Drawn to you

Drawn to you. What is it about a pencil, pen, paintbrush that finds me so drawn to it ?

I love to shop for these things and am a bit of a nut with a rather large collection, and some "just in case " the pen runs out back up too !!!

I was wondering so really what is is that makes me so drawn ?

The possibilities, the endless possibilities that can come from just a simple sketch, a line on a page, a wash from a brush, it is rather like magic conjuring up these  images.

Here is my Hero Quentin Blake drawing.

The simple line he uses to create the most amazing enchanting characters

Babbette Cole

I love love love the way she illustrates, how can you not be drawn.

 and here is Jean - Michel Basquiat  http://basquiat.com/

 everything about this finds me drawn.

I would love to see what pens and pencils Quentin Blake and Babbette Cole use what paper they draw on, what paint they use.

I had some blank moleskines journals looking rather boring and brown and cardboardy and like all things with me i felt..yes that word...drawn to add/alter/create. Maybe it is the blank space like a long awkward silence that i find i need to fill.

These are currently available at my Etsy store

http://www.etsy.com/people/LittleNore

and before i end this post i just thought i would share with you my new profile pic, it is me !! and one of my cats, i also used this as my new postcards for sending out to customers/friends or random people who wear nice shoes :D

What are you drawn to ?

As always love to hear from you

Heidi xx

Artist Spotlight Introducing Laura From "Cupcakes for Clara"

I am delighted to introduce Laura and her delightful character Clara from "Cupcakes For Clara".

 I  first had the pleasure of seeing her work through Flicker and her new look website, i find her cute  characters and original  sewn softies  adorable.

What was your first experience of being creative ?

I can remember learning to cross stitch when i was about 7, i made a bookmark i still have it somewhere ! from then on i just wanted to make things all the time.I think i must have driven my mum mad - every spare toilet roll tube was a chance to create something exciting.

When did you start Cupcakes for Clara and what led you there ?

I started Cupcakes for Clara in 2007. My Husband and i travelled across the east coast of Australia for 6 months, finding inspiration everywhere.A big topic of conversation in Melbourne was Clara & Macy, and how to develop my little doodle of a grumpy girl into something much bigger. Once we were home i made my first Clara softie, won a softie award, and was so inspired by everyone's feedback that i started my blog.

Tell us about your Character Clara ?

Clara is a bossy red head.She has a twin sister Macy who she  pretends not to like very much but really adores her.Clara loves cupcakes, climbing tress and carrots ( because they match her hair).She gets grumpy for no reason, dislikes Sunday best clothes, and say exactly what she thinks.I think we all have a little bit of Clara inside. 

What are your creative hopes and dreams for the future ?

I hope to restock my Etsy shop with an exciting range of goodies, I'd like to work on my branding and really expand Clara & Macy. I'm also tentatively working on a craft book full of patterns to make everything you need for a baby's nursery .But mostly i would LOVE to get Clara & Macy picture books published. That is my big dream.

The handmade movement has really changed in a positive way, why do you think its is important to buy handmade ?

Buying handmade give people the opportunity to own something so full of love.Every aspect of a handmade product is chosen for specific, personal reason,It contains part of the maker's personality, their life and their style.There is something really lovely about that.

If you could offer advice to us creative's what would that be?

Be true to your own style.Don't feel that you have to make your work more like someone else's just because their style is popular.What works for someone else won't necessarily  work for you. Have faith in your own ability. And just go for it.

Thank you for having me on your lovely site today !

Blog - http://cupcakesforclara.com

Shop - http://cupcakesforclara.etsy.com

Twitter - http://twitter.com/cupcakes4clara

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cupcakes-for-Clara/187540037958622

Little Big Dreams..Just keep Going

Mini Canvas Painting 

Hello,  and yes you read that right Little Big Dreams, have you dreams that reach to the sky but you keep them small and secret as  maybe you wobble in self belief ? I have plenty of Little Big dreams but i found a list of what creative  goals i wanted to achieve this year and am happy to say i did not keep some dreams squished and small.

