Rudbeckia-And a Summer Break

This yellow Rudbeckia flower,
which I've painted in digital watercolour,
 was growing in a park we visited recently.

Hello there

Hope you're doing well out there, in heat (if you have it/have had it) or whatever else life has in store for you at the moment.

Here, it's a strange season, for reasons well beyond the heat (though with so much else going on in the world, the Computer Man and I both still very much realise the extent of our good fortune-we, in ourselves, and together, are fine).

What it does mean is that it's time for a blogging break here. Not just because of "events," but also...After over 700 posts, (and therefore-yikes-nearly 15 years of this blog)...I need to take some time, not just to re-charge, but also to re-think, and re-align myself.

And it is a very different self from the one who started on the "Can I, of all the artistically-challenged people, really learn to draw?" exploration all those years ago.

Yes, I've answered that question. Yes, I can definitely draw, paint, cartoon, create cards, design patterns and more, both traditionally and digitally. And so, by the way, can anyone else who really wants to do so.

If nothing else, I, and this blog, are living proof that it isn't inborn talent, but a huge degree of desire, which makes the difference, and keeps you practising happily enough, for long enough, to get to your own point of, "Yes, I can do this."

But with the original question answered, the new ones that have been whispering for a while are, "What's next?,"  and even the old chestnut of, "Is any of this helping the wider world enough?"

On a less navel-gazing note, at the moment, it feels very much though, like more cartoons may be involved... Because, isn't life serious enough already?

And so...

And so, as you can see, it's time for a re-alignment, a re-think, and a re-jig. Wish me luck, and thanks so much for being here.

As soon as there's more than that solidly in place, I promise to let you know.

In the meantime, take good care of yourselves out there, and have a great summer.

Clare

Update on July 22nd 2026: It turned out that the re-jig didn't take that long, and the blog continues (yay!). Tap or click here to read the next post now.
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Lots of Blossoming, and a Sale...

It's Time to Blossom...

Hello there

Despite everything going on in the world, here, we're lucky enough to be experiencing all the joy, and the feeling of unstoppable blossoming, that the spring brings with it. So, I just had to capture that in a digital watercolour in Krita (the result of which is above).

Not even just blossom...

It isn't just blossom. During my time off, there were sooo many parks and gardens that suddenly seemed full of flowers, sunshine and hope, as if the world had gone from grey to colour in just days.

Here's a selection of the gorgeous spring inspiration that we (well, OK, mostly The Computer Man) managed to photograph since I was last writing to you...(I love the sleeping duck, too...)

Hope you can feel some spring from these photos...

And it even goes even further...

There's also been joy and blossoming of a different kind here, as a family member has received so much benefit from this course for adults who stammer that they participated in a live story-telling event this week, in front of 150 people.

(And yes, you're right. This is waaaay off-topic for an art blog. But I very much wanted to give a shout-out to such an important resource, in the hope that it can benefit others as well). 

Last but not least, there's a sale...

Firmly back in the world of illustration again, I'm delighted to let you know that there's a sale on all my items at Redbubble from April 16th-20th 2026. How that works in practice and different time-zones etc is up to Redbubble, So if you're reading this close to the time it's written, now's the time to visit my shop.

Personally, I'm eyeing up more stickers (they're so useful for sending to others to make cards etc a bit more special) such as  last week's toucan, my ever-popular, "bear-hug" design, and of course, this week's encouraging cherry blossom...

It's Time to Blossom Sticker
Click or tap here to buy on Redbubble

And with that said (thank you so much for reading down this far, and for being here). I shall leave you to your week. May it blossom for you too, in whatever way will give you the things you most love.

More soon.

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Happy Harebells...And (Sort-Of) Christmas in July...

"Happy Harebells" sketch...

Hello there, and I hope you are thriving in your corner of the world.

This week's art and designs are such a mixed bag, that, like football (soccer!) they are a game of two halves.

