The summer 2015 ... Southbank Arts Trail, Bristol

Well, where do I start?!  I have been absent due to many reasons but I haven't been idle.  Here are a few images from the local South Bristol Arts Trail where I threw open my doors and let everyone have a nosy at my creations...

Hannah Reddens Studio

Left - Vintage Textile Sazburger Cushion; Right - Hand printed and appliquéd Cushion

Sketch a Day Images; These sold really well over the arts trail weekend.  

Handmade Cushions from Vintage Finds

Packing up a sale

Freya being entertained

       

Sketch a Day Challenge

Day 67 - Spotty - 12.03.15 - Version One

1 - I was going to add more spots to this but rather liked it as it was. 30min Watercolour with Salt resist.

Day 67 - Spotty - 12.03.15 - Version Two.

2 - Attempted a larger A4 version. 40mins on this one, Watercolour with Salt resist.

Day 54 - Chickens - Watercolour

Day 58 - Lizard - March 2, 2015

Really enjoyed this one as very free as only had half hour before my class this evening. Not quite sure how I didn't fit him on the page though

Day 60 - Mushrooms. About 45mins, watercolour

Day 59 - Spoons - 50min Watercolour
This was rather tricky, didn't even attempt to make them realistic

Day 63 - Something Green - 40min Watercolour
Quite enjoyed this one, wasn't that regimented, tried to be loose and am pleased with the outcome.

Day 61 - Green - Watercolour and white pen - 1/2hr

 

Day 65 - Scissors - 20min Watercolour
Decided to restrict myself to less than half an hour today, I was surprised that I can actually produce something quite quickly. Might aim for 15mins tomorrow.

Week 7 2015 - Sketch a Day Images

Day 39 - Round
Tea Cup  - Pen and Watercolour

Day 40 - Love
Valentines Inspired tpoic for the day - Watercolour and Gold Pen

Day 41 - Bouquet
Heather and Lavendar - Watercolour

Day 42 - Penguin
Really pleased with this quick 30 minute Watercolour.  I've decided to try and be looser and quicker.....

Day 43 - Bread
Banana Bread Ingredients - Pen and Watercolour - 30 Minutes

February 2015 - Sketch a Day's

Just a quick update with my 'Sketch a Day' progression.  I'm still sticking to it even though some days I'm just not feeling it.  Here are the latest attempts.  I do feel a certain style is emerging, or perhaps I'm just more relaxed now and have found a way to quickly do my sketching :)

Day 29 - Moon - Watercolour

Day 30 - Ears - Black Watercolour

Day 32 - 'F' - Watercolour

Day 35 - Greenman - Pen and Watercolour (Found this rather a tricky subject to tackle)

Day 33 - Shells - Pen

Day 33 - Shells - Pen and Watercolour.
I just couldn't resist adding some colour to this simple pen image.

Day 36 - Bicycle - Pen and Tea :)

Day 37 - Pumpkin - Pen and Watercolour (and Tea again!)

Day 38 - Jewellery - Pen, Watercolour and gold pen for the detail.

Sticking to Resolutions - January Success

Well I did it!  I completed my resolution to do more drawing and general creativity!  I stuck to my 'Sketch a day' challenge and completed January!!  I am rather pleased with myself.

Day 22 - Book - 40 Minute Watercolour.

I'm not particularly pleased with this image, I feel it's too contrived and not as effective as my quicker more relaxed images.

Day 25 - Your Star Sign - Capricorn - 30 Minute Watercolour.

Again this wasn't what I'd pictured in my head but I quite like the outcome.  It's rather dark and mysterious.  My partner described it as a pixie goat, which I rather liked.

Day 24 - Something Sweet - 30 Minute Watercolour.

I rather like this one, the messy, carefree effect and of course the scrummy biscuits.  We don't normally have biscuits in the house so this was a treat to go and buy so many packs! :)

Day 26 - Weather - Our Changing Climate.  40 Minute Watercolour.

