Little Picasso with no hair

This Easter I was really lucky, not only was the weather warm and sunny but I also had some help from a very special new artist who helped me in my studio. She insisted on using the large brush as she likes the textures it creates. I have quite a few budding artist in my family now and they all love time in my studio. What is amazing is that my mother gave me that brush back in the early eighties, I am sure that she would never have guessed that her great granddaughter would have been interested in it or that I would have kept it for so long. I treasure my stuff.

Papermaking and fun potraits

On Tuesday the Fab Four Females group met up at Ricky's for a making session, Gina was unable to make it so we became the Fab Three Minus One. Susan and I arrived at 10.30 am, it was a beautiful sunny day as we drove up her tree lined driveway. After tea and a quick tour of her house we settled down to our papermaking activity with flowers picked from her garden as inclusions. We laid the papers out to dry in the sun and left them to dry while we cleared up and prepared for part two.
Cary, Ricky's husband was also at home working, he had really wanted to become a Fab Four member for the day but he was not allowed instead he was given the task of making us lunch.
He made a delicious fruit drink, leafy green salad (all from their garden) and cheesy rice. The dessert compliments of Susan was a tasty fruit salad with mangoes and crunchy biscuits which went down really well too.
The cool breeze, the sounds of birds tweeting, with an occasional loud screech from a peacock ( which to me sounded like children playing) helped to created the perfect garden of Eden atmosphere. We had a really wonderful day and towards the end Cary allowed us a turn to 'play' with his plasma cutter. He was using this to create a larger that life size commissioned sculpture of Amazon women, we found this most amazing an appreciated how difficult his task was. As usual I forgot my camera so have no photos of this eventful day but Ricky did capture some of so it has been recorded. Thanks Girls and Cary for being such great friends! Gina we missed you!

The new man in my life

Well, believe it or not there is a new man in my life. He is dark with long curly hair. He is not the biggest But he is full of energy, and surprises. Demanding of my time but he makes me smile and can run me off my feet most days. We have been together for such a short time But he fills my life with sunshine and rainbows. He is costing me a small fortune but................

we all love him especially Lena....

His name is Rascal and he is a West Highland Terrier Cross Schnauzer (11weeks).

Feathers from Julie

What a pleasant surprise! Last week I received a bundle of Ostrich feathers from Julie Carpenter an artist I met at the Carnival workshop in Luton a few weeks ago, we had been demolishing old costumes and recycling the materials. Peacock and Ostrich feathers were some of the materials which we collected. Julie creates the most magnificent sculptures using found materials. Have a look at some of her work here www.craftco.co.uk/julie.html. She has also been commissioned to make two of the costumes for the carnival.