First came this sketch of harebell flowers, that then made its way onto a really dear friend's birthday card. (I think she might actually be a newsletter reader too, so this comes with even more good wishes. And speaking directly to that person for just a second, no, I won't put this on anything for sale until you've had loads of time to enjoy it, and maybe not even then. Thank you for being you. ;-)).

Then there is/was... the "Christmas in July" situation...

And just like that, here we are again. The point in the year that astounds any sane person. Namely, that July is the traditional time in which artists and designers are supposed to prepare designs so that they are available/algorithm noted etc, in time for Christmas or pre-Christmas purchases.

And yes, I'm aware that it's the very last day of July, as am typing this.

In truth, I just couldn't face even trying to get festive in the midst of summer weather (and ooh, you know, the state of the world, etc).

But then some little robins and berries just made their way into some art the other week. And what do you know? That snowy robin led to an entire collection of designs.

I hasten to add, they are still very much a "work in progress".

But if you'd like a quick peek at the collection in its rough form, here's a photo.

Thanks to Jim for this pic, who came into our bedroom
when I was trying to get this into a photo, and took it for me.

So please watch this space, a little later in the year. (Update on September 10th 2025- the printable papers are for sale here, and the full collection on fabrics and wallpaper at Spoonflower here).

And with that, I'll leave you to your day (and huge thanks for reading down this far).

The next instalment might not be for a couple of weeks or so, as there is a huge amount still to do, not only for this collection, but also on items that'll be fun for you much sooner.

But there will be...

More soon.
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Spring Is On Its Way...

Spring Is on Its Way...

Hello there, and in a change to the usual schedule, am sending this so that you get it on a Monday (a temporary thing, unless you like it better, in which case I could always change things around...).

Anyway, thought you might like to see this little digital watercolour sketch, inspired by the very first finger of pink winter blossom, poking its way into the sky from a neighbour's garden, that I spotted a few days ago.

It felt like the branch was saying, "Keep on going...Spring, is on its way...".

And so, this illustration was born.

Now, we all know there's plenty of time for Spring to take, shall we say, a little detour. But I hope that even the promise of it (or beautiful autumn, in the Southern Hemisphere) gives you a lovely start to your week.

Thanks so much for being here.

More soon.

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Free Peace Dove Graphic

Peace Dove Graphic-share freely if you wish

Hello there

Early for this week, but very late for last, am coming in to share this graphic with you that's free to share if you'd like to use it-just click, right-click or tap (depending on your device) to use and share it.

For what it's worth, it's a digital watercolour in Rebelle 5, if you're the sort of person who likes to know these things.

Enough said, and more soon.

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Introducing The Cornflower Collection...

Hello there, and hope all is going really well for you.

As promised in last week's post, today marks the proper unveiling of all the designs inspired by our, "cornflower encounter". For example...

This throw pillow in the 
"Completely Cornflowers" Pattern

This apron, in the "Scattered Cornflowers" design

This phone wallet from the
"Cornflower Lattice" design...

And imagine showering with these cornflower blue
polka dots all round you...

There are many more items featuring these patterns, which you can find featured here, here, here and here.

Have a browse-there's still plenty of time to make them part of your summer.

And speaking of summer...

And speaking of summer, I'm taking a break from the blog for the rest of the summer, and will be back here in or around the second week of September.

As well as taking much needed time to have a holiday and gathering all the inspiration therein, I'll also be planning,  catching up with friends, and  attending a couple of summer school courses.

So, in the meantime, thanks so much for being here, and have a happy rest-of-the-summer.

See you soon.

PS. Update: Cornflowers have now made it onto tissue paper and fabric:

Charming Blue and White Cornflower Pattern Design Fabric
by BoundingSquirrel

Guess Where We Found Cornflowers...

"Happy Blue Cornflowers," by Clare Walker

Hello there, and hope all is well for you.

And yes, as you'll most likely have guessed, this post is all ,about how the cornflower illustration above came to be.

The inspiration

They were inspired by these  beauties...

Photo of Cornflowers and Bee by Jim Fernbank

(And though The Computer Man's photo is wonderful as always (thanks Jim!) even this doesn't really do justice to how bright these flowers were (despite having been a little beaten around by the rain)).

