Tuesday 28 July 2015

Grabbing the Muse by the Throat

 
Exciting news - my book is born!!
 
 
 
It will be a week or two yet before it is available online at The Book Depository, Amazon and other online stores.
Everyone who leaves a comment on this post in the next week will go into a draw to win a free copy of my book!!


All of the violas in this photo have since disappeared but I have some others still  flowering happily. Today I used this photo for reference for the watercolour and pen sketch below. I can see now that the colour I used for the leaves makes them look a bit anaemic, but I'm very happy with it overall.
 
 
I did the one below a couple of days ago from life. I have always known these violas by the common name of Johnny Jump-ups and they are favourites of mine. If my memory serves me right, I once read that they also have another common name which is the longest in the English language - "Meet her in the entry, kiss her in the buttery" How rustically divine is that!?
 
 
 

14 comments:

  1. Congratulations Wendy you must be feeling so excited and rightly so. I am sure that you cannot wait to get your hands on the book. Loved the little water colour you did of the toadstool and violas.

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  2. Congratulations on the publishing of your book. It looks like a winner. Best wishes. Robin

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  3. I am so excited for you Wendy!!! I love the cover, it looks incredible!! I can't wait to read your book!!!
    Lovely painting, also the sketch from life! What a fun name for violas.

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  4. How exciting Wendy! I am looking forward to my copy!

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  5. Wendy your title and book cover look fabulous. Please let me know when it is available. Looking so forward to reading it. Your viola sketches are perfectly done. They are such delicate and cheerful poised. Never heard that long name before. See one is always learning something new. Have a great day friend.

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  6. Congratulations my friend on the birth of your book! So excited for you! I can't wait to get a copy. Absolutely love your Viola sketches too, just beautiful!
    ( don't put me in the draw.......I want to but a copy. It may have to wait until I get back from OS, leaving soon. :-))) )

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  7. I read the page about what the book is about. Seems you had quite a time of it in the past. Now I cannot WAIT to read it and get inspired. Love the cover.
    Your pansies and viola bring quite a bit of pleasure my way. Thank you

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  8. Congratulations!!! I love the front and back covers. How exciting to be a published author!! Great job on the two sketches!

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  9. Oh Wendy...congratulations!!! I can't wait to read this book, I love the Title!! Love the Viola sketches too.I had them growing in my garden at our previous place, they are delicate and make a lovely show.

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  10. Congrats Wendy! Very cool to finally see the book. A little teaser of what it is about and I had no idea it's based from your life, Did I miss an earlier post?
    I love the title so that piques my interest too. The front and back covers really show the theme well!
    Keep drawing, painting and writing...

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  11. Congrats Wendy....how exciting for you! I love the book cover and your sketches are wonderful!!
    All the best, Debi

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  12. Thanks so much everyone for your very positive comments and encouragement. Everyone's name went into a hat and the winner has been drawn. Congratulations Debbie Nolan!!!

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  13. Congrats on having your book published Wendy. Must be a great feeling. Fab sketches of the violas. Beautifully drawn as always.

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