New artwork

Here are my two latest creations. I have been experimenting with a different way of using the soft pastels. I have used my finger to blend the colours really smoothly to create a hazy feel. I would normally then draw into the colour, but decided against it, what do you think?

Sweeping Sunset

Moray Firth Haze (Portrait, won't upload correctly)

All my pictures are available to buy at www.folksy.com/shops/AmyRose

Highland Open Studios

I recently picked up a pamphlet about the Highland open studios while buying some supplies at my local art shop. The open studios is a directory for finding and comissioning artists based in the highlands. There is a website at http://www.highlandsopenstudios.co.uk/. It also details when and where all the artists are exhibiting, including art trails to follow.

Here are some of my favourites from the website :

Sun on the Firth 1 by Claire Bois - http://www.clareblois.co.uk/index.asp

Dusky Squall over Raasay by Fiona Matheson - http://www.fionamatheson.com/index.asp

Sunrise delights over the Moray Firth

Whilst coming home from work last week I had to stop and photograph the amazing sunrise. The bank of cloud coming off the sea wasalmost compressing and intensifying the colours. I cant wait to draw this onto back paper to make the colours vivid.

I am currently working on two commisions which is why there has been no new pictures for a while. Its very exciting producing work that I know will soon be on someone elses wall. Although I feel there is more pressure to get it just right, does anyone else feel like this?

Knitting for begginners

Over Christmas my godmother taught me to knit. I had attempted once before as a young brownie, and promptly gave up, allowing Auntie Is to complete the project. However, I felt that as my Grandmother and Aunty Is were both knitters it was time to attempt it again. I started out thinking I would make a patchwork style blanket, far too adventurous, and quickly began a more simpler scarf.
I bought the wool on a trip to Skye over the new year, from a shop called Ragamuffin. Its a beautiful un-spun yarn that varies in thickness and colour. (Auntie Is says its 'funny stuff') My first mistake was making the scarf too wide at 20 stitches and I fast run out or wool, oops. I hunted iver the internet and found the shops website (which is still being built) and emailed the owner. One very sketchy description later and I am now knitting, all be it very slowly, again. So a big thankyou to the owner for understanding me!

I am now following the shops blog at http://ragamuffinloves.blogspot.com They have a shop in Edinburgh and one on Skye - they are well worth a visit. Lovely wools and handmade garments.

I will keep you udated about the scarf progress. Pictures to come later.

Bank holiday yey

Hope everyone has a fab bank holiday weekend. So far its looking pretty grey here which is typical! Ill have to use past photos for inspiration rather than heading out.

I think I will look to my past holidays in the sun, palm trees, crystal blue seas, and cocktails. Where are your favourite holiday destinations? Mine so far is still Normandy in France although Mexico and Thailand were pretty amazing.