This is different from my usual pen and ink, it’s not a building, and it’s not wonky.
This commissioned work is acrylic on 10×12 canvas board. It depicts a Tamar class RNLI Lifeboat.
Although I often work with acrylics on mdf and greyboard, those works are more ‘crafting’ and 3D articles (see my Kim – splash it! blog here on WordPress). Working on the textured canvas, with crafters’ acrylics was a totally different experience, but a learning curve worth the trip.
So, here it is, soon to be in the post to its new owner. Let me know what you think.
… long, long ago, well that’s how it seems! We are unable to post pictures of our Christmas commissions yet, so how about a bit of history.
We first got serious about art and craft in 1994, when we took over a business running ceramic art classes – we called it ‘Studio Minerva’. The shop was built in the mid 1800s and has been used for all sorts of trades.
The picture on the left dates from 1870, the one on the right slightly later. Unfortunately we closed the business in 1999, because trade was not flourishing – and now, ironically, the shop is a financial advisor, ‘Assured Private Wealth’.
But we loved our time there, made many friends, learned loads about ceramics, glazes, kilns, and customers, so thought it fitting to do a caricature of the old place. It hasn’t changed too much in over 100 years. The houses to the left are now replaced by the Co-op.
Strange time, this Covid lockdown thing. I took a commission just days before it all started, but the buyer didn’t need it until July. So, as usual, I got on with the task and it spent over two months sat in my dining room waiting.
No other commissions arrived, so I kept the flow going with a couple of miniatures and some other arty projects – abstract experiments. Then I decided to draw an interesting house from across the county. As soon as I started, I was approached for another commission.
Luckily for me the house from across county was sold within days of going on-line. So sales have been like buses – you wait for ever, and three come along at once!
This is the Toll House at Gunnislake, Cornwall
This is the house that waited patiently to be delivered, a Devon longhouse with other buildings around the yard. Artistic licence used here.
The third commission is on its way to the new owner and will be shown on this site once they have seen it.
Since my last post in January, there has been a lot going on – so much that I’ve forgotten to post!
Our son moved out leaving Julie and I free to re-assess our situation. So we did.
We moved house, from central southern Hampshire to north Devon. It has been a long process. We had to downsize considerably, and it took a while to get organised in the new property. You wouldn’t believe the amount of ‘stuff’ we got rid of! But we are in and settled and the house is now feeling like home – and of course it is the new HQ for Pen and Lens Artwork Ltd.
There have been a number of house caricatures commissioned and dispatch from within the chaos – the latest being “Di’s Place”, the most recent in the Portfolio. Others are included here.
Our new HQ in Devon
Early in May we went off to Rugby for the annual convention of The British Association of Decorative and Folk Arts (BADFA). From our new location, this proved to be quite a hike! But it was worth it as it was one of the best conventions ever – and all British event to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
Towards the end of May we released our third set of stamps, four more quirky houses, with a moving house/party theme to the supplementary ‘worker’ images. They are: Ye Shoppe, Gran’s House, Our House, and The Posh House. These are my coloured samples – people in the stamping and card making community do so much better.
The stamps are manufactured and marketed by Chocolate Baroque – renowned for their high quality stamps and life-time guarantee.
Ye Shoppe
Gran’s House
Our House
The Posh House
The idea for this set was that they could be set next to each other to form a street. Here we have – ‘Our House, in the middle …’ (cue Madness!)
The first set was released in October 2018 – a set of quirky buildings. Clockwise from top left: Head Office, Loft Conversion, English Country Garden, La Maison.
In January 2019, we released a second set, influenced by the seaside, close to where we lived at the time – my nautical set. Clockwise from top left: A dip in the sea, Jolly Roger, Looking out to see (sic), Harbour master.
Set 1
Set 2
Well, that’s it for now – I hope to post again soon – ish! Better get started on the next house …
Pen and Lens Artwork is the coming together of a team that has been working as one for many years. This web site is our temporary home until a custom site can be built.
The initial ideas for the team is the formalisation of the production of whimsical house designs. Julie, as ‘the Lens’, spots suitable buildings for the ‘Pen’ treatment and photographs them. Kim produces the pen and ink line drawings from the ensuing images.
Some of the designs are made in to rubber stamps for crafters. For this we use the renowned manufacturer, Chocolate Baroque, where the stamps are available under the heading ‘Kim Moody’.
Pen and Lens Artwork also are happy to receive commissions for such work. Examples can be seen on the Instagram page @penandlensartwork. Email for further information.
We are researching the production of various photographic products for use in colour therapy healing. Details of these will be released as they come to fruition.
Please contact Pen and Lens Artwork if you need any more information, and to commission a house caricature.
Pen and Lens Artwork 