In Pictures Guardian newspaper photo competition

The theme for the Guardian In Pictures competition this week is 'Repetition'
Above is my entry.
Below is my second choice but only one entry is allowed.
I'm not sure I picked the right one though!
The caption I put was "Repetitive patterns in nature look similar but each one is unique."
A bit heavy handed I know but I running out of time.
Maybe I should have put...I see sea shells on the sea shore, repeat quickly ten times!!
Which one do you prefer, I'd love to know.

Hoarding stuff

Illustration Friday's topic this week is "Hoard'

Well I'm a self confessed hoarder.
I cannot walk on the beach without picking up pebbles, feathers, shells or whatever else might catch my eye.
I cannot walk past a charity shop without having a good old rummage.
I cannot throw out a shirt without saving the buttons.
I have boxes big and small full of bits and bobs that I just know will be crucial to some artwork someday somewhere!
The fact that it has never happened yet doesn't stop the hoarding.
So for this weeks Illustration Friday I gathered some treasures together in a sort of display case format.
I haven't worked out the logistics of keeping it all together to be able to hang it on the wall yet.
But I must say I thoroughly enjoyed playing with my precious hoard, it was like meeting old friends!
Below are a few close-up photos.

Smelly animation

'A rude awakening!'

illustration Friday's topic this week is 'Punchline'

This is my very first animation.
I know it's silly but to be honest I'm quite proud of it really.
It was done in flipbook
Which I found via bookbaby

Hydrangea

I've been spending a lot of time in the garden lately.
Mostly behind the camera but a bit of actual gardening does happen every now and then, like when a withered flower pops into the view finder I deadhead it!
But I'm really enjoying the colour spectrum of the hydrangea as it slowly changes from the vibrant blues and purples of it's first flush to the more subtle hues of later days.
It's a perfect example of ageing gracefully and beautifully!
Below is my study in watercolour of the early petals. I found it very difficult to create the transition of blues to purples that occur, it's so delicate and subtle and yet vibrant too. Mother Nature is so talented:)