queenie bee

Sail away with me

2010-07-26T15:32:00.000+08:00

Sometimes it would be nice to just sail away from it all....

Sunday Sketches - playing around with backgrounds

2010-07-25T17:24:00.003+08:00

Cool blondes

2010-07-24T14:50:00.005+08:00

My inspiration for this little sketch was January Jones from Mad Men and the lovely Naomi Watts.

Sunday sketches - 33 degrees and rising

2010-07-04T17:00:00.004+08:00

Sunday sketches - rainy days

2010-06-27T21:38:00.000+08:00

Sunday sketches - come on dive in!

2010-06-13T15:12:00.005+08:00

Sketch before I coloured the tail in

Sketch with tail coloured in using water colour pencils

A new direction

2010-06-09T08:24:00.006+08:00

I've desperately been trying to combine my love for portraits, life drawing, fashion illustration and strong women. And I think I'm getting there. I've a long way to go but I hope that this is a start of a new direction for me. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Sunday sketches

2010-06-07T20:45:00.001+08:00

Not really the weather for this woolly hat! But I like it.

It's getting hot in here

2010-06-04T15:04:00.001+08:00

It's hot and humid and the rainy season is upon us. It's hard to keep cool. This sketch illustrates how hot I feel just now.

It's been a tough weekend

2010-06-01T18:04:00.001+08:00

Here's hoping that next week is much better!

Sunday sketches

2010-05-31T09:30:00.006+08:00

The original scanned-in drawing - looks much lighter than original

Colours adjusted slightly to reflect original

Colours adjusted somewhat more

Sepia toned

Colours adjusted to fiery orange tones

I am super busy during the week now building up my PR and marketing business, so only have a small amount of time each week to be creative. Yesterday it rained heavily, which was the perfect excuse to do some sketching and then play around on paint.net. Which version of this illustration do you like best?

Hong Kong Art Fair

2010-05-29T12:36:00.001+08:00

On Thursday night I was lucky enough to attend a special viewing of this year's Hong Kong Art Fair. I was blown away by the works of art there, which was mostly contemporary art. The exhibition was enormous and jam packed with many different artists from around the world, including lots and lots from China including Yu Chen, Zhao Fang and Wang Yi-guang. Exhibits from Damien Hirst, Matisse, Avedon (photo above) and La Chappelle were also at the show. I felt completely spoiled to see this exhibition and hope to return over the weekend as three hours were not enough to see everything. Apologies for the quality of the photos - I took them with my iphone.

Below is a video about the show. The show runs until Sunday.

On and around Lamma Island

2010-05-28T17:56:00.003+08:00

A masterpiece in Pak Kok

This table is missing some good food, wine and great friends

Incredible colourful orange and pink flowers

Lamma seafront

And the sun setting

These are just some of beautiful sights from Lamma Island, where we live.

Roz's sketchcrawl appears on Lammazine

2010-05-27T23:49:00.004+08:00

Photos by Lamma Gung

A story about our recent sketchcrawl, organised by Roz Keep, appeared on one of the best blogs ever - the Lammazine, the online magazine for Lamma Island. Click on the first image above to read more about our wonderful little island and the sketchcrawl!

Sketchcrawl 15 May 2010

2010-05-15T15:23:00.009+08:00

Today was sketch crawl day on Lamma Island. Five of us met up in the Green Cottage, Yung Shue Wan Main Street before heading off to sketch this lovely island. Today was 30 degrees and 95% humid so we didn't stay out for long.

The top two images are of one of the pagodas on the island, this one is just behind the fishermen's village. And the bottom image is Vicki, one of the sketch crawlers. Her legs aren't as wonky in real life. I will post a link to everyone's work later this week.

Let them eat cake!

2010-05-13T21:09:00.000+08:00

I am on a diet, so instead of eating cake I am drawing cake. This is a little orange sponge cake with lemon icing.

