More portraits

Just posting a couple more portraits, planning to pull together a portfolio you never know I may be able to get a small income from doing them in the future.

This is the one that started it all, my first commission, taken from a very poor and very old black and white photograph...

and here is a slightly better photo of the little ballerina up a tree.

Looking for my next subject, so watch this space it may be you...

Sunday's portrait

Pastel day...

Today I spent a few hours pastel painting, here's how it turned out. It's my precious Poppy.

I have been so busy over easter...

...its been really good to have some time to just sit about and make stuff, trying out new crafts and re- trying crafts I haven't done in a while. Here is a selection of some that I finished over easter.

 This is a sketch I have been promising to do for a while finally got it done.

Its a simple pastel sketch but I think I have caught a likeness.

The following pics are encaustic art, we had a demonstration in Art Society the other night and I couldn't wait to give it a go. Its quite difficult to control the liquid wax at first, but I didn't burn myself which is a good sign. The more colours you use the muddier the finished piece so I started to limit my pallet and by the time I got to the last one I was getting the hang of the technique. It was very therapeutic and not quite as stressful as watercolour so I plan to try some larger ones over the next few days.

 Yucca Plant

 Sunset moor

Snowscape

Felt Heart

and I almost forgot I tried some felting too. This was quite simple to do, its done with a needle, not sure how it works but it does, and I plan to do lots more and make brooches I want to try including some beach glass in the finished works. Not sure how yet but worth a go.

My New Makes

I am always looking for something new to do so when some socks without toes arrived in Re-Create their bright colours were just too attractive to miss out on, I bought a bag full and got experimenting. This is what came out!
Have you found your 'sole-mate' yet?

This bag was made from off cuts of suede which came into the scrap-store a couple of weeks ago again I was attracted by the bright red and felt that I had to make something, so made a bag.
Every-time the van pulls up its like Christmas morning.

Garden ready to grow

Last weekend I spent some digging out one corner ready for some token vegetables, there isn't the space to grow enough for the whole year, but one week should cover it. I am planning, runner beans, french beans, peas, lettuce, radish and maybe some beet-root of there is enough room. I am planning baby veg rather than  full grown takes up space veg so hopefully will be able to fit it all in. There's also space to put some bags of early spuds, but thats Eric's bit.

I found a very appropriate poster this week, it is said in our house at least a dozen times a day!

A week off work has been so relaxing...

Pastel portrait of Dan

A pastel portrait of my friend Poppy

and these two belong to my friend Sally painted these as a little gift.

It snowed the other day and we were back to winter, but yesterday we went to Penarth for the day...

what a difference it was warm and pleasant, almost spring!

No Fishing!!! are you sure?

 Well after a lovely week off I am now looking forward to seeing everyone back in work. I have relaxed, painted, shopped, went to the beach and had a trip to London with a good friend to see the David Hockney exhibition at the Royal Academy and the Black Keys at Alexandra Palace, (what a contrast) but had a great time. I couldn't have wished for a more enjoyable time.

I must say a quick thanks for my Blog award last week, see it has inspired me, I need to pass it on but will keep it just for a couple more days.