What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday...A little Cutie

It's been quite some time since I shared my art desk with the WOYWW (What's on your workdesk Wednesday) link, but today seems totally appropriate, because I have something very special on my desk today. 

I'm a huge believer that you should always try to pass on a smile, or do one good deed a day. 

It doesn't have to be much just something to make someone's day a little brighter.

I met my Postie on the driveway this morning to give her some super happy, organic free range eggs.

She had no idea that we now have chickens and was totally surprised and happy to receive the eggs.

I included some huge ones in the hope that they may contain some double yokes

(as they very often do) which I thought might be fun for her children to see.

Anyway, as I handed the box over to her...she handed me a box.

I wasn't expecting anything in the post, so I was intrigued as to what it might be.

Upon opening... which was quite a feat in itself as it was so well packed, I found the cutest figurine of Mufftypup! 

As you can imagine...I shed a wee tear, but then the smiles appeared.

Art by Nicola McLean had sent me one of her latest amazing creations. 

Nic knew that Muffy used to sit on my desk whilst I painted and she thought it would be nice if I had one of her little figurines. She went into Muffy's instagram account which has over 600+ photographs to use as reference and here's the result.

Just look at that cute tail... I expect it to wiggle at any moment.

How clever is this and so unique!

I have to say I'm completely smitten with it and that smile this morning has lasted all day.

Thank you Nic so much for your talent, kind and thoughtfulness... I love it! 

If you'd like to see more desks dotted around the globe, then click here to join Julia and the "What's on your desk Wednesday" (WOYWW)

Have a fantastic day and spread the kindness and smiles.

Thanks for stopping by my place.

xoxo

Flood the streets with art invite (WOYWW)

I've always been a great believer in passing a smile on. 

It doesn't take much, but it can have such an impact on someone's day.

Upon hearing all of the horrendous atrocities that are have been happening during these last few weeks, I think it's so important that we try to do whatever we can even no matter how small a gesture, as long as it's a positive gesture. 

It's not only for the person receiving the smile, but also for the giver. 

This week I've been even more aware of trying to help people and smiling. 

(Not in a creepy way of course... I thought I should just clarify that point)

So, when I received an invition from Nicola McLean to join a special project, I knew I had to accept.

Basically, it is for anyone to join whether you're a artist, crafter, potter, knitter, jewelry maker or whatever you create then you could join in too. 

So here's my invitation for you to join if you wish...

The project is called FLOOD the streets with ART.

This will be the third year that Scott Wong has co-ordinated this fantastic random act of kindness. 

(My first year participating...)

The event will take place on Black Friday which is 27th November.

Everyone everywhere on the entire planet is invited to create something and then leave it on the streets as a random act of kindness for someone to pick up, take home and love. 

Scott is asking everyone to be involved and that your art (no matter what you create) be dropped on Black Friday. 

A simple tag explaining that the art is FREE and hasn't been left behind, discarded or rubbish is all that's needed. 

If you can't or don't feel like participating, then please just share! 

Here's a link to see more details if you'd like to be involved.

FLOOD the streets with ART

I'm not sure how many or which pieces of my art work I'll be dropping in my local area, but I'm really looking forward to join in. If anyone wants to participate but is unsure or has questions... then please write in the comments below and I'll try to answer them. Thank you

I wanted to attach this invite today because it's Wednesday and I'm linking up with the What's on your work desk Wednesday (WOYWW gang) 

They're a fantastic bunch of creative artists, so I know they'll be interested in this random act of kindness... but I can certainly understand if it's a busy time for some with Christmas preparations etc and they'll not be able to manage. 

I better carry on with the WOYWW show and tell... because Julie over at Stamping Ground Blog likes to keep our post brief.
(Sorry Julie this is a little larger than usual)

Here's where I've been working today... on my kitchen table once again.

I'm helping my daughter with her Christmas card orders. 

If you'd like to see more of her work then click on the link in my sidebar... to be magically transported to her blog.

I've not really got into the Christmas spirit yet, but this will certainly help.

This particular collection is destined to a shop in London!

I'll leave it there for this week, but just give the FLOOD the streets with ART a thought. 

Even if you manage to only drop one item... just think what a lovely surprise that would be for the person finding it.

Thanks once again and I hope you have a great day

xoxo

Work Desk Wednesday and Paint Party Friday?

I can't show you my desk today because there's quite literally nothing on it.

It's still clear due to being away over the holiday weekend. 

So instead I'll show you how it looked last Wednesday... before we went away. 

 When my anthurium plant lost a flower I just couldn't let it go because even though it had died and turned brown, it was still incredibly beautiful.

The details and colour needed me to have a go at painting it.

Does that ever happen to you... something shouts "paint me"?

I hope you're noticing the glorious sunshine flooding through the window. It was so much so that I nearly (...I say 'nearly'...) had to shut it out by pulling the blind down.

What madness... fancy me shutting out the sun.... never!

I was really quite happy at this stage of the painting, but as usual I had to carry on and I spoil it.

I like the subject just floating on the page but I thought I'd try the shadow.

I am hopeless at drawing shadows, so if anyone has any tips then I'd love to hear from you.

As you can see my usual companion wasn't in the least bit interested in shadows... she's more of a sun worshiper following it around the house.

Other than her snoring... I can't say she distracted me which led me to ruin the painting. 

It was all my own work!

She was content to roast away in snoozeyland.

 Well that's it for this week WOYWWer's.

If you'd like to see lots more then click here to be transported to Julia's Stamping Ground blog to meet the merry gang.
Or maybe you'd like to join Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday

They'd all love to see you.

Have fun this week and I hope to see you soon

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