Jasmine Rebecca Illustration

I have moved!

2016-05-11T04:48:00.003-07:00

I now manage my blog over on my website: www.Jasminerebecca.com

Hope to see you there!

Illuminate...

2015-05-18T07:21:00.001-07:00

It is Monday and feels like a good time to reflect on the last few weeks of work and general goings on...

We seemed to slip back into cooler weather here in Cornwall, with the odd day here and there of beautiful sunshine.
I spent one wonderful day last week in the garden painting with my new easel. I have been meaning to buy one for ages, and I kept thinking I wouldn't use it enough to justify the space and cost...but I found one locally for such a bargain that I thought, why not, and it's already had such great use.

Since completing the 'doodle-a-day' project in April, and re-discovering the fun of painting on canvas I have sort-of run with that and started a series, sparked off by my first initial experiment which I felt captured something which my traditional use of delicate watercolour and quotations didn't...I suppose by being more spontaneous and expressive with colour and paint I was able to suggest a feeling more open to interpretation, rather than defining it with words.

The whole idea behind these paintings is that of illumination and that spark of creativity you have at the beginning of a project, that energy that you desperately want to hold onto before it slips away :)

I have added the first two paintings I completed to my display at the Lane Gallery in Truro, Cornwall..hope this silly picture illustrates the general size of the work...hehe :)

As well as painting, I have spent some time out and about exploring Cornwall, including my old favourite St. Ives, and a chilly day at Lanhydrock, a beautiful stately home near Bodmin. The bluebells were out and looking lovely!...

Alex also kindly offered to drive us to Porthleven, to see a new Gallery/giftshop just opened which have taken stock of some of my prints and cards. Porthleven is very quaint, and despite it being a cold day we had a lovely time walking around the harbour and nosing in all the galleries and gift shops...heres a peak of my work in newly opened Slipway Studio...

Finally we had a big celebration for our friends Wedding at the weekend, over at Woodland Valley Farm near Ladock. It was wonderfully sunny and such a lovely day. I got involved the day before in helping to decorate the big barn, I love helping out with Wedding preparations, its such an exciting time!!

Looks like we are in for another Bank holiday weekend here in the UK, which for us doesn't mean days off as such, but I love when people are all out and about enjoying Cornwall :)

2015-05-06T07:16:00.000-07:00

It feels like no time ago that I was updating this blog with my progress on last years 'doodle a day' challenge, and a year later, I have just completed the same project for April.

I must admit, I found it more of a challenge this year, now that I do not have a 'day job'. Which seems odd, as in theory I should have more spare time for these doodles. Yet, the pressure I put on myself to be productive daily, means that drawing a little scribble for the sake of it actually seemed frustrating at times, because I felt it was counter-productive. It wasn't of course, and the whole process has been valuable in the opposite way to last year.

The value in creating 'for the sake of it' for me was an important reminder that not every piece has to be perfect, and that even the work I feel is weaker, is not mine to judge that way. Some of the little drawings I made that I felt disappointed in proved to get lovely reactions from other people.


A big pile of doodles!

Most of these were inspired by day to day events, music I was listening to, and some quite random thoughts!
I also began experimenting again, with other processes which I haven't found the excuse to do in years. I spontaneously bought a batch of canvases and had some fun afternoons playing with paint and mark making, which sparked off new ideas.

You can find all the doodles I made on my Facebook and Instagram pages (links in sidebar)
Hope everyone is having a nice start to May :) x

Easter Wishes x

2015-04-03T04:57:00.000-07:00

Greetings to all on this Good Friday!

My current view! You can't see it..but the rain is moving sideways :)

It's definately a day for computer work and for me this means being as comfy as possible..so why not work from bed!? My studio/Alex's retired man cave is a little chilly this morning so painting in there with no nice sunlight shining through isn't going to happen today.
When I think of Easter, I think of bright yellow daffodils and pastel colours...of sunshine and fresh air, so perhaps for people in Cornwall we may have to use our imaginations a little this weekend :)

I created this card a few weeks ago for Easter, or for a hopeful message at any time of year...

I adore birds nests and I am always on the look out for them...I remember finding lots and keeping them when I was younger, and using them to keep special treasures in :) This card is hand finished and available to buy over in my >>>>Etsy shop<<<<<
Last year I began a 'doodle-a-day' challenge in April and I have begun this challenge again, with the intent of creating a drawing everyday in April. I really would recommend it to artists as it's not only a good general daily practice but also wonderful for 'artists block'.

