cold days.

The studio has been particularly cold to work in so far this month. I even resorted to clutching a hot water bottle whilst painting last week! The clay has been uncomfortably cold to work with, nothing has been drying, it's often been raining so I can't disappear into the wood for a walk and I've been a bit grumpy. Thankfully, I accumulated enough dry pots to bisque fire this week, so the studio was gloriously toasty and warm on Tuesday. 

[toasty]

I worked on some new illustrations during my Christmas break, which are now coming to life as test plates. I tend to draw designs out before making or painting them, to work out some kinks before committing to clay. 

The images on this plate are inspired by a heritage farming village called Cregneash. A cluster of thatched cottages and farm buildings, it sits close to the most southerly tip of the island, eternally battered by the wind! I spent a lot of time there as a child whilst my Dad volunteered with his vintage tractors (!), so I have a soft spot for it. My illustrations tend to be quite simplistic or even abstract (in colour at least!), so I hope that locals will recognise the icons such as Harry Kelly's cottage and the infamous telephone box!

Another new creature for 2015...a wee robin redbreast. I like him.