I wanted to show you guys where I am with my drawing at the moment (which is kinda dumb bc i've technically done more since i took these photos). The grid measures about 1.35 x 1.25m and is the largest scale drawing I've ever attempted. I have been using a 6B graphite stick. It's been nice to experiment with graphite a bit more as it is really lovely and soft to work with. I've lost momentum with it recently because of school work but I'm hoping to get it finished in the next few months. I feel a bit more hesitant to start the darker side as I really don't want to ruin it but I'll see what happens.

Sorry not sorry that this had nothing to do with christmas! I just wanted to post an update. I hope you all have a lovely festive period ^-^

a smile is the best make-up

I'm so so happy that it's nearly christmas and the end of the school term. I sat my second round of mocks a few weeks ago which was exhausting but the good thing is I don't have them again 'til March. I reread OM&M the other day for my mock and I am currently reading the Catcher in the Rye which I have to say I have mixed feelings about. I think it's one of those books that I will appreciate more when I read it again.

Above is an editorial in the recent edition of i-D about being comfortable in your own skin. It feels very relevant recently as I have become more comfortable with myself and my body. I can't emphasise enough how important it is to look after and be kind to yourself. Drink green tea regularly, light a candle, read a book, take photos of the sky, meditate, grow a plant- do what makes you happy! I know all these things sound like a indie tumblr blog cliche but they do genuinely help, oc different things might work for you.

My desk has been looking pretty cute at the moment when I haven't had dozens of revision books piled on top of it. My mum recently bought me some hyacinth bulbs which should flower by spring. They are my absolute favourite flower and smell super gorgeous.

Below is my tartan scrunchy which I can finally wear again as my hair is long enough!

My mum gave me this wrap around sweater that she didn't want and surprisingly I love it! It's really warm and a great basic. Also in other news, my mum bought me the american apparel tennis skirt in black for almost half the price in the sales. Aghhh omg I'm so excited :))

I am sure you are all aware of the current situation in Ferguson but if you aren't please check out the tag on my tumblr. Hope you are all well and safe.

Joy xx

Black & white

I've been tied down with revision and college stuff recently so I've never really had a chance to write on here. I wanted to escape from it all for a bit so I thought I'd talk about earlier in the summer when I went to the Isle of St.Kilda in Scotland. We'd been meaning to go for ages so it was nice to finally get the opportunity.
The island is known for its breathtaking sea stacks and tiny sheep (seriously they are so cute!). It felt like one of those places that you would return to in a dream ya know? I'm a bit of a wildlife geek so it was really cool to see so many gannets and puffins. I took TONS of photos but here are some of my favourites.

I took the following photos (apart from the old one of my grandma and the last one which my mum took) in other places but I just thought they were all kind of cohesive. I've been to so many beautiful places in the last year and I like to think about them when everything else gets too much.

I've been working on a giant drawing at the moment. I'm hoping to get it done before christmas but it's becoming increasingly difficult with the fleeting hours of daylight and my lack of spare time.

Joy xx

I’m gonna bed into you like a cat beds into a beanbag

Hiya guys, it's been a while I guess! My mocks are starting tomorrow *sarcastic yays!* but things are going okay apart from that. We recently got netflix in my house (i know i know- it's been too long) and I've been binge watching orange is the new black for the last week. It's pretty fab tbh :))

Also, I wanted to share my thoughts on the new alt-J album: This Is All Yours. I have always been a huge fan of alt-J's music and I was anxiously anticipating this album in the hope that it would be as good as their last. And you know what? IT IS THE BEST FREAKIN ALBUM IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE.

They've got it absolutely perfect. Their sound is slightly different to before but they still have the same crazy vocals and quirky song lyrics. Seriously I cannot stress how good it is. If you like alt-J you have to go listen to it. Here are a few of my favourite songs from the new album…

…and some pictures from my tumblr that kinda go with the vibes…

Joy xx

Art is lyfee

Hey guyssss! So school is going okay at the moment I guess. I just want to fast forward this year tbh and go to college so I can focus more of my energy on art and not subjects like German and maths. In recent news, I have decided to get a tennis skirt from american apparel as I cannot resist the temptation any longer! It will probably mean I am completely skint for ages but YOLO, you have to make a few sacrifices in life.
I have also recently got into the band, Japan. They are kind of weird but I like all the sci-fi sound effects and Japanese instruments they use in their tracks, especially in these two: 1 , 2

Anyway, um, yeah. I just wanted to post some more of my recent art on here. Our initial starting point was portraits and from that I decided to focus on emphasising the natural colours in peoples' faces. I hope you guys are finding school okay and I was wondering if you could recommend me any artists that link to my work?

Oil pastel drawings based on Aidan Koch

^^ This one isn't part of my portfolio but I just kind of like it?¿

Joy xx

I told you I was gonna lose you to the blue

So i started year 11 a few days ago and i'm feeling fairly positive about it all, although i feel a bit crappy today. i hate september as there are always lots of big changes and going back to school gives me tons of headaches. Summer didn't really live up to the expectation but it never really does. However, i did manage to: finish season three of the killing and both seasons of the bridge, go camping twice, add to my cacti collection, make lots of art, discover more good music, get a really comfy pair of trainers, stay away from the internet and meet with friends (although not as much as i would have liked!). I bought a couple of disposable cameras and here are a bunch of the photos i got developed on one of them.

So as i was saying, I've discovered lots of music//artists in the holiday that i am now in love with. My favourite band of all time *~ alt-j ~* is releasing a new album this month which I AM SO EXCITED FOR, I CANNOT STRESS IT ENOUGH. Here is one my favourite tracks they've released so far:Another one of my favourite songs at the moment is hollow talk by choir of young believers. It's the theme song for the bridge which makes it like a trillion times more beautiful.

I also discovered the amazingly talented Danish singer, Mø. She kinda sounds like a mixture of lana del rey, lorde and grimes but which her own unique sound added in. i have wayyy too many favourites of hers so here are just a few:

Joy xx

✩☾

Just a few photos I took of my gorgeous friend Jade in my room.

Joy xx