The Eye Of The Tiger...PPF

Well he's finally finished.

'The Eye Of The Tiger'

Apologies that he seems to have hogged my PPF limelight for a few weeks now. 

I will definitely move on to another project for next week.

I decided to have a little play at producing some art every morning...which is a little scary as who knows where this might lead. 

I think it's better that I actually produce some artwork regularly... and hopefully that'll help with my creativity.

These girls (the cows) appeared and yes it is a little bizarre that I should draw cow butts, but there is a story line... promise!

The reason is that we visited a local dairy farm's new venture the other day... it's a cafe attached to the milking sheds of a local farm.

They advertise that you can go and witness the cow being milked, whilst having a cuppa and cake.

But I never expected the cafe to actually have a huge glass windows overlooking the whole proceedings. 

Fantastic for kiddie-winks to witness the cows wandering in to the stalls, being milked and then on their way again. I thought the whole thing was ingenious and will definitely be going back.

Well they do sell homemade baking and fantastic cheesecakes after all.

There's also a soft play area for the children and a brilliant farm shop and butchers!

It seems that I might actually be turning into a real country girl!

What with our chickens and drawing cow's.

Where will this end?

As I mentioned on Facebook...I didn't really intend for this video clip to be out there, but I was persuaded. Therefore, I didn't want my blog followers to miss out... so here it is.

(It's taken me about three hours to put this up because I heard that the last video wasn't available for everyone to see. Hopefully this YouTube video will work...I'd appreciate it if you could let me know if it works)

The chooks ran the quickest time yesterday...so I think I better get fit and up my game, otherwise they'll be way ahead of me :D

A little fun to end this weeks PPF link.

I hope it gives you a giggle. 

Have a great weekend and thanks for your visits and for Paint Party Friday for continuing to inspire.

The Eye of the Tiger...PPF

There hasn't been much time or motivation to return to my art over the last few weeks, but yesterday I decided that I have been missing it and that I should get back to it. 

My house guests have left and everything is reasonably tidy, plus the weather has been horrendous this week, so there's no way I want to spend any time outside.

In other words it's perfect for zoning out with my art supplies.

My screensaver type art...the artwork that I never think to seriously about is drawing with ink.

I'm still playing with the tiger drawing that I started weeks ago.

I'm in no hurry to finish it as it's my therapy.

He looks a little fierce for my liking, but that's sometimes the fun side of art...a creation evolves into it's own personality.

It could be the gold highlights that I added to his eyes that gives him that scary stare.

Maybe I'm a little angry and that's what's coming out through my artwork.

Who knows?

I have a commission on the back burner, but thought I'd try out a few designs to try and get my act together. This leaf was one of the trials and now I realise that I'm just not firing on all cylinders yet.

This is a long way from where I want or need to be.

Once again because the gold ink pen was to hand, I couldn't resist adding little touches, but I think they are hard to see on this photo.

I have to admit I have no idea why it's come out like an autumn leaf, as we're supposed to be in the middle of our summer now. Maybe it's due to the terrible weather we've experienced this past week.

Our Tardis (the plastic greenhouse) took off and was heading to Kansas (Oh Toto) 

It lifted and threw all of the plants enclosed within.

Tomatoes went toppling, lettuce were launched, avocado ascended, fuchsia's flew...in fact I don't think anything remained intact.

I was awake for most of the night, listening to the wind howling around the house with such force...it was a little scary. I was imaging the whole of the veg plot devastated...all that hard work gone in one night. The storm was far worse than we experienced during winter.

I also wondered quite how the baby birds and fledgling managed.

Here's a photo that I took this morning of Mummy Blue-tit getting some well needed sustenance for her babies in our kitchen window feeder.

Her babies are in a nest box in that large tree on our driveway to the left of this photo, so she doesn't have far to go.

By the sound coming from the nest box...there's quite a few squished up inside there. 

They sound nearly ready to fledge and hopefully we might actually witness it.

Our very own Springwatch!

Thanks for visiting my place...I hope to have time over the weekend to create a few of the things that are cramming my creative brain at the moment.

It's a good sign...now I just have to execute them.

Have a great weekend and thanks Paint Party Friday link for continuing to inspire.

Ink Artwork...PPF

Hello everyone, 

I'm struggling with the lost of my best furry friend Muffy at the moment and I'm not sure when I will be ready to blog again (if ever) but I thought I needed to come over to thank everyone for their beautiful words, kind comments, and loving messages...plus cards and flowers. 

They have helped enormously...so thank you.

This ink drawing was created on the day of Muffy's operation.
I couldn't settle to do much, but to take up the ink pen seem the best option.

With these ink drawings my mind wanders away somewhere...I'm not sure where, which on that particular day was just what I needed.

