When I was a kid my teacher told me not to try going to become a vet because I just wouldn't make it. At the time I was struggling through GCSEs and trying to pick my A-Level subjects. I chose to follow the arts, because I'm good at it and It seemed easy. But I… Continue reading Nerves, Papers and Academia
Art Fairs and Affordability
I find it odd that art is so expensive... I mean I know the artist sets the cost but I'm terrible at it and I always seem too cheap. And people won't buy if your art is too cheap - they think it is a lie. That the original isn't an original but a print.… Continue reading Art Fairs and Affordability
Writing Retreats and Free Apples
So I was invited on a BAME and marginalised voices writing retreat. It was for those who are under-represented in the writing and publishing world. I guess ideally this would never have come about because no one would be on the edges and left out. The reality though is that I am less likely to… Continue reading Writing Retreats and Free Apples
Killing your darlings
No, I don’t mean we ought to kill people or small animals. It is a saying in writing circles. You kill your darlings… The parts of the book that you work so hard to get perfect and instead you have to cut them to make the story flow. In Here Be Dragons I had a… Continue reading Killing your darlings
The Meeting
It is strange meeting people you haven’t seen in years. On the honeymoon I had the opportunity to meet up with some mates I hadn’t seen in about twenty years. How much do you change in 20 years? The answer is loads and not that much at all. It was weird. They said I was… Continue reading The Meeting
Here Be Monsters
You used to see that on maps, old maps… Don’t go any closer because here be monsters, and then a waterfall or illustration. But this is the chosen name for the last in the series of the Here Be Dragons children books I’ve written. Yes, there are monsters, but no they aren’t all as nasty… Continue reading Here Be Monsters
Pet Portraits
I used to do them all the time, but I stopped advertising and they just dropped off... But I have been thinking of starting up again and drawing some wildlife. I have found myself wanting to pick up the paintbrush and the pencil and start working again. That is if I can squeeze it around… Continue reading Pet Portraits
Moving
Don't get me wrong... I moved 3 and a half years ago, but I left my workshop. The paints, pencils, artwork... everything frozen in time. But there have been problems. The workshop got a leak, there was a flood... The artwork started to deteriorate. There was a mold that started to creep across the… Continue reading Moving
I got married
Yep... Just over 2 weeks ago I tied the knot with the love of my life. And I really do mean I tied the knot. I will be back more often now. It is very time consuming organising a wedding and everything. It was a beautiful day and one I will never forget. Yes -… Continue reading I got married
A big idea?
I went for the Big Pitch... And got an award. #shocked #swanseauniversity #bigpitch #business #amwriting
Kate Murray - Cleaver 