Each day I happily travel to the studio, set up my paints and pencils and while away the day barely moving from my chair. After reading a post by Pip in which feeling a little overwhelmed by things she trotted off to see a movie by herself, I thought what a brave thing to do! So this morning rather than going my usual way to work I diverted to a cafe I have wanted to visit for ages but have never been. Tucked away in Rowena Parade Richmond, it is nestled in amongst houses and it is delightful. I smiled away to myself as I gazed a huge picture of the Greek Islands and waited for my coffee. It is not a big thing I know, stopping for a coffee somewhere different but I felt very pleased with myself taking a little sidestep from my normal routine. I might even try it again!

Photo from Melbourne Coffee Review

Everything is a bit of a whirl at the moment with four more days until school holidays and trying to finish off painting the floor in a new area of the studio, painting ducks and children on paper, beginning a new Ollie book, drawing roughs, telling our chook to stop pecking her eggs, promising Sunshine she can come to the studio with me tomorrow and writing lots of lists to remember everything. Hope you have had a fresh and not so jumbled start to the week.

The studio is quiet at the moment because Georgia has left on an exciting world trip, and Giulia and I keep missing each other. 'Sunshine' my furry friend has been keeping me company which helps, although when I ask her for feedback on my illustrations, she is more interested in seeing if there are any crumbs on the floor!

I have some lovely projects on at the moment. I wish I had more time in the day to work on them. It is hard sometimes to put my pencils down, although the thought of the children wondering where I am at school pick up makes it a simple decision!

Another beautiful photo by Olga Bennett. This picture reflects the studio perfectly at the moment, peaceful.