Hugo in his ‘Ones’

Hugo, worn out after trying to raise money for the Sea Cadets

From my window – again

However beautiful, I don’t think I could move to a house in the countryside. I like people too much. I like exchanging a few words with neighbours, I like hearing the hum of their lawn mowers on a Sunday, I like hearing the whoops and yelps of children having fun. I like sitting at my desk, looking out of the window at people walking past. This could be a very good place to grow old in.

From my window

So-o much work on, but if I keep a sketchbook by my desk I can doodle while I work.

Illustration Friday - FAT

This week’s topic is perfect for a blatant piece of self-promotion for my new blog over here!

Girl on the tube

I’m obviously turning into a country bumpkin. It really struck me how many people were using iPods and other MP3 players on the tube the other night. I suppose all you metropolitan types are quite used to it by now. And talking about personal music, Daniel Barenboim’s recent Reith lectures and his appearance on Desert Island Discs have all been very interesting. What percentage of the music that you hear is chosen by you? In my case – with four children, a husband that thinks that every activity should have a musical backdrop, and at this moment with the builders in, (sorting out my bathroom, with their own radio and numerous drills going), I would say that it would be a generous estimate for me to say I’ve chosen 2% of what I hear. In fact when I have the choice, nowadays I opt for silence or Radio 4 as a break from the constant beat.

Happy birthday to me

Exactly one year since Illustration Friday set me on the path of blogging. And these are just some of the pictures that would never have happened if I hadn’t become a blogger. I've met some wonderful internet friends and I've admired work by talented people all over the world. I’m very grateful.

Mack and Mabel theatre trip

This is the first time I’ve drawn a famous person in the flesh. The Criterion theatre is a very small theatre so I was very close to the stage. Ah I remember how we loved Starsky and Hutch – if somebody had said to me then ‘you will one day draw David Soul from life’ I wouldn’t have believed them.

BCFF - Breakfast

My breakfast is normally a cup of Earl Grey tea and an orange, however when we’re out of oranges I’ll eat any other fruit – and before you say it, I know tomatoes are a fruit, but these are strawberries. For more blind contour idiocy, go to our hosts, Inkfinger, and see the list of participants.

Illustration Friday - UNDER THE SEA

I’m very busy with work and my other art project, (do take a look and see if you want to join), so I’ve dug out an oldie from my art student days.

Mum, Dad and Flo sing song

So it was worth all those expensive guitar lessons.
If you’re interested, the site she’s using is www.e-chords.com

Brown’s – Brighton

Lovely meal with my friends, Jenny and Guy, and our daughters, at Brown’s. I don’t normally try to draw when I’m socialising with friends but I couldn’t resist scribbling the view from our table, which amused us all.