Serves 12
150g unsalted butter, softened to room temp
150g caster sugar
200g self-raising flour
3 eggs
Grated zest & orange juice of 1 large orange

For the icing
Grated zest and juice of 1 large lemon
175g icing sugar

preheat the oven to 180c. Grease and line the base of 20cm cake tin
in a large bowl, beat together the butter, caster sugar, flour and eggs until light and creamy. Stir in the orange zest and juice, then spoon the mixture into the cake tin and level the top. Bake for about 30 mins or until risen and golden and it feels firm to the touch. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 5-10 mins, then take it out of the tin, peel off the paper and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
to make the icing, keep a little lemon zest back for the decoration, then beat the icing sugar, lemon juice and the rest of the zest together to make a smooth, runny icing. Using a palette knife, spread the icing over the top of the cake and let it drizzle down the sides. Leave to set. Scatter over the reserved lemon zest and decorate with Easter decorations.

recipe from Tana Ramsay's The Market Kitchen Cookbook.

Inspirational quotes

2010-05-10T16:13:00.004+08:00

Never a week goes by without feeling inspired by something I see online or in the street or through my friends actions. This quote is from a fashion campaign that is currently running in Hong Kong. I changed the font and colour. It reflects how I feel just now about someone that I am collaborating with - she is dedicating her life to fundraising and raising the awareness of the desperate plight of women and girls in crisis across Asia. More to follow about this project. Meantime, here is the quote.

What's your favourite inspirational quote?

Delicate

2010-05-10T13:03:00.001+08:00

I love the delicateness of this face. There's a real sadness to it too. I sometimes feel bad for the models we draw. As no one engages with them. They come, they pose, then leave. I sometimes wonder what they do, where they come from, or even what their names are....

To bob or not to bob

2010-05-08T12:31:00.003+08:00

I just love bobs! I did this sketch on Wednesday night and then digitally coloured it to make it look more Asian. China's favourite colour is red. The model's hair was unbelievably shiny and straight and fell perfectly over her eyes. Unfortunately my hair is fine and frizzy and would never fall this beautifully thus I will always desire the perfect bob but never attain it.

Back to life!

2010-05-06T11:22:00.010+08:00

I'm ashamed to say that I haven't done any drawing for nearly two months! I have been busy setting up my new PR & marketing company, which has been both exciting and exhausting but I I have had no spare time or patience to either draw or paint. But last night I forced myself to go to a wonderful life drawing class at Art Live in SOHO. The class takes place every Wednesday in a large photography studio overlooking Hong Kong's famous escalator. The results of my work are above. The model was amazingly pretty with the most fantastic bob that just hung perfectly in every position.The results of everyone's work on the night

Etsy treasury

2010-05-03T15:38:00.003+08:00

My grey nude art print is featured on an Etsy Treasury today! ;-) Thanks to Basil and Lola for choosing me!

SALE, SALE, SALE

2010-04-28T11:30:00.008+08:00

ALL NOTEBOOKS HALF PRICE OR LESS

LOLA notebooks are now US$5, down from US$11
BEATRICE & GINGER now only US$4, down from US$8
P&P is US$5 for everywhere else apart from Asia. Asia is US$3
Click on the Etsy shop on right hand side to order or email me at queeniebeeart@gmail.com

Before I forget

2010-04-23T19:28:00.001+08:00

I love these personalised monogrammed journals from Fanciful Designs. Aren't they beautiful? They're a fantastic gift for any girl who enjoys writing her thoughts down. The script on the journals is the romantic French language.

Spring has sprung (in the UK at least)

2010-04-20T12:12:00.001+08:00

Hampton Court, London, Easter Weekend

The daffodils were beautiful the day I took these shots. And take a look at that cheeky duck!

Food for thought

2010-04-18T10:25:00.008+08:00

Art work by Polly Jones

I found this survey on Felicity Ingle's site. I actually forgot where I found it! But luckily Felicity found me. Next to art, food is my passion! So this was a fun survey to do. What are your favourite foods?

1.How do you like your eggs?

