On a good day…

September 24, 2012September 15, 2013 | Anna Cull

Here is my completed entry for the Chronic Pain Awareness Month (New Zealand) charity auction/competition. As mentioned in my last post, this year’s theme is ‘the soul within’.

The competition is open to anyone who has a relationship with chronic pain and I suffered from monster migraines when I was a child. Doctors and specialists told me that I would ‘grow out of them’ and I have to admit they were right. It took more than twenty years (!!!) but they did eventually, slowly, bit by bit, diminish over time. The headaches I get now simply don’t compare. I’ve also had RSI/OOS in my hands. With rest, therapy, and a complete change of lifestyle, the condition is now under control. I still have bad days but it’s something I can live with. And I am very, VERY thankful.

Rose and Violet

September 7, 2012February 8, 2014 | Anna Cull

My first tattoo design! This is a commission for a mother whose daughters’ middle names are Rose and Violet. I’m really happy with the flowers and the overall design, including the heart-shaped violet leaf.

As I was sketching, the violet slowly transformed itself (quite inadvertently) into a pansy but I changed it back again for the final design.

Jacobean style

July 16, 2012June 24, 2020 | Anna Cull

Sandra’s logo and floral design — I must admit, I was having so much fun designing it that the project kind of got away on me. The brief was to design a product tag (and logo) that Sandra could attach to the bags she makes (and having designed the tag, it seemed a shame not to design a business card too). I gave Sandra a choice of bordeaux red or olive green… and green was the winner on the day.

Sandra’s Jacobean pattern – watercolour on paper, 190 x 270 mm, 2012.

Sandra requested a Jacobean-style pattern and this is what I came up with. It took quite a bit of experimentation with my watercolour paints to make the texture look embroidered. I’ve never used watercolour without pen and ink before (strange though that may sound) and I really enjoyed the challenge. We’re both very happy with the results.

Update: you can now visit Sandra’s blog at my bagirl world.

Cats

June 3, 2012February 8, 2014 | Anna Cull

Ink and watercolour, various sizes. Redressing the balance (see previous post).

Dogs

May 31, 2012February 8, 2014 | Anna Cull

Ink and watercolour, various sizes. Research is fun!

Finding myself

May 23, 2012September 15, 2013 | Anna Cull

Anna Cull here1 — I’m right here #1 – ink and digital, 175 x 205 mm, 2012.

Anna Cull here2 — I’m right here #2 – ink and watercolour, 145 x 190 mm, 2012.

Two versions of a dip pen doodle — full of unexpected outcomes. A lot like life, really. They were inspired by Anne Onsøien’s recent “Lost or found?” post. The first image is the original sketch which has been added to and messed about with in Photoshop. The second is the final watercolour sketch.