alan hayball caricature artist ( and matilda whiplington )

'View from the Kitchen at Bickham House'

2012-01-19T08:44:00.000-08:00

A new painting for my future art exhibition in July 2012 that is to have a 'forest' theme.
This is a view from some friends house overlooking the lake. See Bickham house website.

(detail)

NEW! Facebook page for Alan hayball

2011-12-01T06:32:00.000-08:00

Hi,
Just a quick note to say that I have set up a facebook page to do all that networking malarkey!
I will be posting latest paintings and stuff and any other things that might be happening to do with my art,
...so YES!...I'm joining the rest of the internet sheep that are flocking towards the cliff edge, into that vast cyberspace.
{ I think I'm a Ludite at heart! (lol!) } Thanks al.

Please click on this link and like my page,
...Ta, al.

alan hayball facebook page

"Hopefully we will prove the butterfly effect!..or the sheep effect and get lots of followers on board our raft"

So here's 'WHERES WALLY...I mean alan and tilly!"...can you spot us in this picture!?

Loseley Craft show

2011-11-16T09:38:00.000-08:00

Al and Tilly at Loseley show

Hi,

"Just to let you know that I'll be exhibiting my latest paintings this weekend, and drawing on the spot caricatured portraits,

...friday, saturday and sunday (18th-20th November) at Loseley house, Godalming, near Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1HS.

Its a craft and gift fair, so they'll be loads of stuff you can buy for Christmas presents.
Including Al hayball, Placemats, Coasters, Mobile phone socks, Mugs, Tiles and Prints, of course!
Do come along if you can make it, it would be great to see you."

For more details, see:
Loseley Craft show link

All the best,
Al

Also here are some of my new paintings that are available as original box canvasses 20" x 20", and as limited edition prints.
'Seahorses of Studland Bay' and 'Beach Huts with Windbreak'

© Al Hayball 2011

NEW! Red hot chili dog painting

2011-10-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

A New piece of Contemporary art, painted in acrylics on a 20" x 20" box canvas.

'This is a little more offbeat painting compared to my other dog pictures.
The 'Red hot chili dog', seen here, cooling down with a cold mexican beer, 'Grrrrrrona extra'.
If you ever find yourself in a very hot desert, keep your eyes open for this most unusual breed of dogs!'
Cheers! al

Available as a Limited edition print £39.
See:
http://www.ahayball.co.uk/dogs.html

© Al Hayball 2011

bedlington whippet tilly

2011-09-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

new pic of Tilly.

Penshurst Autumn Craft Show

2011-09-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

This is 'Emmy,' a satisfied customer, holding her cartoon caricature I did of her at Penshurst Craft show.
A good weekend was enjoyed by all and we managed to avoid the worst of the weather.
Good to see all of you that visited my stand for a sketch and all those that bought prints, tiles or mobile phone holders!...Hope to see you again soon, alx

Bedlington Pictures: Tilly The Whiplington Trimmed Then Skimmed!

2011-07-24T01:58:00.000-07:00

Bedlington Pictures: Tilly The Whiplington Trimmed Then Skimmed!

al and tilly's blog

al's art website

Trimmed then bitten

2011-07-17T06:06:00.001-07:00

Some pics of Tilly after her Summer haircut. She was getting very hot yesterday. I wouldn't like to have to groom dogs for a living, it takes all afternoon !
Did it with a dog comb and some scissors and chatted to her about where she was going on her holidays, this year.

Not so good today, as over kings park when Tilly was running full pelt, a german shepherd tried to take a chunk out of her, and grazed her side, hopefully not too deep. (why don't these people warn you if they have a funny dog? GRRR!!)

'All this grooming is making me tired!'

Another cow painting by al hayball

2011-07-06T07:59:00.000-07:00

This picture of 'Grumpy Cow' and me, shows the average size of the original canvasses.

Fox on my land!

2011-05-26T05:19:00.000-07:00

This fox is certainly making him/her self at home.

The Foxes are back!

2011-05-20T02:47:00.001-07:00

A nice pair!

© al hayball
One Fox lying on the compost heap and one on the earth.
I managed to sneak down and take this close-up through the crack in the fence.

