Sew Happy... PPF

I haven't picked up a needle or even sewn a button on anything for years, so I had an additional struggle trying to relate to the Make Art That Sells April assignment.

For inspiration I thought I'd take a peak into my old sewing box, which was like opening a treasure chest. 

Since then I've been sketching ever since.

These assignments have certainly taken me on a journey of discovery in more ways than one!

Thanks Lilla Rogers

I even had a play in Photoshop (although the word play maybe stretching things a little) but I've still got so much to learn.

I'm entering this sewing tray for the Make Art That Sells April assignment.

I'll also link up with the Paint Party Friday

Thanks Eva and Kristin for hosting an inspiration link.

The sun is shining here, so I'm off out to play! 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone

Tasseography...Tea Leaf Reading. PPF

Hello Everyone and Happy Friday to you all.

I've been missing in action lately on the blog front, as I just haven't seemed to find the time for blogging, favouring a quick line or two with a photo into my Instagram account instead. 

I've often thought...ooh that would be good for a blog post, but then moved on quickly to other things.

One of the things that has been keeping me busy over the last few months, has been my Bootcamp assignments from the makeartthatsells online course.

February's assignment was 'Tea'

Anyone that knows me knows I'm a huge teapot!

I drink copious amounts of tea per day, so this assignment was just my cup of tea (Aghh...sorry)

Anyway, for the main assignment it was to paint 'Tea Leaf Reading'.

Fond memories of my favourite Aunt came flooding back to me. 

My Aunt was quite a fun loving character and always up for a laugh.

Now I'm not saying that tea leaf reading isn't serious for some, but the vision of my Aunt bent over a china teacup with her face so serious, relaying someones future tickled me, but her readings were very popular.

I personally believed every single word she said.

I was probably under 10 at the time.

Here's my design... although for some reason the colours don't seem to be true.

The original is much brighter and vibrant, but I'm not sure why this is happening or what I can do to correct it.

Did you know that the art of tea leaf reading is called 'Tasseography' because I certainly didn't.

I'm linking up with the lovely artists over at the Paint Party Friday link.
Thank you ladies for hosting once again.

(This is my mock up practice ... with the help of my son)

Right... I'm off to make a cuppa with loose tea leaves.

Who knows, I may have the gift of fortune telling?

I'll have to see if I can see anything in my future.

Have a great weekend and thanks for popping in.

MATS Bootcamp... PPF

Here we are once again... Friday!

I've had quite a busy but fun time since we last chattered and would you believe it, I'm another year older! 

Moving on swiftly I mentioned a few posts ago that I'd enrolled on to an online art course with the brilliant Lilla Rogers over at Make Art That Sells. 

Each week we are given a mini assignment that leads up to the main assignment at the end of each month. The course lasts until May, so I will have masses of fun times ahead. 

The first mini assignment at the beginning of January was to draw/paint the contents of my bag, which lead nicely into the following week's main assignment... a book cover of a famous woman and what she might have in her bag?

My nominated person was Tina Fey. 

Everyone was allocated a particular woman for their birthday month. 

There were some great inspirational, powerful woman amongst the twelve options.

I knew a little about Tina beforehand, but I had to do some research to ensure I captured her personality. I can't believe I had such a good time doing research. 

Tina Fey is a very talented comic along with all her other attributes.

Here's my mock up of my completed piece.

I learnt so much whilst completing this assignment.

For a start I've never really done a portrait! 

Anyway, after much huffing and puffing plus shouting for help with Photoshop, I finally managed to enter it into the MATS (Make Art That Sells) Gallery for the month of January!

Apologies if you've already seen this painting in my Instagram feed or on Facebook, but I know there are many who don't have access to those online links and ask that I post here too.

I also decided to paint a personal birthday card this week for a family member.

I had approximately 30 minutes from start to finish in order for it to get into the post... if I wanted it to arrive on time.

