New Years Resolution

Hellooooo!

Ok, if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you might know that at the beginning of this year I set myself the goal of doing something arty every day and I failed on the second day (come on - we knew that would happen!). I still kept "trying" when I could be bothered but found myself forcing it and it became something of a chore rather than what I used to love doing.

The past week has been a really good one and I have managed to balance making with my day job successfully. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, everyone who knows me knows that, still it is great to have something that helps you get away from all those worries and hopefully that people enjoy too.

So I am just going to keep trying and not make any promises art-wise because I never keep them...

Paha!

Llamas

Here are my llama drawings so far, including a doodle and yes, even the last picture was meant to be one:

Soapbox Press

GUYS, LOOK! I'M FAMOUS!

Ok, maybe not that big, however, this was and still is so exciting for me! I promise this is the last time I will mention it (not!). It was published online a couple of weeks ago and I can't thank Soapbox Press enough for contacting me to do this; it really does look great!

I was sent a preview of what it was going to look like the week before and I hate to admit it, but I completely forgot about the whole thing until I was notified on Instagram! A lot had happened that week with one of my day jobs and my head was all over the place.

Of course I had to share the link on my Facebook page as soon as I could and according to their statistics the post reached 560 people because of the likes/comments it recieved. My page only had 56 likes at the time, so I would definitely call that an achievement of some sort!

All of this would never happened if I had never replied to their first initial message to me! I thought it was fake because good things like this never happen to me and I even asked them is this for real haha!

I ended up sending them an email with a few images of my recent sketchbook work and a rambling piece about me. I always find writing about myself difficult, probably always will and it's typical, but I've thought of more I should have said!

To read the full feature click on the link below:

www.soapboxpress.wordpress.com/2016/05/19/jade-probitts-visualisation/

Kangaroos

Below are a few illustrations of Kangaroos that I have drawn in my sketchbook:

Monday's Are My Favourite

For the past week everything with me is feeling much better (apart from being ill thanks to my parents) and I am glad!

I have been reading most days and being able to escape into someone else's world for an hour or two has been so relaxing. Just what I need! It definitely helps me to get through the day. I still need to work on drawing more although I'm getting there; I've gained a few more likes on my Facebook page recently too and that's helped boost my spirits!

At the weekend I dropped off a painting at The Freudian Sheep to be put in their next exhibition. I am excited to be showing with them again; they really are doing great things and I am so happy for them! Hopefully if I'm feeling better I'll be able to make their opening event which is happening this Saturday (12th March at 3pm)!

See the invite below and if you haven't already, please take a look at this article - they had an interview with entertainment writer, Wayne Savage, from the East Anglian Daily Times during their last exhibition called MAD?. It's a really great read; especially if you're interested in art and/or mental health.

Something that occurred to me though when getting my work ready for The Sheep is that when pricing work, artists usually have to take into account any commission that would taken from the sale of the piece(s) and I don't think some  people think about that... They see the price and instantly assume it's too expensive for what the art work is. Artists also have to keep in mind the time it took to create the work, whether its minutes, hours or even days, as well as the cost of materials and I'm sure I'm not the only the one who sometimes lets my emotional attachment to the art affect the amount too.

Yesterday, I decided that Monday's are my favourite day is the week. You might find this strange as most people hate them, but it's the only day I get a lay-in with a chilled out morning and it's the day I volunteer at Banham Zoo Charity Shop, which I still love and means I get to interact with people and read some more. It'll be even better when it's warmer and stops rainging so much. The day is only ruined when I have to go to work that evening!

So, yeah, I've has my ramble but it had to be done! Thank you if you made this far!

J x

Zombie Giraffe

I thought I should post this drawing from my sketchbook up while I remembered! Somehow I managed to draw a zombie giraffe last week. Well, I think it was last week...

I like how it ended up though; it's much, much better than my first attempt that's for sure! Don't believe me? You can check that out here. Also, because I had space left on the page this time, I drew a few features a little larger. I used to do this in Life Drawing when I liked a body part or to have a little extra practise if I couldn't quite get it right on the paper.

Hopefully I'll get round to drawing another animal from the zoo as soon as I can (be bothered - let's be honest now).

Good Day

Fields out near the stables

Today has been a good one!

Not only has the sun been shining bright and making me happy, but I achieved things!

• I went to work like normal
• Then went poo picking and mucked out the horse because my mum is ill
• Noted down a few ideas to change my website slightly
• Replied to an interesting email
• My Cass Art order arrived
• Started a drawing which will hopefully be finished tomorrow
• Went to work again
• Added some more to the drawing
• And wrote this blog post

Of course in between most of these accomplishments is eating and you'll be amazed to know I haven't even had a nap this afternoon!

I'm trying to be more positive and I am looking forward to tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll finish a drawing (keep an eye out for that) and maybe I'll read some more of that book I'm currently on.

I have been really struggling with wanting a new job and just not getting anywhere - I might explain more in another post, let's not ruin the goodness! Someone pointed out to me though that I don't have and haven't had it as hard as some people looking for a job they enjoy, even a job in general, which is very true. I should be grateful for where I'm at right now and I am.

Happy thoughts for everyone out there reading this!

Giraffe

Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis

Least Concern

Native to: Africa
Size: Height 4.3 - 5.5 metres
Diet: Herbivore
Young: 1 calf

The second drawing in my set of zoo zine idea!

