sisterseasun

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.)

Long time....

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

Dog on Wheels

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.
x