109th entry...I AM SO LOST......

I cannot seem to get my inspiration going...
Don't ask me what is wrong as I can't seem to analyse it my self!
This is my market painting.

Jigsaw design - Hale Food Market 2011 

I need to just do a bit of sketching as I love pencil work...that should do the trick!

Give me a few days and hopefully I shall be back in the swing..!

108th entry....

Just thought that you all should know that I am back on track....
A little blip with getting too involved in an artist - who does fantastic watercolours don't get me wrong - and, I think, trying to copy her style rather than recognise that we all have our own way of painting and should - and I have - just use her techniques to develop my style....
I wrote earlier " Stick to who you are - use other people's style to integrate with your own...
Do lots of quick people in ?watercolour and pen? or ?pencil sketch watercolour and pen?
Utilise the fact that you enjoy and do well the drawing aspect of your work...and work on being free with the paint with the pen/charcoal to define the picture"
Does this make sense?

107th entry...muggy weather!

Hale Market - inside... -2011

This is my first of a series of Hale Food Market...Getting a bit lost on what my style should be, so it would be good for some feed-back from you lot out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

106th entry...

Not my best week - on antibiotics x 2 then a bug knocked me out for two day... so 'back on the road again' as the song says!
Trying to improve my skills with my watercolours...more theory read than actual practice done - typical me, but it is very very useful!   Hazel Soan is fabulous at watercolours and her new book 'The essence of Watercolour' is an absolute dream of a book~!!!!
So I am plodding on - remembering that it was only this time last year that I was working at 'School' ugh!!!!! from Mon - Thurs and that only one year on I have two art classes up and running (all be it that I have very few people!) a monthly stall selling my art (cards) I have had a commission for pets which is to be advertised in the local journal to get more response. I have had a submission of my work accepted for cards - am on going though slow, still VERY keen on doing a book with my next door neighbour something like 'A week in the Forest' and we have started the ball rolling...and there are two exhibitions coming up - one at Langford Lakes and the other at the Salisbury library!!!!
So I am getting there - where ever that may be - recognition!!!!
It just is not a 'running job' more of a walking on ice where you step forwards then slip back abit then forwards etc...get my gist!!!!
So there we have it - life is a twisting road and that is what make it what it is.....

105th entry.....

getting things together...am working on my 2 exhibitions...have got my art classes up and running! Booklet - I need to work on our booklet....
Here is my flower for June....the beautiful dog-rose.....
Symbol of the British Monarchy...16Century /herbalist Gerard, gave it 'the most principal place among all flowers whatsoever' should be called 'Dog' suggesting of 'no worth'
ancient Greeks called it the wild dog rose as they believed it could cure a man bitten by a mad dog...
A vigorous climber!

Jigsaw series  - 'Dog-rose'

PP Reader's Digest 
So there you have it...next job - lunch then sort out payment for the use of the halls for my classes!

104th entry....losing the plot!

Not sure where I am going at the moment...feel very stagnant with my art!
Art classes ok!
Booklet is not yet moving!
Commissions - need to be contacted!
Diary - ongoing and helps me put my thoughts out there...
Exhibitions x 2...have got the subject matter; need to  start drawing!!!!
Submissions I need a new idea for a fresh series - last one 'Walking the Dogs'
All in all feel a bit low at the moment, so I am waiting for the path to turn in my favour...
Do I sound sorry for myself?

Jigsaw series - Paul's house! 2011

Anyhow this is the painting I did for my friend Paul - he said that he loved it...

103rd entry...

This is the birthday card I painted for my boy yesterday!

Jigsaw series - Red Kite 2011

It is watercolour and then pen .... I am spending a lot of time studying watercolour technique; to try and get more depth in my work!
It is raining outside, and quite a miserable windy day all in all!

102nd entry...life is so racy!

So, I sit after my art class and list what I need to do next...
Birthday card done - write ups for the session to do, then onwards to the exhibitions!  Should I do pastels (for a change) or watercolours?!!
I feel all churned up inside with love for my girlie - protective...How I wish I could help her more - I love them SO much; my two boys and girl....

101th entry...

OH! WOE IS LIFE....MY HEART HURTS!

100th entry.................how bloomin' fantastic is that!!!!!!

So here are two of the watercolour that I promised you yesterday!

Jigsaw series - our village hall!

