A lot has happened since this blog was moved to HERE

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Years ago when I dreamed of writing and illustrating a children’s book I never dreamed it would lead me down such a fulfilling path. Read my latest news on my blog here: http://kayleenwest.com.au/portfolio/bigger-dreams-are-possible-with-books/

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For various reasons I have decided to migrate my blog this year. To keep up with the move, see what has happened and get the goodies please visit: MY NEW BLOG and check out the latest on my website. Ther are several new posts to look at already and I plan to be more vigilant this year. You can also find me on Face book: Author Page Illustrator page Adoptive Father Picture Book Page

I haven't died I have moved my blog. Please check out my latest post here:NEW BETTER BLOG!

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These days we have the luxury of creating lovely photo books for gifts and it is a great Christmas gift for grandparents. After receiving a rather generous 40% plus free delivery discount from one of the photo labs I subscribe to, I began creating a year collage of memories. In the end I decided to buy one for our coffee table and for our adult kids. I did spend some time creating the design

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This week I watched a video of young African girls humiliated and in tears, testifying how they were forced to miss school and stay at home for up to two weeks, whenever they had their menstrual cycle. All because they didn’t have the basic sanitary needs met. Driven by this humiliation, some gave themselves to trade for sanitary items, resulting in pregnancy and in a more desperate

I entered a Sketchaholic contest in September for a bit of fun and won the most votes. These things are good to keep you sketching. I did use an image from The Sketchbook Project for this competition (Little Red Riding Hood) but the next competition (Create an awesome panda fairy) I created the illustration for the competition. It is a beautiful bear who wants to fly. Feel free join up yourself

First I need to apologise to my subscribers as I didn't realise the email updates where bringing up an error if i posted an image before text. I don't know how to correct this apart from remembering to write before an image. They looked like spam and I am sorry for the confusion.This week I have scanned in about 32 texture background I created so I can mess around with illustrations such as this.

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How much emphasis should be put on a productive working space? Personally speaking, the productivity and enthusiasm for the next 8-16 hours is greatly affected by my environment the moment I step into my studio. I can chug along, pushing through the day amongst disorganised chaos or be totally fired up, energised and extremely focused in an environment that is suitably balanced. My environment

<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> This week I am running late with my theme painting. This time I sketched it initially in my sketchbook and painted it in Procreate. The where a few peas in the pod but I put my slant on it. My son says I should have written "Oh look Harold's being eaten!" Monty Python <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false

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Here is another painting I have listed for a charity auction. Please visit http://www.acrossaday.com for details. NOTE: 100% proceeds of this particular painting will be donated with the exception of P&H, tax if applicable & Material cost. Shipping is the responsibility of the winning bidder. Silent Auction Painting: Silvan Vista Medium: Oil Painting on Canvas Image Size: 240x200mm Frame:

IT frustrating? I am not sure if patience is my strongest attribute but perseverance may well be. I have battled with my printer for years and every now and then I spend yet another hour or 2 or 3 trying to make it do what I need. I finally had victory this morning after another 2 hours of frustration and search the internet for troubleshooting. I figured it out, adjusted all the settings

I adopted a new baby two days ago. My 12 week old Toy Poodle is the apple of mummy's eye and in the spirit of this week's new arrival I did a watercolour for a friend’s 50th artist collection piece. Our Valley 10 group all have a collection of paintings from each member, received for one of their big "0" birthdays. I received my collection of paintings when I was 30. Christine is the last and

Here is another painting I have listed for a charity auction. This is a BIG one! Help my painted pumpkins help others who have less food than ourselves. Please visit http://www.acrossaday.com for details. NOTE: 100% proceeds of this particular painting will be donated with the exception of P&H, tax if applicable & Material cost. Shipping is the responsibility of the winning bidder. Silent

This is a sketch I did some years back of my eldest son now 25. Sketchbooks are great to capture moments in time like this. He looks Lonely but was actually watching TV. You know how kids get that look when the tube is on?

This week's Illustration Friday's theme is "Lonely" so I am posting an illustration I did a few months back. This little frog was intended for a book I wrote but my poetry need a lot of polishing. So he sits in my portfolio waiting for his children's book platform one day.

Here are a couple more paintings I have listed for a charity auction. Please visit http://www.acrossaday.com for details. NOTE: 100% proceeds of this particular painting will be donated with the exception of P&H, tax if applicable & Material cost. Shipping is the responsibility of the winning bidder. Silent Auction Painting: Healseville Farm Medium: Watercolour on Watercolour Paper Image