The Fringe

Here in Edinburgh we're in the last weeks of the Fringe; a summer festival where the town gets filled with people from all over. These are a few process images from a guide book for artists that I've been working on for a while. I hope to publish it one day, but, in the event that I don't; you guys get to enjoy some snippets.

Steve

I gave my card to a few new friends today and it was the kick up the butt I needed to post again. So, to new friends, here is a portrait of an old friend of mine. Steve the Harris' Hawk. He was a beautiful boy.

Support your local libraries!

The weather is fantastic here in Edinburgh, for the moment, and the Scottish make the best of the sun while we have it. The parks and beaches are packed. So Chris and I went to the library.

This is my haul. The unseen world of today's most creative talents. The best of the best of Bukowski and this beautifully illustrated natural history of the birds of paradise.

Then we did go to the park. Reading and sun. There is not much better.

I hope you are all enjoying fantastic weather wherever you may be,

With love x

Happy Towel Day!

In honor of the great Douglas Adams and in lieu of photo's of me carrying around my towel, which I most assuredly AM doing, here are some nice towels for any Hitchhikers in need.

This fun dolphin number because...well they did TRY to warn us.

These fantastic Dr. Suess hooded towels! In different colour ways so that you can be the Grinch, Horton or The Cat in the Hat.

This lovely vintage flapper girl beach towel from the Etsy shop NeatoKeen

 This adorable little pink owl towel. Any chance that would be big enough for me? from the Etsy shop LilyLouLou.

And this kitty hand towel. A friend of mine has one and its just as cute in person.

I hope you all know where your towel is,

with love x

What I've been reading

From bottom to top :

• Kathy Reich's '206 bones'
• Kathy Reich's 'Mortal remains'
• George R R Martin's 'A Clash of Kings'
• Alice Hoffman's 'Practical Magic'
• Suzanne Collins' 'Hunger Games' Trilogy on Kindle

I'l start with my favorite which is 'Practical magic'. The film adaption of this book was a cherished childhood movie. A story of two witch sisters from a long line of witches and their lives on a small island. Even as an adult I can enjoy it. So, I was hesitant to read the book and have it ruin anything (which is why I have waited this long to read it in the first place). However, I was pleasantly surprised. It's darker in tone, no doubt,  but it also gives you much more background on each character than the film does. It explains some of the background happenings in the movie such as all the cats. It serves as a warning about dangerous men and being true to yourself and your family. I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes to read about magic and witchcraft. Or anyone who enjoys a good book really...

I've been reading the Kathy Reich's Temperance Brennan series for a while now. I know, I know I'm not reading them in order. But, the continuing story line is light and easy to keep up with, and I'm more interested in the gooey forensic stuff! So I don't mind skipping a few. It's pretty heavy with medical/forensic/FBI acronyms, but filled with interesting facts and tidbits. Also I'm completely in love with Detective Ryan our romantic interest, for anyone who is a fan of the spin off TV series bones he is the book version of Detective Booth. French Canadian sweet talker. Another recommendation.

George Martin's 'A clash of Kings', what can I say? It's fantastic. I don't want to spoil anything for anybody whose not yet read the books or seen the TV series but it's great. A whole world to immerse yourself in. Big characters. Exciting plots. Violence for those who enjoy it. Romance for those who don't. Wolves and Dragons for the animal lovers. At this point you can't afford to get too attached to any one character, lest they drop dead the next minute, but the threat of an Axe to the neck to anyone is definitely thrilling. Be warned it'l bring you so close to the edge of your seat, you may fall off!

Now, 'The Hunger Games', don't get me wrong, it's a good series, and an interesting idea. It kept me hooked. The writing is pleasant if simplistic, obviously you have to take into account its a teen book, and it's miles better language wise than twilight. BUT, the ending. No spoilers I promise but It was really a bit of an anti-climax for me. At the end I found myself thinking 'Is that it? what now?' So, over all good, but it won't make my top 5.

I hope you are all reading some great books,
With love x