New Art: Remember That the Magic is Within You...

"Remember That The Magic Is Within You"
Image: Clare Walker

Hello there

And I hope life's treating you well, whether in autumn (as here in the UK) or the spring of the southern hemisphere.

It was the shortening of the days that had me feeling more mournful than I'd have liked...When a wise whisper inside encouraged me to, "Remember That The Magic is Within You,".

So, in honesty, I created this first of all as a cheering-up, "note to self". But seeing as it turned out better than I thought it would (with a ton of new ideas and options I've never even thought to use before...Like creating my own digital stencils in Rebelle...Soooo fun!).

Well, then it seemed only right to share, in case the message resonated with/could be useful to anyone else. Yes, it's shoppable (and commentable) if you'd like, here. But my main aim  in posting it was to spread some cheer as we go into October.

And yes, Southern Hemisphere peeps-I hear you. Enjoy your spring (and know that this should still be here in April, if you need it).

With that, I'll leave you to your week. Thanks so much for reading down this far, and for being here-I really appreciate it, and you.

More soon.

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The Tale of Some Whimsical Pumpkin Art...And a Cosy Halloween Collection...

White Pumpkin Line-and-Wash Sketch

Hello there, and hope you're well, and ready for some whimsy, amidst it all.

This week's tale starts innocently enough with a white pumpkin, that I sketched last weekend (see above), before it made its journey into soup. Or so I thought.

"Pumpkin Surprise" Number One

For a start, the pumpkin, despite being round, did not "play ball," as expected. (For which read, "I was completely unable to slice through it neatly like butter-as per celebrity chef demos, etc- to make said soup". Or at all, really). The resulting roasted "pumpkin crisps/chips" that I had been able to hack desperately from its unyielding sides *were* delicious, though. They just ended up in a hastily-re-arranged veg soup, instead.

And last Monday,  that was the fun anecdote with which I thought I'd introduce this sketch this week and have a short post. But, oh, no...

"Pumpkin Surprise," Number Two

The pumpkin had other ideas. This image wiggled and jiggled in my mind until I made it into a downloadable card sheet, which has a card front that can end up like this:

Click or tap here to browse or buy the
download sheet that makes this card front...

And along with the pretty "Pumpkin Polka Dots," background, I thought *that* would be it. 

And it seemed fair, because I haven't posted much for craft-loving people recently, who I know drop in here. If that's you, you might also like the 20% off sale on many of my Halloween and autumnal designs at Craftsuprint this week. As I don't know when you'll be reading this, I don't know whether it will have ended, but it's due to run until the end of September 2025).

But, in any event, that wasn't all. Cue:

Pumpkin Surprise Number Three

The pumpkin polka dots were now dancing around in my mind. And made their way onto Spoonflower, for a fabric and wallpaper outing.

As a final twist, somehow everything for a cosy autumnal Halloween collection (for who wants an extra-scary one right now anyway? Not me. And if you like whimsy and nature, I'm guessing maybe not you either) came together.

Anyway, I digress, because the "Cosy Halloween Mini Collection" (featuring pumpkins, black cats, golden leaves and gentle "flower of life," geometrics), is *also* available now.

Cosy Halloween Collection at Spoonflower,
by Clare Walker shown
demonstrating Spoonflower's
 "12 napkins" template.

The image above was created using one of Spoonflower's template makers. In this case, how a collection of 12 napkins might look using the fabrics in the mini-collection.

Warning: Spoonflower's template design tool also includes cheater quilts, infinity scarves and other delights and is mildly addictive, even if, like me, you've never personally sewn a quilt. You can give it a go with this collection by tapping or clicking on  this link.

And now?

And now, yes, finally, those white pumpkins seem to have found all their right place, living happily ever after. Sometimes, you just have to go with what the designs seem to want, rather than logical plans.

If you've read down this far-thanks so much, and have a wonderful week.

More soon.

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New Painting: Turning the Corner

Hello there

Hope life is treating you well. But if you're in need of some peace, relaxation and whimsy, then this week's new painting may be just the thing.

"Turning the Corner"
Click or tap here
to comment or find out more...

This came about very quickly, to capture a golden September moment in the park, when vibrant flowers were still bursting through railings (all the brighter after rain)...And the sun seemed ever brighter just around the corner (hence the title: "Turning the Corner").

The links above will take you to this specific painting, within my new online shop.

That "just moving in feeling,"

 

Truthfully, I still have that "just moving in feeling," in relation to the shop.

