Another commission for Christmas, that has had to wait until now to be revealed. A lovely thatched cottage in Wiltshire.
Contact me if you want to give a special gift, or to treat yourself to something unique.
Wiltshire Wonder
At home in Wales
When a caricature is commissioned I will not post it to the public domain until it is in the hands of its new owner, and the commissioner has given the go-ahead for me to do so. This means that on the run-up to Christmas I have been productive but have no posts to show for it. But here is my first reveal of 2022, a house in south Wales.
Let me know what you think, and remember – a caricature is not just for Christmas …
Illustrations
Another project that has been a while coming to fruition is the illustrations for a book, a short story called ‘Winter’s Longest Sleep‘, a cruel tale set on Exmoor near the end of the 18th century.
The book is available from Amazon.
It is written by Kelia-Jane Hannaford, a pseudonym of Richard J. Small, who has ten previous titles to his name. Here are some of the illustrations: a remote Exmoor farm, the farriers forge, a cosy ingle-nook, and a writing desk, illuminated only by moonlight now the candle has been snuffed.
From Bad to Verse – revisited
Do you remember, back in December, I posted about Dianne Phillips-Zito’s book of light-hearted poetry, From Bad to Verse and that I supplied the illustrations? Well, here’s a bit more information for you – seeing as that certain time of the year is approaching and you will be needing ideas for presents.
It is available from Amazon (like most things) and is an ideal stocking filler – From Bad to Verse by Dianne Phillips-Zito
These are some of my favourite illustrations from her book:
This poem is about domestic disputes in care homes, and how sometimes a little mis-communication goes a long way.
Things don’t always go to plan – well, not the plan that the boss had. But sometimes you have to wait for the right moment.
And the things we do – or don’t – for love.
The Railway Inn
Around 1830 the railway arrived in Gosport. It was a special line for the convenience of Her Majesty Queen Victoria who had a house on the Isle of Wight, Osborn House, to which she was inclined to visit on occasion, so a train from London direct to Gosport, for onward travel by ferry, was most advantageous.
Also quite handy for others in the area, whether frequenting the railway station, or just in need of refreshment, was The Railway Inn. It was built around 1830 and is of traditional design for the period. Sadly, or not, the licenced trade has not faired well in recent years, and in 2010 it closed and the building was sold.
It has been beautifully converted to a spacious dwelling, retaining many of the original features, and is now grade ll listed, in an area steeped in the history of the Royal Navy.
This was commissioned as a new home gift for the new owners – let’s hope it still has a well stocked bar.
Town House
What better gift for a birthday or anniversary present than a unique drawing of your house. Or how about a gift for yourself just because you can.
This is a lovely town house, somewhere north of London and includes a personal memory.
Arthur
Here is Arthur, the cockapoo. Not my usual architectural article, but I wandered off my beaten track to try some new techniques. He was well received by his mum.
Life is a circle
One of my early commissions, three years ago, was ‘The Shed’. It was the new workshop of Karen of @karensquilts. All sorts of ‘additions’ appeared – Cheryl, the crow; Lance, the good knight; Treacle, the family’s late cat – and a strange dog who was who was, perhaps, a premonition of Arthur, the cockapoo.
Karen has now moved to Devon, and for her special birthday, I was commissioned to draw her new home. This is the barn, The Old Granary. And Karen and Ray now have a real Arthur to keep them company.
Lockdown lateness
This lovely house was ordered as a Christmas present to celebrate moving to a new home, but because of lockdown restrictions it wasn’t received until until the person’s birthday. So another happy customer, and I can post it for you all to see.
Do you know someone who has moved to a new home?
Smashed it!
A tidy modern house, somewhere in central southern England, commissioned for a birthday. Unfortunately, the first picture not to arrive undamaged.
Not me! The glass was smashed when the new owner received it. I sent it to the commissioning buyer, and it arrived safely, but the damage occurred when she sent it on. Luckily the picture was undamaged.
Pen and Lens Artwork 