i've been searching, searching, trying to find the words to say

You can't get a more perfect breakfast than grilled kippers and poached egg, can you? Actually, don't bother answering that, because even as I was typing those words loads more dishes that could take the 'perfect breakfast' title popped into my head. Bacon butties, of course. Porridge with honey on a cold winters morning. And, warm croissants with cream cheese and jam, Full English, Continental, smoked haddock and poached eggs, Nutella on toast, houmous and pittas, Crunchy Nut Cornflakes, beans and cheese on toast. You get the picture.

Grilled kippers and poached egg, ONE of the most perfect breakfasts, ever.
By the way, nobody has come even remotely close to working out the theme of THIS little book. Any guesses? Alternatively, you could just tell me your favourite breakfast.

it's a joy to know

I love that time when you are just about to fall asleep. That moment in between awake and asleep. It's such an creative space. For example, last night at that very moment, I just knew that I had to, that I really really must, add a wood grain to the background of this ole drawing. Why? Who can say. I could analyse it, but I think it's best not to.

And, what can I say about my last post? Just that I am completely blown away by the response. I'm still speechless (not that you'd notice), and will be sure to keep you posted on the building of the AJ empire. Thank you, all, so very much.

One more thing, you can now follow A Heavy Soul on Twitter. That's me by the way. Andrea Joseph was already taken. The swines!

Cheers, my dears.

i can see all i have done

My friend mentioned that my blog seems to have gone a little flat recently. He's always so supportive (yeah, sarcasm), but actually, although it pains me to agree with him, I feel the same. There are a few reasons for that.

I think lulls are quite natural. It's just a part of life. You can't always keep up that creative intensity. Also, I'm working a number of different things that aren't all about drawing.

Starting this blog a few years ago helped me discover my love of drawing all over again. And, also gave me a whole bunch of encouragement, and confidence, from all of your visits and comments. I never thought I was good at anything before.

This last year things have moved up a gear. Getting selected for Bologna, signing with an agent, meeting publishers, etc. And, now I've started believing that maybe somehow I can make a career out of illustration. That, however, takes a load of time doing all that businessy stuff. Plus, I work a full time job.

So, I have to concentrate my efforts in other places. I am still drawing, though, amongst all this, and will still be posting, so please, keep visiting my loyal friends.

Of course, I need to squeeze in little sketches, like this, for the sake of my sanity.

(I don't know if you guys are interested in this journey of trying to make a living out of illustration. Some of you may be going through the same thing. I'm quite happy to share this with you, but I don't want to bore you all. You tell me)

'round the bend and back again

I'm not much of a travel sketcher really. And, that's putting it mildly. I would love to have told you that I sat on the street and drew these, but I did it from the comfort of my armchair. Sometimes I long to draw the buildings and landscapes that surround me. But, I don't find it easy.

The thing is, when I'm drawing buildings and architecture I aways feel like I'm scratching around trying to find my own style. Up until now, I have never found that. A style that I'm comfortable with. In fact, drawing these little Gaudi buildings - even if it was copying them from a calender - is the closest I've ever come to it. Of course, the other reason for finding drawing architecture so difficult is that I cannot draw in public. Which is a bit of a setback.

I liked drawing these buildings, I like the results, I like what my pen has to say. Now, all I have to do is transfer this style to drawing actual REAL buildings. Oh, and conquer decades of acute self consciousness that manifests itself as a shyness that is criminally vulgar. That's all.