I spent yesterday painting in my studio.  I love beginning a painting. 

A few days ago a lady called Elizabeth de Jager from the great 'My Favourite Books' blog, emailed me to ask if she could use one of my hares in a blog by Marcus Sedgwick.  'Yes! definitely!' I thought and so Hare Moon was born. Here's a link to the site:

www.myfavouritebooks.blogspot.com


Oh. And I finished the sunflowers.....

 Today the sun has gone in. Well and truly. So today I am in my studio, paintbrush at the ready, poised to paint gorgeous, gold, burnt orange and bright yellow sunflowers.  They are still in the veg garden, about forty of them, resilient and determinedly cheerful.

Van Gogh is of course best known for his sunflowers; a painting stamped on our collective memory. What if he had started that painting, knowing the historical significance it would have?  I imagine he would have had a panic attack and gone and hid in the toilet.  Instead he painted what he wanted, in obscurity, the world's eyes averted, allowing him to get on with what he had to do. 

If we had had the internet back then, Van Gogh would undoubtedly had a webpage like this one.  It's interesting to think if the exposure to such a vast range of subject matter would have resulted in an even better painting, or no painting at all.  He may have thought  'I'll get on with that painting, but first I'll just check out Facebook and have a scoot around Twitter.' Thus social media - the self-employed artists/writer's gin trap - might have prevented this amazing piece of art being produced at all.  On the upside though he might have had more friends, which he could probably have done with.


Now, I must start that painting.....

The original of 'Jerusalem has sold'.  It was my largest painting to date and I really enjoyed painting it. I've always liked Blake; his Englishness, his fighting spirit, his principled sheer bloody-mindedness!  He seemed such a perfect match with the hares. In addition it had beautiful gold frame, so I will miss it, but am very glad that it is going to such a good home. 

I'm going to be featured in the Western Morning News on Saturday, so if anyone would like to read more about me and my work - get to your newsagents at the weekend!  I will also be chatting to Ian Starling of The Voice 106 on Monday lunchtime, which I'm really looking forward to.   I'll be at South Molton Christmas market on the 3rd selling prints, books and little Christmassy bits.  I'm everywhere at the moment so please do come and say hello:)

Blogs are supposed to be daily aren't they? Weekly at least.....  My only excuse is that I've been very busy for what seems like ages now. I've been doing lots of illustrating and was given the dream opportunity of doing some work with Egmont so I've been drawing many, many hares, not to mention foxes, owls and frogs.....In addition to this painting lark I also write stories for children.  My first children's book is coming out on the 7th of October and it's called Magical Mail.  This is THRILLING and I'm delighted ( not to mention relieved!)  that my Amazon reviews  are looking good. I'm busily sorting out the website (www.magicalmailclairebarker.com) and all of the promotional material that goes with it.  I'm trying to be organised and sort out book signings and festivals, but my first port of call will be Appledore Literary Festival, closely followed by South Molton Market on Saturday the 9th of October.  I've just booked my stalls for Art Bazaar and the Christmas market (I'll be selling prints at both of these) and I'm at Mere Literary Festival on the 17th of October. I'm hoping to do some children's workshops too, so if anyone is interested please do email me and I'll put you in the diary.  Time for a glass of wine I think.....

"When Bagpuss wakes up, all his friends wake up..."        Hello Spring.  Should have spent the day painting or writing but instead made lots of Socco.  Socco is a french savoury pancake thing from the streets of Nice and it is delicious.  'Nom', as my daughter would say :) Ho-hum, tomorrow is another day.

Wet and windy weekend. Went to London and was really struck by how beautiful it was.  Too many people though, squashed together like pickles in a jar.  Went to the National Portrait Gallery, watched Wicked, ate sushi, and listened to 'Baby One More Time' performed by a Bavarian oompah band in Hyde Park.  

Uploaded new pictures to the site yesterday and lots of my lovely Facebook friends have visited  - Hellooooo!.  Thanks for all the great comments x It looks like I will have a stall at South Molton Christmas Fair on the 4th and 5th of December in the Assembly Rooms, selling prints and originals, plus gift tags and unusual Christmas cards.  Come and say hello! x

Painted a fox.  Very pleased with him and he looks very pleased with himself.  

Lovely day. Gave last session of "Writing and Illustrating for Children' course.  Such a great bunch of women.

I wouldn't recommend standing and talking about illustration for two hours with mackerel poisoning.  I said even odder things than usual. Oh, the embarrassment.....

Mmmm...vanners and vardoes......

Maya found a little wren in the pantry, hiding in a box of cider.  It must have flown in this morning.  It was so small, with big blinking eyes.  She perched it on her finger and it flew back up into the ivy.

Today I walked the dogs through the woods and listened to my trusted ipod shuffle.  The smell of damp leaves, mingled with the oddness of Radiohead, is a great catalyst for creative thought.  Which I need, because I am having my second exhibition in December, alongside the delightfully interesting Peter Bright.  I also listened to a lesser known song called 'Under the Ivy' by Kate Bush.  Hmmmm... I'd like to do something with that.....Honeybees and larks are fighting for space too.  Excellent day.