I’m in the process of building up a collection of little paintings to sell at some of the November and December craft fairs (I also plan to add a few to the online shop too). The one above inspired the bigger painting (below). I’m completely smitten with the black oval backgrounds. It frames the girls so nicely and makes the colourful patterns really stand out. Perhaps it’s just the time of year but I also think it makes them look a little eerie.

Talking of giving myself the creeps, I’ve spent the morning painting and listening to spooky stories on the radio. Strongly recommend ‘The Signal Man’ by Charles Dickens if you have 15 minutes to spare. Definitely one of my favourite short stories – I love Victorian Gothic ghost stories, can you recommend any treats? I’m such a wimp when it comes to horror but I can’t help myself when old ghost stories are involved.

Here are links to another couple of tales I recommend if you’re UK based and fancy some narrative while you work. Sherlock Holmes Vs Dracula (classic), Arnold Ridley – The Ghost Train (this one’s brilliant! If you’re a fan of the 20′s and like a touch of Jeeves and Wooster with your spooky stories I strongly recommend it). There are so many more I’m going to try and catch before they time out, a little bit of Faust I think for now. Enjoy!

Have an awesome (and very spooky) day/evening/night!