48 Hours To Go...

48 hours until my eye operation and I'm trying to get all outstanding work out of the way.  The toy Otises are done, the box needs lining and another coat of varnish.  I have one other small project that I could do with completing if I have the time.  I'm hoping that once the initial blurriness in my eye clears that I will be able to paint again - it could be a long time until the other eye gets done.

I Made A Mouse...

Tiny mouse sewn from felt and fully poseable with a wire armature. 

Latest Pet Portrait...

I have been busy over the past couple of weeks, just nothing to show here really.  However, I have just finished this commissioned double pet portrait.  I have used Derwent coloured pencils as usual on coloured pastel paper.

The big news is that after only a couple of months on the hospital waiting list, I have been scheduled to have my first cataract operation in a fortnight.  I started developing a cataract in my left eye several years ago - early as I am only in my fifties - and then was told after a couple of years that one was developing in my right eye as well.  Initially they did not bother me, but over the past year I have struggled to see in the evenings when working under electric light, have not been able to drive at night because the cataracts cause the lights to refract weirdly, and whites are starting to look beigey-pink.  Not good when you are an artist by trade!  Thankfully I have a brilliant optician who understood completely my distress and who asked my GP to refer me to a specialist.  The specialist listened to my litany of woes and put me straight on the waiting list.  I will have both lenses in my eyes replaced and if all goes well, hopefully will not need glasses any more other than for reading.  I am both scared & excited!

Grazer!!

 I've made stuffed Otis and stuffed Walker, so I thought it about time I had a go at making my favourite of the female bears at Brooks Falls, Alaska.  This is Grazer, disinctive for her long straight nose and her ridiculously fluffy white ears.

 She is also a force to be reckoned with - when she had cubs, there wasn't a bear that did not feel her wrath and get a beating if they even looked at her funny!

 My version is a lot softer however, no claws or teeth!

There are a few tweaks I would make if I was to make a second one, but all in all I am happy with how she has turned out.  For sale now in my Etsy shop.

The Family Is Complete...

And that's Daddy Bear!

Aw...

Part of something I am currently working on - great to be using felt for a change!

Come Take A Walk With Me...

A watercolour painting of a favourite dog walk of mine amongst the trees and wildflowers.  Lots of greens, but that's how it is there at the moment, all fresh leaves and sunlight.

This might be the last of my 'own' work for a while - got to get on with some commissions!  All sorts of things in the pipeline...