One ice coffee and a blue squirrel thanks

In spite of worrying that I'd ruin this when I added the colour, I'm pretty happy with it.

Quite chuffed, actually.



A few hours of colouring in an air-conditioned cafe (one iced coffee, one muffin) seems to have done wonders for both me and Nutkin. Which is just as well, because Sugar & Spice is now only two weeks away.

One down, lots to go.

xxx scarlett

Thank you, thank you, thank you

Thanks to everyone who voted for me in the General Pants 'The Bubble' art competition.

I won my category by just 13 votes, so I'm very grateful to all those who took the time to sign up and help me out.





Please visit some of the wonderful Etsy shops who voted for me:































Thanks guys!

xxx scarlett

Ahhhh, Bruny Island

Bruny Island is about as south as you can get without hitting Antartica - right at the bottom of Tasmania (hi Kelly!) - and it's gorgeous.

My (sort of, but not quite) parents-in-law have a holiday house there and Bill and I spent a wonderful five days beachcombing, walking, drawing and reading.

Here's what I drew (all for Sugar & Spice - once they're coloured properly):


'Bluebird' (inspired by events detailed below!)


'Nutkin'


'Cherry Bomb'

And here's what we saw:



Amazing caves on the adventure cruise. There were seals a bit further on, too.


Impromptu rock 'sculptures' on the walk to Grassy Point. These are just done by passers-by. It's impossible to walk past them and not add your own little pile of rocks, so the beach is now covered in them. It's such a lovely surprise on your bush walk!


Someone obviously decided a rock pile wasn't creative enough - it made me laugh!


My custom Keds held up quite well over a couple of kms.


I found all sorts of treasures during the walk. I'm trying to build up a collection of reference photos to use in my illustrations.


A silver-eye flew into the window and ended up a little dazed before flying off. So we got a few pics of the sweet little thing sitting on my hand. Too cute!

So we had a great (and productive) trip.

I'm now melting in Melbourne's hideous 40 degree heatwave and wishing I was back on Bruny!

xxx scarlett

Sugar & Spice and All Things Nice

That's what this show is made of...

Bec Winnel and I are having a show together this Valentine's Day at 696. It's one night only so it will be short and sweet, but also full of new works from both of us.

‘Sugar & Spice And All Things Nice’ That’s what this show is made of. Bec Winnel (MyCharlieGirl) and Kate Lightfoot (Scarlett) share a passion to send a little love and beauty back into the world through their art. And that’s precisely what their upcoming exhibition, Sugar & Spice And All Things Nice, will do.

Bec’s dreamy, soft and impossibly delicate beauties are inspired by modern fashion, strong women and a touch of nostalgia. Scarlett’s flirty, quirky big eyed girls are adorned with flowers and feathers, tattoos and teacups.

So Sugar & Spice up your Valentine’s night with some sweet feminine art."

We'd absolutely love to see you there!

xxx scarlett

PS. Here's a sneak peek at what we'll be showing:

Advice and help needed!

OK, I'm a little needy today.

First, I need your help:
I really need about 10 more votes before The Bubble competition ends. I'm in the lead, but it's going to be mighty close and there are still seven days left.

So if you haven't already voted (and if you have - thank you SO much) I'd be very grateful if you could do so now by clicking this link:



It only takes a moment to sign up and if you uncheck the 'mailing list' box when you do, they won't send you anything.

Second, I need your advice:

These are my two new girls. I'm struggling to decide whether to go full colour, or leave them in grey pencil. The outlines have really grown on me and I'm terrified I'll ruin them if Ihead down the coloured pencil path.



So what do you think?

Leave them as they are (with a bit more shading and depth), colour them in, or do something in between?

Any comments would be appreciated.

xxx scarlett

Sketchels - part 2

Oooh, they're coming along quite nicely. And I am thoroughly enjoying playing with my paints and tiny, tiny brushes. (The smaller, the better!)

This one is 'finished'. ie. I'm still umming and ahhing, but don't think I'll do anything more to her:


And this one is still in progress:


I'm going to add a few more layers to the faces (and give the one on the right some eyeballs!) but I'll leave the hair and dress white and just add some pencil tones to give it all some shape.

Then these two will be off to 696 for the Sketchel show (February 7) where they'll be turned into bags.

xxx scarlett

Slowing down

"Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast."
Romeo and Juliet

I'm taking a leaf out of Mark Ryden's book and slowing down for a change.

He paints at a snail's pace - and it shows. As you can see in 'Yoshi' below, every brush stroke is deliberate, everything is considered and planned out. There's nothing rushed about it.



Audrey Kawasaki, too.

Every pencil mark is a deliberate decision. There's been time taken to think about the work and how the piece will fit together. No wonder her girls have such a languid feel to them.



So for a change, I tried slowing down this afternoon and spending more time considering how this piece will work. I toyed with different movements for the hair, different styles for the dress.

And after a frantic day at work, I must say, I found it all incredibly relaxing.



She hasn't got a name yet, but she'll be part of my Sugar & Spice show with Bec Winnel. Now I just have to very s l o w l y create another 20 or so of these.

By February 14.

;)

xxx scarlett