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

Paint Party Friday... Pastels

Morning everyone.... it's that time of the week once again when we reveal all. 

Well, I should clarify that statement perhaps and say... to revealing what's on our work desks.

As you can see on mine, there's the ink drawing of my butterfly which I did post about last week.
I have to confess I went in once again and added a little more detail! 

I know, I just can't help myself.... but I did feel it needed a little more.

But that's it now... it's finished... and I mean it!

I'm now thinking about printing it on to tea towels or tote bags... what do you think?

As mentioned on one of my previous posts, I've also started a coloured butterfly design. 

I wanted to practice using my oil pastels, so this was an ideal project. 

Although having said that, it wasn't really because I didn't have a pastel blender other than my finger, which is now incredibly sore and has a little hole in the tip!

It also had a tendency to stick up and considering it's my middle finger it's causing some concern... whoops!

There's such a long way to go with this design and I'll need to spend quite some time on it to build up the colours.
Here's another photo from a few days later....

Here's a little peek at another desk that I've been working on...

Don't worry, I'm as shocked as you to be working on two desks this week! 

Obviously, the weather must be bad to keep me inside and creating art.

Maybe winter won't be so bad after all.

This desk was taken at my art group.

It's the last week that we will be using pastels and I was overjoyed to be doing a portrait (NOT)

Anyway, taking a deep breath I dived in.
I was thinking that if Penelope Cruiz ever saw my drawing then she'd probably sue me... but I persevered and was a (little) pleased with the outcome. 

Depending on the finished version, I may or may not show you at a later stage. 

But that's enough for this week because our host Julie over at Stamping Ground likes us to keep things brief so that we can hop and skip about to each others desks.

It's great fun so if you'd like to take a peek click here.

Just before I sign off today I'd like to say that I've been trying to visit everyone that's popped in to leave a comment with me over the last week... but I've struggled. 

I'm still working on it and will continue until I've managed it.

I'll end here today with my thanks for all your visits and comments. 

I love to see you and hear what you have to say.

I hope your week is going well.

Until next time... have fun everyone

I thought I'd also link up with Paint Party Friday...
Eva and Kristin would love you to visit... just click here

What's on Your Work Desk Wednesday...WOYWW #241

Well hello there...long time no see!

In fact, I think the last time I entered the WOYWW (What's on Your Work Desk Wednesday for anyone who hasn't come across this before) was way back last October.

You might not even let me in...or have changed the locks by now :(

So where have I been you may wonder? 

Well, I flatter myself a wee bitee here maybe thinking you've missed me. 

But in reality you've probably been flat out creating, having a wonderful festive holiday and now you're already working on your Easter designs!

So what have I been busy doing other than resisting the temptation to hibernate? 

I mean it's hardly been a severe winter up until now and hopefully it'll continue this way,
Basically no I've been dusting.
Is there anything more futile to waste take up every waking hour?
I've been shifting what I believe to be the same dust about for weeks...only to see it laugh and land as I turn away!
I thought when I lived in the Middle East I knew dust, but that was nothing to two bathroom renovations! 

Here's a peek at the second one...

And that's been tidied up! 

Anyway, so basically that's what I've been working on for the last few months and sadly neglected artwork. 

But I'm now determined that with this new year my priorities are to change. It's not exactly a resolution because in that case I'd be doomed to fail.

(Do I sound convincing?)

So here's my desk...still working on the kitchen table I'm afraid but that's okay. 

The music is playing, the wood stove is roaring away and McMuffy's curled up under the desk. All is well especially with a view like that to gaze upon.

Still no sheep yet other than in my journal...click here to see the gang. 

But I'm hopeful of their arrival any day now. 

I couldn't decide what to draw yesterday, but knew I wanted to spend a few hours getting back to trying out my paints. 
(I still don't feel comfortable with painting yet...in fact I'm contemplating taking an painting class to overcome this) 

So I decided to draw what was right in front of my eyes!

The vase...or jug to be more precise

Nothing new here as it's not finished (why is it that my work is never finished?) as the light faded at 4pm! I know this is getting later so spring must be on it's way...right?

So there you have it...my desk this week. 

If you want to see lots of other desks from around the globe just nip over to Julia over at Stamping Ground.

Thanks for stopping by...it's always great see you and even better if you stop to comment. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone

Toodleloo for now

What's on Your Work Desk Wednesday...WOYWW

I'm just nipping in quickly today to show a break down of my Mandala.

I've been asked could I show how it came about and I'm not one to disappoint...

...so here it is....

I simply started with a book (which is a constant in my life since I first started to read) and then I added patterns and shapes as I progressed outwards to make the circle. 

In the close up picture you can see (hopefully) some of the things that are important to me or things that I like. It's as simple as that.

I completed the whole thing in three sessions (or was it four)...not only to give my eyes a rest but to think about what should be added.

I should explain that the 'neesie natters' isn't actually written on the original design (other than on the little laptop in the mandala).

I added that before posting. 

And here's the finished design. 

There are about 40+ items contained within...can you count them all? 
I made some cards with the design to accompany leaving pressies and they were well received.

As you can imagine things are pretty hectic around here at the moment, with moving from one part of the planet to the other...plus my hubby had 'man flu' over the weekend and has kindly passed it to me! 

Maybe I should have been more sympathetic! It's now come back to bite me :(
Oops nearly forgot to show my desk...or should that read dining table!
Yes I'm back into the dining room again...or sort of...as you can see there's not much here. 
Just the rental table and chairs as our furniture has just passed through the Suez Canal on its way to the UK.
The few bits that are sitting on the window ledge are my entire art supplies for now. 
Is it any wonder that my mojo has decided to take a break! 

 Sparse looking isn't it? 
Hey...but see that sun and light? That's winter peeps I kid you not!
Not bad eh? 

Anyway before I pass on any germs to you, maybe you should scoot and check out what's going on over at Julia's Stamping Ground and see more desks that hopefully won't be full of germs. 
It's a lot of fun and everyone is so friendly and supportive.  

I'll try to visit as many people as I can this week without passing on my germs but I'm not promising.   

Have fun everyone and enjoy your Wednesday!