Poached

2. How do you take your coffee/tea?

Americano with skimmed milk (ginger mocha when feeling frivolous)

3. Favorite breakfast food?

Yogurt and a banana

4. Peanut butter: Smooth or crunchy?

Crunchy

5. What kind of dressing on your salad?

Balsamic and olive oil

6. Coke or Pepsi?

Diet Coke or Irn Bru (a Scottish soda)

7. You’re feeling lazy, what do you make?

Toast, Dhal

8. You’re feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order?

Hawaiian

9. You feel like cooking. What do you make?

Soup, curries or pasta

10. Do any foods bring back good memories?
Ah yes, I had the most fabulous octopus macaroni with creamy garlic mash on a Greek Island once - absolutely delicious

11. Do any foods bring back bad memories?
Liver, beef olives, gammon steaks - my mum was a fan of meat and two veg

12. Do any foods remind you of someone?

Fabulous fresh seafood from the Lamcombe on Lamma Island reminds me of sunny Sundays with my partner

13. Is there a food you refuse to eat?

Bad steak, pork chops

14. What was your favorite food as a child?
Mum's chicken casserole followed by rice pudding or semolina with evaporated milk

15. Is there a food that you hated as a child but now like?
Tomatoes and lettuce, any veg really

16. Is there a food that you liked as a child but now hate?

Alphabetti Spaghetti, for obvious reasons

17. Favorite fruit and vegetable?

grapes and red onions

18. Favorite junk food?
Haribo sweets

19. Favorite between meal snack:

Almonds and grapes

20. Do you have any weird food habits?

I love ketchup on almost everything

22. You’re off your diet. Now what would you like?
Pizza and Ben & Jerry's ice cream

23. How spicy do you order Indian/Thai?

Very

24. Can I get you a drink?

white wine spritzer, vodka and tonic, caipirinha (not all at the same time!)

25. Red or White Wine?

Both but prefer white

26. Favorite dessert?
banoffi pie, panacotta or creme brulee - creamy eggy things

27. The perfect nightcap?

Camomile tea (or an amaretto with ice if being naughty)

Sunshine award!

2010-04-16T08:38:00.003+08:00

I am delighted to accept my SUNSHINE BLOG AWARD from Jennie at A Little Vintage! What a lovely surprise! Thank you Jennie for this award. You must take a look at her site, Jennie makes gorgeous little dolls made from vintage clothing. She also does a lot of charity work and has recently sent some of her dolls to little girls in Haiti. She is also famous in her local press!

I am going to pass this on to the following people for their inspiring words and beautiful creations!

An open sketchbook
Wagonised
Celia Murgel
Floating Lemons
Kali Art
Petal Pop

Seventy Seventy One
Dollface La La
My Illustrated Life
Handmade Love
Danita Art
A diary of lovely
Mondo Cherry (I couldn't help but add one more!)

When you receive this award, you need to:

1. Send a thank you to who gave it to you.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link to the person who nominated you.

4. Pass it along to 12 other people who brighten your day!

(some of these people have already received the award before, but thats okay!)

To my beautiful courageous friend - Cat

2010-04-13T18:20:00.004+08:00

My beautiful friend Cat who is a top-notch producer in Amsterdam has just decided to change her life. Cat has bravely resigned from her job to become a freelancer, but before she gets her first big contract she's off to study Spanish in Buenos Aires.

Good luck Cat!

Inspiration - Samantha Hahn

2010-04-12T07:08:00.001+08:00

I haven't had the chance to look through many blogs recently, which is frustrating. But last Saturday I managed to squeeze in a couple of hours to browse through the amazing work that is on the internet. And Samantha Hahn is just one of the great illustrators that I found. Her work is colourful, delicate and feminine. Samantha's style is very much her own. Her blog contains mostly fashion illustrations but she recently posted some fab sketches of the Eiffel tower. She updates her blog regularly and it's a good read as well as being beautifully presented.

From darkness comes light

2010-04-10T18:00:00.006+08:00

Here is another sketch that I found in Scotland. It is so very dark, in nature. I find myself quite depressed by looking at it. God knows what was going on in my mind when I drew this. And I am glad my mind is no longer there. But at the same time I strangely like this image.

Isn't it funny how some images are depressing and others make you feel happy.

Look what I found

2010-04-05T19:45:00.011+08:00

What a great find! My friend Fi found an old portfolio of mine at her house in Edinburgh, which I had fun poring over when I was back in the UK. Most of the work was pretty poor and I left it behind but I liked these images and brought them back with me to Hong Kong. I actually didn't recognise them as mine! I think I drew them from glossies about ten years ago. But the first one might be a self-portrait. They've made me want to do portraiture classes again.