Jigsaw series - A local walk to bluebell wood!

There they are, and now I have to race off to cook sups.....................speak soon!

99th entry....

Ooooooooooh! we have drizzle here...
Art class went very well today! All attended...
Been working hard sorting out my next class, and now my Tabletop for Saturday!
Am doing some small watercolours, of local village scenes, to sell.
Practicing my 'wet-on-wet' and learning loads.....
however supper calls, so off I go to do some cooking in the kitchen - rice with bits, I think, my boy love that dish!
Will put some paintings on to view - hopefully tomorrow!

98th entry...

The day moves on

The night draws near

My loved ones oh! so far I fear...

Dotted around all UK

I wish that they were here to day!

My heart is full; I love them so

I never want to let them go...

Mums said they are to you on loan

But oh!  to have them close to home!!!

97th entry...Morning all artists out there!!!!

Here is the card that I did of a boat in Fowey on our hols this Easter...

Jigsaw design - Fowey River 2011

So onwards to meet my lovely Dads for lunch - I am going to end up a fat biff if I am not careful....

96th entry....and I am on the move...

I have finished my commission - eventually!  Why do some people leave things until the very last, making them squirm when it would be so much nicer to get it done straight away....I have made my own Link-in group called
Southern Artists UK
www.linkedin.com/groups?newItemsAbbr=&gid=3899534&trk=gmp_sm
Join my forum and let's help each other get out into the big wide world....in all honesty I haven't really a clue what I'm about but hey!!!!!

Then the special news of the day is.......
after all my effort at submitting my 'Jigsaw design' I have finally done it!  What you ask impatiently....
a card company has accepted my artwork...my 'walking the dogs' actually...
HOW FAB IS THAT...............IT CAN WORK!!!!
I shall be famous one day...!

95th entry

This is the May flower with more maybe to come...

pJigsaw series - Honeysuckle 2011

17th century diarist Samuel Pepys called it 'the trumpet flower' whose bugles 'blow scent instead of sound'...also called woodbine.
The romantic associations were that if honeysuckle is brought into the house, a wedding will follow, and that its flower when placed in a girl's bedroom will bring her dreams of love...
Reader's Digest
How romantic is that!
So I wish you good morning, and will update you on my progress of my wet-on-wet soon....time seems to slip through my fingers - aaaaah!

94th entry...

So April the 11th is the last time that I wrote in my diary....what have I done - well I have been on hols since then and had the pleasure of kids company which if you are in my boat, you will understand how time consuming that can be!
So now we are in May and I need to do my favourite wild flower....meanwhile it is 8.20 in the evening and I am off to have my shower.
Lovely to be back in touch though!  I shall put my few hols art on show later!

93rd entry....April wild flower

Jigsaw series - Primrose in April 2011

The primrose - one of my favourite wild flowers as it holds some very special memories for me...

When the first primrose starts to bloom, in March, they herald the arrival of Spring and warmer days to come!

Primulais two Latin words meaning 'first rose'

The primrose produces two kinds of flowers.  The pollen is transferred from one to the other but few insects are around when they bloom, so are often not pollinated! - in 'The Winter's Tale' Shakespeare wrote of  the "pale primrose that die unmarried"

Flowers of the primrose, in the middle ages, were also employed in the preparation of love potions!

So there you have my flower painting and choice for the month of April.  There are many others, all  fill our world with a joy unheralded...what a beautiful feeling to walk or drive down our local country lane and see the beauty of an English hedgerow, with the abundance of wild flowers...there is no better tonic!!!!

92nd entry...

Well Spring is here good and proper as I sit in the kitchen with the sun shining through the window...the ponies are collecting outside eating the greenery around our fence!
I have completed 3 cards and a present but am unable to put them on my diary until they have seen them!
so - watch this space.....

Next stop - the attic!

91st entry....

'Art-together' class today...and every one did fabulously well! Each had the same photo and used watercolours or acrylics - the difference in the results is amazing.  One very true to watercolour, one very vibrant and impressionistic, one very detailed and one simplified to give a good depth to the painting! It is so lovely to see such varied styles...
And now I wait to cook supper for my boy as he has been working very hard!
Have been on the laptop today, rather than doing art...and still waiting to read my fab (70's expression) book that I mentioned yesterday about 'wet-on-wet'.............
SO much to do in life and not enough hours in my day - time goes by so fast....structure your day and tick it off! That helps!

