Chrimbles and Festiveness

To everyone I've met at Conventions, Shows and Events over the past year,

to all my friends and family, and to anyone else who knows me...

I'd like to wish you a wonderful, joyous Festive Season.
Love and Peace, Carolyn xxx

Hammer cards galore!

I've just visited:

http://nonsportupdate.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/955604453/m/2801051742/p/4

Goodness! I thought my cards were pretty good until I saw the wealth of talent on offer here.

I particularly love Nik Neocleous' cards.

I need to keep getting better and better, so I do. Still only a newbie!

Hammer final phase

...and that's all 48 of them. Phew!

I also have my own blank cards now, so am available in the New Year for commissions.

Hammer continued...

Hammer phase another

New Hammer cards, phase one...

First lot of Hammer Horror cards finished. More to come as I get them scanned...

New sketch cards

Rushing now to finish my Hammer Horror cards before Christmas, and impending house-move. I'm enjoying these. Pleased with how they're turning out.

Collectormania

Collectormania is always a fun event. It's local and there are lots of people to meet and network with. Gained some valuable information this weekend(you never stop learning!), spotted a few well known actors I've never seen in the flesh before, and best of all, my family were able to pop by to see me at work. Usually I'm all over the country at shows, and being only a one car household, they can't come and visit. No doubt when Rosie is older I might have a little helper accompanying me.

Oh, and on Sunday, we sold our house. Celebrations all round, though I won't feel completely happy until papers are signed...

Meanwhile, on with my outstanding commissions!

Spike!

Briefly met James Marsters this weekend.
He's a chap who likes hugging ladies!
I like hugs too, so that was ok with me. :)

Tee hee!

Johnny Depp

New piece for Collectormania, to go with the James Marsters portrait. Trying a new border technique...

Dimensions

Dimensions was a great event. Always is.
Lots of friends and familiar faces. I look forward to it every year.
Worked on Spike(above) while I was there.

Monsters

Monsters Ball in Blackpool was fun. Didn't sell an awful lot, because there was a distinct lack of attendees. Suspect the Blackpool Pleasure beach, last two nights of the Illuminations and bonfire displays, etc lured them away. Shame. Still, I received a commission, went to see the Illuminations via tram and ate candy floss for the first time in years. Oh, and I tried on the 6th Doctor's coat! Consider myself very privileged, especially as Colin suggested it, then jumped in on the photo too. Such a lovely guy! He has a new coat - a slightly bigger version of the one I tried on. It was unveiled onstage at the event. Hopefully he'll wear it to some Conventions.

Currently working hard on some Hammer Horror Sketch cards and still playing catch-up on outstanding commissions. I'm getting there, in bits...

No sign of selling our house yet. Here's hoping...

Sketching...

Two more sketch cards finished. I enjoyed using paint on the second one. Not very familiar with 2000AD. Hope they'll be liked by the fans.

I'm tracking lots of my Trilogy cards on eBay; they're being sold for mad amounts. I wish I got paid that much for each card!

We're in the middle of moving house now, so I'll have to grab an odd hour here and there to work. Fingers crossed we sell and complete before Christmas.

Fun and frock coats

I saved up for many months to have this very special replica Eighth Doctor outfit made. I love it to bits. I doesn't get aired very often, but it did get worn at Regenerations the other weekend.

Back again...

Right, where were we? Oh yes. Accounts and tax returns done, my daughter happily ensconced in her new school... And it's not the one she was originally accepted into, but much better, much nearer home - yay! Two shows completed - Regenerations and Flight Through Eternity. Did a bit of gallivanting in my two Whovian costumes at Regenen(well, I don't get time to let my hair down very often!), and ended up in the local paper, with some friends. What a floozy! Good weekend though. Sold lots of prints, and 'Vote Saxon' badges, strangely...! Went rollerblading along Swansea sea front(thanks for giving me the idea, Russell T Davies) and hung out a bit with The Lords of Time.
Have also been trying to clear an obscene backlog of work, which I'm very ashamed about. Meanwhile, the sketch cards keep coming in. Two latest - above. Now working on a Hammer Horror set.
My sketch cards have been turning up on eBay and selling for amazing amounts. Never knew there was so much interest out there.

