7th February 2015

I did a doodle today in a bit of a rush between stage school, dog walk, shopping, play date, tidying up, cooking, mopping... Think you get the picture!

But amongst this mad rush day, my mind is still on my water lilies. So turning to my faithful doodle ap, I do not waste the waiting-in-the-car moment and I did a couple of doodles.

6th February 2015

I did a doodle today as part of some preliminary works for a larger canvas. Ever since I was little, I have loved the work of Monet. The gorgeous fresh and serine colours, the hazy strokes and beautiful flowers and the tranquil waters. My favourites are his water lily ponds. Stunning.

So with an air of challenge and a love of spring tones, I am aiming to create my own series of water lily paintings in my style and with my imagination thrown into the wonderful colour and texture pot. So today started with some rough mock ups of one concept in a number of colourways and backgrounds, to see which I am drawn to the most. They start with the 'full ensemble' (so to speak), the shadows and light of the water and reflections eventually being simplified and stripped away.

Which stands out to you?

5th February 2015

I did a doodle today after I text HELP to 70703 to donate to Comic Relief, as part of Radio 1's fundraising. They are raising funds to support Operation Health, transforming a dilapidated health clinic in Uganda: Read more about the project >

It's so easy to make a donation, and just £3 will make a difference... especially if we all donated. To make it even easier, my doodle of me, my daughter and my dog should help.

4th February 2015

I did a doodle today after seeing some bulbs optimistically embracing the winter chills. Almost ready to burst into bloom, but still a little timid in the frosty air. Spring will be hear soon.

This watercolour was a ten minute challenge to myself, with no reference material, just my head full of colours and flowers.

3rd February 2015

I did a doodle today because we had the best breakfast this morning. It was just one of those mornings, where waking up was natural (no rude awakenings by alarms or early rising small child) and smiles were plentiful. Even the dog seemed to have a very waggly smile on today. Breakfast was a giggle of  buttered toast and home made orange curd and little-one looked like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. All in all, a truly wonderful start to the day (and I just turned a blind eye to the mess of crumbs, butter smears and sticky dribbles of orange curd everywhere!

2nd February 2015

I did a doodle today because I have been writing my covering letters to submit my manuscripts. Two decades of writing and assessing CV covering letters have not helped in the slightest, as this is a far more personal and, in many ways, more meaningful task. Have finally got a half decent draft, so will sleep on it and see how much I delete and rewrite in the morning!

1st February 2015

I did a doodle today of my little princess. A day of make believe and dressing up was the plan for today, not me by the way (though I was draped in a cloak and told I was an old woman!). Big pink dresses, feathers and sparkles were topped off with sparkly jewels and tiaras... Little girls paradise. So to capture the joy on my little girl's face, I attempted a sketch...