Thursday 2 November 2017

May the Universe be with You





We all have those days. No matter how hard you try to keep your positive mojo going, something happens whereby the doldrums hit, or something underwhelms you to the point of disbelief. 

I get it, there are worse things happening in the world and every day I have, I should be grateful for what I have. So, without this turning into a complete whine fest, let me put you in the picture...
On days that I don’t feel on top of the world, I tell myself:
‘Get out of the house, take a walk and clear your head’.
It helps—it doesn’t always solve the problem, but it generally raises my mood and gives me some level of clarity on how to proceed.

My local park, is a seasonal delight. Filled with autumnal colours, amplifying the end of the year, yellow clay underfoot, made squishy by the recent rains and bouncing dogs and their people.





As I trudged along, trying to replace the negativity in my head, banging on like a small town gossip, my eyes were cast to the ground. With each step, I saw mud and a variety of different leaf sorts sunken into it and admired their variegated shapes and shades: greens, yellows, reds and browns. Reaching a trident in the path, habit dictates I take the central path and head up a small hill.

On this particular day, I noticed a sprinkling of leaves that although familiar in shape, were out of place. Puzzled, I stopped in my tracks and looked around to find the tree these could have fallen from. Nothing. No tree, shrub, branch remnants or root ball in sight that these could have possibly come from—just fresh, green leaves, everywhere.

Gathering up 9 of the leaves, I continued up the hill. At the top, I stood a while and looked down the stone steps to the bandstand. With the leaves in my hands and a smile on my face, I contemplated the odds of why this particular leaf and not another. You see, when it comes down to it, I am a firm believer that when we ask for help, the Universe will oblige us with an answer, in some form or other.

‘What were the leaves?’ I hear you ask. 
Oh, yes, I almost forgot—they were fresh, green, Ginkgo leaves, strewn all over the path. 







Why did this made me smile? Well, because this is the leaf that is featured on my new logo, for my up and coming website: Dream Create Reveal, for online courses, due early 2018! 









In need of a creative boost?  Take part in this month's: Creative Jumpstart



© Alison Day
Alison Day Design 





Friday 27 October 2017

Creative Jumpstart



The obligations of modern life are manifold and often leave us with little real time for ourselves, Five minutes here and twenty minutes there, snatched in between daily obligations and work. Any real 'me time', is as precious as gold dust and when it comes down to it, we’re often out of puff, uninspired, or blocked creatively…

Taking time for ourselves, and tapping into what we really want is an important way of giving ourselves space to breathe, re-boot and energize. This is not only important for our personal well being, but also affects our relationships and every other area of our lives.

Creative Jumpstart is a FREE, 5-day, creative boost, delivered daily to your inbox. Each message contains a mini assignment and each day builds on the one before.

Whatever your artistic experience—whether you’re in need of a creative boost, are just starting out, or a seasoned professional—Creative Jumpstart is for you!



Sign up today and I look forward to seeing you on the course: Creative Jumpstart






Monday 16 October 2017

Autumn Ink




This month, along with thousands of artists the world over, I’m taking part in the inky drawing challenge of #inktober, over on Instagram.

Shared work is tagged with #inktober or #inktober2017. For those who want it there's an official prompt list for inspiration, but ever the rebel, I’m seeing where each day takes me!














Saturday 7 October 2017

Weekend Fun!



A couple of days ago, via my Facebook page, I set up a a group called Dream Create Reveal, with the vision of of connecting artists and creatives and offering daily prompts to start conversation.

If you'd like to join and take part, you can HERE

For more creativity, subscribe to my monthly newsletter and be one of the first to hear when my creative course launches.



Thursday 28 September 2017

Discover Your Inner Artist



Here's a short video I created about an up and coming creative online course. Images, film and voiceover by yours truly  - feeling good about it! Let me know what you think?

Thursday 14 September 2017

Final Board

Mystic Circle by Alison Day


Selecting one product from each week, here's my final collection. The styles of my products from the five weeks were quite eclectic, but I think I've managed to put a cohesive board together.
What do you think?
Now on to the next illustrative project, which is under wraps for now - more on that later.

Currently, I'm designing a creative E-Course. It's for anyone wishing to take time for themselves, develop their knowledge, both artistically and environmentally and meet others of a like mind. This course is for you, regardless of your artistic experience or creative level.



Saturday 9 September 2017

Wild Wood


Wild Wood by Alison Day


Week 5, using substrate wood and the final board is complete. This one has a hint of the orient and incorporates carving and inlaying for decoration.
If you've been following my progress, l'd love to know what you think.