90th entry...Humble apologies!!!!

....for being so lax at writing my diary! I promise to try harder!
So up to date, I have been at home with the family which precludes me from going on my laptop.  'Why?' you ask...well I tend to do more washing/cooking/tidying etc.  Not that I mind but I lose track of where I am in life...then the stress comes!
With regards to my artwork, I have just bought a fabulous book from Amazon.. 'Wet-on-wet watercolour painting' by Ewa Karpinska.  It is fabulously laid out with beautiful paintings to study...
Here is my last commission was for a lovely lady ...

For a lovely paramedic - March 2011

She was very pleased with it!

I have more to show but they are to be seen by the 'birthday' people first or that should not be fair - nes pas!

So thank you for putting up with my negligence and I promise to try and do more, but have patience as it is school hols...us mums understand!

89th entry....

The girl is on a roll...this is what I did in my sketchbook yesterday - en plein air - on my village green!
I used straight watercolour wash with pen over the top - no pencil sketching - to stop me from getting too tight!
I am SO stuck on my colour pallett at the moment - can anyone help?

Ponies on the green...March 2011

'Pony munching grass - on the green' March 2011

'On the green' March 2011

The first one of the three, I actually did last, by which time the sun had gone down and my muscles were starting to shake!
Quickly done outside - I quite like them - my girlie is not so keen...
What do you think?
Isn't the sunshine magic today!

88th entry...

This, I did yesterday with a dog as well, but that is a surprise for a lovely lady...so you shall have to wait for it!

Jigsaw series - Interpretation...2011

Onwards to printing out some cards for my 'Table-top' tomorrow.  My lovely boy is going to man it as I have to work!!!

87th entry...

Not very consistent with my diary am I...never mind!

This is what I have done so far to submit to the card companies - 'Walking the dog'

'Walking the dog'  1 - 2011

'Walking the dog' 2 - 2011

'Walking the dog' 3 - 2011

'Walking the dog'  4 - 2011

'Walking the dog' 5 - 2011

'Walking the dog' 6 - 2011

SURVEY..
Would you buy one of these as a card...?
If so which one?

86th entry...

March and the 'wood Anemone' is out...

Wood Anemone

Walking in the woods in Spring, one  may be rewarded by the sight of the delicate flowers nodding gently in the breeze.
The other name is 'wind flower' so called, according to the Greek writer ' 'Pliny', because the flowers will not open until the wind blows.
Also known as the 'smell  foxes' as the smell is not as attractive as their appearance!

and guess who went horse riding today!!! Me.... and although I was particularly pathetic, I am going again, and again...we went along the road and then into some woods.  It was magic!

85th entry...

Better day today! Got a different anti-virus on my laptop and I shall do it every bloomin' day...and back up my pics/docs weekly!

Jigsaw series - Keira the Dog! 2011

Jigsaw series - Tikka the Dog 2011

Jigsaw series - Bertie the horse 2011

These are to be framed for a commission....

84th entry...

So.... I have lost  my 'My pictures' on my laptop, which holds all my artwork and photos...I have got a back up on memory stick which has most of my work on it, but I'll have to sort through and find the others! I had it written in my note book to do it for a good couple of weeks so that will teach me....
Oh! my...
So people out there... if you exist....remember to back up your work regularly!...

83rd entry...

Cold today...and my shoulders ache from being on the laptop!!! Am sorting my mind out as to where I am going with my art...bit of a low spot! We all get them..... Have done a 'spider diagram' to see it in a visual format.  My pastels confuse me most - I know that with some  of them I have captured a lovely atmosphere but I think my problem is which subject matter to focus on!
As to my watercolours - I would love to illustrate something using my ability at doing quick fresh 'cartoons' that portray life and its pleasures for people! - A bit like my cards that I do for the family....
I am in the process of doing a commission of dogs and a horse...which I am enjoying - watercolour and charcoal!

82nd entry...

Having a go at pastels today - pencils to be precise! Actually though and I hate to say it, but I miss my watercolours lots....!
Anyhow here we are...any comments!

Jigsaw pastel - 'By the sea...' 2011

'Shopping!' 2011 

'St Ives' 2011

I have to say that I stink at 'colours' when doing my pastels...it is SO frustrating...
I would suggest the first one inspires me most...I am good at my 'cartoon' people! I shall do some 'Moments in time' ones in my lovely watercolours - sod the pastels for now - until the Spring may be...
Onwards to 'Hommity pies' for supper!

