“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ....Oscar Wilde

Friday, 29 July 2016

Feline and Folly

Well would you believe it... it's Friday once again. 
I was away last week, so I'm trying desperately to catch up. 
But I did promise myself that I would have something to bring to the Paint Party Friday link this week. 
I know what on earth was I thinking?... 
Talk about taking it to the wire, but I did managed to grab 25 minutes last evening.

I came up with this little chap.
I have no idea why or for what reason.
I think I took him by surprise because he looks as surprised as I was at the outcome!
I think his expression kind of sums up my week really! 
I have wanted to use my watercolour pencils for some time now, so it was a good exercise. 
The trouble is now I don't know whether to add water or not. 
Another thing that we have managed to do since returning home is to add lights into the garden. 
It's something that I have wanted to do since we bought this house.
Finally, we have a lit up the old ruined barn.
What do you think?
I know some people think it's a little spooky, but I love it.
I would love to add another light to shine into a rather large tree, but apparently my new retiree thinks that's too big a job. 
We shall have to see ;D
I will be linking up as usual with Kristin and Eva over at Paint Party Friday 
Thanks ladies for hosting such an inspiring linky.

Plus this week is the first of Alexandra's Sunday Sketches from the UK. 
Alexandra has moved over from the US to England for a temporary period and she wanted her link to Sunday Sketches to reflect that it is being hosted from England.
Please tap on the logo in my side bar to nip across to see lots of Alexandra's brilliant illustration work, but also lots of other artists work too.
Have fun!

44 comments:

  1. Love the lit up ruins, wonderful! Great cat, my hair often looks like that! Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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    1. Hehe... thanks Valerie, I have a vision of you with your hairdo now. I must admit mine has similar tendencies too!
      The cat was just a little fun.
      Happy PPF to you

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  2. I like the cat 😃 I think it's better this way.
    The Garden looks magical.
    Happy PPF ❤

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    1. Aww thanks sirkkis, it was just a little fun.
      We have only just arrived back home after being away for a week, so it was that or nothing!

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  3. I love the lit up old barn- it is kind of like having your own Edinburgh Castle! The cat is great too- he does look startled but very cute. I am trying to get Glenn to keep in touch with his mates and share photos of his 'build' - tell Phil to stand by! Love to all xxx

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    1. Thanks Wilma, we're just trying to catch up with being away so the cat was a little fun. It was 25 mins worth or nothing. Hopefully, my next link up will have something a little more serious.
      I was really pleased with the light on the barn, although originally I thought we'd have it shine into the big tree. We have a visitor that we're not sure what it is at the moment... but the cable, distance etc will need more planning! (apparently!)
      I think Glenn should write and record his own blog (or you do it for him) to show all the transformations that will take place. Hubby can't wait to see photos and hear all about the trials and tribulations or renovation work!
      Love back to you all

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  4. the lit up barn looks neat, not eerie at all
    you should add water to your cat creature, the colours might change a bit but you could always go back over it with the pencils once its dry :)

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    1. Well I can see how some people can see eerie Jennifer, but personally I love it. We have pulled quite a considerable amount of ivy from it's walls, so may have something pretty to replace it.
      The cat was only a little fun so I might just have another dabble, although I'd like to do something a little more serious for next week. I'm not finding much free time for artwork at the moment, which is slightly frustrating.

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  5. oooh I think that lit up barn is SO cool looking!! Love the pencil strokes in your frenzied cat drawing. When i don't know if I want to add water or doodles or even try to decide on color etc. I print a copy or two to play around with. Make a nice copy of your drawing and then add the water to the original and if you don't like it at least you have the copy. Happy PPF and have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks Linda, it's quite effective isn't it. I plan to have some soft planting or climber on it so it's not eerie or too spooky.
      As for the frenzied cat (love that description... it's just perfect for him) he was just a little fun. I'm not too bothered about him so may have a play with water.
      Hopefully by next week I'll have something more worthy of the PPF link up!
      Happy PPF to you too.

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  6. hello again I love your owl

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    1. Hahaha Lorraine, guess I need to work on this one a little more... he's supposed to be a cat! ;D

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  7. Oh my! Sooooo adorable! I'd leave him as is and forget the water. Those strokes add so much character :)

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    1. Hehe Aww SLScheibe, thank you for your adorable comment.
      He was only for a little fun so I think he will stay as he is. I just wonder why he seems so shocked!

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  8. Fun, fanciful and fabulous!!

    I love your old barn - I am pea green with envy - Your talent, your precious puppy and your home. Now don't you tell me you have a handsome hubby too!!!!
    sandy xx

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    1. Haha... there you go again Sandy,
      Now what do you think... of course he's drop dead goregous!
      Think George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Ewan MacGregor, David Beckham, Bradley Cooper, Johnny Depp, Hugh Jackman, and he dances like Justin Timberlake and you're almost there!
      (I can tell a good tale) It's best if it's left to your imagination!

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  9. Very cute sketch! Nice job on the lighting

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    1. Thanks so much Christine, enjoy your weekend

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  10. What an adorable cat, Neesi! and I do like the lights in the old building.