Sketch Cards ahoy!

Just completed another batch of cards for Strictly Ink - 52 cards for CSI Miami and CSI NY sets .

My John Barrowman canvas safely reached its new home today. I was quite attached to it in the end. It traveled to a number of shows with me.

Next job will be to tackle the dreaded tax returns. I've been putting them off for too long. As a result, I've got very behind on my accounts - yuck!

Daleks invade Manchester!

I was at down at the Museum of Science and Industry today with family members, to see an invasion of Daleks!

There's currently a large Doctor Who Exhibition at the museum. So the organisers decided it would be the ideal venue to attempt a world record for the largest number of daleks in one place at the same time!

50 was the number to beat and 68 turned out - yay!

The challenge was open to people dressed as daleks, as well as the real thing, so there were a wonderful array of costumes on display. I was very impressed by the amount of time which had gone into all the costumes, including a whole 'family' of identical 'people' daleks, in various sizes...

Ray Cusick - the original BBC designer of the Daleks, and the Chief Constable of Manchester's Police Force were on hand to officiate and count the daleks in attendance.

Chris(aka the 10th Doctor) from the Hyde Fundraisers was there to keep a close eye and a steady sonic screwdriver trained on the daleks. I also spotted a 9th Doctor blending into the crowd and a gold, very vocal Hyde Fundraiser dalek too.

All in all, a grand day out. My daughter and her cousin 'killed' a few daleks with their sonic screwdrivers and Rosie went very shy on meeting 'the Doctor'.

I wish I'd had time to make a costume for her, but I suspect she would have refused to wear it!

Nice coverage in the local news tonight too. We managed to keep out of camera shot, phew!

Captain Jack!

I've been working on canvas, just for a change. I like the classical feel you can get with portraits. I've long been a fan of Caravaggio in particular, and his use of warm rich light against deep shadow. The above canvas is only small (8"x8") and it is sold already, so I'm trying to finish it asap!
Meanwhile, or at the same time, I'm working on some more sketch cards for Strictly Ink. CSI Miami and NY this time. I'll post some examples as soon as they're complete. Only 13 more to go!

"Time Was..."

The kind people at "Time Was" have agreed to sell some of my artprints and greetings cards at their online shop and various shows they attend. Go check out their webpage. I've put a link in the 'Linky Thingies' section, or use the address in the button above.

I'm also selling some unmounted prints on eBay and my mounted prints and greetings cards are still available by mail order. If you'd like a catalogue, contact me at walkineternity@yahoo.co.uk.

Daleks, daleks everywhere...

The Dalek Invasion Event was a grand success. Over 2,000 people passed through the door, many of them still queueing to get in at 3pm! I think the organisers where taken by surprise by the crowds. I counted 9 daleks through the course of the day, many of them mobile and vocal! They were very popular with all the children. Steve and I were helped on our stalls by our friend and fellow Lord of Time; Maureen, whose company was much appreciated, as we were so busy all day!

I did manage to slip away and pay a quick visit to the resident Concorde. What a beautiful airplane. I can finally say I've been on Concorde, hah!

I was very impressed with Yeovilton Air museum. The staff were friendly, the displays beautifully presented and wonderfully interactive. It was well worth the long journey to get there.

Onward...!

Well, Alfreton was quite a disappointment in terms of print sales, or the lack of! All us dealers suffered, as the predicted crowds of people through the door decided to head for the beach instead, or the barbecue, or anywhere else outside in the glorious sun. And who would blame them after such a dismal summer so far? Luckily there were a few people who did come in to see Debra Watling, John Leeson and Kenny Baker. It can't be much fun being on stage with only a handful of people in the audience.

I spent most of the day painting behind my desk, so at least I got some work done, and I made a couple of contacts, which is always good and the reason one should always attend events - to network, and be seen. Even if the stall doesn't do well. Thankfully the stall does do well, most of the time. It was a pleasure to meet and chat to Debra Watling and have my portrait of her approved and to meet some new people, though not as many as usual. As already mentioned, the sunshine beckoned!

The one thing I really didn't enjoy on the day, was the screaming competition for budding (young) female companions of the Doctor... ouch!