81st entry...

Been working hard all day...like most people in this life...
This is what I achieved for my 'jigsaw series'

Jigsaw series - Spring Anemones 2011

Did this for my niece for her birthday - as it is nice to receive a card on that special day is it not...!!!! 

I think that it is the ability to think of others rather than be wrapped up in your own life that makes the world go around!!!!!!

Regarding my art...bit lost today!  Must develop my jigsaw - I know I keep saying that. I have, however,  picked out a colour palette of pastel pencils that correspond to my watercolours. The other thing that I must do is read an earlier diary entry and see what I written there re: my art progress, which may refresh my mind!

80th entry...and the house is full of daffodils....!!!

It is  February 19th, and 28 years ago today that my beautiful boy and I were married...
Poems and 'home-made' cards have been shared, and little presents ...

Snowdrops from my boy....2011

Jigsaw series - 'Reflections in the pebbles'... 2011

Supper at home - just the two of us...and a quality bottle of wine!  What more could you ask for!!!

Thank you my lovely, lovely boy for 28 fabulous years together; may we have zillions more!!! xxx

79th entry...and how remiss am I...

I have been doing 'wild flowers' in my Jigsaw design, but with ink rather than charcoal - not delicate enough!

Jigsaw series - 'Hoary Plantation' 2011 

Jigsaw series - Shepherd's purse 2011

Jigsaw series - 'Bladder Campion - White bottle' 2011

Jigsaw series - 'Garlic Mustard - Jack-by-the-Hedge' 2011

Jigsaw series - 'Umberalla Stitchwort' 2011

I sit in the evening and sketch them; finding this very relaxing, and paint them in the day when the light is good...using pen rather than charcoal, as charcoal is not fine enough, for the 'outline'!

A lovely past-time....apologies for the poor scanning, and colour quality...there are more on my website - http://www.sarahorchardfinearts.co.uk/index.html   > Card/Illustration design > Jigsaw series... do look and send me comments!

78th entry...

First flower of spring... The snowdrop...

Jigsaw series - February snowdrop 2011

The snowdrop provides an early feast for bees. In the past they were also known as 'The fair-maid of February'. An old custom connected with the 'Feast of Purification of St Mary' celebrated on the 2nd February. Village maidens would gather bunches of snowdrops and wear them as a symbol of purity.
Generic name - 'Galanthus' derived from the two Greek words meaning 'milk' and 'flower'.
...Extract from Reader's Digest Wild flower's of Britain.

77th entry...

...and my 2nd 'Art Together....' Absolutely fabulous...I have come away from it feeling SO excited about the people; how I can work with them, and just loved it...! What more can I say! I think my problem last week was a fear of rejection...nobody wanting to come to my class - which is very sad I know but that is me...such a sensitive little flower : >
Have come home: done my write up and logging for the class, and sorted out my research for sketching my final run of February cards for people. Surveys and submitting work shall have to wait until tomorrow. I am now off to cook liver and bacon...Story...? am not sure, may revamp it to 'flowers through the seasons' - I smile when I write this as I love my wild flowers...

76th entry...

This is a transcript of a pastel, in pastel crayons, by Diana Armfield.
It is pretty poor, but I had promised myself.....I shall next try to do a pastel of my own in a similar way, and see if this will be more acceptable...!

A pretty poor transcript...

but I can now work on achieving a more personal style of my own....
Why is it poor? - nothing personal about it...no atmosphere...boring really!

75th entry...

I have just received my 'Artist' magazine and what excitement...beautiful pastels on the front cover...!  I can't wait to read it....
 I have added a card that I did for my boy - not a very good reproduction, but I like the movement of the wings!

Card for my boy...Jigsaw style! 2011

How windy it is outside, and my father has not returned my call - slightly worrying!
So I sit here and will get my paints out and try a pastel pencil transcript...
watch this space!

74th entry...

Life has been very hectic at present.  Had my first 'Art Together...' class today...confused by my feelings about it!  Was excited and positive before hand - did a structured session, all went well and yet I worry about them coming back next week!  Perhaps this is worse than getting it together and doing the first one - wondering if they really will return.  I do hope so...

