To infinity (well, 2020) and beyond …

The end of one interesting year and the beginning of another. And I’m ready for your commissions!

2019 was the year our son left home, two sets of rubber stamps were released, we moved to a whole new life in Devon, the new business (see previous posts) was closed, we met new people, joined in with new groups, encountered physical problems – and started the long process of sorting them.

2020 will be a year of building on past experiences, developing friendships (and acquaintances), learning new skills, continuing to improve old skills, and dealing with all Life’s day-to-day incidents. Hopefully you, my dear readers, will continue to ask for your houses to be drawn.

On an arty note, 2019 was quite varied. The main focus has been the quirky house caricatures, draw with dip pen and acrylic artist ink, but there have been forays in to the world of colours, too.

In May we were at the BADFA convention in Crick where I sat in classes for Traditional British Canal Art, (by Wendy Grattan) and a stylised Polish Blue Rooster, (by Sharon Wolf). From the Canal Art class I was inspired to paint a house name plaque in that style, for our cottage. I was also inspired by the team at FolkIt, with their folk art brushwork, to paint Christmas cards. I have put together a ‘favourite nine’ board to showcase the year.

Set 3 – A street of houses

Set 2 – The Marine set

Must not forget my popular ‘Kim Moody’ house stamps, the third set, made by Chocolate Baroque, was released in May.

These complimented the ‘Marine’ set released in January.

So, here’s wishing you all a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2020, and I look forward being trusted with your commissions in the new year.

Catching-up : June 2019

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.

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  Our new HQ in Devon

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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.

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  Ye Shoppe

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  Gran’s House

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  Our House

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  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.

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  Set 1

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  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 Ltd

With the success of the first set of crafting stamps, we realised it was time to make things official. So we set up our business – Pen and Lens Artwork Ltd. I’m the pen, Julie is the lens.

What we do is simple enough. Julie is a dab hand with the camera and captures images wherever she goes. These images are used either for her flowers, flatlays, or affirmation cards, or her colour therapy / psychology requirements, or by me to create the quirky houses seen on this web site.

She will also visit the site of commissioned work to record the detail for me to create a caricature of a house – so I can expose the inner character of what is sometimes a bland piece of architecture.

I hope you like what we do – email to info@penandlensartwork.com for more details.

Big Day

For six months I have been working with Lesley and David Wharton, of Chocolate Baroque, craft stamp makers.

Back in March one of my quirky ink buildings was spotted by Di Oliver (Tando Creative) who suggested that it would make a good rubber stamp. She put me in contact with Lesley, and, after a phone call, a deal was struck.

Today, 2 October, was the culmination of our efforts. A set of four of my stamps were revealed on television. The show was Hochanda, a hobby, crafts, and art shopping channel aired at 10:00. The show was presented by the enthusiastic Leonie, and Lesley demonstrated the stamps.

It was a good day to launch a new product, there was lots of interest, and plans for future releases. Here are examples of the first set. Check out the Portfolio page for my other illustrations.

Visit Chocolate Baroque to order your set.
(There may be a delay until back orders are complete)

 

June 2018

Summer seems to have arrived now, and it is good to work in the studio with loads of natural light.

Interest in my artwork is increasing. There are one-off commissioned pieces, and interest by a decorative rubber stamp manufacturer, and this week I have been asked to provide illustrations for a poetry anthology being written in Australia.

So, not only is the weather looking bright, but also – as the very old TV advert said – is the future.

I am always open to offers, and if you want a picture of your house, or shed, or whatever, that is not quite true to life, but conveys the soul within, please get in touch. kpm.writer@gmail.com will do it.

Back in dear old Blighty

The day after we returned it snowed! What a welcome.

A couple of new posts have gone live. One of my favourite cars, the Shelby Cobra 427, was created with Derwent Grafix pens using only dots, a technique known as pointillism. That took longer than usual but I’m pleased with the result.

Today I posted the Harbour Master’s office. It’s an old building that lends itself to a bit of artistic licence. I can never tell tell what the finished product will look like. Where to next?