This coming weekend, I'm on a long trek down to Somerset for a Dalek day at The Fleet Air Museum on Sunday. Fingers crossed for a good day this time. :) The above artwork is for the event.

Storming ahead

Finally, I'm getting round to some Star Wars artwork. The portrait of Yoda is coming along well too...

Buzzing

"So little to do, so much time. No. Stop. Strike that, reverse it...!"

As I mentioned the esteemed Lords of Time in a recent entry, I thought I'd post a piccy or two of the motley crew - there you go! Not all of us are represented, as we're rather a large collection of Bohemian Bods, spread across the four corners of Britain, and Canada! But it gives you an idea. I hasten to add that Sylvester McCoy is an honorary member only(and I don't think he knows it yet...) . Nicholas Courtney is a member, but I can't reveal in what capacity - hah!

Birmingham's Bad Wolf event was a successful weekend for my stall and an interesting one for everyone who had to travel to Birmingham from the south! I'm amazed so many people made it, many after nightmare journeys. Some didn't and that included a few guests, but everyone still had a good time. Eric Roberts was very popular indeed!

Hello to all the new people I met, and to the ones who came to say "Hi", who I've met at other events. It's always nice to see familiar, friendly faces!

It's all go to the next one now; Carnival of Monsters in Alfreton. I'm working on a portrait of Debbie Watling, one of Yoda, and a Stormtrooper picture, all to be finished before next weekend. Think I'll do it. No pressure!

Saw the latest Harry Potter movie yesterday - fab! Best so far, methinks...

Next stop - Bad Wolf in Birmingham!

Torchwood

Hot off the press, as it were. Finished today - my new Torchwood painting.

"Masterpeice"

This is the artwork which will be unveiled at the Bad Wolf Convention in Birmingham next weekend. It celebrates the Master's triumphant return, and Eric Roberts' first UK guest appearance at the event.

On my way out to the shops this afternoon, I spotted a familiar figure out running. At first I thought it was someone I knew, then I realised it was Christopher Ecclestone! He's a regular figure round these parts, as he's a keen runner. He has grown his hair long since I last saw him. I think it suits him!

Belfast Con a success!

Just heard that the Belfast Doctor Who Con was a big success. And the original artwork I donated to the charity auction raised £250!! Probably very much due to Colin Baker's expert auctioning technique!! Yay! Well done Colin!

Bernice Summerfield

The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine landed on my doormat this morning. While flicking through its pages, getting excited at all the wonderful reference pics of The Master's latest incarnation, a little postscript caught my eye. An ad for the upcoming book all about Bernice Summerfield. This prompted a panicked jump onto the PC, to reply to an email sent me by the author some weeks ago. It contained questions for me to answer about my involvement in the Benny book covers "all those years ago". Eek! I'm hoping I haven't left it too late. I got all involved in other things and forgot to reply to him. Sorry Simon!

I've just finished another 50 cards for Strictly Ink. Bad Wolf and Carnival of the Monsters are looming and I still have commissions to start and to finish. Help!! Anyone got a Tardis they can lend me???

Oncoming Storm

The Oncoming Storm event was fun, if very hot! It was well attended and my stall did good business, though I'm aware I could do with more and better stock! Saw most of the guests wandering past to the Green Room. Many of my friends from 'The Lords of Time' were there and we had a little reunion. Popped out at lunch-time for a breather and came across a couple from the Medieval fair, walking round the shopping centre, introducing people to their four pet rats! I couldn't resist a handle, I like rats. Well, domesticated ones anyway. Unfortunately my cats would like them too, so I can never have one as a pet!
In the evening, after the event, the organisers arranged a showing of that night's Doctor Who episode 'Blink', in the little in house cinema. What a (scary)treat!
Three hours' drive home, munching melted chocolates to keep me awake!

Margaret Slitheen

I don't believe it, I managed to complete a piece of artwork in one day today! What a rarity that is. I even have bum-ache from sitting so long painting. It's a rarity, because I'm usually breaking off to do housework, run after Rosie and do countless other little jobs. Today, with Rosie at nursery in the morning, then taking a THREE hour nap in the afternoon, I was lucky indeed.