I miss Hong Kong

2010-03-27T13:39:00.001+08:00

I'm in Bonny Scotland just now but missing Hong Kong lots!

Busy

2010-03-24T20:04:00.000+08:00

I'm unable to blog just now as I am HERE (above) rather than there (below).

I won, I won, I won

2010-03-20T19:47:00.000+08:00

I won two lovely prints from the wonderful Mariann Johansen-Ellis! Mariann does lovely prints of everything and anything, her elephant prints are especially lovely. I won two prints of pretty trees on mulberry paper. They arrived in the post today and they are gorgeous! I just need to find a nice place to mount them.

She's got legs!

2010-03-17T19:42:00.000+08:00

I had to get my photos taken for my new business. I really don't like getting my photos taken and in my head I am far prettier than I actually am. I was a little disappointed with the results. I look a lot heavier in the photos than I thought I was and I have a double chin!!! So this post is to celebrate the bits of my body I do like. My legs!

Which part of your body is your favourite and what do you do to emphasise it?

Hats off to you!

2010-03-12T10:00:00.007+08:00

Aah big floppy hats. Gotta love them! I look terrible in a hat. Always have. From woolly hats to sports caps. I just look funny!

What kind of hats do you like?

I heart monochrome

2010-03-10T13:30:00.004+08:00

Thank you!!!

2010-03-09T14:03:00.000+08:00

Thank you for visiting my blog. Over the weekend the blog registered 2000 hits. I am over the moon! Please keep visiting and sharing your lovely thoughts with me!

Miss showers

2010-03-05T23:52:00.003+08:00

The weather in Hong Kong has been cranked up to HOT! We have the air con on most days. And I missed the opportunity to buy a little raincoat, which seems to be one of the fashion items for Spring. So I drew one instead! In hot pink, as that's my favourite colour!

Have a great weekend!

Sketchcrawl

2010-03-02T10:27:00.002+08:00

The view from my window, Lamma Island, Hong Kong

Roz Keep organised a sketchcrawl this weekend on Lamma Island. Above was my submission. You can see the results and find out more about sketchcrawl here. It involves getting groups of sketchers together to spend the day drawing the world around them, mostly buildings and people in there home towns. It's a brilliant event and worth taking part in if you fancy something different! Why not organise a sketchcrawl in your town or city? The next one is 10 May 2010.

Inspiration and fulfilled dreams

2010-02-27T10:25:00.002+08:00

I started this blog at the beginning of 2010. Even though I have spent most of my adult life promoting other people, I found putting myself out there a terrifying experience. But I was encouraged by all the wonderful blogs out there. One blog in particular, an open sketchbook, by Suzanne Cabrera grabbed my attention. On 4 January of this year, Suzanne wrote an entry which contained the quote below. I was so inspired by this post that I made my first comment in blog world. And I wrote:

"If I knew I could not fail then I would have the balls to promote my new blog; I would draw every day; and I would launch my own PR company. I have been procrastinating about all of this for months! Although blog is up! ;-):"

I am pleased to announce that I have not only maintained this blog but I have also just this week launched my own PR business.

Suzanne kindly okayed me to pass on this great quote, and I would love to know what you would do if you knew you could not fail? Hopefully, you will be inspired as I was to follow your dream.

Freckles

2010-02-25T20:32:00.002+08:00

Oh how I wish I had freckles, just a smattering across my nose.

Carrie Chau - my favourite artist this week

2010-02-23T13:56:00.005+08:00

I've been dying to share one of my favourite artists with you - Carrie Chau. Carrie was born in Hong Kong (and believes she was an alien in her past life)! She paints really cool strange characters. I adore her work and have a couple of her cushions in my home and a (creepy) clock. Her material can sometimes be dark but it is always interesting. You can buy her paintings on her website as well as more affordable items such as bags, t-shirts, cards, cushions and wallets

My love affair with watercolours

2010-02-18T12:30:00.000+08:00

I have a love/hate relationship with watercolours. I find them difficult to use as they're a little unpredictable. I've been practicing with them by painting landscapes - another challenge to me. And have not enjoyed the process at all. But yesterday I used them in a face, and for the first time, I have to say, I really liked using them!