Yes, they are back..Two quite healthy looking foxes, quite happily wandering around our gardens, this morning. These I photographed at about 8.00 am in next door, through my bedroom window glass and also wandering in my garden, leaving their scent, in the early morning sun...Bold as brass! ( It is no wonder Tilly is going mental to get out into the garden at night.)

Horses head in the van?

2011-05-20T02:44:00.000-07:00

Tilly,..was not impressed by a big horse's nose coming into her own personal space today, in the new forest!

Tilly the bedlington whippet cross lurcher

2011-04-15T07:01:00.000-07:00

" mmm..I'd really like to get at that wood pigeon."

PRE-head-hair-cut, not looking forward to it.

Wood chewer!..but at least i can see better now.

ave a scratch!

West country game fair

2011-03-14T03:44:00.000-07:00

roo, till n willow.
Some pictures at the weekend of Tilly and her two sisters, Roobarb and Bellatrix at the West Country game fair, where we had a little litter reunion!

roo till n willow.

roo, till n willow.

Now this IS...roo, till n bella
humans: Sam, Neil the stool maker and me.

sisters

We were photographing the hounds together when all of a sudden some 'gentlemen of the countryside' appeared out of nowhere.
it was really odd, they stood there looking very stern, quizzed me on if they had bedlington in them, how old the dogs were and were they good at rabbiting etc. and i replied that they were old dogs, not sure of the breed, a bit of a mix and they were quite slow.
" do you want to sell any of them, guv? " he replied.
What a surprise, I didn't see that coming,,..much. mmm " No thanks."

Tilly

Tilly and Bella

Cow 53

2011-03-11T06:33:00.000-08:00

The latest al hayball cow painting available as a limited edition print.

SPECIAL LAUNCH PRICE of £29 + £3 P&P
(normally £39 + £3 P & P)
(for a limited period only. A Limited edition print, including mount is size 15 1/2" x 17 1/2" ,
image area approx: 10 1/2" x 12 1/2", a 'gyclee' run of 195 copies,
printed with high quality light-fast inks on archival paper.)

Please go to:
Farmlife gallery page

£159 each plus £10 P&P
Go to: ORIGINALS PAGE
Thanks for your continued interest in my art.
Regards,
al

A blustery walk on a bleak February day

2011-02-28T06:17:00.000-08:00

A few photos of our walk over hengistbury head, to blow away the cobwebs, early on a monday morning.
Weather was a bit bleak at the moment, but that didn't stop Tilly sprinting around with every dog it could find. No blue sky photos, but I thought a couple of pics looked good in sepia.
Around the head via the lily ponds and back over the top, before the rain came on and then back to the drawing board, quite literally!

Mmm...beef!

Fox and Hounds

2011-02-25T07:08:00.000-08:00

New portrait of our friend living behind the shed at the moment with his misses,..its Renard the fox...and here we have Bill the black lab, belonging to my friends the Fordingbridge Hurdlemakers and another portrait of Matilda, looking quite inquisitive?

http://www.ahayball.co.uk/galleryindex.html

New puppies joining the whiplington sisterhood!

2011-02-16T01:22:00.000-08:00

Baby Bedlington whippet crosses

Tilly's Mum, 'Noodles' just had 8 new babies today (only one boy again). ..This year they have the luxury of an Infra red lamp! If you fancy a little whiplington puppy like Matilda, contact me and give you details of the breeder.

PLACEMATS, MUGS & SOCKS!

2011-01-22T08:36:00.000-08:00

NEW AL HAYBALL PRODUCTS!
This is just to let you know about some exciting news.
'Al Hayball' contemporary art is now featured on some fantastic new products.
Please click on these links for more details:

* PLACEMATS
* MUGS
* MOBILE PHONE /MP3 PLAYER SOCKS

The artworks look absolutely fab on these items as you'll see when you go to the new website pages,
They are exclusively available to buy only from our website.
You can order directly online, but please do contact us if there is anything you need to know.

Thanks for your continued interest.
( Even if you aren't buying at this present time, all feedback is gratefully appreciated )

All the best,

al

© al hayball
http://ahayball.co.uk

One year old today!

