in life.
Friday, 9 December 2011
09/12: MORE DOGGY DOINGS!
What a difference a day makes - yesterday we were being buffeted with high winds and torrential rain and had to have lights on in the house all day, today dawned with brilliant blue skies and barely a breeze. The birds who had all been conspicuous by their absence in the bad weather yesterday returned in droves today devouring the peanuts and fatballs, making up for lost time ...
This is the latest update sent to my client yesterday for approval/critique - unfortunately the light was horrible so this was the best photo I could manage. You know how some animals just 'touch' you, well this was definitely one of those for me .... she may have been found as a stray on the streets, but what a gorgeous face she has ... just oozes personality I think!
This is the latest dog on my drawing board .... a blue roan cocker spaniel which I'm drawing/painting in pastels on light grey pastelmat - this portrait is smaller than the pastels I've been doing recently and it was a bit of a struggle at first to get all the fine detail into the 12" x 8" size .... my respect for miniaturists has just increased considerably :-)
I started her portrait yesterday but due to poor light conditions didn't take any WIP photos ... this was photographed tonight but will work more on her on Sunday to obtain a better photo I can send to the client for critique. A unique feature of this spaniel is the different colours in the eye membranes - not an artist's error :-) One of the reference photos I have for this dog is a picture of her fast asleep on a chair with those wonderful ears spreadeagled across the upholstery ... it would have made a very amusing study but perhaps not a 'classic' portrait pose !!
This is the latest update sent to my client yesterday for approval/critique - unfortunately the light was horrible so this was the best photo I could manage. You know how some animals just 'touch' you, well this was definitely one of those for me .... she may have been found as a stray on the streets, but what a gorgeous face she has ... just oozes personality I think!
This is the latest dog on my drawing board .... a blue roan cocker spaniel which I'm drawing/painting in pastels on light grey pastelmat - this portrait is smaller than the pastels I've been doing recently and it was a bit of a struggle at first to get all the fine detail into the 12" x 8" size .... my respect for miniaturists has just increased considerably :-)
I started her portrait yesterday but due to poor light conditions didn't take any WIP photos ... this was photographed tonight but will work more on her on Sunday to obtain a better photo I can send to the client for critique. A unique feature of this spaniel is the different colours in the eye membranes - not an artist's error :-) One of the reference photos I have for this dog is a picture of her fast asleep on a chair with those wonderful ears spreadeagled across the upholstery ... it would have made a very amusing study but perhaps not a 'classic' portrait pose !!
. Wednesday, 7 December 2011
07/12: WHAT'S ON THE MENU TODAY?
Sorry, no time to post art today as just off for my Wednesday stint as a volunteer at the Pilgrims Hospice eBay office.
En route to my local hairdresser yesterday, I just fell about when I saw this notice on the window of Yantze (our local Chinese Restaurant). I didn't have my camera with me so had to use mobile phone and therefore can't show the whole front of the restaurant where the windows are plastered with notices advertising forthcoming entertainment, tribute bands etc
But given the Brits' suspicions about what sort of meat goes into Chinese dishes ........
I do feel dreadfully sorry for the owner of the missing cat and hope he/she turns up safely soon.
En route to my local hairdresser yesterday, I just fell about when I saw this notice on the window of Yantze (our local Chinese Restaurant). I didn't have my camera with me so had to use mobile phone and therefore can't show the whole front of the restaurant where the windows are plastered with notices advertising forthcoming entertainment, tribute bands etc
But given the Brits' suspicions about what sort of meat goes into Chinese dishes ........
I do feel dreadfully sorry for the owner of the missing cat and hope he/she turns up safely soon.
Sunday, 4 December 2011
04/12: NO SH*T !!
We live by the sea. We accept that we'll be woken by screaming gulls at 5.30am most mornings! but enough is enough!! This post was intended to be about gratitude .... and respect!! but I don't expect the gulls to read or respond. Gulls 1 -v- Humans 0
We live in a very 'light' house with lots of tall windows - Just look at what they've done to the windows in our hallway! Target practice I think!
We love our garden visitors - and look after them as best we can ... but I think they are beginning to take the 'pee'
15 fatballs disappeared from the bird feeders over the last two days ... who ate all the fatballs then??
