i card

My almost brother-in-law had his iPhone stolen at a concert a few weeks ago, so me and my other half decided for his Birthday card it'd be fitting to make a homage to to the phone he lost.

Derbyshire Open Arts 2012

Here is a very long awaited blog post about Derbyshire Open Arts weekend.  I had a successful three days, sold lots of cards, got lots of positive feedback on my work and some very kind words about my watercolour prints, which I have never exhibitd before.  So, here are a few pics to show off how the amazing Spring Bank Arts Centre venue looked in all its renovated glory and how the eight of us artists fitted in...

Left to right from the back: Adele Kime, Lucy Gell, Paul Smith, John E.Walter, Clare Allen, Karl-Christian Geleff, Jo Orme, Me (Helen Harkawenko, incase you weren't sure!)

You're all invited!

...To our Derbyshire Open Arts preview evening.  Friday 1st June from 7pm at Spring Bank Arts Centre, New Mill, SK22 4BB.  Join us for wine, nibbles and a sneak peek at all eight artists fantastic works.  Hope you can make it!

A Sneak Peek

I'm being (sort of) organised and getting ready for Derbyshire Open Arts 2012.  So far I've had 2 embroideries framed and 4 prints of my watercolour drawings, and they look fab!!  I'm so pleased with them, cannot wait to group them together for the exhibition.  Next on my to do list is to get a few more prints made and some new artists cards done.  Time to get in gear!!

Daffodils in Winter time...

Commissioned Thank You card; watercolour, hand painted dots and hand stamped message.

Blythe House Art Auction

Earlier this month I donated an original piece of artwork to Blythe House Hospice for their art exhibtion and auction, where money will be raised from the sales of local artists works.  I am really excited to be a part of it and hope my donation raises some money for them!  

If you live in the High Peak and would like to go to any of the 2 shows that are taking place see below:

 

Wednesday 18^th January – St Mary’s RC Primary School, Lowry Drive, Marple Bridge. The exhibition will run in the school hall from 2.30pm – 4pm and 6.30pm – 8pm. It’s free of charge to enter and refreshments will be available to purchase.

 

Thursday 26^th January – Blythe House Hospice, Eccles Fold Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith. Tickets cost £5 and include a glass of wine and entry into the raffle.

For more information visit www.blythehouse.info

Time for a sit down...

...with a big mug of hot deliciousness and a mince pie!  It's been a busy old day, Christmas food shopping and making crumpets for Christmas Day breakfast (from scratch!)  Now it's time for a chill out, hope you are all relaxing too!

Hand drawn watercolour and fine liner.

Mr Robin...

... likes to visit our garden every now and again.  I saw him today for a fleeting moment before he got chased off by a sparrow.  Here he is captured on top of an evergreen tree with sparkly snow fall for my Nanna's Christmas card.  I love his fat little body hehe!  Advent treat 19!

Hand drawn watercolour and fine liner.

And finally, meet Reind-Owl...

...the cutest member of the Christmas Owl team! He pulls Sant-Owl's sleigh as they fly all over delivering presents to all the good little Owlets.  Happy Advent treat!

Hand drawn watercolour and fine liner.

2 weeks to go!

Are you nearly sorted with your Christmas bits and bobs?  If you've been busy Christmas shopping or have a weekend of it ahead, here is Advent treat number 9 to cheer you up!  Everybody loves Penguins, especially those with Santa hats on!

Hand drawn watercolour and fine liner.

This little guy is Owl-f...

... and he's a pretty important member of the Christmas Owl team.  He helps SantOwl get all the presents ready for the big day but he's taken time out to be treat number 8 of Advent!

 

Hand drawn watercolour and fine liner.

Let me introduce you to Sant-Owl...

December is a very busy time for him but SantOwl has popped by especially as treat number 6 of my Blog Advent!  Look out for more members of his Festive team coming soon!

Hand drawn watercolour and fine liner.

Winter

It has definitely settled in with all the hail showers today.  I've been toasty and warm stamping a card order for Buxton Pavilion Gardens which has made a nice change from Christmas Cards!

For 'window' number 5 of my blog Advent calendar, he may not be particulary Christmassy but he is Wintery and magnificent none the less!  Watercolour sketch.

Happy 1st December!

To celebrate the start of Advent and the countdown to Christmas I will post a festive picture up every day until the end of the year!  So to kick things off here's a dapper looking watercolour Snowman. Happy Advent!

O' Christmas Tree

I found some gorgeous Christmas tape in Fred Aldous on my shopping trip today and couldn't wait to put it to use!  I decided to use it in the same way as my hand stamped messages only the tape has more of a colour impact.  I have added a tiny hand painted watercolour Christmas Tree embellished with tiny diamante baubles. Cute!

 

Cherry Blossom

I have finally finished a new larger stitched piece of a cherry blossom tree, developed from this watercolour.

It's in the process of being proffessionally photographed and then will be framed, hopefully in time for the next rehang at New Mills Original at the end of October.  I decided to make a new piece in response to the popularity of the first blossom tree I made, which sold at the start of the month (yay!).  Fingers crossed my new piece, Cherry Blossom, will be just as popular!

Neglected Blog...

I thought I'd post another animal artwork up as I've not been paying attention to my blog for a while. Instead I've been on a little trip to London's West End to see The Lion King and Billy Elliot. They were absolutely fantastic and I feel so priviliged to have got the chance to see them both!

So, my work has taken a dip this last week which leads me to this watercolour. I did it a while ago, before I got my lovely new paints but for a quick sketch it's still got movement and feeling in it and animlas always cheer me up on a dreary old Tuesday.

'Antelope'
scan of original watercolour
2011

Bird Brain

A running theme it seems in my drawings! Very simple small scale painting.

'Gull'
scan of original watercolour

More drawings

Another quick sketch to try and get back into the swing of things. My favourite chickens I see on my run route, they're very friendly and love to chat!

'Two Chickens'
scan of original watercolour

I've been...

... drawing again. And I've actually been enjoying it! I got some new fancy watercolours, proper colours to paint with and I think it's made a difference. Next on the materials list is a proper watercolour sketchbook. I'll post a selection of the scanned images over the next few days.



'Cat and Lampost'

scan of original watercolour