Studio Notes no.95

doll-making love and more

Hello everyone, I hope you have had a good week and are keeping well.

Here’s a ten minute sketch of my neighbour. We have yet to spend that much time in conversation, so I don’t know his name as yet. Would you have any ideas?

This street pigeon seems to enjoy the old, mossy window ledge. I can’t be certain, but I think it’s the same pigeon that comes and goes. It makes an interesting shape in the shallow window seat…. I’m challenging myself to do more observational drawing - quick ones. This took me less than ten minutes. It was also about seeing pen and pencil together, something I want to explore.

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This week has been very busy with a variety of work. I’ve enjoyed particularly my new doll-making. When we were packing up to move I realised just how much stuff of dolls and so on I had stored in shoe boxes, tins and old wooden boxes. I love having all of this but must use it! And so new dolls came about - as seen in the photo below. And more shall tiptoe their button shoes across my work table….. I may have another trio coming this week ahead. I am itching to make a slightly larger doll who might have some kind of cross stitch detail. She might end up being one I keep - or, as sometimes happens, I make several side by side - sisters.

Photo: Gertie, Harriet and Prudence - now on their journey to new homes.

If you been following along for many years you will know all about my dolls as my way into the professional world of making….. They have been confidants, cheering friends, silly muses and constant inspiration for a couple of decades now! I like to use cotton and linen fabrics, collected over time, vintage buttons and warm wool. Their hair, knitted little hairdos, are an important feature….How I am grateful to everyone who bought a doll when I was just starting to make them. How grateful and humble am I now to still find an audience for these gentle, thoughtful, timeless creatures. I do hope to never stop making them - even if there are times when other things take over for a bit.

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photo: one of several new tiny summer landscapes

I am happy to have re-launched my summer lucky dip paintings. These tiny gouache paintings are all in gouache on handmade supports. You can find out more here. I am offering them at a special price until the end of this month. Then of course it will be one of my - ok my favourite month to paint: autumn. I do love painting winter though! I think autumn and winter are ‘my months’ though I do not care for the dreary days. Give me a golden, fresh, even windy autumn day and I am a happy walker in the park - or elsewhere. I’m fond of autumn colours, especially and a natural, warm palette - not too much orange - is my thing.

But it is summer still - though the weather here has been less than hot. I am not complaining (thinking of other places and the people there).

photo: another lucky dip painting of summer (little dogs seem to be in my work, popping up here and there just lately. I do not have any pets - but my sister has little dogs….so many people around town walk their impressive dogs - often of a hazardous size for narrow pavements).

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Coming soon

I’ve a few new embroidery pieces coming to my shop today. (and an artist book)

This smaller piece, stitched just in sepia brown cotton thread, is inspired by wood carvings, paintings in churches and old houses. It is designed to be framed or displayed in a cabinet. I’m updating my shop today (Sunday 13th) at 2pm UK time.

Updates for the week ahead:

Wednesday 16th Aug 8pm

Friday 18th Aug 6pm

Sunday 20th Aug 12 noon

I will be offering a small, mixed selection of work in each update. I am attempting to vary times a little. But you may note I am still quite attached to my Wednesday 8pm update ‘slot’ - which has been a longstanding time for me to share new work! Hopefully a time ahead may suit you if you are interested - and thank you again to everyone who makes a purchase.

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A few small stories

I look down from our attic to see a very elderly gentleman climb out of a car, his summer trilby at a jaunty angle. He wears a pale blazer and shirt - and bright red trousers. It is his choice of red trouser that intrigues me. Everything else about him - the cane, the beaky nose, reminds me of so many other elderly gentleman through the ages, possible my own great-grandfather. But the red trousers! Later that day, walking to a supermarket, I see a couple, with that straight-from-the-faraway-beach look both dressed in bright red trousers - he is in loose track pants and she is in tight yoga leggings - but both so red! A small child dances outside the supermarket, petting a dog. The child is wearing red - trousers. Glad to say the dog is not. I am beginning to wonder if I have missed some piece of news requiring the wearing of red trousers today.

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My son and I walk across the way to visit the river and ducks. There are no ducklings at this time of year, but a variety of water birds and they all seem to be enjoying the fleeting sunshine. We stand on a bridge and I wonder how the birds observe us. Their iridescent feathers look so appealing. I must bring my sketchbook here though I might find myself scribbling the people sat on benches, families enjoying ice-cream. I know I would sketch the lone older lady dressed in smart black - her head tilted toward the sun like a light-thirsty flower.

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Thank you always for reading here, for your kind comments and support. If you would like to buy me a coffee that would be great - and a big thanks to everyone who gives regularly. You really do make a difference and supporting my writing is much appreciated!

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