'Washed Out'

Inspired by a wet Bank Holiday Monday. I scribbled this whilst wrapped up in a duvet in my living room.  Yesterday my family and I attended The Eistedfodd Yr Urdd in Pembrokshire. If you aren't aware of this cultural festival that takes place every year in Wales  you haven't lived. It is an amazing event that sees children and young people performing their hearts out in various competitions. From Singing, dancing, recital, drama and much much more. From February schools, groups and individuals work on their performances with the dream of making it to stage and winning.
Again my daughter competed in the solo singing. Again like many, many others she didn't make it to stage but she sang so well and we are so proud.

I'm off to London today to see my family and breath in some of that hubbub which regenerates my batteries and so often helps me with ideas when the creative pool is running a dry.

Good bye for now internetlings. I know this is a very short sweet post but I feel this is at least is better than posting nothing. All my love and art to you all x x x

Tension- 'The moment we behave as childish as they are'

Hello my dear visitors. How perfect that Illustration Fridays topic is 'Tension' this week because there has been an awful lot of it about. My youngest daughter who has started full time nursery in her new school is coming home exhausted and with it having terrible temper tantrums. They have been pretty hard to deal with and this doodle is the result of the relaxing process that comes after a full on stand off.

La La saw this illustration on my desk the next morning after our fight. She picked it up and tried to hide it in my portfolio. It is safe to say that this piece struck a chord with her and believe it or not since seeing my feelings painted for the world to see she has been behaving!!!!!! 

Its been a really good week creatively. I finished off another private commission. I promise to publish pictures as soon as the birthday girl in question receives her gift. In the meantime I 'm posting another commission of some very loved dogs and their Steam Punk loving owners. This was a fun little illustration to do.

Right off I pop to make Friday Night Dinner. Huge Big Hugs to you all x x x 

My Topsy Turvy World!

Dear, dear fellow navigators . I can only apologise for my absence. It has been so long since I last blogged but you see doodlers my world since the 28th of December has been turned UPSIDE DOWN.

It's a long story that began with curiosity, a new development of houses and a dream of moving away from London to Wales. 

During the Christmas break we a took a trip across the border to see family. Whilst there we spotted a tidy little development of new houses. Curiosity took us up its street on a cold, wet dark blustery afternoon. There we found our home and the reservation deposit was put down. 2013 began and the countdown to this life changing move began. 

We have been just a month in our new home and we are slowly settling into our new life. 

I am proud to report that Live, Love & Doodle now has its own space for me to work from. Long gone are the days of doodling at the kitchen table or free corners safe from sticky little fingers. 

I have been doodling and have so much to post. Including exciting news about my first published book cover. The commissions are still coming in and I am getting back into the swing of Living, Loving & Doodling. I promise to post more soon. In the meantime especially for you some sketch pad doodles of our crazy world x x x x

All my love to you all.

The Christmas treadmill.

Hello to you all. Well here I am again apologising for the neglect of my blog. I have had so many jobs in that Living, Loving and Doodling isn't leaving me much time for sharing these brief words with you all. So I have finally put a link to my Facebook page which you can see on the top righthand corner of this page. I drop by there quite regularly and it would be so lovely if you could join me. Please feel free to  leave me a message and a LIKE. Oh what fun we will have! You'll see x x 

  I  really can't believe that we are in December. On the 1st at around 12:30 as I drove home from my daughters dancing lesson on the radio was playing Wham's 'Last Christmas'. With that I turned a pale shade of grey and in my head a klaxon sounded and the Christmas treadmill quickened pace. Leaving me wondering whether there will be enough time to get everything that needs doing done before the big fella drops down that chimney.

My Christmas illustrations above have been inspired by the hypnotising candle pictures which I have been creating over the past few months. The one with the little girl looking in the tree is a self portrait. I remember lying underneath my tree looking up at the twinkling lights and baubles feeling so excited I was left dumbstruck. I caught my eldest daughter doing the same thing yesterday morning. I'm sure this is something we have all done which makes Christmas's best gift to us all, the lifetime of memories that can warm our hearts and souls whenever and wherever we are.

Finally my last illustration, is one that all working Mums can relate to. This piece was a commission for 'Baby Buzz Magazine' Nickie Evans the Editor asked me for an illustration of her busily working frantically. I feel just like her as I sit here tip tapping away. The kids and my much beloved are fast asleep and I'm burning the candle at both ends. So with that I am going to bid you all goodnight.

All my love to you all. Wrap up warm and enjoy the memory making x

Diwali 2012

Last night I was working in my studio on a commission and as I painted the sky around me was full of fireworks. I couldn't help but put down my pencil and and do this Diwali inspired illustration.

Happy Diwali to all my friends. All my love and bright hugs to you all  x x 

Illustration Friday-Tree

A quick submission for this weeks IF. I love Autumn. This is a rough idea that I had for a piece of art. This was back in 2009. I've been meaning to work on it again in watercolours. I just haven't had the chance. 

The colours on the leaves are awe inspiring and it troubles me that busy people don't take a moment to stop and look at the beauty that surrounds us. A few weeks ago I picked up these leaves for my weekly art class. The children drew them in their sketch pads. Next week I will take photos of their work so you can see Autumn through the eyes of children.

All my love and have a cosy weekend. x x x x x

A busy time of year.

 Hi everyone, well here I am with a brief opportunity to update my blog. I'm starting with a picture which I drew in a sketch pad during festival season this summer. I thought she looked 'shy' enough to be my Illustration Friday submission.

It's all been so chaotic here this week. The children's 1/2 term break is coming to end so not only have I had to keep the girls occupied and happy, finish on going commissions, I've also had a flurry of enquiries for Christmas commissions. 

I've mentioned my family portraits to you all in the past and I am thrilled that what started off as just one offs for dear family and friends have now become a major part of Live, Love & Doodles income.

They are so much fun to work on and bring such happiness. It's a pleasure to share my splashes of love and colour to the world.

Finally my dear friends before I leave you all to get on with Sunday Lunch, these last two illustrations are what I quickly doodled yesterday. Last night me the girls and one of their school friends went to a firework display in order to celebrate bonfire night. I did the pencil sketch before we left the house on our return I couldn't resist but paint it. I feel my years in costume have influenced this illustration. It takes me back to the days of penny for the Guy and this 1940's boy enjoying the celebrations.

If you are celebrating Bonfire night tonight or tomorrow, wrap up warm and enjoy. 

Whilst you are looking up at the sky wowing at the beautiful fireworks don't forget to take a moment to look down at your kids and see the magic of Bonfire night in their eyes. 

Big warm hugs and kisses to you all x x x x