If you have been looking for an alternative to the traditional family portraits, Mark Gower, a graduate of the Royal Collage of Art, creates bespoke drawn portraits, which have a graphic elegance with a finely tuned use of colour.

Outline drawings, usually derived from photographs taken in succession, are layered over each other to give the impression of figures in motion. Using this style Mark captures the essence of what family life is all about.

“Being a Dad of two lively and energetic girls has been a major influence, so the last thing I would want my work to be is sterile or static.”

The portraits either have flat areas of colour or colours placed on top of each other but these are always surrounded by layered outlines.

Each portrait is a personal study and the style of a particular portrait is determined by the figures being drawn, this process makes Mark’s work truly unique.

Portraits are generally printed on to canvas and then stretched on handmade wooden frames and supplied ready to hang.

To see more examples of Mark’s work visit www.markgower.co.uk

Posted in category: Nursery & decor by yellowlolly | Email This Post |  Print This Post | Add comment
Tags: decor, mark gower, nursery, portraits

The other day I was asked to provide a photo of me and my son Sam for this blog. Could I find one? No! The only ones of us together are taken by me with the camera at arms length. The result is rarely flattering and usually chin heavy. Now if I’d been asked for a picture of Sam with my husband then there would have been a plethora to choose from. We could fill albums of specific father/son moments that capture the beauty of their relationship. Indeed I often find myself moved to grab the camera and take a quick snap of the two of them together. But it would seem that this same thought never ever occurs to my husband. Now if my DH was placed in front of an inanimate object such as a building or a mountain he’d more than likely be inspired to take a photo or twelve (we have many examples of such photos in our holiday collection), so what is it about me that leaves him uninspired?

I must admit, that I find photos of “stuff” very dull. Unless there is a human in a photo then I’m rarely interested in it. The funny thing is that I think DH feels the same way – when we look at our holiday snaps, it’s not the pictures of our resort that bring back the memories, it’s the photos of us having fun that put a smile on our faces. That’s why it makes me a bit sad that there are so few nice pictures of me and Sam. I want to try and hold on to every moment and every stage of his life and it’s just a shame that I have so few reminders of the little things we’ve done together that made us laugh.

Having said all that I think it only fair to point out that this is not a phenomena linked only to my husband. According to my mother friends, their husbands and partners are just as bad. Mmmm, strange. So what’s the answer? The only thing I can think of is to either shove a camera into their hands at appropriately touching moments or (the one I think is more likely to succeed) simply grow longer arms.

Posted in category: Mother M by Mother M | Email This Post |  Print This Post | Add comment
Tags: memories, photography

This month you could win a StickyUps I Can Count Giant Number Wall Stickers Set.

Each pack contains 30 I Can Count StickyUps Wall Stickers: 10 in yellow, 10 in green and 10 in orange. The stickers range in size from approx 165mm to 234mm and are designed to be applied and removed without damaging the paintwork so you can try as many looks as you want, whenever you want!

About StickyUps
Created by top British designers, and produced by the best international manufacturers, StickyUps wall stickers instantly transform walls without the fuss of paint or wallpaper.

Tested for durability and quality, they will last for years but are specifically designed to be easily removed, without damage to paintwork.

The bespoke collection has something for everyone, including special ranges for kids and babies rooms. StickyUps are constantly working on new additions, so be sure to check back regularly to catch the latest.

StickyUps wall decals are a simple, effective way to instantly brighten your home and create the look you’ve always wanted!

To enter, please sign up to our email newsletters by clicking here: http://www.yellowlolly.com/Monthly-prize-draw_ep_55-1.html

Posted in category: Monthly prize draw by yellowlolly | Email This Post |  Print This Post | Add comment
Tags: Prize draw, stickyups

Today I am mostly thinking about “me time”. A friend and I have booked in for some studio time next week, which basically means we’re going to get a make-over and then have our photographs taken. I can’t wait. I’m a huge fan of America’s, Canada’s, Britain’s and Australia’s Next Top Model and feel that my dedication to these programmes will help me to really work it in front of the camera. Who am I kidding? Something strange happens to me when I’m in front of the camera. I’m not unattractive, but as soon as someone points a lens in my direction something odd occurs. A strange look of panic inhabits my eye-balls and my expression starts to resemble my toddler’s poo face. God, what am I going to do? Last time I had professional photos taken my Mother said I looked like a horse, thanks Mum.

I have no doubt that the day itself is going to be lots of fun, dressing up and doing make-up are two of my most favourite things in the whole world. If we were to add a bit of pink fizz (Obv not allowed in my current condition) and some suitable diva background music then I would absolutely be in heaven. The trouble is that there’s a very vain part of me that wants the photos to reveal the gorgeous, slim dolly I was in my twenties, not the slightly weathered woman I am these days. It’s strange getting older as I feel exactly the same as I did before, it’s just that my once fresh, glowing skin is a little duller and my once pert breasts are now a little longer.

Oh well, let’s be honest, being twenty something was a pain in the backside. On the bright side, my long boobs are a consequence of bringing a wonderful little person into the world and my dull skin is a result growing old disgracefully. Both an excellent use of my personal resources. They say that the camera never lies, so let’s just hope the studio isn’t afraid of a bit of gentle airbrushing…

Posted in category: Mother M by Mother M | Email This Post |  Print This Post | Add comment

For those of you that are thoroughly modern in your home and have a dislike of TV characters and bad quality bed linen we would like to introduce to you bedding from Olli and Lime.

This George toddler quilt set is sure complete any modern kids room. It is made from 100% organic cotton percale with a 280 thread count making it every so soft and durable and the quilt is washed as a whole so you don’t have to remove covers for washing.

You can prolong the washing of the quilt by using the flat sheet from the sheet set within the range which is beautifully contrasted in colour. Add some Lime green George cushions and your child’s toddler bed will be worthy of an article in Living ETC.!

Click here for the product page with more images.

Posted in category: Announcements, Nursery & decor by yellowlolly | Email This Post |  Print This Post | Add comment