New faces - my creative space

2010-02-17T12:10:00.012+08:00

Last week I did the sketch below and told you that I would play around with it. And here are the results!

The original sketch.

In stripes, THE fashion story for 2010. I'm stripe mad - I have five stripey tops and two stripey jumpers so I'm very happy!

I'm kinda liking this blonde version of the sketch.

I adore the orange and grey together.

And this teal blue and grey is good too.

A little Italian flavour, inspired by watching The Sopranos all weekend.

And finally, this one is for an old friend from Scotland who now lives in the US and who bought this sketch!

I'd really appreciate your feedback on whether any of these would make a good print.

Congratulations to Cole & Josephine!

2010-02-15T10:55:00.008+08:00

The winner of my first giveaway is Nicole from Cole & Josephine! I put all the names of everyone who commented on my blog into a straw hat this morning and my lovely boyfriend pulled out the name! CONGRATULATIONS to Nicole!!!

When you have the chance you must take a look at Nicole's blog and shop on Etsy. Nicole's paintings (in her own words) emerge from her vivid imagination in dreamlike pop surrealism. The works are filled with girls and creatures that are both meek and brave, fragile and strong. They focus on the blur between reality and dreams, that instant when the petals dancing in the breeze make you unsure if you are awake or asleep. Her art is really lovely!!

Make sure to look out for another giveaway next month! Watch this space March 8th.

Happy Valentines Day!

2010-02-14T18:38:00.004+08:00

Have a wonderful day!!!

I will announce the winner of Lola tomorrow!

Kung Hei Fat Choi!!!

2010-02-13T15:11:00.009+08:00

Happy Chinese New Year! The year of the tiger starts tomorrow and I wish you all a prosperous new year.

Red lanterns decorating the ferry pier on Lamma Island.

Chinese New Year is full of traditions. The colour red is everywhere as it symbolises prosperity. People here will not cut their hair in the first three days of the new year because it is seen as cutting away your good fortune. And they won't dust or sweep as this is seen as removing good luck.

The island is full of flowers for sale for Chinese New Year, including these gorgeous lilies I bought myself (white) and pink ones from my lovely boyfriend. The flat smells amazing!

Dim sum and then some

2010-02-11T09:02:00.006+08:00

The dim sum ladies on the island

Morning from sunny Hong Kong! I got up extremely early today so I could have dim sum for breakfast to ease the pain of getting back to work on a presentation that I have to do tomorrow. Cha siu bao and ha gow are my favourite, which is basically pork bun and little shrimp dumplings. Yum! This food definitely makes everything seem so much better.

I was working on the presentation yesterday too - it's a toughie - 30 minutes! But stopped for a little break to do this sketch. I think I'm going to play around with this sketch later today....watch this space.

Remember to enter the COMPETITION! Details are in the blog entry below.

LOLA notebook giveaway!

2010-02-10T09:52:00.001+08:00

To celebrate Queenie Bee achieving over 1000 page views in only six weeks, and to thank my lovely followers, I am giving away the most popular item in my Etsy shop - the LOLA notebook. Lola is a spiral bound A5 notebook and is valued at US$14.

All you need to do is make a comment on my blog between now and Saturday (you can be a new or existing follower). I will then put your names into a hat. Then on Sunday, I will pull out a winner! If you mention my blog on your blog or on a Twitter post then you will get two entries in the hat!!

The competition is open to anyone, wherever you live in the world.

Best of luck!!!

What on earth is my niche? Do I really need one?

2010-02-08T11:08:00.012+08:00

Lola art print - A4 size - US$20

Lempicka in red art print - 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches - US15

NEW - Curvy girls rule art print - 71/2 x 8 1/2 inches - US$15

Today has been a struggle. I am struggling to take good photographs of my new and existing prints. Above are some of my new photographs and they all look like I am standing on one leg! I am also struggling to find my niche and whether it is important or not to have one. As you can see above, my work is varied!

I get inspired by everything I see and do. I get really excited about something and then I start creating. But then I find myself going off in too many directions. I'm a natural yellow positive personality who will give you five ideas rather than one. But the problem is I have no niche!

What on earth is it? Do I even need a niche. My background is marketing so I feel obliged to have a niche. But does it really matter. I see artists and handcrafters all the time with niches... ;-( but I don't have one!