2011-01-21T02:26:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Matilda! x

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-12T05:00:00.001-08:00

Thoughtful Tilly

2010-12-05T08:09:00.001-08:00

Tilly running in the snow..SHE'S QUICK!

2010-12-02T06:28:00.000-08:00

Tilly, running around in circles to make a cameraman dizzy
...She sounds like a helicoptor, once she gets going!

SNOW!

2010-12-02T05:09:00.001-08:00

Perfect recall!...some of the time!

Ardingly showground Craft show

2010-11-16T15:04:00.001-08:00

Hi,
Great to see those of you that came to 'Ardingly' showground at the weekend. A very successful time, so i'm beavering away on my commissioned work, (a mixture of dogs and people to do!) For those that didn't make it, here is my stand. If you can make it next week I'll be at Loseley Park, Surrey come rain or shine, next thursday to sunday, 25-28 November, for all your Christmas shopping needs.
For details click on:
Loseley Park
al's web site

Harvey the West highland terrier

2010-10-31T02:54:00.000-07:00

'Harvey' - Tilly's evening walking companion, pictured on the Boscombe overcliff.
His hobbies are chasing people on skate boards at full pelt, sniffing out 'Reynard' and asking alan for treats. When Peter has him groomed he resembles a pure white little pedigree, but within no time at all will be slightly off white and giving it 'attitude'...Good old Harvey!
(Tilly says sorry she used to jump on you all the time!..here she is below being a 'beach hoover'!)

'Mermaid, dreaming' - new painting by al hayball

2010-10-27T08:49:00.001-07:00

Just finished painting this ponderous mermaid. She is sat on the rocks, down in Cornwall, in a sort of dreamy mood. ( St. Michaels mount pictured in the background.)
Limited edition prints are available on my website.

Till and I in the conservatory

2010-10-27T07:29:00.000-07:00

The only way to stop her nibbling is to grab hold of Tilly and not let her head wriggle under her t-shirt!

Post 'Spaying' aint fun

2010-10-22T02:49:00.000-07:00

‎("Well didn't like wearing a cone all night and don't think much about this t-shirt idea..Do you think thats gunna stop me licking those stiches? We'll see!")

Back home safely

2010-10-20T09:31:00.001-07:00

Well, Tilly's back home from the vet now,
..very slow and sleepy at the moment,
but everything went ok, according to the vet.
So no seasons for Tilly now to worry about.
She's got a little draw-string stitches on her tummy that will have to be taken out in 2 weeks time.
I'm hoping she wont pick at them, but I have a very fetching 'buster' collar for her if she needs it, (in electric blue translucent!)
I just cooked her some 'boiled rice and chicken', but she's not hungry yet..I think she's still too drowsy.
She looked so small and fragile when I collected her! ... just keeping her warm tonight...walks on the lead for the next 2 weeks.
...She'll soon be back to bouncing about again!
al

A walk on Hegistbury Head

2010-10-19T04:20:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd take Tilly on a nice walk over Hengistbury head today, as a treat as tommorrow could be a bit traumatic as she is off to the vets to be spayed.
Its for the best, generally speaking, however nice it would be to have pups. I think that unless I planned on keeping one, it wasn't really worth the hassle...and the mess. I'm not really geared up for it to be honest! Must get on now quite busy with work and stuff. Caricatured portraits, making greeting cards, finishing two canvasses and a black labrador portrait to do, plus getting stuff ready for the Christmas shows...and both my dad and sister have hip ops in the coming weeks and oh yes I'm waiting having root canal treatment..not enjoying the pain at present!...Oh well, These things are sent to try us.

Yummy...shells!

Its 'hoover time'

BRRRRRR...thats cold!

Does my bum look big in this?

So thats Bournemouth bay...

The Astronomer's Sun

2010-10-11T08:16:00.000-07:00

Sweet but sad short film, which leaves you to make up your own mind.Click below to view film:

The Astronomer's Sun

Can't believe its a year ago.

2010-10-10T02:24:00.000-07:00

Dear old Jodie, passed on a year ago this week, nearly 16 years old..She was a real laid back lurcher, Sweet little thing, still missed.

