Mushroom Face

Blimey. I feel really terrible today and have woken up with a face the colour of a mushroom. I'll keep this brief I think before I go off in search of some kind of drug. Great day at uni yesterday...I lost the lino print I did (see last post) and was worried about not having enough new work to show. But drew this couple in the park before travelling to Cambridge..

And also went to the pub Tuesday night and did a bit more drawing there. (Much more fun with friends than trying to draw alone!) Had great tutorial at uni and then went into Cambridge Market to draw with the lovely (but sickeningly talented) Jo and Mary. We found a great spot to draw but when I reached into my bag for my sketchbook It Wasn't There. (Cue dramatic music). Although I kind of believed Mary when she insisted I had left it in the studio, I got so anxious I actually got chest pains! On top of this I was forced to draw in my newly trimmed other sketch book (oh, the trauma!).

After returning to uni (and being reunited with my sketchbook!) we had a lecture (which I will talk about later...feel too rough). Did this on train home in between puffs on inhaler.

Time

I never seem to have enough time. Every second is accounted for. I've been asked to work extra days next week and it's part of my job to do this, so the little time I have a) to draw and b) to spend some of half term with Charlie, has been cruelly snatched away. Feel REALLY fed up. Don't know how other people fit everything in, and I am worried about my project. Couldn't get out to draw yesterday for various reasons, so I took a small part of one of the scribbles I did in Churchill Square the other week...

...and made this rather crude linocut from it which I cut last night and have just printed now before going to work. Not too pleased with it, but I've done something, anyway!

I did it with a spoon which after all the cutting is really hard on my hands - I have arthritis in them anyway. That's why I don't do as much lino printing as I would like!

As if things couldn't get any worse I've got to go to the Jobcentre this morning. They have asked for proof of my income for the ooh, about 16 millionth time, and because of the postal strikes I am taking my payslips into our local branch in person instead of sending them to Southampton. I wonder if they will accept this? Oh, I can hardly wait to find out!

Hey! Guess What!

Yes! I drew some couples today...are you shocked? To vary things a little, and really bring the scene to life, here's a taster of how the conversation went with my lucky companion Brad as I was drawing.

Me: This is just ridiculous, I mean we might as well go home, it's like I'm drawing the same people over and over again, my sketchbook is going to get repetitive, and I don't just mean for the people looking at it, I mean me as well, God, how am I supposed to get tone in as well, tone as well as draw people in two seconds? It's just bloody impossible! Oh yes, that's right, just get up and move while I'm drawing you, you bastards, I mean don't mind me, it's just my career going out the bloody window. Honestly this is just pointless, we might as well go home, look, I mean look it's just a mess!

Brad: ...I hope you're not going to be like this for two and a half years...

Anyway...I find it inspirational to look at other people's sketchbooks (one of the many reasons why I enjoy uni so much!) and here are a few of my favourite sketchblogs. Sketch for the Day, Urban Sketchers and Nina Johansson. Go and enjoy more sketches and less complaining!

Mood Map

So last week on the train home from uni, I read an article about something called Mood Mapping. Apparently you make an appointment with yourself 3-4 times a day and note down your mood, to discover what triggers downward swings and when you're at your best. Great idea, I thought. So the next day I tried it.

Morning - Charlie lacing up his Converse at the speed of a reluctant tortoise without full use of limbs meant yet again late for school despite me screaming til hoarse. Mood - Bad.

Lunchtime - Got on bus to Seaford, found no one to draw, livid, (time wastage is pet hate), got bus back from Seaford to draw in Sainsbury's Newhaven, and messed up sketchbook attempting to use tone. Mood - Dangerously Bad.

Dinnertime - Spent afternoon waiting outside Brad's flat for delivery (he had lost spare key) which was late. Came home to tackle hurried tidying up due to visitor, mountain of washing up and much loathed cooking of dinner. Mood - Understandably Bad.

Night time - having broken record for exhaustion, pushed aside mountains of clothes and books and fell into bed for usual broken sleep and bad dream. Mood - Bad.

Conclusion of Mood Map Experiment - am miserable old bag.

Anyway, here is the least awful of the sketches I did during my day from hell.

Actually I've seen this man around Newhaven quite a lot. He always reminds me of Yoffy from Fingerbobs. Remember Fingerbobs? I always felt a failure because I couldn't make any of the puppets to my satisfaction.

Oh, and

I forgot about this one - I did it yesterday on the train as a first attempt at trying a bit more tone. (In the smaller one anyway). What a great set of chins he had - I do like to draw larger people.

Obviously I couldn't do it in my proper sketchbook, because it's not a couple. Not that I'm obsessive or anything.

Yet more!

Just another page from my sketchbook. I did this last week actually, but have had a terrible cold so blogging slid down to 199th on my list of things to do. (Complaining and feeling sorry for myself went to 1st).