But my aim is (finally!) to have all my designs for sale in one place (as people have asked me to do many times. This will give a lot more time for actually making art (yay!) whilst also  making life 50 times easier for you and other lovely people actually to find designs you like.

There'll be much more on this in the weeks and months ahead. But for now, it's all going well. And have just discovered that yes, I *can* still offer you greeting cards designed specifically for that purpose, but based on a particular painting.

The first of these is today's painting...

Tap or click here to shop for
"Turning the Corner," greeting cards

It made sense to start here, because there are so many occasions on which you might send a card to someone who's turned a corner in their life...Or just to cheer them up with some relaxing whimsy.

Maybe I've turned a corner too, and am starting to feel at home in my art's new home as well :-).

Thanks so much for being here. Please watch this space...

More soon.

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Cosy Halloween Autumnal Designs Are Here

Hello there

Hope all is well with you, and as promised, this week's post is full of Halloween printables, designed to be of the cosy and heartwarming kind.

Click or tap here to download and buy the full "Cauldron and Pumpkins"
Printable Cardmaking Sheet at Craftsuprint.com

The full sheet gives you a variety of embellishments and sentiments that are easy to cut out and use, and hence the option of making the same card design sound very different for each recipient. Simply change the sentiment tag for each person, and the card will have a very different feel.

Tap or click here to see and buy the full-res version
of this sheet at Craftsuprint

For example, the "Happy Halloween," sentiment tag might be perfect for general use, or with children or grandchildren. Those who honour the wheel of the year especially may prefer, "Happy Samhain."

Close up of the embellishments and
sentiments on the main "Cauldron and Pumpkins sheet

Or, for the friend who always jokes about their cooking (and/or who loves a joke anyway) how about adding the "An Alternative Way To Make Pumpkin Soup...," tag to their card?

If you want to add your own sentiment this sheet also has you covered, with a blank tag designed especially for it.

And if you'd like more...

If you'd just like to send a cosy and fun card, the main card sheet by itself gives you all you need.

However, if you'd like to add a matching insert (complete with an optional verse that carries on the "home and hearth" theme  from the main sheet) that's available too.

Cosy Pumpkin Blank and Verse Insert Sheet

And this beautifully bright and warm pumpkin border (that, as it's composed entirely of pumpkins, might also be useful in Thanksgiving projects if you're in the USA)...

Click or tap here to see the Cosy Pumpkin Border

A spookier Halloween?

I know that some people actually love the spookier aspects of Halloween. (Confession: I'm a scaredy-cat). But if you love spookier things, then I also have you covered in my Craftsuprint shop (with the added bonus that the colours and fonts from each Halloween set should all interchange pretty well).

Whether you're seeking cosiness or spookiness this year though, please remember that these are downloads, so (as I type on Oct 17th 2024, anyway) there should still be plenty of time to download, make, and send these items.

Finally...

Phew! Thanks so much for reading this unintendedly-marathon-like post, down this far, and for being here.

More soon.

___________________________

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A Watercolour Sketch: Glowing Autumn Berries

Hello there, and I hope all's well in your corner of the world.

Here, the very first kiss of autumn's oranges and gold have appeared. Amongst the still-very-green eaves, as if from nowhere... Berries are suddenly...everywhere...

And so, even though, I confess, have been spending a lot of time this week visiting places and just soaking them up, rather than drawing, there was chance to capture those first glowing berries, inspired by some I saw on our visit to Camley St Natural Park:

Glowing Autumn Berries: An Initial Sketch

Watch this space to see what they'll become. (Update on September 12th 2024: See them in action in this post)

And, as have deliberately gathered inspiration this year to keep things bright during the winter, expect some ongoing flowers this year, as well.

More soon.

___________________________

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On Autumn Leaves, Creative Block, and Staying In the Moment...

Autumn Leaves in the Wind,
by Clare Walker, BoundingSquirrel.Com

Hello again

This week, I learnt an important lesson. Not a comfortable one, and certainly not a convenient one. But a really important one in relation to feeling a deeper sense of  inner peace. 

Am sharing it here because I deeply suspect that I'm not the only person to whom this might apply. Especially in the design or creative industries, but maybe many others, such as retail.

It went like this...

You may remember that last week's post ended up simply showing you winter "work in progress". ( In it, I was basically just confessing to not being able to draw very much).

For days, I attempted to get "all my Christmas designs" ready. In October, when in London in 2023, the trees were still green and barely thinking about autumn, let alone Christmas.

I told myself,,,

"It's the state of the world," I told myself. (And yes, let's face it, that is just...words fail me, let's not even go there right now, in a blog that aims to help you look at happy things every week).