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    1. Thank you Faye for your lovely comment.
      Have a great weekend and congrats on being featured for PPF.

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  11. No water! All the fur lines will dissolve.
    Not spooky. More...majestic. :)

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    1. I was thinking that Rita. I agree... I'll leave him as is because he was only a quick sketch.
      I'm glad you like my folly too.

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  12. Your old barn looks quite romantic with it's light; what a good idea to do that. I think your new retiree will come around to your way of thinking, re the big tree's need for lighting too. hehe. Lights dispel any night time boogeymen fears too ;)
    I am loving the startled pussy cat! He seems so surprised to be brought into being, lol Have a great weekend Denise :D xx

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    1. Thanks TT2D, I want to plant a clematis or some other climber to grow up the exposed wall. We pulled masses of ivy from the walls within the garden. I didn't take it all as the birds love to nest in it.
      Hmm... I have to go gently, gently with my new retiree so that he's not overwhelmed by all the jobs I have on my list. A list he will not have access to (as it's in my mind) because it might well have him running for the hills if he did!
      No boogeymen here because don't forget I've got the hound of 'The Baskervilles' living here (Ooooowwwwwww)
      My daughter thinks the pussy tat would be a great children's book character. Heaven knows what's frightened him so much!
      Have a wonderful weekend and I hope this downpour doesn't reach you!

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  13. LOVE that kitty! And the old barn ruins -- do you do anything special with it for Halloween? Would make a great creepy setting for something or another . . . .

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    1. We haven't done anything previously for Halloween Debra, mainly because we don't really celebrate Halloween now that the children have grown up. But we have had a few Bonfire Night parties which are perfect to house the bonfire! We built the fire within the folly walls and then set it alight. It contains the fire (especially when there are so many trees and farm crops around us) We've roasted chestnuts and baked potatoes too!
      Happy you like my kitty although it was rather a super dashed sketch as you can see... the cat was as stunned as I was! (hehe)

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    1. Hehe thanks Clare, he looks a little stunned but then he appeared within 25 minutes so it's not surprising!

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  15. Adorable little critter and very creatively done ~ Lovely shadow/light photos!

    Happy Weekend to you ~ ^_^

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    1. Thanks Carol... I'm not convinced on the little critter, but he certainly looks a character! On the other hand I love the light in the folly.
      I wish you a wonderful weekend too

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    1. Thanks NatashaMay, I hopefully will have something a little more involved for next weeks PPF link. He was fun to sketch though.

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  17. Hi. First your cat could be a portrait of me. LOL It is how my life has been. I love that guy!!! Second oooohhhh the lights are amazing and yes it looks spooky but that is the appeal. Have a nice weekend.

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    1. Haha! Oh Nicole surely not. If that's true I really feel for you. I seriously hope that things settle down and life becomes calmer for you. This guy is in serious shock by the look of him!
      Glad you like the lights too.

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  18. You make me this I am in Ireland looking at that barn. You have done a fabulous job with the lighting. Love that little fellow you created. I think he looks perfect just the way he is. Love that look on his face. genie

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    1. Aww thanks genie, I'm sorry that you are missing Ireland. I used to miss the UK when I lived overseas. Now with this summer I'm missing the warmer countries!
      Glad that you like my little fellow. He still seems to be in shock!
      Not sure why he looks like that, but he certainly makes me smile when I look at him.

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  19. That's right keep him busy..lol Looks beautiful. And the whimsical cat made me smile ear to ear with surprise when I clicked on your blog! He was created strictly to bring joy...piles of joy!! Love him!

    Hugs Giggles

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    1. Haha! I'm glad that he made you smile Giggles because that's what he does to me when I look at him. I have no idea why he is still in shock.

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  20. The light is rather spooky, but way cool - love it! And I hope you get to convince your retiree to add another light to the tree, it will be fabulous.
    Your drawing made me smile, in a good way - such a character. I think I'd have a hard time adding water, too.

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    1. Thanks Claudia, I'm thinking if I add some planting climbing up the wall it might look less spooky. We shall see.
      As to another light he's moved on to another project at the moment, so I'll have to bide my time.
      I'm glad that my startled cat made you smile. He certainly is a character and my daughter commented that he should be in a children book. I've decided to leave him as is... besides cats don't really like water do they? ;D

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  21. such a cute feline, and luv the photo crops too

    much love...

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    1. Thank you Gillena, I had fun and I suppose that's the main thing.

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  22. I love the light-filled barn! It seems to add character.

    Your cat is adorable, startled expression and all! I would add water considering you used watercolour pencils. Yes, it will change the look but, as Jen said, you can always go back over after it has dried to emphasise areas here and there. Good luck.

    By the way, congratulations on winning the design for Sunday Sketches from England! I was sick so missed it all. You did a fabulous job of the illustration, Neesie!

    Have a great week! :)

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  23. The barn is wonderful lit up like that! So stunning! And i love your surprised sketch... Very cute!!

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