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.

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!

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!