The state of the world in general, we can all only control together. But as to the state of our inner world, luckily, that's a different issue. (Before I discovered art, I was a life coach for 14 years...seems it's still in there, somewhere :-)).

So I started hunting for the thoughts *really* causing this problem. 

And whilst I was doing that, the first really autumnal leaves appeared in London. Which led, without stress, and pretty much instantly, to the quick sketch above of a bush possibly too vibrant to hail from the UK. 

And to at least two of the poor animals from last week's post suddenly found their perfect, autumnal, rather than winter, homes.

Squirrel in his autumnal wreath for the inside of cards (or as a card, if you'd rather).

Squirrel and autumn leaves
wreath illustration

And sleepy fox, making the perfect fox-shaped card for any time of year. (With luck, links to these as  cute printables will be up by the time you read this).

Printable Fox-Shaped Card Sheet

So then it hit me:

Out-of-season designing *is* my real problem.

One of my greatest joys is seeing the seasons change, observing and above all,  *feeling* how things are right now, and expressing that in art and/or words.

And yet, somehow, I'd let myself get trapped in the, "always-got-to-have-things-ready-in-advance," hamster wheel.

It's a wheel that seems to work for many, and if that's so, I salute those people.

 But what if, like me, you prefer to respond more spontaneously and in-the-moment. In the "slow living", manner I discovered here, and then promptly lost again?


What to do instead?

I don't have a definitive answer to that. But it feels like, the only way to get off the whole "out-of-season," wheel/treadmill...is just to get off it.

Which may well mean, for example, that this blog turns more into an illustrated journal, than a preview of upcoming designs.

We shall see. But I wanted to share this with you, to give you, as a reader, a heads-up about likely changes...And, if your someone who prefers to respond in the moment too, to let you know that you're not alone.

Let's make this change towards more sane, and in-the-moment living together, if you like.

But in any event, have the very best week you can, and thank you *so* much for reading down this far.

More soon.

___________________________

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An Autumn Leaf Art Journaling Idea

Let Go of Everything..., by Clare Walker
Available with blank leaves, on Redbubble

Hello there

Hope all is great with you. But if you're feeling like there's a lot (or a little) of which you'd just like to be rid, am sharing  you this art journaling idea that came to me this week. Feel free to try it if you'd like.


One "Letting Go" Art Journaling Method

The way I did it (which doesn't, of course, have to be the way you do it) was this:

1. Get quiet and peaceful (eg by deep breathing), with the art supplies/device you want in front of you.

2. Draw a scene or symbol that represents "letting go," to you. 

For me, it was falling autumn leaves, but it doesn't have to be that for you...It could be the tide, a feather, or a dustbin or trash can. Whatever works for you is all that matters. (Neither does it matter how "well" or other wise you think you can draw. You don't have to share this with anyone...I don't share a huge chunk of the things like this I create).

3. Include some space or way to incorporate the words or symbols representing things of which you wish to be rid. (In the picture above, you'll see that each leaf has a labels, such as "Anger" and "Fear". But your labels will of course be your own).

4. Identify the things you'd like to be rid of (for me, they felt heavier than everything else).

5. Add those things as labels on your drawing.

6. Optional, but if it feels good, complete this by crumpling, altering or destroying the journaling in whatever way feels good to you. (In my case, on the newest version of the journaling (as it was digital) I erased the labels, and was just left with the pretty colours of "blank," falling leaves again.

The next step

In end, I really liked the actual design once those "heavy" labels on the leaves were removed, so I popped the peaceful and blank version of this design onto Redbubble. 

I guess if you really would prefer and *really* don't want to draw anything, you could always get a stack of postcards with the blank design on, and add and destroy your own labels.

The peaceful, blank version of the
design, on a postcard...

But though I love people to buy things of mine to which they feel drawn (thank you again if you have and do), in this case, it's very likely that you'll get the most benefit from drawing this out yourself.

Go on, give it a go...I dare you.

More soon.

PS. If you are one of the people seeking designs featuring cats, bats and hats for Halloween, fear not, my newest Halloween designs *are* already on sale in my Redbubble shop, and at Craftsuprint, so please use those links if you'd rather buy now than wait for any upcoming posts. Many thanks!

___________________________

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An "Autumn Bounty" Thank You Design...

          

Hello there and hope you've had a good week.

I'm posting this later than I'd like, for reasons to do with minor home improvements that *finally* finished today and will leave us better-prepared for winter...Yay!

