A recently completed commission ~ two sketch cards. I remember watching Juliet Bravo, many moons ago!

On eBay this week:

'Homecoming'

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=250453731500

'Shooting Stars'

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=250453734495

On eBay this week:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=250449765491

Folky Fiddling Free

Oh to lazy days in the sun ~ just a wistful memory for most of us busy adults, most of the time.
I managed to recapture that memory, briefly this weekend just gone. I threw my little tent in the back of the car, and a few essentials, and drove down to Leicester and Demontford Hall for The Big Session weekend. This is a great event, organised and hosted by The Oyster Band. Tons of great eclectic folk music, from Billy Bragg and Adrian Edmondson to The Levellers and Edward II. I was particularly impressed with Ella Edmondson, Adrian's daughter, who is a definite rising star. I bought her album right after hearing her set.
I had a wonderful time and even managed a sit out in the sun, just soaking up the music(with sketchbook in hand, trying to design a logo for my business - never completely stop working!). It was a strange feeling not to have to BE anywhere, or to DO anything! The above picture is of me playing £1500 pounds worth of violin!
I particularly enjoyed the evening jam sessions which took place on the camp site. I picked up some great chords. Next year I'm taking the rest of the family AND my fiddle and guitar!

Accounts...what accounts??

Well, I didn't get very far with my accounts. They're on hold again! There are much more interesting artwork commissions to finish!

I really enjoyed drawing the 'Slave Leia' card set for a gentleman in the USA. I went to town with colours and detail.

Gandalf is the first of many cards commissioned by another gentleman, who loves Lord of the Rings. I've been wanting to do some work in this genre for a while, so I'm really enjoying this project too.

The 'Fun run' was challenging. I actually found it harder going than the 10k! This is due to a number of factors. First, the weather was blisteringly hot, which is hard to run in. Second, I missed my running partner, Jain, who's away on her hols. So I had no one to pace me.

Thirdly, I made the mistake of starting off with the front runners(totally against race etiquette, according to my hubby!) I'd thought since it was a 'Fun-Run, it wouldn't matter. As a result I experienced the demoralising sensation of nearly the whole field of some 500+ runners passing me before we'd even finished our lap of the football field and headed out to the run proper! I now know my place, and it's at the back! I am NOT a fast runner! :)

I kept up a steady pace though, didn't stop, or walk, and got there in my own time. I even managed a bit if a sprint to the finish line with a lady who'd started the race with me, left me behind, and who I'd caught up with before the end. Much better to finish with someone, rather than on my ownsome. And there were still people finishing long after me, so I wasn't right at the back, as I'd feared. I went back to the finish line to cheer them on, proudly wearing my new medal. It's all good experience. I think I'll concentrate on just running to keep fit for a while now. I learnt a lot that day. :)

On eBay this week:

Edward Cullen:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=250444033677

David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250444022605&_trkparms=tab%3DSelling

Racing to a standstill

I'm tackling my accounts this week(bane of my year!), while nursing aching legs from my first ever 10k race last Saturday. My friend Jain and I completed the run without stopping once, in a respectable time of 1hr 5mins. I've only been running for 6 months, so I'm rather proud of myself! I started out just wanting to get fitter, now I want to get more medals!! Couldn't have done it without Jain's encouragement!

We also got soaked, because the rain pelted down all day long, and we had to dodge many walkers, puddles, boggy bits, trees and Tatton Park's resident deer. Next time, I think we'll try our chances with the runners, instead of going off with the walkers and joggers!

It's all in a good cause tho. We took part in the Race For Life, a women only event, which raises money for Cancer Research, by organising runs across the UK. Many of the walkers we were weaving in and out of, indeed just about every woman taking part had been touched in some way or other by cancer. I have lost a couple of friends to it. It was humbling to read all the dedications. Despite the weather, there was a great atmosphere, and sense of solidarity. Can't wait to do another one.

I've lined up another run for this coming Saturday. It's a local 'Wobble' of only 5.5k, so should be fun!

I can see how this could get addictive!

On eBay this week:

'Cosmic Hobo'

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=250439138003

'Bad Wolf Bay'

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=250439140304

'Peri'

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=250439135900

'Twilight'

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=250439175683

Recently completed, approved by Frazer and now in its new home.

Great news! Two of the missing sketch cards have now safely reached their destination. I'm praying the last one is found soon too!

Listed on eBay this week:

The Planet of the Dead

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=250434930349

Twilight

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=250434477286

I'm also gradually selling off my Convention stock of artwork prints. Check out my other items on eBay.

Thanks for looking. :)