After a couple of colder days with frosty mornings the birds and squirrels all seem to be more frantic and the garden has been buzzing with activity ... the starlings have been devouring the windfall apples
the hedgehogs have also been busy .... but much to our dismay they've been leaving not-so-little calling cards on the doormat in the entrance to our front door. At first the little parcels were quite discreet and tucked away to the side of the mat ... but recently they've been left slap bang in the middle of the mat so we have to be careful when leaving or entering the house ... I still haven't worked out if the 'packages' are a comment on the food we leave them (they don't like Tesco cat food) or if they are 'thank you' gifts!
We had to make an emergency trip to a local garden centre late afternoon to stock up on fatballs - we were offered packs of 5 fatballs (at £1.09 per pack) or their own brand in tubs of 30 on offer for £7.95. The guy behind the till couldn't understand my questioning the mathematics behind this 'offer' I spent some time explaining that buying 6 x packs of 5 at £1.09 each was considerably cheaper than their discounted tub of 30 balls at £7.95 ... sometimes I despair ....
anyway ... 25 new fatballs in the feeders tonight so the garden visitors should be happy for a day or two.
I had a wonderful message from my client regarding the portrait of the two sisters (delivered yesterday) it really made me quite tearful ... always nice to get such lovely feedback - makes it all worthwhile!
and I did get a little artwork done today - here's the latest on the beautiful dog portrait:
I'm out tomorrow - delivering the Lapphund portrait and having a wander around Royal Tunbridge Wells - its ages since I've been there so it will be interesting to see what, if anything, has changed in the last few years. Many years ago I did a lot of clay pigeon shooting (I was Kent Champion in 1985) and used to buy my guns/cartridges/accessories from Chris Potter Guns at Tunbridge Wells - I wonder if he is still there?
I do have a couple of Christmas gifts to buy so hoping for inspiration as I believe there are some rather nice shops in the new Town! Anyway, David and I don't seem to have a lot of free time together so it will be nice just to 'escape' for a few hours.
Will get back to this dog portrait on Tuesday and, subject to client's comments, hope to have it finished by the end of the week and then its on to another dog and/or some graphite portraits which have been on the back burner.
We live in a very 'light' house with lots of tall windows - Just look at what they've done to the windows in our hallway! Target practice I think!
We love our garden visitors - and look after them as best we can ... but I think they are beginning to take the 'pee'
15 fatballs disappeared from the bird feeders over the last two days ... who ate all the fatballs then??
After a couple of colder days with frosty mornings the birds and squirrels all seem to be more frantic and the garden has been buzzing with activity ... the starlings have been devouring the windfall apples
the hedgehogs have also been busy .... but much to our dismay they've been leaving not-so-little calling cards on the doormat in the entrance to our front door. At first the little parcels were quite discreet and tucked away to the side of the mat ... but recently they've been left slap bang in the middle of the mat so we have to be careful when leaving or entering the house ... I still haven't worked out if the 'packages' are a comment on the food we leave them (they don't like Tesco cat food) or if they are 'thank you' gifts!
We had to make an emergency trip to a local garden centre late afternoon to stock up on fatballs - we were offered packs of 5 fatballs (at £1.09 per pack) or their own brand in tubs of 30 on offer for £7.95. The guy behind the till couldn't understand my questioning the mathematics behind this 'offer' I spent some time explaining that buying 6 x packs of 5 at £1.09 each was considerably cheaper than their discounted tub of 30 balls at £7.95 ... sometimes I despair ....
anyway ... 25 new fatballs in the feeders tonight so the garden visitors should be happy for a day or two.
I had a wonderful message from my client regarding the portrait of the two sisters (delivered yesterday) it really made me quite tearful ... always nice to get such lovely feedback - makes it all worthwhile!
and I did get a little artwork done today - here's the latest on the beautiful dog portrait:
I'm out tomorrow - delivering the Lapphund portrait and having a wander around Royal Tunbridge Wells - its ages since I've been there so it will be interesting to see what, if anything, has changed in the last few years. Many years ago I did a lot of clay pigeon shooting (I was Kent Champion in 1985) and used to buy my guns/cartridges/accessories from Chris Potter Guns at Tunbridge Wells - I wonder if he is still there?
