Suicide run

A difficult week this week as the computer had to go and have several viruses removed but things seem to be better now......until the next time. In a funny way it's been quite pleasant having more time  to do other things rather than look at e mails and get side tracked by all those wonderful [and not so wonderful] things on the world wide web. One of the more pleasant pastimes we have is sitting outside in the evening and catching a glimpse of a little mouse who regularly runs between the greenery on both sides of the step which leads to the lawn. We call it the 'suicide run' as our lurcher Poppy is often just passing and takes great delight in burying her nose in the vegetation as she tries to sniff it out.

 

  Quick sketch of our mighty mouse racing across the step

 

 

I think I will develop the image and try a print using some new vinyl tiles I've found but this time instead of a reduction print, I'll make several blocks, one for each colour and see if the registration will be easier with some tips I picked up at Art in Action.

 

 

  

'Where's that dog?!'

Pen and ink sketch for print

Art in Action

Yesterday I went to Art in Action, which is a 4 day event held at Waterperry gardens, near Oxford. Over 400 artists, musicians, dancers and crafts people demonstrate their work and seem to be  happy to answer any questions you have about techniques and materials which is a remarkable experience as you don't often get that opportunity to informally chat with the artist. They were incredibly generous with their time and as the sun shone and the rain held off, I was filled with certainty that as soon as I got home I would be able to put all those tips and new materials [yes, of course there is a wonderful market for art materials on site] to good use and my work would be improved beyond recognition.........

It didn't happen of course but I still feel that the experience has been incredibly rewarding, not to mention a lot of fun when I volunteered for the day on Thursday.  Meeting like minded people who are creative but take  their work very seriously can be quite intoxicating and the 'feel good' factor is still with me.....check out the website for next year if you're interested!    http://www.artinaction.org.uk

Seeing some of the interesting pieces drawn simply in graphite helped to justify and reinforce my interest in this medium and I've been working on another sketch of our lurcher,  Poppy.

Pencil sketch 30x35cm

I shall be experimenting with some of the techniques I saw at Art in Action and  will be  keeping you updated. There were definitely some very 'Beautiful Beasts' there, both as pieces of work in the artist and sculptor's tents and also in real life walking around with their owners. A particular Italian greyhound who was silver grey and magnificent [even if he was petit] was melting the hearts of many a dog lover!