Right. Onto the next painting for The Oncoming Storm Event. It's nose to the grindstone time for the next couple of weeks.

A note for Graham: Don't worry, I've not forgotten your painting. I'm working on the revised composition sketch in spare moments. I'll be able to do more with it after The Oncoming Storm. Speak to you soon. :)

The Oncoming Storm

I'll be at The Oncoming Storm event in Gloucester in a couple of weeks. Trying fiercely not to panic about how much work I haven't done yet for it. I do however have the above new piece of artwork ready to go.

Wahay! The wonderful people at Strictly Ink have added my new sketch cards to their website. Go have a look! http://www.strictlyink.com/06si/sketchers_carolyn.html

Do check out the other artists there too, I'm in complete awe!!!

Due to public demand, I am currently taking commissions for sketch cards. My own unique design of sketch card will be back from the printers in about 8 weeks. Contact me at walkineternity@yahoo.co.uk for more details.

Beauty and the Beast completed

Yay! Finished and approved. Actually a few days ago, but I've already been busy with other projects. More on those later. I'm pleased with the way the painting has turned out.
It would be interesting to attend the 20th Anniversary ('Perchance to Dream: a Life Without Limits') Convention in Los Angeles, where prints of this painting will be sold. I'd also love to see the series again, having spent so much time with the characters lately ;).
Unfortunately, it's only available at the moment on region 1 DVD, or VHS. I'll have to wait until it is released here in the UK. Fingers crossed!

Beauty and the Beast # 6

The painting is taking shape now. I'm pleased with Vince's face. It can be frustrating at times, only being able to work one or two hours a day, at most. Just occasionally it would be nice to get a whole day's run at it. However, I hope to have finished it in the next week or so. I'm going over and over areas of the painting now, refining and refining until the subjects look nicely three dimensional and lifelike. The final hurdle will be deciding when the painting is complete!

Didn't get any painting done today, because I was at the Cavern Club Doctor Who event, in Liverpool. I met up with friends, networked and watched the panels onstage, which featured Colin Baker, Terrance Dicks, Anneke Wills and Sophie Aldred. The place was packed with people. The Cavern Club is a strange and wonderful venue, steeped in nostalgia and history, tucked away down a side street, and deep underground. As a result it gets very hot and smokey, and I took frequent trips up to the surface for air, only to be greeted by a barrage of cameras whenever I stepped out of the entrance. Even on a Sunday, Mathew Street is a haven for Beatle fans!

I booked my ticket tonight for The Big Session in Leicester, in June. The OysterBand are headlining the event and Show of Hands will be there too. I can't wait to see them both live. I've been playing their new albums to death these last few weeks!

Beauty and the Beast # 5

Ten hours in, and it's coming together slowly. The new albums by Show of Hands(Witness) and The Oysterband(Meet You There) are helping me along on a wave of folky nostalgia. Yep, I'm a closet folky and not ashamed to admit it! Is it my imagination, or is Roy's nose getting longer?!

Beauty and the Beast # 4

..but then, as I start to work on specific areas and refine them, correct little mistakes (such as Roy Dotrice's left eye), the finished painting, or a promise of how it might eventually look begins to emerge and I feel hopeful again! Painting, for me is sometimes a frustratingly slow process! However, it's a medium which throws up challenges I do enjoy working through!

Beauty and the Beast # 3

A couple more hours work and I've covered all the white up! Another thing I need to do as quickly as possible! All the base painting is done now. The painting looks very rough and it's often about here that I hit a wall, where I start to think it's never going to look good and I find myself making excuses not to paint, which in a busy house, with a 3 year old toddler bombing about is pretty easy to do! This is the stage of any painting I like the least...

Beauty and the Beast # 2

A few hours in and I've started blocking in the background and base colour, and establishing the features. I'm never happy until I've got fairly good likenesses. I use acrylic paint(usually Galeria by Winsor & Newton, or System 3). My base pallet is more often than not a mixture of yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt umber, mars black and crimson red. I've tried lots of combinations of colours over the years, especially for skin tones, and this is the one that works best for me.

Beauty and the Beast # 1

Here is the initial drawing for my Beauty and The Beast painting. I thought you might like to see the progression from start, to finish, as it were. The size of the painting is A3, on thick watercolour paper.

