It's the time of the season for loving

So yesterday I was at the Jumble and Pearls Valantines Fayre at the Book Club.

As well as selling cards and prints and bits and pieces I did some live portraits and I thought you might like to see them so here they are.

Every portrait event I do is different and like any fair or market there's always an element of unpredictability. Last time I did a vintage event almost everyone wanted watercolour, and this time everyone opted for a pen portrait - these are quicker and cheaper so it may tell you something about the denizens of Shoreditch over those of Islington. Live drawing is also always bringing me new surprises and experiences - at this fayre I drew 6 beautiful french girls at once - a record - and was also asked to do a portrait of a bicycle. 

Exciting times.

 This is the lovely and talented Q of Maiden Found - you should def. check out her hats. 

 A portrait of a bicycle - a BRAKE bicycle to be specific 

I didn't even notice the great expression Rachel of BRAKE bikes is pulling in the background here - makes the picture all kinds of awesome on top of les belle dames

 Also guys - do not be forgetting to order your Valentines cards and zines from the shop by the end of the day on Monday - the cutest cards you'll see anywhere with a sting in their tale. And the new zine compilation with the best of the last 2 years designs.

some of the portraits I did at the Pop Up Vintage Fair in Islington

I tried out a few new ideas here - offering people the choice of having themselves drawn in the style of a vintage period or famous vintage person (can you spot who?) although most people still plumped for a straight up portrait

a very lovely lady 

 a closet glamour puss, obviously

There were definitely some interesting characters at the vintage fair. On the theme of bringing back the past, one lady (not pictured) wanted me to draw her 30 years younger than she was, although that's not what she said, she just kept telling me I was drawing her wrong. That's not the shape of my jaw, well no, but you can't see the shape of your jaw anymore I'm afraid love. I felt a bit better when her daughter told me she thought I'd captured her perfectly (phew). 

Thankfully everyone else was lovely. The gentleman pictured bottom left also regaled me with a fascinating diatribe on how in the old days men were men and women were women and how jogging bottoms ought to be outlawed. I swear I saw him on Upper Street last week in what I would call jogging bottoms. 

Also while I was there I managed to justify buying a necklace with the proviso that I will wear it on my wedding day - not long to go at all now eep!

 If you are in London this weekend, and fancy having your FACE drawn by me, I will be at 2 events. 

I will be at this Alternative Press event in a caravan covered in Bill Murray's face (I don't know why, but sounds sensible to me) with other StoryHands Collective artists on Saturday. It's attached to a music festival but I think you can get into our bit for free.

On Sunday I am going to be drawing vintage style portraits at the Pop Up Vintage Fairs London event in Islington Town Hall. That one does cost money, but I assume will include a lot of darling cupcakes, florals and frills to make up for it.

Here are some alternative Summer Holiday Postcards I did for Pretty Litter Magazine. Because it's been too long since there was a lesbian kiss on this blog. Or feet. Or seagulls.