Inspiration and fulfilled dreams

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

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

Carrie Chau - my favourite artist this week

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

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

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!

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!

Have a wonderful day!!!

I will announce the winner of Lola tomorrow!