Wednesday 18 December 2013



Interview with Author Chrissie Parker.

I recently had the privilege to interview the amazing Author "Chrissie Parker" about her life as a writer and her brand new Award Winning book "Integrate"

1.) Could you give us a brief synopsis of your novel "Integrate"
Integrate is a Paranormal Suspense/Thriller that centres around the murder of a young woman called Helena.  Her identical twin sister Corinne predicts Helena’s death during a tarot reading, but is too late to stop her from dying.  Helena’s murder hits Corinne hard and she struggles to cope with the loss.  At her lowest ebb Corinne becomes friends with Jack, a stranger in town, but whenever she is around him Corinne gets visions (premonitions),  visions that keep taking her back to the horrifying scene of her sister’s death.  Corinne realises the visions may be her only chance of finally understanding what really happened to Helena. 


2.) If you could have a writing room anywhere in the world, where would it be?
That is a hard question as there are so many places I would love to choose; a log cabin overlooking the sea, a house on the edge of the nile in Egypt, a villa on a mediterranean  Island.  The possibilities are endless.  
I currently have a writing desk set up at home, it’s in front of a window which is great as I can work and watch the world the go by.  I like being able to write in an environment that gives me access to the outside world.  In the Summer I love sitting outside in the open air enjoying the good weather.  In the Winter I like a desk in the window so that I can watch the snow fall.  
Ideally, if I had to chose just one place anywhere in the world, I would choose a house in the country, it would have a large set of double doors leading to the outside world where I can enjoy the sights, sound and smells of nature as I work.  

3.) If "Integrate" was made into a film who would play the lead characters?
I love that this question has been asked.  When I originally wrote Integrate in the 1990’s it actually began life as a screenplay as opposed to a book.  So I still like the idea of it having the ability to become a film.  In regards to who I would have play the lead parts, I think that Alyssa Milano would make a great Corinne, I know she was quite mainstream in the 1990’s, but I think she has great screen presence and is a fantastic actress.  As my husband is an actor I should probably say that he would make a good Jack, failing that, I think that someone with a similar acting style to James Spader would also be good.

4.) Do you get attached to the characters in your books?
Yes, I do get very attached to my characters.  When writing a book you spend long hours working with your characters, creating them, developing them and dictating what happens to their lives.  As they evolve, they begin to become a bit like real people, you start to get to know them better than you know yourself sometimes.  I have actually cried when I’ve had to kill off a character, you have invested so much time and energy into them that it just feels cruel to get rid of them, but sometimes it’s necessary for the story.  I do like it when something good has happens to them though, I have been known to leap from my seat punching the air yelling “yes!”, in a way it’s a similar feeling as when a close friend gives you good news.  

5.) Who would play you in a film of your life story?
Even though we don’t really look alike (other than we both have long dark hair), I would probably have to chose Sandra Bullock.  I have a tendency to be a bit quirky, crazy and at times (so I’ve been told) comically funny.  I think someone like Sandra Bullock would definitely do me justice.  If a film of my life were to be made I wouldn’t want it to be too serious, the more lighthearted the better.

6.) Do you believe in fate?
I’m a little bit on the fence when it comes to fate or destiny.  I don’t believe in fate as a universal predetermined course of events as such.  But I do believe that we make our own destiny through the way we act, the hard work we put in, how we treat others and how we live our lives.  If you go about your day repeating the same thing over and over again and have no dreams or aspirations then your life will always be what it is, the same path, with no change.  If however you work hard, challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone then a whole world awaits you and you can do or be anything.  I strongly feel that what happens in life comes from within you.  In essence you create your own fate.  If I hadn’t persevered over the years, taken a chance and put in the hard work I wouldn’t have ended up where I am now.

7.)"Integrate" is a big difference from your books about Ancient Egypt, which do you prefer to write about?
It is quite different, although both sit in similar genres (suspense/thriller).  I have always loved ancient history and archaeology, if I hadn’t decided to work in theatre/ TV when I was younger I would have trained in archeology instead.  I like writing books with historical and archaeological themes to them, I really enjoy researching a country’s history and culture,  and weaving these facts through a story.  I find the subjects very inspiring and that is something that really helps when writing.  It’s great fun to plan holidays to countries where I am setting a book and or on day trips to museums in the name of research.