I do have a couple of Christmas gifts to buy so hoping for inspiration as I believe there are some rather nice shops in the new Town! Anyway, David and I don't seem to have a lot of free time together so it will be nice just to 'escape' for a few hours.
Will get back to this dog portrait on Tuesday and, subject to client's comments, hope to have it finished by the end of the week and then its on to another dog and/or some graphite portraits which have been on the back burner.
Friday, 2 December 2011
02/12: TIDYING UP SOME LOOSE ENDS
I've had a 'bitty' but productive day, cleared a bit of space in my studio, did more work on the current dog portrait and cleared the last of the apples from our tree/lawns to take to the stables tomorrow - around 200 apples I think (tiny but very sweet tasting)
This is where I've got to with the current dog portrait - I haven't sent any WIP photos to my client yet but will do so on Monday when further advanced
The portrait of two sisters will be delivered tomorrow in a double cream mount:
The portrait of my client's daughter with her dog won't be collected until after Christmas but today we've agreed on the frame which it will be presented in (one of my home stock frames):
The Lapphund portrait will be delivered on Monday - meeting the client halfway between his home and mine (and I'll take the opportunity to have a look around the shops at our meeting place - Royal Tunbridge Wells)!!
The only completed portrait unaccounted for so far is the portrait of Shona ... I'm still awaiting responses to my emails to the client. He works overseas and I'm not sure exactly when he will be back in the UK to collect the portrait - some time soon I believe.
So just two more to complete by 3rd week December and some scheduled for next year which I can bring forward if I have capacity .... at this rate I'll make time to do some housework!
We're off tonight to support our local Group 'Whitstable Electric Theatre' who are committed to bringing cinema back to Whitstable. Tonight they are screening The Godfather (recut version) in one of the Galleries at our local Arts Centre. I'm not a great cinema goer .. I tend to fall asleep watching films/TV but to be honest the chairs are so uncomfortable at the Art Centre I fear the only thing falling asleep tonight will be my backside!
On that happy note - have a great weekend everyone
This is where I've got to with the current dog portrait - I haven't sent any WIP photos to my client yet but will do so on Monday when further advanced
The portrait of two sisters will be delivered tomorrow in a double cream mount:
The portrait of my client's daughter with her dog won't be collected until after Christmas but today we've agreed on the frame which it will be presented in (one of my home stock frames):
The Lapphund portrait will be delivered on Monday - meeting the client halfway between his home and mine (and I'll take the opportunity to have a look around the shops at our meeting place - Royal Tunbridge Wells)!!
The only completed portrait unaccounted for so far is the portrait of Shona ... I'm still awaiting responses to my emails to the client. He works overseas and I'm not sure exactly when he will be back in the UK to collect the portrait - some time soon I believe.
So just two more to complete by 3rd week December and some scheduled for next year which I can bring forward if I have capacity .... at this rate I'll make time to do some housework!
We're off tonight to support our local Group 'Whitstable Electric Theatre' who are committed to bringing cinema back to Whitstable. Tonight they are screening The Godfather (recut version) in one of the Galleries at our local Arts Centre. I'm not a great cinema goer .. I tend to fall asleep watching films/TV but to be honest the chairs are so uncomfortable at the Art Centre I fear the only thing falling asleep tonight will be my backside!
On that happy note - have a great weekend everyone
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
29/11: SISTERS - ANOTHER UPDATE
Sunday, 27 November 2011
27/11: BIRTHDAY BOY
Today is David's birthday and this is the first time we've spent it in England for many years. Four years ago (for a BIG) birthday we went to Las Vegas with friends and on 27 November visited the Grand Canyon going the whole hog with plane transfer, helicopter down to the bottom and a boat ride along the Colorado river. Here's a picture of the birthday boy himself ... sailing on the Colorado river dwarfed by something older than he is/was:
and sitting next to the 'driver' of the plane as a special birthday treat (bless)!!
In successive years we've celebrated his birthday in the sunshine at our house on Fuerteventura (Canary Islands).
