My other life as a painter

I used to make large paintings on canvas, I had a studio and exhibited in a gallery, even sold a few. I was prolific, as I am when I have so many ideas and the creative juices are flowing. Looking back I now know I was stuck in a rut after having made so many landscapes and trees. I didn't realise that the small mixed-media sketches I made in between the 'serious' painting sessions were the key to moving on, but then the small things often are! The work I make now is very open to all sorts of media and mark making, with a very illustrative bent. I am less prone to playing to my own prejudices of what 'serious' work is (a hangover from a fine art painting degree). I know that the processes I used to make these paintings involved printmaking of sorts, using the sides of my brush, card or a paint scraper.    I now collect objects to create prints including my own children's lego (que horrified husband that I 'steal' my OWN children's lego!). So even back then my work was always creative in its methods and processes,  it's just that it's now gone into full flow juicy mixed-media! 
Yes I do plan in tackling those large canvases again (once my remaining little person is in pre-school), but they will be from a very different angle this time.
All images of paintings are from about six years ago using acrylic on canvas, the last however was made when I was 18 years old using inks and still a favourite of mine.

Photographing my work

I had a photographer friend come and photograph my work for me a couple of weeks ago and it was well worth it! I always think it is so important how you present your work online and a variety of other sources. Although it was a rush to get all my work together (little boy in front of the 'Frozen' movie with a snack!), I know i couldn't have created the same results with my limited knowledge of photography. I also love how he was creative with my work and the props I provided. So if you are unsure of doing the same thing,  I would recommend it, it certainly worked for me!

In the studio

Working in the studio, looking through old sketchbook work getting new ideas together, these include, hens, birds, jars of different things such as letters or jam! It's all in the pipe line. I have so many old sketchbooks that I love looking through, I forget I have had those ideas in the past that's it's refreshing to realise they could be new ideas now! Bits of paper linger in my paper dish ready to be used, such as raffle ticket stubs, envelope post stamps, even the little bits of paper found inside fortune cookies that the boys had at the weekend! All bits of paper are possibilities to me - as long as they have beautiful text or pattern that is!