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And I'm not going to do any rhyming..this time!

My Christmas shopping is all done, some of the baking for tomorrow, and it's time to put a few words onto the computer to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, happy holiday season, and a fantastic 2012! I'm feeling very lucky and priveledged in the last year, to live in the society I do, with the family and friends and wonderful new clients I have. Also to be looking forward to an amazing year of travel, change, adventure, and art. In fact, the new art has already started, as you will see with this little story.

My husband is a passionate hunter (sad to say, to some people!) and has a great taxidermist in Surrey. We were invited to their Christmas party and saw, to our amazement, that he had a rhino head on his wall. When we asked where it came from, he told us that he had got a phone call one day asking if he wanted one, and when he asked where it was, it was on the side of the road! He went down & helped pick it up, all 200 pounds of it, and reported it to the police. After 30 days no-one had claimed it so it was his--to do some restoration (the tusks were missing and there were some scratches). It is absolutely beautiful and massive to look at & I knew I had to get some photos to use for painting--rather than trust (??) that I might (safely) get that close to a rhino when we're in Africa in May! Here's the first ink and wash "portrait" that I've just finished:

My husband likes this but I'm not quite happy with the accuracy--so I'll definitely be re-doing, and from as many different angles as I can!

I've put some other new paintings into the gallery as well, won't add them in here again. One is a second painting of Chrome Island Lighthouse that I just finished last week as well, and the third season (winter) of the Birch Tree series. Very appropriate seeings how winter is now here, in the northern hemisphere! I'm also pleased that both "Fairies Play here, don't they?" and "Faerie Woods" have sold, and that I have an excellent reproduction facility for "Faerie Woods". One print has been sold already, on paper, and it looked almost identical to the real thing. I can hardly wait to get Faerie Woods printed onto canvas with the mirror wrap and 2" frame (similar to my mermaid canvas reproductions). It'll probably have to wait until I get back from all the travels although it is possible to order one and I can arrange for it to be delivered.

Meanwhile all my original art (except the newest pieces) has gone into storage until next September so the only pieces that will be available for sale will be anything new that I create. Of course, I can get cards printed of any paintings you like with an on-line organization I use, as well, so the shop won't totally be closed. Hope I can continue supplying functional art to people while I travel!

So, I'll close now, and will post again from Australia in January. I'll be travelling solo until the end of the month when I meet hubby in Auckland. Looking forward to enjoying the Aussie summer holidays with all the family & friends Down Under, and doing my first week-long print-making course there too!

Hope you all have some forward looking plans for the new year--just in case 2012 is the end of the world as we know it I'm going to work hard, travel hard, and explore what we have to the fullest extent! And now...for a glass of eggnog by the fire.

Best wishes & cheers to you & yours!