Elizabethan Days

Greener Pastures

2010-05-11T22:41:00.001+01:00

Dear readers,
I have truly enjoyed getting into the swing of things on this address BUT I write now to let you know that I am moving. My new blog (which, you'll be pleased to know is the same but better) is at tumblr- due to it better suiting the needs of what I want this site to be.
So please follow me now at elizabethandays.tumblr.com
The best thing is that I will soon be featuring guest-bloggers which could, easily, be you. I very much encourage your input, telling your personal take on Elizabethan Days.
Also, If you are not a tumblr person then please do stay in touch with me and my work via facebook.
My new blog will update instantly to facebook so doing so is made easy for you. I like a good spoon-feeding.
Lots of love,
Elizabeth xx

Sinking into Summer (almost)

2010-05-07T15:06:00.007+01:00

This past week has been a funny mixture of food poisoning, computer mishaps/disasters, and the contentment that comes with a slowly brightening season. While the wind still blows cool, I now officially can feel the beckoning of summer and it makes this place grow greener, lazier and better.
There is something about the shift of the season now that makes me want nothing more than to sit, like a little granny, in De Wynn's and eat Bread Pudding and watch the boats
s l o w l y f l o a t a l o n g . . .
In between a shift at work and going to college, I made it down the road to the beach and lay there and read for a couple hours. While I often walk or run along the coast, I haven't been to sprawl out on the sand for months and I was happy to find it felt again foreign and luxurious.

Lately I find that all of my usual attentiveness to making plans, goals, and happily checking things off on my to-do-lists goes out that wide-open window and I feel more and more like just lying around.Odd, because I would guess that is a more common symptom of winter.

With this said, I do keep calm and carry on and have made a couple illustrations to send off to a tshirt competition.

Volcanic Ash

2010-04-23T16:54:00.006+01:00

It has been an amazing couple weeks in Falmouth- Spring has rolled in smoothly and, even with the biting wind, the outdoors have turned crisp, clear and persistently inviting. Falmouth feels isolated, safe, and sometimes odd. The Volcanic cloud supposedly swept over us a week ago half past midnight and some locals said their cars were dusty in the morning, I don't know if that's true. But when I am walking, or taking a run, along the coast I like to think about that big volcanic cloud, full of ash and fire, floating heavy and slowly over the earth.When you think about that act of nature and others that haven't happened to us yet, the conspirators and palm-readers worried about 2012, the seas slowly getting higher- the ocean becomes a whole different thing.

It looks to me sometimes almost like it did to the Classicists: horrible, chaotic and full of monsters and things we ought not know about.

But on a good day, when I am being brave, it is the best thing there is.

There are lovely things about the other places I have lived or visited. (Edinburgh is a place I find hard not to miss.) But being so near the sea- looking out at it and seeing that it doesn't end- is something that really makes me feel my luckiest. D and I got restless and went for a walk along the beach yesterday. It was windy and choppy and the sea looked deep blue and dangerous. We walked along the rocks from one sandy beach to the other and liked best balancing over the rock-pools and enjoying the parts you can only see in low-tide.

I can't wait for the summer, when the winds (hopefully) die down and we can lay on the beach in the sand and work up enough heat to jump into the cold, cold water.
More soon xx

Wine

2010-03-17T22:16:00.006Z

At last I have a whole week (off work) to catch up on college and my health and habits, all of which I've missed almost bitterly. It's been a very, very busy past few weeks- too much- but not all of which has been trouble of course. Above are a few sketches from a recent commission for Spotlight magazine, focused around different positive student topics. They were a lot of fun to do and it was sweet to have a short side-project... and a job that doesn't require a name-tag.
Please do have a look at the final illustrations here.
It's a crazy time now, lots of change and much to do. My new husband and I are in the middle of a move into a lovely lodging house on a high-road in Falmouth. Our big window looks out onto the cascading red and green roof-tops of the town and even shows a peek of the dark blue water of the harbour and boats sitting still atop.
We keep the company of two lovely owners (the landlords), a couple other tenants, a collie-dog and a black and white house-cat. The first thing you see when you walk through the door, fully fashioned with a Tall Ship door knocker are two big, glowing fish tanks with all sorts of lovely fish that I wouldn't know how to name. It's maritime all the way and I feel slowly that Falmouth is starting to really sink into me. Or me into it. I look forward now to a full week of moving, running, swimming, and drawing like mad.
More very soon.
x

