Cute Kids Live in Wigan

It has been since 2008 that I have visited my lovely friends the Steeles in Wigan, England.  When I was there last, it was just Darren, Emma and the young Amelia, a bit over a year I think.  I promised Darren and Emma that I would draw Amelia for them, and finally just got around to it!  I pilfered their facebook photo albums and found this amazingly precious photo when she was probably not quite a year old.  LOVE the expression...it really makes you wonder what was on her mind.

Since my visit, they have also added Oliver to the family.  No drawing of him yet...but I am sure there will be soon!

Kilmainham Gaol, 2008: Evolution of a Drawing

In the summer of 2008, I made a trip to Dublin, Ireland in search of my Irish roots.  My Nan, my grandma on my dad's side, always told me we had Irish in us.  She was from Wigan, England, as is the rest of my family on this side, and no one else agreed with her.  I journeyed around Dublin for a week, searching through pages of old death, birth and wedding certificates but found nothing.

When I headed to Wigan to meet up with my family, my cousin Kathleen helped me search in the local ancestry library there.  Joyously, we found them!  My great, great, great grandparents came to England at the age of 17 and married in Manchester Cathedral!

Anyway, while in Ireland, I did some touring.  I visited Kilmainham Gaol for one, and was fascinated by the history and the feeling of the place.  This is my first piece from what I hope to be a small series of drawings of the gaol. I love the way a drawing comes alive in its various stages, so chose to show that here.



Dougle the Dog

I was needing more samples of dog drawings for promoting the portrait aspect of my work, and this pic of my cousin Gaynor's dog Dougle has always grabbed me.  Dougle lives in Wigan, England, and is the love of his mommy's life!