Nay To Grey

This little guy remains a top favourite at any of the markets I've attended. A5 prints are currently available for £10 plus p&p. DM me for purchase.

See you soon! 😁

Alright, stop, collaborate and listen.

Acrylic.

Sea swimming be like...
Does anyone else find this glorious lady relatable? Funny how our own self image can be too, right? In some ways, I've never felt more beautiful than I have, since making the decision 18 months ago to choose life, choose movement, nutrition, strength, endurance. But yet, emerging from the water only last week, this is exactly how I still felt. Makes me realise the transformation from the outside now needs to do the work inside. Starting with a whole lot more positive self talk. That little voice in my head that belittles me at any chance, that for so long hindered me from taking risks, from saying yes, to all sorts.
My body may be healthier, may move a lot faster. I may be more flexible, but, my inner voice can still be just as critical and ruthless as always.
Isn't my hippo still beautiful though? Does a hippo hide her size? Does she try to breathe in to appear more lithe to be considered more attractive? Heck no.

I was feeling pretty smug with myself for nabbing this fine knit TU jumper from my local charity shop. I was dying to pair it with this vertical stripe royal blue and white dress. I paired it with my earrings I had bought from a stall in Majorca in October and looked at my reflection in the mirror, pleased with myself for assembling this colour rich, funky outfit. I went downstairs, did a twirl for my 10 year old and asked her would my outfit do for her GB display tonight. Her response was, at least I will see you, because I'm sure no one else will be wearing a bright orange jumper. Recovering from the sting of the blunt reply, I said, I'll probably have my jumper off as I will be roasting, so, it'll prob just be the dress....to which she replies....ah, don't worry, I'll still be able to easily spot you with your blinding stripes.
You've got to laugh. Zero filter. Zero flips given. I added a new layer to my thick skin today. 😂😜

It's that time of the week again. PARKRUN. Those of you who know my story, will know that I laced up my trainers last Jan (2023) for the first time in a loooong time. I've been going to the gym, focusing on building muscle, increasing general fitness and going to a few classes along the way too. 10 parkruns ago, I decided to give my local parkrun a go, fully intending on walking it, but, ended up running part of the way. I caught the bug, the dopamine rush, the endorphin high and here I am, this morning, getting ready to leave the house to complete my 11th parkrun. I've signed up to a local running club, to complete C25K and we have just finished week 2. Never in a million years did I think I'd be setting my alarm on a sat morning to go running... but here I am. 39 years old and becoming a runner. I'm so blown away by the fact it's never too late, I'm so lucky to have the health to be able to run, all be it slowly and in fits and starts, but, my goodness, it feels good to be able to move my body and feel great after!

Help me out. As part of our home education journey, on a trip out today, I decided to ask the kids to take a range of photos, that they would be free to edit and adjust as they seen fit, as a wee competition. I said at the end of the day, they could submit them to me and I'd ask you guys to pick which one you favour. We've talked about how best to take pictures, lighting, camera settings on their phones, etc etc. Please comment below, which one is your favourite and if you can, why. Thank you so much.

I don't think there is anything I don't love about colour. Everytime I work with any medium that produces bright, rich in colour hues, it sparks off all of the happy feelings in my brain. These little circles I've punched out of a sheet I covered in my favourite watercolours, pigments all swirly and glittery, are just the happiest little things. Planning to have a play around with resin, pin badge attachments and keyring holders...to see what I can make out of them. So much potential.

I *think I've finished this painting, but, will let it ruminate for a few days before I varnish. I had so much fun making this piece, feeling it's so very me, my style. The colours, fun, arrangement, pattern, I love it all.

Last week I made this wee Toca Boca inspired digital drawing of Bella, this week, I did one for Charlie. He tells me he loves it.😁 Although..so do I. 😊

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10220377423024318&id=1792564589

Lots of these Daisy studs and drop earrings still available. Perfect teacher thank you gift, gift for your mum/friend/sister/daughter for Christmas. Studs £10, drop £15 plus postage.

Christmas gifts-LIVE tonight, Friday 8th Dec @ 8pm. Have your snacks ready, kids put to bed, dishwasher on and blanket/oodie on. Can't wait to see you there!

It's a bike riding, runny nose, hot chocolate kind of saturday.xx

Hi Everyone!!

Can you help me please?
It will take just a minute.

I've entered an artist competition with Wraptious, a giftware/product manufacturer, based in the UK.

What do I need you to do?

Follow this link to Facebook, like the post and share, tagging me to let me know you have shared. It's as simple as that.

1st place -WIN-Become an artist with Wraptious, developing and designing my own range of products
Top 3 finalists -WIN- Exhibit own artwork in Grove Gallery in London.
Top 12-WIN-£100 giftware/products with their own designs.