So naturally, I set about giving them all that extra vibrancy in art-and-digital-land. After all, one of the reasons I paint and design is to highlight all that is brightest, happiest and best in the world at large, and nature especially.

The really surprising thing...

The really surprising thing though, is where we found both the large and happy clump of cornflowers, and the selection of (equally happy sounding) bumble bees...

 Next to a bucolic cornfield? No.

By a quiet country lane? Great guess, but, no again.

These flowers were right next to our local covered reservoir, intertwined with the very sturdy metal bars that keep people from tampering with said reservoir...As you can see from this photo (thanks again, Jim)...

Photo by Jim Fernbank

Yes, people do usually go up there for a view of the London skyline. But so mesmerised and surprised  was I by the cornflowers instead, that I've generated more art as a result than I can talk about in one blog post.

So the second instalment will be next week (though there is a  downloadable background here, and even a card design if you want to see what became of the illustration at the top of this post right this minute...)

Which just goes to show...

Which goes to show that if you keep an open mind, it really is possible to find inspiration literally anywhere.

And on that note, will leave you to your day, but will be back next week to show you more.

Thanks so much for being here, and for reading down this far.

More soon.

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Roses, Lilies, and Christmas in July...

Hello there

Just popping in quickly, as know that lots of people are busy with all things summer right now.

"Roses and Lilies"

Firstly, thought you'd enjoy this sketch of roses and lilies. It came from some flowers that *felt* like they flew in through magical means.

 Yes, OK, though unexpected, these flowers arrived by a very human-and kind-route outside our door. But still, it felt pretty magical on a wet Saturday afternoon. (Especially as I had just been thinking..."It's a shame my birthday flowers are finishing...and I need something new to paint...," but hadn't shared that thought with *anyone*.).

The original flowers

And just in case you're thinking, "No vase would match flowers like that," here is a photo of the flowers on the day they went into the jug (please excuse the dust-art comes first!):

Photo of roses and lilies in a jug, by Jim Fernbank

(Confession: I'd been waiting *30 years* since buying that vase for some flowers to come along that would match it quite as well as that ;-) ).

Christmas in July

And yes, though the festive red, white and green did catch my eye, though for later in the year. 

Which reminds me, that if you're a crafter, I'm running a Christmas in July sale on all my sheets and kits from July 28th 2023-July 31st 2023 inclusive. Click or tap this link to see it.

And...

But whether you're a crafter already making items for later in the year, or just enjoying all the beauty and flowers of summer (or cool of winter, elsewhere in the world)...Thank you so much, both for being here, and for reading down this far.

Have a lovely weekend, and more soon.

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Lupins in a Cottage Garden

Hello there

Hope you're well and thriving OK (sending thoughts of calm, cool breezes and rain to everyone who might want this in various parts of the world).

Click or tap here for more info...

Keeping things calm, just thought I'd pop in to share these lupins, (available as prints and on various other lovely things in the shop). They're a digital watercolour, painted stroke by stroke (in a *lot* of layers-22, I think...) in the Krita 5 digital painting app/software.

May they bring you happiness, peace, calm, and a joyful sense of summer, whenever and wherever you're reading this.

More soon.

PS. If you're a crafter, click or tap here to see this painting adapted into a printable patterned background.

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A Re-vamp and a Ceanothus

Ceanothus, by Clare Walker (Update 10th June: Now available here).

Hello there

Just popping in quickly to let you know that am revamping parts of the blog at the moment. So if things look odd for a little while, (eg, no logo)  please bear with me. (The end results will, am hoping, be simpler, sleeker and easier for everyone to visit and use).

It also seemed like the perfect time to share this little (digital) watercolour in Krita. It's of the beautiful blue bush belonging to another neighbour. The bush is bright blue, and beloved by butterflies and bees. I *believe* it's a ceanothus, (or California Lilac). But please don't quote me on that...You know my track record on such things...

And with that in mind, will leave you to your weekend. Hope it's a happy one for you

More soon(ish).

