Hart of the Universe

I love star gazing. Just last night I was out watching the night sky. It was beautifully clear, although very windy, but the stars!
There's an attraction in the firmament and a feeling of being watched over, cared for. Whenever I spend time stargazing, I always come away with lifted spirits.

Not always can I be outside - sometimes it's not practical, so I painted this picture for myself. I can see myself painting a series of universe pictures.. each one with a different animal. For the moment, here's the stag (hart) . Indicative of my new life in Scotland, which I love.

Hart of the Universe

 On St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140lb Rough Paper , 15" x11"

Ollie, a recent commission

I was recently approached to paint a beloved dog - and this is the result.
Black, brown and curly fur! He was fun to paint. 

Ollie

Then the painting went to Elite Framing, to have some mounts cut and to be posted to the other end of the country!

I'm pleased to say that the person who commissioned me was delighted with the painting.
Created on St Cuthbert's Mill Saunders Waterford 140Rough paper, size 15x11 inches pre mount.

Bookmaking and Japanese Stab binding at The Old Printing Works.

On a Saturday workshop at The Old Printing Works, Thornton, I learned the art of Japanese Stab binding for making notebooks/sketchbooks and any other kind of book you'd like to call it!
We also learned how to create a protective hardcover for our book set. The easiest way for me to describe it, is to show you.
Here, from opening to closing, is my very own effort at making these beautiful pieces of art. Artistic, they most definitely are!

The closed book

first flap open

both flaps open with books inside

both flaps open with books removed

the three note books

a close up of the stab binding on each

back in their protective cover

and flaps closing

all snug as a bug!

I hope you've enjoyed this visual tour of my latest piece of art.. a deviation from painting, but oh so useful for me to create sketchbooks!

Thanks to Marion Archibald from The Old Printing Works, Thornton for such a wonderful, creative day.
If you'd like to see their website, go HERE