Hearts

2010-03-01T17:25:00.002Z

Above is a design I did recently on behalf of my grandmother, Christine Kaufmann. It is to be sold for a children's charity on the German home shopping network this June, or thereabouts.
Fun, huh?
x

Detour

2010-02-18T10:50:00.001Z

I have been naughty again with sparce posting and too much work elsewhere. A lot of the reason for this is that I am working on a big project (as part of my MA) that is in a way, a secret. A mystery actually. I don't want to give it away.
I did do some wee drawings last night, while watching an old film in the dark, and have posted them below.
The seagulls are calling outside my window, and other chirping has been ringing loudly all morning too. We get different birds here than in Edinburgh I think. They sound different. Helicopters have been going all morning too, they must be doing coast-guard training in the Bay. It seems a lot of acitivity for such a grey and wet day.
Xx more soon.

Stor(m)y brew

2010-01-15T16:11:00.003Z

Character sketch. Rich, the Insomniac.

Type-tests.

Very rough draft of a page from my upcoming comic book- where most of my work is going these days.

More soon. I am back to Falmouth after the best Florida holiday/wedding/christmas ever. Funny how then it all goes back to normal.
Xo

Settling in

2009-11-21T12:43:00.000Z

I've been in Falmouth just over two months now and feel pleased I've set myself up a cosy corner in our MA studio (pictured below). We have our own secret entrance through a wild bit of garden and the same kind of quiet that most of Falmouth can boast of.
Since being here people keep telling me how it's one of those places one keeps going back to, or not being able to leave... And in a way, I can see that already. For me, it's just being so near the sea all the time- even my job at the hotel takes on this romantic quality, dressed up in black looking out on the bay no matter what the day is like.
Funnily enough, I'm heading to Florida in a mere eleven days for a months holiday (and mine and D's wedding!). While the warmer temperatures (albeit wet!) and palm trees and immense greens make for a sweet change, it's nothing to Florida in December and I can't wait.
More soon x

Our secret path

My studio desk

Draceana palm

A part of a narrative workshop relating to my current project.

sea-side

2009-09-28T15:29:00.002+01:00

Grey skies and balmy air today but yesterday was stunning. D and I went to the beach and found it crowded and lively. Many were in the water, bobbing about and I wished for my swimming suit so I could've gone in too. Next time.

Falmouth Town

2009-09-24T20:31:00.000+01:00

And then suddenly, here we are in Falmouth! Just like that!
X

Edinburgh, I'm taking you with me.

2009-09-16T15:16:00.001+01:00

I'll make this short. I am writing from the middle of my final hours as nanny to an enormously lovely family and these days are truly bitter sweet. Tomorrow, D and I take off on a two day road trip to Falmouth, filled to the brim with excitement and in a lot of ways mystery. But then, those are nearly the same thing.
Edinburgh is sunny with a perfect scottish breeze today, like a parting kiss, and my eyes are sore from squinting as I walk- as if looking harder than usual will keep the memories of this town fresher in mind!
Boy oh boy, what a change is in store!
Next time I write I'll either be somewhere on the way down the length of the country or settling in Falmouth.
Here's to you Edinburgh, you've been perfect.
X

Caution, Partygirl!

