Chinese dragons!

Today I went out to photograph the fabulous red lanterns I'd spotted in China Town, and came across dragon dancers celebrating the Chinese New Year of the Ox.

Cheeky girl and re-establishing work ethic

The wretched flu completely interrupted my plans for January, including painting. Usually, I start my working day with two hours painting, which is a great way to make sure I don't put painting - my favourite - to the end of my daily "to do" lists!  I did not want January 2009 to be the month that I do no painting at all, and feel massively better this morning, so I have painted this cheeky young lady. She is licking her lips looking at cake, and wrapped up very warmly against the icy cold of the snowy street. I am also painting my first dragon!

Here be dragons

I'm a huge fan of fantasy and SF, and have a small collection of dragons, but have not drawn dragons myself before. These three have appeared in my sketchbook over the past few days, and I am excited about them: I do think they have potential for further development, possibly for greetings cards, or maybe even a story, given that that they count dragonfly clefs amongst their friends! What do you think? I'd be interested to hear : )

21st January update

Hi again. I am so almost better, and am very pleased to be drawing again : ) I am also in the process of setting up an etsy shop for selling cards and humpties, so watch this space! 

In the meantime, my lovely pal, illustrator Sarah Miskelly, has just set up her new etsy shop selling gorgeous and cute plushies. Do take a peek!

Plans

Well, I have had the flu which delayed somewhat my start to painting this year. 'Almost better now, and today I washed palette, dusted my painting desk, and cleared some viewing shelf space for lovely new work : ).  It feels so odd to have not painted for about 3 weeks - I'm looking forward to wielding a paintbrush again tomorrow, and I have some gum arabic to add to the mix as an experiment!

Rose scarf is mine

Here I am wearing Catherine Hayward's fabulous rose scarf which I was lucky enough to be given for xmas by my brother and his family : ) (Those of you with long memories will recall that it was on my wish list )

I'm looking forward to seeing what wonderful new creations will appear this year on Treacle Toffee.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! I've begun 2009 with a lurgy, so it will be day or so before more paintings appear here.