Thoughts on being an Artist with my latest work

​I love being an artist and creating something original is my biggest thrill. First come the ideas and they come from people and places. 

People inspire me all the time particularly other artists. I pull out colours that other artists have used, I try out new materials, I learn new techniques and I read up on the famous artists. I recently acquired a set of magazines called The Great Artists from Michael Moon's marvellous second hand bookshop and these gave me my recent idea of creating my Herdwick Art Cards. My little Herdwick character, Wrynose features with his favourite works of art. At the moment I have eight different designs and plan to add more. They will be available as prints soon.

Places inspire me too; favourite childhood places are featuring in my work at the moment. I paint these using watercolours. I take out with me a small zip up bag and fill it will a few items. I take a small watercolour set, usually Windsor and Newton travel set but I've just bought a Derwent Inktense set and will be trying it soon; Locally produced pigments from Florence Paintmakers; Fine line UNIPIN fine liners; Water brushes and A6 Khadi paper. It is all very portable and I can paint outside, or in cafes or at craft fairs without taking up very much room. I am loving drawing simple drawings of places that hold a special memory. 

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