Anyway yesterday at uni I had a tutorial and Pam suggested I use more tone to represent the figures, and start to give more of a suggestion of context ( I knew that was coming!). So I'm looking forward to giving both those things a go! Then we had a talk from the wonderful, wonderful John Lawrence. I need this book. You need it. Everyone needs it. Go and get it while it's still in hardback. (But preferably from your local independent bookshop rather than Amazon). And go and see the illustrations when they are shown at The Illustration Cupboard. What are you waiting for? It won't be around forever! Don't say I didn't warn you!

Happy Birthday Charlie!

My youngest son's now a teenager! How did that happen?

And just in case you thought the world had gone mad...here's a couple.

I thought...

...that uni was supposed to be the stressful part of life and home the easy, relaxing, fun bit. I'm annoyed with everyone in my house at the moment and I can safely say that they're annoyed with me too. Even the cat's just given me a dirty look.

I suppose I may have been just slightly irritable when I came in. I suppose it's no-one's fault that the shoulder strap of my lovely vintage leather case snapped at the station and I had to carry it for three hours in the same hand as a heavy carrier bag whose handle had transformed into piano wire, and have under my arm a folder (which never did fit in lovely bloody vintage leather case). I suppose it's not their fault someone sneezed in my face on the Victoria Line and now I feel as if the inside of my head and throat has been sandpapered. But jeez, surely a woman can expect to come home to a sea of welcoming smiles, a perfectly clean and tidy house and a hot dinner ready... can't she? Anyway. Here's my attempt from yesterday at drawing the lovely Pam and Dave spending a happy evening with some pens, some sketchbooks, and Basil Rathbone. And me of course!

The more it rains,

the more I'm going to have to draw in cafes, and the fatter I'm going to get. (Obviously I had to have a mozarella and tomato panini and cafe latte while I drew this).

I did do this one in the library - not in a library book I hasten to add - but there were no other couples in there, and these two weren't exactly all over each other so I didn't spend too much time on them!

Then, the rain smudged quite a few pages of my sketchbook.

Surprise surprise

Some of what I have got in my sketchbook isn't even recognisable to anyone except me as being people, so you got off lightly only having to see this one. Brighton Pavilion gardens -a nice place to draw.

In other news, I'm tired, skint, and my house is a mess. I'm not sleeping well, and am therefore a bit obsessed with sleep. It reminds me of having a newborn baby - the first question you ask other parents is "What's he/she like at night?" (If he/she sleeps through you strike them off your Christmas card list.)

I count the hours I do and don't do it, and compare the quality of my nights with other people's. No, I haven't tried Kalms. That would mean admitting I have a problem. I do sleep quite a bit actually but it's broken and contains bad dreams.

Did I mention that I'm really tired?

Another cafe, another couple!

First couple were in Newhaven, the second in Seaford. Both in cafes - I'm going to get fat doing this course! Seaford looked good couples-wise - loads of them about. I'm going to go back tomorrow.

It's quite a stressful time at home at the moment, for various reasons, and sketching is a really enjoyable, absorbing activity. I don't feel guilty either, because it's for my course! I have noticed, though, that the vast majority of people look stressed or tired or both! I am going to make it my goal to draw some happy couples tomorrow!

More couples

I went out for an hour in Newhaven last night expecting to find tired middle aged or old heterosexual couples and found these two instead!

I know the scan is rubbish and I'm sorry. My sketchbook doesn't fit in it either - maybe I should have stuck to the Moleskine, but I was seduced by this one being square and chunky and most of all having Cambridge School of Art printed on it!

I didn't have a very good day at work yesterday - Saturday afternoons are quite stressful because the town is usually deserted except for people who have been drinking in the pubs all day and gangs of kids. At least in the week we get people going to and from work and school. It's sad really - even I remember when it was a really busy little town with lots of independent shops...now there's not even anywhere to buy a CD or a ball of string!

First Day!

As many of you will be entirely sick of hearing, yesterday was my first proper day at Cambridge. As a sort of introduction/sick torture, we had to give a short presentation on ourselves and our work. I was lucky enough to go second, so afterwards I was able to really relax and enjoy everyone else's! There was some amazing stuff I must say, and an extremely diverse bunch of people, from experienced illustrators with 15 years in the industry, to architects who've only drawn buildings - there was even an opera singer and a veterinary nurse. I liked everyone - they seemed a really supportive lot.

I feel a bit daunted work-wise seeing all that talent and experience but I'm trying not to look too far ahead. Our first module is observational drawing - sketching, basically, and we have to pick a theme. Themes people mentioned included; queues, deer, collections, light and dark, dancing...the list goes on. Anyway I thought I'd like to do couples. It's interesting to see how they behave - their body language, their conversations. And I can do old people, teenagers, posh people, chavs - I think it's got loads of possibilities.

So that's my idea...if you see a strange woman lurking around with a sketchbook while you're out with your partner, do me a favour and snog for at least ten minutes. Or have an argument - the sort of argument where you don't move for ten minutes (we all have those, right?).

