Changing focus

Since I became pregnant, I have noticed a change in my levels of concentration and focus. Mainly what I've noticed is that I've slowed down naturally - something I have been trying to achieve for many years but never quite managed. But now, my usually busy and sometimes manically driven mind have really calmed down. It feels good. I'm not doing as much, but the things that I am doing, I am a lot more present and involved in.

This has also meant that I am not doing as much art, hence the slowdown in the number of posts that have been going up here lately. Instead I am finally going to make the time to learn to knit and crochet. It's something I've been wanting to do for years but I never slowed down enough to do so. It does require patience. And now feels like the right time to start. So you may not see many posts here for a while, but I am not going away completely.

Thanks to those of you who keep checking back. I really appreciate it.

I'm gonna be a Mommy!!

Yup, this is the life changing stuff that's going on right now which I vaguely hinted at a few posts back. This is our little one at 12 weeks and 6 days. It was our first scan and I've never felt anything like the feeling of seeing the little one for the first time. Heart blown out of this world. He/she is due in July (they can't tell us if it's a he or a she till 20 weeks but we don't want to know till it's born anyway).

P & I are over the moon, and I can't wait to get my bump. At the moment, I just have a little swelling that could be mistaken for pudginess! But I am really enjoying being pregnant, I absolutely love it, especially now the queasums have passed. I just wish it was as much fun trying to find nice trousers with an elasticated waist band that I can wear to work!!

Experimenting with collage (work in progress)

In progress...my first attempt at collage.

Origami paper, oriental rice papers, pencil, marker & acrylic matte medium on canvas, 7" x 5".

Inspired by the fantastic book, Collage Techniques by Gerald Brommer.

Anyone care to jam?

This is something that I first heard of from the Monday Art Day ATC group. The idea is that a small group of people (3 in this instance) each start an ATC (artist trading card, a card measuring 3.5" x 2.5" in any colour or medium) according to a particular theme.

They then mail it to the next person in the group, that person adds to it, then they mail it to the next person in the group, they add to it and send it on so that it arrives back to the person who started the card, who gets to keep it. That way each person ends up with a unique ATC that has been collaborated on by two other people.

Of course, art jams needn't just include ATCs, they could really extend to any piece of art of any size that can be sent in the mail, and it could include more than three people. Possible themes and mediums are endless! But I thought it would be better to start small.

So anyone out there wanna give this a go? I guess I am looking for two volunteers at the moment, so if you want to take part, leave me a comment on this post and the first two will take part in the jam! The theme will be RED - apart from that anything goes, you can use any medium you like, from pencil to watercolour to fabric. If you have any questions, just ask.

Come on people, let's jam!!

100% for IF

This drawing was 100% spontaneous

Not knowing what to expect

New year, new sketchbook

So, 2 years and 372 posts later, here I am! I can't believe I've been blogging for 2 years...it's flown by. I remember that I started just as I was teaching myself / learning to draw. I've learned so much and made great new friends too...it's been good. Here's to many more heartful bloggin' years...and heartful thanks to everyone who visits, especially my true blue bloggin' buddies who keep coming back!

So it's a new year and I've started a new sketchbook / diary thingy. That's my first entry up there, drawn again using Andrea's luscious red pens...

I'm going to be a lot more open and fluid with my drawing from now on, open to whatever comes, less structured with myself (hence no more heartful challenges), following my heartful instincts. Hope you'll keep tuning in. Oh, and Happy New Year!