I was born in the Borough of Brent, and have lived in Queens Park for my entire life (a whopping 42 years now!). I started my own business as a gardener more than twenty years ago and although I still take care of one or two (and love them), to be honest these days I’d quite like to be a full-time artist and no longer at the mercy of the weather!
I’ll paint pretty much anything that takes my fancy, but I have an especial love of the small details: those little views, and the nooks and crannies, that we often take for granted but which make up our everyday lives. I think everyone should take time to stop and enjoy the beautiful in the mundane.
If you’re a fan of my work and want to help keep me fueled with inspiration then you’re very welcome to buy me a coffee! All money will be spent in local cafes, not big chains, so you get to support a local artist and a local business at the same time! (I’m having trouble with links at the moment and trying to get the problem sorted, but if the button doesn’t work then please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/thegiftshed )
As a multidisciplinary artist I’ve produced pieces in various mediums over the years. These days I mainly work in watercolour and ink, but I’m skilled at drawing, bookbinding, embroidery, or a combination of any or all! I hope you enjoy browsing, and if you’re interested in commissioning something then please do get in touch.
My Polaroid-style watercolours are a fun way of enjoying quirky views. If you'd like to commission one then please get in touch by email (thegiftshed81@gmail.com) or by messaging me via Instagram (@thegiftshed). Commissioned snapshots start at £50 and there are a selection of originals available in my Etsy shop (£30 each). Please note that if that link doesn't work then there's a button on the homepage, or a search for Thegiftshed on Etsy will bring me up!
Prints of my snapshots aren't currently available, but I'm working on it! I'm hoping to be able to offer prints very soon (follow my Instagram to keep on top of any announcements) so please be patient! Check out my Instagram to see all my past snapshots.
I also have a selection of my snapshots available as stickers and greetings cards via my Redbubble shop. Again, if you don’t see what you fancy then don’t hesitate to ask!
Your name's not down, you're not coming in. Swipe to see what a good teacher Loki has been for the pup. When she does something she's not supposed to (such as eating my plants or, as in this instance, catching me with her teeth) and I chide her verbally, she'll *immediately* look at Loki, and get back out of reach in case he decides to tell her off for it. He doesn't even need to move, just be in the vicinity 😂 I think he's stricter than I am about a lot of things, so he's been a marvellous help! Pup is 9 months old now and growing into a wonderful little dog, I'm so pleased to be involved in her life 😁❤️
(I think Loki's secretly quite pleased to have her around, even though he acts like a wee grumpus a lot of the time. After all, what's the point of being the Boss Dog if you have no one to lord it over?! 😂)
#shiba #shibainu #prouddogowner #shibalife
The big pink teapot hanging outside 101 Portobello Road is one of the many eye-catching sights in the colourful area of Ladbroke Grove / Notting Hill. I couldn’t resist capturing this view.
Originally painted in watercolour, you can now snap up prints via my websites - check the link in my profile!
#art #watercolour #watercolor #painting #artistsofinstagram #portobelloroad #portobellomarket #nottinghill #ladbrokegrove #localartist #london #watercolourpolaroid #localart #teapot #snapshot #artprints #etsy #etsyuk
One of the most iconic shop fronts along London's famous Portobello Road, @alicesportobello is undeniably picturesque. This quirky view was originally painted in watercolour and is now available as a print. Available via my Etsy shop, or through my own website (links in my profile) - snap one up and add some cheerful colour to your home!
#art #watercolour #watercolor #painting #portobelloroad #localartist #london #watercolourpolaroid #localart #portobellomarket #paddingtonbear #alicesantiques #nottinghill #ladbrokegrove #artprints #shopfront #supportlocal #shoplocal #W10 #winsorandnewton @winsorandnewton #etsyuk @etsyuk
Absolutely love the colour of this house in #kensalrise that I was commissioned to paint. I don't do house portraits very often, but actually I do enjoy them so if you're interested please do get in touch!
#art #watercolour #watercolor #painting #artistsofinstagram #houseportrait #localartist #london #ourhouseinthemiddleofourstreet #localart @winsorandnewton #winsorandnewton
Chinese New Year is only a few weeks away, and 2024 is the Year of the Dragon! The wood dragon, specifically, and the associated colour is emerald green. Here's a simple dragon, painted in @winsorandnewton Emerald ink. Once the painting was complete I scanned it in to create a print - which was then given golden highlights using @schmincke_official Aqua Bronze pigment. I hope you enjoy the very highly speeded up video!
#chinesenewyear #cny2024 #yearofthedragon #winsorandnewton #ink #painting #processvideo #artist #workinprogress #schminke #emeraldgreen
William Couch 13th September 1944 – 22nd December 2010.
The Lord of the Rings by William Couch. Pencil and charcoal on paper.
PIPPIN: I didn’t think it would end this way.
GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.
PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?
GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
PIPPIN: Well, that isn’t so bad.
GANDALF: No. No, it isn’t.”
#lotr #lordoftherings
#inmemoriam
The Blue Door from the film Notting Hill is pretty famous, and even 24 years on you will regularly see people posing for photographs in front of it. If you're passing and want to see it, it's on Westbourne Park Road, just at the junction with Portobello Road.
This is my quirky view of the famous blue door. Up close and personal, it's a more subtle nod to the film than most images. Colourful and iconic, this print will brighten up any room or gallery wall.
Check my profile for the link!
#nottinghill #nottinghillbluedoor #bluedoor #hughgrant #juliaroberts #movies #films #london #snapshots #watercolour #watercolor #painting #artistsofinstagram @winsorandnewton #winsorandnewton #etsy #etsyuk
If you can't make up your mind which of my Trellick Tower views you like best, you could always buy all three? 😋
Prints available, framed or unframed. Visit my Etsy shop, or just message me here!
#art #watercolour #watercolor #painting #drawing #artistsofinstagram #localart #localartist #london #watercolourpolaroid #watercolorpolaroid #artprints #nottinghill #ladbrokegrove #portobelloroad #golborneroad #W10 #kensingtonandchelsea #brutalism #brutalist #trellicktower