'The Skinny Latte Cow'

2010-10-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

© Al Hayball 2010
The most innocent member of the alan hayball cow family,'the skinny latte cow, producing various trendy coffee types. Perhaps would go well with the american blues cow? ...."you looking at me?" - Cow Paccino.
See: ahayball.co.uk

'Tansy' the border terrier

2010-10-02T05:57:00.000-07:00

'Tansy' is a border terrier, head and shoulders portrait, painted here in a mixed medium of watercolour and inks.
Commissions undertaken, see ahayball.co.uk website.

The 'Whiplington' sister and brotherhood album

2010-09-24T01:46:00.001-07:00

This is 'Hector'- the only boy in the family with 8 sisters!

Esme, from Devon- out of dodgewells

'Tilly'
Thought I'd create an album for all members of the whiplington sisters and brotherhood. Any new members welcome...just have to be shaggy and whiplington like!
(BUT...Where's 'Hector'?, the only 'dog' in Matilda's litter of 9. Come on Hector lets have a photo!)

Finn

Bellatrix

Macy

Matilda

Roobarb

Willow

Tilly 8 months old

2010-09-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

Mustard on the decks

2010-09-20T02:08:00.001-07:00

New limited edition cow print available

I painted this as a commission for a customer called Glen Colman, who is himself a DJ specialising in playing regae music..So it all fits! lol

This is a cow that resides most of the year in the Caribean,
feeding on mainly Curry chicken, loves regae music,
visits the UK to 'mix it up' in the clubs and is,
as you can see,... mustard on the decks!

link to:
Al hayball's website

'Mustard on the decks' by al hayball © al hayball

Matilda's sister

2010-09-01T08:46:00.000-07:00

This is Roobarb Whiplington, Matilda's sister..great with cats by the look of it!

Bed-time for Tilly and friend

2010-08-25T14:05:00.000-07:00

Mapledurham Royal County Game fair -

2010-08-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

Nice comparison shot...pure bedlington with till the beddy/whippet!

Matilda got reserve in the 6 - 12 month rough coated lurcher puppy group!

(him on the right won the lurcher group overall..so was beaten by the best...but he did turn up after till had started to be judged...mmm.. should have been a stewards inquiry! lol

'Give me that Rosette!'

Pics from Rosie's birthday

2010-08-09T14:39:00.000-07:00

A great day! Matilda and I enjoyed it very much...

A funny thing happened to me on the way to a craft show...

2010-07-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

I hadn't been drinking, because I was about to drive to Parham park..just take the dog for a walk first down by the river before the long trip, I thought..I couldn't quite believe my eyes!...is this a new undiscovered species? ..in the words of my BLOG "whats happening!!"

' HELLO! '

Parham Park

2010-07-27T07:06:00.001-07:00

A customer, ( Dawn Gracie ) took some photos at Parham park at the weekend of Tilly and myself whilst caricaturing young Oscar.
If we look a bit bedraggled its cos the temperature of the marquees was extremely high!
These are great photos though! Thanks.

Tilly meets her match

2010-07-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

This looks fierce, but they were only playing!..HONESTLY!
-see the video below.

NOTE, difference in head size!

Tired now...

VERY tired!

Hey!! whys my head not as big as yours!??

Tilly meets her match...in the form of 'Tinder', a Deerhound lurcher at the Chilterns show.
They played together for ages, and it was amazing hour gentle Tinder was for such a big dog, (but you wouldn't want to get in her way when she is running though,...full pelt, its best to hide behind someone when they are coming at you!)

PARHAM park next!
PARHAM PARK THIS FRI<>

Drippin' wet Matilda Whiplington

2010-07-03T06:35:00.000-07:00

Tilly the bedlington x whippet, jumped in the river today, chasing 'Alfie' a huge wolfhound lurcher down at Iford meadows.
...dripping wet she looks more lke a whippet, ...spindle's for legs, velcro for fur and a mouth that hoover's up bottle tops and any other little plastic item she can find! At least her sharp spikey baby teeth have almost gone now. Can't believe she'll be 6 months old this thursday!

