Last of the summer photos and some recycled illustrations

Pink'nfrilly

Gorgeous flowers en masse at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

I've gathered together the last photos from my summer holiday and made some more montages. I decided to accompany these with some sketchbook bits and pieces, some of which I've shown before, but most of which have had something new added for the occasion!

'Sweetpeas' watercolour ©Caroline Soer

Sorry that the quality of this image isn't very good. I wanted to include it as sweetpeas are such lovely frilly flowers! It's taken from a larger watercolour painting behind glass. I painted this many years ago - the flowers were from my Mum's garden ... I can smell that heavenly scent now! I've added a couple of lines from a poem by John Keats and a digital pastel colour detail.

'Tango' watercolour with collage©Caroline Soer

These roses from a beautiful bouquet were quickly rendered in watercolour in my sketchbook. Later, for an Illustration Friday project, I teamed them with a pair of my little folded butterflies. Today I added a coordinating border made from digital colour swatches.

Just feast your eyes on these luscious summer berries! Click if you want more!

Cherries - watercolour ©Caroline Soer

Sometimes paintings just don't go according to plan! This illustration is something salvaged from one such occasion! I decoupaged the image of cherries onto another piece of watercolour paper and added a border digitally from colour swatches.

'Cherry pairs' watercolour ©Caroline Soer

Cherries from a sketchbook I used on holiday in Provence couple of years ago.

Part 2 to follow later!

Kj's Wishes and Dreams for the Holidays

I'm quickly typing this post before heading down to Singapore for a few days! Just wanted to let you know that my good friend kj of Options for a Better World blog is again raising funds for 'Wishes and Dreams for the Holidays' a fund she has set up for some needy youngsters she works with in the US. You can read more about this year's project on kj's blog.

Kj will soon be hosting an auction to raise funds on her blog . Let's raise some money!!! Please head on over to her ranch for details! I have donated a print of one of my watercolours and a necklace. Do you have something you can contribute? Let Kj know!!

Cherries ©Caroline Soer 2009

My print has been made from one of my original watercolour paintings - 'Cherries'. It has been printed on high quality Somerset enhanced 100% cotton paper with archival inks. Size approx 21 x15 cms. (Not mounted or framed). There will be no watermark on the print!

SOLD

And the necklace is a lovely spicy combination of handmade lampwork beads, black onyx, coral, Thai silver, tiny Swarovski crystals and glass beads.

It measures 18" / 46cms in length and is fastened with a sterling silver clasp. It would make a lovely gift for someone special or why not treat yourself and help someone in need at the same time?

SOLD.

Please hop over to kj's for more information about the auction. Any contribution is most welcome, auction items, bids or even a small donation - a link for this can be found on the side bar of kj's blog. Thank you - every little helps!

Illustration Friday

Dessert

watercolour pencil and collage - © Caroline Soer 2010

This week's word at Illustration Friday is Dessert. This is an image from my sketchbook created with watercolour pencils and collage.

Reverse of my page for Lisa's book

Having posted Lisa's picture yesterday and put it together with the others in her book I felt the back of the page needed a little something to complete it - especially as it is the last in the book. So, I got cracking today with this postcard. I decided to use a watercolour painting of two cherries I had done some time back and cut these out to place over collaged papers (you may recognise my current favourite - a swirly white paper which seems to be popping up in lots of my pieces recently!). Thus 'Tumbling Cherries' was born! Although the colours are true, the scan does seem to have made the image look a bit flat - it just isn't doing the textures justice - pity :( !

Giveaway winner announcement!

It's very exciting here in the garden today - we're eagerly awaiting the draw for the little print of Mum's watercolour Cherries that we're giving away to celebrate 1 year of blogging! The contestants' names have all been put into the pot, given a good shake and as the guest of honour I've agreed to take time out of my busy schedule to pick a winner. OK, just making sure that my paws are spotlessly clean so that I can





extract that winning name...which is...


.....SOULBRUSH!!!

Yeah!!

Congratulations Joss, your print will be on its way to you on Monday!
Thanks to all who took part in the Giveaway - we really appreciate your support!

Anniversary Giveaway!

Ahem, Tia here - I've an announcement to make! My Mum has been blogging for one whole year today!

She's made me put on a party hat again - you can see how pleased I am!

Anyway, I'm glad she's been blogging as it means that I have ample opportunity to control the desk and keyboard and generally be obstructive, as a cat does (after all, there's just so much open portfolio sitting and modeling for her illustrations one can do) . Well, enough of that - She Who Blogs tells me that she'd like to thank each and every one of you lovely people for taking the time to visit her blog and leave us such encouraging comments! I've enjoyed meeting so many different people - all with so much talent - your blogs are so entertaining and inspirational - that includes you doggies out there (you know who you are Cloud)!




So ... drumroll .. to celebrate our anniversary she's made a cherry cheese cake (yum, my favourite) which she's taking over to Blogland Lane later today. In the meantime, I've taken care of that pesky mouse AND she's decided to have her first giveaway.. see below.



A print (sized 21 cm x 14.75 cm [more or less], printed on archival art paper on my (I like to keep it warm) Epson R1900 printer) of her 'Cherries' watercolour. So, anyone who'd like a chance to win this has just to leave me (or her, if you really must) a comment (deadline next Friday 4th September) and I'll pop your name into the draw when I get down from the tree. Thank you, Tia (and her) xx



P.S. She asked what I'd like to contribute, but having already consumed the rodent (quite delicious, by the way!) I could probably manage to dig up half a juicy gekko from yesterday evening's pillaging, or maybe a fat cockroach if you prefer more crunch .. let me know?