2009-08-24T22:35:00.002+01:00

Hello,
Here is my Illustration Friday post this week, the word is Caution. The piece is titled Caution, Partygirl! and is a collaborative effort between myself and Imogen, one of the wee girls I take care of during the week.That's actually a birthday cake in the center, exploding. We painted it inbetween games of Memory, played with handmade cards by the two of us. We have made a winter stack and summer stack and I'll try and post pictures of those too before I leave Edinburgh.
I am only one month away now, a little less. Haven't started packing but will soon and am excited and in a daze at the same time. "Busy Lizzy" never ryhmed so well!
More soon, I promise and intend to keep it.
xx

Weight in Water

2009-08-09T21:16:00.002+01:00

So these photos are not the sharpest but I will post better ones soon. I have been invited into to show a few pieces at The Big West Fest art festival at the Whale Art Agency in Wester Hales along with some very good ECA alumni. I have two new paintings going in (shown above) and will show also one from my Degree Show last year. The opening is on Thursday from 18.30-20.00 and I do recommend every one comes and has a look. It's bound to be lovely and looks like an interesting venue too. Here's how to get there.
Back from holiday in Majorca, I got right back in nannying and had a perfect week back. I took the two youngest to the zoo and ran along a bridge together with zebras going under us. We took pictures of every animal and even got a great shot of a hippopotamus yawning (will try and post these soon too).
Along with painting I have kept incredibly busy lately as I am planning a move to Falmouth in just over a month and as I'm starting a Masters there, there is much to do before hand. Looking forward to it immensely and really absorbing my last precious weeks in this city I've grown to see as home. It will be quite something to leave. I've stayed pretty steady put for five years now, and now I have a big haul looking me in the face. I'm looking it right back though and feel good about it.
More soon. x

Nana

2009-07-20T12:19:00.003+01:00

I am in this hot and lush place with family, talk of family, long lunches and slow-ticking time on my hands. Even if I come away only with sketches I am content (almost) to have these firey images bubbling away and preparing themselves. There are times when the internal things seem to all be lined up like ducks in a row, and time when they seem to be so scattered it's hard to see. This is a time, though, just in between. Holding promise but no mania.
Reading The Moor's Last Sigh (S.Rushdie) in this place is like the sky behind the funny rainbow that is my trip. It took a long time to get inside the book but now I am hooked. (Thanks to my dear friend who picked it out for me, you know what I like)
My grandmother (pictured above) is dancing behind me now to her favourite African music, its a breathy sound that brings heavy, vivid memories of my childhood with her. So many sounds and smells make up the ideas of what happened before, or in this case, what is still happening. The fascination we had of what she was doing and the way she moved!, every morning just as we woke groggy like lion cubs.
I don't think there's anything that makes me so interested and keen to understand as growth and family.

sisterseasun

2009-07-18T20:56:00.005+01:00

I am not on holiday on my own here, not as a travelling brit or german drawn to the sun, sand and friendly custom- I am here with family. And I find, mostly when I am away from everyday life, not working, sleeping early and waking without an alarm (but early), that this puts my mind into a totally different place- wherever we may be gathering. I am almost a child here, thinking simply, eating happily when I am told, my chores are made incredibly pleasant and soothing... It seems 'being away' causes a shift or break really from being an adult. Is it that way for everyone?
It's lovely here of course. The Mediterranean certainly has those famous and seductive healing properties. My legs turn to fishtail under water as they did as a girl and I am almost frantic with the chance to swim in the sea daily. Today, I went out with a mask and saw many white and black fish, nibbling on the rocks and laying eggs in the sand of the ocean-floor, they swayed in the current and so did I. I lay on my back floating and could see only blue. What that does to your head and heart!
I miss my twinsister as one gets used to being apart when life has its tolls, we work and make up goals and see to them, worry and dream and what-not but when I get here with sweet-nothing to do- I really feel the gap between us. My sister- my natural half. So this picture is for her. As are all of mine.
(*Technical resources run short here so I apologize for the unavoidable blur of some of the images in these island-posts.)

