I am going Rococo crazy after watching  Waldemar Januszczak in his BBC4 programme Rococo: Travel,Pleasure,Madness.    The portraits of Gainsborough's daughters were amazing and I can't quite believe that after many years of looking at art that I have never really looked at those.  Next time I am in London I shall head to the National Gallery and soak it all up.  The above 7 will end up as a very tiny badge on the dress of a little character who is gracing one of my birthday cards.  I need to sort out the background - I was aiming for Pompadour Pink but it seems to have turned out a bit too purple.

I am now on Twitter so please do come and find me. 

I make quick notes and drawings in several different notebooks and sometimes I rediscover one that I haven't used for months and months.  I found this one while attempting to clear out the utility room and amongst lots of to do lists was this picture of my daughter totally absorbed in the joy of sucking juice up through a curly straw. 

A very happy New Year to one and all.  May 2014 bring exciting adventures and wonderful memories.  I have lots of ideas for illustrations and things I would like to try out.  This year is going to be the year of the layer.  I am going to start using the gouache with a bit more transparency and be braver with my layers and mixing of media.  I am also going to do lots more screen printing as that seems to have fallen by the wayside recently.  I am always excited at the beginning of a new year and eternally optimistic about the year ahead. Here goes...