Well, not my legs exactly, my little lino block based on my series of sketches called “Heavy Metal Legs”. I’m using black Cranfield Caligo Safewash oil-based Relief Ink and traditional grey lino. I used Flexcut tools to cut the block.
As well as an artist, I’m also an educator and I love to work in community arts with adults. The 9to90 Creative Community is one I work with a lot and they’re having an exhibition at Elysium Gallery in Swansea. On one of the walls is displayed the acrylic painted portraits I taught them. I think they look fabulous grouped together like this. Most of these paintings were done in 3 hours at the most, not bad eh? I’m really proud of them.
If you’d like to visit this lovely exhibition, and maybe catch a drink in the bar, check out the poster above.
It seems that flat hats are back. I always associate flat caps with old blokes, but now that I’m old, it’s a bit of a surprise seeing young men wearing them. Yes, it’s a young man in my sketch but the flat hat and moustache (also making a comeback apparently) that make him look older. What goes around comes around. Scribbled recently at Elysium during an evening of funky rap.
Back about a decade ago I went through a phase of drawing on a Galaxy Tablet using a free “Markers” app. This is a digital sketch of a young Sparta, she was about 4 and a half years old here. She’s 16 this Autumn.
Here’s another of my quick gig scribbles, this guy was sitting and leaning his arm against a pillar, while his other arm leant against the bar. I used the continuous line technique which helped to establish the proportions between the chair and the two people.
There’s an informal monthly after-work networking meet-up at Urban HQ, organised by the irrepressible Lucy Beddall. It’s called The Anti Social. Husb and I popped along last week, a lot of creatives go along, as well as people with their own businesses and those working in the third and non-profit sectors. Of course, I had to have a scribble!
Out at Elysium a few nights ago (such a gadabout!) and I was having a scribble while listening to some funky rap. I was trying to draw a crowd scene but people kept moving around. HOW VERY DARE THEY?! So rather than start new drawings, I just overlaid them on top of one another. I like the effect.
Big baggy pants at a gig last week. Husb and I had a hectic week, a social whirl! I had a week off work so I made the most of it. Which gig was this? Ummm. Oh yeah, funky rap at Elysium.
Husb and I went to an unusual place for a gig on Friday night, a church! Llangiwg Church is a fascinating place, very ancient with a huge yew tree alongside, which indicated it may be built on an earlier Celtic holy site. There’s also a stone-lined healing / holy well in the grounds and spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. The tower is a solid Norman square stone block and it’s on top of a very steep hill, on it’s own, away from the noise and bustle of daily life. So quiet. Of course, I had to have a scribble!
The gig was fab. First off an inspirational selection of historic Fisk Jubilee songs by Cór Aderyn Du, The Brynmill Blackbird Choir. Then followed an entertaining set by the Blue Star Stragglers, a Welsh / Canadian bluegrass group. And finally the incredibly talented Andy Tamlyn Jones gave a wonderful display of musicianship to round off a strange but fabulous evening. Have a listen below.
Aaaaaand it’s that time of the week again, when the world puts their cats on show. I started sketching Sparta Puss earlier, when she was asleep, then she woke up and walked away. She’s a tortoiseshell, or maybe a calico, but mostly black with flashes of ginger and white socks. Adorable.
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