This year I have taken on more Christmas work than planned so can't 'escape'. The day started off windy and grey here in Kent with intermittent drizzle but by lunchtime the sun made an appearance (albeit weak and watery) so I persuaded David to join me for a walk along the beach where we stopped for a late lunch. We were out for a few hours and the brisk sea breeze certainly blew a few cobwebs away. OK it wasn't shorts and T shirt weather but for late November in the UK it wasn't at all bad!
Have to make a mention of this couple of enterprising lads we met on the beach at Whitstable:
Our local beaches are pebble (not sand) and the lads had spelt out the following message in pebbles and left a 'collection' cup alongside.
So we asked them why they thought we should give them money and they 'performed' for us ..... jumping off the wooden boat launch site and somersaulting onto the pebbles ...... no health & safety issues here then!!
Not sure what their parents would think if they knew what their lads were up to ... but they weren't 'OIKS' they were polite, well spoken and very presentable boys who'd dreamed up this way of earning some cash ...... but those pebbles would be very unforgiving if the boys misjudged their gymnastics!
Anway, as I'd lost the natural light by the time we got home I didn't want to do much to the girls' portrait - particularly not to skintones. I did some work on the dresses and here's the latest progress report - its photographed at my workdesk with daylight bulb lamps each side. Unfortunately, they are different makes of daylight bulb and the light varies (why should that be I wonder if they are both supposed to simulate daylight)?? the right light is more 'white' the left is more 'yellow' as you can see from the photo.
Right, that's it for today .... time to relax for a couple of hours methinks.
and sitting next to the 'driver' of the plane as a special birthday treat (bless)!!
In successive years we've celebrated his birthday in the sunshine at our house on Fuerteventura (Canary Islands).
This year I have taken on more Christmas work than planned so can't 'escape'. The day started off windy and grey here in Kent with intermittent drizzle but by lunchtime the sun made an appearance (albeit weak and watery) so I persuaded David to join me for a walk along the beach where we stopped for a late lunch. We were out for a few hours and the brisk sea breeze certainly blew a few cobwebs away. OK it wasn't shorts and T shirt weather but for late November in the UK it wasn't at all bad!
Have to make a mention of this couple of enterprising lads we met on the beach at Whitstable:
Our local beaches are pebble (not sand) and the lads had spelt out the following message in pebbles and left a 'collection' cup alongside.
So we asked them why they thought we should give them money and they 'performed' for us ..... jumping off the wooden boat launch site and somersaulting onto the pebbles ...... no health & safety issues here then!! 
Not sure what their parents would think if they knew what their lads were up to ... but they weren't 'OIKS' they were polite, well spoken and very presentable boys who'd dreamed up this way of earning some cash ...... but those pebbles would be very unforgiving if the boys misjudged their gymnastics!
Anway, as I'd lost the natural light by the time we got home I didn't want to do much to the girls' portrait - particularly not to skintones. I did some work on the dresses and here's the latest progress report - its photographed at my workdesk with daylight bulb lamps each side. Unfortunately, they are different makes of daylight bulb and the light varies (why should that be I wonder if they are both supposed to simulate daylight)?? the right light is more 'white' the left is more 'yellow' as you can see from the photo.
Right, that's it for today .... time to relax for a couple of hours methinks.
Friday, 25 November 2011
25/11: SISTERS - BIRTHDAY PRESENT WORK IN PROGRESS
I had the pleasure of meeting these girls recently as they live just half hour's drive from me so I'd agreed to take my camera and try to get some photos from which we could compose a portrait as a birthday present for their grandmother. They are absolutely lovely girls. The youngest was very lively ... bit like trying to photograph a playful puppy but I managed to get a few usable photos.
I photographed them in pretty dresses/cardigans and then in 'royal blue party frocks' at the request of their Nan who likes the way the dresses bring out the lovely colour of their eyes. So the composition is based on two separate photos of the girls in their 'day clothes' and I'll then draw in the blue dresses.
I'm working to a fairly tight deadline but tomorrow I'll have a break (usual round of visiting the 'Old Ladies' plus my horse is having her feet trimmed so I need to be there to pay the farrier). Its always a good idea to leave a portrait for a while anyway and come back with fresh eyes and pick up areas that need tweaking ... I'll do some measuring/gridding to check that I've got all the features in place and the right size etc
Oh ... I should add that I'm using pastel pencils on light grey Clairefontaine Pastelmat. I've decided I prefer the light grey as it means that white highlights/eyes etc show up more than on the white Fabriano paper I used to favour. Pastelmat is a heavyweight paper with a ground cork surface which gives a slightly 'soft' finish and takes the pastel well.
