Based on a fern plant. Just grey black, white and green using different pens in the Artrage app. Included a metallic background on this abstract drawing.
Artrage doodle
Author: artbychristinemallabandbrown
I'm an artist based at the Spode factory site in Stoke on Trent. I paint, draw and create digital art. Contact me at mallabandbrown@aol.com
Old cat sketch
One of our cats from thirty years ago. Drawing in biro. He lived until he was about 17. He was a lovely quiet cat and I remember him and his sister were sweet. His mum came to us, as a pregnant stray. She was very intelligent and liked riding on my shoulders but her son didn’t do that. But he was still clever and would always come when I called or whistled him. He used to sneak into my neighbours house through their cat flap and he came home once with a huge steak in his mouth, growling when I took it off him. I never dared tell my friends what he had done!
Driving
What makes you nervous?
As you get older you become more aware of your infirmities. If you are sensible you will take that into account when you drive. It’s not just for your benefit, it’s for the people who are driving or who are travelling around you.
Things like sight, strength, hand eye coordination, reaction times are all important. You must notify the relevant authorities if there is something wrong with you.
There are many places I would have happily visited until recently, but I’m nervous of travelling any distance without someone alongside me. I will continue to take care and drive carefully and not put anyone else at risk.
Wire fairy
Wire fairy I made 4 years ago and a sketch of it. I enjoyed making it although I would say it’s not as delicate as the ones I’ve seen at Trentham Gardens in Stoke on Trent, England, where there are some lovely examples. In fact looking at it again I’d call it an Imp, not a fairy!
It resides somewhere in my garden, probably overgrown by the laurel bush that is overwhelming the bottom of the garden.
Fall asleep
How do you unwind after a demanding day?
I don’t sleep well at night
But after a demanding day?
I fall asleep in the chair
I close my eyes and hours
Days? Go by…
Sleep is a benefit and a curse
Memories and dreams
Nightmares and revelations
Thoughts and fears
After that I go to bed
Insomnia hits like a brick
And I lie awake for hours.
Old drawings
Years ago I could draw well and u think I had good skills but now? The real thing I regret about having Parkinsons disease is that my manual dexterity and hand eye coordination are getting worse. I don’t know what the prognosis is but the Parkinsons nurse I spoke to at my last appointment told me that the tablets I am taking do not necessarily calm down the, shaking and tremors I’m experiencing. I thank the Internet for spellchecker because I don’t know if my writing would be OK without it. I can still draw but it takes time and at least I can digitally erase my mistakes. If I draw normally the shakes on my left side mean the sketchbook I’m using jerks around all over the place. So it’s easier to use an easle. My right hand is a bit more controlled if I concentrate hard. But Art is my whole life, if I can’t do it what will I do? I must learn to adapt, take the treatment I am given and hope. But there are other health problems I’m facing. I just have to have more tests…
Happiness?
Looking at these kittens from 7 years ago cheers me up. The sun is shining, there is a nice film on the TV. But I really feel down and anxious. I want to talk to someone, but everyone has their own lives to lead and I don’t want to bother them. I could ring up but my phone is on the blink. I talk but the person at the other end can’t hear me although I can hear them. I feel like it’s a metaphor (is that the right word?) for my life, frustrated and worried. Will things ever be good again? Will I find a modicum of happiness? I don’t know.
Corner
#bandofsketchers prompt was corner, digital doodle in Artrage then photodirector apps. Abstract image based an a view through a window.
Posting stuff
How do you use social media?
I post inanities, some profanities.
I post comments and responses, photos and art, I share posts and repost. Much of it isn’t important. I’ll ask people to answer questions, like can you name an A to Z of fruit? Or do you remember TV programmes in the 60’s or 70’s? And of course I post pictures of my cats.
I post here and at other sites such as Facebook. I sometimes write poems or short stories. I try and come up with interesting digital sketches and art. Exploring fine art ideas and creating new paintings. I sometimes even create pottery or sculpture.
I occasionally play games online but I’m not keen on video games or whatever it’s called now. I sometimes look up facts but I tend to rely on my own knowledge and understanding. I’m no influencer, that’s not what I’m interested in. But it makes for a more varied life and keeps me occupied (too much)! Plus you get to meet interesting and unusual people xxxx
No room for me
Oi cats! Let me in…
It’s MY Bed!
I want to sleep
Don’t stare impassively
Shift your paws please!
This beds for me…
There’s space on the other side
Enough for ten cats
And their toys!
So shift over
No don’t run away
Just snuggle down
And let me snooze.
Mallaband-Brown 