Todmorden Open Studios 2017

Only a month to go for the great Todmorden Open Studios 2017 show and I'm very excited because I am fortunate enough to be showing my work with some amazing talent. Lots of artists studios and their homes will be open to the public and will be well worth the visit. It will take place over the weekend from 8th September to 10th September. The launch on Friday, 8th from 7.30 pm will be held at the Golden Lion Pub, Todmorden, with some great (and bonkers) entertainment. Free food. Big drawing board so everyone can draw some silly squiggles. It's going to be a bit of a happening! You are invited to the launch and to look around Tod at the artwork. If you live outside of Yorkshire, book an air bnb today!

What a pair of Great Tits!

The original (in pencil and gouache) is now winging it's way over to the States where it has found a forever home! I like this illustration a lot. I will make copies and frame for the upcoming exhibition in September and I will add to my Shop for anyone who can't make the exhibition but would like a copy. 

I've turned into an AI Bot! Help!

I'm sorting all my artwork out at the moment and framing the work that I like. There is tons of it unframed. Multiple portfolios, a brimming plan chest and artwork tacked to the walls in my studio. This is fun, I'm in the zone :). On 9th, 10th and 11th September I'm opening the door of my house to the public for the 4th Todmorden Open Studio and we are busy decorating the hallways and turning them into a gallery. I'm doing a kind of retrospective and filling the high ceilinged walls with artwork and illustrations from top to bottom. It will be a Salon d'Art. I feel very blessed and fortunate to live in a house that has plenty of wall space to hang lots of art.

As I am going through the work, it feels like a collection of memories, some I remember, some I had forgotten. The above poster of Andrea the Android made me chuckle. This one goes back to my student days. The hair! That is exactly what my hair looks like now! same cut and colour and everything! Well, my pink is a little more faded and I don't look anything like her (what an evil glint!) and I promise you, I was definitely not a machine when I last checked (although some might disagree there, but I think that theory is a little incomplete).

Anyway, you are all welcome to pop over to mine on those days for a browse and I'll get the kettle ready in case you want a cuppa.

Housemartin

I've got 7 Housemartin nests up in the eaves of our house. We inherited them when we moved in. This species of bird is protected and we have no inclination to remove their nest and are very happy to be doing our bit for Mother Nature and conservation. So, between the months of May to September, there is quite a racket going on while the birds fly in and out at various stages of nesting and feeding their young. Bird poop lines the pavement (loads of it, they are eating/pooping machines) and onto our doorstep. It is hazardous for any visitor, making them a potential poop target.

It can be heartbreaking too. I have seen featherless day old chicks fall out of their nests and meet their demise. A slightly older, feathered bird fell onto the pavement hitting it's chest. It was still alive when we found it, but all we could do was offer it comfort in it's last hours. So sad. This week we found two birds on two separate occasions actually in the house. We can only guess they flew in through the back door but have no idea how long they were in here for. Hector didn't sniff them out and point (fortunately, he is not a hunter). They are free now, released into the wild, flying as fast as their little wings could go and probably back after a long holiday in Africa to nest under our eaves next year.

Are you Creative?/Sketchbook stuff

‘Art’ – to give it a broad brushstroke (if you’ll excuse the pun) - isn’t limited to, umm, well, art. Art is really creativity and the reflection of it. It is the expression of life itself. I have heard many people say they are not creative, I hear it all the time. Sometimes I question my creativity, I think most people do. What we forget or don’t realise is that we, our very selves, are an expression of creativity. In fact, we could go so far as to say that we are all works of art.

Anything from our appearance or how we communicate, such as stringing a sentence together or use of body language, to the use of tools is all creative expression. Even how we approach the lows and the highs, cooking, playing music, playing footie, mathematics, mark making on a piece of paper, all of this makes up our own unique and creative footprint. Sometimes that creative energy moves and swirls so fast, with absolute joy, sometimes it slows down and becomes reflective.

Creativity, and the application (or non-application) of creativity present challenges we must rise to so we can grow and learn and develop in order to feel healthy and happy. It can be hard, it can be bleedin’ obvious, but what I do know is this, we all embody that same energy. What we feel and think is what others feel and think because behind all life is the same creative energy. That great big ocean of creativity we sometimes leave to genres and categories, such as art. Without it, we would be zombies.

So, if you just fancy drawing or dabbling in paint, but you are a bit unsure of how you approach it, then this is my advice to you. Find out what it is about the pencil or the paint that really excites you. How does it feel to put the lead of the pencil on to the paper and draw a mark with it? Make marks, stick holes in the paper with your pencil, doodle, anything, just as long as you explore and have fun. It doesn’t matter what it looks like. After a while, you will notice creative thoughts and ideas bubbling inside you. Ha! you have just met your Creative Guide and friend. Here’s one I made earlier (above).

Enjoy the journey!

Nell

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Just finished another portrait. This beautiful Staffordshire Terrier, now an old lady, has a lovely, gentle nature and is a very much loved family member. In this portrait I decided that rather than do the whole image in sharp, graphic focus, like a digital camera, I concentrated on doing the detail on the head with a blurred motion that pulls you in. I filmed almost the whole drawing live. I didn't time it (should have), but I think it took about 14 hours of intensive drawing. The film reduces it down to 2 minutes and 20 seconds. The film makes a lovely addition to the actual drawing for my customer. Fortunately editing is getting better and I love the filming process. Every time I make a new film I'm becoming more savvy! Please leave a comment or like or share if you have enjoyed watching it. All the very best to you art lovers and artists.... and, erm,......lovers (hey why not!).