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!