a little plant

white acrylic ink on kraft paper.

 

do you think he looks like me?

If you look really really closely, you might be able to work out a distinctive wink. Or maybe not.In fact its just a blurry sepia-coloured image of his squishy face in the top right-hand corner. And it is indeed a bouncing baby boy! Because he sure knows how to bounce! Especially after a second helping of Lindt dark chocolate with orange and almonds..mmmmm After the bouncing action he sleeps like a rock. Guess all that sugar knocks him out. Check out the sublime scanning alignment of the photo. Brings tears of joy to my eyes, just looking at it.

 

latest cause for concern: Lindt orange dark chocolate

Today we bought our baby stroller! A very momentous occasion indeed if I don't say so myself. I've had to restrain myself from wanting to take it for a test run around the neighbourhood but Mr T, quite rightly, informed me that I would look mentally unstable if I did that. So I've had to make do with practicing how fast I can fold it up ( about 7 seconds..woohoo!) It's not one of those stroillers you need a driving licence for, no aerodynamic lightweight NASA certified poop-proof smugness about it. It didn't put a humungous dent in our bank balance either. A year and a half of saving (which meant downgrading on my shampoo and conditioner, using the same mascara for 15 years and giving up, once and for all, those lame reasons for a 'quick pop' into Mango)all going towards the miniature version of me and Antonio. Almost sounds like a freak science accident, set to escape the laboratories in September and invade our world in drool and poop and and a cute little sailor outfit (Mr T doesn't know about the latter of course. That would just finish him off for sure)

On a completely different subject to which I was'nt clever enough to link well to, over at Sofia Barão's blog, she is doing a fabulous giveaway of one of her charming necklaces. She's Portuguese and lives in Paris where she works as an artist. Her work ranges from some beautiful abstract paintings, sublime photography and pretty jewelry. I'm not in the slightest bit jealous at all... WHERES MY CHOCOLATE!!!! Just go to the link above and take part. I certainly have. :)

My rock

Found it in the Algarve a couple of weeks ago. And now I have adopted it as my rock.

The end result

this is what makes me late for work

Breakfast in front of the telly.

Everything's growing around here

and Im not just talking about our flowers (or my dental bills..eek.Wish I was in the U.K taking advantage of FREE dental for pregnant ones..grrrrr!). Those green trousers are the only pair that are willing to cooperate with me these days. Even when I sit down, they dont ride up into never-never land. Hooray for floaty tops though. Theyre all over the place this spring, making it ever so easy for me to find something comfy and pretty at the same time.

And heres my sketch for the painting in the nursery! I really like the colours and I cannot wait to get started on it, which will hopefully be next week after our Wednesday scan. It's almost been two months since we've seen him. Still convinced it's a chico, but after Wednesday, all shall be revealed!

Planning ahead...

I have been meaning to post my first water colour piece but I don't have access to my laptop right now. So no shifty camera work for today.
Lots of inspiring things fluttering about in my head (not to mention Mr Watermelon. He's doing cartwheels in response to my recent indulgence in carrot cake, and other things that would make my doctor tut tut rather alot). I am trying to figure out a way of having a few prints of my work sorted for friends and family, squeezing in lots of reading on starting an Etsy shop, and exciting conversations with friends who want to change the world.Or at least their own world. It's great having supportive people around you and none more so than your very own friends. I can't wait to get cracking on a few more pieces, start planning the wall painting in the nursery and finish my crochet baby blankets.
If there is anybody who can give me advice on making art prints I would be oh so grateful, whether I should get it done with a home printer, at a printer shop or an online service, as well as the best choice of paper, do let me know. Thankyou!

Will post those images soon, including a bonus belly pic!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

All my life

is not enough time to spend with you.

 

 

Sandy Mastroni

I love this woman's work! Here are just a tiny example of some really beautiful pieces. I love her use of colours and textures, and the way she juxtaposes the disturbing (see her baby face dolls) with the magical. You can see more of her work in her blog and her shop, where she is doing a fabulous sale!

New piece

Thought I would post pictures of what Im working on at the moment. Inspired by the sketches Ive done recently.
Im using watercolour inks and hahnemuhle watercolour paper. Its the first time Im using ink and I have to say, its a hell of alot easier to use than acrylics or goauche. And I cant be inhaling oil paints on a daily basis now.Doctors orders.
Its Mr Ts birthday today! He took the morning off work and for the first time he felt the melon kicking away. I think it was the melons way of saying Happy Birthday Papa!
Scan in two weeks time. At bloomin last. No amount of croissant consumption and Oprah could make the wait feel shorter. Fatter though? Probably definately YES.

 

Weekend obsession

 

With the help of my Mr Ts four year old nephew Daniel (the little squiggle on the bottom right). This required alot of back-bending and scrunchy-eyed concentration. Well worth the effort. I felt my creativity having a good kick up the bum. i never realised how much I missed drawing until I finished this. Happy is me.
Hope you had a lovely weekend!