There's lots of things happening now I'm back in the swing of painting again...

Firstly I've started a new Project!! Really and properly this time - I've even been doing research!!! Finally it's an idea that makes sense to me and doesn't actually restrict much of what I paint in the way, say, a tarot deck or a set of illustrations for a single story might. So, I've been writing and sketching (and researching ) for a few months now, I'm setting up a new website for it and - who knows - maybe one day I'll even find a publisher. It's called Herbarium Intermundia which roughly translates as 'the Botany of the Spaces Between Worlds'.
I've been wondering about setting a blog too but I've never used one of those blog sites before and don't know which to choose. I'd really appreciate any thoughts, advice or suggestions on the subject from anyone who uses a blog site.

Speaking of websites - I've just re-done mine so that its more Firefox friendly. I've finally ditched Frontpage and rebuilt it. So any Firefox users please, at least one of you, make all the effort worthwhile and go take a look

I'm about a third of the way through my Botanical Illustration Course, learning new watercolour techniques for painting flowers and leaves. It's a challenge to change the way I usually paint but I'm enjoying it immensely, especially knowing that it will help me to complete some of the artwork for my new project.

Now, on to other stuff - I've just passed my 9000 pageviews on my profile page and my 2nd anniversary here on dA and I would like to give my sincere thanks to everyone who visits, favorites and watches my gallery. It really does mean a lot to get feedback from other artists. So as my 10,000 kiriban approaches I'd like to offer a little gift to whoever captures the 10,000th pageview (or nearest to it). I've sketched out a little bookplate which I'll complete and personalise for the winner. It'll be a while yet but if you want that bookplate then keeping checking the page.



And so, to a feature - sculpture, model-making, doll-making - whatever way you classify it there are some fantastic artists here on dA creating fantasy themed piece. These are just a few from my favs gallery:-

by always creations with such character and soul, Kevin's forest characters are just beautiful


by Wendy's little faery houses are made from all kinds of found materials. it's such a wonderful idea and they are always so beautifully crafted.

by Pat's little pod people have the most expressive little faces, full of detail and delicate colouring

by fabulous quirky ideas and a Gollum to rival the Weta Workshop's sculptors

by sweet dragons and a cat with a look on his face that I know only too well

Please take a look at their galleries for more wonderful creations and give them the attention they deserve.

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It’s been six months, almost to the day, since I was active here on dA. When I wrote my last brief journal I really had no idea how long I’d be away but I certainly didn’t think it’d be a whole six months.

And the reason for my extended absence? Well, on the 18th of August last year we lost Socrates, one of our cats. Not just ‘one of our cats’ but a very special friend who had been with us for 14 years. It has broken our hearts and, that day, when I returned from burying him and walked into the room where I paint, the room where he chose to spend much of his last days, I knew my muse had gone, my desire to paint had left me and I put my paints and brushes away, not knowing when I might pick them up again. So I signed off from dA for a while, knowing too that I needed to cut myself off from art in general while I came to terms with what had happened.

As time went on an idea got stuck in my head that if I were ever to paint again then the first thing I would have to do would be a painting of Socrates. It became an idea that I was unable to see beyond – something I absolutely HAD to do. But try as I might I couldn’t visualise it in my mind. Eventually an image did come but it took even longer to start, to commit to paper. The fear of getting it wrong was so powerful that I was too scared to start. But in the end I had to or I might not paint again, and slowly it began to materialise. Finally, after six very difficult months here it is.



This has been the most emotionally challenging piece of work I’ve ever undertaken, draining, frustrating, terrifying at times, vital and heart-felt. I feel relieved it’s finished at last, yet lost without its constant presence, lost without his constant presence. But as it neared completion I did begin to feel a change in myself, a desire to create again, to paint again.

Now, back here on dA, I have a mountain of comments and favs to thank people for; an even bigger mountain of fabulous art in my Devwatch to look at and so many clubs to catch up on. It’s going to take a little while but I’m looking forward to being back here.

So if you’re reading this and decide to take a look at my painting of Socrates I hope you might take to the time too, to read the description. Nothing in the painting is placed there randomly, every item, every flower and plant has a significance, a reason for being there.


Shona

Delighted to be a member of:-

I'm not gonna be around for a while so I'm apologising in advance for any unanswered messages and for not joining in in club activities. Not sure exactly when I'll be back.

Take care people


Shona



Delighted to be a member of:-

Yay!! I got another ‘Artist of the Month’ thingy!!

This time it’s on a site called Fae Nation ([link] ) which is a fabulous site dedicated to all things Faery. If you haven’t seen it before and you like faery art, clothes, stories etc then I’m sure you’ll love it. It’s full of all kinds of wonderful faery stuff – news, events, poems and articles as well as the art and craft pages. Go take a look

Okay, so one of my New Year Resolutions was to feature more of my favourite art on DA in my journals so this month I’m featuring art from the Children’s Illustrators Club
Each month the members choose a new theme and create an illustration for it so I thought I’d choose my favourite picture from each month since the club began. There are always a lot of high quality, inventive images to choose from. I’ve linked to the original deviations so fav away!!!

Tea - Umbrella -
Underground - Underwater -
Odd Forest - Dinosaur -
Circus - Striped Socks -
Polar Bear -
Christmas Elves -
Dreams - Angels -
Balloon Ride - Labyrinth -
Library -

I haven’t posted a lot of new art this last month – only my ‘Library Shrew” picture – and that’s because I’ve been working on some paintings for the Duirwaigh competition ([link]). I was only going to do one but as they extended the deadline a bit I thought I’d do another one. Once the competition is over I’ll post them on here – win or lose (lose most likely).
Apart from that I’ve been thinking about doing some ACEOs and I’ve got about four or five other paintings on the go. I’ll post some WIPs and initial sketches when I get a chance.

Delighted to be a member of:-

Today is my first anniversary here on DA. I can't believe a whole year has gone by already.

As a little celebration and to say thank you all of you who have taken the time to visit, leave comments, add me to your watch list or add my pictures to your favourites I've created a bookmark from my most popular picture to date - Missy Mouse.



Here's to the next 12 months!

Delighted to be a member of:-