Guinea Pig Logic

I have to be honest....I cannot stop watching these two guinea pigs talking about pumpkin spice. They just tickle me!

I am very much looking forward to pumpkin spice latte weather and walking around wearing a fleece vest rather than walking about covered in sweat. I may or may not be experiencing those first hot flashes on the rocky road to menopause but it is also 95 degrees. They have had to close the schools because the kids were overheating. But I am still waiting and longing for Fall....

I am busy writing a children's book about guinea pigs...I can't really talk about it .......it is about an adventurous guinea pig that travels the world.....watch this space

I am afraid in the creative process I have more or less become a guinea pig and I am starting to observe the world as if I were covered in fur and walked on four legs and was covered in whiskers. Here is a piece I did called Guinea Pig Logic:

Okay I'm just going off to nibble on some carrots and hay....
Have a great weekend!

Linking up to Paint Party Friday and Brilliant Blog Posts.

Bunny Bonanza

What an exciting week!

I was doing some gardening and pulled up a big bunch of hay and all these tiny bunnies scattered around me. They had their eyes closed and were crawling around commando style. I didn't know what to do so I popped them back in their burrow and put the hay on top. I hope they are going to be okay. They are on the edge of our lawn. I see the mom around but apparently they only feed them once a day so I don't think she has abandoned them. Has anyone else had bunnies in their back yard? I think it is a myth that the mom rejects them if you have touched them. I hope it is anyway!

I finished my flying parrot this week. I used a technique where I blew the paint all over the paper and I think it came out pretty well.

I also applied to sell on Artfinder and was excited to be accepted so I've listed a few paintings. Nic McLean is also on it so check out her page too! Is anyone else on Artfinder? I would love to know so I can go like and follow your page.

Linking up to Paint Party Friday and Brilliant Blog Posts:

Black Cats and Japanese Watercolors

I was a bit stumped when I thought of creating this portrait of my friend Claire's adorable cats Pumpkin and Pieface. It is difficult to make black fur look as lustrous and lovely as it is in real life.

But then inspiration hit! The time was right to take a virgin flight with my Sumi-E Japanese watercolors. I am always looking for bright, vivid watercolors and I was so excited to find these! What is Sumi-E? I found out that "Sumi" means "black ink" and "e" means both "path" and "painting."

I also used a Japanese watercolor paper that is specifically for Sumi–e painting. This very absorbent paper is ideal for "freestyle" brush painting, a simple yet highly aesthetic drawing made of powerful, mostly chasing and rapidly executed lines.


One day I may well try Japanese painting although you need special brushes. In the meantime I just used a regular brush and put a bright background where the highlights of the cats' fur was and then when it was dry overlaid it with opaque black. My friend was delighted with it!


Have you ever tried Japanese watercolors and how did you like them? I was very pleased with their intense colors.

Linking up with Pet Parade and Paint Party Friday

Stay warm and do check out my new Fine Art America store!!