(It's a grey day here today...which doesn't help with photographing)

Yesterday, I had an hour free and thought I'd revisit my tiger ink drawing that I started a while back. There's still quite a long way to go with this, but it's prefect to just nip in and out of when I feel I need to create some artwork.

(wip)

I'm linking into the Paint Party Friday link.

Thank you friends for being there.

An Eclectic Mix... PPF

Hello everyone... TGIF as they say, although the weekends are very much like the weekdays now.

It's been quite a busy stressful time here, with trying to get Muffin back to health. 

I've just come back from the vets yet again. 

We've been every other day for two weeks now, but we think we're making some progress.

No more trying to hide tablets in food... she sussed that one out very early on.

We now manhandle her and squirt the meds down her throat by syringe. 

It's a two man job which is quite unbelievable as she's only a mini shihtzu. 

Anyway, her weight has stopped dropping, so the 'roast chicken' and carbs with added sensitivity food seems to be working. 

Yesterday, she was more like her old self than she has been for weeks. 

I suppose this could be taken as my excuse for not having artwork to show you this week... but I have had a little play with the Muffin painting.

It's still unfinished, but hopefully I'll be able to spend a little more time on it soon.

They look a little scary with their staring eyes at the moment...but I feel this painting will be one that will be played with for quite some time to come. 

There can be so many layers added when hair is involved.

I thought I'd give myself a little treat and draw something that I can relax with... to lose myself in and my son came up with the perfect idea.

A Tiger!

I'm hoping you will be able to see the few pencils lines that I've used to get the dimensions.

I'll be using black ink to add in the details.

I drew a wolf a few years back for my son and so will keep to that kind of design.

Finally, before I leave you today I thought I'd let you see my Mother and Baby Giraffe A5 prints.

(They are available in my Etsy show...see button in my sidebar)

I'm still watching the Giraffe Live webcam of April and Oliver over at the Animal Adventure Park 

I can't believe that she's not had her baby yet... she looks like she's about to burst! 

Some people have been watching the live webcams every day/night since February! 

Hehe...I'm thrilled because I now have my own little herd! 

One more thing before I go... I must apologise to everyone that has visited me and left me beautiful messages. I'm sorry that I haven't been visiting everyone...but as I mentioned it's been quite a few hectic weeks, so please forgive me and I'll try to get to you soon.

In the meantime... have a wonderful weekend and I'm off to see the Paint Party Friday gang...why not join me...just click here

Snow slate scene... and surgery PPF/Sunday Sketches

My hubby has been using the laptop for most of the day, so apologies for arriving so late.

This is a post of two halves... the first being some artwork and the second about Muffin and her recent emergency surgery.

So let's get started...

Part 1 - I finally finished painting the roof slate and thought you might like to see it.

Here's the finished article.

The inspiration came from a few places... 

... a chalk cat drawing on a blackboard, left over roof tiles and a very talented illustrator called Kirsten Sevig from Minnesota.

If you'd like to take a look at some of her work click here

I enjoyed painting the roof slate far more than I thought I would.

I wasn't even sure that the paint would work on the tile. 

But I was pleasantly surprised. 

For anyone wanting to know what paint I used. 

Daler Rowney Acrylic Ink worked so well.

I've really enjoyed the project, so who knows I might just paint some more of the left over roof tiles.

I'm linking up with the
Paint Party Friday 
Alexandra's Blue Chair Diary
Art Journal Journey

Have fun and a great weekend

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Part 2 - Some of you may already know that I took Muffin to the vet's earlier in the week.

She had developed a lump on her abdomen and it needed to be checked. 

To keep this brief... the Vet recommended that she should have it taken out and we decided the sooner the better, which meant that she was whisked in for surgery the next morning. 

Everyone at the surgery was incredibly friendly, professional and so caring. 

(Thank you to all the staff at the Town and Country Veterinary Hospital)

Muffin obviously played her cute card and it worked really well. 

Off she trotted with the surgery nurse and she didn't even give her snivelling owner a glance! 

She had the operation with fluids administered throughout and she came trotting out of the surgery later that afternoon. 

I couldn't believe just how 'with it' she was, especially after having such a major operation.

She has to wear a surgical suit that looks like a spandex workout outfit. 

It just looks like she's come back from the gym! 

To give you some idea... it's like a baby grow and will keep her wound clean and safe until it heals.

It was the vet's idea to wear this suit instead of the usual collar.

I must admit I rather like this look.

It's just unfortunate that all the red suits weren't in her size. 

Now that would have been very seasonal.

Sorry about the quality of these photographs, but it was taken later that same evening. 

Here she is in the surgery suit eating her evening meal.

I was astounded by how much she eat that night. 

She completely cleaned this bowl out and had three extra portions of chicken. 

We are to revisit the vet for her to check on progress and also to find out if the lump is something nasty. 

We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who contacted us, either through emails, Instagram or Facebook to pass on their best wishes, positive thoughts, messages and prayers. 

