The Seventieth Doodle

Fist things first - Happy St Patrick's Day! Hopefully you will remember tomorrow how you celebrated!

So the doodle today is about something most (but not all) artists despise. Self portraits.

ARRRRGGGGGG when you have to look in the mirror and dissect what it is that makes you look like you...CHRIST, what a grim task. The more you look, the weirder you look. Your features start looking completely bizzarre, you wonder how on earth you walk down the street without babies crying and people throwing cabbages at you.

It's like when you say one word over and over and over, till it sounds so odd you're sure it's not actually a word anymore. Window. Window. Win-doww. Try it. It's weird.

But I suppose, the dreaded self portrait is good practise. The problem is, you will always find it hard to be completely objective when it's your own face. If you're too artistically mean, it won't look like you. If you're too generous, it won't look like you, and people will think you're a twat.

So how do you get around it? You don't really, but I did manage to finally produce a self portrait for my website. I'm buggered if I want an actual photo on there, so it's the lesser of two evils I suppose. I decided to keep the features very simple and focus on my hair, it's what people notice first anyway. I still look at it and think 'Is that really me?'. But essentially it doesn't matter; it's me done in my own illustration style, and that is what is important. 

Bloody self portraits. God I'm weird looking.

The Sixtieth Doodle - A week to Christmas!

So Christmas is nearly upon us, hurrah! I confess, I bloody love Christmas. Fab food and drink, and lots of time with those who mean the most to you. Love it.

So the only downfall as an arty type person is there are certain expectations from people that you must make them things. Cards especially. Oh lord. So I have been beavering away on my hand made Wuss 'n Boots cards, drawing them all out, sticking them together and destroying my back in the process. Ohhh I am so dedicated!

Not being funny, but people who get one better be bloody grateful I tell thee, this has taken me a  long while.

So here's to this special time of year, when we over-indulge, get stuck in our own gift wrapping (oh Wuss) and make merry with loved ones. 

In the wake of recent tragedies, not just in Newtown in America but ones all across the world, I hope we all feel thankful for what we do have, and remember those who are in mourning right now. For myself, it makes me realise just how wonderful my family and friends are, and that I really should tell them. 

If you read this my peeps, I blimmin' love you, you are fantastic. Even if I don't know you, I bet your bloody marvellous too.

So go have a lovely Christmas, treasure your loved ones, and enjoy life, 'cause it is very short indeed.

The Fifty Eighth Doodle

I don't really know why, but I love this picture. I drew it as a quick sketch in a cafe with a cup of tea. 

I do love Boots. He is the one who can often surprise you with his behaviour; he can go from very reserved and judgemental to ridiculous and playful. I think Wuss could be sneaky, but I actually think Boots could be sneakier....

What a crafty lad.

I love 'em.

The Fiftieth Doodle

I am going into hospital today to have an operation, that's a bit scary. Do please keep your fingers crossed for me, I'm sure all will go well and then hopefully I'll be back to my old self within a few weeks. 

Ruth X

The Forty-First Doodle (sort of...)

Oh Wuss 'n Boots, how I love you so. 

For those of you who don't know, I have been drawing Wuss 'n Boots since 1998. So, what, 14 years. Since I was 11. Mental.

I know some people know what it's like to be completely dedicated to one thing for so long from a young age; sports men and woman, musicians, other artists. But even I am baffled when I see it written down. I have been drawing these characters since I was 11. That's one hell of a long time.

Of course, they have developed and changed dramatically over the years. But what surprises me when I think about it is the fact that their personalities have rung true for so very long. Yes, there have been moments of shock in behaviour (oh my, I'm talking about them as if they're real) but in essence, they still behave the same as they did when I was 11, 16, 21. They have come and gone as I have grown up, but they are always there, sat in the back of my head. Funny stuff happens and I am instantly converting it into a cartoon in my head. How would the boys react to this? What would they say.

Mental right?

Perhaps I see little change because, when you get down to it, they are each one half of me. And noticing change in yourself is tricky. Boots is sarcastic, sometimes withdrawn, a little proud. Wuss is silly, imaginative, thoughtful. Sometimes I feel like every reaction I have is not mine, but theirs.

Mind you, neither of them can draw to save their lives.

So this here Wuss 'n Boots desk was made as a gift for my fab baby niece. If you are interested (even if you're not, I'm saying it anyway) it was done with acrylics on wood, and took 2 days all in all. See how clever I am, do I get a lolly?

I love that, while the boys can be very sarcastic or a little cruel in their humour and observations at times (yes, blame me for that too), they can also be all about joy. Just pure, unadulterated joy. 'Cause what's wrong with that ey?