But then this morning I came across this from SCRIBD:

Maybe I don't need a niche after all.

What does everyone else think?

Mad Men and Sunday sketches

2010-02-07T18:14:00.009+08:00

I've had a very lazy weekend. We've not done very much because I was sick yesterday and today it has been raining heavily. So this afternoon, we watched a little of Mad Men. I'm still not sure about Mad Men. While I love the sets and clothes, it's all a bit slow for me. But it's a nice way to spend a lazy afternoon and I did a little sketch inspired by the 50s clothes.

Have a colourful weekend!

2010-02-05T10:01:00.010+08:00

I have a very buzzy day today! I am doing some copywriting for a client so I need to concentrate on this, which means no creations! ;-(

BUT, as I don't want to not blog today (yes I am obsessed) I thought I'd share these pics of the gorgeous flowers you can find on the island. I have no idea what they are, if they are completely native to Hong Kong or even if they are WEEDs. But one thing is for sure, they are very beautiful.

Note - I have no photography skills so forgive the quality of the shots and the composition!

Have a great weekend!

Sunny new prints for a sunny day

2010-02-03T13:13:00.008+08:00

Today was a beautiful day! The weather is changing, and it is now sunny, warm and fresh on the island, which put me in the mood for creating some summery sunny prints.

Sorry

2010-02-03T10:24:00.005+08:00

A few people have told me that they tried to leave a comment on my blog but it would not allow them to. I thought it was a glitch within Blogger but I now realise it was how I set my blog up. I am so sorry. Anyone can now add comments to my blog not just those with Blogger accounts.

A frangipani flower, Koh Samui, Thailand

This week's art class - colour!

2010-02-02T13:13:00.011+08:00

Just finished Roz Keep's art class on the island. I haven't drawn anything for about a week so felt out of practice but desperate to start drawing again. I've been having withdrawal symptoms! I have even been dreaming about drawing and creating things. Does anyone else experience this??

Today, we learned all about colours, which I can vaguely remember from art classes about 20 years ago! And while it may seem extremely basic - it is so good for me to learn the absolute basics again otherwise I would cut corners by using paint straight from the tube or pair colours that really don't work together.

And I even managed to squeeze in a little sketch of the fishermen's village. The water is REALLY that colour!

Fishermen's village, ink and watercolour, 2 Feb 2010

Singapore, Urban Sketchers and a Sale!

2010-02-01T18:19:00.009+08:00

I've just come back from a lovely trip to Singapore where we were visiting friends. I didn't take many photographs so I thought I would illustrate Singapore through sketches from the Urban Sketchers blog. The Urban Sketchers blog is also my recommended blog of the week.

This picture is by TIA and it is of the bridge in the centre of the city near the Fullerton Hotel.

This picture is of Sentosa. By TIA too

This sketch is of Tan Quee Lan St and is by Quek See Hong

The sketch above is by Quek again and is Hullet Road, Singapore

You can find thousands of sketches from great cities and countries from all over the world, including Singapore, on Urban Sketchers. It's a brilliant site to get completely lost on, it's updated daily, if not hourly, and the art is just amazing.

*****

And, lastly, I got a sale while I was away!

This trio of nudes print will be winging its way to the UK this week.

Thank you for buying!

I can't get enough of nudes!

2010-01-28T12:48:00.006+08:00

I love women. I think women's bodies in all shapes and forms are beautiful. So I've thoroughly enjoyed my recent life drawing sessions and then developing these sketches into prints for your walls. Below is how I transform a sketch into something worthy of a frame!

The first drawing was a quick sketch of the model. The second drawing is a photocopy of the first, which I then drew over with ink and lightened on my computer. The third drawing is the ink sketch scanned in and the background changed. I then decided that the style of the head did not suit the body, so removed the head and the arms and this left me with a torso. I then changed the background to pink.

It's always good to learn something new

2010-01-27T09:40:00.001+08:00

I don't have any formal training in art but I like to do classes now and again. I am currently going to Roz Keep's weekly classes on Lamma Island. Unfortunately, I couldn't go yesterday as I had to go into Hong Kong, but here is a drawing that I did a few weeks back. I am really proud of it because it's the first still life I've done since school. It now hangs in our living room at home.

