FORDOUN 2013 LOVE

Our Small is going on a school outing so we are going on a big people outing. No posts 'til Monday, see you later gators!
Image of FORDOUN HOTEL & SPA by MAPQUEST

WAVESCAPE BOARD 2013 SCOTT LOVE

Scott had a wonderful concept for his side of the board this year, I love the colour palette that he used and the bold graphic pattern. It is a happy resolution of a tough year BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS.

OIL PAINTING HIPSTER LOVE

I have been wanting to paint a hipster man with beard and tattoos for a while now, so jumped on the fashion wagon yesterday. This is my biggest canvas so far and I had a blast with my large paint brushes. Still have to fill in detail around his eyes and add the tattoos.

VISUAL CONTRAST LOVE

Have ordered this cool book I saw in British HOMES & GARDENS, online.
VISUAL CONTRAST: THE ART OF DISPLAY AND ARRANGEMENT
by TIM RUNDLE. Can't wait for it to arrive!

BUSY BUSY LOVE

It is that crazy time of the year and I must dash here and there! I am working on a fantastic moodboard for a project at the moment and a trillion other things. So if I am scarce for a little while, forgive me do xxx oil painting by Gil Elvgreen

CUPCAKE PAPERS LOVE

How awesome are these cupcake papers! The Small has a Cake & Candy sale at school today so went to PARTY THEMES CLASSIC to stock up. They have a wall of cupcake papers in gorgeous colours, shapes and patterns. There was only one pack of these, otherwise I would have bought heaps as stocking fillers.

WAVESCAPE 2013 BOARD LOVE FINALE

And here she is, my sixth board, how the years fly by! The first work completed in the revamped MESSY STUDIO.

WAVESCAPES 2013 BOARD LOVE III

When I strip off all the paper masks and am left with the rough shapes, I have to tell myself repeatedly that this is the background. I am weirdly obsessed with neatness, even though that is just not my natural painting/drawing style. I had a ferocious bout of sanding to get the texture just right which has left me with itchy arms and a sneeze. Best of all has been my discovery of an acrylic ink which dries waterproof. This is something I have only dreamt of! It meant that I could paint my linework with one fluid stroke, completely flat, not laborious going over of lines to get the right coverage. The freedom!

WAVESCAPES 2013 BOARD LOVE II

Here are some shots of the beginning phases of my board, the hilarious reality of the MESSY STUDIO is that it is now too pretty for spray painting. So besides doing my masking on the floor in the lounge (table top in MESSY STUDIO needs to be attached still) I had to make a teeny tiny temporary spray booth in the garage. Lucky this is such a dainty board this year, would never have managed this skullduggery with the BEAST from last year.

TARA MCPHERSON LOVE II

Way back when I first started blogging, I did a series on LOWBROW ladies, TARA McPHERSON being one of the artists that I admire. Whilst doing some ebaying last night I cam across her amazing LILITU vinyl toy, a limited edition of 200. The packaging is diabolical!

MIXED CHAIRS LOVE

DINING & KITCHEN DESIGN IDEAS

I have three Tolix metal diner stools for the MESSY STUDIO table and the lovely chair that I had reupholstered for a 'sewing chair' but need two more to make a well rounded six. I am thinking a wooden chair in the lovely olivey mustard as above and maybe a wire one painted white. Hmmmm ....

ARIELA DESIGNS

DESIGN SPONGE

HOUSE OF FIFTY

BELINDA EATON LOVE

The wonderful clash of colours and patterns plus the body art caught my eye in BELINDA EATON's work. Her paintings capture an oil slick intensity and scream fashion in the bold stares of the models.