Red Hens

Artwork copyright Lou Partridge http://www.redhenartists.co.uk/

I just want to mention an impressive new website, designed and created from scratch, by a good friend of mine, Louise Partridge. Lou is a co-founder of The Red Hen Artists group, based in Worthing and Brighton, Sussex.

Lou is a busy little bee. She not only works for a theatre company by day, but is also a talented artist, photographer and co-organiser of art exhibitions and workshops. She also helps out at local archelogical digs...I don't know where she finds the time, or energy!

Here's a bit of blurb, shamelessly lifted from the Red Hen website:

"...the idea of the group is that it brings together and motivates the artists to keep on aiming for their goal of making a good income from what they love to do. Previously the artists had found it difficult to find opportunities to show their work in Brighton & Hove as individuals, and the name ‘Red Hen’ comes from the children’s story of the little red hen who decided, as no-one would help her with her project, to ‘do it herself’! "

Go have a peek, using the link above, or under the 'Linky Thingies' section. I am shameless in my promotion of this site because I'm very proud of all that Lou has achieved. It's not easy earning a living as an artist, unless you're very lucky, or well connected!

Running to a standstill

Phew! It's been a busy old four weeks! I've been working solidly and I'm feeling rather jaded now, but have to keep on. So much still to do...

Hark at me. I'm not complaining, honest!!

I've been working on my Beauty and The Beast painting, which is coming along well(I might post some progress pics soon), and also some 75 sketch cards for Strictly Ink Limited.

On the 31st of March, I attended a Doctor Who launch party in London(not the press one) , which was great fun. The setting was The Printworks pub in Farringdon. There were about 350 Whovians packed into the place to watch the first episode of the new series on big screens. It was a great atmosphere. It's great to be able to share views with friends and meet more like minded people. Nicholas Courtney was in attendance too!

I loved the first episode for the new series. I think it was the best opener of all three.

I managed to bag a dealer's table at one point, and sold a few prints. Then I met Daryl Joyce and can finally put a face to the name! I do like meeting other artists, especially artists who work on Doctor Who.

More updates soon!

This is the portrait I unveiled at The Doctor Who Day yesterday. It will be on show at the Doctor Who launch party on the 31st of March too. I hope to have prints taken from it early next week. Can't wait for the new series to start!

Now on with more work. I have a new Aragorn portrait in the planning stages, a family portrait to complete, a special anniversary painting for the 1980's Beauty and the Beast television show, and then something large, special and cartoony, incorporating elements from lots of Sci-Fi shows... watch this space for more news!!!

Ogrons, Cybermen and Sycorax, oh my!

I love my job! It means I get to meet lots of really interesting people. I had the pleasure of chatting to Nicholas Briggs yesterday, at the Darwen Doctor Who event. What a friendly, approachable chappy he is!
Most of the guests I meet at these events, are as excited to be a part of Doctor Who as we 'ordinary' fans are, and Nick is no exception. I gained some interesting insights into what it is like to be an actor(and a fan) working on the show right now.

It was lovely to see Lisa Bowerman and Sophie Aldred again, and meet Will Barton, Mark Morris and Stuart Fell for the first time.

David Howe did a great job as MC for the day and The Hyde Fundraisers kept us all entertained with their monster costumes. The new Sycorax one is very impressive, and it was fun seeing the Ogrons challenging the Cyberman to a game of cricket!

Stuart Fell was a very entertaining Jester, inviting all the children to help him perform his magic tricks, much to their delight.

It's great to attend small, intimate events like these. The guests like the relaxed atmosphere and the fans get the chance to spend a bit more time with them, which they can't always do at larger events. Large and small events have their advantages and smaller ones, it seems reach people who might not to be able to afford a weekend away at the far ends of the country.

Yesterday's event also raised an impressive sum of money for Cancer Research UK.

Well done Graham! Please do another event next year. :)

Next stop...

This is The Ten Doctors, which was my most popular print at Gallifrey Con.

