Illustration Freitags: Perspective (or lack of it...)

The noticed absence of something proves it's existence, right? I think this applies for perspective where Las Vegas is concerned. A loss of perspective. Love that place, hate that place.Yes, Pina Colada, NO frozen Margherita. Cowboys and Pirates and too much skin and don't give me that card please and Celine Dion and sweets and gifts when we get upgraded to VIP by accident. I lost my perspective and wanted it back, but I'd probably do it again.

Where are you, Spring? (I'm cold...)

Flowers are not my usual choice of illustrated subject. For some reason I find them intimidating. Still, I looked fear in the face and lassoed afew minutes to draw this 'Gladiolus' for my Opa. They are his favourite. In his younger days Opa was a magnificent gardener, with green-fingered abilities that makes me hope it's a late-developing gene that I will have inherited. I'm still waiting for it to reveal itself!

Opa won county awards for his gardens, and I won the family award for most unsuccessful attempt to grow a sunflower when I was about 10. Let's just say, there is room for improvement...

1000 words?

I think I could draw a typewriter every single day, and find life enjoyable for ever more. Are they not beautiful? Still, I said something similar after my first pancake on Tuesday, and by the time I'd struggled through my third, I was losing the will to live.

I still like pancakes. I never learn my lessons. Tomorrow I will draw another typewriter, perhaps.

This little piggy (stayed at home?)

A 'Berkshire Pig' commission I completed recently. An especially hairy breed, yet unfathomably appealing.

Amid talks of Dachshunds, and Labradors and German Shepherds and Coldstone cakes (an inexplicable aside), I have been thinking about piglets. Call me misguided, but I'd really like one. I was raised on 'The Sheep-Pig' and 'Charlottes Web', so truly I am blameless in my preferences.

I should talk to the boy about this. I think I'm on to something.

I hadn't realised farmyard animals had become such a theme, but browsing through my portfolio....uh-oh, is that a pattern I see emerging?!

City, city, countryside.

Those country days made everything okay again. More than ok.

After fleeting visits to London and Liverpool for events dreaded and sad (respectively), we rocked up at that rural sanctuary known as my Auntie Mary's house. From then on it was all about freezing canal walks, coal fires, my Auntie's legendary cooking. Chestnut, mushroom and stilton pie that could have made me weep.

The mercury did it's winter thing and temps were such that the canal froze over. The mallards were looking especially pretty. Oh I cannot get enough of those glossy green heads. No, indeed. The dear dog tried so hard to behave herself. But squirrels and ducks, I mean what can you do? The swan squawked at her. I'm not sure who won afterall.