there is your song from me

Right then, I have been neglecting this blog for way too long. BUT, NO MORE. Over the next week or two I am going to post lots. And, LOTS. In fact, I have decided that I am going to create an event. I want to make something happen.

I want to do this so that I get back into blogging. I miss it. Also it will be a way of saying a big thank you to all of you who keep returning to my blog and to say hello to all the new visitors (really, this blog used to be very active).

So expect to see a lot of activity here from now. I promise to make at least one post a day, who knows, maybe two. Plus, I'd like to do some other stuff; there will be bargains to be had, prizes, quizzes...er....drawings....and....er...hmmmm...who knows? I've literally JUST come up with this idea. Do you have any ideas? Please let me know. Get involved. Let's make something (I'm not sure what) happen.

(This drawing is now for sale on Etsy, HERE. And, if you think you've seen these socks before then you are probably right; LOOK.)

even after all this time

I remember at the beginning of the year, making a whole load of New Years drawing resolutions. I then proceeded to draw loads of shoes. Even though that hadn't been one of the resolutions. I had a big old shoe binge (or should that be purge?), for about a month and half. It seems that I have one of those every six months.

It's totally unintentional. I'm not that obsessed with shoes. I like them, yes, but I don't spend most of my day thinking about them. Despite what you may see on this blog. It's made me think about it. Why? Why shoes? Why do so many people like shoes so much?

Anyway, here's another drawing of a Stan Smith. It belongs to Josh, who has a thing for Adidas trainers. So it's not just a girl thing.

and it just don't matter now

As I've said a million times before, when it comes to drawing with ballpoints (or biro, if you're British) I'll use any old make. I have no loyalty to any particular brand. Biro, Bic, Papermate, Staedtler, unbranded, Tesco Direct. Any. Found pens, old pens, new pens, free pens, chewed pens. I'll use anything. There is just one problem with this. When your pens run out you can't always find replacements. That's especially annoying when a pen becomes a favourite. Like this one. This drawing of Josh's Stan Smiths has finished off my favourite trusty non blotchy unbranded ancient chewed up old biro.

This drawing is now available to buy HERE.

bright in my northern sky

I wish that I was better at scanning things. Because, I think, this drawing contains some of the most complex cross hatching I've ever done.

I often get asked about my cross hatching. How I do it. How I found this style of cross hatching. Truth is I could never answer those questions. Not very well, anyway. It would be like me trying to explain eating, or something. How do you eat? Well I put food in my mouth and chew. That's it. I couldn't give much more of an explanation. Cross hatching? I put the pen on the paper and draw lines. Lots of lines.

Seriously. I don't know how else to put it.

grey to green

Once again I need to say a great big thank you to you all - for your response to my last post and to the great feedback. It's all much appreciated, and I still have many of you to get back to. I'll get around to it ASAP.

As I said then, I have been meaning to start this new 'book blog' for a long time, but I continued to procrastinate and over think things and then procrastinate some more. Well, not anymore. So, if you are wondering exactly what this is a drawing of, then pop over to my new blog (yikes! I'm nervous) and find out.

While you are there you might, perhaps, who knows, I dunno, if you fell like, maybe, want to start following that blog?

Anyway, I'd love it if you would join me. You can take a look at my new blog HERE.

it's just a booty call

Remember THIS POST? Yes? Well, they are back. And what' s more I haven't finished with them yet. Come back soon and see them in a whole new light. And, they will kick start a whole new project for me. 'Citing!

(Click on drawing to view)

trying to find my way home

Six pairs of socks on a radiator.

Soon I will be leaving my home of eight years. I've been trying to get stuff sorted out. Washing and packing things that I won't need or use until I find my new home. This kind of readjustment is difficult for everyone to deal with, I know. For a sensitive artistic type it's nervous breakdown material. I'm hoping that the turmoil will provide fuel for drawing. Instead of being a distraction.

Yesterday I washed all my socks. Turns out I have over thirty pairs. How? Why? Because, I only ever where the stripey blue, the plain brown or the stripey brown ones. I don't think I've ever worn one of these six. Ever. Now that's obscene.

in the dead of night

This was going to be a quick simple drawing of all my black shoes. Quick. Simple. My arse.

foot soldier

Well, this drawing isn't exactly rocking my world but it's one page closer to finishing this Moleskine. I am desperate to finish it and to start the new one. Seriously, desperate. I have an idea, a concept, for the next one but more of that another time.

After creating a highly laboured drawing like the one in the last post(s) I always feel totally wiped out. So it's a good time to do something simple. Basically, a little colouring in. To me it seems like I've spent the last couple of years drawing shoes and socks. Turns out I' haven't actually drawn that many. See the whole set of foot furniture HERE.

cold moments

I don't want to keep harping on about drawing funks, but I've had yet another frustrating week. I have realised what the trouble is. A friend of mine always says that I am 'a bubbling cauldron of creativity', and I have to admit that is a good description of how I feel. Usually the ideas are coming through so thick and fast that I don't always have time to catch them. The ones I do grab are added to a list that's as long as my arm. The last few weeks that hasn't been happening. Even my list looks uninspiring and I wonder whatever made me think they were good ideas in the first place. I am looking at things and willing them to become subjects. Forcing them, in fact.

The good news is, though, last night I lay awake until the early hours (or is that late hours?) as ideas and potential drawings refused to let me sleep. Now I just need to find my butterfly net.