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And just like that … it’s Advent!

How the year flies by! As you know I’ve been busy with our new book, writing for it and doing the paintings to illustrate each chapter. Sales are going well, thank you if you’ve bought a copy. Here’s the link if you haven’t seen it yet. Or if you are in or nearer to America, on Amazon.com

So, suddenly, it’s Christmas just around the corner and I’ve done some new Christmas card designs, of course! (B41-51)

Even though I’ve been so busy, I have also designed a colouring book in the style of the Bayeux Tapestry telling the story of the life of Jesus. You can see it here. It would make a lovely gift for anyone who loves to colour. It’s really aimed at adults, but an older child might enjoy it too. It’s printed on good quality cartridge paper which makes colouring a pleasure, with a ring-bound spine which means it sits flat while you work. Each image is printed on one side only so you can frame them, make notes, or use them for other projects if you wish.

I hope you have a lovely Christmas

Shirley x

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About that book …

You may remember that I mentioned I was working on a big project? Well I am delighted to say that the book I’ve been working on, with my husband, Selwyn Veater, who is a poet, and our good friend the Rev Dr Martha Toney, is now published!

Cover

It’s called “Sacred Presence” and is a book of 31 reflections or devotions reflecting the Holy Spirit in the life and work of Jesus. You can buy it through Amazon UK https://amzn.eu/d/hPZzgoX or for people in or nearer to America Amazon.com https://a.co/d/au0F8FC

I have also done the illustrations for it and they are now available on my website as either mounted or unmounted prints.

I hope you like the prints and, of course, the book! So now back to Christmas – check the website for my new designs … I’ll post about them separately.

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Springing a surprise

Individual shops and cottages in Brighton & Hove

You may be wondering why it’s been so quiet and I haven’t written anything here for a while? Well, I haven’t been idle; I’ve produced a couple more card designs which I’ve added to the Brighton & Hove range; £2 each or any 3 cards from the range for £5 with code BH345 at checkout. One design Funky Brighton 1 is now on my front page, the other, Funky Brighton 2, is illustrated here, do check them out. I hope you like them, they were fun to do!

I’ve also been working on an exciting new project, in fact I still am! I can’t tell you much about it yet, but when it’s finished – probably late summer, you will see it here as I’ll add it to my website. It’s something very important to me which I value personally and I hope you’ll love it too.

In the meantime have a wonderful summer!

Shirley

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Scene around Brighton …

People having fun on the Pavilion lawns

I’ve just added a new range of cards to the website. They’re all based in and around Brighton and Hove. Starting with the i360 in Hove, through the Pavilion and Nudist Beach to Rottingdean and Saltdean. I had great fun designing them. Particularly the Pavilion Funday which came out of a Jubilee party we held and I painted a picture including as many of the people who were there as I could. This isn’t it, but it was my inspiration. The designs wrap around the front and back of the card, so the images you see are the whole thing, back and front and will fold down the middle.

They are £2 each and come with an envelope, of course, but I’m offering a special deal of any three cards for £5. Just use the voucher code BH345 at checkout, but you must have the cards in multiples of 3 (ie 3, 6, 9 etc) for the voucher to apply.

I hope you like the new designs as much as I enjoyed designing them.

Stay cool!

Shirley

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Countdown to Christmas

Advent starts this Sunday (28 November); the countdown, or rather the journey, to Christmas. Of course, it all starts a lot earlier than that for anyone who, like me, produces Christmas cards or gifts, but when Advent starts it is that time when we know Christmas is really on its way … although the early onset of Christmas TV commercials does that pretty well!

This year I have six new additions to the Christmas card ranges on the website, and I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that there’s no price increase again this year! We also still have our special Christmas offer of any 5 for £5.50 with code: xmas2021 at checkout, the offer closes on 17 December 2021. It includes all Christmas cards on the site (Ranges I, II and III) mix and match, but not Seasons nor the everyday selection. For the offer please order in multiples of 5 eg 5, 10, 15 and so on.

I’ve added the new selection to Range III for simplicity. They are:

B35 Marine Parade from the sea – a new perspective, looking inland from the sea at Lewes Crescent, Marine Parade and Kemp Town seafront.

B36 Brighton Rocks, Rampion Wind Farm – Father Christmas is back on the beach with some sticks of Brighton rock, his reindeer and some seagulls, with the Rampion wind farm in the distance.

B37 Picnic on the beach (Dejeurner Noel sur la plage) after Edouard Manet – Santa’s enjoying sharing his picnic with his reindeer on the nudist beach in a cheeky nod to the style of Edouard Manet.

B38 Postcards of Saltdean – a selection of views around Saltdean including the Grand Ocean, White Cliffs Café, The undercliff, The Lido and Art Deco houses.

B39 Rottingdean Windmill & Windfarm – there’s a lovely view over the old village even though it’s a windy day up on Windmill Hill, wind flying Santa’s kite, driving the Rampion Wind Farm, in the sails of the old mill and who knows where else – the sheep look lovely and warm though.

