Back to Skool

I've had such a lovely summer, full of friends, fun times and adventures. I'll be blogging more about what I've been up to over the coming weeks, this is part of my back-to-school plan. I went to a Creative Business Development session yesterday here at the Craft Centre, run by the very lovely Pete Mosley. It was a very inspiring day, I feel ready to make some Big Plans and get myself into gear!

I'll leave you with some things I've been working on, some Shit Portraits of some of my favourite people! Can you tell who they are?? (portraits aren't my forte, but they're lots of fun to do!) As always, there's more on my instagram

Can't get enough #shitportraits. It's Amy Johnson! #feminist #icons #drawing #sketchbook #strongwomen

A photo posted by Nell Smith (@iamnell) on Aug 29, 2015 at 3:03am PDT

Bummed out staying in on a Friday night, cheering myself up with records and some shit portraiture! It's Frida! #fridakahlo #shitportraits #drawing #sketchbook #fun

A photo posted by Nell Smith (@iamnell) on Aug 28, 2015 at 12:47pm PDT

It's KISS! #shitportraits #drawing #fun #sketchbook

A photo posted by Nell Smith (@iamnell) on Aug 16, 2015 at 10:19am PDT

How is everyone getting ready for the new season?

Being Adventurous

This is a little illustration I'm thinking of making into Risograph printed posters.

I am a notoriously keen and intrepid adventurer. I like to be outside as much as possible, it's so good for the soul. I am the founder member of both The Nell's Angels and Adventure Club, dontcha know. I've done quite a bit of travelling and would love to do more in the future, Scandinavia is high on the list, and Russia too, the trans-Siberian railway is very appealing to me, I love trains…so many places I want to see and experience. I had a more modest micro-adventure yesterday though, I wanted to make the most of the sunny weather and felt I deserved a Monday off after working Saturday and running hard on Sunday. So off I went on Gino, my trusty steed, down the Transpennine Trail and Bridgewater canal. Just the thing to give the legs a stretch.

Transpennine trail.

Bridewater Canal, looking brilliantly British.

 Feeling rad in Rapha.

 Barefoot park times. Post mint Magnum.

Let's take this outside.

The rhododendrons were looking glorious.

Although I would like to see more of the world, I really love Britain and have many adventures brewing in my heart. I'd like to complete LEJOG, the CTC, take my bike to the Isle of Wight and cycle around the island, go to Brighton, Glasgow, go puffin spotting on the Farne Islands...you see the list of fun is never done. I'd also like to do a residency here or abroad, I need to get myself sorted and start applying for these things, otherwise nothing will happen! 

Chorlton Runners

First ever club run! I flipping did it you guys! I got up early and had a smoothie and lots of water. Cycled down to the waterpark car park and waited around nervously. A group of super-fit guys came running in, so I commenced lurking. Then a nice lady came over (Nicole?) and introduced herself. I was in! Then my pal Paul arrived and I started to feel better. There was quite a big, mixed group of folk, we did a gentle warm up and a mile trot round the lake. Then the group split, I went for the short run round Sale waterpark, about 5 miles I think. So a pretty good distance, more than I would have done on my own and a lot more enjoyable, chatting to new people. I'm going again on Tuesday night and am pretty tempted by track Fridays! Good to try something new eh?

My sister recommended Running Like a Girl by Alexandra Heminsley, really enjoying reading it so far. I just read on Twitter that there's a Mexican street food van around today, so think I'll go grab a quesadilla and sit in the park reading. Happy Sunday!

You can just make out a swan with cygnets in the background.

Thank god Gino was still waiting for me when I came back. He doesn't usually live outside, too precious!

Really lovely, friendly group of people!

Summer time skive.

I was naughty this evening and skipped yoga class in favour of a walk down the river and glass of wine outside the pub with Andrew. But that doesn't mean no exercise! I cycled to and from the studio today, it's about 5 miles each way, so I don't feel too guilty! Stupidly forgot my camera and tripod, so couldn't do any photography experiments, what a dunder head. Ah well, mañana.

As we were walking home, we both noticed lots of massive webs in the trees, at first I thought they had huge spiders in them, but they were actually full of tiny caterpillars, writhing around. Mmm, good old nature!

Hiya! 

Peaceful times.

Late summer sun on the Mersey.

Lovely pink hawthorns.

Creepy crawlies!

Extreme close up. Shame you can't see the writhing action.

Gotta make the most of summer days while they're here I say!

Learning to fly

Getting inspired and trying to imagine the whole world is interested in me and my work!

It's hard, but I'm glad that I'm taking a risk and doing what I love...