Hot and Hollow

2009-07-16T21:15:00.004+01:00

This first one is my long-postponed Illustration Friday submission, to the word Hollow. I am enjoying a very proper holiday in Palma in a part of the island called St. Augustine. All the houses keep three guard dogs and most of them are hairy German Shepherd or yellow Labradors, which seems funny when it's so incredibly hot. I have been swimming every day in the sea and spending all my time with my auntie, wee cousin and grandmother (who all live here these days.) Luckily.
I sleep with the windows open to catch any breeze and then must admit spend a good three hours laying in the house reading during Siesta time... though one day I do plan to brave the sun's harsh rays for the warm sand and lovely cool ocean. The beach's charms, though perhaps embarrassingly celebrated, are undeniable. There is nothing like a swim over clear waters and black as night sea-urchins.
As I said, the first drawing is my IF post for the week, following the word Hollow and I suppose you could say the rest of the word Hot. They are all of Majorca and in good collaboration with my cousin Raphael. For record's sake, he is six years old and very good at both swimming and drawing.
xx More soon.

Monoweek

2009-06-14T13:31:00.006+01:00

After a real feeling of ambition and good ideas for the following week, I swiftly caught a bug going round and basically felt and acted rubbish all week. Though just a minor down it really pointed out to me how much I rely on my good health and while I do make an effort towards upkeep I need to get a grip on how to manage downfalls with a better outlook. Nothing serious. I worked, while not playing big games with the kids- did my duties, and slept while at home.
It is Sunday now and I am really excited about going for my first exercise outing all week really- a bike ride with D to Gorgie City Farm for the youngest's birthday party. Here's hoping we beat the rain!
On Friday, I had a couple hours extra nannying to do and brought along some kit for monoprinting to do with the girls. We had a sweet time and they made some really great prints. I'll see if I'm able to post some of theirs later as I really think the second eldest in particular had a knack for it. It's perfect for kids really because the mess and the rolling-action over the paper, and pulling it up to see the result really appeals. There's something to it because it's a bit of a surprise. Sometimes plain drawing can be a bit anti-climactic for them.
We used a sheet of slightly corrugated plastic, gouache paints, copy paper and a rolling pin. xx

Long time....

2009-05-18T21:55:00.006+01:00

I feel like I've been spending a lot of time indoors lately. Edinburgh weather has not been at it's grandest this spring and I am hoping it returns to form soon. There has been quite a lot of rain this weekend. We have some kind of holiday today and tomorrow, so I have had extra time. Always a treat.
Lately, I've had my hands full of the unexpected and haven't had the right mind to draw much but broke that pattern this weekend with some hours with the pen in hand. I had been wanting to do some fairly ambiguous work which I guess you could call "broken stories." They are just drawings with bits of narrative, which in the end, could maybe be strung together to form a story. But as there is only one right now, I like the idea of having just the bit of text and you can connect it to something if you like. I suppose it's as if you find just one torn out page from an old illustrated book. Even the tiniest things have stories attached. I guess nothing stands alone.
I have been spending my time doing research of this sort and that and am feeling almost crammed with ever-shifting ideas and images... almost to the point where nothing will come out. Like a too full drawer, jammed shut. Hopefully I'll get in the better habit of shaking them out and making this site as regular as I'd like it to be.
Normally I just use my pen-tablet for touch-ups, lettering and simple colouring but here is something a wee bit different. It's really just a test but was neat to do and I am set to try some more.
Promise x

the assumed impossibility of perfection

2009-04-23T22:18:00.003+01:00

It has been some time since I've posted. Still, this evening I am beat and will write more on the weekend. I also hope to post some photos and drawings from a short trip to Berlin to visit my twin.
Quickly, this is both my IF submission for the week regarding the word, impossibility and a personal piece in three stanzas.
I look forward to getting back to more regular posts.
xx

