Macmillan Extravaganza

The 'summer' holidays are nearly over for me now and it's almost time to go back to university- I use the word summer reluctantly as I we have not really experienced any of the weather we would usually associate with this season.

The fourty hour weeks back at work have proved as dull as I expected, but my bank account is very thankful and I will enjoy living in my luxurious flat next year. I have also been keeping busy with illustration although there has mostly been a lot of reading and writing. I wanted to try and show some of the work I have been doing then remembered about the poster I have created for a Macmillan fundraiser organised by my boyfriend's mum named the Macmillan Extravaganza. I will be held at the Pickering Village Hall in September. She wanted a poster that would simply display everything that would be on offer, keeping it traditional and focusing on hand made and vintage items. 

I took a list of everything that would be sold at this event and displayed them all on one large table. I used the official Macmillan font and incorporated the letters in to some bunting across the top of the page. The only thing left to do is to fill in the details of the event, but we have already decided where this information will be placed on the page.

Blowing sweet kisses

It's not for anything in particular, I just felt like it.

More work on 'The Tree Of Life'

This afternoon I managed to get a final piece together for my 'Tree of Life' Little White Lies cover, yet I still have a while until it is the project deadline so I have decided to go wild with my collages. I have piled together all of the drawings I have done so far and have started to layer things together just to see what else I can create; not necessarily with the Little White lies brief in mind.I began working in to portrait of Sean Penn's face piecing it together with images I had originally collected for abstract backgrounds.

I also want to create some fonts that illustrate the film. I have always struggled with creating my own fonts so I am excited to experiment!

Time to share

A little doodle I did a while ago of my boyfriend sat drawing in his nan's summerhouse on the Isle of Wight. I Just found it deep in a box of random junk, and think I will keep it safe now. I sometimes forget how I draw, as foolish as that may sound.

Landscape painting complete.

I have been working on two paintings for my boyfriend's parents, to put in the new log cabins they have just put together as part of their B&B business.

One of the lodges has been furnished for a year or so now, with one of my paintings displayed in the bedroom. The second has just recently been completed so I have been working on the canvas for this one. It has taken me a little bit longer this time due to the increase in uni work this year, but it is finally done!

How to draw?

I have been volunteering at a primary school art club on wednesdays, and am really enjoying working with children. It is very satisfying when they remember your name and request for you to help them with their work. Recently they have been drawing portraits and today they went on to study the figure. I have been shocked at the childrens' inability to express themselves, simply because their teacher has taught them how to draw in a specific way (sketchy lines and lots of shading..argh!).

We managed to get the children to go back to their roots and draw from imagination or simply from the shapes their eyes can see and here are some of the results.

Far more exciting than perfectly oval shaped heads and triangle outlines for noses ( a technique they have been given.) These guys have character!

Update on the 2nd landscape painting

I have been producing some paintings to be displayed in some holiday lodges that belong to my boyfriend's parents. One of the lodges has been rented out to guests for over a year now but the second one has recently been completed, so it was time for me to work on another painting.

It has been quite some time since I last painted something so detailed and of such a scale so it has been taking me a while to do, but here is how it looks so far.

Not long to go now until it is up on that wall.

Project update

I have been working on a few initial responses to the Adelsteen Normann painting.With my main focus being collage last year, I am trying to improve my techniques. When collecting all my 'bits and bobs' I began to notice that it was the scraps of old paper and the left over cuttings that seemed to be the hidden gems. I have managed to keep a box of rubbish from an entire years worth of work at college, so I have a lot to play with.

I have also been on the hunt for some breathtaking scenery that is personal to me, and I have to say it didn't take long for me to find the perfect place.

My boyfriend's parents live out in the countryside and they have wanted to extend their B&B business by building two eco friendly lodges at the bottom of the field. I was asked to do a painting for each lodge, of a local view. They live up near the Yorkshire moors which is my favourite place to go; there are some beautiful spots.

Here is the first painting I did on display.

Now that it is time for me to do the second painting I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to combine it with my summer brief. I have picked a particular view that I find overwhelming...

..But for now I am going to continue with my responses to the Adelsteen Normann piece, so watch this space.

Peri Cool Art

I work at Nandos part time and have just been given a promotion which means that I now get to train new members of staff. I am now officially a 'buddy'.

.....So we have a whole room to ourselves for holding meetings etc. It was looking a little dingy so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for me to get creative and give it a 'lick of paint'. I stayed behind last night with a couple of colleagues and managed to almost complete one wall and it is looking good. I Think I will be having a few long nights there over the next couple of weeks.