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-

Sneak Peek.

I know I know. I need to start updating my blog more. I've been so busy setting up my etsy and moving home I guess I forgot about this space. Anyway, as promised in the title of this post a sneak peak! I'm currently working on something, it's a bit of an experiment so it could go horribly wrong... but let's not be pessimistic. So here it is so far, the skull anatomy of a she-lion.

I know, it's not done but I'm getting there. So what's the experiment you ask? It looks a bit dull you say? This is one of three layers which incorporate different levels of anatomy, bones, muscle and skin. I'll be trying to illustrate all three into one image. Once I get more done. you'll see what I mean and hopefully it'll look top notch.

Other news! I was featured in this edition of Digital Arts! Harassing people by email finally paid off. I'm so chuffed and it's so nice to actually see your work in print. I apologise for the awful mug shot, it was kind of last minute and I'm an awful subject for photos.

So, how has everybody's week been? Is anyone working on something fun? 

Dandelion Badger

Just a look at something I've been working on recently. I'm really unsure about the colours but I've settled on these for now. I've been so busy these last few weeks, it's been so hectic. I finished my degree, put up my exhibition and now I've taken it back down again! I can't believe three years has passed, it only seems like yesterday that I was nervous about coming to Lincoln. Now I'm nervous about my future! It's so scary not knowing what's going to happen, where will I be living in a few months? Where will I be working? There's so much to think about, even the little stuff like changing doctors and throwing away old clothes seem like such a big deal. Anyway, at least drawing will be a permanent fixture in my life.