Snug as a bug in a rug

Day by day

Life has turned upside down this month. I'm back on the UK side of the planet, unexpectedly early, because my mothership crash-landed in a world of hushed tones and uncertainty. Normality and routine are all in flux whilst we take each day as it comes.

A get well soon card didn't fit the bill so I decided to make my own little present. It's not an illustration, but I still think it ticks the creativity box so I could mention it on here, plus it reminded me of my long lost card project.

I found a max sized pillbox and collected lots of small objects for the contents. The items are things mum loves, such as flowers, a jug and a small bit of lace, as well as some love from me in miniature heart form. There are items that hint at experiences, such as her recent visit to me in NZ and our earlier adventure in India. There's also a tiny glass bottle to represent a magic potion alongside a mini spanner to fix things, and a teeny polar bear as a metaphor for facing adversity (e.g. in the Arctic climate). 

The idea is that each box can bring a daily dose of something positive rather than more pills or talk of being unwell. Some joy to help get through to the next day. 

Tyrannosaurus ahead

This month has been a bit rocky - My mum and sister went back to the UK.. the clocks went forward (so it's getting dark really early) and my umbrella was stolen from a campsite (!).

On the plus side - I had a little trip to lovely Napier last weekend.. have started plotting for a certain someone's big birthday in May and I've done a lot of organising for the future, both long term (Lisbon ahoy) and more short term, which includes me freelancing on a bigger scale again. 

Part of this includes having a stand or two at local markets.. the first of which (and possibly the biggest!) *might* be in July. I'm planning to display and sell work that fits into the theme of adventure and exploration, which is most definitely what this life business is about. Dinosaurs may feature. Infact, this little chap will be hanging out with the previously featured stegosaurus. Except he will be slightly better dressed. 

New exhibition

I've got new work on show in Leeds at the lovely Midnight Bell as part of an exhibition curated by Munro House called Exhibit, which runs at various locations across Leeds for 10 weeks from Monday 21st March through til 30th May 2016.

My work will be on display (and for sale at the very reasonable price of £76).. so if you're local (or not), I strongly advise you to pop along to see it in person. 

Work on show includes the full set of my aforementioned terrarium project - Tis very exciting to have somewhere to showcase it so soon after completion! Here's a preview of the Autumn version to tempt your visual tastebuds..

Summer

It is hot and humid here in Auckland today. The opposite of what I'm used to in February. Where are the minus temperatures and frosty windscreens?!

To take advantage of the season, we've just been on a little holiday to explore the South Island. The above instalment in my terrarium series has been inspired by this trip, particularly a place called Alexandra, which sits in the rain shadow of the Southern Alps. It is the driest, hottest and coldest place in NZ. We felt lucky to see it in it's summer glory - warm and dry, with clear blue skies and the kind of bright sunshine that makes for excellent photography. The below of which made it's way into the digital collage. 

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 :)