*I was just about to say that Alex and I don't celebrate Easter in a big way, but I have just been sent on a mini egg hunt around the house so I take it back :) I was given a cup to collect them in, but pretty much ate each one as I found it!
**To add to the fun, there are now two random ducks plodding around in the garden...we seem to have the most popular garden in the area....squirrels, badgers, foxes, owls, you name it, they have paid a visit!
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend x

Inspiration

2015-03-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

Over the past few weeks I have had some time, without commissions to create some fun work on whatever I fancied painting. Having a gap in paid work sometimes overwhelms me and causes a block because...where to start? Of all the things to draw inspiration from and paint now that I have the time...I must create as much as possible! :)

Often after working to a more fixed brief I feel a bit drained of inspiration and to go straight to the drawing board after this is a recipe for panic! I need to refresh and 'refill the well'. After creating for a client, I often feel a bit stuck in a sort of more structured part of my brain that ignores my own personal preferences and tastes in order to get the job done. *I mean this is the nicest possible way...most of the people who request artwork from me have lovely taste...it just involves me staying on the chosen path!* :)

It is easy to over-look the fact that in order to create something, you need to first feel that rush of ideas that comes from being inspired, and that doesn't often happen for me whilst staring at a blank sheet of paper or trawling through pages online of what everyone else out there is creating....it pops up whilst I am on the train listening to music, out walking in the fresh air..whilst I am with friends and family....whilst I am actually LIVING!

Some of my favourite paintings were made between times...when I needed a release of expression and wanted to say something and they just 'happened' without much thought or planning!

So here are some of the moments that inspired me to create some new work (which you can discover over on my facebook page or Etsy shop)

Thanks for stopping by :) x

Findings on a beautiful sunny walk...

Reading in the morning light...

Exploring antique shops in Lostwithiel..

Beautiful heather at The Eden Project..

Enchanting Caerhays Castle!

Watching the Eclipse from the cliff top...

Victoria Erickson

2015-02-28T06:26:00.000-08:00

Isn't it such a comfort to find a writer who can express those thoughts that you can't untangle in your own mind...

30.

2015-02-15T08:52:00.000-08:00

I chose to leave my 'day job' before Christmas after saving up two months living costs and deciding I just couldn't face creeping into my 30's without at least pushing myself to try and succeed in what I have been trying to do since I learnt to 'colour in'.

I have always associated having a regular income with security, growing up with parents who ran their own business from home. The business failed after many years of bad decisions, bad luck and a bad economy.

I could not see the advantages of all the chaos and unknowns that seemed to surround the way our lives were and it made more sense to me to have a regular job and income since school.
This has meant I have kept artwork as a hobby, that pays now and then, for the past fifteen years.

I have very rarely questioned my value at work, and mainly felt incredibly lucky and flattered when people were happy to employ me.
What I began to realise, after the initial novelty of a new work place, new discounts, new responsibilties, is that however I would perform or push myself, there was always a limit on my income. I would still recieve the same paid amount every month, whether it was a hugely successful one or not. Now and then there would be bonuses and incentives in larger companies, but these didn't often reflect the effort required to obtain them... and I kept thinking... yes, I could move up the pay scale in a company.. but what if there was no limit on what I could make for myself?

I think no-matter how stressful and crazy growing up with self employed parents was, the need for freedom of choice finally crept up on me through the years and I felt more and more resistant to dragging myself out of bed to make someone elses dream happen when all I wanted was the freedom to stay up all night and paint if I felt like it, or to not have to schedule times where I could be creative.

When you look back in one perspective, you only see what you want to see.
Now I try to look at the amazing things my parents made happen with their business. I have fond memories of rollerskating around their huge workshop when they employed a team of people, frantically packing our bags for holidays to faraway places....driving all the way to Scotland in a campervan with no time restraint or plan..... and mum always being there, making endless cups of tea and popping to the bakery down the road for freshly baked bread :)

My thirty years on this lovely planet have taught me that trying always feels better than accepting your fate and moaning how its not fair. I am not a person motivated by money, but I am motivated by living a life rich in fun and freedom, so lets see what happens :)

I will finish with a painting I made after receiving my first set of watercolor paints for Christmas when I was eight :)

A Doodle a Day

2014-06-03T11:00:00.001-07:00

During April and May I set myself the challenge to complete a 'doodle a day' for 30 days. I am the kindof person who ends up daydreaming all day if I don't set myself tasks and things to achieve and I had been feeling like I had got out of practice with keeping a daily sketchbook.
Some sketches were observations of the world around me, others were inspired by quotes, music and sparks of ideas. As I am writing this I am tempted to set myself another similar challenge as it was so beneficial (and fun!) to me as an artist!

Happy May!

2014-05-10T05:07:00.002-07:00

Just a little update, although I am not sure where to start, as once I fail to update one project I have been working on, or a new idea or painting, I seem to fail to even try for a few months!
I realised this morning, you have to start somewhere! So, these invites feel very Spring like to me, and I have just completed them. They feel like the culmination of what I have learnt about producing Wedding Invites so far. I have tried to put into practice the knowledge I have gained, through trial and sometimes error! I love it when you can see, step by step the progress you are making!
These pretty designs are for a late summer, English-country-garden-by-the-sea Wedding! Wishing everyone a lovely May (My favourite month of the year!)