These 'work in progress' stages are photographed at different times of day in differing light conditions so the colours aren't true but this will be remedied as I get closer to completing the portrait.
OK ... Stage One. This is big sister ....
Stage Two ... little sister added
and a little more advanced .... a 'wash' of blue pastel for the dresses.
Lots more to do ... but just an sample of what I've been working on recently .... I still have the dog on my easel looking accusingly at me but I'll get back to her later next week ...
David decided to start the weekend early by opening a bottle of red wine .... but it was HORRIBLE. During our recent daytrip to France to stock up on 'essential supplies' he was very pleased to find a particular red wine he loves at a very good discounted price. We bought quite a lot. Tonight we realised the wine had been discounted because the corks weren't good and crumbled easily. The wine wasn't very nice. We don't have enough of this 'poor' wine to justify another trip to return it to the retailer ... so David's idea is to 'boil' - sorry 'reduce' it down into a usable quantity for inclusion in the gourmet meals he expects me to produce ...... first pan full has just been bottled ... watch this space !
I photographed them in pretty dresses/cardigans and then in 'royal blue party frocks' at the request of their Nan who likes the way the dresses bring out the lovely colour of their eyes. So the composition is based on two separate photos of the girls in their 'day clothes' and I'll then draw in the blue dresses.
I'm working to a fairly tight deadline but tomorrow I'll have a break (usual round of visiting the 'Old Ladies' plus my horse is having her feet trimmed so I need to be there to pay the farrier). Its always a good idea to leave a portrait for a while anyway and come back with fresh eyes and pick up areas that need tweaking ... I'll do some measuring/gridding to check that I've got all the features in place and the right size etc
Oh ... I should add that I'm using pastel pencils on light grey Clairefontaine Pastelmat. I've decided I prefer the light grey as it means that white highlights/eyes etc show up more than on the white Fabriano paper I used to favour. Pastelmat is a heavyweight paper with a ground cork surface which gives a slightly 'soft' finish and takes the pastel well.
These 'work in progress' stages are photographed at different times of day in differing light conditions so the colours aren't true but this will be remedied as I get closer to completing the portrait.
OK ... Stage One. This is big sister ....
Stage Two ... little sister added
and a little more advanced .... a 'wash' of blue pastel for the dresses.
Lots more to do ... but just an sample of what I've been working on recently .... I still have the dog on my easel looking accusingly at me but I'll get back to her later next week ...
David decided to start the weekend early by opening a bottle of red wine .... but it was HORRIBLE. During our recent daytrip to France to stock up on 'essential supplies' he was very pleased to find a particular red wine he loves at a very good discounted price. We bought quite a lot. Tonight we realised the wine had been discounted because the corks weren't good and crumbled easily. The wine wasn't very nice. We don't have enough of this 'poor' wine to justify another trip to return it to the retailer ... so David's idea is to 'boil' - sorry 'reduce' it down into a usable quantity for inclusion in the gourmet meals he expects me to produce ...... first pan full has just been bottled ... watch this space !
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
23/11: WEARY WEDNESDAY!
Lots of my Blogger friends use 'Wordless Wednesdays' to post brilliant photos etc with no words ... obviously!
Well, we've just got home from our usual Wednesday working as volunteers at the local Pilgrims Hospice eBay office - and we're both mentally exhausted and drained. So my version is slightly more apt for us ... we are WEARY!
This morning started badly when our window cleaner arrived unexpectedly ... he always sends me a text message announcing his monthly visits a day or so prior to his arrival. I then realised I hadn't seen my mobile phone since Saturday (I haven't been out since then). I eventually found the phone under the passenger seat in our car - battery totally dead. As we were en-route to 'work' at the Hospice eBay office I couldn't charge the phone battery until this evening when I found 7missed messages .... including one telling me my email system wasn't working. A client I had been messaging regarding her completed portrait had been unable to contact me via email! AAAAAARGGGGHHH!