When I first drew it I felt the only positive about it was that you could tell it was supposed to be a giraffe. I always hate it when I take a drawing too far, I suppose I can sometimes learn from the bad points and hope that I don't do it again (but I usually do - haha). Fails like this make me miss being at university and having my own desk in my own studio space to work at!

A few people have said they liked this drawing, in fact more than my previous one of a siberian tiger, which I prefer so much more. I know I can do better! I may have to re-draw this one because I'm not too happy with it. So, if you like giraffes then keep an eye out for another attempt!

Ah well, at least I got some drawing practice, right?

Siberian Tiger

Siberian Tiger
Panthera tigris altaica

Endangered

Native to: East Asia
Size: Head-body length 1.2 - 2.3 metres
Diet: Carnivore
Young: Around 2 - 4 cubs in a litter

The information above is from Banham Zoo's Official Guide Book. I did this drawing in my sketchbook yesterday; I created it from a photo I took during a visit to the zoo about 5 years ago.

It has just occurred to me that my zine could be some sort of unofficial guide book for the zoo; featuring drawings of animals that are in their Official one, possibly with information or possibly not. Would I need to get their permission to do that? Hmm, we'll see how it goes.

I have fallen in love with the pens I used, Derwent Graphik Line Makers from Cass Art. They are so lovely to draw with! I was unsure if I wanted to add whiskers to it in case I ruined the piece, then a smart cookie named Jenny suggested I put some tracing paper over the top and try drawing it on there first, which I will definitely give a go.

Not bad for the start of my project though! What do you think?

Banham Zoo

In my previous post I mentioned that I have been volunteering at Banham Zoo's Charity Shop!

It's almost been 3 months since I started there and I go one day a week; at the moment it's for a couple of hours on a Monday afternoon. Me and the other volunteers help raise funds for the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA). To find out more about the zoo and the charity visit here.

For a few weeks now, when I get the chance, I have a doodle from the images in the Official Guide Book on pieces of note paper with a biro. I didn't get a chance to have a go this week as it was much more busy compared to normal; probably because it's half term.

I have a plan. I don't know if it's a good idea or not, but the plan is to create a zine full of animals from Banham Zoo, sell them and donate an amount to the zoo's charity. That's what I hope to do anyway; it doesn't mean it will happen... (I know what I'm like - hmm). I think I need to have a proper visit to the zoo and take photos of my own to work from. I haven't had a trip there for a few years, seems like a lifetime ago! Who's with me?

Below are what I have drawn so far. Sorry about the image quality; they were taken on my mobile. I may have to scan them in and see what they look like then. They would definitely need to be adapted if they were to make it into the zine - let me know if you think this plan is something I should do!

Last week...

The week before that...

2 weeks before that...

And the week before that!

What I would like to do...

Sketches from when I used to go Life Drawing.

I've been thinking a lot recently about what I would like to be able to do.

Since finishing university, returning back to living with my parents and not earning much at all, I've noticed more that everything revolves around money and it saddens me. I need a job, any job that will enable me to be able to start saving up. However, getting one is not as easy as it sounds. I'm still stuck in the vicious cycle of needing experience to get a job, but I need a job to get experience.

I would love to be able to volunteer in a gallery; preferably at The Freudian Sheep because I adore the place, although they don't know about this wish. I already volunteer at the Banham Zoo Charity Shop and I really enjoy it. Volunteering can be good experience and at the moment that's the only way I can get any.

A big hope is that I want to have my own studio so I can paint and be creative without having to worry about making a mess or having cats get in the way. I'm finding it quite difficult without a space to go to like I had at university. If I could move out that would be a step towards having a place to work; I just can't afford to.

Now I'm also toying with the idea of creating my own zine, or maybe even a colouring book! What about a zine that you can colour in? Hmm... I'm going to need to look into this. I think that I would create an animal themed one; maybe animals that are at Banham Zoo and maybe donate some of the money made from it to them? To have any chance of this plan working, I have to get back into drawing!

Possibly would like to make small pots or something creature based as well (however, would a kiln be needed for this?). Just making something with my hands, that I could easily make and sell would be good... I don't know.

In short:

1. Get a 'proper' job to enable me to afford to do these things.
2. Volunteer in a gallery.
3. Have my own studio.
4. Create a zine.
5. Make little sellable items.

Right now I can only keep applying to jobs, keep hopeful and attempt to keep creative.

Commissions.

Sketchbook drawing for my Sunflower painting.

Hmm... That word 'commission'.

There's something about it that makes me feel uneasy. I have been thinking about this for a while. I don't really understand what the procedure is for doing one. No one has asked me to do a commission; although, I have never offered my services for doing them and it's not something we're walked through at university...

Do I do exactly what the client wants, even if it's not what I paint or draw?

Or do I get their ideas and do my own interpretation from them, whilst hoping for the best?

OR do I not even attempt commissions and  just keep creating what I want to, then hope that people will like it and someone will want to buy it?

I mean, I'm happy to be given an object, spend some time drawing from it and take a few photos; talk through my plans with them and then bring all the elements together to create a painting. But, what if I'm asked for a landscape or a portrait?! Do I simply decline?

Sigh.

Anyone have advice for me? The idea of even attempting it scares me! I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels like this.

(At least, I hope I'm not the only one...).

Elesym II & III.

These are the next set of elephant skull symbols that I have created.

I will write about them at some point, I just feel as though they are not finished yet. I'll move on to other work and come back to them if I remember. I had originally decided they were finished, but there's something about the triangle pattern not matching on both of the paintings that I'm not so keen on anymore.