Flexing and honing artistic muscles.

I've found the past couple of weeks of visiting places of interest, amazing...and I have used some of that to hone some sketching skills...I suppose it might seem second best to sketch images that I have photographed, but it really is a totally different feeling of achievement, and I'm never trying to compete with a photograph when I sketch...anyway, here are a few of the sketches I've made.

The most inspiring times.

I've had some inspiring days taking photo's and building a volume of images that I can use to produce artistic work through Autumn and Winter.

A special week.

I often find it difficult to find time to do all I want to do in a week. This past week has been an inspirational one. In a way I threw the towel in and got so much more out of it than the usual seven days. Following my visit to Bodnant gardens, I joined the National Trust, and within two days Barbara and I were off to Plas Newydd on Anglesey. I cannot believe that in all these years I have not visited before...We had a great photo-taking visit...awesome, almost beyond words and that reservoir of inspiration is overflowing now. It stirred the writer in me...what stories this place could tell, the artist, because it is the most amazing place. I want to go back and explore the house...I want to sit in the gardens and paint and write...I want everyone to join the National Trust and experience these wonderful places. It cost me less than £30 to join for a year and I am now able to visit all the sites in England, Wales and Scotland for free. (email me for joining advice on linkz@talktalk.net)...

more products.

In a huge effort to expand the range of products I can offer. I've looked into Redbubble and quite like the pricing of their products and have decided to give them a go...small dividend on sales, but maybe a wider audience; I don't want to stop designing in order to wait for sales...as I love to design...I'd be interested in any comments on the site and the goods they offer and pricing structure....you can find me by entering lizdesigns in the search bar of Redbubble home page. Here is one sample of a design and a few products offered.

garden full of babies...

Well, apart from the multitude of young frogs, there are also lots of newby fliers in the garden. Lots of near misses as they swoop from tree to tree and make lots of noise with it. The dogs are starting to get used to them, not chasing them as much. It's been another warm day, very cloudy and a bit breezy but we've stayed out most of the day, done some sketching, some communication and work on book.

Lovely, cloudy day today.

It has been lovely and warm, though cloudy...great day. I've been sketching outside. Maybe another fabric design on the cards.