Festive Pet Portraits & Market 2019

Okay, so it is already February 2020, and I’m only now managing to bring myself to document, reflect and make again on my own artwork! (Since last blog post in October ’19.) Unfortunately I’ve been on/off ill quite a lot since November 2019, and on my good days I’ve been putting all my energy into Fun A Day Dundee (which is really enjoyable!) More on that project in another blog post…

Over Christmas, I did take less commissions than usual as I was unwell, but I did manage some as well as a Christmas Market: Maggie’s Christmas Market at Discovery Dundee which was a lot of fun! (Pics below.)

In time for the market, these self standing, wooden foxes I was experimenting with were ready to go! Still developing more work like this for 2020 🙂

I had a lot of fun exploring branding and packaging at the end of the year. I opted for paper envelopes to store mini paintings, and paper/card backing for displaying the mini painting pins. More environmentally friendly using a logo stamp too!

Here are some of the wee magnets I painted to build up my fox batch again!

New stag designs I like…

Some commissions…

I loved doing this one! Was a lot of fun painting the hairs with acrylic, especially after the background was done.

Coloured pencil on A4

Acrylic paint on tiny wooden discs (about 4x4cm)

Coloured pencil on paper.

And another coloured pencil on paper.

 

Witchy Illustration

A couple of years ago, I did some ballpoint drawings for Inktober, and ended up drawing this wee witch and her cat. I enjoyed the outcome so much, I made a few other scenes of them together.
After making small prints, they proved to be a popular duo online and in sales, so they’ve made a comeback! I’ve begun to compile and develop the series, and look forward to seeing where it goes. This year I’m experimenting with colour, and at the request of a dog lover, a little pup companion…

Sep/Oct: Kids Art, Market, Studio

This is a nice time of year for me to reflect/prepare and be inspired. I’m currently well underway in the planning for Fun A Day Dundee 2020, and feel inspired and motivated for my own art practice also. I have 4 Christmas markets over November and December which I’m excited for. This will be my fifth year running Fun A Day, and over it’s years it has grown in popularity and the exhibition event following the January project has become bigger. This year I’ve created a team to help with the workload from Dec-April which is exciting! I’m looking forward to seeing how this year develops. Keep your eyes peeled on Fun A Day’s Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.

Fun A Day organising in the studio

I sold some work at a local Craft Market in Kirriemuir to raise money for Leuchie House in October. It was a nice warm up for Christmas markets, and a chance to sell some old stock, to make room for the sparkly new mini paintings and prints.

Enjoying art projects with kids at the school – they enjoyed exploring the playground for plant debris to create plant weaving pieces to decorate the halls with. The kids enjoy messy, tactile and active art projects 🙂

Leaf printing using coloured felt tips!

It’s nice making practical work like this with kids, as it inspires my own work 🙂

Making star plant art in the playground using twigs, leaves, berries, and team work!

I am so taken to drawing animals and doodles like this for the kids to colour in. I have a whole folder filled with originals, and they love it. Best thing about it is I take requests from them. They love to see something they imagine being brought to life. I’m lucky that my class this year are SO cretive, they even have their own art portfolios (binder folders) in class. So inspiring and fun to teach.

Little mini commission painting

Postcard Spaniel

Love this wee postcard sized spaniel painting!
If you’d like your own just get in touch.
Pms welcome on Facebook!

Little Witch Drawings

These wee drawings began for Inktober last year, but I like her so much, and so do others it seems!, that she’s made her way into a bunch of prints and is now having new adventures.

Peel Farm Summer Market 2019

This summer, I brought along my work to Peel Farm for their summer market. There was a great variety of stalls, food, drink, and live music. A great way to start the summer at an outdoor market! Thanks to everyone who supports local businesses and artists. Here are the photos:

Plant Power Day 2019

Another successful Plant Power Day at The University of Dundee Botanic Garden! There were drizzles of rain throughout, but that did not stop the crowds! Kids loved the chalk boards, colouring in sheets, communal canvas, cork hearts, and the nature trail sheets I made up. Loads of different stall and activities for families all day, in such a beautiful setting!