come on let's go

A few people have enquired recently about our MoleyX project, as things have been rather quiet for a little while. I, myself, have been really slack. I now have two little Moleys here, on the kitchen table (don't worry, I don't eat or drink at the kitchen table, there's no room to do anything like that). I'm embarrassed to say that I've had Gabi's Moley since I made this drawing back in November. That's it, there on the top of the pile. I am going to get down to some work on it. I am. Really, I am.

I'll also be posting some photos from France's Moley, which arrived at my house this morning. It is both beautiful and intimidating at the same time.

So check out the MoleyX12 blog over the next few days to see some fabulous new work. I just can't tell you how gorgeous these books are.

perfect weather to fly

I've been meaning to draw this view for so long. Well, ever since I saw that there was an Everyday Matters challenge called 'draw the view from a window of your house'. It seems an appropriate time to finally get around to it. Before the reassuring view of Jo and Nick's house is no longer part of my everyday life.

Everyday Matters #18, the view from my window. See the rest of my Everyday Matters set HERE.

tell me why

The leaning tower of cat bowls.

How can a cat have so many possessions? Twelve cat bowls. Twelve. Seriously.

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.

at the top is...

'Exercise Book' print available HERE.

So, in my last post I said that I was going to draw, but unfortunately that has not happened. Life has got a little crazy and got in the way of art. I suppose it gives me another chance to plug my wares. Sorry.

I also wanted to say a big THANKS for the response to my giveaway (see last post). I've never been so popular! And, of course, to announce the winner. Drum roll please; the winner is Karen Blados. I can't tell you how excited I am about sending this to Karen. She was one of the first drawing bloggers that I came across and is a real inspiration. I'm sure that most of you know her work, but in case you don't pop on over to her blog. You'll be impressed.

Also, I was so overwhelmed by the response that I decided to give one of my prints, above, as a second place prize. That went to Jeanne Grant. Thanks, folks.

in my mind i still need a place to go

I've been doing a bit of enforced decluttering recently. I was throwing out my 2008 Moleskine diary when I remembered the drawing (above) was in the back. So I thought I'd do a little giveaway thingamajig, as I haven't done one for ages. So, if you'd like to get your hands on this unusual piece (basically, an empty Moleskine with nothing but this drawing inside) just leave a comment and, in a few days, I'll do that Randomiser thing to choose a winner - that's if I can work out how to do it. Failing that, I'll put all your names in a hat and pick one out. Much more my style.

Happy 2009, lovely peeps.

could be in a dream

OK, here is one of those examples of taking a drawing too far. I think. I really should have left it as it was. And, now, I'm even contemplating laying down the shadows, in the version below, on each and every one of the woodland hair accessories. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Oh well, you win some, you lose some. Bit annoying, though.

And if you still don't know; click on the drawings for a better view. Go on, stick your beak in.

throw those curtains wide

So, it's here again. Yeah, it's that time of year. I do have a drawing I want to post but as this photo, quite randomly, turned up in a Christmas card (that's my mother for you) it suddenly seemed more appropriate. Hope you all have a wonderful time, just like I am having at my first birthday.

Have fun, folks.

love in mind

'Woke up this morning with love in mind,

it was raining outside but my love still shined'.

smells like teen spirit

Niece: Go and get some more crisps and drinks.
Me: You go
Neice: Your turn
Me: You haven't even had a turn
Neice: Go on.
Me: Ooooh you....
Niece: Go.
Me: You're such a....er...a...
Niece: Boghouse rat?
Me: Yes, a boghouse rat.
Niece: And? Now go and get those crisps.

The inspiration for this drawing was a weekend spent, watching back to back episodes of the Mighty Boosh, with my niece. It was a typical weekend for a couple of boghouse rats. Holed up in a dark bedroom. The curtains drawn. Not leaving except to use the toilet or to stock up on supplies. Taking it in turns to lie on the bed or the sleeping-bag-plus-mattress-combo that we'd set up on the floor. And supposedly, taking it in turns to stock up on snacks. Well, one of us taking more turns than the other. Happy days.

I love my niece. We have lot in common. Including our boghouse ratishness.
Happy Birthday, love.

To find out if you, too, are a boghouse rat, just answer the questionnaire below (it would have been longer but I just couldn't be bothered to finish it).

CLICK on drawings to view.

drop me anywhere

This fiver was really interesting to draw. All those lines and creases. As unique as a fingerprint.

This is my response to Everyday Matters challenge #191, draw some paper money. I'm really enjoying doing some Everyday Matters Challenges at the moment. I hadn't done any for quite some time, so it's really good to get back into some good old observational drawing.

I also very much enjoy being a part of the Everyday Matters group. Especially when I need some information on something arty, like in my last post. Thanks to everybody who emailed me, commented and left a message at the group forum. Here's that fiver I owe you.

Oh, and the detail in this would have been much finer, if my bloody pencils would have sharpened without breaking.

catch the breeze and winter chills

A couple of oldies here, from my Everyday Matters challenges. Or maybe, they are newies to the newcomers to my blog.

draw something yellow

Either way, there is a point (sorry for that awful pun) to me posting these. There is a question I've been meaning to ask ever since I started this blog. I do love to use colour pencil, but it often gets sidelined it for pen. I want to do a series of drawings in colour pencil soon. So I've started getting warmed up again. But, every time I do start using them I remember exactly why they got sidelined in the first place. And, that is the matter of them always always ALWAYS bloody snapping and breaking when being sharpened. It's just so annoying.

draw your palette

I've come to the conclusion it must be down to the pencil sharpener. It doesn't happen ever with graphite. And, as it would be a bit of a coincidence if every single colour pencil I own (from many different brands) were snapped before I'd bought them, I think it has to be the sharpener. So any pencil sharpener advice would be very welcome. The type of sharpener you use? The brand? How long they last? There's a fiver in it, for you. Cheers, folks.

never ever

I believe that, in the past, I have vowed to never ever draw anything that incorporated a light design on a dark background ever again. It really is a bugger. If you don't believe me have a go.

But, there again, I do believe that I've also vowed to never ever reveal any more of the contents of my underwear drawer.

I'm calling this one EDM #193 - Draw a close-up part of something. You can see my set of challenges, so far, HERE. I've also been interviewed this week by the lovely Laura of Make Do And Mend. And, you can read that HERE.

you little charmer

Everyday matters #200. Draw something lucky.

It's been so long since I did an Everyday Matters challenge, so today I thought I'd have a go at the latest one which is 'draw something lucky'. This little Welsh pixie charm is supposed to be lucky. That, of course, is if you believe in luck. I don't.

someone tell me how i feel

Tell me, is there anything wrong with driving through the hills, blubbering ones eyes out to Elbow? Apart from not being able to see the road, of course. But, apart from that?

That's not what I did today. It's just what I wanted to do.