Beautiful views at Whitchurch Canonicorum

2010-06-25T07:55:00.000-07:00

Just returned from camping in deepest dorset, behind 'the five bells' pub in Whitchurch Canonicorum. We had a great time. (why go abroad when the weathers like this!). Visited some of my favourite places in Lyme Regis and Bridport, and went for some lovely walks, PHEW was it hot! Thanks to Pat, Stacey and Paul for being so hospitalable. Most enjoyable! I'll be back again soon no doubt. And good to meet the locals when watching the england game on Wednesday..hello to 'Millsey' master cheese maker and the other lads and lasses.

This is our little encampment..Not bad! with the whole field to ourselves, peace and tranquility!

As you can see, we had as Johnnie Kingdom would say, ' bootiful voos!'

Young Tilly was loving it with a massive field as her temporary back garden!

This is the view of the church and village.

Not far from where we were camped you can see Lyme regis in the background.

Views from camp site.

On the way into Lyme, (trevor's old place in the background)

The old favourite...'Golden Cap'and here the 'Guildhall' in Lyme Regis.

Night time for Tilly.

'Voo' of my shoos!

Sunset at about 9.45pm!

A walk amongst the daisies...mmm that sounds like an inspiration for a new al hayball painting.

On the way to bridport, via Ryall.

Wimborne folk festival 2010

2010-06-11T02:53:00.000-07:00

These are some of the photos Siouxsie took at this weekend of me caricaturing, in front of the 'Allendale centre at Wimborne Folk Festival' which was terrific and was most enjoyable. Hello! to all of you that came along and had a caricature drawn or bought a print, card or tile. Thanx!

'Smile' bedlington terrier cross

2010-06-09T14:29:00.000-07:00

till and jod

2010-06-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

Just trying the photoshop effect on a photo .
(Meant to look like a van gogh..didn't quite work!)
click on it to see it clearer.

A pencil study of 'Matilda Whiplington'

2010-05-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

Limited edition prints are available on my website: alan hayball
She is a bedlington whippet cross, lurcher. 18 weeks old.

Caricaturing at Weddings

2010-05-25T02:54:00.000-07:00

A letter from another satisfied customer... ...a reminder, I'm available for weddings, funerals and barmitsfas!

I was drawing caricatures the other week at a wedding on board the 'HMS Warrior' on Portsmouth Dock.
This is the letter from the bride to my agent, Its really nice to get this appreciation:

Hello Ben,
I just wanted to write and thank Alan Hayball for helping make our wedding so entertaining. He was a real hit with the guests and produced a great picture of me and my husband! I have attached a couple of pics for your pleasure. I'd appreciate it if you could pass this onto Alan for us.
Best wishes & thanks again, Alex

Henley-on-Thames Craft show

2010-05-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

'Man and dog' at work! This was at the weekend, caricaturing at the show.

..and look at that cosy place for Tilly underneath the table.

Strange to be woken up by a strange shadowy shape like this in the morning!

Bedlington whippet cross

2010-05-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

My Lurcher. Took some snaps tonight, that I was really pleased with. It shows Till is turning into quite a stunner..( I'm biased of course! lol)

Also had her own business card made up! (sad):
This is ‘Matilda Whiplington’. A Bedlington Terrier x Whippet originally bred as a poaching dog or ferret companion, it is a brave little dog, not for the faint hearted, being high energy, busy and intelligent and not as laid back as other Lurcher crosses. 17” to 19” tts in size, blue or liver colour, usually rough coated. (A 'Lurcher' is the result of cross breeding a sighthound, with another breed such as a collie or a terrier.)

Tilly 15 weeks whippet x bedlington

2010-05-10T04:12:00.001-07:00

Tilly 13 weeks

2010-04-24T09:07:00.000-07:00

"Can't seem to do anything with my ears today...
...and no you can't have my stick."

'Compare the meercat.com?'

2010-04-14T03:38:00.000-07:00

New job opportunity for Tilly...simples!