73rd entry...

 A busy day...sorted my 'Art Together' class for Tuesdays - starting 1st February 10 - 12pm.

Another 'Chinese Whisper' for the Sarum Artist group to replocate....

The first painting is the original - Picasso - Portrait au bonnet blanc; the second is by Moira and her interpretation.  the third is my rendition of Moira's.  I then found Picasso's original work to see how differently I had done mine! I have made the face older looking...

So that is my 'Chinese Whisper's' done...Tomorrow I shall sort my brain out a bit"

Go down to the HVHall and see the room I will be having my classes in!

AND we had snow this afternoon....

72nd entry...

Today I went for a walk in the Forest with a lovely friend. Result being that - other than it was a lovely day and good company - a time ultimatum was set at me to find out about a venue for me to give art classes once a week...4'o clock phone back, to see what I had achieved!
By the end of the day I had set my venue, H.V.Hall Tuesday 10 - 12pm called  'Art Together....'
any one with interested can come....I have 400 flyers ready to go into the local Parish Magazine tomorrow...
Here's hoping; with more ideas in store from my lovely friend who did phone back - at 3.30pm - and was a little taken back with the speed they are to start, but hey! Aren't people magic!

71st entry...

Getting a few responses from my submitted artwork to Greetings card companies!  So far, although all 'no', they are exceedingly kind in either offering other sites to look at or just a nice comment on my work! (and I have more to come...)
Interestingly, I don;t feel rejected - it make me want to put my work out more....This is good, as a year ago one rejection would have made me feel awful! That is a positive in my life...
So onwards and upwards to the future....!

70th entry!

A lovely relaxing day - a walk with my dear friend, then out in the garden for my boy and me...jobs! Very rewarding...
Now we are together in the kitchen one ironing, one on the laptop...all peaceful and quiet....

69th entry!

I have eventually completed the acrylic with pastel that I promised to do - weeks ago!

What do you think?

Girlie in the Forest...2011

68th entry...

and life goes on...was intending to do some acrylic painting with old 'blobs' that I had left....how ever alas alack too hard! So I did an artistic supper instead while watching 'The Pianist' - all about the Jews and how horrendously they were treated in the war by the Nazis! Everybody should see it - it keeps us awake to what happened...puts our lives into perspective! What awful times...am reading a factual book on the D-Day landing in 1944.  It's called 'MONTY'S IRONSIDES'-  from the Normandy beaches to Bremen with the 3rd Division.
Fabulously interesting book...

67th entry...

I am getting some supportive responses back from the submitting artwork - emails!
People are very nice on average....giving me areas to look at if they can't help!
So I am on the move in my; Greetings card area, Receiving the book on illustration artist, Communicated dates for HAC, Looking at aspects of work and found a site that I might put my work on! Keeping focused is hard, as in sometimes I feel like I am in a briar patch or a fog!....There are so many areas I could get into with my art - I need to stay focused!

66th entry...

Bit of a 'blue' day all in all....haven't achieved anything really!  Just fiddling on the laptop!
MOT tomorrow on my 'little man's' car ....waiting for the heating to come on...brrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
Art - not really motivated today, don't often get that! Need to sort out an idea for a painting to push me on...

65th entry...my guys have gone...

so now to focus on my life in the art world!
To day I have mostly been sorting out my application for submitting my work to HAC
http://www.hampshireartistscooperative.com/
All these things take longer than you think to get together....

Chinese Whispers for Sarum Artists

Next port of call is to submit my work for greetings cards...

64th entry...

I have my table top at the local village hall tomorrow, so have spent most of my time today printing and sorting for it!
The Glasgow Exhibition at the RA looks good - next door neighbour went today.  She will tell me how good!
If it is Dads and I will go...

63rd entry...and my shoulders ache from being on the laptop too long!!!

Work this morning..back and forward...back and forward...what a daft way to organise it!!! I shake my head!
All cosy cosy again - listening to some 'smashing' music on my 'little man's'  laptop...
It is amazing how I can just switch my brain out....oooh! this one on is awful...I shall have to say something!


So here we go again...Apologies for the repetition!


Once upon a time, in a big Forest lived some lovely, lovely people...It was the middle of a cold, cold, winter and the only place in the whole of the land that had had only two days of snow...They lived in a cosy, cosy bungalow - but not I am afraid to say - made of ginger bread!  Friends of theirs had THAT house...