Poised for spring

2009-04-02T10:51:00.003+01:00

Hello all!
Well it's gloriously sunny and mild outside today and it's also my last day of work before Spring holidays. I made the decision last minute and booked tickets to visit my darling twin sister in Berlin. I haven't seen her properly in ages and much longer since it's been just the two of us, so naturally I'm bursting with excitement!
Because it's cheaper and quicker, I am taking the train to Glasgow Airport early tomorrow morning, which means an especially early night tonight. It will be fun to leave the house around 5, probably just as the sun is thinking about coming up, and my dear friend is taking me all the way there too. I truly can't wait! The girls I take care of are also going on holiday and everytime you mention the aeroplane they look fit to explode... while my enthusiasm is considerably slighter for the aeroplane itself, I feel nearly as joyous about the holiday away.
I know I haven't written in over a week and realise now that I haven't mentioned some very exciting news! I found out recently that I have been accepted into the MA Authorial Illustration course at University College Falmouth! So that means that I'll be moving down to tiny and lovely Falmouth come September. It's another big change but I am certainly looking forward to it. I've not been to Falmouth before, but I have spent a summer farming in Cornwall and it was the sweetest summer I've ever had. I've been fanatically looking at maps of the area and reading about it. The course is really exciting too and I'm so happy to be in the position again to be making plans, arranging possibilities. Hurray!
Needless to say, I anticipate actually leaving Edinburgh will be bittersweet, but I'll be cultivating the sweet until then.
Anyway, here is my Illustration Friday submission, the word this week is Poise.
It's also a little salute to my twin, in the excitement of my imminent arrival. Tomorrow!
xx

The Tale of Big Foot Bess

2009-03-19T11:16:00.005Z

I have been waking up this week truly bright, early and ready for very full days. The sun has been decisively out and though the hills are hazy, the meadows remain crisp, clear and already sprouting with sun-bathers. It is a precarious position in Scotland to have your moods dependant on the weather but even though I do feel I'm getting better with that I must admit I've been in a pretty ridiculous state of mind. Cheerful, productive, romantic... Spring-time really makes me gush like a disney movie.
Yesterday I volunteered with a friend at the nursery school here. We dug out worms from the compost and rescued slugs for the children to play with. It was sweet them putting their tiny hands out to cradle these huge,green slugs! And of course, it was the perfect type of day to help in a garden.
This week's Illustration Friday is for the word Legendary. So above is my tall-tale poster, written and of course illustrated by yours truly. I hope you can read it okay (click the image to view large on page). It's a story of a little baby with mighty, strong feet who's temper tantrum creates a mountain range.
On the topic, my friend said something this week: He said, " I really think that legends came as answers to children's questions."
Lovely.
Let's hope these clear days last. x

Cycloptic Myopia

2009-03-16T10:17:00.005Z

Good morning! Here is the brand new piece for Hungry, Hungry Ghost's new E.P., Cycloptic Myopia. It shall be released on 12 May and I believe will be a digital release accompanying the full-length album, Sleeping English, of which I also did the artwork. All information on these and the band can be found here.
Also, the piece, in larger format can be found here, on my main site. I recently made some changes so do have a look.
There! Morning promotion!
I have the morning off so am taking a slow breakfast and moseying around before I head out into the rain. But I do love days like these, when the weather doesn't get to me, when the rain really is just rain. I like it really, because it reminds me that I really live here and that Edinburgh is just what it should be.
Enjoy! x

Intricately One

2009-03-13T13:40:00.004Z

Yesterday was great! The day went sweetly, had a really fun yoga class, got off work early and ran errands with my darling. And in the end, it was crisp and clear despite a rainy night and morning. Edinburgh is lovely in the fog and rain but there's really something special and regal when the sun finally comes out. Some weekends are better than others and I'm really excited about this one. I'm feeling productive and bright, relaxed, responsible. I finished the illustration for Hungry,Hungry Ghost's digital release E.P. and I'll put it up on my site when it's released.
Randan Discotheque is playing at the Wee Red Bar (ECA) tonight and I'll certainly be there. I really like watching them play and the songs are great, especially the heartbreak ones. Heartbreak ones are always my favourites.
Above is my Illustration Friday for this week, right on time. The word is Intricate.

