Teals and Trials

I got so frustrated yesterday. I had a list of a few items I needed to get from an art shop. If I was in Melbourne I'd know exactly where to go and that the shops would have what I'm after. But not in Belfast! It's so difficult moving to a new place, even though Belfast isn't technically a new place for me, I'm just not used to it and I don't know the secrets! Although I think the secret is you have to buy everything on line because Belfast just doesn't cater to the specialist market of printmaking supplies, grey board or 0.5 2B pencil leads! I have to get used to it and realise Melbourne has nearly 4,000,000 people whereas Belfast has 267,500, so it's obvious really that supplies will be more limited here. Grrrrrr! I've been spoilt!

Oh, hold on, I'm baby sitting my nephew and he's just woken up, I'd better go and see if he's ok.................................................

................................................................ok, nephew on knee here, now there's one thing melbourne doesn't have, my wee nephew! oh and Belfast has a BRILLIANT display of birds in the museum. Here are a few more drawings, I did these yesterday.

Grey Heron

Brent Goose

Teal

Now on Facebook!

I'm following suit, my bridbird label is now on facebook and I'm quite enjoying playing around with it like a new toy.

Here's the deal, if you become a fan of bridbird page and enter or have already entered the November giveaway I'll enter you twice so you have double the chance of winning! Woo Hoo!!!

I'd also like to introduce you to my good friends Able and Game who make fantastic cards and gift tags, like the one above. Here's the link to their facebook page. They are based in Melbourne and I miss them lots :(

November Giveaway!

For your chance to win a goodie bag containing :-

1 A5 mounted print

4 cards including a christmas card

2 sets of fridge magnets

simply go to both my etsy shops (bridbird and bridgetfarmerprints) and decide on one thing that you'd like to have for christmas, then leave a comment here on my blog. Please remember to leave your details with your comment, good luck!

Winner will be announced 2nd December.

only one entry per person please, unless you are a fan of my facebook page, Click here to join up!

Thank you to everyone who took part in my giveaway, the winner is Carapace. The competition is now closed. I'll have another soon so keep watching!

That Christmassy Feeling

Does that just mean cold toes and needing to wear a scarf indoors? Well if thats the case, I'm well and truly feeling Christmassy! Of course it's a different case in Australia where I hear temperatures are getting higher. Would I rather 35 degrees and clear skies or 5 degrees and eternal rain? Honestly, I'd choose the rain, I can't stand the heat, and it's just not Christmassy!

Here are a few of my new designs for Christmas cards. I have three different robins, each one initially drawn in pencil, then colour added on the computer. You can find them for sale on etsy or on folksy, a UK site. I'll also be selling them at markets around Belfast.

Out and About

I did manage to get to the museum yesterday and drew a couple of pheasants. My favourite was the Silver Pheasant, simple black and white plumage with beautiful markings. I'd love to make a long etched plate of one of these birds. I've had to scan it over a few different pages and haven't quite managed to get him all in, but you get the idea!

Today I went back to Castle Espie. I got in contact with the staff a few weeks ago to ask if they had any specimens and they showed me to the attic where they have a secret stash of old, dusty birds. It was great!

View of Stangford Lough from Castle Espie.

Tomorrow I hope to get to the Belfast Print Workshop and finally join! I always get nervous when it comes to taking steps towards printmaking again, I love it, but it's such a wide area of possibilities it slightly daunts me. I think this is a good thing though!

Sketches at Seapark

The day I got back from Amsterdam I was still fired up with drawing, I braved the drizzle and went down to Seapark near Holywood to draw. It was great, I sat for an hour until my feet got too cold.

Anyone from this area will know these houses on the shore, they're beautiful. My friend's grandfather helped to build them. I think everyone want to live in one of them.

This poor old dog was so old and stiff he just stood in front of me for ages instead of climbing the incline from the beach up to the path. Thanks for the pose!

The view from Holywood up Belfast Lough to the docks.

I'm raring to go drawing again today now that my first market is out of the way and I have all my stock made. I can set all that aside and do what I really want to be doing. I'm just waiting for a phone call from the museum about drawing their birds.

I've worked it out.

The best way to draw more is to buy a lovely sketchbook!

While in Amsterdam last week I went into a great little shop that I recognised from when I lived there for three months 6 years ago. They sold beautiful paper, ink and sketchbooks. I decided to treat myself to a new green cloth covered sketchbook, and since then I've been drawing drawing drawing. It feels good!

Here's some of my drawings from the Netherlands.

Oh, also, the Etsy Irish team are having a giveaway, open to everyone and anyone. The winner will receive a marvelous goodie box made up of items from Etsy Irish Team shops. I've donated a few items too! All you have to do is leave a comment in their blog post. Here's the link.

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A Wee Peek

Here's a wee peek of my time last week.

Useful Art

Here's some more of my fridge magnets. If our fridge wasn't covered up with a wooden door I'd have my favourite recipes held up by these!

I'm very lucky to be off to Amsterdam next week, I can't wait for all the lovely old buildings, lots of art galleries and great little bars and restaurants.