'On my way to another lazy morning'

Winter is here to stay and the coats and hats are on! I'm now back home for the next few weeks, already stocking up on home-baked goodies and warming my toesies by the fire. I went to a carol service last night and it was nice to reflect on the meaning of Christmas, as well as listen to some beautiful songs and readings.
My next few days are dedicated to baking, eating, sleeping, painting and watching movies with my family - Moi je - Fais Rien sums up my lovely lazy attitude to life at the moment.

Below are a few photos taken last week when my flatmate and I went for a saunter around Mills Observatory in Dundee.

Gluten-free Goodness

 At last my gluten-free cookbook is on it's way to print, ready to be binded and photographed! All recipes in my illustrated book have been personally tried and tested; I can firmly say that they all taste 100% delicious! They are student friendly - no fuss, no fancy sounding expensive ingredients, and suitable for anyone who is Coeliac or wheat intolerant (with handy tips throughout).

  Here are some page exerts from the book ...Bon Appétit!

  

Kids Activity Pack

For my most recent univeristy project I have been making a kids activity pack for a beach and forest park called Tentsmuir, not too far from where I live in Dundee.
The pack includes an eight page activity book, instructions on how to make a compass, binoculars, an illustrated map of the area and a handmade envelope for posting a letter about 'Tenstmuir Adventures'. Here are some mock up photos of the pack and items in the sand dunes and among the forest pines:

Autumnal Feelings

Life is busy at the moment but in a good way as I'm loving the personal projects I'm able to do in fourth year! And it's getting colder and colder, something I notice mostly when I'm out for my evening run. Maybe this is a good thing though as it makes me run twice as fast to warm up quicker.

Here are some snippets from the current nature project I'm working on, related to the recent photos in my last blog post. I'm working in Gouache paint for the first time, and I love the bright colours it produces while still maintaining that watercolour look. This weekend I'm hoping to spend some time forest walking and gathering material and more inspiration for my project... which will no doubt be put up on my blog when it's finally finished! 

Happy Autumn!

Tentsmuir

Some photos from a little road trip to Tentsmuir Forest Park and Beach this weekend... the sun decided to peek through the haze, perfect for photographing the endless stretch of beach and surrounding pine forest. I really don't know why I don't visit this hidden gem of Fife more often!

(The last photo of a family on the beach is one of my favourites).

Food, Glorious Food

For my current uni project I'm making an illustrated cookbook which I am absolutely loving; the experimentation perhaps the yummy research I've ever done! I thought I would share a few of the photos I took during the process just to make everyone hungry and jealous... I will post up the actual pages of the book very soon so watch out for them!

On a side note, here is also a song I am enjoying at the moment, it's called 'Every Other Freckle' by Alt-J and the mesmerising video is directed by Olivier Groulx. 

- Cashew, Potato and Chickpea Curry



- Spicy Lentil Soup



- Courgette, Basil and Mozzarella dish

- 2 Ingredient Pancakes

- Thai Salmon Noodles

Patterning

Now that my university course has started again for the last time I am swamped with projects and dissertation work which means it's hard to make time for blogging. But I really want to keep it up and use this blog as a little outlet for fun/random/artwork unrelated to my course! So, here are some pattern doodles I made recently with a tribal/mosaic feel to them:

                   

Red Admirals

Summer is slowly starting to leave us but the butterflies in my garden are determined to stay. I photographed them on the purple butterfly tree called 'Buddleja Davidii'; the light isn't particularly bright but is representative of the weather here at the moment! The butterflies make up for that anyway I think...

Weird Wednesday

A little assortment of random things that popped into my mind today.

(Oh, I almost forgot to add, here's a cheerful tune to get you through the week - Magician Remix of RAC 'Hollywood' ft. Penguin Prison)

Exotic Dishes

I recently made my favourite dish for dinner - Mediterranean Chicken Casserole. It's one of the healthiest but tastiest dishes I know of, and not difficult at all to whip together!
I'm currently in the stages of researching and experimenting with gluten free recipes in preparation for a big university project next semester - writing and illustrating my own gluten free cookbook. I am hugely excited (not only because the 'research' involved is a deliciously yummy one but also because I have re-kindled a love for illustrating food!)

Here are some photos from my cooking attempts and some quick watercolours illustrations of the ingredients:

Meow?

I seemed to meet cats everywhere this summer - in restaurants, bars, farms... I met this particularly scruffy cat with only half a tail stalking about some cows stables in Belgium; he certainly has one grumpy looking face! This is the first time I have tackled painting animals in ages (I'm pretty terrible plus I have no patience with fur), but we all have to start somewhere I suppose... the illustration was completed in watercolour and pen.

Belgian Countryside

I'M BACK! Oh how I've missed this blog while I've been away! I was working in Belgium again this summer, leading activities for kids and teaching English. The school is in the middle of nowhere, surrounding by forests and green countryside:

 

             

Hope and Soul

I recently made about a dozen A5 sized paintings which I then printed onto card to sell as gifts at a little shop nearby called 'Hope and Soul'; here are a few photos of them packaged and labelled up, ready to sell! 

This is the last post from me for a while as I embark on an adventure to Belgium again! I will hopefully return bursting with ideas, drawings and photographs which will all be shared in due time. Au revoir for now everyone!