Eye-Eye Captain!

2009-03-07T20:08:00.002Z

This is a bit late but was my IF Submission for last week, which I believe was Breezy. Pretty simple.
I've had another crazy week, full of sick days and long hours with the children. But I left many of them with a conquering feeling. There is a rich satisfaction in taking care of someone and keeping your calm too. It's like letting go of yourself and becoming a sort of servant, but subtle. Though I must admit that it wasn't quite so dramatic for the most part- a week of long hours watching cartoons and making toast isn't any cause for alarm. And as always, my job as a nanny remains a treat. I didn't expect my job apart from Illustration being so satisfying- a sort of double calling.
The day is done now and I can hear that soothing sound of cars on a wet road. It was a grey, heavy day which, inconveneintly, usually put me in a super drowsy, stuffed-up mood. So the dark outside and the comfort of the lamplight in my tiny, granny flat is doing me real good.
I've been productive tonight and may have finished up an illustration for Hungry,Hungry Ghost's new E.P. titled, Cycloptic Myopia. I won't give the final work away but below is a picture of some of the prep-work. I spent my whole Saturday morning drawing eyes, over and over and over. I will, ofcourse, post the result as soon as it's released.
Splendid! x

Baby Instinct

2009-02-26T11:01:00.005Z

It's been a full and hectic past couple weeks and I'm happy to have the day to sit down and take care of my to-dos. It's been sick-days plus school holidays so as a nanny, I've been working over-time. It's incredible the changes these kids go through on a daily basis. Emotional levels always adjusting and bouncing of their sisters, for better or for worse. It'd funny how much I can relate to the little one's tantrums. That's why this week I used the above drawing for Instinct on Illustration Friday. It's all about emotional instincts, out-of-body temper tantrums and needs beyond reason. Of course then with serious patience and support, the back lash is sweetness itself!
I am starting work on cover illustrations for an upcoming EP by Hungry, Hungry Ghost (do have a look and listen!) I'm really excited about the project and mostly making myself sit down to work. This weekend should lend lots of time for that, with many laps at the pool and my sunday yoga class in between. So yes, health and progress all the way this weekend! I think that's my serious backlash for a weekend spent whiling aways the hours for a good friends birthday.
While this winter has certainly not been my darkest, it really churned up my heart to see early spring buds popping up everywhere. And while I still had on a coat, I only had a tee-shirt under that... I wait with baited breath for summer, I really do!

Climbing

2009-01-29T19:04:00.004Z

Well this first image is my IF submission for the week of course. This week's theme is Climbing. And here is the little one I'm in charge of climbing up the monkey puzzle tree. See, every day we pass the neighbors monkey puzzle tree and talk about the different monkeys in it and what they are doing. She's got the most monkeys, as they have new babies almost every week, usually pink or purple. Mine is white with reddish brown stripes.
Anyway, this week was sweet and full. On Monday, my friend and I went to Glasgow to see Of Montreal. I'll post a video on my youtube page and a link on here soon, but it wouldn't load fast enough just now.
I'll write more this weekend, I'm heading out for a bit soon as today is technically my Friday.
x

Cower and Pale

2009-01-23T18:21:00.005Z

So I had a lovely evening over at my friend and collaborator, Sandra DeMatos' flat. She lives in a really great shared boarding with a roman statue to greet you at the door and great big Edinburgh ceilings. An ninety year old man lives under neath and a busy family up the spiraling staircase... you can hear the girl singing loudly as she comes home through the front door. Very weird, a treasure! We drew some and started planning the logistics and feel of our upcoming project. The idea is a cross-section of a house with all the rooms occupied by different aspects of fear and thinking/feeling. The above is just a little sketch called Cower and Pale... which doubles as my IF Submission- the word this week is Pale.
My eager plans for the next years are slowly inching their way together and I feel, these past few days, a real growing state of excitement mixed with contentment. A sort of confidence, I suppose, or hope.
I'll post more soon, I reckon. Truly look forward to this weekend.
xx

