Digestion

I love working in Cafes as they bring in an array of strange characters. There is this one particular man who I dedicate this post to. Himself and another chap discovered the infection by some unidentified spiral bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, caused gastritis-associated dyspepsia and ulcers, which also increased the risk of stomach cancer.
The amusing thing about this chap is that everyday without fail that we are open, he comes in for a coffee, sits and reads the news paper until we close shop. What makes this guy stand out? Well when you first meet him you think that he might be homeless. He won't wear shoes and always has his shirt completely unbuttoned with his rough cargo shorts and quite happily lays on our couch with his feet up. If you take a closer look you realise that a homeless man wouldn't really carry four Mont Blanc pens in his shirt pocket. I just love that he doesn't give two hoots what someone thinks of him and his odd little world. Quite frankly, I admire his non conformist dress sense and quite ramblings. This world wouldn't complete without a few so called 'odd' characters. Dr Robin Warren, this picture by J.J Grandville humbly represents you. :)

What floats my boat

These two illustrators float my anthropomorphism and caricaturist boat. Ronald Searle and J.J Grandville both have shared the "french" life experience such as I have. ( my experience being not as long winded as theirs.) Both styles are different and influence me greatly in how I go about drawing.

Thank you all for your lovely comments too. I appreciate feedback :)

La Fontaine

One sunny afternoon in France a come across a fable by Jean De La Fontaine, The Fox & the Crow. Have you heard of it?

'A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a tree.

"That's for me, as I am a Fox," said Master Reynard, and he walked up to the foot of the tree.

"Good day, Mistress Crow," he cried. "How well you are looking today: how glossy your feathers; how bright your eye. I feel sure your voice must surpass that of other birds, just as your figure does; let me hear but one song from you that I may greet you as the Queen of Birds."

The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw her best, but the moment she opened her mouth the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be snapped up by Master Fox.

"That will do," said he. "That was all I wanted. In exchange for your cheese I will give you a piece of advice for the future: "Do not trust flatterers."'


A fable is a succinct story that provides a moral lesson usually in verse or prose that features anthropomorphism (given human qualities).

I was originally attracted by this particular fable as I thought I could play on the vanity and flattering perspective for an art portfolio. And I love its child like simplicity.
So this is where my creative journey begins....(to be continued)

Pigment + H20

I spent the last couple of days cooped up in my creative space getting some much needed practice with watercolour paints. So I thought I would share some paintings with you.
I'm currently trying to get my head around an art portfolio project, which I will share bits and pieces with you tomorrow. Have a grand Sunday.