A Present . . . a Birthday present!

The Art Room Plant is three years old today.

Thank you for all your support, encouragement, friendship, advice and fun.

There is a parcel! a surprise! a Birthday present from this blog to you.

Leave a comment . . . the winner of the present will be selected randomly next Sunday.

Eszter Schall II

Happy illustrations by the wonderful Eszter Schall.

Bernard Schatz

Combining ceramic with cloth and metal here is; Angel (bottom) and an Omithopter (top). Bernard Schatz is an outsider artist with a career stretching over fifty years. These multi-media works are my favourites I like the contrast produced by the different density's of materials. Bernard also works in 2 dimensions and makes ceramic heads and figures.

Sharon Beals

Sharon Beals is a photographer from San francisco.
These images are from her book 'Fifty Nests and the Birds that Built Them '.

“What has been made so clear to me it that so many of the
decisions I make in my daily life affect their survival. What I plant in my
yard, what coffee I buy, what I put down the drain or into the atmosphere, or
where I let my dog or cat wander – all of this matters. A lot….It was only after
making the first photograph of a nest, drawn to its palette and messy, yet
graceful and functional form, that I knew I had found my medium – or at least a
way that I could be a medium for the birds.” Sharon Beals

Enrique Cruz Espagna

Lovely ceramic birds by Guatemalan Enrique Cruz Espagna.

Sylvia Von Hartmann

Silvia Von Hartmann is a German artist who has been living in Edinburgh for over thirty years. Silvia is a fantastic character, and a magical artist who unfortunately I have not seen for years. Silvia is represented by 'The Open Eye Gallery'
If I get the chance though I would like to be able to share more of her work and her creative energy.
Sylvia's works, like the lady herself have a mythology, a sense of narrative and a story to tell.

Jonathan Delafield Cook

Jonathan Delafield Cook is an artist who creates stunningly beautiful paintings from all manner of natural history subjects. I adore this series of pigeon portraits. (thanks)
Jonathan also creates fantastic, almost photo realistic, drawings with incredible skill and draughtsmanship.

Jo Oakley

Jo Oakley is a painter and printmaker based in London who's works have the lulling effect of calm seas and the peace of lazy summer Sunday mornings.

Where did the haggis go?

To tell you the story of what happened to my students haggis.
He was arrested by the transport police in Inverness! But then released on bail by a restaurateur from 'The Joy of Taste' to be the guest of honour. I am so proud that he made it to Inverness and was addressed so warmly.

Haggis on a train to Inverness

Below: Waiting at Kirkcaldy train station, above on the Inverness train.

Today is Burns day in Scotland. I have been making Haggis for weeks with my students, tiny ones, tartan ones and this giant 6ft, kilted and dashing Haggis. Today he left us to travel north with a label.

I am hopping that people on the train will take their pictures with him and possibly make him guest of honour at their burns supper . . . I hope he doesn't get lost on the way!

Fiona Brown

Love this oyster catcher by Fiona Brown, they have to be one of my favourite birds and they are just minuets away from the house.
Fiona is a Scottish artist who trained at the wonderful Leith School of Art in Edinburgh.

Ballet Cats and Carrot Thieves

The photography is not the best, it is dark and I have been making these in the evenings when all other tasks are complete. I promised myself that I would play more and make more this year . . . so far so good.

Rebeca Raney

Love these illustrations by Rebeca Raney, they all look like they have eaten too many sweets. The simple linear black outlines and then complex concentrations of colour are wonderful.

Mique Moriuchi

Mique Moriuchi is an illustrator based in London. Mique trained in Brighton and also makes beautiful textile characters.