Roz runs one-on-one tutorials, group classes, sketch treks and classes for children. She is a great watercolour artist and if you live on Lamma or in Hong Kong then you should get in touch with her. For more details e-mail me on queeniebeeart@gmail.com

We photocopied my first line drawing so that we could use it later for a watercolour painting. My watercolour painting sucks - that's why I am learning it!

J'adore Garance Dore! - a new weekly post

2010-01-26T12:00:00.002+08:00

Hi there! I am inspired by everything I see. And from now on, every week, I will share with you some of the most beautiful work from the internet.

My favourite artist at the moment is French fashion illustrator and photographer - Garance Dore! Her work is breathtakingly beautiful. If I could draw half as good as she does then I would be a very happy woman! I love the image below as it has so much energy in it. And I love the colours.

More versions of the nude print for different decors

2010-01-25T15:55:00.005+08:00

This one is A4 print with white border and is US$15. The tones in the above print are really soothing and will look great in either a living room or bedroom.

A pink illustration for bedrooms. This is only US$10.

Larger prints will be available soon. Watch this space.

Affordable small prints - only US$10 - US$15

2010-01-25T09:22:00.005+08:00

Small yellow print of ink life drawing sketch I drew last week. It is 4 x 6 inches and comes in a frame. It is only US$10 and is available in white and blue too.

Lempicka in red jumper print. I drew this lovely lady from a Lempicka painting in graphite and then added computer graphics. This is US$15. It is 4 x 6inches and comes in a white frame. This print is available in pink and blue (blue is below) too.

Click on the Etsy box on the right handside or email me at queeniebeeart@gmail.com. Please note that postage & packaging is not included in price. Details are on Etsy.

Look out for larger prints soon!

Happy Shopping!

Where I live

2010-01-22T09:52:00.016+08:00

Lamma waterfront

Lamma Main St

One of the lovely beaches on the island

The island has lots of beautiful plants

and old ruins

and fabulous fresh produce!

Originally from Scotland, I moved to Hong Kong in 2005. I live on a little island in the South China Sea called Lamma Island. With no cars, and only 3,500 people - this is an idyllic place to live. It's easy to be inspired by everything you see around you. And it is so peaceful. I love seeing the stars at night and hearing the birds in the morning. Something you see very little of on the metropolis that is Hong Kong island, which is only 30 minutes away on a ferry.

Life drawing

2010-01-20T18:09:00.017+08:00

I recently did some life drawing, which was soooo good. I haven't done any drawing of this kind for many years so it was very daunting, but great fun!

I have no formal training in art so a lot of it is instinctive - so some sketches work, some don't! But I like this quick sketch. This sketch is available for sale online as an art print for US$10 only! It would look great in either a white or black frame. (You can pick up cheap but nice frames from Ikea.) Just go to my etsy shop - click on banner on right hand side - or email me direct for my paypal details. Email: queeniebeeart@gmail.com.

Ginger, Beatrice and Lola available online and on Lamma Island

2010-01-18T18:47:00.021+08:00

A5 notebooks featuring Lola. Spiral bound, blank inside.

Lola cards, blank inside. Printed on 230gsm art card.

A6 Beatrice notebooks. Spiral bound, blank inside.

A6 Ginger notebooks. Spiral bound, blank inside.

You can now buy all of the above, plus great prints, online at my Etsy shop, or at frangipani, 61 Yung Shue Wan Main Street, Lamma Island. Email me at queeniebeeart@gmail.com if you would like to deal directly with me.

Happy Shopping ;-)!!

Lempicka in H&M

2010-01-16T12:20:00.013+08:00

This is a sketch of a woman from a Tamara Lempicka painting. This pretty lady is wearing a lovely jumper that I bought from H&M that I find too scratchy and itchy to wear! I must say that it looks a lot better on her!

Thanks

2010-01-13T17:39:00.004+08:00

These flowers are dedicated to everyone who has supported me so far! Thank you!

Art class on the island

2010-01-12T17:00:00.014+08:00

It was gorgeous today for Roz's sketching class at the fishermen's village, Lamma Island. It's been grey, wet and cold for the past few weeks so it was lovely to sit out and sketch while feeling the sun beat down on us. Even if we still had to keep our big coats on.