8.) What sort of books do you like to read?
I read many different types of books.  I own around a thousand, and over two hundred of those are historical/archaeological books.  My favourite genre is suspense/murder mystery and my favourite authors are Agatha Christie and Iain Fleming.  I have almost all of the Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple series’ and I have the entire James Bond collection.  I also really like the authors Nora Roberts and Belinda Jones, and at this time of year I enjoy reading Christmas themed chick-lit books, it helps me feel more Christmassy.  
I do also think it is important to try out new authors, there are so many new and emerging authors at the moment, and I like taking a chance and reading something by someone I don’t know, or whose work I have never read.  I love reading and would be lost without it.

9.) Do you have another book in the pipeline?
Yes.  I have quite a few in the pipeline.  
The first is called ‘Wind across the Nile’.  It is set in Egypt and spans 5 generations of a family, who have all suffered with tragic loss.  I don’t want to give too much away at this point, as it will spoil the story, but I can tell you it is a thriller/suspense, with a little bit of murder in there, and it throws you right into the heart of Egypt, its heritage and history.  
The second book is called ‘Among the Olive Groves’.  It is set on the Greek Island of Zakynthos, during World War Two.  I love the Island and I wanted to highlight some of what happened to the Islanders during the war.  There is very little documented about what the Islanders went through but what I have discovered is both heroic and heartbreaking.  Some of the research has been a little harrowing, but I am really enjoying writing the book, my characters are just fantastic.
I am also working on plots for books set in the following locations: 
Italy, (around Pompeii and Herculaneum), with elements of Roman history.
The UK, (around Devon and Somerset) with elements of medieval history.
I am also hoping to re-publish a story set in Petra in Jordan, which will be re-named ‘Secrets beneath the sands’. 
A sequel to ‘Wind Across the Nile’ is also planned, as is a novel based on my experiences of living with the condition Epilepsy.

10.) And finally, can you tie a real bow tie? ;0)
As in a Dinner Suit Bow tie? (laughing!). Oh yes I can tie one of those.  A few years ago I worked as a Production Coordinator on an advert for Lotus Cars and the driver had to wear a dinner suit bow tie.  A friend worked on the job with me and we spent ages sitting on the floor of the set scouring the internet for instructions and videos, trying to work out how to tie a real bow tie.  We had a great laugh, and eventually we worked it out.  It was a fun job!
(I was that friend on that job and tying that bow tie over and over again for each take was a blooming nightmare, but quite a giggle though!) Alyson ;0)

Many thanks to Chrissie Parker for her time!




Saturday 20 July 2013


I've just been viewing the breathtaking artwork by "Serena Curmi" at http://www.rostragallery.co.uk in Bath where I live and I was absolutely blown away by her gift.


Serena Curmi was brought up on a sailboat, travelling extensively with her family to many corners of the world. Her education was varied, consisting
of both home and conventional schooling in the Isle of Man, Spain, the US
and Malta.

The environment in which Serena was brought up has had a profound affect on her. She has always felt humbled by vast, wide open spaces and this is reflected in her uncluttered, minimalist paintings. Through her use of composition and muted colours, Serena's work evokes a sense of stillness and quiet melancholy. Her use of fine detail is contrasted with blank or unfinished areas, thoughtfully rendered to draw attention to the key elements in the work, and thus suggesting a narrative. Solitary human figures are often coupled with animals, suggesting an affection and affinity towards each other, or at times provoking a feeling of unease or apprehension. Serena practiced as an illustrator for many years and has worked for renowned clients including the BBC, Houghton Mifflin, Boden Clothing, Simon & Schuster and Pearson Education. She now works as a full time painter from a studio in Bristol and has recently participated in shows at the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol Museum and St George's Bristol.

Tuesday 26 March 2013

Landscapes By Women.

Landscapes by Women
Landscapes by Women is a website dedicated to the art of outdoor photography created by women. They want to present the best works showing the world through our eyes. They are based in the United Kingdom, so to start with they would like to showcase artists based here. With time they would like to include women photographers from Europe and even the whole world.

