Work in progress...

Skulls. Ok, maybe a little dark... but there's various reasons behind this exploration- mortality, avoidance, truth, spiritual contemplation, finality, wisdom.

I like skulls, colourful ones. I don't have a plan for this one- 8 sketched skulls, to be decorated as and when the notion takes me... it'll probably turn into a collage/mixed media piece knowing me :)

These are a few of my favourite things...

All members of www.newcastlecraftmafia.com have been asked to write a piece about their 5 favourite things for the blog... others have chosen 6, so i have too!

1) "Arting"
This is the collective name I give to all my artisitc endeavours! Although my first love is painting, I also like to dabble and experiment in other things such as jewellery, screenprinting t-shirts and my recent addiction of candle making (the experimentation is going well- I hope to be able to sell my efforts once I get sorted with a bit more practice and insurance, etc)
I have a stressful and hardworking shift job, and Arting is my way of unwinding, relaxing, de-stressing.
I view art as not only a passion and my own form of therapy, but also a way of life. I think it all started when I won a painting competition aged 5, then took a knock when my I was aged 9 and got a "C" in art from my teacher (I cried!) and then recovered aged 14 when I received praise from another teacher!
I love nothing better than cranking up my music and throwing paint about- much to the detriment of my dining room carpet! The dream is to one day have my own studio. A pipe dream perhaps!

2) The Internet
I know the internet is a relatively new phenomenon, and I certainly didn't have it as a child, but I can't imagine life without it. What did the world do before Google?! I love how the internet is so easily accessible and allows you access to things that you can't experience in real life. I love finding a new art or design blog or site. The internet is a great source of inspiration aswell. Although not a great subsitute for seeing products in real life, I love how it can diversify your market base and allow you to sell what you have created to anyone, anywhere in the world.

3) Irregular Choice
I was never a huge shoe fan until I discovered this brand! I love the kookiness & eccentricity of their products and their fantastic website. Although I only have 5 pairs of IC shoes, I always lovingly look at them in the shop and plan my next purchase. My favourite pair are the ones that my brother bought me just before he headed off to Afghanistan.

4) Food & Drink!
A necessity to survive, but also a total indulgence! A self-confessed but proud chocoholic, I have an incredibly sweet tooth!
My fave chocolates are Charbonnel et Walker Pink Champagne truffles :) I also love chocolate crepes, cake, rare steak and chips with pepper sauce or garlic butter, chicken fried rice with chips and curry sauce and chicken tikka masala with naan bread! Hmmm, I am a bit of a junk food junkie and worry that one day it'll catch up with me and I'll wake up the size of a house.
I also have a penchant for North American products Lucky Charms, Jolly Ranchers and Mountain Dew
I developed a coca-cola addiction when I quit smoking and usually have at least a can a day (not good on the old teeth!) but I also love M&S Brut Cava, Veuve Clicqout and my favourite cocktail is a Bellini. Food is something I never deny myself, and regularily treat myself to- this is where all my money goes!

5) Thinking time
Time out is always good, and my 2 favourite places for thinking are when enjoying a Lush creamy candy bar bath with a glass of vino, or when travelling. I always keep a notebook and pen with me to jot down ideas that pop into my head. I love when you have a new idea- there's a buzz about it and you just can't wait to get started. I hate it though when you think you have a great, unique idea... then pop it into google to check- and someone else is already doing it! Frustrating.

6) A good iTunes shuffle!
I love music. My iTunes album contains so much variation, from classical to cheesy pop, alternative, rock, R&B and loads more. I love putting the iTunes shuffle on and leaving it to chance! It throws up some classic songs, and some not so- it's all part of the fun! I don't really have a favourite band or song, and I never really go to gigs. It all depends on my mood- but I love lyrics, when a song speaks to you. It's almost poetic.

Not *quite* unrequited...

"I know you're scared, and I am too,
We've both had our hearts ripped apart in two.

I've managed to piece mine back together again,
And for you, I want to be the one to do the same.

And how can I know that you'll be careful with mine?
I don't want a promise, just try not to and that's fine.

And if it doesn't work out, then what have I got?
Another broken heart, but I think it's worth a shot."



