Mike's blog...

Here is an oil painting I’ve been working on called “Pollinate”, what do you think? These little dudes have an important part to play in maintaining our planets ecosystem. Bees pollinate the food we eat, plus many trees and flowers that provide habitats for wildlife. Adding paint to canvas… I wanted this oil painting to…

Now here is an interesting question; do I need ISO Certification? My core business Tidy Design works with lots of different sectors and industries, there is rarely a dull moment and always something new to learn. Tidy Design clients vary from NHS midwifery departments to ISO Certification consultants. They say variety is the spice of…

So… I decided to frame a few more pen sketches. Above you will see Southsea Castle and South Parade Pier, two places I love to visit in Southsea. Since my divorce and moving back into Southsea, I have slowly been framing and hanging more artwork. If you like these Southsea pen sketches and would like…

Looking for a bespoke piece of artwork for someone special? Maybe you’d like an illustration of their favourite pet or a drawing of their favourite place? Whatever your artist requirements are, I’d be delighted to help. Creating meaningful art is an awesome process. To produce an original piece of artwork, a “one of a kind”,…

Over the years I have designed lots of logos, helping businesses with their brand identity. My core business is called Tidy Design and we have been creating bespoke websites, logos and company branding since 2007! Above is a logo design for a local hotel, it is one of a few logos I created for the…

In May 2021 I moved back to Southsea, an area of Portsmouth I left several years ago. I lived in Southsea for a number of years prior, but moved to Drayton in 2014. Having kids definitely changes things, schools and a garden become a consideration. Anyway, a lot has happened since leaving and returning to…

It has been a while since I blogged, be it here or on my other websites. Let’s face it, 2021 was a difficult year for many, I think everyone had something to contend with. For me 2021 was a mixed bag; the challenges of running a business during a pandemic, my divorce, moving out of…

Living in Southsea is pretty awesome, Southsea is the perfect location for those who love the beach… As that old saying goes, “an ocean breeze puts the mind at ease”, so regular sea front walks are a must if you live down here! Earlier this year (2021) I got back into kayaking. Being out on…

Earlier this week my youngest asked for a “castle and a dragon” birthday cake. So the night before his birthday, I got to work… Making things out of icing is great fun, we should all give it a go. Please check out my what makes us creative post for a little inspiration. Is creativity transferable,…

Marketing companies come in many different shapes and sizes. Be it a freelancer or a team of 20+, the proof is always in the pudding. My advice would be; do your homework and assess where they rank on Google. Another thing to consider is past successes and client feedback. Luckily Portsmouth is a creative hub,…

With Easter fast approaching, I thought I’d draw a daffodil. And as the daffodil is the national flower of Wales, it got me thinking… Where do dragons come from? Are the two connected? With this in my mind, I got creative… Daffodils & Dragons Poem Daffodils huddle, bow and sway Clusters of yellows and gold…

Looking for a bespoke piece of animal artwork or a pet portrait? If so, you have come to the right place! Digital art and graphic design aside, I really enjoying putting pen (or paintbrush) to paper, especially drawing animals and wildlife. Below you will find a small selection of my animal illustrations. Please checkout Sea…