Good Sprouts

2009-01-19T10:52:00.003Z

Good morning! I had a hard time sleeping and felt weary about waking up this Monday morning but now that I've got it going, I'm fine. I am back home just for a quick tea before heading back out to pick up my sweet charge from nursery. Archie is sleeping with his paw hiding his nose on the couch and the sky outside is pouring sleet! The weatherstation said snow for today but I thought it would be like this, very wet and cold! Ah well, if it sticks I'm happy.
Here is a little drawing I did for my friend studying Organic Farming. It's a logo for a pretend-farm company supplying organics to schools. I thought it was a sweet idea though.
I am off again now but look forward to having more work to post this week. Friday I meet with my friend and collaborator, Sandra DeMatos and get our project going- very exciting!
x

Windy walks/Weekends in

2009-01-17T13:35:00.005Z

I am in the mind to stay in this weekend. It was a busy week that felt unbelievably long and it seems ages ago that the above video was made. Really it was just 5 days ago. Every Monday I walk Archie (the family dog which I am in charge of when on Nanny duty) and often my friend will accompany me if the weather is nice. It was very much like today,windy, blue and clear and we went up higher than usual and spent the whole two hours I have free being blown around in the sunshine. Lovely! There is more here ( http://uk.youtube.com/lizzyblue85) if you fancy.
So, I'm staying in working on drawings and stories and doing some reading. Veg Chili is in the slow-cooker and I am still in my pyjamas. x

What words contain

2009-01-15T22:05:00.004Z

I have had a very busy week, full of early mornings and a bit of good news. I am staying in Edinburgh, with full-british permission and have a lot of planning to do from here. But fortunately planning is something I go crazy for and relish in the things when they are made. The winter here has been exactly what the warning said, wetter by the year and pretty much mild and chilly throughout. The snow has never stuck and I don't expect it to. So, though it's missing some of it's whit-winter mystique this season has been surprisingly easy to bear. I'm in this funny mood where I could almost swear that even if the summer never came I wouldn't be hurt. Come back to me in March and perhaps I'll say differently. Here is my IF submission for this week. The word is Contained.

heavy winter grey

2009-01-07T12:08:00.004Z

The heavy sky and winter rain today is taking considerable energy out of me. Despite it, I walked Archie through our daily wooded path which was especially muddy and slippery and emerged unscathed and happy to have done it. The rest of my day is to be relatively relaxed, my nanny duties to be carried out til 6 or so and then to the Cameo tonight with a friend. Yes, we're seeing Twilight. Recently too I watched Let The Right One In, a Swedish teen-vampire movie which I expect is a very different note from the blockbuster with the same premise. I recommend that one though.
Here is my IF entry for this week, the word being Resolve. Something I feel familiar with, and the kids do too.
x

Sweet New Year

2009-01-01T18:11:00.002Z

Though I still have the weekend before heading back to work I certainly feel I am at the last end of my winter holiday. My dear dad heads back to Germany tomorrow early and we are spending tonight as we have the rest of the week: warm by the electric fire, reading, watching films and just spending time. Last night, New Year's Eve, was spent the same way and I loved it like that. Edinburgh's Hogmanay must be shrinking as I only heard about three fireworks the whole night and the whole town seemed fresh and clean today.
I am happy to have the weekend still but actually look forward to getting back to work, taking care of the three girls and fitting back into our daily routines.
Oh, and above is my Illustration Friday for the week, the word is Clandestine.
x

Winter walks

2008-12-30T15:56:00.005Z

Winter has struck Edinburgh with force today and just in time for the new year it seems. Frost is tipping the leaves of the crawling vines as I am cosy in the comfort of my little granny flat.
The morning was sweet, bright but frigid and I spent it with my Dad (who I am happy to have visiting) having breakfast in Marchmont and then for a walk through the Grange Cemetery.

