enjoying the view

This illustration is from a photo I took of two oyster catchers a few years ago whilst waiting for a ferry on the west coast. They hung around for ages but eventually took off - I had started to wonder if they were waiting for the ferry too.

Prints now for sale

Here are just three of a selection of my prints now available to buy at Gracefields Arts Centre in Dumfries! So if you're passing by call in and check them out!

A herd of deer

I spent some time recently in the uni screen printing studio. My self set brief was to design a repeat pattern that could be screen printed onto fabric which could them be made into a variety of things. The repeat pattern bit turned out to be more challenging than I had first appreciated but it was great to do and I learned loads.

The screen I used was huge! Much bigger than I had used before to print t-shirts. It's always really exciting to see my design appear during the first wash.

I wanted to turn my designs into cushions and t-towels so I chose a heavy linen for the cushions and a slightly lighter weight linen for my t-towels. (I'll post pictures of my t-towels in my next post)

 Getting the bench set up to make sure the repeat pattern lines up correctly, and... repeats!

Three panels screen printed first onto the fabric, then off to wash and dry the screen... then back to finish off drying my wee deers with the hairdryers. Once these panels were dry I repeated the process for the final two linking panels.

The scary bit!  Make sure that line is straight...
 

A 'herd' of deer living on my sofa!

I then wanted to make some t towels... so I got my lighter weight linen, mixed some dye and got to it.

I had to stir the fabric with a big spoon for half an hour!!! This is so it wouldn't end up patchy. Then I rinsed with cold water.

After a quick spin around, the fabric not me, it went into the bake cupboard to dry. 

Tada! Now I have lots of deer in my house!

It's Winter

Two of my latest illustrations. There is definitely a chill in the air...brrr!

Love is in the air

Valentine Day card design.

rock climbing master

Going through my old holiday photos I came across pictures I had taken of wild goats we spotted whilst walking in Majorca a few years ago. The ledges on the rock face they were traversing to get food were tiny - it was very impressive to watch. We watched them skilfully move across the rocks for ages.

Winter Fox

My first illustration in 2015. A lovely way to spend the morning and start off the new year.

Christmas

It's heading to that time of the year again....

Fox

Personal project - woodland theme continues

Reflection