So there was time after all for this week's card sheets, which are perfect for this season, and all designed on the theme of rich autumn or fall colours, autumnal bounty, falling leaves, and the idea of thanks and thankfulness. (They should all be available in my Craftsuprint shop by the time you read this).

Because, whatever is going on in the world at large, it would be pretty difficult to feel anything but thankful for some of the beautiful, golden-washed scenes the Computer Man and I have been lucky enough to enjoy and capture this year...and whose colours were a *big* inspiration behind today's sheets.

Like this shot of a pergola in Southwark Park...

Or the changing colours in the lesser-known little gem that is Downhills Park...

We've been so spectacularly lucky with the conditions this autumn, that even our neighbour's rosebush has come over the wall and got in on the act. (Who knew that roses could make an *autumnal* spectacle too?...Maybe everyone but me ;-) )...

I guess the point is, whatever's going on in this particularly crazy world in which we seem to be living right now, beauty and nature are constants, and whatever else is also true, I'm so, so, grateful for that colour, beauty and joy.

More soon.

___________________________

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Free September Illustration/ Clip Art Graphic To Download

Hello there.

I know this is a little early for the week, but wanted you to have it promptly, so that you can actually use it in September projects, newsletters and whatever else. 

Free "September" Illustration by Clare Walker
Right click, click or tap here to download.

As with all my freebies, it's my own illustration (in Krita 5 digital watercolour in this case) and you're free to download and use this in any way you like as long as you don't sell it as is or claim it as your own (copyright stays with me). Right-click on the image and save (or tap and save, depending on your device) to download it.

Have fun with this-more soon.

___________________________

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Free November Clip Art (Art Every Day Month, Day 3)

Tap, click or right-click to download and use this image...

          

Hello there. Day two of the Art Every Day challenge was more personal for me.

Day three though, is above. I realised that I hadn't put up the usual "month illustration," freebie for a while, so here it is. Just click, tap or right-click depending upon your device, and its yours to use pretty freely (see my angel policy for details). 

Note that this illustration is only about 6 by 4 inches at 300 dpi. But that makes it smaller, and therefore better for web projects.

This is an original watercolour pen and wash illustration, using Faber Castell pens, metallic gel pens, and Inktense paint pans. 

Hope all's  really well with you-I'll be back soon with more images.

(Update on November 5th: I have had to withdraw from the Art Every Day Month challenge, having twisted my neck, which is causing pain and exhaustion. As you might expect, the main cure for this is rest, but I'll be back as soon as I can).

New Design: Toadstools and Mushrooms

Hello there.

Hope you're well and thriving.

Yes, this week's  post is a bit later than usual, because it's been a busy week involving all sorts of things away from the computer. (House repairs, mainly...Do *anyone* ever enjoy even the concept of  maintenance tasks? If so, please can you tell me how? Thanks!).

Anyway...onward and upward. The inspiration this week came from a friend who takes the most marvellously atmospheric photos, and graciously allowed me to use her lovely, magical  pics of fly agaric mushrooms as the reference photos for the more mushroomy motifs in this design.

As you can see, out came a pattern that's perfect for really cosying up to autumn (or fall, depending on where you are ;-)

And you can browse or buy this design on an even bigger range of items by clicking or tapping on this link.

Have a great weekend.

More, and in less haste, soon!

PS. This design is also now available on fabric at Zazzle.

Autumnal Art Journaling Illustrated Quote: Let Life Take You Where It Needs You to Go...

Hello there. How are you doing? Are you in a part of the world that's enjoying autumn (or spring?).

Here in London, the leaves are only just beginning to turn, which is incredibly late in the year, compared to normal.

But those falling leaves and crisp mornings mean not only that it's time for warm socks and cosy jumpers...But also, the eternal lesson of the freedom of those dancing leaves...the letting go of needing to control outcomes, or where all the pieces fall. 

Click this link to see and buy this design on Redbubble

This was the thought that motivated the Inktense and pen watercolour  journaling you see in the picture above.

And finally, even though I thought I was always too "salesy" in these posts, as someone asked me where they can buy things only yesterday, just to be clear, you can buy this design on prints, stickers, postcards and many other yummy things, by clicking or tapping either on the design above, or on this link.

With that said, I hope you have a lovely weekend, where you happen to find yourself in the world.

More soon.

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New Art: Nasturtium Joy

Hello there.

Just popping in with some watercolour (watercolor :-)) flowers I thought you might like.

The vibrant oranges in some nasturtium flowers were practically singing the other day, and so this was the result.

If you're feeling a bit blue (as have heard from more than one person this week) please take this to heart especially, and let these vibrant oranges give you a boost.