B40 Royal Pavilion Christmas decorations – a new take on the popular design that sold out. Father Christmas is sailing over the Royal Pavilion in his sleigh as, below him, the minarets are decorated with holly, robins and lanterns.

It’s been good to actually go out shopping after all the restrictions of the last year hasn’t it? Some super shops in the south-east stock my cards, and they report that people are really enjoying being able to select their cards – and they’re selling well!

So if you’re out and about and want to see them in person too, be in touch and I can let you know where the nearest stockist is to you. Prices may differ though.

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, peaceful and meaningful Christmas.

Shirley

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Do I hear sleigh bells?

Hello again!

I’ve been spending my time designing – I did do a little bit of tidying up, but hey, you know – priorities people!

Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh

I’m pleased to bring you my newest additions to the Christmas card ranges, and I’m sure you’ll be delighted to know that they’re at the same price as last year – any 5 for £5.50 with code: xmas2020 at checkout, the offer closes on 20 December 2020. The offer includes all Christmas cards on the site (Ranges I, II and III) mix and match, but not Seasons nor the everyday selection. For the offer please order in multiples of 5, eg 5, 10, 15 and so on.

I’ve called the new selection Range III simply to identify them for the offer, but they are a new, fun and dynamic selection such as the Brighton Rocks! designs and the ‘Real Meaning of Christmas’ collection alongside a new set of ‘Inspired by’ images – just two so far; Van Gogh and Monet. I hope you and the people you send them to will enjoy them. Why not have a look now?

I also supply my cards to some super shops in the south east, so if you’re out and about and want to see them in person – that’s a rarity these days! Be in touch and I can let you know where the nearest stockist is to you. Prices may differ though.

I hope you and your loved ones have a happy, peaceful and meaningful Christmas.

Take care and stay safe,

Shirley

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Lockdown Living

Hello again,

It’s been a while! I don’t know about you but I am finding the COVID-19 lockdown a very mixed experience.

With an unwell family member, as you can imagine I’m sure, it’s been stressful and we are not out of the woods yet, but there is definitely light beginning to emerge at the end of the tunnel, praise be!

On the other hand not being allowed to go out has really given me an amazing opportunity to be creative here at home in my studio. So I have selflessly turned my back on the housework and am focusing on my art.

You’ll see I have added some of my general greetings cards to my site and I’m currently going through my canvases deciding which make the grade and which are destined for repainting. There’ll be some new canvases added to the website soon.

So I am sending you good wishes as the world begins, in places, to put a tentative foot outside the door. 

Keep safe and take care.

Shirley

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Christmas already!

Where has the year gone? It only seems a matter of moments since I was designing for Christmas in the heat of summer and suddenly we all need scarves and hats and the shops are stocking Christmas cards and gifts!

Lots of people have asked me if they can buy my cards online, so to set the ball rolling I’ve decided to offer 20 of my Christmas designs here. I’m offering them at £5.50 for any 5 cards from either or both Range I and II, but you’ll need to use this code at checkout: xmas2019

If it goes well I’ll think about offering some of my everyday designs in the New Year.

When I was busy designing for Christmas I had an idea which has been very well received; it is seeing reminders of the Christmas story around the city. For example, Pret a Manger, The Star (pub) , The Dome which was the stable for the Royal Pavilion and of course signs in our local B&Bs saying “No Vacancies” or No room!

(C) Shirley Veater

It’s amazing how many you find once you are atuned to seeing these reminders of the Christmas story. I’d be interested to know if you find some too.

Wishing you a very happy Christmas and all good wishes for 2020

Shirley

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Lent 2019

The Stations of the Cross II: Jesus takes up His Cross

I am so pleased to tell you that the book More Prayers with a God of Love has sold really well and we’re down to single figures! Thank you to everyone who has bought a copy, we have already sent a cheque to Open Doors for the monies raised so far.

I am considering mounting the original paintings I did for the book and offering them for sale unframed … watch this space!

We are in Lent as I write this, and I wanted to share with you a series of paintings I have done; The Stations of the Cross.

It’s a theme I’m really interested in and am contemplating doing other sets, or series, including acrylic on canvas. I’m always drawn to the Stations of the Cross in churches I visit, which often then inspire me to produce my own interpretation.

These are gouache on watercolour paper with a double mount, I am not selling the originals but would take commissions, contact me for details. (Please excuse the photography, to avoid the reflections in the glass, I had to take the pictures from an angle so they look a little twisted.)

Thank you for your interest in my work,

Shirley

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More Prayers with a God of Love

I’m absolutely delighted to tell you that following the success of our last book “Prayers with a God of Love” we have just brought out our new book “More Prayers with a God of Love”. We’re happy to say that profits will be going to the charity “Open Doors” so we are praying that it sells well!

It’s been an enjoyable challenge to attempt to capture with my paintings, Selwyn’s beautiful poetic prayers and reflections. I hope you’ll love them as much as we do.

Back to the drawing board … I’m busy designing Christmas cards in August!

Shirley