My own private gateway to hell.........sometimes!

Over the last 10 months I have been committing myself to getting fit - not something that comes easily to me given I would rather be scoffing a bag of sweets and lounging on the sofa.

I am lucky enough to have a personal trainer at a local MMA club, The Phoenix, whose patience has seen me go from asthmatic pit pony to someone who can do a reasonably tough work out (and yes i do bitch the whole way through - like I said it doesn't come easy!).

There are a couple of reasons I've stuck at it this time round, firstly I found someone who could train me in a way that built up enough trust for me to really engage in the sport. Secondly the guys (and girls) at the Phoenix are genuinely passionate about their sport and that makes it a pleasure to be in their space.

So this is where I get pounded and dropped on my ass 2/ 3 times a week

Today's challenge From 'M' - 10 exercises, 10 sets of 10 reps on each one (in any combination). If you can do your Math you'll have calculated that's a 1000 reps with the added bonus of running round the matting at random intervals. 

After yesterday's Kickboxing and Abs class I made it to 950 before i needed some serious pushing to get through the last 50. 

On the plus side - I did get to reward myself with these puppies for all my hard work. 

What's your sport of choice?

What would you wear.......

on your skin?

It's always a big debate isn't it. Tattoos - where, what, why.

I'm a big lover of tattoos as most people will know, particularly old school. I often spend time browsing for old photographs and looking for inspiration for my next piece. Don't get me wrong, I love good tattoos (there are far too many bad ones out there) especially where they have clear thought and meaning behind them. A good tattooist isn't something you can take for granted - do your research and find one that works in a way that will compliment and enhance your own aesthetic.

I'll be going down the route of two Swallows (Japanese wire tail), maybe some blossom detail as well. Whilst I continue to search for my reference pieces I thought I would leave you with these beautiful finds.

unless they are really, really bad!

Image: Unknown

Image: http://www.etsy.com

Image: http://www.tumblr.com

Image: http://www.spiderwebbtattoo.com

I love the intimacy and concentration in this photo

Image: http://www.tumblr.com

Image: http://skinklovers.blogspot.co.uk

Image: http://www.etsy.com

Amore modern take that really caught my eye

Image: http://integrityvsdespair.tumblr.com

Art Work

A Little Bit Of Poetry

Clown In The Moon

My tears are like the quiet drift

Of petals from some magic rose;

And all my grief flows from the rift

Of unremembered skies and snows.

I think, that if i touched the earth,

It would crumble;

It is so sad and beautiful,

So tremulously like a dream

Dylan Thomas

http://www.zazzle.co.uk

Art Auction - last bids 24 Feb

I'm fairly sure most artists feel some possession towards their work and I am no exception.

Each piece is an emotional investment in some form or another so I tend to hoard my paintings, telling myself that one day I will let them go. In reality I rarely do unless they are a commissioned piece.

With that in mind I have decided to challenge myself by putting one of my original paintings up for auction (I'm having a wobble just typing this!).

No catches.... highest bidder gets the piece of art work.

The piece I am auctioning is an acrylic on heavy grade paper. It's one of my favourites being on the slightly romantic side.

Images below:

The painting will be placed on a cardboard mount and wrapped in cellophane so you can choose a frame when it arrives. If you want any extra details just leave a comment or e-mail me direct.

Postage is set at £5.00 UK to cover 1st class recorded delivery and packaging materials.

Happy Bidding!

A Little Bit Arty

My painting mojo has been scarce of late but i finally found a couple of pieces coming together after months of stagnation.

This first piece is something I have been working on for a year or more. I couldn't get it to a place where it made sense of what i was trying to say so I had to keep shelving it.

Just when i finished it i received correspondence from my sister outlining her battle with depression and feelings of suicide. It seemed odd that the piece had ended up being so dark and proved such a challenge at the time when she was suffering through her own battles.

The second piece started as a Sunday project with a very dear friend of mine. It's been through several changes and has provided a great deal of fun on rainy days.

Just like the piece above it ended up being put to one side as inspiration dried up. This week i found the pull to start working on it again and I have finally moved it into the direction I wanted. I'm pretty pleased with the result.

It still needs a couple of extra layers but I don't think it will take me too long to get it finished and framed ready for a summer exhibition.