It's been a week of cat shit, crowd control and finding new routines.

📰 The Funster Weekly #2

Hello Funsters!

I am writing this after watering my garden, a task I do almost every morning. If you lived next door you would be able to watch me—likely with some amusement—wrestling my 50 foot hosepipe up and along the meandering paths, whilst also trying to drink a cup of tea. If I am not blaspheming about the disobedience of the hose pipe, I’m f’ing and blinding about the brazenness of the slugs—chomping their way through my Petunias—or the cat. I have never seen this cat but we are enemies. I can just imagine it now, swanning around like it owns the place every night with a smug look on it face as it takes a huge dump on my seedlings or massacres a pigeon on my lawn. Bastard.

🎨 Headlines from The Funster Studio:

Monday and Tuesday I was away doing two primary school visits which couldn’t have been more different. At one, I felt like the sole steward at a Millwall v West Ham football match trying to gain control of an unruly crowd of approximately 300 who barely knew I was there. It did wonders for my confidence. At the other, I felt like the Messiah: there were less than ten pupils, a bell tent filled with cushions, a book stall, a barbecue, a Falconer who was giving flying displays and had a baby owl and a Harrier Hawk, and the children drew on paper more expensive than I use as a professional illustrator. I think if I’d have asked, they would have fed me grapes and fanned me with a peacock feather. Confidence restored.

✏️On the FUNboard…

Marty Moose is on the fun board this week and will be for many weeks to come. It can’t show you much but here’s sneaky look at one of the spreads I’ve been inking. It’s a beast although not as beastly as the one that follows it. I only have myself to blame.

Big scene but so happy to be back in the world of Little Ditch.

🪐 Other happenings in the FUNiverse…

I am delighted to announce the arrival of baby newts in the pond. I will send flowers and pray none of them are eaten by night-time predators. Congratulations Mr & Mrs Newt!

Inspired by the newts, I’ve started swimming again. Not in the pond, obviously. I have concluded there’s a direct link between the moment I stopped swimming and the moment my life spiralled into chaos and my waistline started to expand. The first swim is always the hardest (is that a Cat Stevens song?) but on Wednesday I managed 40 lengths in leaky goggles, stuffed into a swimming costume that is two sizes too small. Afterwards I felt so elated I danced in the shower.

🌦 FUNiverse Weather:

HOT.

✏️ Doodles for FUN

Every morning I wake early and—after performing the daily washing rituals that society expects of me—I head straight to my studio, open my sketchbook and start drawing. I’m still finding my feet after 3 months off, figuring out a new rhythm for my days but it feels as though this morning sketchbook routine is here to stay. If you’re interested in cultivating a similar routine and want some tips, listen to You’re a Better Artist Than You Think You Are ~ Episode 2, Season 3.

Here’s what I’ve drawn since Wednesday:

Challenge myself to NOT use ink for this drawing and had fun with pencils.

I took my time finishing this as I wasn’t sure how, so I left it for a day…

Finished it with ink in the end and I’m happy I did.

From yesterday’s Let’s Draw session - replay available!

The newts will eat her toes!

Next week is the first ever Flopline - my advice column for all your artistic questions. I will send you an email about it over the weekend so you can submit your Q’s in advance.

Have fun, Funsters!

🧡 Powell, Funster—In—Chief