Author Archives: Michaela

10 Signs of Spring

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Evidence of Spring - magnolia in bloom and Michaela French's compost pile
A list of evidence suggesting that spring is truly and finally in the air in Hertfordshire, I feel much cause for celebration:

1. The magnolia tree across the road is in full bloom
2. I have dug the compost pile and spread its bounty over our vegetable beds
3. The plum tree is blooming after a somewhat brutal winter pruning.
4. The daffodils are everywhere.
5. Our peony has bravely shot up two new, very bold shoots.
6. Our pond is alive is with the annual frog breeding extravaganza.
7. My hair and fingernails are growing fast.
8. I wore shorts and a singlet in the garden all day on Friday.
9. The sun is shinning and the air is warm(ish).
10. It is 6.15pm and it is still broad daylight outside.

49 – 72

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day 49 to day 72, self portraits by Michaela French for the 365 days project
Another set of 24 pictures and we are now up to day 80, my, how time flies. I have had my head down working hard in the last 10 days, so my daily portrait has been providing some light relief. I am looking forward to a few pictures in slightly more exotic locations. There is a short break to Wales coming up and a croquet tournament to attend shortly, so life is not without adventure. I will aim to have this reflected a little more in my next set.

Preparations

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Fine tuning and preparations are on the agenda at the French & Godbold Studio this week. Our card designs are all being prepared for our first print run. We have some old friends re-versioned, “Slugs Dream of Lettuce” (above) and some new delights to keep us all entertained.  We get closer every day to our making our ideas into reality and we are looking forward to having all our work available through our website.

Sunshine

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spring sunshine streaming across my floor
We have had three days, in a row, of the most beautiful sunshine. Pools of it are streaming across my floor, toasting my shoulder as I sit and write. I can feel my body soaking it up, the life begins to sparkle in my cells. The hibernation is nearly over for another year…..such happiness.

Cards for Clare

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new business card designs for clare french
A set of six new business cards designed by me, for my lovely sister Clare. She provided the photographic images and I did the layout. A perfect team effort. They ship off to the printer for proofing tomorrow. Its always an exciting moment, the transition from digital to physical, and opening the box to see what you’ve actually made. Another project nearly ready to tick off my list.

Anatomy

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Digital Animation students in Michaela French's anatomical drawing class
Two classes of anatomical drawing today at the Uni of Hertfordshire. My students were drawing the human head, both skeleton and living. There is always a moment a few minutes into the start of the drawing process when the room goes quiet as they focus their attention. Its a lovely feeling to be in a room of forty people in complete silence. They did some very nice work today.

25 – 48

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Self protraits number 25 to 48 for the 365 Days project
Another 24 days have passed since my last 365 Days project post and here are my next 24 self portraits. This week I have started using the Project 365 iPhone app to help me track my process. it is working very nicely. I can imagine that the project might just carry on, it would be amazing to continue until I’m 70 or 90, slowly seeing the changes roll in. I am thinking about that….