I have a lot of tight deadlines to meet for portraits now so may have to 'abandon' Pilgrims Hospice for a couple of Wednesdays - it is incredibly intensive researching/photographing/describing and listing 'better quality' donated items ..... we have to be so careful not to misdescribe items or promote 'fake' brands. The volunteer 'listers' at our little office are responsible for sales of around £10,000 per month towards the cost of providing Hospice Care for terminally ill patients in our part of the County.
So tonight is relaxation time and tomorrow will be 'nose to the grindstone' .... and trying to sort out why I'm not receiving some of my emails apparently.
I have two double 'human' portraits to work on next .... one is of 2 young girls and the other of 2 slightly more mature ladies. I am also fitting in a beautiful dog portrait in pastel ..... and I have 2 graphite portraits on the back-burner where I'm doing little bits 'as and when' I can ... they aren't so urgent.
but ....in the meantime here are a few photos taken yesterday. I noticed a squirrel in one of the apple trees biting through the stalks to make the apples fall to the ground. I wasn't happy about that as these end of season apples are destined for Roxy (my horse) and her stablemates at the weekend. I prefer not to take windfall apples as they are frequently bruised and therefore go mouldy more quickly. So to distract the squirrels I sprinkled handfuls of peanuts onto the grass .... which kept them busy for hours, burying them in the grass and borders and flower pots ... and just anywhere they could really - bless!. It has been damp and foggy here for days but (so far) we've not had any frosts and the garden is confused ... we've just harvested the last of our outdoor cherry tomatoes (in November)???? and even found a half ripe strawberry. Lots of the flowers and shrubs are having an extra 'bloom' ..... perhaps there is something in this 'Global warming theory' after all :-)
So, some pictures from my garden yesterday and then I'll stop waffling and get back to work tomorrow ...
Its just amazing how many apples are still on the tree in Mid November:
Chrysanths just love this time of year and are really beautiful just now:
and of course, this time of year is when the cobwebs appear just about everywhere it seems.
and just one little 'arty' bit .... a sneak preview of the dog portrait I'll be working on between 'humans' during the next week or so
Well, we've just got home from our usual Wednesday working as volunteers at the local Pilgrims Hospice eBay office - and we're both mentally exhausted and drained. So my version is slightly more apt for us ... we are WEARY!
This morning started badly when our window cleaner arrived unexpectedly ... he always sends me a text message announcing his monthly visits a day or so prior to his arrival. I then realised I hadn't seen my mobile phone since Saturday (I haven't been out since then). I eventually found the phone under the passenger seat in our car - battery totally dead. As we were en-route to 'work' at the Hospice eBay office I couldn't charge the phone battery until this evening when I found 7missed messages .... including one telling me my email system wasn't working. A client I had been messaging regarding her completed portrait had been unable to contact me via email! AAAAAARGGGGHHH!
I have a lot of tight deadlines to meet for portraits now so may have to 'abandon' Pilgrims Hospice for a couple of Wednesdays - it is incredibly intensive researching/photographing/describing and listing 'better quality' donated items ..... we have to be so careful not to misdescribe items or promote 'fake' brands. The volunteer 'listers' at our little office are responsible for sales of around £10,000 per month towards the cost of providing Hospice Care for terminally ill patients in our part of the County.
So tonight is relaxation time and tomorrow will be 'nose to the grindstone' .... and trying to sort out why I'm not receiving some of my emails apparently.
I have two double 'human' portraits to work on next .... one is of 2 young girls and the other of 2 slightly more mature ladies. I am also fitting in a beautiful dog portrait in pastel ..... and I have 2 graphite portraits on the back-burner where I'm doing little bits 'as and when' I can ... they aren't so urgent.
but ....in the meantime here are a few photos taken yesterday. I noticed a squirrel in one of the apple trees biting through the stalks to make the apples fall to the ground. I wasn't happy about that as these end of season apples are destined for Roxy (my horse) and her stablemates at the weekend. I prefer not to take windfall apples as they are frequently bruised and therefore go mouldy more quickly. So to distract the squirrels I sprinkled handfuls of peanuts onto the grass .... which kept them busy for hours, burying them in the grass and borders and flower pots ... and just anywhere they could really - bless!. It has been damp and foggy here for days but (so far) we've not had any frosts and the garden is confused ... we've just harvested the last of our outdoor cherry tomatoes (in November)???? and even found a half ripe strawberry. Lots of the flowers and shrubs are having an extra 'bloom' ..... perhaps there is something in this 'Global warming theory' after all :-)
So, some pictures from my garden yesterday and then I'll stop waffling and get back to work tomorrow ...
