The drawingafineline™ series.

All the art work on this site is done by me.

As early as I can remember I have loved drawing, painting, sculpting, designing etc. When I was very young my father bought me a box of 72 Cumberland 'Derwent' colour pencils with a range of particularly beautiful natural shades and this gift became a defining moment in my young artistic life! The pencils were so loved, so sparingly sharpened and so carefully used that, even after all these years, they still have a retired but special place in my studio!

My aunt, a teaching and exhibiting artist in water colour & oils, influenced me when I was young and used to take me with her when she was out painting, sometimes along with noted NZ artist friends. She critiqued my efforts with a very sharp eye!

Student years I won art prizes in various mediums and 2 pieces of my college art were chosen to be in an International Exhibition of art students from around the world. Among many other things I illustrated school magazines, a published book and produced art for local newspapers and sculpted. And of course, always drawing pencil, pen & ink cartoons for and of my friends - beginning a life-long practice.To this day, friends tell me that they waited for a cartoon card with a mixture of pleasurable anticipation and fear as I continued to explore the boundaries between cartoon and caricature.

It has been said more than a few times.....

<<Annabelle's cartoons have brought great pleasure to many people. Unfortunately, they were not the people in the cartoons.>>

A reminder of the need for care in drawing that fine line!

While living in London I studied calligraphy & guilding with members of the Society of Scribes & Illuminators. I came home to run my own art/graphic design/calligraphy business for approx 25 years. Some of my work, such as special awards and presentation documents, required illustration and/or illumination, and I loved the design and execution challenges of working in a combination of pen and ink and watercolours.

(I've included some very small examples of my calligraphy on this site, but for now I have put aside my calligraphy pens.)

In 'About my artisannabelle™ series' (INFO left side-bar) I can combine my deep love of nature, animals and of design in a different way to creating cartoon cards.

Animals have always been an important part of my life. Currently we are 'owned' by four seal Burmese cats, each with real attitude. Thanks to ethical breeder Leanne (Morris & family) from Mandaburms Cattery, Paraparaumu, near Wellington for these beautiful boys!

(Cat lovers visit mandaburms.blogspot.com )

NB: drawingafineline™ and artisannabelle™ are Trademarks owned by Annabelle B. Rodger.