My next outing is a week tomorrow, at Darwen cricket club in Lancashire. It's a one day Doctor Who event hosted by Graham Groom. Guests in attendance will include David Howe, Sophie Aldred, stuart Fell and Lisa Bowerman. Also on hand will be The Hyde Fundraisers, with their Doctor Who monsters. There will be talks, screenings of Doctor Who episodes and autograph signings, also a design a monster competition.

International travelling artist

Los Angeles was a blast! I met some great people("Hi" again!), including Eric Roberts! All compliments were gratefully received, hee hee! But seriously, thank you to all the people who came over and said they liked the artwork, and even better, bought prints, or original artwork, or commissioned me! I'm booked up now until July at least!
The lovely big surprise of the weekend, was winning 2nd prize in the Art Show. I've never won anything in an Art Show in my life - yay!
BIG thanks go to Shaun Lyon and his team, particularly Ken Barr and his lovely wife in the dealers' room, who made me so welcome. I hope to see you all again next year!
More big thanks go to Derek Hambly at the Tenth Planet shop for keeping an eye on me, and The Offstage Theatre Group who performed their little socks off on stage on Saturday evening, and welcomed me as part of 'The Gang'.
Finally, more big thanks to Bonnie and Kelvin for being the perfect hosts after the show and giving me an extensive tour of Los Angeles!
It was a big learning curve. I'll know what not to spend money on next year, like making international phone calls from my hotel bedroom - don't! It cost me £70 for two short, essential calls to let family know I'd landed safely.
Being a first-timer to the US, I was a typical wide-eyed tourist when I arrived. I got all excited over fire hydrants, yellow taxis, palm trees, the smell of gasoline on the freeway, bill boards and American food. It was all just as I imagined it and everything really is bigger than in the UK . It's great fun feeling like a child again, when you're an adult! I can recommend chasing waves into and out of the Pacific Ocean, late at night, by the light of the moon, with new friends!

I'm already looking forward to next year's trip!

Everything Changes

This is the painting I've selected to be in the Art Show at Gallifrey Con next week. I began it when Christopher Ecclestone was still fairly new to the role. By the time I'd nearly finished it, David Tennant had already been cast as the tenth Doctor. So I thought it appropriate to include him in the painting!
I had the sense with the new series and with Christopher's portrayal of the Doctor that the Doctor's life had been given a shake up. The image which came to mind was of the Doctor taking a handful of pictures of his past selves and literally throwing them in the air as if to say "This is me now. Everything Changes..." New actor, new Doctor, new show - hurrah!
Not forgetting the original classic series though!

Next stop for me - Los Angeles(in 4 days time). Wow!

Sarah Jane and the Monsters...

I really enjoyed the new Sarah Jane Adventures episode over Christmas and I can't wait for the new series. So nice to see Sarah back after all these years! This new piece of artwork was unveiled at The Carnival of Monsters event yesterday in Alfreton, Derbyshire. I was a little worried no one would turn up, as the weather was so wintry. Indeed my morning drive from Manchester over the peak district was a little hairy at times, when I was unsure how my little micra would handle all the snow on the road. However my car coped brilliantly and loads of people turned up for the event, determined not to be put off by the weather!

A good time was had by all, especially the children, who took part in the fancy dress competition, Junior Mastermind and monster design competition. Colin Baker, Nicholas Courtney and the two children from the upcoming 'The Shakespeare Code' episode of Doctor Who; Hope Yeomans and Thomas Benikas were kept busy with autographs and questions, while Yeti, Autons and other monsters roamed the crowds.

The dealers all had a busy day and Steve Caldwell and I were kept on our toes too, in our Artists' corner! It was nice to meet so many new fans of the show, old and young. I certainly enjoyed comparing sonic scewdrivers with some youngsters - wonder who was the biggest kid?!

My drive back home was no less hairy, as thick fog made it difficult to see the road in places! But at least the snow had gone. I celebrated a successful day by treating my hubby John to an early valentines meal out. Our first time ever using a baby sitter - the lovely Jain from next door. Thank you Jain!

I can never say my job isn't full of variety, and that's one of the things I love about it. I put my portrait artist hat on last week and completed this drawing of Vincent. He's adorable at 2 weeks old. His portrait is for a friend(his mum) in Los Angeles. The portrait is A4 pencils on card.