I haven't updated in ages - I've been super busy the last few weeks and now when I can update I have no idea what to write about!

I've completed a few pieces of art since my last update but not many big pieces other than this racoon piece. It's A2 in size and on stretched canvas. During the process of painting this all I could think about was the very old kids TV show 'The Raccoons' (wiki link to anyone who is curious about the show!: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raccoons). I might even YouTube it just to see how funny it looks now, watching it as an adult. (Although I always think kid's TV shows these days cannot possibly compare to what I watched when I was young hah - I really preferred cartoons that aren't all 3Dish - I can't think if that's the right way to describe them but hopefully you know what I mean).

Aside from that particular piece I seem to have been drawing a lot of cats lately. I have quite a few pieces to work on when I manage to get a bit of spare time (strangely I have got three commissions all at once from different people - I shall be busy!) I've since finished one (hoping they like it, they haven't seen it yet!)

Other than art I've recently treated myself to a new camera, a Nikon D3200. I've never used a SLR before so I'm still learning but I love it. All I've taken so far is things and animals around the house - I did want to go to the local safari park on Monday but I've since found out it's closed for the winter season. I'll have to find somewhere else to go and try it out - Bristol Zoo is tempting but it's a bit too far out and not somewhere I like travelling alone (I'm hopeless at working out buses in another city). Ah well.

But anyway, onto the photographs! Naturally, rats ;)

-The Blogging Rat

Watercolour Paintings

The last few pieces of art I've worked on have been in watercolour. It's strange, I seem to go for ages avoiding watercolour only to get addicted to it when I do get back on it. I must admit sometimes I don't feel I have the patience to use it. With acrylics my typical way of working is 'throw it all on and then refine' (basically my initial bottom layer looks like some crazy form of modern art perhaps...) With watercolour you simply can't do that. It's rather less forgiving. I've had times in the past where I've dropped a paint brush loaded with paint only to splatter it all over the lightest area. It's annoying in any medium but at least with acrylic you stand a good chance of painting over it!

But anyway, at times I really want to work in watercolour!

And onto the art:

Hooded rat pea fishing (based on a photograph I took of Jasper). It's A4 in size.

Gerbera plant. I couldn't resist buying this plant because of it's unusual colouring. I painted it over a course of days from life (desperate to finish it in case the flowers developed more!) Also A4 in size.

And this blog wouldn't be the same without a rat image! This is possibly the strangest capture I've had. I didn't even realise what was going on until I looked back at the photos once they were on my computer. Felix taking a bite out of baby Jake (not really, no rats were hurt as there was definitely no argument that day when they were freeranging). Perhaps it was just his face happened to be there, or he was going to groom Jake, who knows? As for my new rats Jake and Domino, Jake is far more social as he was when I first got him. It's strange really as they've both had the same upbringing etc. Jake will 'groom' my hand if I put it in the cage (he even went as far as licking my arm too!) It's a sign of affection in rats and I find it very cute even though others might not!

And on an unrelated note, I'm very into dreams and what they mean. However the last few days I've had quite random dreams involving the killer whale from the film 'Free Willy' (like starring in a film with him, and taking part in a video game based on the film?!). If anything, you'd think I'd dream of rats ;p

- The Blogging Rat

Rats and Butterflies

Again, been busy with art since my last update. I've been working on some rat related pictures and art for pendants as I'm hoping to have a stall at a rat show in a few months or so.

The first was a stretched canvas piece, a rather large piece at 20' by 8'. I just love working on long pieces of canvas, unfortunately I've used them all up now (came in a three pack) and I've told myself to stop buying more stretched canvas until I sell some things! (I've still got lots of pieces of 'normal' shaped canvas to get finished so it's not like I'm in desperate need of it...)

I wanted to go for something more symbolic. However, to make a clean line down the middle was a nightmare! I do like the final outcome though although it took far longer than I expected.

The next piece is a scratchboard based to some degree on one of my own rats, Felix (although I've purposely changed his markings on the final thing as I never want to sell art of my own rats!) He gave me this typical 'oh leave me alone' look whilst I was sketching him sleeping in his litter tray (a favourite place for some reason!).

