October Roundup

 Last time I posted I was working on an old decrepit post and rusty chain. That is now complete and I must say working on those old relics didn't disappoint. Add a little feathered friend.....bliss!

Because often completing these pieces in pencil take so long I am conscious of my  drawing practice slipping. Just a reasonably quick sketch freehand to keep the practice going is a relaxing thing to do. There is no easy way to improvement other than practicing regularly and just doing it I am afraid!

A few from my small sketchbook.....

I promise myself I will try humans one day but I am afraid the natural world always wins.

My current project is a work of heART  for someone special. There were so many elements that I wanted to include so its taking a while.

My reference photo is from wonderful photographer Gary Clift and I am so thrilled that he came to my rescue with an amazing photo.

Here are some progress shots of my work.....Yellow tailed black cockatoo! 

And currently up to here.....so pleased with how the pine cones are coming along.

So folks that's the state of the world around here. My art practice and my needlework have been a soothing balm to the craziness in the world at present....I feel so blessed to have it to escape too.

Take care and stay well. 

Namaste and blessings Michelle xxx

Rust!

Hello there. After working away for what seemed ages on my Rosella and burnt out tree stump I felt like working on something old and rusty..... favourites of mine.
I knew when I saw this old fence post and rusty chain on a free photo website it was for me.......

I felt however the chain was a perfect spot for a little bird to land for a rest. So I added a sweet Eastern Yellow Robin. My husband and I have a favourite bush walking and picnic spot 2 hours  from our home that we are unfortunately not permitted to visit at the moment. These little Robins flit all around whilst we eat....landing on posts nearby to check us out....I love them!

I have blocked him in but will save the pleasure of working on him until last. I am really enjoying this project.
I drew another little bird as practice, another freebie photo. Advice from a friend has seen me trying a watercolour wash under my coloured pencils to save my poor hands.....I have found it good for coverage of large areas but still prefer all my layers of pencil........call me crazy!  Anyway this was my result.

It was a fun exercise.
A friend sent me this gorgeous card and I really wanted to share....one of my favourite Aussies.....the wombat.

It is beautiful!
Thats about all I have been up to art wise. I have just worked on whatever took my fancy. I am hoping to join some friends next week for some art....it's been so long!
Take care all.
Namaste and blessings Michelle xxx

Pale Headed Rosella

I did promise that I would be back sooner but I had not a lot to share with my new project. As it is somewhat challenging and very slow going.

The subject is a beautiful Pale Headed Rosella and when friend Michael offered me his wonderful  photo I knew  I couldn't resist for long, especially as we have a pair that visit our garden regularly. They are so very shy and you often hear them more than you see them. They have a sweet little 'peep' 'peep' call.....I love them and feel honoured when they drop by.

So here are some progress shots of this piece.

This has been the challenge....the burnt out tree trunk the bird is perched on. Challenge though it is, I just love how it looks when its done!

Finally I think I am getting somewhere....although I still need to bring the bird forward more.....working the little grey cells I can tell you!
This is where I am up to at the moment. As you can see more colour has gone on to the Rosella and I am building up the darker layers on the burnt wood.

So more work on it today.
Another gorgeous bird I just had to play with was a free reference photo from wonderful Photographer Gill Merritt. What fun it was to draw something so vibrant and beautiful!
African Lilac Breasted Roller.

This is finding a forever home with a dear friend.
So that is what is I have been up to.....are you finding solace in your art too during this strange time? I find it very calming and restful immersing myself in some drawing and focusing on some of the beautiful creatures in our sad old world.
So keep your pencils sharpened and your brush tips damp and wield them with joy!

Namaste and blessings Michelle xxx

It seems ages since I have posted here. My time has been spent completing a long ago commenced quilting project. I did manage to fit some drawing in as well.
One of my favourite things to draw is the Sacred Lotus.
This is a combination of a single bloom from a gorgeous reference photo from Tim Comeaux, an amazing photographer and added background leaves, bud and fading seed head imagined by me.

I enjoyed several hours on my little front verandah working on it.

My other piece was from a wonderful reference photo given to me by family friend Michael who loves the natural world too!
Some progress photos....

Call me crazy but I loved working on those leaves.....
I didn't want a background as I wanted the Blue faced Honeyeater to be crisp.
So Blue faced Honeyeater in Melaleuca.....