And if you've been having a perfectly lovely week-yay! (And this can simply serve to show what happened to that work in-progress on Instagram :-).

And yes, it's fine to share this image as-is anywhere online. 

Let's spread some joy.

More soon.

Update on October 7th: if you're enjoying this image, the version for crafters is available here.

Day 34: Does Anyone Know What These Are Called, Please?

Must confess that I don't even know the correct name for the bush upon which this today's sketch is based.

The entire bush was about 4 feet high  and three feet wide in total, with every set of leaves looking something like this sketch (growing in a sheltered section of a park, near a lake, in mid October in London, UK, if that helps).

If you happen to know the name of this (very pretty, and probably very common...) bush, please do let me know, perhaps over on the Facebook Page. Many thanks!

(Sketch in Mozart Komorebi watercolours, and Faber Castell Ecco pen).

Day 26: Happy Autumn Animated Gif

 

Today's sketches are still sketches, but went into this this tiny "Happy Autumn" animated gif, made in Krita.

More drawings (of some kind...who knows what?) tomorrow.

Free Autumn Wreath Printable (Sketch a Day 7)

 

Yes, I know the Equinox was yesterday. But if this autumn printable floats your boat, you can use it if you right-click and save as, or tap and save it.

As you can probably tell (!) it's been hand-drawn in pen and watercolour/watercolor, and yes, I'd also have liked to spend longer on it. But that's the nature of daily art challenges. So if it's of use to you,  it's a jpg you can use in line with my angel policy.

Have fun and more tomorrow.

Update: September 24th. I have replaced the original printable with a more useful, and better, wordless autumn wreath.

Thinking of You Card & Repeat Pattern: AEDM 18

For today (AEDM 18) I've had a sudden unfortunate need to design and send a "Thinking of You" card with a co-ordinating pattern inside. (You may recognise this leaf motif (slightly modified) from day 14).

I'll probably put this on sale in due course, but right now, I just want to get this sent to the person who needs it.

More tomorrow.

An Autumn Leaf Watercolour Story...(AEDM 14)

Painting leaves in pen-and-wash is an autumn tradition for me now, as for lots of other people...Maybe even, almost a cliché, for some.

 And yet, I like how this turned out. (Particularly as I genuinely did paint it in the 20 minutes I had whilst hubby was in the shower...I'll be trying speed painting again! :-).

With this leaf though, there's also a story.

Now, don't get me wrong, I *love* autumn colours, and have always understood we're lucky to get them.

But this year, that's taken on a whole new dimension.

For, like many people, once the leaves had got into the, "blowing into the house, leaf piles in the street, "Will the pavement turn leaf-sludgy?,"" stage, I was getting tempted to moan along with everyone else, and to bemoan the onset of winter that fallen leaves herald.

Then, a chance remark by a Facebook friend changed everything.

She lives in a very different part of the world. So different in fact, that she had to go on a day-long hunt for any autumn colour at all, and (rightly!) celebrated that she found two gorgeous leaves in the process.

After reading that, I didn't even notice that it was freezing cold, drizzle-drenched and blowing a gale the next time I went outdoors. Instead, all I could see (and actually *see*, this time) were trees and streets cloaked and carpeted  in russet, burnt orange and gold...And all I could do was to marvel, as if for the first time, at how amazing that really was (and *is*).

And so, I painted one of the next leaves to blow through our door, out of 100% gratitude...

More tomorrow.

Update and PS: I've wonderful person and artist whose original comments inspired this piece supported it enthusiastically, so I'm more than delighted to be able to link to her own wonderful work as a thank you.

"Autumn Glory" Surface Pattern Design

Now that the recipient has their design (and loved it, apparently. Phew! :-) I can post a picture of it here:

I'd also like to give a quick shout-out to bagsoflove.co.uk who did a beautiful job of making a warm, fleecy scarf from this design. Which arrived incredibly quickly, and even ready packaged, like this (though had to take the photo at night and did not do it justice!):

And no, in case you're wondering, BagsofLove haven't sponsored this post at all. Am just a happy customer, delighted and relieved that their workmanship was so efficient *and* beautiful.

And now, I guess, it's back to more Christmas stuff. Let me know in the comments whether all *your* Christmas shopping is complete by the end of November, half done, or definitely not started yet on principle!

More soon.

Simple Autumn Leaves Animation

Have spent most of the week either looking after The Computer Man with his cold, or dodging catching it. But feeling under the weather was a good reason to spend some screen time learning about something new, so had a go at drawing and animating some simple autumn leaves. Enjoy!