Lastly, and not rodent related, a butterfly piece. Same size as the painting above and also in acrylics. The idea came to me at work but never did I think of how long it would really take. Butterflies have far too many details! Again, was meant to be a more symbolic picture than what I typically do.

Unfortunately I have to leave on a depressing note this blog entry. Last week one of my older rats Fergus died. I'd taken him to the vet the day before but never thought he was that ill. It was a rather horrible shock. He was the youngest of my old ones so if anything, I thought he'd outlive them. The remaining two seem to be sticking together a lot since his death.

It's sad to have just two adults left in that cage as I know one day one will be on his own. I've always usually added more rats having a never-ending cycle but with Levi and Seth I can't introduce anyone else (after what happened with Jasper I'd probably end up with three cages!) They still dislike him, Seth seems to loath Jasper even more than Levi does. Jasper has a rather naughty trick of jumping from his freerange area, onto my shoulder and down to the adults (or more like onto the floor, me grabbing him, back up to his area... and repeat many times!) One time Seth lunged thinking he was going for Jasper (who I'd put back) but actually took a piece out of my hand instead (I must have smelt like Jasper, but Seth quickly apologised by grooming my hand once he realised!) - The Blogging Rat

A little more art and etsy!

I've been a little neglectful of my blog again having been too busy with art. 

 

One of my most recent paintings, a wolf on stretched canvas. I originally planned this to be a watercolour piece but it didn't work out that way. Instead I scraped it to work in acrylics (which I'm addicted to it seems).

This was another piece for the exhibition I spoke about in my last blog entry. It's a very small piece on stretched canvas, based on one of my previous cats. She'd always lie in very tightly curled positions, or when not doing that she'd sit with her paws completely tucked under her like a teacosy.

As for other arts, I've got one more to upload shortly that I've recently finished. I'm also working on a rat piece - I'm hoping it has a rather interesting concept behind it but I'm not sure how well it will work in practice! Hopefully it'll turn out okay. Following that I'm planning a butterfly piece too :) I've got to work on a few pendants/rat art as I'm hoping to attend a rat show in a few months time to sell. Should be fun!

As for my other pendants, I've now listed them on Etsy. I need to create a few more as my shop looks pretty empty at the moment! So far from early experiences I'm feeling Etsy may hopefully be a better choice than trying to sell on Ebay.

And this blog wouldn't be complete without something rat-related added to it! Jasper and Felix during free-range time!

- The Blogging Rat

A week full of art and exhibitions!

I realise I've neglected my blog the last few weeks, so today's blog will be full of art to make up for it!

I've been working on a lot of new pieces in preparation for an art exhibition that began today featuring both my art and Beki Warren's art. It's running from today until the 20th June at Leominster library so if you happen to be in the area please have a look, we'd love to know what you think :)

And onwards to the art!

Firstly a tabby cat on stretched canvas painted with acrylics (quite small, about 20cm by 20cm at a guess?)

Secondly another little seaside scene (as I really love the sea!) Stretched canvas, painted with acrylics again. I just loved the sizing of this canvas, was so much fun to work with.

And onto my most time consuming piece of late, a border collie, A2 in size on stretched canvas. This took an insane amount of days but I'm glad I finished it on time!

Lastly another scratchboard piece (not actually at the exhibition but completed very recently). I bought some gold scratchboard and wanted to try it out. This was the result. At first I wasn't too sure about the gold colouring, I'm not sure how much I'll use it (I do prefer silver). I would love to try inking over silver scratchboard but I'm a little uncertain of how well it would go. Maybe I'll have to try it on a piece I'm not bothered about so it won't matter too much what happens!

That's it for new art at the moment!

- The Blogging Rat

Stretched Canvas Art

It feels like I haven't updated in ages, but really it's only a week! I've recently tried painting on stretched canvas and I'm finding it quite addictive actually (although the only problem is they take up far more room... At the moment they're all stacked on my scanner for lack of space!) The seascape one was drawn when I needed a break from fur! I actually really enjoyed creating it, it's a more simplistic style but not having to focus on tiny details was a good break from animals.