I was lucky enough to sit opposite this couple on the train home.




It took me a while to work out if they actually were a couple. They didn't speak to one another at all (a clue that they were a couple?) The woman seemed relaxed enough with him to have her legs out (although it was a cold day). They also had matching glasses on and very similar noses. Brother and sister maybe? But then they obliged...very briefly...

Aah!

The journey turned into a nightmare from Kings Cross onwards. So crowded, hot and smelly. Why anyone would choose to commute to and from London every day I'll never know. I was actually quite angry with them all for making such a ridiculous decision.

My family didn't quite go to pieces in my absence - there was a dog bite to the nose (Pele to Charlie) before I had even left Sussex, and Charlie was late for school, but other than that they seemed to survive. I think I will switch my phone off next week rather than ask for progress reports all the time...it's too stressful!

Right - I'm off to stalk some couples...

Presentation preparation and cuteness

This is Pele. He likes: toast, hunting and killing clothes pegs and nibbling his bumhole. He dislikes: Dog food, seagulls and the dark.

He's been my house guest for the last few days, since his owner - my ex-husband - has been in hospital. Isn't he utterly sweet? (Apart from the bumhole business of course). I'm really going to miss him when he goes.

Anyway I have been ultra-organised today. I made a list of things to do and I have done them! They included making a presentation for uni tomorrow and making a flyer for work.

I'm off to Cambridge tonight!

I'm a Student!

Yippee! I had my first day at uni yesterday - it was talks by the tutors, a chance to meet the other (amazingly unscary) students, and a tour of our building. I cannot wait to get started! I feel so lucky!!

What made my day more than anything was that the printmaking facilities are brilliant! Three etching presses, three! One of which is HUGE! An aquatinting box, and acid baths (I have everything crossed that I'll be able to work on steel. If not I will just have to get to like zinc!)And loads of relief presses too plus screenprinting...and a chance to learn Letterpress, something I have wanted to do for ages!


It was so lovely to see Pam, I can't wait to be staying every week! Hurrah!

Not much opportunity to sketch on the train - it was packed both ways. Here's what I did manage anyway!

Next week I have to give a presentation about my work. Blimey. That shouldn't take long...

Just a few

...very scrappy sketches from North Devon. The one at the bottom was done during a Bingo game and I very much regretted not taking my sketchbook. I had to draw on a menu. You can click to enlarge it. Today the computer has said yes.

Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner

Poor old Patrick Swayze. He was one of those people you just never heard a single bad thing about. It's so sad.

Dirty Dancing is one of my favourite films...cheesy and feelgood - a perfect "night in" film. (Great soundtrack too). And he was good in Donnie Darko - another favourite of mine.

Anyway I sketched this with my brush pen while sneaking a five minute sit down this evening. I know it's a bit poo - but hey, it's the thought that counts.

PS - I am officially off to Cambridge tomorrow to start my university life...Eek, eek eek and hurrah!

Summer is Over.

I am back from a gorgeous weekend in Devon and my view has changed from this...

to this.

I don't think Summer has ever ended so abruptly, and it hasn't done my spirits much good. Just as well I am off to uni tomorrow.

It's not really the end of Summer that's got to me - I love Autumn, it's my favourite season - it's just post holiday blues!

Quick collage

Could only spare an hour in the studio this morning - I was making some fabric bags for my mum to make into lavender bags. Just before I left I knocked this together to put on the wall at home. I like the way Sewing Susan's friends are looking on in awe at the way Susan threaded a needle with such ease. That bitch just has it all goin' on.

This Time Next Year Rodders!

Today I couldn't go and do some etching as I'd planned. My membership needs renewing and I just couldn't afford to do it what with my weekend away. I really miss it! Anyway, I went to my studio and carried on with the embroidery I started the other day.

I'll show you when it's finished. I feel really at home at my studio now. I felt weird and silly there at first and it smelt strange. But I like it now! I mean, look at my pincushion...

How could that not make you happy? (I'm easily pleased!)

But saying that, I've been re-reading my old notebooks lately (I have kept them since studying Creative writing at uni when we had to write down every random thought). A couple of themes have been recurring, strongly, over the years. One is that I want to support my family with my creative pursuits. The other is that I WANT A HOUSE. I just need a house, all I want is a secure house, please God help me get a house, please please please everything would be alright if I just had a ....you get the picture. Anyway I have been hoping that my subconscious will provide me with the means to make this dream a reality.

On holiday, amazingly, inspiration struck. In all honesty it was a joint invention of mine and Charlie's, with input from Tony and Malcom, possibly fuelled by Banana Bread Beer, which we discovered and loved and will forever be my campfire side drink of choice. Anyway - here it is, and I've done it in a new post so you can click and enlarge.

Get ready Dragon's Den, Alan Sugar, and other..well known entrepreneur types. Here it is, my new invention! (And for the record, a flat, bungalow, caravan or boat would be acceptable).