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A Cute Teapot, and a Welcome Return...

Hello there, and I hope life's treating you well.

"Teapot and Roses" by Clare Walker

This week, as you can see from these cute flowers coming out of a teapot, am sharing the latest in my  "Flowers and Containers," series. 

In the meantime, by the time this gets to you as a newsletter, there's a strong chance that this particular design will already be for sale as a teapot-shaped card sheet in my Craftsuprint shop, and this will be a live link to that if so. (Update: the link is now live).

A warm welcome back

In any event, it's definitely time to give a warm welcome back to the blog to Marion Kimberley-Scott, who has already been busy making and crafting cards from the sheets featuring previous paintings and designs in this series.

Here's her take on the Lavender Cascade:

Photo by Marion Kimberley-Scott, and used with her permission
Click or tap here to see it on Craftsuprint.Com

And "Wellies and Flowers"...

Photo by Marion Kimberley-Scott, and used with her permission
Click or tap here to see it on Craftsuprint.Com

Not forgetting the  "Purple Planter":

Photo by Marion Kimberley-Scott, and used with her permission
Click or tap here to see it on Craftsuprint.Com

Thank you so very much Marion. I really appreciate both you *and* your awesome crafting skills.

And if you'd like to see more of Marion's work, please click or tap here.

That's all for now from me, but thanks ever so much for reading down this far, and have a lovely weekend.

More soon.

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Bits, Bobs and Two Unexpected Visitors...

Hello there, and as ever, hope that life is treating you well.

Now, this is the time when you get to peep behind the curtain, and see how creativity really works, instead of the, "yes, one-neat-product-appears-every-week," version of events into which this blog might (accidentally) have lulled you before now.

"Wisteria Bench" Work in Progress
Digital Watercolour Sketch
in Rebelle 5,
by Clare Walker

First up, there's a park/garden  bench sketch. I drew it mostly to celebrate humble-but-wonderful  benches in the sun, and a vague idea that, when finished,  it might one day join what I might (in a grandiose moment) call the "garden art series,"...The start of which is in my Society6 shop, at least for now.

"Roses on a Pole"
Digital Watercolour sketch
 in Rebelle 5, by Clare Walker

Next there's these roses-on-a-pole. The start of a wedding design? Maybe. Something for May Day? It could happen. But they got created because they were fun and reminded me of summer on a rainy day. Which is much more in line with how creativity really works than the "uploading-on-a-schedule," online world might suggest.

And then there's this post itself. For a perfect Easter post, in a world of productivity-over-creativity, there should be bouncing bunnies or similar. (And yes,  it's with some relief that I can announce that there'll be a more "correctly" seasonal post (if you want to call it that) *next* week.

Those Two Unexpected Visitors...

But if I had gone along with that particular script this week, then some real life inspiration which landed in the window box,  three feet away from my keyboard, wouldn't have got a look-in, almost literally.

Let me introduce you to the first of them. Both these photos were taken by my husband, so massive thanks to him (a.k.a. often on this blog  as, "The Computer Man").

Round Robin-Photo by Jim Fernbank

Yes, it's a robin. That most famous of Christmas birds (in the UK, anyway), gracing us with his presence (like the snow of  a couple of weeks ago) much closer to Easter.

I had a vague memory from childhood that robins like to eat tiny pieces of cheese.

That turned out to be the understatement of the century. He clearly *adored* cheese. And soon had us trained to leave out cheese for him in response to loud and disappointed squeaks each morning.

But the cheese kept disappearing *so* quickly, that we became suspicious. And sure enough, a second, sleeker robin is also dining at the window-box buffet.

Sleek Robin- Photo by Jim Fernbank

Which, combined with the fairly recent memory of snow, now meant that a snowy Christmas design just had to be begun, at least, even though you might not see a final, end result,  "on" something, for months.

Red Robin Sketch
Work in progress digital watercolour
by Clare Walker

(And yes, I know that my robin sketch features a red bird, and these robins are distinctly orange. But I'll save that debate (and the huge, bizarre, difference in popularity between robin designs in each colour) for a post nearer Christmas.