It was lovely to know that so many friends out there were thinking about us. 

If you are squeamish or just about to eat, then you may not want to scroll down any further. 

She had 5 stitches... which is quite a size on such a wee toot, but she's a tough cookie and progressing nicely. 

It looks like she's been for a little nip'n'tuck!

I think after that photo I'd better sign off.

Thanks for your visit and I hope I will see you again soon.

xoxo

Alexandra's Sunday Sketches from England

Apologies in advance for being in such a rush with this post, but I managed to finish the owl and thought that I'd link him to Sunday Sketches

I also started drawing a rose...

I realise that these ink drawings are probably going to drive colourists crazy. 

I love to just draw in ink, but even I'm beginning to think that they need COLOUR!

Sorry to be in such a rush this week. 

If you'd like to see more work by talented artists then click on the icon below. 

It'll take you straight to Alexandra's Sunday Sketches.

It still thrills me to see my winning design on Alexandra's Blue Chair Diary Blog

Confession, Conker and Cosy Owl... PPF

I'm having to come to the party this morning with a confession. 

I failed the InkTober challenge miserably, but I'm feeling so much better now that I've decided it wasn't working for me this year.

The official prompts didn't appeal and I am aware that a challenge shouldn't be easy, but I was beginning to not enjoy the art and that's a fundamental principle of me drawing/painting or sketching.
I have to enjoy it!

So now that that's out there, I'm carrying on with the ink drawing at my own pace and creating designs that appeal to me. 

As it's autumn and all the leaves here are putting on their colourful display, I thought a conker leaf would be just right. 

I was even tempted to go back and paint this one, but I think I'll leave the painting until the end of the month. 

It's funny how our inner thoughts and feelings come out in a drawing, without any conscious thought.

Here's my design from yesterday.

It is a wise old owl.

He's not finished yet, as I want to pattern his hat and add his feathers.

My Hubby's Father has been very sick for quite some time and he was in my thoughts today.

Thank you for visiting and I hope that I can pop over to your place soon.

In the meantime, I'll be linking up with Paint Party Friday as usual.

If you'd like to see lots of fantastic artists work, then come and join me by clicking here

Have a great weekend everyone. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sadly my Hubby's Dad (Grandad) has passed away
I may not be around for a little while, as the family need to group together at this terribly sad time.
He will be greatly missed... he was a real trouper, but unfortunately two days after his 90th Birthday went quietly asleep and is now at peace.
Rest in Peace Grandad
xxxx

Inktober Challenge 2016... PPF and Sunday Sketches

I can't believe that it is October, but the calendar tells me so.

I did wonder whether it would be good for my creative mind to take up the Inktober Challenge once again. I took up the challenge last year, but I didn't quite complete it, as I missed the odd day here and there. I have to admit that the process of trying to come up with an illustration idea everyday was a good one for me. 

So nothing ventured nothing gained... I'm participating once again.

Inktober challenge is to hopefully improve inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. 

There is an official prompt list for 2016, but some of the subjects are not really what I'd favour.
More about that later.

This next illustration should possibly come with a warning according to my children... (and they're grown up!) 

I thought a troll might be fun to draw, as I used to collect then way back when I was a toot and I see that there's a new film about to be released... so here he/she is...

After sending a day in my garden planting 800 bulbs... yes 800!

I had mentioned that I had 100 previously, but when I opened the box there were actually 800 of the little darlings.

It's amazing how long that can take a person to plant, and how busy suddenly everyone else is, so couldn't possibly help!
I just hope after all this effort they give me a wonderful surprise in Spring.
There was a cheerful chappie keeping me company though, who serenaded me beautifully.
Mr Robin Redbreast!

Day 4's theme was 'Hungry'... and immediately I thought of a dog requesting his dinner.

Day 5 is where I began to think that I'll not be following the official prompt lists at times, because the prompt was 'Sad'.
I always try to remain positive and I think with so much stress, worry, conflicts etc out there today that it's important to keep positive and smile.
No one wants to come to a blog and leave feeling down... but I'm afraid my next illustration might just do that. 

I must apologies to all the jolly clowns out there, and also for the fact that I've never liked clowns!
Nothing personal... there must have been an incident back in my childhood that set this precedence.
I promise that after pushing myself to come up with this last illustration, I shall try to keep it light and cheerful. The next two days prompts are 'Hidden' and 'Lost' so that may be quite a challenge.

As it's Friday I'm going to link up with PPF as usual, and Sunday Sketches
Thank you ladies for hosting once again and I hope you'll join me over there.
There are some amazing artists sharing incredible work.
Have a fabulous Friday and great weekend.
Keep smiling and pass it on...
 

Paint Party Friday... Signs of spring

I just can't believe that it's Friday once more. 