I now post these Thank You cards I made and managed to pop in the post before the cold really got to us.

Detail of one of the cards.

Out on a limb

2008-12-25T20:51:00.003Z

And here it is: my Illustration Friday submission for the week with relation to the theme Voices. I am spending my first winter holiday in Edinburgh and am delighted every day so far with the turn out. I have my father with me and we spend the days just strolling. Even without a trace of snow it is stunning for winter, blue lights on the trees and not a soul out. Lovely.
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The Hand of Burke

2008-12-11T10:04:00.004Z

I have enjoyed a very busy week just passed and so did not manage my Illustration Friday submission on time. But the word was Similar and I thought it appropriate to post the dry-points prints series from my Degree Show back in June. They were centered very much around twin-hood and fit, though very flexibly, in chronological order.
I had the sweet opportunity to see Edinburgh with the eyes of a holiday-maker as my friend, Sasha, from Florida paid a short visit. We spent the days walking quickly through the cold, making stops for vegetarian Haggis and different sights (including a tiny and not very impressive wallet made from the left hand of William Burke.) We also went on the Ferris Wheel which went much faster than expected and was not the quaint and lovely view of Edinburgh we wished for.
I am more than halfway through my lazy Sunday and expect to spend the rest of the night making holiday cards from the comfort of my tiny couch and preparing for an early rise tomorrow.
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Blue blew away

2008-12-04T17:25:00.004Z

Here is my IF submission for this week, the word being Balloon.

Wind from the North

2008-11-20T20:35:00.003Z

The increasingly dark days and chilly wind has made me too sleepy to write much but let this image suffice. It's my Illustration Friday submission for the week and the word is Pretend. It's based on a game I played with one of the girls I take care of where we pretended that their little Jack Russell Terrier was a baby. And he played the role surprisingly well!
I have a sweet weekend planned and in a way I look forward to the North Pole current heading our way this weekend. Bringing temperatures down by 10 degrees, they say. It would do me real good if it snowed this winter, I haven't seen Edinburgh bathed in white since the first year I moved here! Here's hoping, as always.
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A Real Tea Party

2008-11-14T14:59:00.000Z

In addition to some website housekeeping (have a look at the changes at www.esargent.com) I found some time to work on the above drawing. I have a sweet job working part-time as a nanny to three girls and one evening we had a tea-party where I managed to do a quick drawing that led to this. I keep tiny sketchbooks which I draw in every day and eventually will have around 6 completed books of this year, summer to summer.

Dog on Wheels

2008-11-13T19:46:00.000Z

There's nothing like some new tools to motivate some work. Here are a couple brand new pictures- I like how they turned out and there's nothing like the feeling of doing something early in the day, finding it in the evening and being surprised with the outcome. In a way, I look forward to the winter. Staying in and working, with my wee electric fire going, suits me.
I also had a business-power lunch with my lovely classmate, Sandra DeMatos. We are planning a collaboration that will, fingers crossed, culminate into show so I will certainly keep you posted on the works in progress. We hope to get started soon on some samples. She likes ghosts, dreams, monsters, and childhood impressions too so I think it will turn out a treat.
Stay warm and keep your hands busy.
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Wise Are The Wilds

2008-11-11T19:51:00.000Z

Well this is my submission for Illustration Friday this week, the word being 'wise'. It is very appropriate that it happens to be the first post at this address, a very good place to start.
Edinburgh is beyond sweet this time of year. The leaves have changed to yellow and are falling to fill the pavements and the bareness of the trees lends a whole new view to admire.
I'll be posting drawings of the city soon, and regularly too, as I am keeping a series of books this year on what could be my last foreseeable one in old Edinburgh.
For previous posts and to see more of my work please do visit www.esargent.com
Goodnight now.
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