Maybe she's really a water vole

2010-04-07T03:12:00.000-07:00

Over easter in the little bit of sun we had, Tilly started to dunk her head in her water bowl so I provided a larger bowl of luke warm water for her to play in...she loved it.
I think its the bedlington in her that likes the water, so off to the beach next time!

Tilly at 'foot of our gahden'

2010-04-03T08:12:00.000-07:00

A bit overcast but quite a nice light for photography...it'll be beach shots next weekend. Look what she's done to that bike...pulled the innertube out, thats brand new that bike!... (actually it is becoming quite organic, being taken over my ivy and becoming part of the shed.)

Tilly at 10 weeks

2010-04-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

She's started to take on that lurcher shape...
You can almost see that nose growing as you look at it.

In the spring sunshine.

where are they now?

2010-03-29T07:03:00.000-07:00

Last pics of Tilly's brother and sisters...hope they are all getting on fine...

'Frogs legs'

2010-03-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

Funny how these bedlington terriers dogs back legs look like a frog, when they are shuffling across the floor.

Tilly, turning lighter already

2010-03-22T10:06:00.000-07:00

She's definitely turning greyer in the face.

...Tilly finally gets to meet 'Flint' the 10 week old Field springer,
who weighs twice as much as an 8 week old Tilly.

She likes to play in the dried up pond....

Meeting the neigbours then bedtime

2010-03-16T12:27:00.001-07:00

Tilly the super model

2010-03-16T10:33:00.000-07:00

Some more photos of Tilly. (All supermodels get a bit of soft-focus and retouching!)

Professional Photo Shoot of Tilly

2010-03-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

As 'Tilly' will never be 52 days old ever again, I thought we would take this opportunity
on this lovely spring day to have her photographed by Sophie a talented young photographer, I recently discovered from London....
Sophie and Troy, both superb photographers in their own right, with their stylist and home economist Rosie, who supplied Tilly with delightful treats all afternoon and pampered us with wine and a gorgeous smoked salmon buffet.
It looks like Tilly's on 'cloud 9!' My thanks for a great job.
These are just a few of the portfolio before its finished state.

(all works are copyright protected © SRCP Sophie Robertson Canine Photographer)

Tilly & Jodie

2010-03-13T02:20:00.000-08:00

Don't worry Jodie...We haven't forgotten you. You're here in spirit. I think Puppy Tilly and Puppy Jodie would have got on fine!

MORE...Tilly at 7 weeks

2010-03-12T07:19:00.001-08:00

First day at Al's

2010-03-12T04:23:00.000-08:00

Video of Tilly playing in the garden.

Tilly

2010-03-11T11:33:00.000-08:00

At last, Here she is!

'Tilly' Whiplington Hayball

Named 'Tilly'
(or 'Tilda', short for Matilda) the bedlington X whippet lurcher pup.

more info on this type of dog, see:
http://beddywhippet.webs.com/

click on the photos to see them larger...more pics to come when she has settled in.
A good journey back today with no little accidents or car sickness, I'm very pleased with her!

They say 'Nostalgia' is a thing of the past?

2010-03-07T04:43:00.000-08:00

Dug out these old pictures from the bottom of the wardrobe. They made me laugh!
Squadron-leader Hayball, Daisy and Emily - very young, Ben my dad's GS and a menarie of lurchers and whippets. Not to mention me when I was about 14 with Trina the labrador x whippet (they thought iw was anyway!) at the playing fields and in a saddlebag?...When are 'tank tops' coming back into fashion?

Tilly whiplington Hayball

2010-03-01T02:18:00.000-08:00

The latest ones of Till at 6 weeks, in her body warmer, and new toys.
Looks like Muffin is after her jumper.

Bedlington x Whippet puppies at 4 weeks

2010-02-17T03:32:00.000-08:00

This looks like a nice place to sleep?

' Tinged Tilly '
Well these are some photos I took in Plymouth of the pups.
I've chosen the one in my left hand in the pics, its different from the other 8 in that its looks like its going rusty!
The fur at the moment almost looks like 'foxe's' fur...
Some of the coat has a tinge of brown as you can see and is very cute, (but they all are cute!... all the black ones will all lighten to a grey shaggy coat.)

