Teddy with Cookies

Teddy with Cookies ink and watercolour

Yes, it's Teddy again, this time he has cookies to hand just in case he gets peckish! Whenever I am unsure of what to paint Teddy is there, he is definitely my favourite subject - he is part of my comfort zone and I love him. Now I just need to feel as confident with other subjects.

Will You Miss Me?

Sometime when you’re feeling important,
Sometime when your ego’s in bloom,
Sometime when you take it for granted
You’re the most talented one in the room.

Sometime when you feel that your going
Would leave an unfillable hole,
Just follow these simple instructions
And see how it humbles your soul.

Take a bucket and fill it with water,
Put your hand in it up to your wrist,
Pull it out and the hole that’s remaining
Is a measure of how you’ll be missed.

You can splash all you wish when you enter,
You may stir up the water galore,
But stop, and you’ll find that in no time
It looks quiet, the same as before.

The moral of this is quite simple

You must do just the best that you can,
Be proud of yourself, but remember—
There’s no indispensable man. (Unknown)

Sobering words, don't you think? I don't know who wrote the above but it did the rounds of the offices many years ago and I have never forgotten it.

Recently when contemplating a career move these words came to mind and I realised the impact that I have made on this job is insignificant as when I leave I will soon be forgotten.

Right now everybody says the place wouldn't be the same without me and that I brighten up the whole office, which is very sweet of them but I know that when I leave, in a very short time I will be forgotten. That's life.

However, whilst I'm there I am having a great deal of fun just splashing around. That's how we get through the mundane isn't it? Making it fun.

Rare Moment of Stillness

Ralfi, pencil in sketchbook

Ralfi is my dog and this is a pose he is not often caught in, stillness. I am thinking he really needs to be renamed, Houdini. He's a terrier, which seems to be his best excuse for constantly finding ways of escaping. Since moving house I have lost count of the number of times he has escaped and had me chasing him down the road, along riverbanks, etc.

I wouldn't mind so much if it was just a case of him escaping, me calling and him returning, but no.... I call his name he turns looks at me and then puts an extra spurt of energy into running even faster in the opposite direction!

I have fixed all the places where I think he may have got through to the outside world, but I fear he will outwit me yet. Ah well, I guess it's all exercise!

Reward!

After Richard Doyle - ink on paper

I'm back! Yay! So long away from art and my blog... mostly because of a wretched house move, which was great but kept me from my art (ggrrrhh!) Now happily settled and made a room into a studio space so I have no excuse not to get down to some serious painting.

So, for your patience here is your Reward (the name of the above sketch)!

MORNING'S HERE

After Walter Crane

Ink and watercolour in A4 sketchbook

I find myself really enjoying copying illustrations and it is giving me a lot of good practice - I am learning so much.

Because I used my sketchbook for this one the watercolour wash in the background did not work so well, (a white background would have been cleaner) but I am happy to have the practice.

I have learned that sometimes it's best to leave things well alone.

Positivity wins the day and determination to improve both my art and my outlook is paramount to progress.

Back to Fitness

20 mins sketch graphite on sketchpad

Working my way back to fitness, both physically and creatively. Poor health has kept me from my artwork for too long.

No more time for tears. No more wallowing. Now is the time for action.

One day at a time... gently stretching myself a little further each time, always improving, growing stronger all the way. I will show them, I won't be beaten.