This one was based on a rescue dog called Rosie. She's a lovely natured dog and walks beautifully. Plus, I just love German Shepherds! This picture took about eight hours in total with many moments of 'arrgggh I want to give up!' I like the end result but the beginning... well it was a fight to stay and carry on (I must have changed the background and fur colour uncountably times!)

This one was based on my own cat (although she looks brown tinged in the summer, maybe due to the sun!)

All of the above were painted in acrylics. And to leave you with some rodents, the adults as they pea-fished the other week.

Oh and also, last few hours for some of my original art/pendants on eBay! Click me! - The Blogging Rat

The Weekly Dose of Art

Well, I didn't add anything new up last week because there was nothing to add! However, this week I finally finished the piece I was working on of two Staffordshire bull terriers. Over the last few years I've really grown to love staffies, they really don't deserve all the bad press that abounds about them.

It's about 20' by 16' so another big picture. Strangely, even without a background it seemed to take far longer than the other pictures I've drawn at this size. Unfortunately though I dropped my paintbrush whilst working on this particular piece and splattered paint down the left hand side (Photoshop works wonders to remove such things!) So I am considering whether to fix it by painting a background (maybe just a single colour one). However, I hate doing the background last (I usually have to finish a background before I work on anything else). So we shall see if I get the motivation.

My second picture, finished today is this one of a lurcher on scratchboard. The photograph doesn't represent it very well, it's not as dark at the top, it's more even in brightness all over. I'm not sure if I really like the result, something about this one was bothering me but perhaps it'll grow on me when I look back on it in a few weeks time! Planning next up is another potential scratchboard piece of my favourite kind of bird, magpies! I do want to paint again soon though, I seem to be on a painting spree and find it hard to actually get motivated to do other mediums at the moment. Nothing much new to report on the rat front, other than Felix has revealed he has a love for dog chocolate. Hopefully bribery will make him a little more social ;) - The Blogging Rat

Husky Painting

My latest painting is a husky on canvas board, A3 in size. The desire to draw a husky came from watching the BBC TV series 'Ice Dogs' on about a month ago. I loved the series and although this particular husky is not based on any of the ones on the show, my inspiration came from there. I'm currently reading the book based on the series too and find it very hard to put down, would definitely recommend watching and reading both :)

I don't really have much to type this week. I was going to do an art course (Botanical Illustration) at the local college but unfortunately they cancelled on me (again - lack of numbers). It was a shame as I was actually really looking forward to it. And on the rattie front, here are some photos! The first is Fergus enjoying himself with a rattie chocolate. The second is little Felix.

- The Blogging Rat

Bulldog and Rat Problems

Technically this is last week's art but I doubt I will get anything finished this week unfortunately.

This bulldog was painted with acrylics on A4 sized acrylic canvas paper. It was an attempt to try out my new paints which I am really happy with. It did however make me want to paint more things in acrylic which is what I intend to do tomorrow. My other day off saw practically no art because I felt too tired which was very frustrating (especially as I have less time to draw this week because I'm on more hours at work).

As for my rat situation the last week has been rather stressful. Arrow is getting worse by the day and is hardly eating and Levi has taken a serious disliking to Jasper. My plan with Jasper was to separate him from my other boys and instead house him with his brother who happened to still be at the pet shop. My reasoning was that he'd have someone his own age (rather than boys who are over a year and more) to play with. At present he just winds the older boys up which is why Levi is having a no tolerance approach to him. They can't keep up with his hyper, bouncy energy. However, the plan hasn't yet come into action because on returning to the pet shop I found Jasper's brother wasn't very healthy (it may be stress or something more serious, hopefully not). So he's remaining there so they can take him to the vet (which is the best decision as if he had something seriously the matter with him I wouldn't want to risk my current boys being exposed to it). I hope everything sorts itself out, it's so stressful not knowing what to do for best.

- The Blogging Rat

Parrot and a Dog

Two pictures to upload here today, although technically one was from last week.

