Completed this ATC for Monday Madness swap. This week's theme was Africa.

Watercolour - winter sun. Journal page for Fidoart.

New Years Eve... Good health and happiness to all my friends for 2009.

Just a quick watercolour sketch. This is a hostess postcard for Mar to accompany my jigsaw. To be posted after the Christmas rush. Speaking of which am now tidying my room so my son and his wife will have somewhere to sleep!

Made pages for a journal swap - 10 x 8 inches. These are for Paben. Must now glue them back to back - a watercolour and a collage. The Italian reads 'Beauty comes from within.'

Christmas label tags: these are for two of my friends.

Jigsaw

Here's a sneak preview. Its for a Jigsaw swap by Mar. Nine pieces - one for each person in the group. The tricky part was making each piece self contained yet making the whole part of a complete picture. I haven't shown it in the group forum yet as I don't want to be the first!

Well we have to have a snowman - but he looks nothing like me. Honest.

Surreal or wot

A surreal collage. Too many green jelly beans.

Snow Time

Colder than Siberia - snow on the way - so a trio of postcards traded for online swap.

Enjoyed putting together this 'skinny' for a swap challenge. Recognise the avatar?!

A happy picture to celebrate my 'all clear' from the hospital.

It's getting colder. Time to make some ATC's for a swap on MAW. The theme was 'winter - blue/white.' I cheated and added some yellow.

The task was for a gothic arch... well this one sort of developed a life of its own. I had intended to play around with the innocently bemused young lady who had caught sight of something a bit saucy - like Michelangelo's David. Originally I had thought of her holding a sketchbook or a camera and saying it would be something to show the girls back home. Then I got hold of an ancient Roman archeological street site... and finally, because I did not want to offend, I placed a strategic butterfly wing... which actually makes it even cheekier!

Initially it was meant to be a sort of young maiden's fantasy, love story - but somehow it's turned out a bit sinister looking - maybe those clashing reds?

Whatever - it's fun.

Chunky phase two

Well I think I should stick to the day job! Making and sticking the chunky bits was a nightmare. Here is my competed tragedy hung from something rusty on the garden shed door. Don't think I will submit this as it's hardly worth the cost of postage.

Chunky Bird - phase one

Well I have never done a 'chunky' before. This one is for a November swap, 4" x 4". Have made a start with the image - originally had intended marking out the quarters but think it might be too heavy handed so will probably leave it as it is.

The 'chunky' element means adding dangly bits - beads, feathers, ribbons, etc! So this will be the next phase... will see how it all goes before seeing if it's up to standard.

The theme is 'art' and words of inspiration must be added. Now my calligraphy is dreadful - most of my friends can do the most brilliant scrolling texts but I wimp out and print something odd. This is a skill I MUST learn... someday.

Anyway - my birds tend to keep cropping up - is it because they are so darn cute to draw? Or their grace in flight - or their latent monstrosity from days of the dinosaurs? Plus the symbols of nests, homes, trees, eggs, new life, and the joy of birdsong with the mystery of migration - all inspires and confounds me.

Trouble is all my creations - like myself - seem somewhat bewildered by it all.

Christmas Shopping

Well the shops are full of goodies for Christmas. Painted this postcard of one little birdy who cannot resist spending her breadcrumbs...

My greatest joys.

My darling grandchildren - Phoebe will never forgive me for showing her in her Halloween outfit!

Peace and Love

I returned to the hospital today expecting to be discharged. Instead I was given a small operation to rectify some scar tissue which was causing an obstruction. My results from Pathology are still not yet through but I genuinely remain optimistic.

Nevertheless I feel a little 'down'. So I want to share two very special pictures which I painted about twelve years ago.

One is tiny - measures about 3" square. It shows my bestest pals Sam and Ben waiting for my wife at our side gate.

The other (boats, medium sized,) was painted on the day that Sam was put to sleep whilst still a youngster. He is depicted by the fragile vessel caught in the setting sun's ray.

Both pictures hang in our lounge - they bring me a sense of peace and a reminder of unconditional love.

Twisted Sisters

I blame Cath and Roc for suggesting this theme (Twisted Sister). Never done anything like it before but it was great fun.

For 'silly affirmations' swap.

I enjoyed this - we had to construct an ATC based on 'silly affirmations'. I think my favourite was the fat lady - although the guy in the beard strikes a chord!

Boomarks

Oh how I enjoyed making these book marks. (6" x 2") My wife wants me to keep them - but no, they are done for a swap. It is a wake up call, though, that I should be doing some art which I can KEEP. :) I just love sharing it with my friends.

Ship Ahoy

Felt much better after a rough weekend. Why does general anaesthetic take so long to disperse? Produced four ATC's ... guess which is my favourite?

Gone Fishing

Out of hospital after 1hour 45 min operation. Pathology results in ten days but surgeon reassured me by stating it didn't look cancerous. Phew.

Relaxed by painting this postcard.

Impressionist Cowes

Eat your heart out Turner, lol. (Only kidding!) This postcard is of Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Fleur du mal

Had my CT scan today prior to Wednesday's op. Like some science fiction scene - whirling lights, clunks and wooshes as a robotic bed took over my identity and pushed me in and out of a wormhole in space.

Back on earth I had painted a couple of flowery postcards.

But I am still a bit scared despite trying to feel positive....

When birds turn bad

Had to be done...

Postcard for Halloween challenge.

After the witches - a day at the fair.

Eventually I made my witch ATC's. Isn't it strange how some topics come so easily whilst others are a real struggle? And I'm afraid it shows...

Feeling unwell today. Took mind off pain by painting cute birdy.