It was the one of the two biggest and most solid pups, and I thought it will be interesting to see how it turns out!
It sat on my hand nibbling my finger until it fell asleep.
I'm going back down to collect in 3 weeks. It was very difficult to choose... They were all nice! What do you think?

'Cody' the Springer Spaniel

2010-02-04T09:15:00.000-08:00

This is the latest watercolour painting of 'Cody' the field springer, available as a limited edition print. see: my website

Sculpture by Adrian

2010-01-24T07:50:00.000-08:00

This was the other sculpture I had done of 'J' Odie... more stylised than the bronze one.

Two foxes in the garden

2010-01-23T02:01:00.000-08:00

When I woke up this morning, I looked out my bathroom window and was amazed to see a fox curled up on the moss at the foot of the garden. I managed to get a few sly photos, but it wasn't until I went downstairs, I looked out the back to see there were two of them sat there, bold as brass! Of course as soon as they saw me they were off, and they hopped over the gate at foot of ivy covered plum tree, at there own leisure and were gone, leaving two indentations on the lawn where they had sat, the remains of one of my fat-balls that I put out for the birds and a few wood pigeon feathers. You can guess the rest!

Brown Hare

2010-01-19T06:11:00.000-08:00

Wildlife page, 'Brown Hare'

Cody's friend Jodie

2010-01-16T05:33:00.001-08:00

'Cody', r.i.p. 2010

2010-01-10T08:25:00.000-08:00

Recent photos of 'Cody', my friends Keith and Lee's Field Springer, who sadly passed away today. A handsome dog who will be surely missed.

Dorset Lurcher Racing day 3rd Jan 2010

2010-01-03T08:46:00.000-08:00

Photos i took at the lurcher racing today near Shaftesbury.
A great day a nice bunch of people (and dogs!)

Jodie 1994-2009 RIP

2009-10-16T05:04:00.000-07:00

Jodie Feb 13th 1994- Oct 15th 2009
Sadly my dog Jodie has passed away aged 15, after ongoing problems with arthritis, her back legs finally gave out on her, with one paw knuckling under, she couldn't support her weight and kept on collapsing. The Vet said she may have suffered a stroke.
This is her in times gone by. She really was my best friend and a lovely little dog.

EYPE Camping

2009-09-28T03:31:00.000-07:00

Before I visited Bickham, I spent some time at Eype, camping. Very nice, waking up to such a stunning view! Heres Trev, Trace and Aisha who came and joined me in their new camper.

Bickham House, Kenn, Devon.

2009-09-27T02:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos I took whilst visiting Ed and Kerry's in Devon. I had a lovely time and certainly got lots of inspiration for my paintings. Bickham House is a beautiful place to live. I especially liked the walled garden and lake, and walking the dogs in the grounds although Jod wasn't up to that now. Took lots of photos for references for paintings, so watch this space! (the dogs are called 'Pablo' and 'Natty' !)

Cockatoos and Macaws!

2009-09-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

"We were chatting nicely, then he went bonkers."

Photo shoot in Hampshire

2009-09-15T09:18:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics I took at Jane's secret parrot sanctuary in Hampshire, for drawing and painting references.
My African grey Parrot used to reside here but has now moved on to a much cosier existence indoors, with some new owners in Bordon, with the run of the house!
...Lovely pair of Hyacinthe Macaws, don't you think?
Jane's 'Dog de Bordeaux' wasn't too sure about me to start with but soon became friendly. (can be quite a guard dog though, so watch out!)

Penshurst Autumn caricatures 2009

2009-09-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

More friendly faces drawn at the weeekend. Click on them and they become huge!...and then you can download your photo. Thanks for coming.

whippet collie/saluki greyhound, running

2009-09-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

Just looking at some old photos and stuff and found this old film clip of my dog in her younger days.

