Art of Birds

Whilst I love to watch the birds and have lots of images of them, I don't very often turn them into art pieces. This one was one of Andy's suggestions and photographs. I like it because he is not sitting around posing, he is in action so to speak.



I love this colour of pastelmat, the problem is that there are only a few pages in a book and I use all this colour up first. I think I am going to have to see about ordering sheets!

Big Bad Wolf

For the first time in while a I did a wildlife subject. This one was another from Paint my Photo and I loved it. It is pastels on pastelmat. As yet I haven't fixed it, has anyone tried fixative on pastelmat or have any other methods?


I have made him a little more fierce looking than the original but I didn't want it to look like a domestic animal.

Meanwhile, we went out taking some more bird photography last weekend which is over on my photography blog. I am using one of Andy's for my latest work in progress. He managed to capture a lovely Blue Tit hanging from an old branch. It is a bit of a breakway for me so we will see how it goes....Incidentally I seem to be getting a big nasty line across some of my photo's in blogger lately. I have had to upload this one twice. Is anyone else getting this...if you look at the last big firework in my fireworks post, you can see what I mean!

Leather Journal

Well my new leather journal finally arrived! I had to wait for it because they hand make it to order at Earthworks. However, it was worth waiting for...



In fact the reality was even better than seeing it online and the smell is gorgeous. If I had waited too long, I think I would have been almost too in awe of it to put anything in it. However, it helps because it is loosely bound so easy to rectify mistakes! So I have made a start and following a thought from last week when we visited Witley Court, I added Tennysons poem:

The Oak

Live thy Life,
Young and old,
Like yon oak,
Bright in spring,
Living gold;

Summer-rich
Then; and then
Autumn-changed
Soberer-hued
Gold again.

All his leaves
Fall'n at length,
Look, he stands,
Trunk and bough
Naked strength.

It seemed to fit quite nicely as a start and I added a small watcolour sketch to go with it.



Have a great weekend :)

Bridgnorth Rugby Club Fireworks 2011

Well, it is that time of year and once again we spent November 5th at Bridgnorth Rugby club to watch their superb display of fireworks.
Here are a few images of them:









It is very well organised with a hog roast, burgers, hotdogs, live music and beer! What more could you ask for? Many thanks to all who organised, contributed and took part from the Rugby Club and Bridgnorth Aluminium.

Hand Turned Oak Pencil

Some of you will recall that I have mentioned my friend Simon previously (Simon of the Teddy Bear bunk beds). He is very enthusiastic and inventive, always coming up with something a little different. Believe it or not, recently he has spent some time perfecting the art of make beautiful razors. He uses mother of pearl (which is synthetic of course) and turns a Mach 3 into something beautiful. You really do have to see one in reality to appeciate just how lovely this everyday object can be. I requested a turned pencil to use for my art and he offered me a choice of recycled woods. After some deliberation, I went for Jack Daniels Oak made from old barrels :)
This is my pencil in the making:











It smelt great too for a little while :) I love it!
If you are local, you can see Simon in action at the wood turners at Blists Hill Victorian Town on a Friday. Check out his turned acorns and have a chat ~ an all round nice guy. By the way if anyone is interested in something similar as a Christmas present maybe, do let me know and I will forward you his email address.