I just wanted to wish everyone Good luck and  best wishes to anyone who is starting school or a new school year this week! Have Fun !

Minty & Monty Calendar September School Days

Happy Easter! Wishing you all a “Tweet” filled Weekend!

Easter Chicken illustration

It’s certainly been ‘Raining Cats & Dogs’ in Derbyshire today!

Raining Cats & Dogs Pattern

Join in with Minty & Monty Christmas Carol Singing on the Kukkle.com

Minty & Monty Christmas carol Singing

I heard on the radio yesterday that it’s National Cup Cake week, that inspired me to draw…Here’s a Cup Cake to celebrate. I wonder if I manage to eat a cupcake by the end of the Week? http://www.nationalcupcakeweek.co.uk/

cup cake

The Sun has definitely had his hat on today, he has made the  winter morning frost sparkle!

Happy Sunshine

I have lots to smile about this January, I’ve managed to meet up with  lots of dear friends, who I’ve not seen for along time. I’m planning a Arts for Health drawing project at the Quad in Derby which will be a number of workshops , I’m really excited about it. Arts for Health is an area I’ve always wished to get involved with, so there’s another ticked box on my wish list!

Just before Christmas I have started to create some more secret friends which I’m enjoying, I’m in the 2nd phase of development…. but I’m afraid I can’t say any more than that at the moment.

I have updated Minty & Monty’s Logo, see what you think, comments gratefully received.

Minty & Monty New Tree Logo Colour

Witch Illustration

Witch Illustration

Happy Halloween!

I’ve been experimenting again with mark making and colours. I’m afraid I have drawn another Witch, I’m not quite sure what to call her, have you got any suggestions?

I always take a little sketchbook and a few colour pencils with me and I often find myself

drawing  a variety of  illustrations, which are very different to my Juvenile Children Illustrations.

This illustration is of a view that makes me feel happy and I love to draw tulips, it’s close to my home village of West Hallam.

It’s a view which is at a the back of St Wilfrids Church over looking the Cat & Fiddle Windmill and there is a road

coming down the hill. I’ve used a  black biro and coloured pencils!

Cat & Fiddle Windmill West Hallam Derbyshire

Holiday fish & chips

I’m really enjoying keeping a Doodle Diary, I write about the days events and doodle

illustrations to go with the topic. I find it a comfort after a really good day or a sad grey day….

I’d like to share with you some pages from my Diary that I did on holiday following on from the

previous post!

If you ever stop on North Morte farm , do try Miles Fresh fish and Chips there the yummeist Fish & Chips I’ve ever had.

sun bathing on the beach

fishing boat

Football & dressed crab

Girl on Beach

I have decided that when the weather is good I like to sit outside and illustrate, whether it’s in my back garden, a pub garden or better still on the beach. This summer I have spent a lot of time drawing on Woolacombe Beach, I’d like to share with you some of my illustrations…

Tom with a kite on the beach

Kate Smith Designs-'In a Whirl Wind!' Illustration

I’ve been in a real whirl wind of work…Papers have been flying, steam has been coming off my pencil, ideas and butterflies flying around my head and know leaves are falling off the trees.

I have had some relaxing times too in the next few blog posts I hope to bring you up to speed with everything…..

I’ve not picked up my Doodle Diary for a few months and  I was just trying to reflect on the last few months, weeks,days,hours, minutes and seconds..

Doodle Diary-"Doing thing I'd never thought I'd do!"

“I’m doing things I’d never dreamt I’d do”!

I’ve been involved in 3 workshops at the Quad this week.

footballer

I ran my first Cut-Out animation workshop in the Mac Suite at the Quad-It went well. I made a footballer to demonstrate how to make a movable paper character .

I went into a Derby School and helped run a Comic Life Workshop, Comic Life is a really child friendly piece of software to teach Children Literacy and story making.

On Valentines Day I chilled and had a big bunch of  12 beautiful red roses and chicken & chips with salad and lots of glasses Pinot Grigio wine- well a few!! Hick up!

Lazzatti are keeping me buzy too and I did a poster for the Long Eaton Art Room.

Long Eaton Art Room Poster

I discovered a new ‘de-stress essential oil roll-on remedy by Tisserand Aromatherapy from Boots-it works a treat you, I definitely recommend it!!  A Blue Box and a lovely illustration on the packaging too….Hmmm! Chill Time after a busy week!

'de-stress essential oil roll-on remedy by Tisserand Aromatherapy

Christmas Card

Merry Christmas!!

Can you find me in the picture?

(I’m dressed up as a snowlady wearing glasses and holding a pencil)!!!

Whilst Walking along the Cliffs of Baggy Point, Mortehoe, We stubbled across these Giant Cliff Fungi’s-I have exciting illustration plans for these Fungi, so watch this space!

Giant Fungi

Giant Round Fungi

Does anyone know the name of theses Fungi?

Over the weekend I  received in the post- the Scans of my originals,  I’m going to produce cards and prints from them and hope to sell them at the exhibition.… here’s a sneak preview and fingers crossed I manage to get everything done before then.