Stonor park caricatures

2009-09-02T08:24:00.000-07:00

For those of you that had your caricature drawn at Stonor Park and were photographed by myself,...Click any of the pics and they should get bigger and you may download them if you would like to print them off. See you next time!...Penshurst Place is next down near Tunbridge wells in Kent, 11-13 September. Bye for now! al

Parham park Craft fair 2009

2009-08-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

More caricatures and the faces of their owners, drawn at Parham Park craft show...I really must try to be a bit more nasty...I'm much too complimentary me thinks!, but how can i be with such a good looking bunch! - Look forward to seeing anyone coming to Chilterns Craft Show this bank holiday weekend at Stonor Park, near Henley on Thames, 8-31 August 2009..Click on any of the pictures on my blog and they will come up bigger. alx

Loseley house Caricatures

2009-08-03T07:35:00.000-07:00

More caricatures I drew at Loseley this weekend gone. What a lovely bunch of people you all were! A very nice weekend was had by all. See you at Parham Park in a few weeks time? - Don't forget you can click on these photos and they will appear super big. You are quite welcome to download your portrait if it appears here! cheers al

Caricatures at Great Missenden

2009-07-20T03:43:00.000-07:00

Despite the occassional down pours, Gt Missenden was an enjoyable show with various country pursuits on display, ... Ferrets, birds of prey, Horses, Dogs, helicopter rides and bee arial display team, to say the least...but didn't get to see much of this as I was busy caricaturing. Thought I'd post here a few portraits I did on the Sunday so you can compare the finished item with the subject matter!

The Hare, the Lurcher and the mad cow

2009-07-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd try out a different technique in my pictures using pencils and wax-oil pastels.
Limited edition prints are available on my website: ahayball.co.uk

Wimborne folk festival

2009-06-15T01:52:00.000-07:00

Wimborne folk festival was a great success. Thanks to all who had their caricatures drawn and those that bought artwork...Much appreciated! It was great weather for it too. ( apologises for the shirt, photos by Siouxsie, Ta! )

My next Public Caricaturing is near Alton, Hampshire at the 'Departure Lounge cafe' on Saturday 20th June for the day.
I shall also have some limited edition prints and coasters with me.
Come along if you can- for details see link:
'the departure lounge cafe'
Its a craft show and i think there is a garden centre there also.
cheers,
al

Green Lizard on the Overcliff

2009-06-01T00:22:00.000-07:00

I was so pleased to get my own shot of one our local green lizards! While walking the dogs last night on the Boscombe overcliff (secret location!), we spotted this green lizard basking in the late sunday sunshine. He was almost posing for me. I couldn't get my camera out quick enough, there were cases and lens caps flying everywhere! Anyway I was quite pleased with the result, you can so clearly see the scale pattern (click on pic to enlarge). Apparently some pet lizards were set free along the cliff tops years ago and they have bred since, along with the wall lizards. I shall have to send it in to Springwatch!

Hengistbury Head

2009-05-31T07:09:00.000-07:00

Having a very photographic day today!
Heres some pics I took on my cycle trip to Hengistbury head this afternoon.
Very warm!

Blue tits and Great tits

2009-05-31T00:17:00.000-07:00

I took these photos outside my kitchen window this morning. The garden is great at the moment, all green and secluded. I have about 7 or 8, Great tits and Blue tits flying around my bird feeder, with parents feeding the fledglings a mixture of fat balls and insects that they are pecking from the russian vine. A loveley sight to see! Quite unusual, as in the past I have struggled to attract birds to my garden as there is quite a few cats in the neighbourhood....The rspb is a great site for identifying birds in your garden.
Its definately great tits and blue tits I have at the moment.

click on the images to see them larger.

It would be good to see your photos of wildlife if you have any.

an alternative interior...

2009-05-20T01:59:00.000-07:00

This is Neil Taylor, a very talented bepoke wooden stool maker from the craft circuit. A great interior to his long LWB Iveco! Wood burning stove included!

An 'H' van weekend - camp

2009-05-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

What a great collection of H vans!...and not forgetting the 'Velo Solex Bike' with a motor,- I've always wanted one of those, so you couldn't get me off it, a buzzing around the campsite!
After an early evening 'Caricaturing' at a very nice wedding in a beautiful setting near Henley on Thames on Saturday, then I headed back to 'Sixpenny Handley near Cranborne where I enjoyed a couple of beers and enjoyed the next day of the H van camp. Loveley weather in a great setting. Very well organised Keith and Lee!