More Manga

This post is inspired by my last post on drawing Manga and also my Mills & Boon Retro Reading post. I own a few Manga books (girls romance ones - although like Mills & Boon the term romance can be applied in the loosest sense for certain stories) I haven't read any Manga in a long time, so last week I found these Manga books in the sale, 20% off... why not treat myself?

Titled "My Girlfriend's a Geek" rather sweet don't you think?

From what I gathered from the blurb on the back it was a story of guy asks out girl, girl warns him she is a "fujoshi" ( a kind of comics/animations geek) He says he doesn't care about her "hobby" - let the funny and entertaining love story unfold. Well, that was my interpretation of it anyway! Like Tagia (the male lead character) I didn't fully understand what a fujoshi was either.

Image from My Girlfriend's A Geek

Basically Yukio (our fujoshi girl) is a completley obsessed fanatic of a certain manga genre called Yaoi ( look it up, and while you're at it look up fujoshi )  its not a hobby to her its a lifestyle. I loved the artwork in this book but I didn't love the story. I felt sorry for Tagia, Yukio is a complete pain in the backside, a thoroughly dislikeable character. This book was not what I was expecting. I wanted a romance, but Yukio is a thoroughly selfish girl with no thought for her poor boyfriend (although I do question why he doesn't just finish with her) I know, I know...its only a comic book! Ok I'm not really writing a proper review here, just take a look on "Good Reads" the people who have reviewed it there say it better that I could. Click this link MY GIRLFRIEND'S A GEEK REVIEWS I agree with everyone who gave it  two stars or less! 

More Manga!

I do find Manga stories can be a bit hit and miss. From the image above, I love "Mars" (book on the right) and I.N.V.U. (middle book) But as for Hot Gimmick... Stay away!!!! Running out of time here, so I will tell you about those three in a future post. P.S. I'm visiting Glasgow this afternoon, I'm tempted to pay a visit to Forbidden Planet and browse the Manga section! The one thing that is certain about Manga is that even if you don't like the story the artwork is always beautiful.

Birthday Card Blythe Doodle!

I'm currently undertaking a HUGE de-clutter at home (no doubt I'll blog about this at a later date) Last week I decided to downsize my book collection, I'm still not 100% finished with that, but nearly there! I donated about 100 books (there is no way I could ever bin a book) I was delighted to find some books that I'd forgotten about, one of them being a book on how to draw manga style characters. I'm not exaggerating when I say I've not drawn in years, but recently I have been thinking about starting to draw again - mainly to relax and also to keep my creativity flowing. So here are the results of my attempt to get back into drawing - its my niece's birthday so I ended up doodling on her birthday card envelope. I hope she likes it!

 My "Girl To GRRRL" how to draw Manga book - Very useful 

I decided to use mini Blythe as my "muse"!

 Started out in Pencil

 Inked in, no going back now!

 I kept adding colour, I was enjoying the process

Finished birthday card doodle! 

Retro Reading Part Two - Mills And Boon Book Review (of sorts!)

In my last blog post I was talking about the Mills and Boon books that I had found in my local Charity shop. I was especially taken by the one titled "Satan's Master" I mean I couldn't just overlook a book with such an intriguing name. This is my second attempt at reading Mills and Boon. The first M&B novel that I tried to read (titled "Deceit of a Pagan") I only managed about 10 pages. It was just too... emmmmm... Well, it was written in the 1970s and very "of its time" regarding attitudes towards women shall we say! Ok, so back to "Satan's Master" I did a tiny bit better with that one, I managed about 16 pages before I gave up. Same reason as the other book, 1970s sexism reared its ugly head again. But what about that curious title of the book? A title that promises so much... maybe an obscure cult who reside in the remote Scottish highlands? Strange and magical rituals? A window into the mystic and unknown? No such luck, about ten pages in I learnt that "Satan" was the name of the cat belonging to the story's "hero" (and I use hero in the loosest sense of the word) But hey, its not all bitter dissapointment. The Mills and Boon cover art is superb and their logo is a first class piece of graphic design.

It says here that they are a "joy to read"
Sorry Mills and Boon, but I have to dispute that.

The Mills & Boon Logo is very cool! It exudes retro chic.

The other Mills & Boon novel I tried to read.

Retro Reading

I've been rummaging around the charity shops again and I was lucky enough to find some more classic Mills and Boon romance books. I just love the cover art on Mills and Boon.

Check out the title of the book on the left - Satan's master!!!

I buy these purely for the covers, I did try to read Mills and Boon last time I bought some but  I just couldn't get past the 1970s attitude towards women (just read one, you'll see what I mean) But I don't think I can ignore a book with the title Satan's Master!!!! I'm also very interested to read it because it's set in Scotland.

Satan's Master is the gift that keeps on giving! When I flicked through it I found this fabulous advertisement at the back of the book. Well I think that's my reading sorted out for this evening, for more cover art see my previous blog post "Lets Go Retro"

Summer Jewellery Workshops

On Saturday 20th July I am teaching two jewellery workshops at An Cnoc in Crieff. The morning workshop 10.30 - 12.30 "Make a Daisy Pendant" (cost £20) and the afternoon workshop is "Make A Multi-Strand Necklace" 14.30 - 16.30 (cost £25) All tools and materials are provided and you will leave with a piece of beautiful jewellery to take home. Beginners are very welcome. You can sign up for just one workshop if you wish (or both if you are really keen) To book a place phone 01764 650045. An Cnoc, 16 King Street, Crieff.

Daisy Pendant Workshop 10.30 till 12.30

Multi-Strand Necklace Workshop - 14.30 till 16.30

Photos From Open Studios

There is still a few days left to visit various artists in the Forth Valley area! Open studios is on until Sunday 16th June. I've been exhibiting at Back Lane Studio in Stirling (see my previous blog post for details) Here are a few photos from The Back Lane, enjoy.

 I love this display

 

 

Artizania Jewellery - on sale at Back Lane till the 16th June

 

 

The Back Lane (and a rare warm sunny day!)

Open Studios!

It's that time of year again - Forth Valley Open Studios. I have jewellery available here (see pictures below) and I'm "on duty" on Tuesday 11th June. I'm very much looking forward to the Back to Back studios in Stirling, and I'm also hoping to get round as many local artist's studios in the Forth Valley area as I possibly can! I normally start my "Christmas shopping" at Open Studios! (I know, I know... )