Jenny Laidlaw

 This is a large size commission I have been working on over the last month....and just finished!
Pen and ink, found objects, pencil, handmade paper (made by me).
All the found objects or flotsam and jetsam, were found whilst beachcombing outside the Marine Parks in my area.
I have loved working on this......so different to what I have been working on over the last few months. When creating a piece like this, I am constantly moving things/squares around until I think the balance is right....it may be days before I actually hot glue gun anything on to the paper. It is nearly like doing a jigsaw puzzle. It just feels "right" when the connections all work and slot into place visually.
Happy Easter!!!

I have been a little slack regarding my blog entries since November....my apologies.
Towards the end of last year I felt I needed to get back into the mountains and bush and have a mental recharge, so it was off to Tasmania to do the Overland Track with my son in November and then a section of the Australian Alps Walking Track from Mt Hotham towards Thredbo, in December/January. My youngest daughter and I also spent a week in a cabin on the Cobungra River at Anglers Rest near Falls Creek/Mt Hotham in January.....no TV, no power and no phones was bliss.
Being in the bush and mountains does something positive for my soul and well being and that feeling is addictive!

I am continuing doing the illustrations/artwork for Zoos Victoria and the Zooper kids magazine. Here is some of the artwork for the most recent issue. The text for the story hasn't been added in these images.

In December I experimented with something different......hand sewn leaves that Sierra and I had collected and dried from our Ornamental Pear tree.

I am now working on a new series of illustrations that will be limited edition prints and also part of a square size print and greeting card range with themes such as new baby, marriage/engagement, birthday etc.
I have certainly had a lot of positive feedback already from these illustrations.
The lighthouse image ("You are My Beacon") was inspired by listening to the lyrics from a Josh Pyke song called "The Lighthouse Song". Josh Pyke even posted it onto his facebook page where it received over 1400 likes and some really inspiring comments!
I am really enjoying creating these images. As I am painting one, an idea will pop into my head for the next one.....I am currently working on birthday themed image with a hot air balloon.
All images are ©Jenny Laidlaw 2016