The Big Park Draw 2013

This is not the luckiest project of the summer with some strong winds during their first Saturday draw and some pretty heavy showers during the second!

This didn't stop the fun however...I'd forgotten how relaxing it is to sit and draw in the great outdoors. A big thank you to the team who run this event. There were people from young to old having a go at putting on paper the sights of the park or anything else that came into their minds.

Fingers crossed for some calmer weather for the third big park draw on 6 July 10.30 - 5pm. You'll find the event in the gazebo next to Mrs Brown's Cafe.

(Photos by local photographer David Smith)

My attempt!

Intricate Insects

UWE student, Rosie McLay, has some intricate lino prints with gold leafing on show at the Victoria Park pub this month. Rosie’s subject matter is insects and the portrayal of death as an event that unites us all / shouldn't be shied away from. I particularly like Rosie’s grotesque skeletal sculptures of insects (£50 each).

Rosie’s work is juxtaposed alongside Cordelia Hutchinson’s idyllic oil paintings which I've previously blogged about.

Rosie has also recently exhibited at The Parlour Rooms in the show By Natural Causes.

...mentioning UWE just reminded me that the degree show is currently on at the Bower Ashton Campus and Spike Island until 13 June.

West Street Horse

A great addition to Bedmo street art - a giant horse made-up of local landmarks from Bedminster and Bristol. Artist, Andy Council, chose a horse to represent the working past of mines and industry in the area. His work will be on show at Upfest urban art fest (25 - 27 May).

Andy also did this awesome peacock for the Art on the Hill last year.

And this dinosaur at Victoria Park graffiti wall.

The Big Draw

Come and have a go at drawing in the park this Saturday for Victoria Park’s Big Draw 10.30 – 5pm. You’ll find the gazebo just outside Mrs Brown’s cafe. Everyone welcome.

Cordelia Hutchinson

Cordelia Hutchinson's oil paintings are on display in Cafe Grounded this month. You really get a sense of the elements, the warm summer grass and the air in the trees from her beautiful work.

Queen's Square

The Park Keeper's Lodge

This was a particularly bleak day in Victoria Park with a lone girl on a scooter.

This sketch by Ruth Whiter reminds me of just how busy the grass can get around Mrs Brown's Cafe in summer time. Ruth's style really captures the movement and fun of the scene.

Two Birds

Sometimes it really surprises me which of my illustrations become popular. This one of the bowling club house in Victoria park has sold the most so far...and to think I didn't even like it much when i finished it. Maybe there's something to learn from the simplicity and not overcrowd my work.

Sledging on Holmesdale

Snow always brings everyone out to enjoy the streets.

The Dog Walker

Here's an illustration I've done from a photo taken in Victoria Park.

Party On Holmesdale

With a few friends, I organised a Royal Wedding street party for people living in and around Holmesdale Road last April.

We got traffic closure for the day and everyone helped to decorate the street with flags and delicious food. The sun shone and it was lovely relaxing in deck chairs with the neighbours.

Highlights of the day were seeing all the children covered in face paints, having a go on Alf’s buzzer game and sitting in the middle of my street with a glass of wine and a union jack cup cake. Rule Britannia!

Thanks to the members of the street party committee:
Andy Gibbard, my husband
Clare and Paul Gardner, our next door neighbours!

Just spotted myself in an illustration of the street party by local artist Ruth Whiter.

I'm the blond at the far end of the table if you want a closer look!



Come On You Reds!

Here’s the logo I made for the Victoria Park 5-a-side football team.

Twinkle Twinkle

At the end of last summer The Victoria Park Pub opened replacing the old Raymend. A big thanks to Luke, Ed & Dean for giving us a great new local...my second home!

Just after opening I started up a music group for babies at the pub on Thursday mornings. Thanks to everyone who came along – I enjoyed having a good sing and met some really nice people in the area.

In March the group raised over £1,000 for Comic Relief with a 2 hour Nursery Rhyme-a-thon, harder than you think! The end of my second pregnancy has meant giving up the class as I barely have enough breath to talk let alone do the hokey cokey.