The Wobbly Line ~ 16

Is Ed a seal in disguise? Plus an original art sale, and Covid.

Hello!

Welcome to The Wobbly Line ~ 16 - I hope you’ve had a good July and not been too disheartened by the rain (if you’re UK based!). My month has been an odd one; with the start of a creative high, followed by major covid + slump ville (population me). Here’s what I’ve squeezed in!

July ~ agenda.

1. Moths or Butterflies? (or both?)

2. Video; See me create this header.

3. Original Artwork sale!

4. Is Ed a seal, and other things.

1. Moths or Butterflies?

I should start this by saying, both. Both moths and butterflies are incredibly beautiful and weird and incredible in equal measure. This month, me and Ed have taken part in the big butterfly count (we spotted meadow browns, speckled woods, red admirals and gatekeepers - all great cafe & pub names), and we’ve done some moth trapping too (with a specialist moth man coming over tonight to do another). Our winged friends quite literally astonish me, but they’ve not always. I remember growing up, mum had a buddleia in the back garden for the butterflies who LOVED it and I couldn’t STAND them, or any insects for that matter. I hated it so much I think she uprooted it to shut me up. Whereas Ed has always been a moth/insect fan! I have to mention Ed’s moths here because they are incredible, he makes them out of paper as an ethical substitute to taxidermy. If you haven’t seen Ed’s work before, where have you been, but don’t you just love how differently we create? Like butterflies and moths, same but different. Please look at Ed’s amazing paper cut insects & prints on his shop here.

My messy moths.

Ed’s unbelievably cool moths.

2. Watch me create July’s header.

I mess up the beautiful poplar hawk moth, but oh well! Watch me make some mistakes, baby!

3. Original artwork sale

Yesterday I was absolutely over the moon with the response to my original artwork sale. I’ve never sold my originals in this way before, only through commissioned work. It was so touching to have people actually enjoy my art for what I naturally create. But of course it’s not just the very generous humans who purchased something from me who made me happy, there were many nice comments and messages from legends who all had words of encouragement and support. This has made a huge difference to my savings for Edinburgh life, and will contribute to lots of amazing things. Thank you so much for your support!!!! I’ve popped all of the remaining sale items into an Instagram highlight which you can see on my profile here. I’ll keep them up until mid August so if you’d like a JB original before then please do snag one, as I’m not sure when I’ll be selling again during my studies.

How I feel every time I sell a piece of art.

4. How else have you filled July?

4a. Is Ed a seal?

Short answer is; No (boring). Mythical fairy brain answer; it’s not impossible and it’s highly likely (not boring). Let’s go with the second answer. So, Selkies. Selkies are mythical shape shifting seals who can take off their seal skin and appear human. They are told to be ravishingly handsome and charming too which is when my suspicions were first highlighted, back in August 2018. Almost seven years ago Ed came out of the sea after a ‘surf’ (I think cheeky seal swim), and said Oh JB, let’s do this shall we (relationship wise, in case your mind is in the gutter). I’m a naive fool, of course, so I was like hell yeah! But in those seven years, this man I believe I know, has such a natural way with animals, the earth and particularly the sea that I’m wholly convinced he’s a saltwater boyfriend. Anyway, my suspicions led me to create a little mini series about Ed in which ultimately I deem it necessary to lock away his seal skin (wetsuit) forever. Will share the full thing soon!

Fun fact; if you’re by the sea with Ed and there’s waves he won’t hear a single thing you say.

4b. A case of the Knits.

I’ve been back to knitting this month and thoroughly enjoying it. I’m in the process of knitting two top down jumpers (which means you start with the collar and work your way down). Creating a jumper this way means you have a lot of ‘increase’ rounds to accomplish before you start the main body but I have surpassed that part on both! Huzzah. Here are the results on my stripy jumper so far :)

The increases happen on those ‘seams’.

4c. Covid caterpillar.

Yeah so apparently covid is still a thing and it’s still pretty grim. I mean according to UK Gov I could have wandered into anywhere and spread my germs willy nilly if I wanted to, but it really was a horrible flu like cold that I wouldn’t have wanted to give anyone! Luckily I had Ed at home to buy me many bags of crisps, to cook me dinners and to do nice things like moth trapping with. That being said, I cannot WAIT to get outside properly and move my little caterpillar body that I am very grateful for.

Just makin’ my way outside.

The end of The Wobbly Line ~ 16

I hope you enjoyed The Wobbly Line ~ 16. “By this time next month I really want to give you loads of creative experiments, updates and next steps. I can feel a lot of creative output coming after a well needed rest.” Lol, famous last send off from last time! Let’s hope for less snotty month in August! Omg my next newsletter will be sent from EDINBURGH!!!!! Big love, JB x