 The day before this topic was set I had literally been through all these types of weather.  I'd set off on a little outing with little Freya and wrapped up in so may layers then had to unwrap ourselves as the sun was out and shining.  On our return journey I encountered the most amazing hail and snow, I could see it ahead of us swirling down the road.  It was a shame Freya was asleep as I'm sure she would have loved it!

Day 27 - Snowdrops - 30 Minute Watercolour.

This topic was set as the following day was the commencement of the 'Scottish Snowdrop Festival – 31 January to 15 March 2015.  I rather liked doing this painting as I really like the form of snow drops.  I think I will revisit this as I can envisage a lovely repeat for a textile design.

Day 15 - Time - 40 Minute Watercolour.

I have to admit, this was inspired by various images I found online searching for Flying Time, I particularly wanted to include feathers and flying etc into this topic.  Especially appropriate for me, where has January gone to?

Day 16 - Birds - 40 Minute Watercolour - Humming Bird.

I spent longer on this than I had intended.  That seems top be a problem when I'm painting, I let the time fly and get sucked in to adding more detail. 

I'd like to really thank all the participants of the 'Sketch a Day' challenge as receiving the feedback and viewing others daily sketches is so encouraging.  I attempted a similar challenge last year to draw more, however I didn't have the daily support of such a group.  Thank you sketchers :)

New Cushion Designs

I've started to list my new cushion designs on Etsy, I have over forty new designs to be added which will really boost my shop.  I'm rather excited about the new feel to the shop once these have all been added.  

Handmade - 'Yorkshire' Cushion. Duck Feather Insert. One Off, made with vintage fabric, blue velvet backing.

Handmade - 1977 Royal Queen Silver Jubilee Cushion. Duck Feather Insert. One Off, made with vintage fabric, embellished with a cord trim.

Handmade Cushion - Great British After - 100% Duck Feather Insert, featuring a blue pom pom trim.

DETAIL  - Handmade Cushion - Great British After - 100% Duck Feather Insert, featuring a blue pom pom trim.

The Lion and The Unicorn - Vintage Fabric - Hand Made Large Cushion

I hope you like these vintage fabric finds as much as I do.  I feel that vintage fabrics in particular add character and an interesting aspect to any room, you have something that is unique and can't be purchased by everyone else.  These cushions will add panache to any sofa.  

Sticking to 2015 Resolutions

As previously mentioned in earlier posts, I haven't specifically written a list of 2015 resolutions as I have so many ideas in my head that my list would be endless.  Instead I want to be more creative and make time to do something enjoyable each day.  The facebook group that I've joined 'Sketch a Day', is really helping me to do this.  Simply taking away the need to think of a topic takes such pressure off and has really pushed me to cover topics that I would normally steer well clear of.   

Portraits, Hats, Bugs, A Quote, A View, Shoes; are all subjects covered in the last week, I've thoroughly enjoyed all of them and have even got some fabric designs that I would like to develop from these topics.  Sticking to this I feel will really assist me in feeling productive.  It's not always about creating picture perfect images.  

 

Day 7 - Bugs

Day 13 - Self Portrait 

(I set this this days task!! Really don't know why I picked such a difficult one?!)

Day 14 - Hats (This is our Cat Pebbles)

Day 8 - Shoes

 

Day 9 - Breakfast

Above two images are from Day 10 - Window View - This is the view from our living room.

 

Day 12 - Quotes

 

Day 11 - Fish

I've often spent so much time in the past contemplating before putting pen or paintbrush to paper. However I've come to realise that your first idea is rarely your best, but it doesn't matter.  Capturing any idea is beneficial.  This is the beginning. Draw it!  It only takes a few minutes, and it gets the idea out of your head onto paper.  Now draw some more!  You won’t know whether your first idea is the best until you explore others.  It's surprising how quickly you will develop and improve your ability to quickly sketch, paint and express your ideas.

Sketching is fast, rough, and dirty.  Learn to embrace your pen and paper, and you’ll be thrilled at your speed of ideas and progression.  You’ll wonder why you ever fought it. By giving yourself the freedom to put down on paper your quick ideas, you’ll get to creative places you could never have imagined.

Happy sketching