It's *all* OK...

Thanks for reading down this far. This post has rather wandered and wound its way round, a bit like how creativity itself seems to work. Am hoping that it's been fun to read, and that it might explain why things don't or can't always seem to appear, "When they *should*". 

Most of all, I hope that it may have inspired you to follow through on creative ideas, whenever and however they appear for you. It's all *OK,* and you, I, or anyone else, all have permission to follow those inner-and outer-promptings, as they happen.

 Even if that does mean that you draw robins at Easter :-) .

That's all for now. But my current plan is to be back a little sooner next week, with some genuinely spring-like or Eastery treats.

More soon.

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New Painting: Wild Flowers by the Sea

"Wild Flowers the Sea," by Clare Walker

Hello there

Hope that you've had a great week and are thriving.

This week's post is all about giving you a chance to breathe, relax, and take a stroll along a deserted coastal path, bordered by a wild flower meadow, and leading into soft green hills...

I hope that you enjoy this as much as I loved creating it, and it gave me a sense of peace (and mojo) that have been missing for a while, all-in-all. It is a digital watercolour (in Rebelle 5...But somehow, it came out looking surprisingly traditional.

So please do watch this space for more like it, and for the final destination for this painting too.

In the meantime,  please relax into this image if you'd like, and have a lovely week.

More soon.

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Here's A Free Floral Animated Gif to Share...

Click, right-click  or tap here
to download

Hello there

It's a quick check-in with you today, but hope all's well and that you're thriving.

I made this animated gif to cheer up a friend...and then realised it would be a lovely thing to release to help you share some cheer and joy around as well.

So, feel free to download and share this image to cheer up anyone you think might like it.

 (As ever, copyright remains with me, and credit is always appreciated, but never required).

And other than that, this has been one of those "in-between" weeks where there's plenty going on, but nothing that I can share yet.

Take care, and more soon.

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In the Lavender Garden...

Hello there

Hope you've had a lovely week, and are coping with the heat/cold/other weather oddity (delete as applicable) in your particular part of the world. Here in London, it's seriously warm. So, where better to take you, than a lavender garden?

Click or tap here to see the full version of this design

This is a digital watercolour of mine in Krita, and it's based upon a trip we took to see the Fawcett Garden in Vauxhall.

As you can see from these photos, the garden is smaller than the mythical place in my imagination :-) (isn't that always the way?). But it is beautiful, and we got there at just the right time to see and smell, the lavender. (As ever, the Computer Man and I went together. Most of the photos are his, as he's much niftier with a camera than me).

Happy bees abounded...

And there were roses, too...

Photo by JimFernbank

As well as a general feeling of "Cottage Garden-ness"...

Photo by JimFernbank

Which is all the more amazing, when you consider that Vauxhall Park is just a stone's throw from the MI6 building in central London. 

The thing I loved best though, is that the park's lavender (which also featured in rows like these)...

Photo by JimFernbank

is harvested every year, by volunteers, with proceeds from the resulting oil being used to fund the ongoing upkeep of the lavender garden.

You can't beat a situation so full of win-win aspects for everyone, can you?

And on that note, I'll just wish you a happy weekend (or week, depending upon when you're reading this).

And thank you for reading down this far into a long post :-).

More soon.

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Cute Chocolates Illustration Download and More...

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

Hello there, and hope you're doing well and thriving.

And an extra- special welcome if you're one of the many new people who've found out about BoundingSquirrel recently-I really appreciate your having taken the time to subscribe, and to read this.

In what's becoming a bit of a tradition, this fine Friday brings another free illustration for you to use in your projects, in the shape of the cute choccies featured above. Most ways you might want to use it as an individual,  crafter or small-business person are fine (take a peek at the my angel policy for details). 

Yes, they're obviously great for anything with an upcoming Valentine's or romantic theme. But what self-respecting chocolate-love wouldn't enjoy this illustration year round?

A Matching "Chocolates" Background...