Guest Blog for Printed.com

2013-12-01T02:08:00.002-08:00

I was very excited to be asked to write a guest blog this week for Printed.com. It's all about how I make my Wedding Stationery, take a little look >>>>>>>here<<<<<<<<

Yuletide Whispers

2013-11-20T02:03:00.000-08:00

Since I have recently created a collection of new cards for the festive season I thought it would be nice to show the process of how I made them. I always love to see all the sketches and thoughts that go into making a finished product, and I think it is more and more important these days to appreciate the process in all you do and not just the end result.

I start by making endless scribbles and basic layouts, which turn into more worked up drawings to be scanned in...

I also decide on all my text. For my Christmas designs I decided to hand draw my lettering. I usually make this up as I go, with the overall look I want in mind. The font here is quite simple, with some fancy swirls and delicate lines.

When all the seperate elements of my designs are drawn and scanned in, I arrange the images and text using Photoshop. For these cards I fought my urge to paint and used a selection of textures I had to 'fill in' areas of colour. Some of these backgrounds I keep in a big folder on my computer include scanned in gold leaf, fabrics, brown paper...all sorts! I love experimenting with collage and resisting my use of painting forces me to be a little more creative and deliberate about colour.

Each design then needs to be arranged in the right format for the printers. This usually means Jasmine gets a headache! I struggle with pdf's and bleeds for a few hours and then...voila! All ready to send off :)

I use Printed.com for printing at the moment as I love the card choices they have. For me it has to be textured, watercolour style paper every-time in all that I print!
When they arrive, I fold and package them up with envelopes all ready to sell. I love little details, so I add star cut outs and confetti to my designs, so each one has been hand finished.

I hope you enjoyed that little insight into my process :) My cards are onsale here online and for those that live in Cornwall, at Inhabit in Truro.

2012-10-05T03:43:00.000-07:00


'I must be a mermaid. I have no fear of depths & a great fear of shallow living' Anais Nin

Hello! I have been swimming about in the depths for many months and making lots of amazing discoveries whilst exploring! Now I am just about ready to come back up to the surface and say hi!

This painting is one of a few that will be printed, along with older work and listed on my Etsy shop within the next few weeks. I have had many printing issues over the summer and eventually decided it would be best to start fresh and treat myself to some new equipment that will achieve the kindof quality prints I am striving for!

Watch this space x

Shine!

2012-07-22T13:48:00.003-07:00

Hello! I am sitting here beneath a beautiful sunset after a day of cloudless sky in Cornwall! My skin has that wonderful taught feeling of being in the sun all day...and it is so overdue for everyone down here..we all needed that today after all the rain we seem to have had this July.

This painting is a little taster of a new project I have started...just for me.
Since graduating from art college what seems like years and years ago, I have mainly juggled day jobs with commercial illustration jobs in the hope that I could one day illustrate full time. It has felt a very slow process and I am finally beginning to work out why I haven't quite 'made it'

Most of the work I complete I don't connect with on any level...it is just like painting by numbers...drawing whatever is required and filling in the gaps. I don't often find myself getting lost in my work anymore...when the hours and hours pass and you suddenly 'wake up' and realise the light has faded and you haven't had a cup of tea for over four hours...eeek!

I am trying to once again recapture that. I have conditioned myself into thinking if I work hard on commercial work for years and years perhaps one day, I can reward myself with sitting back and only painting what I feel like. But, looking back on the past few years...that obviously isn't happening quick enough and neglecting that part of myself has made me so unhappy.

Little by little I hope to devote more time to more personal work...and this is the start so I am excited!

On another note. My faithful and hardworking printer has finally had enough...therefore my Etsy shop has once again been put on the back burner before I even got time to properly start it! I usually print everything myself but I need to either find a local printer or buy another which isn't a priority as such at the moment.

Lula...

2012-04-29T00:26:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to anyone who may read Lula magazine. I started collecting issues years ago and due to moving soon (hopefully) I need to size down my huge collection of magazines and books. I am selling a few past issues on Ebay here (Issue 7) and (Issue 5)
Both are very difficult to track down now and very beautiful...I will miss them!

Rose Jasmine x

2012-04-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

I am over the moon to share that my lovely sister Jade gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this week!
Meet baby Rose Jasmine...

A very proud and overwhelmed Auntie :)

Twit-twoo!

2012-04-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

I didn't think I would get around to finishing this before I left for the New Forest tomorrow...but luckily I have and I've just posted this new item on my shop >>>the little owl pocket mirror<<<
Horray!

