Some recent things I am working on...

Sometimes when I'm at work I have a chance to get a bit of drawing done, usually only on sundays, so I thought I'd show you what I've been up to. (It's mainly plant based, I'm rather interested in plants at the moment!) December is such a busy month, I'd love a few quiet days just to get all of my unfinished things done but other things seem to keep getting in the way.
How is everyone enjoying their December? Are you all busy too?

Bits and bobs.

Hello all!

This is just a rather quick post before I run for the bus. I've recently added some new items to my Society6, so you should all take a look and tell me what you think! You can view my society6 here.

I've also been obsessed with Alex Turner recently, he did the soundtrack for the film Submarine (which is an awesome film by the way). The video is made up of clips from the film... anyway, have a listen.

Constellations set

I've finished my set of constellations, now I just need to design the back to my postcards and I can finally get them printed. I'm also considering some sort of giveaway soon. So keep your eyes and ear peeled for a chance to get your mitts on some freebies.

Moon baby

So, Hello all!
Firstly, I apologise for the radio silence for what seems to be quite a long time... I'm currently working two jobs, & then trying to illustrate on top of that. I spend most of my time feeling tired or grumpy but it really makes me realise just how much I want to turn my art into a career. I'm exploring some other avenues after speaking with some very talented artists who have been so incredibly helpful to me. I love that even well known and busy artists as so willing to help out newbies such as myself. The best way to learn is to ask people who have been in your position and people who have been in your position know just how tough it is.
I really respect anyone who has created a career out of their art, a career enough to live on in this business is such a fantastic feat. I hope to be one of you people.

Anyway, I'm currently working on something so I'd thought I'd show you all. Tell me what you think? I'm not too sure why, but in my half asleep - not quite on this planet - stupor I decided that it should be called "Moon baby" and saved it as such.

What I want to do...

In an ideal world I'd love to make a living illustrating books... story books, wildlife books, books on plants. Anything really. I love drawing animals and I'm such a wildlife enthusiast that I'd be so over joyed if someone offered me such a job that I would probably die on the spot.

I need to rekindle my desire to draw. I've been so obsessed with finding jobs that I've pretty much stopped drawing recently.
I'll see you later, dream job... Sometime in the future.

DeForest

Did I mention I was asked to do two front cover illustrations in my last post about this? I can't remember. Anyway, I was asked to do two one for the title "The Bitten Mouth" and one for the title "DeForest". 

So here's my illustration for DeForest. enjoy!

Aries

Just a quick update to show you my new constellation Aries!

Sneak peek!

Sneak peek at my current work in progress the constellation Aries.

The bitten mouth

I'm currently working on two illustrations to be used as magazine covers for a friend. The first one I have completed is for "The bitten mouth" but the theme of the illustration also work with the secondary title "DeForest". Which title do you prefer? Personally I'm swayed towards DeForest, it just sounds enchanting to me. Anyway here you go.
The illustration is also available as a print in my Society6!

New items for sale! & another big sale!

I've recently added two of my newer designs to my Society6! These being "Corvus" and "That come hither stare". They're both available as high quality prints, cards, t-shirts, tote bags, hoodies, iPhone and iPad cases... just about everything!
& just as a note for my non-american followers out there Shipping to the UK is only about £6.20. Not bad eh?

         Corvus                                   That come hither stare

What do you think? To have a loser look or to see all of the other lovely products available just click the links under the images.

In other news, I've also announced a massive sale on my Etsy, I'm doing my best to promote it and let as many people know as I can across all of my online presences, so I'm sorry if I've already nagged you about this! 

The sale is for 50% off!!! 

I know right? 

Just enter the code SUPERSALE50 at the checkout to receive your discounts!

Here's a link to my etsy but you cal also to there by clicking the images in the right hand bar!
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Volans

Another in the constellation series! Volans or "flying fish".

I'm unsure about the colour palette really... oh! and here's a sneak peak at something i'm working on.

Corvus

Another in the constellation series, Corvus, or "the crow".

Berenice's Hair

The first in a series based on constellations.

Sneak Peak.

My current work in progress... I have noticed that my favourite and (in my opinion) best executed illustrations happen when I'm avoiding doing something else that is probably more important. Is this the case for other artists and creatives? I usually get a craving to draw and it just seems to happen. I'm not the sort of person to endlessly rehearse a drawing. I'm a very fast drawer and with the majority of my ink drawings I don't sketch it out first I just dive straight in with indian ink.
... anyway!

Recent works

Here's a little peak at one or two things I've been working on recently. The first is called "dogsbody dancing shoes" which I still feel like i need to add an extra something to, but can't decide what. The second is a Dragonfly which someone asked me to draw for them. enjoy!

Today's finds

I've recently gotten a pretty decent camera phone which means I'll be able to take photos of interesting things I find on my trips to antique shops and flea markets (even if I don't buy them!). I've decided to make this blog a bit more personal and upload some of the things I find pretty interesting and inspirational rather than just keeping it all about my work. Most of you will know, or have guessed, I'm a pretty big nature nerd. I love wildlife so I'll warn you now, it's going to pop up quite a lot.

So to start here's some pictures from Sutton Hoo and the house there that belonged to Mrs. Pretty, an archeologist, with furniture which was representative of when she actually lived there. The nice thing about this place is that you could sit on the furniture, read all the books, touch all the ornaments and such, not many museums let you do that.

Some of the old books that I enjoyed

I fell desperately in love with this chair, just look at that fabric!

It rained for most of the day, quite torrentially, but it was a thunder storm so I was quite happy. Thunderstorms are my favourite weather wise. 

Here's two books I bought from a second hand book shop. Yes, wildlife books, like my collection isn't big enough already but I just can't seem to help myself. The red one has an embellished leather cover and is called "Wonders of Nature" and only cost me 40p. The second "Towns and Gardens" cost a little more £1.50 but contains such beautiful illustrations of insects, plants and animals. 

This is "Towns and Gardens"

& this is... well... "The Wonders of Nature"

I don't know why but I really like this particular photo?

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Sneak peak

Just some things I've been working on, and one completed thing!

Today I was featured in Computer Arts... as a man.

Well, I would like to clarify, I am female, I don't wear glasses and I most certainly do not have a beard! Today I popped to my local WHSmiths and picked up a copy of Computer Arts, I was pleasantly surprised to see my work in this issue! I knew they were publishing it but I didn't know when... but... then something struck me. Something about it wasn't quite right...

I burst out laughing in the middle of Smiths, so in a way Computer Arts have made my day but I'm surprised such a well known and respected magazine would make such a cock-up. Just incase people are wondering THIS is what I look like-

Anyway! If you would like to see the royal blunder in real life and have a good old chuckle and my gender misfortune you can see it in this issue -

Hope you all have a good week!

Sneak peek.

Dogsbody dancing shoes, currently a work in progress but here's where I am so far! Enjoy!

Black Trumpet Lion - The works in progress

I've not updated for a while because I've wanted to save my "sneak peek" pictures for a long blog post that shows in order my works of progress and a hint to my process. This particular piece took a lot longer than I had hoped so this post has been a long time in the making. I'll start with the finished illustration, My black trumpet lion-

Now for the progress images and some nice detail shots-