New pens to draw with..

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I’m drawing so much, I had to go and buy some new drawing pens today. Six thin to thick pens. I look forward to using them for new projects. I will start using them over the next few days. They contain pigmented India ink whick which has maximum light fastness, they are waterproof, odourless, permanent and have other attributes that seem to make them ideal for drawing with.

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Nature was today’s prompt

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Mature tree in the park, today’s #uskstoke challenge was Nature.

This was the first time I had been out to a park in ten weeks (well longer as I don’t generally go to them). The weather was lovely, and no one came near to me and two friends. We didn’t get close. At one point I started to fill up with tears at the immense feeling of freedom. It suddenly hit me that I was with two people whose company I enjoy and who I haven’t been able to have a proper talk with for months.

I get on with my hubby, but this was a real release. I did go out wearing a mask and gloves like I do when I’m shopping. I was offered a fold up chair, but I declined because I’m still very nervous of touching anything outside the house. When I came home I washed my hands and face. I’m going to find it difficult to accept things when they get back to normal.

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Finished doodle

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Contours. I’ve always liked them. On maps, on artworks. I used to have an etch a sketch and I got good at drawing mazes on it. I would draw lines, round and round from the centre, build in dead ends, and spend hours creating structure. That’s basically what this is, not that there are any dead ends, apart from where I made mistakes.

Hope you like x

Poppy

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A poppy painting I did a while ago.

This recent warm sunshine is bringing all the poppies out into flower. We walked into town, and where the pathways have not been sprayed with weed killer, all sorts of plants, including oriental poppies, are springing up. Mother nature is taking over.

But… In places where people have been allowed to meet up, the beaches, and parks, the main growth is in litter. People do not take their rubbish home with them. Why are humans such a filthy, messy, species. I thought we were giving the earth breathing space. But people’s ethos seems to be having what they want, and ignoring the damage they create.

I don’t think humans deserve this wonderful world. Really.

Getting paintings back

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Sad day today.

I’d had some of my paintings on display at a lovely art shop in Stoke called Serendiparty. It was displaying local artists work, and also art workshops for a creative experience. Unfortunately the lock down happened soon after it had opened up, so the people didn’t visit and it’s had to close.

This is so sad. The person who ran it is called Phil. He really wanted to bring something new to the town. He is still creating his own artworks and has decided to work from home. I wish him the very best. He deserves it for trying hard to make the place work.

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Headgear

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Urban sketchers Stoke-on-Trent has started a new challenge from another artist. Today’s prompt was headgear, so I drew three hats over the other side of the room. A crotchet hat, a straw hat and a caving or climbing helmet. The washing and clothes airer are there so it’s a bit of a jumble and needs tidying. But there you go.. Headgear.

Mask

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What mask do you hide behind? Are you a wise owl or something more peculiar. I’ve seen photos of Italian masks, all black, with a massive beak shape. I think they wore them during the plague? Apparently people have recreated them and are wearing them during the pandemic. It’s because we are more interconnected than in the past, so people can reference historical times and be recognised as doing something that would not have been understood in the past…..

Life, the world, history, fascinating,

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Mandala?

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Drawing really helps keep me calm. This is another doodle I started this morning. I’ve mirrored it to make it more symmetrical and to create a new pattern.

I like drawing in black ink, and by mirroring, it makes a simple act of putting pen to paper more complex.

I may cover the whole page. Might take a few more hours…..

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