This background is available to buy
as a download at Craftsuprint.Com.
Click or tap here for details.

If the illustration has got your creative juices flowing, then you might also like the matching printable background that's for sale in my Craftsuprint shop. (Update on Feb 7th: You can now order this on fabric too, at Zazzle).

Plus...

There's also a matching physical sticker with all sorts of uses (cards, presents, adding to a letter or card to cheer someone up, personalising your laptop, using it in your chocolate emporium (!)...the list goes on...)

This sticker is available to buy on Redbubble
Click or tap here for details...

Finally...

Finally, as am writing this in the run-up to Valentine's Day, if that happens to be the event that's brought you here, then my previous posts about this free teddy and hearts background, and Valentine Ecard, might also be useful.

Hope all this helps you in some day-brightening way in any event.

Have a lovely weekend, and more soon.

2022 Animated Gif Ecard Image To Share...

 Hello there

Just popping in quickly, because wanted to send you the very best of wishes for the New Year...

And thought you might find this little 2022 animated gif useful. (And it is very small and light, as I deliberately cropped and optimised to give you a small image for sending wherever you'd like. Just click, right-click or tap, depending upon your device, to share it).

See you again in a few days. More soon!

Free Angel Illustration and More...

 

You may download and use this free angel illustration
Right-click, click or tap to do so.
 (Credit and links back much appreciated, but not required)

Hello there

Hope life is treating you excellently, whether you're reading this as a regular reader (in which case, thank you) or new here and in search of the angel illustration/graphic/clip art above.

In either case, this illustration is free, and with its rainbow lights background, can very definitely be used all year round, and not just as Christmas clip art.

Note: this image is also available at the top of my angel policy/terms of use, which let you know the many ways in which you can (and a very few in which you can't) use this image.

 

In related news...

In related news, I'm making some gentle changes to this blog which should make it easier for you to use.

As part of that, I've had to start collecting some data on this site, though am still committed to only ever collecting the minimum possible, and keeping data as safe and private as I can.

 The first benefit of the changes for you though, is that the blog now has a proper contact form. Please do use it, and get in touch with any suggestions or thoughts you have about the blog.

In line with all this, there are also changes to my privacy policy. Do take a look-the page even includes a  new privacy policy illustration to sweeten the experience, along with the ever-popular "cookies" illustration that you're also still welcome to use.

Sooo...

Please bear with me as some blog changes happen. Watch this space, for example, for an easier way to follow this blog again.

(It's not easy to make a post that's mostly blog-housekeeping appealing, I know, but hope the little angel goes some way to making up for it).

In the meantime, thanks for reading this, and have a lovely weekend.

More soon.

New Bluebell Painting: "Ringing in the Spring"

Hello there. Hope you're well and thriving.

And after a much-needed (staycation) break, it's time to reveal something new.

Enter this new bluebell painting. (Though am loving how it's turned out-and that it was inspired by a single walk in our local woodland, that was drenching itself in the magic and newness of spring).

Update in June 2023: This painting is now available in my Pixels store, and in my Redbubble shop.

There'll be more soon, and thanks for waiting for this post!

PS. Update on April 30th: If you enjoy cardmaking and crafting, a sheet based on this painting is also available.

New "Rose Girl" Design and A Dilemma...

Hello there. Hope this post finds you thriving, and (ideally) in temperatures much warmer than our own current *spring* cold snap.

In anticipation of all things summer though, this "Rose Girl" design appeared the other day. (I say "appeared," because was sat down meaning to draw something else entirely, and somehow this design happened instead). The whole business of creating things seems to be like that sometimes. You expect oranges, but get pears...And yet, it all works out.

Anyway, this led to a dilemma, because she's quite different to a lot of the things I normally draw (being a person, for one thing ;-)).

But after encouragement from some friends online, I uploaded her to my Redbubble shop, and am glad I did. Because it turns out she's rockin' it on greeting cards, wall art, magnets, pillows/cushions, and more.

Hope she brings you thoughts of peaceful summer days too. And in any event, have a happy weekend. 

More soon!

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