The Quest

Hello !
I was reading a book by one of my favourite authors Wally Lamb, In his book "The Hour i First Believed" the central character Caleum Quirk is talking to his therapist Dr. Patel - She tells him "The Seeker embarks on a journey to find what he wants and discovers along the way what he needs"
Wow !!! this jumped out at me from the page. Totally describing my recent and on going art adventures.
I thought i wanted so many things for my art, for it to be liked, sell loads, get books published, be respected, have my family finally understand what i do, so many things i wanted on my quest !!!  but what i needed was just to create - that is so powerful to me. Not that i would not like all the above but while i was  getting twisted up about no sales or cutting remarks from someone about "Getting a real job" i wasn't creating i had run out...or so i thought.
My Quest is to create, to paint, to draw - that is magic :)

And here recently on my quest i create this for my lovely friend Lauren's Birthday

I love painting or making presents for special friends, This was a whole loads of paint, tissue paper, pen, collage, spray paint all on a thick wood block.

I have had such positive feedback from my new direction, my latest characters that i am hoping to re open shortly my Etsy Shop with my new collection...so i thought i would share a little taster  here what will be coming up soon at Little Nore.

Whimsical Boxes are back...can you spot Clown Girl ? Yikes !!

Here is a pink haired girl on a think wood block - planning to do a range on these as they look cute on a desk or shelf as well as a wall- measuring 10 x 10 cm and 3.5 cm thick....nice and chunky.

I have so many character ideas and feel so drawn to Zombie, Vampires and surprisingly clowns i think they work well against the sugary sweet girls.

I would love to know your thoughts ?

Have you been on any quests lately ?

Did you find what you needed ?

Be Great to hear from you

Heidi xxx

Strawberry Shortcake Smiles

What Big eyes you Have ?

I wanted to share what has been inspiring me in my latest paintings and sketch book rambles.

The wonderful and Kitsch Art from the 60's and 70's

It's cute but has a creepy edge to it i feel. 

The dear sweet joy of Strawberry Shortcake

you can't fail to be inspired by her.

She makes me smile !

And Gyaru

The Japanese style of  Gyaru is a huge uproar of girly-glam style, breaking all the rules of "what's pretty" and dwelling in a party of man-made beauty.

I am constantly inspired by all thats around me but have found the theme of dolls and big eyes have taken me down some interesting paths.

This is the beginnings of a mix media piece i started 

Using a whole range of supplies, such as Gesso, Neon Pink paint, Gel matte, Alcohol inks

pencils, spray paint and stencils

and here is where i ended up !

I have lots more paintings to share but for now i will keep them under wraps for the re opening of my Etsy shop*. This new direction is making me feel so excited ( once i get past the negative super critical  thinking)

I can't wait to get all my ideas out, get covered in paint and just let go on the canvas !  and i do hope you are all enjoying this new direction.

What has been inspiring you lately ?

Have you tried any new art/craft products ?

Hoping that you have sunshine in your part of the world !

Be Great to hear from you

Heidi. M xxx

The Versatile Blogger !

I am so thrilled and excited to have received "The Versatile Blogger Award" I was Nominated by illustrator Sophie Crichton - Thank you Sophie x

She is a wonderful illustrator and i am loving her latest Dog illustrations, check out her blog here
                                                      http://blog.sophieillustration.co.uk/

I love my blog, and creating posts, sharing, meeting new people and reading your comments so this award has really made me happy Yay !!!

As part of this award i have to tell you 7 things about myself ! and nominate 15 Bloggers to receive this award too !

So here goes.

1. I love Crisps of all shapes and flavours *nom, nom, nom*
2. I spent far too much time deep underground in Paris in the Catacombs surrounded by piles of skulls and bones, took me a hour to get out *shivers*
3. I Love the US, i went when i was 5 and dream of heading over there again, meeting up with some friends -Alisa ! :D and going art and craft shopping and seeing the sights. I would love to see New Jersey and Coney Island, eat salt water taffy - what ever that is ??!!  these places have stuck in my head since i was little
4. I talk to my cats Evie and Nora as if they can answer me back. Whilst i paint and illustrate i sing to them, and have one sided cat chats
5. I got engaged after 3 months to Dougie and married a year later, when he isn't sleeping he is very supportive of my art.
6.I can't stop drawing, its my world and lifelong passion, its fuels me through the days weeks and months.Creativity to me is the true magic in this world and i am thankful that i can be creative and share my creativity.

So here are the people i am passing the Award to, i have carefully chosen these people because they are inspirational, Unique and as the award says "The Versatile Blogger"

Alisa Steady http://alisasteadyart.blogspot.co.uk/
Viv http://hensteethart.blogspot.co.uk/
Heather Stillufsen http://rosehilldesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
Mindy Lacefield http://www.timssally.com/
Russty Brazil http://www.cherishrusstybrazil.blogspot.co.uk/
Micki Wilde http://thesecrethermit.blogspot.co.uk/
Kitty http://kittypinkstars-kitty-kittypinkstars.blogspot.co.uk/
http://gretelcreations.blogspot.co.uk/
Juliette Crane http://juliettecrane.blogspot.co.uk/
Dawn http://dawnbevinsdesign.blogspot.co.uk/
Fred Blunt http://fredblunt.blogspot.co.uk/
Catherine http://catherine-constance.blogspot.co.uk/
Isabel oodlesofdoodlesart.blogspot.com
Tanya http://trickytanya.blogspot.co.uk/
Tascha Parkinson http://timewithtascha.blogspot.co.uk/

So Congratulations to those i nominated, i chose carefully and would love to have added more.

Lots of love

Heidi xx

Send In the Clowns

From the wild and windy corner of my  world, i write to you.

Storms and what seems like constant rain have been lashing down even though we are well into June !!

I  seem to be inspired a lot by the weather, hard not to be with the noise of the wind rattling the windows.

I live by the coast and find too this a wonderful source of inspiration, as you can see a sea themed background. I created this painting based around a woman loosely from the Victorian era, i wanted her to have a hint of mystery, maybe she is waiting for someone ?

Or she could be hoping to sail her tiny boat on the stormy sea ?

I shared a few of my process's. The background has many layers and i started using spray paint and my own hand cut stencils which i love.

inspired by the workshop from the fabulous Juliette Crane

Here is the picture in full

I would love to say i am happy with it, but a certain sense of anxiety has crept in,  and a whole heap of negativity whilst chatting to a friend she said maybe i am getting used to the new direction ? 

This quote by Anais Nin totally sums it up for me right now

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom”

I just love that quote !

I wanted to share with you as well a page from my sketch book, this was a idea that came late to me one night, a Frank Sinatra song had been going round and round in my head and i drew this.

Her eyes are meant to express sadness, her partner has left her along with the carnival she was working in as a trapeze artist !! I hope to make this into a painting.

If the video link works how about listening to it whilst looking at this drawing below ? 

Do share any thoughts.

Is there music that inspires you when you create ?

How about the weather ? If you live somewhere hot i would love to know what its like right now :D

Sending Love and creativity

Heidi xx