Poetry, I used to love it at school. Words are powerful and they can be so many things- emotive, empty, healing... they need to be taken in context.
Words can mean different things to different people.
Words can mean one thing on their own but take on another life when matched with others.

I was driving back from visiting my sister in London today, the 5 hour drive from London to Newcastle gave me ample thinking time about a situation I find myself in, and from that these words started to form in my head, by mistake really- it certainly wasn't on purpose.
I understand their meaning, and I'm guessing another person would if I had the strength to send them... but for now I'll hide behind the same self-preservation mask I've been using :(

FOLKSY FRIDAY: illustration

Yep, got more than a bit slack with my FF in recent weeks, but this weeks theme is "illustration"
I've chosen this theme as I've noticed I've been relying on other techniques to get me out of drawing- which has never been a strong point of mine anyways!
I'd love to be able to sit down and freehand with an ink pen. But I can't- I have to draw pencil lines, improve them, then go over with ink, then rub out said pencil lines!


Greetings card http://www.folksy.com/shops/Haybox


American foods by http://www.folksy.com/shops/BeggarsBowl


Thoughtforms by http://www.folksy.com/shops/ToriH


Bespoke textured illustration http://www.folksy.com/shops/littlebulldogdesign


pencil case http://www.folksy.com/shops/paperspoon


Shy A4 print http://www.folksy.com/shops/adrianneillustration


Resting Place http://www.folksy.com/shops/lucyfarfort


Shops and Balconies http://www.folksy.com/shops/janicejong

The great candle making venture

Here's a photo of my second candle- and I love it! So pleased at how it's turned out :)

It's a gorgeous vanilla scented, fuschia dye, soy wax candle presented in a dessert dish that my mum used to serve us strawberry angel delight in- topped with sugar strands!

It does look and smell good enough to eat!

I still need to make some more test run candles, to ensure that these two weren't flukes- and get public liability/product insurance sorted before I "go live" especially with my "business twist" I have up my sleeve...!

But it's all in the pipeline :)

Might actually do a blog giveaway to win a candle... hmmm, watch this space :)

Win a "Stereo" cushion cover!

In order to win a gocco printed "Stereo" cushion cover (in your choice of lime green, grey or white) all you need to do is reply with the worst record you have in your collection-the cheesier the better... Go on, make me giggle!

All names of those who reply will be put into a hat & the winner drawn on the evening of Monday 7th June 2010





the cushions can be found at www.folksy.com/shops/papermashyeti

Oh Mojo, where art thou?

The absence of recent blog posts will probably indicate the current disenchantment that I'm experiencing with my artistic endeavours!

Maybe it's to do with what's generally going on in my life which could rival an Eastenders script for drama, the non contact from galleries that I contacted putting my art & soul on the line, the lack of sales- which I always put down to disinterest, knowing full well most people on the planet are skint!
I know that "art" is a tough market, it's personal taste, it's about matching your decor- and I've always produced works that I want to, on a subject matter that I like, instead of having a home decor/commercial head on.

It hit me at the Late Shows market last week that the people who do well are foodie, jewellery, etc types. So I thought "what if I could create something still artisticly minded but a little more commercial?" But it'd need a twist, I don't wanna be another craft person who drowns in a sea of sameness...

So I decided to take a break from the canvas, find inspiration, and still be creative. So what did I decide to dabble in?

Candle making! Everyone loves candles, don't they?!

Last night, after extensive reading, research and obtaining supplies I made my first candle! It started off as a plain white, non fragranced, container soy wax candle. I was overjoyed! So I melted more wax, added gold dye this time and made 6 tealights. Excellent! I knew this was getting addictive. Then I had a stroke of genius.

I had left over gold wax. My plain white candle was sitting there, it had largely set in its creme brulee dish. So I poured the gold wax on top of the white (largely cos I didn't wanna waste it & it's bad to pour down the drain!) So there it was, sitting there looking kinda like an actual creme brulee. To this end, I got brown wax and grated it over the top. Voila! Now it has to sit for 24hrs before I light it!

Candles will need extensive testing and product insurance in case I decide to go ahead selling them. But I've got to, I have big & exciting candle plans already! I've even thought of a candle business name, oh I do like to get terribly ahead of myself!!

But as they say, a change is as good as a rest. I got excited about this candle making malarkey. Maybe I can find a way to transfer that back into my artwork...