Its just amazing how many apples are still on the tree in Mid November:
Chrysanths just love this time of year and are really beautiful just now:
and of course, this time of year is when the cobwebs appear just about everywhere it seems.
and some fungi growing between the paving stones!
and the little 'tree rats' who distracted me in the first place
and just one little 'arty' bit .... a sneak preview of the dog portrait I'll be working on between 'humans' during the next week or so
Monday, 21 November 2011
21/11: I USED TO BE ORGANISED - HONESTLY!
I'm still flitting between portraits ... my schedule had to be amended because I'm awaiting feedback regarding compositions of a couple of the 'double portraits' one of which has an early December deadline .. so I'm hoping to hear back this evening to enable me to get started tomorrow.
I've just outlined another portrait - a beautiful dog I'm looking forward to starting as soon as the 'humans' are underway/completed
I'm awaiting feedback from the client regarding this portrait of his daughter and her dog
I've also done a little bit more on one of the graphite portraits but am struggling to see the curls in her hair as the photo isn't terribly clear ...
When I had a 'proper job' I had to be ultra-organised as my Office Manager role involved early starts and late finishes frequently. After work I changed into 'horsey' clothes and drove to the stables to ride/groom my horse then home to cook the evening meal (which was normally prepared the day before) and we ate around 8.30pm every night. I didn't watch TV as most evenings were spent drawing or catching up on 'household' stuff.
Now, I don't have to go to the office every day ... but I've obviously slowed up in my 'old age' and struggle to keep on top of things at this time of year with shorter days and lots of Christmas orders to complete. I do think the internet is partly to blame as I always have the BBC news running in the background and listen to the local radio station broadcasting from Corralejo, Fuerteventura so I can join in with the quiz/competitions and keep up with what our friends out there are up to. I'm easily distracted :-)
I did manage to mow the lawns on Friday which was quite an undertaking as the grass was wet and long and full of fallen apples ... but housework has taken a back seat I'm afraid.
This is what my studio looks like at the moment ... I've got four portraits awaiting collection/despatch in the next couple of weeks and several framed pictures which are still propped up against the walls where they were stacked following exhibitions in September/October ... and several boxes of mounts/frames which need to be sorted and tidied away. I'm posting this picture to embarrass me into doing some much needed tidying in the next few days!
Watch this space ..... !!!
I've just outlined another portrait - a beautiful dog I'm looking forward to starting as soon as the 'humans' are underway/completed
I'm awaiting feedback from the client regarding this portrait of his daughter and her dog
I've also done a little bit more on one of the graphite portraits but am struggling to see the curls in her hair as the photo isn't terribly clear ...
When I had a 'proper job' I had to be ultra-organised as my Office Manager role involved early starts and late finishes frequently. After work I changed into 'horsey' clothes and drove to the stables to ride/groom my horse then home to cook the evening meal (which was normally prepared the day before) and we ate around 8.30pm every night. I didn't watch TV as most evenings were spent drawing or catching up on 'household' stuff.
Now, I don't have to go to the office every day ... but I've obviously slowed up in my 'old age' and struggle to keep on top of things at this time of year with shorter days and lots of Christmas orders to complete. I do think the internet is partly to blame as I always have the BBC news running in the background and listen to the local radio station broadcasting from Corralejo, Fuerteventura so I can join in with the quiz/competitions and keep up with what our friends out there are up to. I'm easily distracted :-)
I did manage to mow the lawns on Friday which was quite an undertaking as the grass was wet and long and full of fallen apples ... but housework has taken a back seat I'm afraid.
This is what my studio looks like at the moment ... I've got four portraits awaiting collection/despatch in the next couple of weeks and several framed pictures which are still propped up against the walls where they were stacked following exhibitions in September/October ... and several boxes of mounts/frames which need to be sorted and tidied away. I'm posting this picture to embarrass me into doing some much needed tidying in the next few days!
Watch this space ..... !!!
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