What's On Your Workdesk and Paint Party Friday

What is it about WOYWW that makes me post unfinished work? 

I'm going to keep my post to the bare minimum today, because it appears that I'm working the night shift... even though the clock says it's 3.45pm in the afternoon... I'm in pitch darkness other than my desk lamp!

So here's my desk from yesterday and the very astute (or nosy) of you will see that I'm actually sharing it. 

My daughter is painting a house commission (see here) and I was painting my little tribute to the fallen hero's by painting a poppy. 

Note I say I was painting because as usual once I added some background I ruined it!

I'm actually really disappointed that I wasn't able to buy a ceramic poppy from the Tower of London magnificent poppy display, I was too late when I applied. 

But I suppose we should be grateful that they've all been sold... all 888,246 of them.

Have you seen the display... it's amazing

Anyway... I must move on... so here's the desk (or kitchen table) 

As usual I was quite happy with the poppy initially, but then I had to go ahead and add some background. 

WRONG! 

I should have left well alone and carried on painting just the poppy. 

Due to me gallivanting and missing my first lesson with acrylics last week,  I had to catch up yesterday and I decided after discussing with my tutor that I should start with the background going on my past record... 

to get it out of the way.

So as you can see 'Teddy Bears' were the theme for this weeks lesson. 

Some students even took their cuddly Teds into class. 

I don't want to scare any young toots that might catch sight of my teddy painting and be traumatized...

so it comes with a warning.... 

The staring unseeing Teddy below no longer looks like he's a cyber Ted. 

He's all sorted, although he now has eyes I can't help thinking he looks like he's been on the pop or a wee bit tipsy. I could put an eye patch on him and make him into Pudsey Bear
(after all Children in Need is tomorrow) 

I have tried for two days to get to finish him... all to no avail. 

I will and then I'll show you the outcome.

(The gin bottle has moved on but still not finished... nor the horse... ho hum)

With attending the art group it makes me try new techniques and subjects as well as medium.

I can't believe that I actually like the background here and feel that my first time wielding a palette knife went quite well.  

So that's it folks for today... I must dash... but I'll be back for a natter soon. 

In the meantime, if you'd like to desk hop around the world then nip over to Julia's blog 

Take care everyone until we meet again.

Managed to finish Teddy (I think) so am joining the Paint Party Friday gang to have some fun and inspiration. Come and join me by clicking here

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OOPS... nearly forgot to show you one thing that I have actually finished and that's the flutterby cushion.

It wasn't the best light to take the photo this morning but at least it was better than yesterday.
Anyway, here it is along side my daughters stag cushion.
They are happily settling in on our new sofa bed.
I'm really pleased with the quality of the printing and completed cushion.
If you'd like to check out the website that we've entered into a pillow fight
(the prize being that if we win we could be one of Ooh Deer's illustrators)....then click here
I see there's even 10% discount offered. Woohoo!
Thanks once again to everyone that clicked on the 'like' button to help me in my bid  to win the competition.
I'm happy to report I'm still in the pillow fight!
Have a great day peeps and see you soon

Artists Play Room ~ Inspiration

This week's challenge set by the lovely hostess with the mostest Jenn at the Artist Play Room's is 'Inspiration'.

It seems to me that since I started blogging and creating art work again, that I see inspiration everywhere I look....

I'm being bombarded with ideas and feel that my head is about to burst if I don't get some of it out...unfortunately the battle is going on with so many other things too...

I've read so many incredible posts this week which expresses the theme brilliantly so why not take a visit to the Artist Play Room I'm sure you'll be inspired.

So 'ditto' the other artists wise words but I have to add two very important points of my own...firstly that I just can't express how thankful I am that my daughter encouraged me to start a blog. 

How ever did I manage before?

Everyday can be so 'inspiring' by what you see, read, who you meet and what knowledge, encouragement and friendship passes through the blogosphere. I think it's priceless!

But then not only did my daughter encourage me in this new steep learning curve she has always believed I should have kept drawing and creating all those years I just did mundane things.

Since she was a tiny tot with the colouring pencils we've shared this love of art.

We can talk about colours, subject matter, techniques, ideas, inspiration...you name it and we are on the same page. It's wonderful and I know the artists among you will relate to what I'm saying...that like minded people immediately 'get it' whatever your discussing. It's a fantastic feeling to have the same connection with creativity. 

So here's a painting and you'll see straight away that it's not my usual style....because that's just it...it's not mine! (I didn't want to fess up but I know as a Mother I should...Grrr)

It's my daughter's! As soon as she sent it to me I knew I had to enter it into this week's APR because she IS my inspiration. I love everything about this painting...and look how loose it is! (turning a little green here).

I had difficulty with the format so had to copy it and then photograph it so I'm not really doing it justice. If I work out how to change the scanned pdf copy into a different format that blogspot will accept, then I'll repost it.

I know this will come as a huge surprise to her....but that's the lovely thing about blogging...you never know what's coming next!

And on that note let me just tell you about one thing that happened during the last week....a cute little parcel arrived in the post. Now many will have heard me complain that I never get anything other than bills in the post but not any more because the cutest parcel arrived in my postbox. I carried it around for about an hour before making a cuppa and sitting comfortably ready to open it. (My son thought I was crackers but you have to savour these things)

What a wondeful surprise because the little package had travelled all the way from Canada!

Jenn had sent me a gorgeous chain pull, book mark and a beautiful letter. It was totally out of the blue and a wonderful surprise. The clasp is stirling silver and the embellishments a beautiful turquoise blue. (not surprising when its one of Jenn's favourite colours).

If you nip over to her blog at Just Add Water Silly she has an Etsy shop where you can see her fantastic crafts.

Apologies for rushing this post but I'm dashing off again this morning (when don't I dash?) but for a bumper boast of inspiration. I'm off to one of the biggest (and best so I hear) craft fairs in the whole of Victoria!

I'll let you know how I go and what happens but I may be gone some time 

Have a wonderful weekend, have lots of fun and enjoy the Playroom. :D