A new print, which is now available in both shops. This is a digital print of one of my recent paintings. She was the first one I finished and probably my favourite so far. I’m slowly building up a small collection of paintings so I can imagine soon she won’t be the only one available in print form. She has a very faint pout (you might not be able to see it on some screens but it’s visible on the finished print), which I’ve been trying to mimic on my other portraits – of course it’s proving nearly impossible. I would love to hear what you think of her and her sisters. The original is made up of a mixture of watercolour and acrylic paints with a hint of the pencil sketching coming through. The print measures 8 x 10 inches and the image sits comfortably in the middle with room around the edge for framing.

This is the illustration I submitted for the pica pica magazine competition that was running at the start of this year. Pleased to say it made runner up! Hurrah! And will be featured in the magazine! I’ve seen sneak previews of the project and I can’t wait for the all clear to share it with you :) keep your eyes peeled.

Hope you all had a lovely chocolate filled Easter. I’m currently sat tucking into a pot of tea and enjoying many hours of Pride and Prejudice (1995 BBC production of course). I’ll return soon with some new cotton doodles. Have a lovely Monday :)

My newest print – now in the shops. Based on my ever growing ’sewing’ drawer, which is starting to bulge. I have to admit I am one of those folk who get ideas for projects, purchase the supplies but usually end up never getting round to it. It’s nice to think my purchases didn’t go to waste though and actually inspired a doodle. Anyway, the print is titled ‘Leftovers’, measures 8″ x 10″ and can be found in both online shops. Horray!

I got asked the other week by a fellow twitterer, Eric Orchard, to have a go at doodling one of his characters in colour. Et voila! I’m pleased to introduce my tribute to Inky the bat. I love his comics and illustrations. They are definitely on my Christmas list this year. Enjoy!

It’s Christmas come early! Not just one new print but FIVE new prints soon to be launched in the shops! 5 lovely new ladies with ribbons in their hair and colourful creatures by their sides. I drew these while I was away over the weekend and I’m really REALLY pleased with how they’ve turned out. I was inspired by a random drawing I did a while back, which was posted on flickr (here). There was something about the partially coloured image that I was really drawn to. Splodges of colour here and there mixed with the simple black and white detail straight from the original illustration – lovely!

Anyway, the prints themselves measure 8 inches by 10 inches and come with an ivory oval mount* (as shown in the image below) so it’s all ready for you to frame. The image sits comfortably in the middle and framed beautifully within the oval. I’ll let you know when they hit the shops!

*The availability of the mount may vary in the future, I’m currently researching suppliers – for now the mount will be available for a limited time only.

Well I did as promised and brought back a post card :) or maybe 500 of them… I love postcards and nothing quite beats finding a shop with an old shoe box filled to the brim with beautiful old battered pictures. I thought I would share this one with you.

Everything’s slowly falling back into place, although I’m filled with guilt because I’m sat at the computer and not outside! (although in this weather, I’m starting to feel like it’s acceptable to stay indoors) In those short 3 days I got so used to getting up and out. Plotting routes on the metro, seeing some beautiful places, getting stopped and asked directions by the locals (which was followed by my  “I’m not French! I don’t know what you’re saying, ah!” speech). The weather was amazing, no rain, sunshine, blue skies, 17 degrees… I’ll shut up now.

Rather than bombard you with every picture taken I thought I’d construct a little montage summing up some of the 3 days: 1. I had a bit of a pilgrimage to visit Oscar Wilde’s grave in Père Lachaise. Beautiful place, massive too so be prepared – buy a map. 2. Some beautiful painted on windows we found on the last day as we were heading for the station (sniff). I’ll dig out some better pictures of them all, the colours were to die for. Love lovely. 3. Autumnal Pere Lachaise once again. 4. Chocolate – masses upon masses of chocolate… mmm. 5. Lovely rocking horse we came across in a beautiful Victorian arcade filled with shops and boutiques. The horse was situated outside a dolls house themed shop. 6. Slightly creepy window display from one of the many beautiful antique bookshops located in the previously mentioned arcade. 7. A painting I noticed as we left Pere Lachaise on the first day. 8. View from our hotel window one morning. Lovely golden light, blue skies… sigh. 9. One of the many many many coffees we drank on our travels. I liked the yellow cup.

This picture works better alone. An amazing display of mushrooms varying in all shapes and sizes.

We arrived back around 7 ish local time. I spent the evening colouring in some new illustrations (talk about diving face first into work related activities), I’ll do most things to avoid having to unpack. Unpacking is rubbish. Anyway, the reason I brought this up is because I’m too impatient to wait so I thought I’d show you a sneak preview of what is to come over the next few days!

What do you think? I’m very excited :)