Thursday 27 October 2016

New Digital Painting...(Plus, A Hedgehog Finds His Calling...)

This autumn birch tree is a new digital painting (based on a beautiful one in the ever-whimsical Holland Park).

It's also sat around on my hard-drive for a week . Was going to post it, but fell into the trap (as ever), of feeling that it needed a "purpose".

Then it occurred to me, that for now at least, it being beautiful was quite enough. So for now at least, you can pop it on your wall in a variety of ways, here.

And now, about that hedgehog...

Besides, it's the things I draw for "no reason", or which, "didn't go the way I planned", that have a funny habit of turning out best in the end.

 Taking the prize currently for "longest time between design and ideal purpose," is a certain hedgehog sketch from over ten months ago.


The other day, it being the first truly wet autumnal one we'd had this year, I suddenly had a *huge* urge to hibernate. Figuring that I might not be the only one, I then wondered how to put that onto a  mug. (it being certain that even those humans who *want* to hibernate will be more likely to drink from a mug than actually to curl up for six months).

But how to illustrate this? All at once, it came to me...And here's the hedgehog, resplendent on his mug, and absolutely *the* best animal with whom to illustrate the idea that, "Sometimes, you just need to hibernate..."



Hedgehog Mug: Sometimes You Just Need to Hibernate Coffee Mug
Hedgehog Mug: Sometimes You Just Need to Hibernate Coffee Mug
by BoundingSquirrel


So there you have it-the two sides of autumn. Glorious colours versus impending hibernation. That just about wraps it up for this post. I'll leave you with Hedgehog, proudly taking up his place with the other designs in the "Cosy Autumn Mugs" collection.




Til next time...



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Tuesday 18 October 2016

Christmas Poinsettias-& a Big "Thank you" to Woven Monkey

Got a lovely surprise on my @boundingsquirrel Instagram feed this morning...@wovenmonkey featured (and gave a lovely animated clip of) my "Poinsettia Plaid" Christmas fabric in their feed.

Huge thanks to them-and time to post here, as I realised that for some reason, I hadn't posted it here.

It's a 100% Christmas fabric in traditional red and green, with vintage feeling creamy background and hand-drawn motifs.

To take a look at this and my other designs at Woven Monkey, click here.

And once again, many thanks to Woven Monkey for selecting this design to feature.

Thursday 13 October 2016

Quick New Digital Painting: Rainbow Feather Practice

Just posting this quick sketch of a fantastical rainbow feather to let you know am still here and will be posting in more detail again soon.

I did this the other day, purely for practice in different digital watercolour blend modes in ArtRage4, and not intending to post it here at all. Then there was such enthusiasm for it in the Creative Every Day Facebook group that I realised (as ever!) that something done casually, quickly and "just for fun" had actually turned into something prettier than many a product of excessive "trying"...

Why is life like that?

I haven't a clue. But what I do know is that I'll be back soon with something new and different that I think you'll like and find useful. Please just bear with me whilst I get it done...


Thursday 6 October 2016

'Tis the Season For...Cute Woodland Animals and...Labels?

Most organised people, I'm guessing, would not simply draw an autumnal wreath like the one on the left, without a plan. However cute it is.

But confession time comes early in this post: I did.

I didn't have an idea of what would happen to the cute rodents and shiny berries that kept appearing amongst russety leaves. Not an iota.

In the end, it didn't matter. Becuse thinking about autumn made me remember that even I've been baking more. And that organised people probably even bottle carefully-grown produce, and/or put it into jars at this time of year. (In the Northern Hemisphere, anyway).

So if you're looking for packaging for your home-produced goods (or craft-fairs, or anything similar), then look no further. Because it turns out that these little fellows, complete with their nuts, leaves, berries and whatnot, can help you with that.

They'll add a cute *and* professional touch to your produce. (And naturally, you can customise this bags, wine labels and jam or jelly labels to say whatever you want...).

So without further ado, here they are:





And what if you're not so into home produce, but still love these little cuties?

Fear not! You can also wish someone a Happy Birthday, or (a few weeks early, but as discussed organisation may be more of a thing for you than me) if you're in the US, Happy Thanksgiving, instead.

Like this...




And this:


So there you have it. Cute woodland animals to suit your every autumnal need...despite my disorganisation. Enjoy!