Yes, I know... always last minute with me, but this time it worked out perfectly.

I was really pleased with the outcome and the recipient initially didn't realise it was hand painted!

How's that for a compliment?

I obviously work better to a very strict timetable!

My daughter when visiting possibly noted that my art supply case was overflowing and couldn't close, so as part of my birthday present she bought me this super large bag!

It's 100% linen with this gorgeous design from Danica Studio

It's also lined and what do you know?... it still has some space even with all my brushes, pencils,

pens and bits! 

This can only mean one thing... I can buy more supplies... YAY!

I'm linking up to Paint Party Friday 

Click here if you'd like to join me. 

They would love you to visit and see all the amazing artwork.

Have fun everyone and thanks for visiting.

Happy Monday... even in January! PPF

I know to be happy on a grey, Monday in January in the middle of winter is a rare thing, but I was happy... and still am :D

I've started my new online art course and it has certainly hit my mojo button.

As I've mentioned before I was a little lost over the last few months and had virtually stopped drawing/painting completely. (Maybe missing Muffin had hit harder than I thought)

But Lilla at Make Art That Sells has reignited my passion.

This weeks assignment was right up my alley.

Drawing the contents of your bag.

It's amazing once you take a look into it, just what it can reveal about you.

So I have a few sketches of various items, but I decided to take this bottle of perfume to another level...adding colour.

The bottle is now unfortunately empty... hint hint to hubby!

(Alien by Thierry Mugler)

I've also another reason to be happy today (well actually I've got many things to be happy and thankful for, but for this arty post lets keep it to art) and that is because I've been featured over at Paint Party Friday!

How brilliant is that?

I was so surprised as I went to catch up with the link and there was my Chef Chook! 

(There's also some cute roe deer photos included too...click here if you'd like to see)

Hardly a masterpiece, but it was the first fun piece of the year.

Something to get me back into creating art... and I'm thrilled to be highlighted.

Thank you both Eva and Kristin

I'm off to empty my bag (heaven knows what I'll find hidden in the depths) and to carry on sketching.

I think I'm getting to like this and it's a great start to the New Year.

Have fun everyone and thanks for visiting.

Chief Chook and a Sprout Loving Bambi... PPF

Happy New Year Everyone.

I hope all your wishes come true in 2018.

I didn't realise that I was going to have a blog break, but that appears to have happened.

So my apologies for not making any announcement before my disappearance.

I hope you'll forgive me.

As I type here this morning, I can't help but feel grateful that I can touch type. 

It is so dark, as the heavy clouds burst and send copious amounts of rain down upon us, but that doesn't stop my happy mood. 

Yes it's January and some say the most depressing time of year, but 

I thought I'd tell you about my enrolment into an online art course. 

It starts on Monday and is a Bootcamp with Lilla Rogers from Make Art That Sells

I thought as I'm nipping into the Paint Party Friday link today, fellow PPF's might be interested in hearing or reading all about it. Lilla is fantastic and such an inspiration... so friendly and encouraging too. There are live video links and discussions every week and assignments every Monday, plus access to a special Facebook meeting place for all fellow classmates.

I seriously lost my mojo last year and just couldn't find it... but Lilla has a way of making you think anything is possible.

So with that in mind here's my first piece of artwork for 2018.

I hope to improve and fly with my art as the year progresses.

Obviously, this first one had to include a chook (chicken).

Just a fun piece to hopefully give me a kick start!

Now that I'm back to blogging, I'd also like to share my sprout loving visitors.

I personally don't mind having them eat all the sprouts from our veg plot, as I've never eaten them nor do I intend to. But I do fear that our new seedlings and plants this coming spring might be on their menu!

But seriously how cute are these Roe Deer?

 The numbers have expanded this year from the odd one or two to five.

 Is that a guilty face or what???

So there's plenty for my first post of the year.

I hope to keep the momentum going.

Wish me luck!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you soon.