art equals happy.

Spring 2012 notebook. :: Sketchbooks & Drawings

Some peeks into my notebook from Spring 2012. I tend to draw or write it when I'm at galleries, or friends houses, or just have a space few minutes. The two pages above, are a combination of 3 or 4 of my friends, just doodling.My notes from library trips are usually quotes, references, and a few drawings. Below is a sketch of a small stained glass.See more of my sketchbooks and art journals here.
Kimxo 

...and forget all your troubles. :: Double-Exposure drawings.

Today is for visiting friends and relaxing and playing music and connecting with nature.
I did this drawing of Sam a few months ago. He was staying with me at the time and there were times when I would be knitting and he would be playing guitar and it was lovely and peaceful and we were both taking much needed 'time out' from the busy london life.

London is great, but sometimes I want to run away to the country and live on a farm. And not have to worry about city things. Today is a day for that, I hope. 
Love, Kimxo 

Double Exposures. :: Drawing & Sketchbooks.

I love a really excellent double exposure on film. I also love a good layered drawing. When I'm drawing from life, sometimes people move or change expression or I want to start over again. I've been playing with overlaying and using different colours. Sometimes I find this captures the mood or essense of a person better than I could ever get with a straight up portrait. Sometimes I find the combinations magical or unusal. Have a look at some of my earlier experiments:Kimxo

Flowers and Sheep :: Sketchbooks and Drawings.

Here are some pages from a past sketchbook I wanted to share with you. I love these random pages that form little snapshots of my life.The freedom to just draw whatever, any way I wish is something I keep guarded for my notebooks and art journals. It frees me up to try new things- which is always good.

And here are two of my favourite drawings:

I just love those sheep. :] Someone want to get me one for my birthday? (I wish!)
Love you, Kimxo 

A housewarming gift for Amy. :: Drawing.

My dear friend Amy moved into her first real place away from her parents recently. She starts Uni (for reals) this year, and it's all super exciting because she is making her place very nice and homey. We are pretty big Harry Potter geeks, and I always love an excuse to draw anything potter related... so obviously... this happened!It's got quite a few (really geeky) references that most of you probably won't get (double points if you do!!!)- but that is meant to be a Doe (someone said it looked like a sheep- oops!) and, 'Always' is something Snape says in the last book. 
When I gave it to her, she squeeled and jumped up and down and hugged me- so I'm pretty sure she liked it... hehe.
Here are some sketches I did before I commited to the cup:Thanks to The Art Cafe, where I painted it. And Happy New House Miss AMY! kxo

Learning to be alone. :: Art Journal & Sketchbooks

Here are some pages I made when I was 19 and single and living alone in London. Coming to terms with being newly alone and trying to figure out if what I was feeling was loneliness or longing or... independence. I have grown so much since then, but these pages were the first few steps to realising that I like myself and my own company and there is a lot more in life than the search for a 'boyfriend' or whatever.It was an exciting time. I was free to do all the things I didn't have time for, or didn't think my boyfriend would like (when I was in a relationship). It made me realise a lot. I also got to explore new friendships and London. It was such a time of learning to love myself and love what I like. Looking back on it now- I am proud of how I didn't crumple in the face of heartache and illness, but instead took the good things from it and made a beautiful new life for myself.I guess, I'm a bit sentimental at the moment because I've been hanging out in old places with old friends. And, it is beyond time to share these pages. I hope you can take something from these. If you're working through a tough time, know that if you want it to- you can make it better. 
Lots of love,
Kimxo

Hard days night :: Sketchbooks.

Old Sketchbooks, early 2011 :: Drawings

I love going through my old sketchbooks- sometimes the bits and bobs you've overlooked the first time can look fun now or bring back memories. It's the same with Art Journals too- but I guess, with my notebooks/sketchbooks I don't take them as seriously in terms of layout, I'm always making lists, and it's the perfect place to doodle when you are waiting for a bus or lecture to start.Love, Kimxo

I found some old friends... :: Sketchbooks and Drawings.

Been going through my sketchbooks from 1st and 2nd year, because I'm terrible and properly documenting them as I'm working on them, and lots of stuff never gets shared or finished up properly. 
I found some familiar faces in my Diner sketchbook, enjoy :]Kimxo

An Art Journal of sorts. :: Drawing & Sketchbooks.

Sometimes I like to draw things on paper that isn't in a sketchbook. Sometimes I like to write down my feelings. Sometimes I just need to glue stuff to other stuff. Sometimes I get that urge to document. Sometimes I just need to remind myself of something.
I guess that's what I used to do with my art journals. I just used to do it a lot more often and perhaps with more cohesion? My art journals have taken a back seat (okay- more like locked away in a bag in the bottom of the boot where I never look), compared to Uni work and growing my knitting skills. But this year, I've kept a loose diary of sorts, along with my notebook that I carry around with me everywhere.
Here are some pages from March and April that I thought you might like..."The city moved and we were still. " "Poetically sad and beautiful" "I turned my phone off." "The wind made my hair dance and the boats kissed each other." "I need to tell this to my pages" (just in case you can't read my messy writing. haha)This 'journal' is a free place for me. It's a place that never gets judged. It never has to be 'beautiful' or 'perfect' or even nice looking. I don't have to be happy with the drawings/compositions I make. It is literally a place for thoughts and bits of paper. I tend to keep scraps/offcuts from projects, reciepts, bags, etc and I like putting them together and marking them with a date. It's a nice reminder of what I was doing at the time- and I love looking back at my old ones too. Hopefully one day my kids will too. Maybe they'll see that we all struggle and get frustrated and hate ourselves now and again- but that if we really think about it, we are lucky and there is a lot to be happy about.It is also incredibly helpful for dealing with CFS/M.E. Being able to write your frustrations down- to make something that can't be seen... tangible- (or just complain) to a piece of paper is such a gift. :] Kimxo