Bungalow in the big, big Forest.

The Mummy and the Daddy lived there all alone...with their cat - of course! Every one has a cat, or so it seems!
The boy and the girl that lived with them went away on a 'journey of life' but were coming home very soon - however that is another story...
Well on this day it was a cold, murky day and the lady we shall call Mummy, I think, decided to go out in the big Forest for a walk, to blow the cobwebs away - not REAL cobwebs mind - a fuzzy brain sort of cobweb! She put on her big walking boots - no puddle slashing today for her - so boots, for the crunchy hard ground!  Her thick, cosy very, very, VERY old green coat was on and a cap. It was rather a splendid cap with a big peak and furry bit - it actually wasn't hers it was her lovely son's, the one on a 'journey of life'!!  All togged up, and her sketch bag and camera, off she went ..into that very big Forest....
....to be continued....

Why am I doing this...?

It is solely for my benefit - to see if I can do the illustrations  to a book; I therefore thought that if I wrote my own little story I would find out whether I enjoyed it! I could get it printed in one of those little book that they advertise on the internet - if I like it that much or feel ambitious. The choice is mine, mine, mine...ha! ha!

62nd entry...good day all round!

Worked this am, and home to my 'boys' ...We all did our different things together - it was bliss...!
Little man goes home on Sunday - sigh!!! I have enjoyed his company SO much!!! All together though this weekend - my girlie is home too!!! Magic!
This is the result of a card I did for our lovely, lovely friend in the forest..My boy went to school with him...

Jigsaw series -  'lunch at The Farm...memories to cherish!'

We have this for our lunch and it is grand...with loads of wine, splendid conversation, and fabulous company - what more can you ask for! They are truly lovely people...
Now on to a NEW edition of 'Midsummer Murders'....
Talk tomorrow!

61st entry....ooooh!

...feel a little bit tipsy! Poured myself a G&T but it wasn't as small as I thought it would be...yeah! yeah! I don't have one very often - maybe that's why I found it so strong!!
How are you on the old will-power, My lovely little man and I agreed that ours is s"*!*t...ate the remainders of my lovely crisps; was only allowing myself to eat half of the remaining packet...but....Oh! dear...!
Day done: suits cleaned and collected from Morrisons - suede jacket only £30 to clean - jolly good price I'll have you know! - tabs ordered, trousers reduced in size, ironing mostly completed and hoovering done....and what have you done with your day....Mmm!
Now on to the renowned 'supper'- all left overs - lucky hubbie I hear you cry.....
THEN part 2 of 'Silent Witness'!
What an exciting life I lead ..... I know, I know - but I enjoy it!
Have had absolutely MAGICAL times with my little man.  Due to returns to Uni.soon!
On to tomorrow - hair to be done....

60th entry...yeah!!!

Went to Salisbury to see my art group and had a lovely day!!! Walked around the Cathedral and water meadows...I did one quick - and I mean quick - watercolour wash, brought it home and did my jigsaw bit...The others took lots of photos as did I too!

Jigsaw series - Salisbury Cathedral in a jiffy!

So I achieved what I set out to achieve - just...and I have a few lovely photos, with ideas floating around in my mind; plus the acrylic I have to do...might try putting Titian white pastel on the top layer - see how effective that is for my atmosphere! Then I have to write the January edition of my 'All seasons' story ( just decided to do it monthly; I want to have all the 'Forest' seasons included, plus flowers - I love my wild flowers...) If only I had more time...Rome wasn't built in a day I know, I know~!!!!
Yes! Yes! supper calls - sigh! A woman's work is never done....
See ya!

59th entry...apologies for not writing!

Yesterday I did not feel very well, and today am occupied with my 'little man' being in casualty having been hit on his forehead with a hockey ball...blood everywhere!!!!!!!!
Awaiting a call to go and pick them up!
Tomorrow...sketching with Constable - past and present!!!
Will talk more, and HOPEFULLY have some artwork to show!!!