Thank you so so much.

Introducing our latest entry from Joanne Dougherty! 🎨

For a limited time, you can own this cozy double-sided, super-soft velvety cushion. With each purchase, you'll not only own a unique piece of art but also help the artist earn 100 points (plus commission) - and plant a tree! Show your support by giving this post a like (1 point) or sharing it (10 points)!

Get your cushion here: https://wraptious.com/cart/42731451514933:1?storefront=true&ref=fb-b

Great wee day at Mossley Mill Christmas Market. Thank you to all of my lovely customers today. My favourite little customer picked a toadstool necklace and I think it looks so lovely. Her mummy treated herself to the same wee necklace too. Love a toadstool.😍 These necklaces are £10 and are a great wee Christmas present idea for any toadstool lovers out there.🍄

When you create new stock for a market in your local council area....only to realise you have been subconsciously inspired by their logo.....oops .

A bomb of glitter, fairy lights and looped Christmas music is heading our way and we can either beat it, or join it..... I've chosen to join....🤗 Are we all Christmas lovers or haters?

Some outdoor painting happening. In Northern Ireland you are much more likely to have a nice dry day in Sep or Oct instead of our very wet summers.:-) hot water bottles at the ready.

My handsome boy.

Happy NOT back to school week!!! In true fashion, I'm dosed to the eyeballs with a cold, mere weeks after having COVID(?) And it's been a few PJ days here for us. Beauty of home schooling is that we do what suits us, when it suits us. Looking forward to another year of the kids discovering who they are, with freedom and an abundance of resources and time to find what it is they like and what they are naturally adept at.
Normally at this time of the year I have a little wobble, questioning our decision to home school/ unschool, but, this year, more than any, I'm reassured that it's the right thing for all of us. What an honour it is to share life with these two wonderful wee human beings and watch them develop and grow.

Gerry the sausage dog has eyes that you can't say no to. An extra treat? No problem! Jump on the sofa? Go ahead. Sleep in our bed? Come on in. Gerry embodies the personality of the Dachshund breed, with 100% mischief and 200% character.
What inspired me to create Gerry? My love and desire to get a sausage dog. I don't own one, but I want one and I want it now. Any knowledge of these little guys are that they are big on snuggling and that would suit me just fine.

https://naytogrey.etsy.com/uk/listing/1311834088/square-animal-art-print-sausage-dog?utm_source=Copy&utm_medium=ListingManager&utm_campaign=Share&utm_term=so.lmsm&share_time=1692718753429

Square Animal Art Print Sausage Dog - Etsy This Digital Drawings & Illustrations item is sold by NaytoGrey. Ships from United Kingdom. Listed on Aug 10, 2023

It's been a week of dipping our toes back into normality, after all of us being sick and being cooped up for so long at home. I'm still not 100% as have residual sinus issues causing headaches, etc. BUT....man, I missed wearing proper clothes and wearing makeup...and feeling pretty. I missed driving, being in public with people and seeing friends. I'm planning on getting back into exercise in the next week or so, as I miss it most. My sleep has been rubbish and I find sticking to a calorie deficit really hard when I'm not exercising. *Although* I'm also trying not to beat myself up or be disheartened by setbacks in my journey to fitness, such an illness, as that's just life. Consistently starting up again, when able, is key to persistence, in anything, I think, a good lesson that I'm trying to teach myself.:-) Onwards and upwards.

What is it with this combination that has me obsessed? Orange and pink. To me, it's just summer. Even if our weather mostly isn't reflecting the season we are currently apparently in. Also, is there even any other brand of nail varnish? Always love Barry M colours and quality.

I don't often post pictures of my Husband. The lack of pictures of him isn't because I dislike posting pictures of him, more that he isn't an extrovert, mostly. He doesn't understand the concept of putting yourself or others out there, for others to see or judge. But, I think he's just gorgeous. He's a hugely humble guy, forever underestimating himself, his abilities and gifts. He is slow to react, mainly unfluffable and wise, from years of experience. I often think I know better than him, but think it's mainly that underneath it all, I know he's right, but, I'm just wanting to win, that one time. We are as different as chalk and cheese, him loving neutral colours, my love of vivids, brights and contrasting metallics. I love busy noise, he delights in the quiet calm. But, somehow, we work. Don't get me wrong, marriage and relationships take work. The struggle to maintain a space that only you inhibit, to make your mark on the world, whilst realising it's you both, together, against anything. If I fall, I know he's there to catch me. My love.

My new logo, designed by me!!:-) love how my beautiful new business cards have turned out.
@

Nnnnew profile picture and design for biz cards. :-)