View September's newsletter here



Tuesday 5 September 2017

Foxy Baroque


Foxy Baroque by Alison Day


Foxy Baroque and Home Decor week 4, is all about ceramics and incorporating text, along with various finishing techniques and decoration.

With a love of all things Gaudi, I found myself adding glass mosaic decoration to an already opulent, hand painted plate. A glass glaze on a fern coaster, which could also be used to create a mosaic wall pattern, shows how lucrative designing products for oneself could be for a broader audience.
Finally, porcelain potpourri holders, a personified vase with a foxglove skirt in relief and a unicorn tree decoration and we enter the realms of the mystical and magical world.


View September's newsletter here

Monday 28 August 2017

Glass Garden


Glass Garden by Alison Day


In week three, we designed home decor products for the substrate: glass. Combining both my bird and flower icons, an overall garden theme emerged. The pieces are a mix of translucent and opaque glass and are decorated with decals, hand painted or have fused elements.
Can you see any of these home decor products in your home ?

View September's newsletter here



Wednesday 23 August 2017

Decade Delivered




Today a box of: The Roaring 20s - Colouring Book was delivered. This is my third book, publishing under the name of Alison Day Designs. Having worked on it for several months, alongside numerous other projects and courses I've been taking, it's a pleasure to see it completed.

For the colourers amongst you, or someone who you think might enjoy a copy, they can be purchased via my here













Monday 21 August 2017

Languid Florals


Languid Florals by Alison Day


Well, week two of the Home Decor course is complete and uploaded. Substrate: fabric, with a theme of florals. I've always wanted a chaise longue and covered with my own fabric design would be fabulous... Oh and that Ottoman will go nicely with it too.




Sunday 13 August 2017

Magic Wings


Magic Wings by Alison Day


Having completed a five month creative bootcamp late July, I found myself in quandary—what to do next? I wasn't planning on going away, the weeds in the garden could continue their rampage (at least for a few more weeks) and the Summer holidays were still in full swing. I missed the early Monday morning assignments and the camaraderie of my fellow students...
Yesterday, ahead of deadline, I uploaded my completed Home Decor assignment for week one of a five week course. Designed for the substrate: metal, with a theme of birds.
A serial student I am, but this means yet another piece for the portfolio and I'm in creative heaven!



You can also sign up for monthly updates, digital inspiration and info on a creative, E-Course I'm writing: here


Thursday 3 August 2017

Wednesday 26 July 2017

Bootcamp Five


The round up of five months of creative, bootcamp assignments. What do think?


Currently, I'm writing an E-Course. It's for anyone wishing to take time for themselves creatively, develop their knowledge, as well as meet others of a like mind. Regardless your artistic experience or creative level—so that includes you!

If you'd like to be kept up to date on my E-Course as it progresses, or have always wanted to take part in a creative class, with an environmental flavour—subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Plus you'll also receive my 10 top creative tips: here

Monday 24 July 2017

Global Goodies



'Holly, can you do that later? I need some help with the deliveries!' said Botticelli.





Holly wasn't listening, she wanted to fly too—if only...




Currently, I'm writing an E-Course. It's for anyone wishing to take time for themselves creatively, develop their knowledge, as well as meet others of a like mind. Regardless your artistic experience or creative level—so that includes you!


If you'd like to be kept up to date on my E-Course as it progresses, or have always wanted to take part in a creative class, with an environmental flavour—subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Plus you'll also receive my 10 top creative tips: here





Saturday 22 July 2017

Currant Fare



I wasn't planning on gardening today, but you know how it goes? Pick up a leaf and throw a twig in a bucket and before you know it, you have a pair of secateurs in hand, you're on a mission and everything gets pruned!

The blackcurrants certainly did need picking, but it doesn't end at that. The plant then has to be cut back right back, leaving the new branches for the next season. In the moment, I thought why not—take the time? Repetitive, mantra-like, as I plucked the tiny, purple, vitamin C bombs from the branches, I found myself thinking about how, I inevitably was destroying the habitat of some bug or other. I could feel the reproach, from an enormous grey spider, swinging from the remnants of her web and of the bright green grasshoppers, pinging all over the place. A plastic-looking earwig looked quite pissed off, or maybe it's just their demeanor. All had to relocate, with one consolation, I left the berries that fell for any passing takers. Immediately, a big fat slug, smelling the berries, advanced, amazingly fast for a slug, out of the poppies, to claim and gorge itself on a berry bigger than its head.