I've got a busy weekend ahead, but I've actually managed to finish the autumn tree drawing, and as promised I've come to the Paint Party Friday link to show how it turned out.

Not only that but I've actually managed to started a new design.

I must be subconsciously thinking of wonderful springiness and lovely summer days because butterflies (or flutterby's as my daughter used to call them) appeared in my drawing.

Maybe it's the appearance of sprouting daffodils, crocus and much to my surprise Iris, that has set me off. Some positive signs of lighter nights, warmer days and the smell of cut grass.

I can't wait...

I'm also linking to Sunday Sketches. 
 

So I'm off now to put on my glad rags, a little lippy and then to enjoy Friday night!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and perhaps if you'd like to see more art, then click here.

xoxo

Challenges on many levels...

Well, I could tell you about the crazy week that's just past, but I'll spare you. 

Suffice to say there's been two medical appointments, a car dying whilst fully loaded up with everything but the kitchen sink, plus a dog thinking a trip to the park was imminent and my son having to go to court! 

Hang on, let me rephrase that my son had jury duty! (Phew) that's better.

Anyway, I'm still trying to keep up with the Inktober challenge, so here's some more of the ink sketches I've managed to finish.

The orchid was a request from my sister. 

It's her orchid so how could I refuse? 

She's my big sister after all and I've always done as I'm told! (hehe)

There's also her gargoyle... 

I sketched him on Monday which seemed appropriate for the kind of day I'd had.

That was the day that the car died... well it's reborn now actually, after the trauma.

It seems a new battery was all that was needed. 

Hmm... I wish we could just get a new battery when needed.

It has been a fantastic Autumn here which is great after an atrocious summer. 

I've really been enjoying it which is just as well because I've heard that 'they' say we're in for a severe white winter. I don't hold much by this because the same 'they' said we were going to have a fantastic summer!

I'll wait to see... but I have fully stocked the freezer, bought matches, torches and we've got enough wood to last for a good few winters.... so bring it on!

Meanwhile, the garden is still blooming and the autumn colours are catching my breath at times with their amazing palette.

Here's a little visitor to a thistle...

Even with beautiful sunshine throughout the day, we are enjoying lighting the wood burner in the evening.

I've been watching the geese fly over daily, but I've been mystified by why some are flying south (well I know why that is and I'd do the same if I was a goose) but why they also fly north!  

I had to google this and it appears they are flying to their feeding grounds by day and then they return to their roost for the evening.
Mystery solved.

And just before I leave you for this week... in case you were wondering (oh how I flatter myself) about that Kio Carp painting that I started a few weeks back... well here's a little snippet.

I'm really not sure when I'll be able to finish it, but I'll keep it close to hand. 

It still needs so much work on it.

At least it's good to end with some colour.

Have fun and enjoy your creativity everyone... in whatever form it takes.

As always I try to visit everyone at the Paint Party, but so far I haven't been successful. 

If I've missed you then I apologise... I'll try harder this week.

I'm hopeful that one of these weeks I'll actually manage to see everyone. 

Meanwhile thanks for stopping by my place 

xx

Inktober Challenge and Party Time (PPF) and Sunday Sketches

A few people have asked would I post what I'm drawing for the Inktober Challenge here on my blog... (they don't have an Instagram account or use Facebook) so as I aim to please my readers (hehe) here's the next phase of the challenge.

I'm still three drawings behind schedule, but I truly plan to catch up before the end of the month.

Honest!

This Autumn Leaf is the most popular so far...

But the Halloween Pumpkins are a hit too.

One of my favourite birds since returning to the UK is the Pheasant. 

We are constantly hearing them if not actually seeing them just now.

And then there just had to be a drawing of my true lifelong loves.

Books and reading...

With suffering experiencing extremely cold mornings over the last week... 

I'm having to play cinders once again. 

Lighting the wood burner is one of my first chores of the day.

I'm also hunting my winter woolies, thermals and fleeces out. 

But it's confusing because as the morning progresses the sun is shining making up for such a wet grey summer.

So obviously on a chilly morning Grumpy Owl appeared. 

I'm not sure why, but I can safely say he looks like he doesn't like the cold either.  

Are you craving a little colour now? 

I know I am... here's a photo of one of my garden flower beds. 

I can't believe just how colourful it is right now, especially in the low sunlight of early morning.

Some flowers are only just blooming... they must be so confused.

As are the birds no doubt!

So that's it for today... I'll perhaps show you a little more of the garden and what's happening in another post, but in the meantime why don't you pop across using the link below to enjoy some more incredible art over at PPF. 

I know they'll be explosions of colour and amazing talent there.

Thanks Eva and Kristin for hosting once again.
I'm also linking up with Sunday Sketches

I know I've been neglecting you lately, but I hope to get back to some normality soon... 

whatever that is! 

I appreciate your visit  and love it when you leave a comment.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and happy painting everyone.

xoxo