Firstly, a parrot in watercolour on A4 sized paper. I really should have added a bit more darker shading to it in parts but at the time I was scared of either going too extreme or messing up the colours entirely. I do quite like the light tone effect in a way though.
The second, finished today, is based on a little dog I saw recently. It's on scratchboard, slightly larger than A4 in size.




Other than that, I don't have too much to say. Unfortunately next week I'll be working more hours which means less time for art, although I'm hoping I'll somehow manage to finish a picture a week as I'm doing now. I guess it just depends, some things like painting take me far longer than graphite or scratchboard. I'm currently working on a few things at the moment, an acrylic painting of a bulldog (I treated myself to some new paints as all my old acrylics are so old most of them are pretty awful to use!) and I may try pastels again after being inspired looking at some art yesterday.

On the rat front, my lovely Arrow is still with me but seems to have got worse very quickly over the last few weeks. Levi and the 'baby' (Jasper) keep having words with each other which is rather stressful. Sometimes they are fine together, other times Jasper just casually walks on Levi's shelf and then Levi has to chase him. Rat introductions are such fun... not :P

- The Blogging Rat

Art, Dogs and Rats

Finished these two pieces last week (I've had a week holiday from work which meant more time for art!) One of a German Shepherd on scratchboard and one of some primroses in watercolour. Both are about A4 size, the scratchboard one slightly larger.




On Saturday we went to Crufts for the day. It was insanely busy but good fun, lots of lovely dogs. Had a little time for shopping later too.

As for rats, Arrow has been enjoying my week off because all the time I've been at home he's been out of the cage in his igloo-slipper house. He definitely won't be happy when I'm on my typical work shifts. He's enjoyed eating a range of healthy human food and baby foods this week (as he's not eating much normal rat food, he finds it very difficult to eat with his front hands now) and seems to have had a little more energy the last few days which is good.

On another rat note, I received a signed book from Scott Lynch in the post today which I had bought a little while back. It's amazing, not just because it's a great book but because it's personalised with a little drawing of a rat in! I should have really taken a photograph but perhaps later. It's not exactly as random as it seems, I named one of my (sadly no longer with me) rats after one of the characters in the book so it does make sense. I'd definitely recommend his books if you haven't heard of him already, he's a fantastic storyteller.

To end on an art note - I'm currently working on a watercolour macaw and hoping to start another scratchboard of a dog soon. This week has gone far, far too quickly and I've got the typical 'blargh' feeling of going back to work after having a holiday. ...How long until my next one?!

- The Blogging Rat

Tigers and Rats!

Finished my latest picture the other day, this time of a tiger in mainly watercolours (with a touch of acrylic and watersoluable pencil in the early stages). I wanted to try drawing some sort of animal mainly in watercolour and was relatively happy with the result. I regretted doing just a random coloured background really, but can't really do much about that now!



Other than that on Monday I gave in to temptation and bought another rat. It was a little strange as I've not had the feeling of GMR (get-more-rats as the rat community calls it!) for a long while. However, one night a little before Monday I was thinking about a new rat. When I went into our nearby pet shop to buy my boy's Biocatlet cat litter for their litter tray I just had to see the rats there (as usual!) There were three boys, two of which were rexes. I have a real soft spot for rexes. It was impossible not to go home with one. I probably would have bought all three however if I'd had the room! I stuck with just one however (with the logic that hopefully the remaining two would find a home together as my little one would be with my boys). I actually chose the slightly less rex coated boy because as soon as I held him he just wanted a snuggle. I've named him Jasper. Despite his teeny tiny size he has already tried telling my adults (who are about double the size of him) that he's the boss! There were a few scary moments where he wouldn't leave Levi alone (who is a little unpredicable at times, at least with me!) However this morning I saw him cuddled up in the front of the igloo with some of them so hopefully they're all getting used to each other.




Also uploaded a new video to Youtube. It's only a quick video of my boys freeranging but shows them all (pretty much anyway, Levi is in the cage so you get a super quick glimpse of him!!!)



- The Blogging Rat