Pumpkin's Patch

2010-08-14T15:21:00.002+01:00

Today I relaxed making a zentangle bookmark and a postcard 'Back to School'.

2010-08-09T15:13:00.004+01:00

Back again!

2009-05-07T11:58:00.002+01:00

C is for carrot thief - and beware masked men.

2009-04-30T14:59:00.002+01:00

Oh dear - looks like I am hooked on some alphabetical cards...

2009-04-27T16:26:00.002+01:00

Alphabetical postcards. Here's A.

2009-04-24T14:32:00.002+01:00

Another fun postcard. A mummy zetti fish.

2009-04-23T10:09:00.001+01:00

Been busy again. Postcards.

2009-04-19T09:09:00.002+01:00

Steampunk birdman postcard, Journal Pages, and Mona Pumpkin postcard modelled by me (bottom right of card).

2009-04-09T16:35:00.000+01:00

Easter eggs. Here's an ATC.

2009-04-07T07:50:00.001+01:00

The phrase 'More tea vicar' is said in the UK to to cover up an embarrassing faux pas - traditionally a raucous bout of flatulence.

Postcard.

2009-03-30T12:33:00.002+01:00

So much about Darwin, this postcard was just asking for it. (watercolour)

2009-03-26T07:37:00.002Z

ATC card 'Early Bird' for the Little bird swap.

2009-03-21T09:21:00.000Z

Postcard - with thanks to Tenniel.

2009-03-20T13:40:00.003Z

More fun. Paris postcard collage, vintage nudie tryptych, and a 4" carnival chunky with bling and feathers!

2009-03-12T19:53:00.002Z

Time for something fun - a fridge magnet. 4"x4"

2009-03-12T08:52:00.001Z

Page two for cathy's journal. Inspired by a painting by zena robinson

2009-03-10T12:14:00.001Z

Here's a postcard collage for Transport of Delight.

2009-03-06T16:17:00.001Z

Side one of a journal page for Miss Alaska.

2009-02-20T08:50:00.001Z

I was inspired by a couple of pics seen on the web to modify and turn into a couple of journal pages (for Roc). I hope she likes them.

2009-02-14T14:17:00.002Z

Valentines Day, love is in the air, so here's a skinny house card (5"x3")

2009-02-13T19:31:00.004Z

Well have been in a mischievous mood these last couple of days; so a rather cheeky valentine and some small ATC's in the style of the fabulous Roman Dirge.

2009-02-06T16:35:00.002Z

I made a demo painting these two pictures for an online workshop.

2009-02-04T09:10:00.002Z

Monkey business. 5"x3" skinny. Where would I be without that little bird - is it becoming my alter ego?

2009-02-02T11:19:00.002Z

Snowed in. Completed a watercolour postcard - 'Moon-witch'. I think she's quite pretty. So I gave her a bit of sparkly stuff.

2009-01-29T09:31:00.002Z

It's not easy being an angel (innocent smile) but I do try.

So here's a postcard I composed - simple but neat.

2009-01-26T16:28:00.002Z

Busy couple of days having fun with these pics.

2009-01-25T14:32:00.002Z

My fiendish taskmasters required Monday's swap to depict 'Anatomy in an Archway'. I struggled with this - well what would YOU do? - and produced something within hours of the deadline.

2009-01-23T10:28:00.001Z

Journal page - more flowers :)

2009-01-22T09:01:00.002Z

Trying to design a new avatar - a little Froudie. Doesn't he look innocent? Just like me!

2009-01-19T11:04:00.001Z

Wet, windy, grey. So a positive thought for a postcard swap 'Wise Words'

2009-01-16T14:34:00.004Z

One of those days earlier this week! A morning where everything went wrong - so in my private day journal I drew a flower to cheer myself up. It always seems to work - one day you might care to give this a go when things go bluh.

2009-01-14T11:18:00.002Z

The project today is to create a chunky 4x4 card with danglies. Now I am all thumbs with danglies - and it shows! We have nothing like the Day of the Dead celibrated in the UK - so I had to rely on some of our celtic imagery. I know it should be a rainbow of exciting colours - but my picture turned out as pen and wash.

I believe in fairies so was happy to have one of my one eyed avatar's (RIP!) enjoy the dance of death with a sexy nymph.

The Bird(s) and the Bee(s)

2009-01-11T13:18:00.004Z

Thursday's postcard swap is to be zetti. I always find this a bit of a struggle so stick a hat on something plus loads of black and white. The girls have been teasing me about my yule log and chinese ink stick. So this one is for them.

2009-01-07T17:04:00.002Z

This week's Manic Monday swap takes 'Alphabet' as a theme. This provided me with an excuse to slap on a vase of flowers. Hoorah for 'wet-into-wet!'

2009-01-04T12:22:00.001Z

This is for a journal page swap. I love painting with chinese inks and brush. Wonderfully relaxing.

Wild Orchids.

2009-01-02T14:36:00.002Z

This coming week's postcard challenge is to be 'zodiac'. I found this one quite difficult to tackle and ended up with a collagey thingy.

2008-12-31T12:24:00.001Z

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

2008-12-31T09:44:00.002Z

Watercolour - winter sun. Journal page for Fidoart.

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

2008-12-15T13:31:00.002Z

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!

2008-12-12T09:36:00.003Z

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.'

2008-12-10T08:41:00.001Z

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

Jigsaw

2008-12-07T08:25:00.002Z

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!

2008-12-02T08:58:00.002Z

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

Surreal or wot

2008-11-30T09:36:00.002Z

A surreal collage. Too many green jelly beans.

