Well - what have I been doing all this time? Not blogging very much for a start. ButI haven't been lazing about. Not much to show on the Illustration side of things but I have been doing some graphics work for the gallery I work in.

Portrait A5 leaflet:

FRONT:

BACK:

Small Wedding Portrait Booklet (flat):

FRONT & BACK:
INSIDE:

I am quite pleased with them both- graphics work is good fun and not quite as messy as painting!

I'm missing drawing though- hopefully in the New Year I can set aside some time to develop my skills and learn some new techniques.

The human figure is a very tricky subject- but it's my favourite. This is a quick 1 minute sketch of Matthew in the bath. I'm trying to work hard on capturing features within the form- not just draw a 'faceless' figure.

I've never been so tired... Just got back from Birmingham after the Autumn fair. It was brilliant but absolutely exhausting and a real eye opener. Mum's work: www.artgardenstudios.co.uk got a positive response and we have got some great leads for orders.

The art publishing world is a funny old game. It's full of either very genuine, nice people who want others to succeed.... but it's also full of people who wear ‘next’ suits and say 'ok yah' a LOT and who do not appreciate good art (you know who you are..).

zzzzzzzz.........

At last......

I have the internet at home! I feel like a long, lost friend has come to stay...urrr...sad. I really must get out more...

Anyway, much, much to report on what's been going on. I am now settled in Suffolk and enjoying my life in Aldeburgh. For some reason it feels good to be further South in the country...must be a 'roots' thing.

Things are going well on the 'Art Garden Studios' side of life - I am going to be exhibiting at the Autumn fair in September which is very exciting (and scary).

On the drawing front, not much has been happening. It has in my head although I don't have any time to get pen to paper. That's not an excuse though...here is the last illustration I have been working on. As you can see it's not finished yet but it was just an idea that popped into my head one day and has been fun to draw.


Okay I know...her leg is wonky...

Hello!

Haven’t been on here for a while mainly because of no internet access (shock horror). Anyway, we have now moved to Aldeburgh, Suffolk and have stared new jobs etc. It still feels a bit like we are on holiday but we will settle in once we have our own house (two weeks away!).
For now though I am enjoying the sunny weather and living next to the sea!

Just down the road sits Maggi Hambling's scallop sculpture on Aldeburgh beach. The words on the sculpture read ‘I hear those voices that will not be drowned’. Unfortunately, some people like to graffiti and vandalise the sculpture but I think it looks beautiful and sits nicely on the landscape. Another thing about sculpture is that it attracts people and they aren’t afraid to touch it or be close to it. It sounds silly but I don’t think you get that reaction with a painting or other forms of artwork.

CONGRATULATIONS! to Jack Boyce and the Dereham footy team for winning the Final today. My little bro was Captain so got to lift the trophy!

On Wednesday evening I visited Brancaster Harbour. It was very cold and windy but the cloudy weather made all the boats and buildings a beautiful misty colour.

At the moment I've come across a bit of a creative 'block'. I'm too busy thinking about what it is I think I should be be doing rather than just enjoying the moment.

I need some time to reflect on what it is I actually set out to do in the first place and not get bogged down with it. There's more to life than admin! :-)

Today Harry had his 'manly bits' removed- I think he hates me - he certainly looks confused and very sleepy.

In other news- I spent the whole of the day lugging around a portfolio and sketchbooks to an interview for a degree course. I'm now at home feeling a little bit disappointed. I got onto the course but I was really unimpressed with the college. I just got a feeling that something wasn't quite right- a gut instinct you might say. I need to think about a few things first before I rush into anything.

I just want to say- if you ever want to get fit- get a Jack Russell. They can walk for miles! This is a photo of when Matthew and I took harry for a long walk along Holkham beach. We walked for just over 5 miles and he was still full of energy!

Holkham is a lovely place to visit if you need 'space'. Even though it was a busy day the beach is so huge you feel as though you don't come across another soul.

A page from an Enid Blyton book which is being passed around a group of fellow Illustrators. The idea is to pick out a group of words from the double page spread and do a quick illo...a bit like a moving sketchbook.

This text reads '...quietly he turned and stalked off that night....'

Well, things have been a bit quiet lately on the blogging front. That doesn't' mean to say I'm not doing anything though. There's lots of changes going on at the moment which includes me and Matthew moving to Suffolk in about 6 weeks time. Everything is happening VERY quickly when we are least expecting it. I'm not complaining though- I like a bit of adventure.

We have found a house we have fallen in love with and everything seems to be neatly falling into place for the first time in quite a while. Harry isn't particulary interested though.... :-)

Life drawing again- I like the feet on the top piece. I may even work this drawing into a painting or large charcoal sketch.

Hello!

Had a lovely suprise yesterday morning that came all the way from America. A fantastic hand made card:

And some scrummy chocolates (note: I have eaten most of them now)!

Thankyou !

Holly :-)

For the past four weeks I have been going to a life drawing class. Already I feel I am developing my line and feel more confident about figure drawing.

It's hard work though...I feel physically and emotionally drained after a morning of furiously sketching and studying every detail.

here is a link to what has been taking over my life for the past few months (in a good way of course):

http://artgardenstudios.blogspot.com/

enjoy...

My new pet Harry- he is very little, and very cool...

I have been 'tagged' to list six unique things about me. Here goes...(don't laugh)..

1. I have matching freckles on certain areas of my body. For example, I have a freckle on my right arm which is in EXACTLY the same place as the freckle on my left arm. I also have a freckle on my left thumb which is also in EXACTLY the same place as my right thumb. I like to show lots of people these.

2. Ever since I was little I have been a bit obsessed with counting things in my head. For example if I see a sign or notice I have to count every letter, then the words, then the sides of the sign...followed by the corners and then the colours. I feel panicky if I don't end on an even number such as 10, 20 etc....that IS weird.

3. I don't know if this is very unique as I expect most artists feel like this but when I am angry or upset I feel much better if I draw. Not any drawing- I have to draw people and figures..it gives me a sense of satisfaction.

4. I have curly hair underneath the first 'layer' of hair on both sides of my head above my ears- they stick out if I don't straighten them. My sister has the same problem but I have never met anyone else with it....the hairdresser thinks it's funny anyway.

5. Ever since I can remember I have had 'spiritual experiences'. I know lots of people don't believe in these sort of things but I become very sensitive to anything like that- I can't help it and sometimes it scares me. I have seen and heard spirits before and can physically feel around my head and shoulders if something is there. I don't believe in ghostly things like 'Most Haunted' on Sky or any rubbish like that, but I believe there are people looking after us.

6. I hate beetroot- more than anything on this planet.

:-)

It's snowing!!!!!

These are some photos Matthew took when he was in Brighton- it was a cold day and I think the colours and skies in them are stunning!

Hurrah! I have finally finished and printed the new brochures and business cards for Art Garden Studios.

Okay...I know it's an awful photograph but they do look good in real life!

The brochure shows the four new limited edition prints by me ma' Claire Boyce which will be on sale for her new Spring 2007 collection.

If anyone would like a brochure to have a look at then please email me or leave a comment (they are free).

Ta ta! :-)

It's my turn.... http://www.travellingsketchbook.blogspot.com//

Happy New Year! My fancy dress party went really well and everyone managed to turn up in rather hilarious costumes. I was Madonna!