119th entry....

Day three of my watercolour journal...

Oyster shells from the party 2011

These oyster shells were very hurriedly done but are beautiful to paint if time is taken on them.  They had individual names written in for the seating plan on the tables.

A lovely anniversary party organised by my niece!
I have changed my side paintings so do scroll down and take a look - click on them to enter my website to see more.....

118th entry....

continuing my artist holiday diary...

Shopping in St Hellier 2011

A frustrated brother in law as we hunted all the jewellery shops for a new watch - my one has eventually died!
Have you ever been to St Hellier in Jersey, what a fabulous place...!

117th entry....back from my holidays, so hello again!

Have spent the last two weeks in Jersey, which is a lovely island in the Channel islands and well worth a visit if you love beautiful beaches and a nice environment!
While there I have studied my watercolour technique and also done a watercolour diary....
This sketch  from memory..is the first day and our arrival on the most minuscule  plane  - 'Blue Island' with a good recommendation for the service that they offer!

Flying over to Jersey with 'Blue Island' 2011

So this is the first day and us on the little 21 seater plane....

116th entry...

I have concluded the work for the exhibition ...found the title hard to get to grips with!
'Music of the Spheres' which has a lovely feel to it but does nothing for my artistic side...

'Music of the Spheres' 2011



I used on the watercolour quite a lot of the colour indigo, which I use regularly but not in such quantities.  It left small 'bits' or residue on the paper giving a grainy effect...which can be beneficial or if used too much can give the painting a slightly dirty look to it.  I have known about this effect but it is the first time it has shown quite so dramatically on my work  - but a good and interesting lesson to have experienced is it not...

So my next project must be Chapter 1 of 'THE BOOK'....my watercolours are evolving; I am understanding them more and more which is so exciting!

115th entry...

My lovely mother died six years ago today, so I shall go to the cathedral and light a candle and leave a prayer ....to say I miss her and love her and thank her for making me who I am....

She would be pleased to see how my art is developing and it is to her that I have promised to make something of it...xxx

114th entry...

...watching a fantastic climb in the Tour.... - last day in the Alps - awesome!!!!!!

Jigsaw series - Lace cap hydrangea 2011

I did this is my art class that I run; 'Art together 2'- feeling in the mood to join in!

Watercolour and pen; achieved with my fabulous centimetre wide sable flat brush.  Found it in my pot of brushes with a .5 centimetre and inch brush. 

If you know what it is like to use a flat brush in oils or acrylics, then this is a similar experience but in watercolour...such fabulous marks can be made! - actually more versatile than my classic brushes.

A new experience; magic!!!!!

113rd entry...

So here is my July 2011 wild flower - the humble foxglove!
The name is thought to have been from a series of corruptions in spelling and pronunciation.
Glove from the Anglo-Saxon gliew- a musical instrument with many small bells, and fox could be a corruption of 'folk's' meaning the 'little folk', or fairies. In Somerset and Ireland they are called 'fairy bells', thus supporting this theory!
Reader's Digest

They are very poisonous yet yields the drug digitalis which is used in small doses in the treatment of heart complaints.

Jigsaw series - 'Foxglove'  2011

If any of you have had the privilege to read the childhood stories by Beatrix Potter, you will know of  ' The Tale of  Jemima Puddle-Duck' and the 'foxy gentleman' story....and this, when I see foxgloves,  ALWAYS makes me think of this tale....

112th entry... I AM SUCH A PROUD MOTHER....

My girlie has passed her degree with a 2-2; Is now qualified as an ECP; Is a registered paramedic and has a job....how bloomin' magic is she!!!! xxxxx

Jigsaw series - Picnic on Hatchet Green 2011

Jigsaw series - Cricket on the green...2011

I have completed these today...and am quite pleased with them!

111th entry..back on track...

Apologies to all for the negativeness  recently; is it an artist's prerogative to be emotional? I don't know however I  am on the road to success again and riding high...
Ooooh! have just realised that I haven't put my July flower in - how remiss of me - watch this space....
Below is a watercolour I did moons ago depicting a truly English scene - cricket on the village green...

Cricket on Hatchet Green - 2010

This is relevant to our book that my neighbour is writing and I am illustrating! It is about the New Forest and starts in the northern corner of the forest; our locality, and shows the peaceful scene of cricket in an English village on a Sunday afternoon in the summer...remember about the tortoise and the hare; we slowly shall get there!!!!

110th entry...and more in control!

day 2 - night sketching!

This was done very quickly - of my mug of green tea.... Sat down late so not much time!

Feel better that I have done x2 pencil sketches not jigsaw.  Puts it into perspective for me!....hopefully this will help!

Onwards to lunch - a hungry girl!

109th entry - part 2.....

Quick charcoal...June 2011

Have quickly done this - ( on a watercolour board that I was using to test my colours)....just to see if I can draw still, and it has made me feel a little better!  

I should maybe - not maybe - will sketch, in the evening ...say in graphite this week and change next week to..maybe pen....

My incentive.... to post it (aaaaah!) daily - but do bare with me as some days are a bit manic!!!

Let us see if this makes me feel more positive!

Now to eat some super with my lovely son!

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...