Thanks ever so much Michael x
Hopefully now that I am about to be released from under my hand quilting I will be back to post more frequently.
Take care,
Namaste and blessings Michelle xxx

Its been a little while between posts. I hope you are all well and coping being away from your normal lives. I have been drawing here and there but need to get a bit more practice in. I did have a lovely project that took me a while and it totally absorbed me. The reference photo was given to me by an art friend who also happens to be a fabulous macro photographer.
The subject.....a gorgeous rose and busy blue banded bee. I loved it immediately!
So here is a few progress photos.

This is Trevors gorgeous photo.....

What a joy this was to work on.....very happy little scribbler.
My ART Group Challenges have been a bit and miss....last week was "Beauty in the Rain "

You may remember the little Willy Wagtail I did for a friend.....

Well he now has a lovely frame and is loved by his new owner.

Because of the current situation, mail is very slow to arrive. I have been hanging out for a new book I purchased with Christmas art funds......and FINALLY...it came!
I am a huge fan of Botanical Art....have been since childhood when I used to gaze at some framed prints my Grandmother had on her wall. They always attract me straight away!

Definitely worth the wait. A beautiful book.....hopefully it can improve my efforts.
So lovely people that is me all caught up.  I have no words of wisdom on what form your creativity should take during this time......the feeling of 'HAVING TO" can be a real dampener on your creative spirit. Nothing kills creativity quicker than PUSHING! Just go where your interest takes you. It is often surprising where you end up.
Stay well and safe friends.

Namaste and blessings Michelle xxx

Hellooooooo

Hello out there and a very Happy Easter to you all. I hope you are keeping safe and finding ways to be creative in lock down.
I have been doing a LOT of stitching and keeping up with my art group challenge prompts.....
"BETTER LATE THAN NEVER"

"MY FAVOURITE MONSTER"
Had to be coffee....lol!

"MY FAVOURITE THINGS"
Too many to mention but I featured 8 of them.....

"FRUITY"
I didn't fancy drawing pieces of fruit. I  came across this cute fellow on Pinterest....so I thought a "fruit" bat was perfect!  There is a lot of negativity and misinformation about these amazing creatures and I fear they will be come victims because of it.

When they are causing nuisance to us it's usually because their habitat has been greedily destroyed to make way for more humans and they need new homes.
Anyway I am a fan and considering how many bat wraps were sewn in the recent bushfires, I suspect a few people feel as I  do.
Well that's me caught up and I wish you all a safe and Happy Easter.
Namaste and blessings Michelle xxx

Keeping Calm

Stitching and drawing have been keeping my "monkey brain " from chattering to much of late. And as my stitching and art groups have been suspended I think a lot more of that will be happening in the future. I have gotten stuck into my journal.....
In my Nature Journal .....prompts 5,6,7,8.
No. 5 - Flowers...... these are an Australian Native. Called "Silver Lady". Because the stems age into a beautiful silver.

No. 6 - Leaves....still on the Silver and Australian Native theme, I went with "Silver Dollar" renowned for its stunning silver foliage.

No. 7 - Circles.....oranges.....always wanted to try and draw an orange.

No. 8 - Seashells.....a little collage from my collection.

A bit more progress on my Kookaburras as well....a few more hours put in actually  although it doesn't look that way!

I suspect that we are all going to make a good deal of progress on our projects over the coming months.
Stay well, be kind when you can and think of ways to find some tranquil moments for yourself.

Namaste and blessings Michelle xxx

QWASI Exhibition Opening Night

Friday night was opening night for our Queensland Wildlife Artists Society Exhibition at the Logan Art Gallery. It was a great night and the artworks just beautiful! Our exhibition was opened by renowned Australian author and photographer Steve Parish. His opening address indicated firmly that he understood our passion for nature and natural and wild places.

Both my Daughter and myself are huge fans of his work so we're very excited to have an opportunity to chat to him and take advantage for a photo.

These were my entries....

I was very excited that my little blue fairy wren has found a new home.

I was very fortunate to have friend and talented photographer Kev Webb give me permission to play with his gorgeous wren photo.....I am going to miss Pretty Boy Blue.
The night was made more enjoyable by having family to share it with.
Two of my Grandchildren, who loved it and had an opinion on each and every one.

My Brother, Son, Me, Daughter and Hubby.

My SIL and I.

The world is a small place. My SIL and our lovely President Cathie are old work colleagues as it turns out lol!

The exhibition runs until the 24th April. The gallery is ***closed Sunday's and Mondays ***

I will be popping in here and there to do a little demonstrating.
Stay well and happy.
Namaste and blessings Michelle xxx