A trip to Europe - Week 1 - the South of France

Window at Tourtour

We spent a few days in Provence at the beginning of June. The weather was wonderful and we enjoyed lazy hours relaxing in our friends' beautiful garden, wining and dining al fresco, as well as more energetic days exploring the beautiful countryside and browsing in colourful markets. I'm not sure what epitomises Provence for me most! It could be the spectacular, verdant landscape or the dazzling French Riviera or maybe it's the sweet smelling lavender or the crimson poppies - or is it the delicious rose wine, olives or herbs? Then again, it could be the fabrics ... it's all wonderful and I am smitten by this part of the world!

Let's start with a visit to St Tropez market.

First though, you'll need to buy a shady hat - it's very hot today!

And a shopping basket for all your goodies!

This stall sells delightful sea-themed paintings on wood and little carvings of birds - are you tempted?

Mmmm - the heavenly scent of dried lavender.


For Irene - A watercolour from my sketch book of fresh lavender from your garden! Click to enlarge if you like.
A lavender sachet to scent your linen.

Need a gift for a friend? How about some soap or honey perhaps? You can't go wrong with a container of that delicious melange of local herbs Herbes de Provence .

Luscious ripe tomatoes for lunch.




Pick up a selection of dried herbs and spices. The choice is amazing!

Don't forget some delicious black olives. Buy some to accompany the aperitifs this evening, or make your own Tapenade to spread on toast. It can also be used in other recipes for a burst of extra flavour - try the recipe further down the page!



In that case, you'll need some garlic then!


Sweet tooth? Try some Navettes - flavoured pastries in the shape of little boats.

Or delicious cherries - these were the last from our dessert one evening!


Deck the table with wonderful Provencal fabrics.


Marketing over, but you can't put your feet up just yet! Unpack the olives and garlic and whizz up a yummy Tapenade...

My recipe omits anchovies ( yuk!) but you can include a couple of rinsed fillets if you prefer!

125 g pitted black olives
2 garlic cloves, peeled
25 g capers, drained and rinsed
15 mls chopped fresh parsley
5 mls chopped fresh thyme
pinch of mustard powder
30 mls extra virgin olive oil
squeeze of lemon juice
freshly ground black pepper

Place all ingredients in blender and whizz till chopped finely. Place in airtight jar and store in fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Use this for spreading on the base of this simply scrumptious potato and onion tart and serve with salad.

Recipe

225g pack of shortcrust pastry (You can make your own, of course, but I'm feeling lazy and anyway it's difficult to make good pastry in my hot kitchen in Malaysia!)
3 small potatoes (225 g), leave the skins on if possible
2 onions, sliced finely
60 mls extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, chopped
good sprinkle of Herbes de Provence
3 tbs home made Tapenade
30 mls capers, rinsed and drained
125 g Gruyere (or Cheddar) cheese, grated
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat baking sheet in oven (220 c). Roll out pastry to 30 cm round on lightly floured surface. Lift pastry onto another baking sheet and form a rim with the edge. Prick the base with a fork and line with greaseproof paper and baking beans. Place on heated baking sheet in oven and bake at 220 c for 10 mins. Remove paper and beans and return to oven for about 5 mins till pastry is crisp.
Meanwhile cook potatoes in boiling water 15 mins or so, then drain and refresh in cold water. Pat dry and cut into thin slices.
Heat oil and cook onions, garlic and herbs for 10 mins until softened and golden.
Spread Tapenade on base, top with potatoes, onions and capers. Scatter cheese, season and bake for 20-25 mins until cheese is golden brown. Serve with salad.

Enjoy!!

Ok, so we've pottered in the markets and cooked a meal. Next time we'll take Kas the Omani desert dog, out for a walk. Kas is living out her retirement in the south of France with her people and enjoys barking at passing overhead aeroplanes!! With her leading the way, we'll pass olive groves underscored with vibrant poppies, take in a beautiful lake and mountain gorge, as well as getting an arty fix in picturesque villages! Hope you'll join us!

Cherries

I love cherries! Following on from my last post with my illustration of Max the Mouse with his Cake, I thought I'd post another watercolour I've just completed. And for those of you who like eating them here's a recipe for Max's Cherry Cheesecake which is truly scrumptious!

Ingredients

75g butter
175g lite digestive biscuits, crushed
110g caster sugar
4 eggs, separated
50g chopped almonds
450g light cream cheese
3-4tbs Kirsch
half a jar of cherry jam, sieved
2tsps arrowroot
cherries for the top of cake, halved and stoned

Method

Grease base and sides of 8" cake tin with removable base. Melt butter and stir in biscuit crumbs. Press into tin and bake at 180 c/350 F for 10 minutes. Cool. Soften cheese with sugar and gradually add egg yolks, beating until smooth. Stir in almonds. Beat egg whites until stiff and carefully fold into cheese mix. Pour into tin and bake at 180c/350F for about 1 and a half hours. Cool and remove from tin. When cake is cold pierce top with a skewer and pour over a couple of tbs Kirsch. Bring the sieved jam to the boil with the remaining Kirsch then add arrowroot mixed with a little cold water. Cook until cleared and thickened. Arrange cherries on top of cake and brush jam glaze over top and sides to give an even coating. Chill thoroughly. Enjoy!!