Collage shells

Addicted to pattern and collage.....! I was thinking today that collage reminds me of being a child, using pritt stick glue and scraps of paper.. and making these collage shells also got me thinking about being a child visiting the beach with my grandma and my sister.. I'd like to explore British beach imagery more for use in patterns...buckets and spades, bright orange crabs, seagulls, chips in newspaper and rum and raisin ice cream!! Okay I know I'm getting carried away now... :-) Here's something I put together today, would make nice wrapping paper I think!

My first repeat pattern!

I'm so so excited! I've just created my first repeat pattern...I've wanted to know how to do this for ages! I followed an online tutorial for creating repeats in photoshop. It was really easy to follow and on a site called Mels Brushes, this is a really informative site created by a UK based Graphic Designer. I'm so thankful that there are people out there sharing their knowledge about these things...Here's my first repeat pattern!

Collage card designs

 See I actually did do some collage designs today :-) Go me! These are both ideas for birthday cards, as I'm sure you could guess.

Inspired by shells and feathers

Hi! Well even though the plan was to carry on with collage card designs at the moment (not to mention the two book illustration projects I'm trying to get going)! I found myself yesterday after work sitting down and drawing and drawing...which was nice...time just flies when I'm in that space! And it's so lovely..so calming just to draw with no  real urgency or direction. Anyway... I thought I'd post my drawings so you can see..They definatly appear to be inspired by my recent shell and feather drawings. I also picked up a book in an art market last week called 'Sea shells of the the world', it's a beautiful old little book published by golden press New york. I haven't yet had time to delve into it but I can't wait to see what inspiration can be drawn from all those lovely shapes and lines..!

Above is the first drawing...very similar to the feather images yar?

The sea


I also came across the website Creative Thursday yesterday. It's an amazing website put together by an artist and business women called Marisa. She runs inspiring workshops, blogs, creates art and AMAZING podcasts that are definitely worth a listen. You can find these podcasts on the Creative Thursday website...I'm really enjoying listening to these podcasts...so inspiring! I hope you enjoy them too....Happy Tuesday!

owl collage

Hello! I've been playing around with collage and card design ideas, so far the experiments just look plain crazy but here's one that's worked out okay!

Robin and a blue (ish) bird

A Robin, quite a sad looking robin for some reason and a blue ish bird.. I can't remember what breed I was looking at when I drew this.

twit twoooo

Here we go, hope you like..I'm enjoying these owl drawings, the one here is a larger version of an image planned out in my sketchbook ages ago. It would be nice to do a really big painting of owls. I need to get down to the art shop for supplies!

It's all a go go

Well I finally got round to getting my blog banner changed! I'm quite happy with it, I'm considering using the design for my business cards when I get round to getting them done. I like the simple colours used and these birds are some of my favorite that I've drawn recently.




I've also been doing some more owl drawings tonight.. Here we are 1,2,3..

flying by

Here's an image I've been working on, I can't decided whether there's too much space on the image. One minute I think it works and the next I'm not sure. Maybe if the flowers were larger or the whole thing was more of a rectangle shape with the bird flying directly above the flowers?

Illustration friday - Linked

I haven't done anything for Illustration Friday's word of the week for a while, this is something I hope to correct when I change jobs in 3 weeks and have lots more time...Keeping up with IF and 'Monday Artday' with there word of the week is something I want to be able to do. Even if it's just a quick submission.. It helps to get the ideas going round!
IF's word of the week is 'Linked', I came up with this image, mother owl and her baby, linked forever. The image started as a pencil drawing, then I used felt tip to colour before scanning it in to the computer and adding digital colour too. It's got a very child like quality to it, it's quite different from my usual work. I love the flowers in the background and how bright the overall image is. Here it is, hope you like!

A little update

Hello! I've been doing a lot of drawing lately but not much finishing off on the computer. I spent this afternoon working on some of my drawings in Photoshop. I need to get it all going again but will have no chance to do anything until next monday evening due to work...rubbish..Can't I just stay home and draw and get paid??! Maybe one day :-)

Here's what I've been up to..



The peacock, this drawing has inspired some patterns that I will post soon.



Listen to the birds...wise words I think! I really love the style of these birds. Its nice when you surprise yourself!



More birds...I know, I'm obsessed! These swans have been drawings in my sketchbook for months and now they've become something.

Last but not least one of the pattern ideas I've been working on. Basic floral shapes...would be a nice simple textile print don't you think?


Bye for now!