I've got 7 Housemartin nests up in the eaves of our house. We inherited them when we moved in. This species of bird is protected and we have no inclination to remove their nest and are very happy to be doing our bit for Mother Nature and conservation.
Are you Creative?/Sketchbook stuff
‘Art’ – to give it a broad brushstroke (if you’ll excuse the pun) - isn’t limited to, umm, well, art. Art is really creativity and the reflection of it. It is the expression of life itself. I have heard many people say they are not creative, I hear it all the time. Sometimes I question my creativity, I think most people do. What we forget or don’t realise is that we, our very selves, are an expression of creativity. In fact, we could go so far as to say that we are all works of art.
Anything from our appearance or how we communicate, such as stringing a sentence together or use of body language, to the use of tools is all creative expression. Even how we approach the lows and the highs, cooking, playing music, playing footie, mathematics, mark making on a piece of paper, all of this makes up our own unique and creative footprint. Sometimes that creative energy moves and swirls so fast, with absolute joy, sometimes it slows down and becomes reflective.
Creativity, and the application (or non-application) of creativity present challenges we must rise to so we can grow and learn and develop in order to feel healthy and happy. It can be hard, it can be bleedin’ obvious, but what I do know is this, we all embody that same energy. What we feel and think is what others feel and think because behind all life is the same creative energy. That great big ocean of creativity we sometimes leave to genres and categories, such as art. Without it, we would be zombies.
So, if you just fancy drawing or dabbling in paint, but you are a bit unsure of how you approach it, then this is my advice to you. Find out what it is about the pencil or the paint that really excites you. How does it feel to put the lead of the pencil on to the paper and draw a mark with it? Make marks, stick holes in the paper with your pencil, doodle, anything, just as long as you explore and have fun. It doesn’t matter what it looks like. After a while, you will notice creative thoughts and ideas bubbling inside you. Ha! you have just met your Creative Guide and friend. Here’s one I made earlier (above).
Enjoy the journey!
Nell
Just finished another portrait. This beautiful Staffordshire Terrier, now an old lady, has a lovely, gentle nature and is a very much loved family member. In this portrait I decided that rather than do the whole image in sharp, graphic focus, like a digital camera, I concentrated on doing the detail on the head with a blurred motion that pulls you in. I filmed almost the whole drawing live. I didn't time it (should have), but I think it took about 14 hours of intensive drawing. The film reduces it down to 2 minutes and 20 seconds. The film makes a lovely addition to the actual drawing for my customer. Fortunately editing is getting better and I love the filming process. Every time I make a new film I'm becoming more savvy! Please leave a comment or like or share if you have enjoyed watching it. All the very best to you art lovers and artists.... and, erm,......lovers (hey why not!).
Squinty Eyes
Good day to you.
Yes, you, the very one who is saying, 'who me?'. I hope you are having a great day and that everything about it is going right!
My day started when I took Hector for a walk in the beautiful wood behind our house. The spring sun was dappling through the trees and it was a glorious morning. The terrain is very steep and as I walk higher, monolithic, ancient rocks jut out in crops of said terrain and you can walk a path through them amid the trees. I swear if they were to make a film set, it wouldn't come more dramatic and beautiful as this. In fact, they did make a film on location here called 'My Summer of Love' with Emily Blunt playing a lead role. It captures the ambient landscape with insightful and beguiling cinematic photography befitting of a place like this; watch it if you can. After the walk I had some breakfast and for the rest of the day I've been sat in my atelier beavering away drawing and created my second speed drawing video.
I call them live drawings. I'm not actually drawing at speed, but I'm filming 'live' and it seems more apt to call them that. However, in my excitement to publish it I didn't actually finish the editing, so the film comes to a bit of an abrupt end in a rather ungracious manner. However, onwards and upwards and plenty of room for improvement, I've posted it below for you to watch. If you enjoy watching it please like or share or leave a comment or all three and help spread the word. Also, leave a comment if you have any questions or if you have advice on improving the quality of my videos! Thanking you most kindly.
Hector's Head
This blog is coming to you a bit late. I don't know why, guess I just forgot to blog about it.
Oh, I know why..........
First there was the Logos
And now for something completely different. I have put my colour embargo on hold and gone for bright, juicy delicious colour as if making up for lost time and living as if there was no tomorrow! The colours definitely brighten the day because when I look out the window, the weather is overcast and the water is splashing down in such a way that you might think you were out at sea, sailing in choppy waters. Sadly, this is Yorkshire and not the Caribbean. The logos are not my brain child, I have to admit, I am just the humble illustrator who is able to realise an idea specific for my client. I just love the collaboration process, it's a fun creative journey, a coming together of minds.
If you want to know more about the event and the subsequent events, click here:
http://www.summeroflove3.com/