I am moving all of my things out of storage this weekend at last! That means I can start painting again. So happy :D

I've just moved to Bristol - I can't get over how many creative people live here. And everyone is involved with a society, group, organisation etc, it's inspirational. Sadly, my painting things are still in storage because we are still lodging and don't have a place of our own yet. I can't wait to paint again!

No updates for a while because i'm moving house! All my painting things are in boxes and my hands are getting itchy already!

Not the Spring Fair...every year it gets me in a tizz about my work. I have to work in the art hall there (www.springfair.com) and I end up convincing myself to paint something different so I can sell more. Not good! Priority #1 - Finish all the things i've started before I do anything at all!

I recently found a great product called Gerstaecker Tintoretto Panels (from www.greatart.co.uk). I’ve been painting on pretty thick MDF for years now and I have been trying to find a lighter alternative that isn’t canvas. These are also ready to hang and don’t need frames. I can’t wait to order some and to start testing them out!

I am currently showing my photos on http://www.redbubble.com/people/DebraDoherty

Photography is a very new hobby for me, hence my unwillingness to put my photos on my 'official' website! This lovely autumn we're having is the best for taking photos. Can't wait to spend the weekend in the park with my camera!

The tattoo piece I mentioned back in August is finally done. That just goes to show how long it takes me to finish something when I've got to work all day! The tattoo is on my friend's arm so I'll be giving her the painting. Really hopes she likes it! A 2nd tattoo painting is coming along really nicely too. For the first time ever i'm working on multiple pieces and it's really helping my work along. I have such a short attention span!

I entered one of my photographs into a competition a couple of weeks ago and they emailed back to say that I was one of the 12 finalists! I went along to the presentation on Thursday evening, didn't win, (but didn't expect to!) but it was just great seeing my image enlarged and framed on the wall and also as a postcard. The whole experience has given me food for thought. Watch this space!

This weekend I started work on a very exciting tattoo painting. It's exciting because it's combining 2 of my favourite things! And, it looks fab. I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished article. I also started work on a brand new 'burlesque' project and also managed to turn an experimental piece I hated into a really cool abstract piece. Although I'm not sure if that one will ever dry!

What with married life and work pressures, I haven't done a lot of painting at all. I've been getting home feeling exhausted and have been sleeping a lot. Hopefully this will pass soon, i'm getting really annoyed at my lack of painting progress! I went to see the Elizabeth Peyton show at the Whitechapel Gallery on the weekend and got very inspired. I really love the surfaces she works on and may have to spend a bit of time experimenting with surfaces myself.

I just got married! My married name is Doherty, this website was slightly premature but thankfully it all worked out! We got married in New Orleans - an amazing place, truly unforgettable. Was asked when I returned if it inspired me to paint and honestly, it didn't. It was too HOT! I was inspired to drink cocktails by the pool :D

I've just added a photo of the commission piece i've been working on to the Gallery. It's a greyhound called Annie (see previous blog). I still need to tweak bits and pieces but all in, i'm very happy with how she turned out. Hope the customer likes it too!

I tried some canvas this week for the first time in years and was so disappointed. When it came, the stretcher bars were not tapered, meaning that they poked through the canvas at the front - so bad! It also wibbled and dented when I tried to draw on it - rubbish! So, I'm back to MDF and god, that first touch of the pencil on the board felt good! I just hope that the people I do a commission for won't mind too much!

I'm currently working on a commission for a colleague, a very cute greyhound called Annie. My colleague's Dad who owns and races the greyhound turns 60 in April and hopefully the painting will be a great gift for him. This'll only be my 2nd dog portrait so I'm slightly nervous!

I'm off to Spring Fair this weekend. If you haven't heard of it it's a trade exhibition in Birmingham and it has a designated art and framing hall. Unfortunately I have to work there for the week but I'll be making contacts and observing what other artists are doing at the same time. It'll take me away from my easel but hopefully I shall return inspired!

Happy New Year! I am pleased to say I got through my New Year's Eve unscathed! I stayed sober and got some painting done on new year's day! I am currently working on paintings of Jesus, Mary and Barbie. I'm starting to wonder what that says about me!

I've put my foot down this year and i'm staying in. I've never liked NYE so i'm having a quiet night in with my hubby to be and cooking up lots of lovely things to eat. The main advantage here is that I won't be hungover the next day and I can use the day for painting! :D

Merry Christmas! I'm very excited this year. Maybe it's because this is my last Christmas as an un-married woman!? I'm also excited about having a blessed 7 days for painting. I'm also getting crafty and making most of my Christmas presents this year, thank goodness I taught myself how to sew and bake! :)

Well my weekend away did inspire me, but in a different way than I thought. My friends are beautiful, confident, intelligent and thoughtful. I wish I could paint them and everyone else I love. If only there were more hours in the day. Maybe I should just get on and do it!

My ambitious new project is still an ambition grr. Cursed bad weather! I tried to get out of the house to collect ideas and the blizzards stopped me. I'm off to Derby this weekend to visit a friend and hopefully ideas will come then.

I recently updated the website with the fruits of my week off work. Anyone who knows my work might be surprised that these were made by me. I like that. I hope I can keep changing it up and to keep challenging myself. Art should be about what makes you feel good, for the creator, the buyer and the viewer. With that in mind, I'm embarking on a new project this weekend which should see my work taking a new turn again. Can't wait.

I can't finish my latest works because I foolishly used neat red paint on a few pieces and it's still wet 2 weeks later! Aargh! Those ones will have to wait for their internet debut.

I've just managed to spend a whole week painting, bliss! As a full time office person such things are a luxury. I don't think my colleagues understood when my answer to "where are you going for your hols?" was answered so enthusiastically with "i'm staying at home, to paint!".