Tuesday 25 March 2014

This is Lilli

A Yorkshire terrier from down the road ...


And she's been given the Raggy Rat treatment in time for Mother's Day!

Monday 24 March 2014

Sock elephant for a baby girl ....

A snuggly pair of grey walking socks becomes a rather sweet elephant with some lemon cotton fabric for his ears and feet ...


Try curving the trunk as you stuff for a bit of movement! The tails curve come from being cut from the shaped toe-tip. 

Friday 21 March 2014

Owl my Love ....

I created another pair of barn owls, one for a friend and one to hang out with me! There should be some cool Artwey events this year for you to meet her ....


A shot of me in my pyjamas, doing some tinting with my Copic Markers!


And finally, another of my involved pieces is completed. She perches in front of my latest IKEA hack ...

Thursday 20 March 2014

A dog called Billy

This big beautiful boy recently passed away and I was asked to produce a portrait from this photograph ...

But as you can see, Billy's left eye is very much in shadow so I had to work a bit of Raggy Rat magic!


I always show my clients WIP images especially when I'm adding or changing details ...


And the family were very happy with Billy even saying its like bringing him back a little. And this is why I draw, to spread some smiles ....


And some happy tears!

Friday 7 March 2014

My Amazing floor ...

My living room floor has featured a few times in this blog, including some repairs to some of these old tiles. But i came up with a good plan to say goodbye  to the random pieces of carpet and expensive alternatives ... so i started with a room empty and a thorough deep clean ...


Next Michael got down on his knees and did a sterling job filling and smoothing cracks and gaps, and then the floor was sanded and washed and hoovered!


You know those old family bibles with the covers falling off and the amazing illustrations? Michael and I both have one of those and instead of being a tatty King-James-Version tome that no one bothered to read any more, this one was given a new lease of life with a ton of PVA and a sessions of careful placing of The New Testament ...


I love collage. Working with big pages was a challenge when they were wet, as they have to be wet both sides with a solution of the glue and smoothed in place to dry - with the door closed to keep curious kittens and little girls out!


Once dry I gently hoovered the floor with the brushes out, to remove any dust and fluff before applying three coats of varnish.


The finished floor is alive with stories, and a gentle cream colour. Also very good for car games and perfect for sliding with no slippers on ... 


The children were pleased, and many visitors are impressed. But does it disturb you? Is it ok to physically 'stand on the word of god' as well as spiritually? 



I clearly love patchwork and collage, cant wait to have the new budget home made curtains too!


Wednesday 5 March 2014

Artwey at Dorchester Library ...

It ends on Saturday but here is my work in the lovely cabinet which I hired as part of Artwey's two-week exhibition ....


I have included work in a variety of media this time!


As I like to make and draw owls a special visitor came to visit the work. Here is Angel owl with our own Oliva Nurrish!


And you can see the picture I did for Angels owner in the cabinet behind Dorset's favourite snowy owl ...


How challenging it is to draw white creatures! Have you ever tried it?


Here is seven-year-old Daisy's portrait of Angel xxx