My sketch is below. I wanted to try ink for the first time because I have seen so many fantastic ink sketches on the http://www.urbansketchers.com/ blog. Ink is a bit tricky though as it's not very forgiving if you make any mistakes (and I made quite a few).

Have a great week!

Groovy baby

2010-01-10T17:16:00.003+08:00

I drew this 60s sketch in ink and pencil (top left) and then coloured it in using my computer (using Paint so that's why it's a bit rough). The image below was created by a free ap on my iphone - silly but fun!

Hoping my friends in the UK are staying warm

2010-01-08T11:28:00.003+08:00

Spent the morning in the Green Cottage on Lamma Island, drinking ginger mocha and sketching. My thoughts are with my UK friends who have been snowed in for weeks.

My favourite Vogue cover

2010-01-08T08:55:00.000+08:00

As you can probably tell, I love faces, and the simplicity of this cover with a close up of Jade Jagger's amazing features makes this my favourite Vogue ever. It's the September 1990 issue. Twenty years ago! I remember buying this issue. Eek!

Raquel maybe...

2010-01-07T11:24:00.008+08:00

This is the drawing that I said I would do yesterday. Turned out not bad. Very vampish and 80s though - although I based the make up on an old photo of Raquel Welch from the 60s - hence the name Raquel... Still not sure about the name!

This picture is A4 in size as it's easier for me to scan in my creations rather than take photos. The photos are always a little dark. But I do prefer doing the pictures much, much bigger. I used a combination of graphite, soft pastel and my Xmas presents - Derwent pastel pencils.

I have started a twitter account under queeniebeeart. Please follow me on twitter if you can!

Fashionable lady

2010-01-06T13:34:00.010+08:00

This is a quick sketch I did in ink. I scanned the sketch in, then made two copies - I filled in her eyes and lips with ink for one of the prints, the other in pencil. Both give very different looks!

I plan to spend this afternoon creating a new Queenie Bee portrait. Watch this space!

Sketching in the fishermen's village on Lamma

2010-01-05T17:40:00.008+08:00

I spent the morning sketching in this colourful fishermen's village on Lamma Island. I can't believe how lucky I am to live so close to this lovely area. Unfortunately it wasn't as warm and sunny as it is in the picture above! It's currently around 12 degrees and very grey and windy.

I'm learning how to do landscapes from the wonderful Roz Keep. I have never drawn landscapes before so it's a bit of a challenge. But I am enjoying learning again. And I love being engrossed in the moment.

We'll be spending the next few weeks at this spot with the aim of providing a collection for the Urban Sketchers website. I'll try to post the results at the end of January.

Introducing Lola

2010-01-04T14:23:00.005+08:00

Lola is a heavenly ethereal creature. Your best friend. And an angel from above.

Lola will soon be available in A5 notebooks and cards. Watch this space for more information.

The original picture was created using graphite and pastels. It is A3 size.

Introducing Ginger

2010-01-04T13:41:00.015+08:00

Ginger is divine. I love red hair. Don't you?

Some of the world's most beautiful girls have red hair e.g. Amy Adams, Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Julianne Moore, Christina Hendricks, Jessica Rabbit, Karen Elson, Lily Cole.

Ginger is my celebration of all redheads!

I'm dedicating this portrait to my good friend Fiona Hunter, my favourite redhead.

Ginger will soon be available as a notebook/sketchpad - A6 size. Watch this space for details.

The original picture is graphite and pastel on A3 drawing paper.

Introducing Beatrice

2010-01-04T13:35:00.005+08:00

Beatrice is a cheeky cutie gal with a real buzz about her! Her bright blue eyes really draw you in. She is an enormous favourite of mine as she resembles a very old friend from my school days.

Beatrice will soon be available in notebook/sketchbook form - A6 size. Watch this space!

This picture is A3 in size and is mixed media - graphite and pastel.

Welcome to Queenie Bee

2009-12-30T21:08:00.002+08:00

Welcome to my new blog - Queenie Bee - my alter ego and the brand behind my stationery. This blog will feature my new line of stationery, some drawings, together with anything vaguely artistic and cool that I see on the internet. Enjoy!