Druridge Bay, antique boxes and mackerel...

So, I've made it to the middle of the summer holidays, it's sort of whizzing over but I'm spending valuable time in my studio...hopefully time well spent. 

 I feel like I'm getting in a lot of practise with techniques and things. My last print was the one I mentioned I wasn't too sure about...

 What do you think? I think it's growing on me, I'm thinking I need to see it framed or at least mounted to get a full idea.
 I'm happy with the little stoneturns though!

I also found a new use for an old clothes horse...

Perfect use for a few larger prints. I'd like to be able to invest in a proper drying rack one day...or come across one second hand.

 So, let me know what you think of the stoneturn prints!!

So after spending a lot of time in my studio I figured it was time to go out for a wander, so my husband and I took a wander up the coast to Druridge Bay on the Northumberland coast... 

It was a nice excuse for me to take photos and go beach combing on another beach. I came across a few different colours of sea glass to add to my collection as well.

Another find- check out these gorgeous old boxes! I mentioned a little while ago that I was after a few, and it so happened that my husband's Grandad had them sitting in his garage. (The one on the left used to be his toy box!) So after a little bit of woodworm treatment they're now looking fantastic in my studio...

I love using old things, anything second hand and with a bit of a story I'm all for!

Lastly (I'll not waffle on for too much longer), I have been working on another print...after working on birds for a while I decided to venture under the sea. A few weeks ago I had a go at printing a mackerel (didn't go so well as they're very, very oily fish!) but while I had it, I took a few photos. I've never really paid close attention to the beautiful markings on a mackerel, so wanted to show them in a lino print instead...

 This was the first print I had a go with to see how it was going to come out. I think I'm going to try it again in black, and then possibly create a slight outline on the fish and print again to see how it comes out. I am using Caligo ink (which I love!) The texture is great, it rolls out really well and dries a lot quicker than other inks I've used.

Right well...off to do a little more printing!...if you're interested in purchasing any of my artwork then please check out my new Folksy shop...