Derek and Joe Ocober 2008

I've been drawing famous people badly for ages now, starting off with my 1991 Morrissey woodblock print. I moved onto Proust for my sister, and Darwin and Marie Curie for my father. You might have stumbled across Nick Cave, and now I've painted Derek Jarman and Joe Strummer, on request from Helen. This time I actually got a book out of the library on proper technique, basing my compositions on Mary and Jesus icons. Will I be struck down?

Cinderella October 2008

My five year old son, Otto, found a pair of shoes that Gus had grown out of. They had to fit someone, so we made a doll to wear them. Otto named her - appropriately, I thought - and drew the face, which I embroidered.

Sixties lampshade September 2008

I am slowly colourising my living room - it's so beige, which is of course the perfect neutral colour to apply one's possessions on, but it makes me feel so depressed. I recycled some vintage curtains for the fabric.I might make a dress to match so I am perfectly coordinated with my surroundings. Now I have to paint the walls intense colours, but I'm waiting until I've finished my novel (and my children's book design, and my gardening, and the school term, etc etc)

The gloved hand July 2008

This is one of two pictures I painted for Bianca on the occasion of her wedding. It's from her novel which I can't wait to read when it's finished.

Jam tarts October 2008

These were really easy to make, and so beautiful! The apricot jam was luminous, partularly against my Middle Eastern plate I picked up at the Avondale markets for a few dollars.