NOLA

At the very beginning of this month, I found some pretty prints of New Orleans architecture by Magda Boreysza in a teeny shop next door to our hip hotel. Here's an beaut example that really captures the character and soul of one particular home:

Made me nostalgic about the Kiwi houses I tried to draw here and determined to get drawing back into my routine. 

#safetypin

I'm not leaving the house much at the moment, but I'd wear one if I were.

Terrariums

What do you get when you mix these ingredients with a polar bear?

Ta-dah!

There's something magnetically appealing about small versions of things. 

I created this little world after having been happily sucked into the current trend for terrariums. It's now hanging pretty in the space where there used to be fireplace. 

I also started an inspired set of drawings - putting a landscape within the frame of a container. There'll be four in total, each depicting a unique micro-climate based on a particular season. This is the spring version (from a UK perspective). The others are on route.. 

Dinosaurs can be festive

Yeah, so various projects remain in progress. And I can't blame it on seasonal festivities because I'm feeling quite the opposite in summery sunny NZ. I simply got distracted by drawing my new pet.. 

 .. And then by cutting and sticking lovely bits of paper into and around the shapes that my pencil makes..

It's not festive but it brings joy. Merry Christmas :)

Life drawing on the other side of the world

Found a class to attend in NZ within 5 days of arriving and it certainly helped in making me feel more grounded. Here's a drawing of a contemplative pose to which I later added some collage-y bits.

Capturing home in New Zealand

So this month I've gone and relocated to Auckland, and I've been trying to make myself feel at home. This has partly involved getting a new pet. But I've also spent time admiring and pondering the traditional kiwi home. Here's a not very well photographed example:

White, wooden, single storey (aka a bungalow!), with decorative trellis-y bits (I'm yet to learn what these are actually called..), a corrugated roof, and the all important deck. (They also seem to be single glazed, although mentioning this makes me feel like a right diva, so ignore that..).

They've got a certain charm that I tried to capture in a couple of drawings (from a stealth position in my car), but I'm not quite there yet. 

I think it might be something to do with the amount of lines.. But I'll persevere into November and see if I can find my feet a bit more, both visually and physically..

Dino party times

This is absolutely, totally, factually what a dinosaur party would look like..

Time for an adventure?

This month is full of up chartered territory. Tomorrow I'll find myself meeting the parents in Lisbon :/ Then in two weeks, I'll be taking my first steps in the African continent by visiting Morocco :) Inspired illustrations will follow from both! - But in the meantime, here's a collection of essential adventure gear for all trips..

This has been drawn for a close friend who is taking an expedition into the wilderness at the end of the month, for the dawning of his 30th year . I'm unable to attend, which is causing me to have a sad face, (Gilles is my immovable excuse), but here's hoping they have as much fun as I did drawing all the vital components..

Up, up and away..

I've spent an unjustifiable amount of time on this doodle, and now consider hot air balloooooons as difficult to draw as horses!  However, perseverance has got me to this point...

... and this work-in-progress digital collage, bringing together various elements, is a fitting illustration for now, because this month is one full of upward movement following completion of my MSc.  Let's see where it takes me next...

Occupational therapy theory...

I'm on the verge of qualification (and employment!) as an Occupational Therapist, which is hugely exciting.  Equally so is that I'll soon be able to let drawing join my front seat again.  However, whilst my brain is still full of theory from revision, here's a creative visual metaphor I put together to understand some of the terminology used in OT.  This compares models, frames of reference and approaches to a canvas, paint pots and paintbrushes respectively...

I figure models (such as MOHO, CMOP-E, Kawa...) can be considered as the templates or prompts to aid assessment and thinking, somewhat like a big paint-by-numbers grid on a canvas.

Frames of reference can be considered the various idea or knowledge banks within and from which OT interventions pull their reasoning, somewhat like paint pots full of different mediums and colours..

And I reckon approaches can be considered the way in which this theory is applied, selecting an appropriate tool (or paintbrush) for practice.  

Thoughts?

Tour de France Grand Départ

Was at home recently and loved seeing the spray painted bikes dotted about in anticipation of the Tour de France Grand Départ 2014, kicking off from Leeds this Saturday 5th July.. 

Got me wanting to draw bicycles all over the place, so here's a snap of a speedy sketch that might meander it's way into something more..

For more information on the tour, go here -> http://letour.yorkshire.com/# 

New favourite flower

Recently stumbled across a load of these little beauties on a cycle path in Cambs.  I believe it's called Nigella Damascena, or, um, love-in-a-mist.. 

Swedish commission...

Never posted about this, and I'm not sure why because I really enjoyed drawing the drawing!  It was a carefully composed collection of 1960's Scandinavian porcelain and household-y things, mainly inspired by the classic designs of Stig Lindberg.  Completed, like, a year ago!

The project continues to resonate with me, not only because of my affinity for functional yet beautiful everyday objects, but also because it was inspired by a desire to recognise all that's wonderful about making an effort to spend time with good friends, despite lifestyles that may be somewhat nomadic and temporary.  The repetition and durability of the original designs provide much-needed connotations of balance and stability in a contrasting world.  I also LOVED the required research. Had me unearthing all sorts of eggcup and salt shaker treasures :)

Above is the grateful recipient and said illustration.  And below, is a more recent drawing, for the same person, for his visitkort (I believe that's business card in Swedish..?!) 

Henrik is a talented multi-lingual writer, with interests ranging from literature and social issues through to technology and ice hockey.  Follow the details on the card for more information...

Appreciated publicity...

Just a quick post to share that one of my lace machine drawings has popped up in the October edition of 'Choice' magazine.. with big thanks to Debbie Bryan :) See the image for a screenshot of the very page, which features work from the lovely Katie Almond too... 

In memory of...

Managed to draw a picture of my Grandma for her funeral service booklet, which I think catches a little bit of her playfulness... 

Fabulous ridiculous-ness...

I spent 7 of the last 12 days road tripping through Yosemite, Napa, San Francisco and Los Angeles.  Somewhat less respectably, 5 entire days were squandered in Vegas - My entire being is still sore from the sensory overloading...

The power of Sylvanian Families...

Went rummaging for childhood at maison mothership and accidentally (on purpose) stumbled across an old shoe box containing these little critters.  There was no escape from their little faces.  Doodles had to occur...

Heads, shoulders, knees and toes...

Have seen a lot of knees and hips lately so am trying to learn all the associated boney bits. Decided doing a couple of simplified doodles might help the names stick in my brain a little more easily... even if they're not the most anatomically correct.

For some fantastical and rather more accurate medical illustration have a looksee here at work by degree compadre Arran Lewis.

My metronome is a bit stuck...

As a diversion from assignment (otherwise known as necessary procrastination), I decided to doodle a visual metaphor for occupational balance.  
Rather than scales which need even weight between two opposites, I figured a metronome was appropriate for the concept as it's grounded, swaying between activities, which has a feeling of serendipity...  Plus like life, it's constant, but can speed up or slow down to suit individuality.  I'm currently stuck on mental work, challenge and self-imposed solitude. 
Credit to AOTA (2008) and Finlay (2004) for some of the terms... not that I'm still in assignment mode or anything...

Bad day at the office?

These rough little illustrations were ideas created as starting points toward a final illustration and website layout for Louise Evans of My Life Genie, who offers a transformative, bespoke, business coaching service.  If you recognise yourself, banish those January blues, and get in touch with Louise to launch some new business resolutions...