Mushrooms, Dinosaurs, Potatoes

and more mushrooms...

Hi folks,

I've been away in London, for my annual/semi regular visit to Noka studios in Hackney. A very nice time was had as usual, in my own little shopping container, with the lovely Rebecca Vincent as a tattoo neighbour.

I tattooed my regular client Leonie and we added to her sea leg - all wildlife she's spotted on her travels. This time she regailed me with tales of her Galapagos trip, which sounded immense. We added a gannet, a hawksbill turtle, a sealion and a pilot whale. 

I stayed with my family and had some quality time being an auntie to my wee niece and nephew. When I arrived they started jumping up at the dino mural I painted a few years ago. To them I am known as “dinosaur lady” which is quite nice?! Anyway, it reminds me, if any of you folks know of any person (or business) who need a mural, do get in touch, I love doing them.

I returned home to the hotly anticipated potato crop, my first ever. Was not disappointed - I dug up at least 20, but some were tiny. I sort of love the tiny one the most. Do I make a tiny jacket potato? I think so.

As well as my potatoes I noticed something else growing… a rogue mushroom had shot up in my plant (which probably means my lil old house is too damp) but it does look kinda cool in there…feels a bit alien.

Also very fitting because I've just finished my mushroom themed bathroom! (I've truly leant into being a mad cottage-core, cottage-dwelling mushroom woman) I had a lovely day pasting up drawings from the beautiful Fungarium book. It’s by Ester Gaya and illustrated by the brilliant Katie Scott. Finished off with some very moody dark green paint - very happy.

While we remain on the mushroom theme, let me remind you that the amazing Seed Sprout Tattoo will be guesting with us at The Aviary end of the month, look at how ace these are. Fran is amazing - she tattooed me when I guested with her at Evergreen in her hometown Newcastle. Get booked in directly via her Instagram.

I've seen lots of inspiring art lately on insta, it was hard to narrow it down…here's the thing I loved most - this snake piece by Malene Hartmann Rasmussen is absolutely insane! I love it. Must have been scary popping this one in the kiln. Check out their other stuff.

I wanted to also share this truly great haul I got from a Sheffield antiques shop…an Edward Lear plate, a Taschen tattoo book, and a lovely nature field guide.

Hope you're keeping well - it's truly autumnal here, very blustery and have had to crack out the hot water bottle for working from home days, I know, non-stop glamour.

I’ve got a few nice new photos from my wildlife camera, especially loving that robin, holding a nut bigger than it’s head.

I’ll leave you with this nice October poem I spotted on Poetryisnotaluxury.

Have a nice week and speak soon,

Nat x