NO I haven't left the country! ;o)

I'm still here and promise I shall update my blog more often again. I have not been lazy - there's 3 birthday/anniversary surprise portraits that I have been working on (2 horses and 1 cat) . Oh and one horse that I can show. Here's the work in progress (pastels):

I have also been out and about with my camera - I love taking photos that I might use as reference photos in the future. Last week we went to a British Wildlife Centre - maybe I should show some of my favourite pix on my website. A lot of portrait artists I know are also good photographers - not surprising I guess!
Anyhow, I have also been drawing a pencil portrait of my favourite English actress - Dame Judi Dench. I saw her on stage in London last week (in 'Madame de Sade') and she is as wonderful as I'd imagined. The rest of the cast were great as well.
Seeing Dami Judi on stage had been a dream of mine for years and as we had really good seats (stalls, row D), it was the most mesmerising experience. It is true - there is nothing like a Dame! And certainly nothing like Dame Judi. So I've been trying to draw her - I don't draw humans very often and have to say always find it a challenge - but a welcome one, especially if I 'know' and like the person I'm drawing and know exactly how I want them to look on paper. I hope it turns out the way I'm hoping..and if I recognise the actress I love in my own work then I'll show you the result! ;o)
This is the pencil draft:

OK I'm actually hoping to finish it today. So do watch this space!