sea sea sea

I took a breather and went to the sea

We truly have the best beaches in the world - if you can catch the weather! 

Ya know what one I really enjoyed about this years holiday?

Coming home and realizing I love, no adore my home and where I live

truly blessed

Life is for Learning

Well I've gotten myself well and truly up to my eyeballs in work now! I've signed up to two on-line courses which run at the same time - eeek. There defiantly won't be much housework done here this week! 

The first is too much fun - Faces 101 - yup I'll draw 101 faces in a week! 16 done already and it's just day one. 

I love the exercises Carla gets us to do - lots of freeing up, playing with materials, shapes and letting go of what we think a face should look like. Super excited about whats in store next! 

The other class relates to my textile background is fun, intense packed with sooo much information and fabulousness it's taken me  a while to get started properly - I'm way behind the rest of my group but will be working my mac to the limits this week to catch up! Its the art and business of surface pattern design and is ran by the talented and generous Rachael Taylor

I have been working on my first collection called 'the dreamer' based on this painting and had so much fun - I'd forgotten how carried away I get when I'm designing - utter bliss. 

So - it's busy :-) but ya know...

...Life is for Learning 

Happy Summer!

Wow it's been such  abusy busy busy month for me! I'm just beginning to get my breath back, getmy studio (nearly) back in shape and catch up on some sleep.

A huge thank you to all who came to my shows this month, supported with kind words and beautiful messages.  It is all so appreciated affirming and loved - thank you!

I shared a booth at Bloom 2012 with my two sisters. Clare make stunning glass lovelies along with a range of sassy magnets, mirrors and cards. Geraldine makes her own preserves, jams and chutneys from all her own home grown produce using her aga and my granny's old recopies. YUM!  

It's such a great show with a friendly and loving crowd. This was our second year and it was great to see familiar faces calling in for more of our products. 

 My display 

 

Clare's display

Ger's Preserves Display

I also had a solo exhibition as part of Carlow Arts Festival Éigse 2012 which went so great - I sold over half my paintings and was met with so much positive love ohhs and ahhs I nearly couldn't take it! It's always nerve wracking to do a solo show so thank you to all who came, saw, loved, laughed and bought. 

I didn't take enough pictures (as always!) so I just have one from my phone 

I have plans to put my remaining paintings up for sale in the coming weeks and I will be informing my newsletter subscribers first so if you'd like to get the heads up so sign up here!

In other very exciting developments we woke up a couple of weeks ago to 4 brand new kittens!! Mama Dinny (who is a kitten herself!) is doing a great job minding her babies, while we're doing our best to keep our little one at a safe distance!

Happy Summer Everyone

xxoxx

Carlow Arts Festival 2012

It's that time of year again and Carlow Arts Festival (Éigse) kicks off tomorrow. 

There is tons to see and do in the town so click on the link above and plan a day out! 

I've been busy painting up a storm and have loads of new work ready to hang tomorrow morning. The official opening is on tomorrow (Friday 8th June) evening so pop in for a glass of vino and a chat.

The exhibition runs until the 17th  - would love to see you :-)

My View today

 

Night flying

Fridays are my studio work days - I try to be disciplined and not get side tracked with too much computer / admin work but here's  a quick post to share what's on the agenda for today! 

1. finish the picture above

2. Order mounts

3. Work into more pictures I have on the go (deadlines are FAST approaching!) 

4. Go for a walk

5. make more necklaces 

6. Play with some ideas for soft sculpture

Busy day ahead - here's hoping three of my jobs get ticked off! 

Happy Friday everyone x

 P.S.

 Fabulous giveaway on my sisters blog - just head over and leave a comment to be in the draw!

                    Clare Jordan Blog

 

http://clarejordanltd.blogspot.com/2012/05/give-aways.html?spref=fb

***update on my days productivity! Didn't get through as much as i'd hoped! Got to order the mounts, work into another picture I have on the go, finished the owl pictured above (hope I didn't ruin him!) updated my facebook page and did lots of filing on my computer (I may actually find stuff now!) All and all not a bad day - going to enjoy a glass of vino now :-) Happy Friday x****

I love my new (old) studio!

 

I've finally enlisted help and gotten my studio space cleared up, organized and in order. The relief is palpable! I honestly didn't realize how bad it was until I got it fixed and  I am in love! 

It makes me wonder 'why didn't I do this ages ago!' It's amazing the difference some shelving, storage and organization makes - I'm totally in love with it and have found myself just sitting here and admiring my space, something I could never have done a couple of weeks back. I now know where everything 'lives' can see all my supplies and have space for painting, sewing, production and a desk for admin. Amazing!!! I think it's for keeps :-)

The pressure was on to get it order for a video shoot I did.