a is for ... scorpion

One of the 'characters' in my class was playing with a paper scorpion today. He'd made it himself bless him. Inspired, I penned a simple 'how-to' to show him how he could also draw one, based on the ubiquitous 'A'.
Also sold another one of the 'A is for Art' booklets as well ! Probably still won't make it onto the Christmas best sellers list though. Still, I live in hope.

in progress

Not posted for a week or so as it's been 'assessment' time at school. Just another ball to juggle in the run up to Christmas, along with parent meetings, data collation, xmas performance rehearsals, oh, and a bit of teaching!

These are a couple of pieces currently on my painting table. Same 13x18cm format, mixed media works.

Have just added 'Skiffle' and 'Washday Blues' to my Folksy shop. It's positively bursting at the seams! Please click on the button to the right to check it out.

p.s. I am open to commissions should anyone take a liking to the style but not necessarily the current subject matter.

paintin'

"Washing day blues"

Mixed media- acrylics, collage & ink on 13x18cm canvas board.

Not sure how appropriate folk think this is but it's meant to be a bit of harmless fun.

skiffle

A painting of a 50s skiffle group - 4-string banjo, tea-chest bass and washboard. The thimbles on the washboard players' fingers and the banjo skin surround are done in silver acrylic , hence the brightness. Makes a change from a sporting picture. Might need to take a better photo before I put it into my Folksy shop though.

Mixed Media - acrylics, collage & ink on 13x18cm canvas board.

in process

Can you tell what it is yet ?

recent sketches

Some recent sketches and layouts.

'Designed' to fit 13x18cm canvas boards. I'm favouring this size at the moment as the final pieces end up a convenient size for postage and, as I offer free world-wide postage in my Folksy and Etsy shops, it seemed a good idea. And really, I just like working at this size although it makes for some tight compositions!

Bought some more boards today, so watch this space!

shop filling up

Just added 'Goalmouth Tussle' to my Folksy shop - use the link on the right to see all (!) the pieces currently in stock.
Some 'non-sporting' ones on my painting table at the moment - please check back soon to see when they get listed.

chasing shadows

Been creating shadow(ish) puppets today. We kept it simple - one moving part only. Unfortunately no black card so not the full, silhouette effect. We used an old frame, G-clamped to the table edge, with the back removed and tracing paper taped over the glass. It still had the 'wow' factor with the children though.

new painting

"Goalmouth Tussle"

Mixed media, 20x20cm on canvas board.

paintings listed!

I've just uploaded 4 of my recent pieces to my Folksy shop and have also managed to add a logo link on the right side of the page should you wish to take a look. As befits a re-stocking of the shop - virtual nibbles, and wine for those not driving!

mending ukelele's!

In our school we are lucky enough to have class sets of 'real' instruments so that each KS2 child has the opportunity to play a clarinet, cornet, djembe drum, violin, guitar, recorder or ukelele! My Y3 class (7/8 yr olds) are currently sampling the delights of the latter. Unfortunately they aren't the most robust of things and a couple have necks that have parted company with the bodies. A quick glue and screw has hopefully seen them brought back into service.

Thought a quick recent sketch of a banjo player might be an apt accompaniment to this post! (It's a very near cousin!). Pencil & ink in pocket moleskine.

'nother one

Not a film based one this time but simply a straightforward sporting painting.

"Lineout Tussle"

Mixed Media - collage, acrylic & ink on 13x18cm canvas board.

I'm thinking of listing these at £20. I was toying with the idea of (whimsically) basing my pricing on the length + width. So this one would have been 13 + 18 = 31, rounded down to £30 - but I thought this was a bit too steep. Would welcome any thoughts on this.

yet another film!

'Blues Bruthers' !!

Acrylic & ink on 13x18cm canvas board.