Snow Time

2008-11-22T12:45:00.002Z

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

2008-11-16T15:01:00.002Z

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

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

2008-11-14T14:40:00.002Z

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.

2008-11-09T19:11:00.003Z

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

2008-11-07T09:40:00.003Z

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

2008-11-06T16:49:00.002Z

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

2008-11-04T08:38:00.002Z

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.

2008-11-01T11:36:00.002Z

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

Peace and Love

2008-10-29T18:36:00.006Z

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

2008-10-27T14:43:00.002Z

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.

2008-10-24T13:27:00.002+01:00

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

2008-10-22T14:38:00.003+01:00

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

2008-10-21T19:39:00.002+01:00

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

2008-10-17T13:38:00.002+01:00

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

2008-10-14T12:09:00.002+01:00

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

Fleur du mal

2008-10-13T20:47:00.002+01:00

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

2008-10-10T16:43:00.002+01:00

Had to be done...

Postcard for Halloween challenge.

2008-10-07T16:38:00.001+01:00

After the witches - a day at the fair.

2008-10-03T20:30:00.002+01:00

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...

2008-09-30T17:41:00.003+01:00

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

2008-09-29T09:01:00.002+01:00

I came across an intriguing vintage photo of a couple dressed in circus clothes. Who are they? Why? I just had to improvise something for this lovely couple.

I hope they had happy lives.

Bits and Pieces

2008-09-26T14:18:00.003+01:00

Have had a quiet week as regards painting. Made cards for a trade with 'Monarch' and Roc's famous monthly swap. (Halloween) Still need to sketch some witches.

Wrestling with vintage ladies

2008-09-19T15:41:00.003+01:00

Spent a fun morning adding extra layers to my vintage pointy hats and wings (see below) - am now worried in case it's overdone. How I wish I could be neater! I feel a little happer with these - but not 100%.

Wings and hats.

2008-09-18T13:45:00.002+01:00

Collage is out of my comfort zone - however I have a tremendous admiration for my friends who can do this really well. So I always enter a collage swap with some trepidation. This one is for 'pointy hats and wings'. I played safe with vintage ladies. They are kind of ok but I wish they merged into the background rather more. Suggestions welcome.

Nevertheless I enjoyed myself. If you want to see how it should be done visit Roc's or Cathy's blogs.

2008-09-11T11:58:00.002+01:00

This month's theme for Postcards was 'School'. I found this surprisingly difficult and my first attempt was trashed. Then after a good night's sleep I completed this one before breakfast.

In a pickle

2008-09-07T13:21:00.002+01:00

This is the final entry for Cath and Roc's Postcard challenge - so poor Pumpkin, always in a pickle, concluded with this balancing act. The faces are avatars of some of my friends.

Gladys meets the neighbours

2008-09-05T16:16:00.003+01:00

Having completed my little sequence of bird cards I have finished off with a postcard. Gladys has gone to greet the new neighbours. I move to other fields now (witches for Halloween?) - but I expect Gladys will return someday...

Cecil Skylark

2008-09-04T10:17:00.001+01:00

Bird on a parachute.

Don't ask!

Roger visits weight watchers

2008-09-03T17:47:00.003+01:00

I celebrate the start of every new term - and the fact that I have retired - by taking my wife out for a good lunch. Today we dined on quiche with salad, and fruit crumble. Afterwards I drew this rather chubby red squirrel.

Robin the Brave

2008-09-03T10:14:00.003+01:00

This is for a series of four ATC's which have to be on print. I like pictures that tell a story. What happens next? Has he met Gladys? (Below)

Gladys

2008-09-02T17:31:00.002+01:00

Our feathered friends are such fun - they can be graceful, threatening, or just plain silly. Here is Gladys, dressed in her pearls ready for a night out with the gals.

Postcard Challenge 3

2008-08-31T17:02:00.002+01:00

Here is this week's entry for Cathy and Roc's Postcard Challenge. Meet the Panda Family!

Yet more flowers

2008-08-29T18:53:00.003+01:00

Well the last flowers provided such fun I made some more.

(Acrylics)

When in doubt

2008-08-28T16:58:00.002+01:00

One of those days where only one out of three pictures works. Two end up in the bin - but 'tis a learning experience. If in doubt paint flowers.

2008-08-27T19:05:00.004+01:00

Collage ATC's can provide for endless variety. I created eight cards today for a mail art swap on the theme of 'Poetic Women'. The idea is to provide a textual and colourful mixed media background for a vintage photograph linked to an unlikely phrase.

These three are a sample.

2008-08-25T10:04:00.000+01:00

I love art challenges - and Cath & Roc's eight week postcard challenge on Mail Art World http://www.mailartworld.com/ is one of the best. Members are sent a collage page of arbitrary - and weird - images to use. Then at the end of the week we race to swap.

Here's mine. The gargoyle looks mournfully at cakes and chocs... and his Ma and Pa. He is weeping.

Underpainting

2008-08-24T14:07:00.000+01:00

Based on an exercise in underpainting (S. French) - the complementary blues and oranges, reds and greens, seem to sing.

Personal Collection

2008-08-23T14:02:00.000+01:00

Three postcards (4"x6") painted this week for my personal collection. These are in acrylics and in a variety of styles. Cowes was painted using torn pieces of cardboard instead of a brush. All attempt a more abstract approach where colour can glow.

A toe in the water

2008-08-22T20:43:00.000+01:00

Creating and sending postcards to new and old friends is fun. There is something romantic about these fragile pieces of paper fighting through storm and tempest to reach their distant destination.