I have been doing a lot of sitting down this week – and no, it’s not because I’m lazy, but for two reasons; because firstly I sprained my ankle and can’t walk and secondly I have been working on three paintings to enter for a competition. What I have learned from this week is that…
Tag: sketchbooks
Back to the drawing board
After recently leaving my teaching post in Dar Es Salaam to move to Nairobi for my husband’s new job, I now find myself ‘in between jobs’ and consequently at a rather interesting crossroads in my life. The million dollar question, well, million shilling question is this: Do I continue with teaching Art and English or do…
Sketches of Tanzanian Markets
My family and I are in the process of relocating from Tanzania to neighbouring Kenya; so as one East African adventure closes, another begins… Although I may have physically left Tanzania, I am still keeping my memories alive by finishing off drawings in my sketchbooks. These sketches will go towards bigger art projects, involving acrylic…
A few of my favourite things – sketching, camping, watching the sunrise and listening to The Pixies
Much as I like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, my favourite things list is more likely to include camping in remote places, sketching and painting, watching a sunrise and listening to alternative music. So when a recent holiday involved all of the above, I was happier than a Von Trapp child having a…
I am the resurrection and I am the life – The tale of Bertie Rooster
This is the story of the luckiest, most cock-sure cockerel that has ever lived – Bertie Wooster. We bought Bertie about a year ago. We named him Bertie, because my youngest daughter, Frida, has difficulties pronouncing the letter r and says wooster rather than rooster, hence Bertie Wooster. He soon had a lady friend which…
My Pen and Ink City Panoramas
A few years ago when I was going through a minimalist phase I did lots of simple pen and ink sketches, trying to capture faces, places and buildings in just a few black lines, by reducing everything back to its basic elements. Part of this project included a series of panoramic sketches I did of…
A sketch of my dear old Dad, David.
Originally posted on Travels with my Art:
? A sketch of my dad, David. This is a sketch I did of my dad who died 25 years ago today – It feels like forever ago, a lifetime ago, I suppose it was. My dad died unexpectedly from a heart attack in April 1990. He had…
An encounter with the rockabilly of the bird world – the pied kingfisher.
Keeping up with my Easter Resolution of using my art sketchbooks more, I decided to tuck one in my pocket as I went for lunch with my family today. And was so chuffed I did, because at long last I had my first encounter with the beautiful water bird the pied kingfisher. While having lunch…
The Frangipani Tree.
nn The frangipani is one of my favourite trees with its heady scent and bright flowers being forever evocative of tropical climates I have experienced. I pass this one most days going into Mwanza town, it is just off Makongoro Road near the clock tower roundabout and every time I see it I want to…
What greater gift than the love of a cat?
Today I feel a little out of sorts. I have just found out that my dear old cat Brzeska has died. My husband and I bought Brzeska from Sheffield Cat Shelter in 2004, although back then Brzeska was called Tommy. I choose him because he was the most stylish and elegant cat I had ever…
