Ha. Maybe Something...

To the Dept of Brain

In My Head

Top Floor of My Body

In a Freezing Cold Yorkshire Village

England

Dear Mind,

We need to have serious words; I know you are not happy at the moment; I know you are desperately craving daylight; I know you are resolutely trying to convince me that my creative spark is dead, defunct, no more, nada. But I'm not standing for it! I'm sorry that I hurt my stupid knee and can't run so much in the way that you have become accustomed, I know that running keeps you ticking over in a satisfactory way; (but lets not forget, dear Mind, that is was you in the first place that advised me to play on the childrens' obstacle course in the forest, last May, which caused my knee to bend in the wrong direction and wreak cartilage havoc). But this absolutely cannot go on, I'm fighting back now and am going to prove you wrong (sticks up 2 proverbial fingers to depression, SAD, whatever this *!^$ is (insert choice word here).

Evidence point 1:

I swear I felt a flicker of something the other day...I don't know what it was. or even if I was just trying to convince myself. But something, whatever it was, compelled me to take these pictures when I got out of my car at work:

Evidence point 2:

Last Saturday I spent the day in London. Now I do love London... and dear Mind, this was always always going to be a tough one for you to fight, I'm delighted to report that you lose! I have plenty that I want to say about my most recent visit to the Saatchi gallery, it will take me a while, but I will document and write about it eventually, when you decide to relinquish the energy back to me:

Evidence point 3:

The sky

So you see, dear Brain, this behaviour is not acceptable and I will not be putting up with it for long (blows enormous raspberry)

And the Snowdrops will be flowering soon, followed by Daffodils, in a month or so I will be driving home in daylight, and getting up not long before sunrise... (it won't be long until I'm cursing the 5am dawn chorus again and wishing it was winter!)

Unkindest regards

Me

No. Nothing at all

I don't really have anything to say, at all (although as ever will manage to waffle about about having nothing to say!) . Nothing is really inspiring me at the moment. I feel a little lacking in something, but I can't put my finger on specifically what (do you ever get that too?). I've visited places I love in attempt to be inspired, or just to feel something, anything... but it's not happening right now, just not happening. So I'm not going to force it, just ging to wait patiently until this passes... but in the meantime I'm still trying to take images... little things that I know the 'usual' version of me would love...

Something Little...

Pendants just been made! Thank goodness for the end of term...

Ps Jem won my giveaway (but have been too stressed getting to the end of term to even have a free second to tell her..... bad, bad Kathryn)

Jem I will email you! xx

Three Gammy Knees and Some Rather Indulgent Christmas Tree Images

Surviving on cheese and Mars bars until the end of term as I'm tooooo tired to cook! But I have decorated the tree....

For Lucca

A christening gift for the lovely Lucca

Detail showing the layering of fused-glass with the inky lettering below

http://artistsinblogland.blogspot.com/2011/12/show-and-tell-saturday-15.html

Why I Still Search the Back of Every Wardrobe I Come Across...

'Bye Bye Baby' by Janet and Alan Allberg' is a beatuful and poingent story which I have read countless times. This is my favourite illustration and really sums up 'family' to me.

 It's no secret that when I was little I really, really wanted to be a hamster when I grew up... and when I realised that was not going to happen... ever... I set my sights on becoming a children's book illustrator. That has never, ever gone away.

'Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury... Love this meeting of dog and bear!

 I'm lucky because my mum read to me constantly, helped me to construct storybook worlds full of magic and possibilities. My childhood was full of playing, of magical rockinghorses, den building and making things... non-stop making things. I'm very, very lucky.

'Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury... Perfect adventure fodder

 Books are my ultimate source of comfort, especially beautifully illustrated ones... they just transport me to a place that is better... a place where anything could be... When I gave birth to my daughter 5 and a half years ago, I read to her (even in the hospital, when she had not a clue). I wanted her to find comfort in books too, to associate reading with being loved... I have never stopped sharing books with her... and the beautiful thing is that she reads me stories now too... and nothing, but nothing, makes my heart sing more (and do that little flippy thing that is rather akin to being in love). She is still far to young to be introduced to Narnia, but that doesn't stop us searching the back of wardrobes together and stomping through woods...

'Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury

 As for being a book illustrator, well it will never happen for me now, but I am very fulfilled the artwork I do... and the mere dream gives me licence to indulge in reading beautiful books every single day...

'Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury

'Bye Bye Baby' by Janet and Alan Allberg' And... Isn't this just the most perfect happy ending?!

My Colours of Winter

Some intense, cold blues from Harewood House with my Godmother last weekend. It was a perfect, bleak day with sparse rain, blustery, with the most amazing colours in the Yorkshire countryside, a stunning palette of muted browns and greens. I love winter, it is soooo much more fabulous than summer!

Ps am going to pick the winner of my giveaway later!