Mini cat Brooches

One of my main goals was just to keep going, keep drawing, trying, experimenting with new materials,taking risks, some worked and some got slung in the bin, but just to keep on.

One of my goals was to build on my blog, share more insights and work from other Artists, through this i have met some wonderfully like minded people just like you who is reading this now.

I have set up my ETSY shop http://www.etsy.com/people/LittleNore which has caused me so much stress, i really missed the big picture on this, as soon as i opened i became obsessed and huge doubts and fears grew, but i am learning patience, calm and the realisation that it takes time to build your dreams into reality.The point  is not to keep them small or not to try at all...but again to just keep going.

Mermaid

What Little Big Dreams do you have ?

Best wishes and creativity

Heidi x

Artist Spotlight Introducing "The Secret Hermit"

I am delighted to introduce to The Artist Spotlight "The Secret Hermit" Micki Wilde. A wonderfully creative and inspiring artist, celebrating the whimsical in her mixed media paintings.

"A little Birdy Told me"

How did you begin your painting career ?
I first began painting in the later months of 2007, i used to design my own tattoos and my tattooist ( who was a good friend ) suggested i give it and go and with prompting from my husband i took a couple of on-line classes and never looked back.

"Begin your journey"

How would you describe your work ?
My artwork is mainly of the female form, i use many different mediums to create textures within my paintings and the majority of my work is of a light hearted - whimsical  nature.

"Dreamer"

What you paint, is this a reflection of your personality ?
i think so yes, i am fairly quirky in nature and also very changeable in my likes and dislikes, this comes across in my paintings when my "style" all of a sudden changes and a new breed of artwork is spawned.

"Among the flowers"

You can invite your favourite artist of creative person to dinner, who would it be and what would you have for dinner ?
Hmm this is a tough one, i am not fixated on any artist old or new but i do think that Jesse Reno would be an awesome dinner guest with some interesting topic of conversation i am sure.
As for dessert that would be anything smothered in chocolate as i am a certified chocoholic.

This is a Jesse Reno Painting.

Can you share any advice for new and aspiring artists / creative' s from your experiences in painting?

Really my only advice is just to do it and don't give up; the old saying 'Rome wasn't built in a day'
also could not be truer when stepping tentatively into the art world, take one day at a time, grab what
you have to hand and make something you like, and most of all don't worry about what anyone else is doing

"She loved to feed the birds"

www.thesecrethermit.etsy.com

http://thesecrethermit.blogspot.com/

http://www.flicker.com/photos/thesecrethermit/

Fairy Tales and Lots of Frogs

Fairy Tales and Frogs. I have always loved Fairy Tales and Fables and this has been the subject of my latest illustrations. But i have never been what you would call a "Princess" a sugar coated pink creation.I was more a tom boy seeking out the more twisted tales and there is a lot of twisted tales when you read beneath the Disney gloss.

 One part of the fairy tales i can identify with is Frogs, and lots of em !! Yeuckk !

Had to kiss a few frogs in my time !!! and i have a bit of a fear of them in case they jump down my top !

When i read Fairy Tales i often wondered what happened to the other characters like the Ugly sisters ?

So here are some of my latest work...i really enjoyed creating them and want to do some more.These are ACEOS , that i made for my ETSY shop http://www.etsy.com/people/LittleNore but i was thinking maybe prints or paintings- develop them further

So what are your favourite Fairy Tales or Fables ? Would love to hear from you 

Heidi xxx

The Mad Cat Lady Who Thought She Was an Illustrator

The Mad Cat Lady....is that me ?! I did these little sketches last night as i was experiencing a lot of frustration. 

With my work, with the Etsy shop and just really wanting to run before i can walk.

It's funny because i am telling people more now what i do ..." I am Heidi "...my job ? " well i am a illustrator" that is sometimes met with " A what ! " or " oh you draw pictures "...or worse " that's nice dear " arghhh !!! and then i get to thinking am i just some crazy lady who draws a lot and chats to her cats....so here is my sketches based on these thoughts.

Ever had the same doubts ? please share :D