Landscape photography has always been a male dominated field. It may be more challenging for women to work outdoors from purely practical reasons, like personal safety and general risk of travelling alone in isolated places. However, there are more women landscape photographers now than ever before and this site celebrates that fact. It aims to bring you the best of our work. They would like to show that regardless of any challenges women face, they can bring unique and compelling images.

Their aim is to create a community that would give more visibility to women photographers, a community where they can share their own perspective and views, support and inspire each other and perhaps inspire other women to get out there and pursue their love of art.


http://www.landscapesbywomen.co.uk/beata-moore-la-rocco-tower/
https://www.facebook.com/LandscapesByWomen

Image by Beata Moore
http://beatamoore.co.uk

I am very excited to have been invited to be a contributor on "Landscapes by Women"





Red Nose Day Dolls Update!

CONGRATULATIONS TO RED NOSE DAY DOLLS!!


All the Red Nose Day Dolls are off to their new homes having raised lots of money for Comic Relief!
Maisie raised £730
Mac raised £710
Blossom raised £560
Poppy raised £540 

Maisie and Poppy


e.
Blossom
Also they've have raised an impressive £1635 on their Donation page!

Mac



Wednesday 13 February 2013

RED NOSE DAY DOLLS

RED NOSE DAY DOLLS



A few months ago two women met for the first time near Borough market. After a small amount of handmade show and tell (some fair isle mittens and a hand-knitted dress) some delicious tapas, the realisation that they had attended the same school and some increasingly excited chattering and note-making they hatched a handmade plan.

The women were Ros Badger http://rosbadger.blogspot.co.uk and Emma Mitchell http://silverpebble-jewellery.blogspot.co.uk and their plan was to make a doll, little clothes, jewellery and accessories and auction her to raise money for Comic Relief. Over time the plan expanded - several dolls would be made and thrillingly, several more craftspeople and artists joined in.

Their blog will tell the story of the handmade dolls, their fair isle dresses, little felted coats, tiny necklaces and tiaras, miniscule toys and, of course, the people who will make them. When they're finished the dolls will be auctioned on the official Red Nose Day ebay site. Lots and lots of fingers are crossed that they will help towards wonderful causes like this one.

Keep up to date with what's going on and how you can support them at

Including more about "Salty" the felty dog.
Salty

 We wish the girls all the best of Luck!!
Alyson ~

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Winter Wonderland


Wonderful Winter Wonderland

The Royal Crescent in Bath, England.

Purple Catkins, Primrose Hill Woods, Bath


Primrose Hill Woodland in Bath
Primrose Hill Woodland in Bath

Abstract Winter Woodland, Bath.
Bath Botanical Gardens.
Bath Botanical Gardens

Totem Pole in Bath Botanical Gardens.
St James Square in Bath.

Bath Botanical Gardens in Bath.


Tuesday 8 January 2013


Artist, Lily Greenwood

Lily Greenwood was born in Gateshead, and grew up in the north east of England before moving to rural Cumbria aged six, where she lived until moving to Manchester in 2002. She mainly concentrated on children's book illustration and completed a picture book for her degree show in 2005.
A year later Lily became a tenant at Manchester Craft & Design Centre. Pursuing painting, her work reflects a love of nature, instilled from an early age. Subject matter is usually birds, flowers, or most frequently, butterflies. Work is often oriental in style; She is greatly influenced by eighteenth century printmakers such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, and Japanese kimono design.


Lily has exhibited widely in the UK and after starting to sell online has sent work across the world. Her aims are simple and rewarding - to create work from which people can take enjoyment.
Lily's predominant technique is to use her own paintings as collage material to produce a final piece. Butterflies are meticulously hand painted, then reproduced and cut out ready to arrange in a composition on the canvas. Washes of colour and hand painted or drawn details are added to the piece, before a clear gloss varnish is added, securing the piece and adding an opulent lustre, making the butterflies shine like jewels.


Original canvases, prints, cards and design-based gifts are available from the studio. For a small extra charge, a painting to your own specification can be commissioned. For inspiration, previous designs can be seen on Lily's website in the archive sections.
http://www.lilygreenwood.com/