Heart Thoughts

2012-04-01T06:23:00.000-07:00

Hello there on this beautiful spring Sunday!
Today I wanted to share a lovely book I found yesterday called 'Heart Thoughts' by Louise L Hay. This was one of those times that you stumble across exactly what you need without really looking for it. I was simply drawn to the colourful typography at first and opened the book to find it full of wonderful, uplifting words! I am a firm believer in at least trying to think positive and making the best of what you have, and thought flicking through and reading a page of this each day would help me do just that. You can find it >>>here<<<

I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a little lift now and then, or would make a lovely gift for someone who is having difficulty looking on the bright side! It's also just a pretty book for anyone who likes illustration and typography! :)

Oh and here are a few things I have been working on lately...(yes they are Christmas cards...for my agency!)

Sun + Stars

2012-03-12T08:02:00.000-07:00

Hello on this beautiful sunny day!

I have finally recovered from my annual bug, and I am feeling extra good! The sun is shining through my window and I have had the whole day free for drawing.

Thought I would mention a lovely item I recently purchased. I like to buy from local sellers wherever I can, and I have been a fan of online shop, based in Cornwall- Bonbi Forest, for many years. I am a bit of a sucker for anything with stars on, so had my eye on this for ages, and finally bought it to cheer myself after being ill! Good excuse :)

I also love pretty packaging, therefore had to take a snap before I unwrapped :) A lovely comfy, light top for spring....which is finally here!!! So happy x

Sunday in St.Ives

2012-02-26T12:41:00.000-08:00

Today was spent wandering around the streets of St.Ives taking photos and eating cream teas like tourists! It's so nice to enjoy the relatively quiet streets before the season begins.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend :)

Falling stars...

2012-02-09T14:06:00.000-08:00

I am currently sat in bed, with a hot water bottle, laptop perched on my knees, sipping a herbal tea. I feel I have managed to escape my usual, annual hibernation mode until this week...I was so close to getting through the whole winter without falling into the habit of just getting home from work, eating something as quickly as possible and collapsing into bed!
So, although this evening I may be in bed at 9pm, I have still managed to fit in listing one of the few items I have been wanting to add to my Etsy store this week; a >>foxy little card!<<

Hope everyone else is coping with the cold snap better than me!! x

My new shop..

2012-01-30T10:26:00.000-08:00

I have just opened my own little Etsy shop....>>>>>here!<<<<<
It features some older prints that people seemed to like when I had my Bigcartel shop online. I felt Etsy may be a little better in terms of exposure, as I had to do a lot of reminding people that the other one was there :) I will be adding newer work if it's up to scratch too!
I have made the big decision today to give up one of my two day jobs which I felt was holding me back a little bit, but I am still staying with my job at Crystals because its lovely..more on that later...almost the end of January, which means we must be a little closer to spring now yes!?

Cut + Paste

2012-01-27T11:32:00.000-08:00

Today was spent making the last of one hundred or so Wedding invites for one of my best friends, little sisters wedding in the summer. This involved lots of printing, scoring, cutting and sticking!

I really appreciated the process and it made me wonder again whether I would enjoy running my own business making personalized invites...I seem to be forever pondering lots of different business ideas, but can never decide on just one!

Sorry for the cryptic photo's- I don't want to show too much detail as the bride and groom must see them before everyone else :)

I spent a few hours during the afternoon at Chapel Porth beach with my Mum. The little bird below was very interested in my hot chocolate! Just as we got back in the car a storm rolled in and we couldn't see the beach through the hailstones battering on the windscreen...the weather is crazy...but I have seen three rainbows today :)

2012-01-21T09:30:00.000-08:00

Today has been spent painting a new something for my card portfolio, eating cat shaped chocolates and gathering inspiration. The wind was once again howling outside so it was nice to have a whole day to enjoy being at home in the warmth.
We are hoping the weather perks up tomorrow so we can get some fresh air and take my new car for a spin. I have never had a car that hasn't been chosen for me, this one was all my choice, so therefore as small (easy to park) and friendly looking as possible (curvy not boxy). Its lovely to have my freedom back and to know I can escape during my free afternoons when I get home from work. I am looking forward it being warm enough to sit outside and draw somewhere pretty.

Wishing for Spring...

2012-01-08T06:56:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a typically blustery grey day in Cornwall..one which made me wish for Spring to come sooner! It is my absolute favorite time of year, I find it so inspiring and exciting.....I still have a little while to wait, so in the mean time I painted this whilst sat in a big woolly scarf in front of my heater!

Hello!

2012-01-06T03:57:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new home!

For anyone who used to follow my old blog here: http://jasminesumbrella.blogspot.com/
All new posts and work will be put here from now on.
The year 2011 felt like an incredibly busy and at times challenging year for me, with many ups and downs within my family and lots of change...my old blog eventually lost pace and direction, so thought it would be nice to start fresh and here we are :)
I hope to share new illustration work and inspiration here, as well as things that make me happy day to day.....Enjoy! Jasmine x