My prize, the berries you see in the photo above, weighing in at a grand 340 g. As I sit on the garden bench relaxing, I wonder what will be next on the harvest agenda, before the leaves start to fall: tomatoes, grapes, blackberries...



Currently, I'm writing an E-Course. It's for anyone wishing to take time for themselves creatively, develop their knowledge, as well as meet others of a like mind. Regardless your artistic experience or creative level—so that includes you!

If you'd like to be kept up to date on my E-Course as it progresses, or have always wanted to take part in a creative class, with an environmental flavour—subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Plus you'll also receive my 10 top creative tips: here


Wednesday 19 July 2017

Summer Giveaway



UPDATE: prize draw closed - a winner has been drawn !

SUMMER GIVEAWAY!

My Gertrude Jekyll quote notebooks arrived today from my Society6 shop. I think they've turned out beautifully. So, in honour of that and because it's Summer, I thought it would be fun to do a giveaway.

Want to win ONE? - Hop over to my Instagram and find the giveaway post and follow what it says to be added to the draw.
You have until - Friday 21 July then I will draw ONE lucky winner (at random) and send ONE notebook off to that lucky person anywhere in the world!




Friday 14 July 2017

Floral Unity



A floral Mandala created using botanical finds from my garden: Wild Strawberries, Poppy seed pods, Hydrangea, Lemon Verbena and the grass is Red Baron (love the name— reminds me of the cartoon, Snoopy). I don't know what the yellow flower is.


The name Mandala comes from the Sanskrit meaning 'circle'. Easy to make and a meditative action. The balance of elements within the circle are a symbol of harmony and unity. Mandalas are used by many cultures the world over, for pre-meditative, intention setting. It is also seen as a tool for the psychic journey and represents cosmic as well as psychic order.

What do you think of my creation?


Currently, I'm writing an E-Course. It's for anyone wishing to take time for themselves creatively, develop their knowledge, as well as meet others of a like mind. Regardless your artistic experience or creative level—so that includes you!

If you'd like to be kept up to date on my E-Course as it progresses, or have always wanted to take part in a creative class, with an environmental flavour, please, sign up for my newsletter to be kept up to date on my progress: here



Tuesday 4 July 2017

Eternal Flame


Revealing the Inner Artist through Creativity, Knowledge & Personal Development

In the last few months, I've been writing a Creative E-Course for adults, whatever their artistic experience or creative level. It's for anyone who would like to get in touch with their artistic muse, or carve out a little time for themselves.

Although I'm not at the stage to reveal all yet, more details will be revealed as I progress. I will say however—it promises to be good!

So, if you'd like to be kept up to date with its progress please, sign up for my monthly newsletter: here


Saturday 24 June 2017

Dreaming Spires




I've been wanting to create an illustrative map of my hometown, Oxford, for quite a while now. After a little research I came across plenty of interesting things to draw. With a total of 38 colleges on offer (13 appear on my selected slice of Oxford's city centre), Oxford is filled with an varied richness of: restaurants, shops and enough pubs for a jolly good pub crawl.



That was a few months ago and then other projects took precedence and I lost my momentum. Fast forward to two weeks ago and what should come across my path, but a map making course given by Nate Padavick (They Draw and Travel) on Sketchbook Skool. Perfect, it was a no brainer. A week long course, with the potential of a completed map (for me, of Oxford) at the end of it. So, I dove in (add to a the other three courses I'm was already doing—I'll never learn!)
The course was inspiring and the instruction from concept to finished map, clear and easy to follow. I've uploaded my map to TDAT's website, with a feeling of achievement. If you'd like to see the whole map, you can here

You may also be interested to hear, as an artist, and in the light of environmental challenges, I'm currently writing a creative E-Course. Due to appear later in the year or early 2018.
In it, the problem is addressed through hands on creativity, along with sources, resources and an informed environmental awareness.
It's an E-Course for adults wishing to take time for themselves creatively as well as meet others of a like mind. Regardless of artistic experience or creative level—so that includes you!
If you'd like to be kept up to date on my E-Course as it progresses, or have always wanted to take part in a creative class, with an environmental flavour, please, sign up for my newsletter to be kept up to date on my progress: here
The newsletter is a digital feast that will arrive in your inbox monthly, it also includes my most current illustrative work.

Thank you for reading.