58th entry...shop shop shop...

with my son and then met Dads with a long enjoyable lunch at ASK....looking at old photos!
Have found x2 pairs of high waisted, stretch, long legged, black, drain pipe trousers - from M&S!! I have been wanting trousers for moons and wasted my money buying cheap ones from Matalan years ago - plus I lost weigh and they don't fit around the waist! Anyhow, I am so chuffed...I hate trying on clothes!
About to sit down now and watch the second and concluding part of the WWW2 real life drama...can't remember what it is called!
Work first thing tomorrow, then if I don't feel shattered I shall try some acrylics...watch this space!
Next week I shall restart my story - 'cos I want to....
See ya!!!!

57th entry...what a journey...what a ride...

Drive, drive drive to Coombe Bissett - Stratford Toney - Bishopstone - Broad Chalke  - Bower Chalke up around, back, forward, through, back ....but I know it so well and that is good...!!!
Arrived back home and was quite tired, but I have had a lovely day with my munchies....only draw back is rubbish roast for supper as I promised it to my 'little man'..aaaah!!!!! I really dislike roasts, they are SO boring especially pork!!!!!!!!!!! Sigh!
Yarooh! my 'The Artist' arrived today...so a bit of quality reading tonight, then part 6 of 'Pacific'
Spent yesterday looking at some Forest Artists; I have been promising to do it for ages:  Frederick Golden Short,; Allen Seaby; Lucy Kemp-Welch; are a few that I shall look back at - their work!
Quandary: 
Do I try and do some oils/Acrylics, or do I stick to my lovely watercolours and pastels...oh! what a dilemma. I should feel so disloyal to the latter!
I am so hungry...off into 'Town' tomorrow to meet my lovely Dads xxx
Having talked to my lovely boy it has been ?agreed? - meaning if I still feel inclined I shall do it - to do an acrylic painting, to get it out of my system...
I hope that I hate it...then I can focus..what it is to be such an emotional being....
Anyone for the Manderin Chef?
Signing out until the morro'
AND
do look at my website as more is in the card/illustration section
http://www.sarahorchardfinearts.co.uk/index.html
Thank you...all this is going to make me famous!!!

56th entry...such a dour day!!!

I have done a little art but mostly today I have been working on the laptop - again...but it is hopefully good and beneficial!

Christmas time at the pub...2010

Now I shall leave you and start some food...gosh! my shoulders ache!

55th entry...and welcome back one and all..life is back to normal again!

I have used the day in a very productive manner...and actually am quite proud of myself..although my left hand  second finger is very sore!!!
I have sent emails to about 10 people re: my art work. Have found a MAGIC site on my 'tasks' google chrome, called 'Remember the milk' it's like a list, but better...anyhow all my info on today's work is listed there, and I love it - at the moment, until it goes wrong!!!!
http://www.rememberthemilk.com
I am watching Dr Martin - out of the corner of my eye of course - and can hear the seagulls....Oh how I yearn for the Cornish breeze and the rock pools; with my sketch book and watercolours in my artist bum bag....
such an evocative sound!
Now to supper of home-made pizza 'Powell style...'
Gosh! am I chilli  3.7C and I feel colder than when it was minus numbers.

So! no actual artwork done, but a step to the future...and that can't be bad - can it!

54th entry...all done!

Christmas decorations are down, and I have my art room back!
So tomorrow after work, I have structured where I am going and what I am doing on a daily basis.
I WILL GET THERE - WITH OR WITHOUT YOU...I CAN ACHIEVE IT ON MY OWN...
More tomorrow, and I need to do my story...all this for me!

53rd entry...it is getting darker later...have you noticed!!!

As promised  (to my self)  I have started up my diary, now that the Christmas and New Year festive are at an end. I have done my first little sketch 'jigsaw' for 2011 of our day out yesterday at the hockey pitch.  It was a lovely time with people desperate for a game of hockey that had not played since before Christmas!
I have assessed where I shall move to in my art, and once I get my art room back, tomorrow afternoon, will feel more settled to working...if you get my gist...
So this is why I am writing my diary - to get me to do something, at least on a regular basis - and it is working!!!!!

My boys at play - 1st January 2011

I do hope you enjoy this one...it is really my 'moment in time' and 'jigsaw' series all in one...it is the first day of a new year in watercolour and charcoal for me...and I am so happy1  I love, love, love my art SO much...

52nd entry...AND THE ARTIST IS BACK...!!!

We stand, after a tough climb, weary on the top of the mountain looking out at the view of 2011 in hope of a bright new future.....let us move forward and grab the opportunities with both hands....

...the artist is back.....