Tuesday 22 July 2014
Homemade coffee cake
My brother and I spent yesterday afternoon baking this beaut, needless to say it won't last much longer!
Monday 21 July 2014
100th Ashby Show
In my local area there is an annual agriculture and farming event called the 'Ashby Show' and this year celebrated its centenary year. For the past two years its been held at Cattows Farm which is nestled in the heart of the Midlands, a mere 15 minute drive from where I live, so I was keen to go this year as I haven't had the opportunity to go for a number of years now. It's the largest event of its kind in the UK attracting upwards of 16,00 visitors during the one day it is held. Throughout the day there were various events to entertain people of all ages: livestock classes, vintage tractor and machinery displays, dog shows, and this year saw a motorbike stunt group performing a spectacular display in the main ring!
As well as the outdoor events there were several large shopping marquees packed full of local trade stands selling homemade produce, country clothing, and handmade gifts. The one that attracted my attention however, was the Craft Marquee. Local artists, photographers, and jewellers gather to display and sell their work and next year I'm hoping to get involved - so watch this space! But for now, here are a couple of my favourite photos I took during the day...
As well as the outdoor events there were several large shopping marquees packed full of local trade stands selling homemade produce, country clothing, and handmade gifts. The one that attracted my attention however, was the Craft Marquee. Local artists, photographers, and jewellers gather to display and sell their work and next year I'm hoping to get involved - so watch this space! But for now, here are a couple of my favourite photos I took during the day...
Friday 11 July 2014
Today's WIP
Been spending my afternoon working on the next commission on my list; a papercut for a family member's birthday. It's still early days but I'm liking it so far!
Wednesday 9 July 2014
The London Illustration Fair
Over the weekend The London Illustration Fair held their 'Summer Festival: Tropicana' at the Hoxton Arches, and since I was free on Saturday I made a last minute decision to visit (with my mum accompanying me) and I'm so glad we made the effort to go! The atmosphere was fantastic; the artist-led event was full of like-minded people of all ages, not to mention some incredibly talented creatives from selected illustration agencies, collectives, and print studios such as Handsome Frank, Brothers of the Stripe, and East London Printmakers.
The venue was alive with creativity! We were totally immersed in a vast array of gorgeous contemporary artwork and prints displayed at the exhibitor stands, but in addition there were 1-2-1 portfolio reviews, live mural painting, and screen printing. The energy was infectious and really inspiring!
The Summer Festival also saw the addition of a new print shop located at the back of the venue. I spent a lot of time (and could have easily spent an awful lot of money) thumbing through signed prints, greetings cards, and printed t-shirts available, as well as admiring the framed prints displayed on the walls. It's just unfortunate that I couldn't afford all the pieces of artwork I had my eye on! But I was lucky enough to come away with a greetings card and signed A3 print from the wonderful Sandra Dieckmann, an illustrator I've admired for a while now.
The LIF are holding another event in December, which I'm already looking forward to attending, and I recommend anyone with an interest in illustration to check it out. It's a unique opportunity to chat with artists and discover new talent from the contemporary illustration scene, and it has further fuelled my passion to pursue a career in this fast-paced, thrilling industry!
The venue was alive with creativity! We were totally immersed in a vast array of gorgeous contemporary artwork and prints displayed at the exhibitor stands, but in addition there were 1-2-1 portfolio reviews, live mural painting, and screen printing. The energy was infectious and really inspiring!
The Summer Festival also saw the addition of a new print shop located at the back of the venue. I spent a lot of time (and could have easily spent an awful lot of money) thumbing through signed prints, greetings cards, and printed t-shirts available, as well as admiring the framed prints displayed on the walls. It's just unfortunate that I couldn't afford all the pieces of artwork I had my eye on! But I was lucky enough to come away with a greetings card and signed A3 print from the wonderful Sandra Dieckmann, an illustrator I've admired for a while now.
The LIF are holding another event in December, which I'm already looking forward to attending, and I recommend anyone with an interest in illustration to check it out. It's a unique opportunity to chat with artists and discover new talent from the contemporary illustration scene, and it has further fuelled my passion to pursue a career in this fast-paced, thrilling industry!
Thursday 3 July 2014
Wednesday 2 July 2014
Love in NYC
I've been a busy bee over the past month - I've had a few more papercuts to complete, I've got a new job, and managed to get away to Zante for a week too! So it's been all go! But I wanted to share a papercut I'm particularly proud of which I finished shortly before my holiday a fortnight ago.
This is, without a doubt, the most challenging papercut I've done! So far all my designs have been nature-orientated. Using organic shapes means I can be more flexible with my designs as the natural shapes can be easily manipulated to piece together a good composition. The brief for this cut, however, was that the artwork had to be New-York-themed as it was a gift to celebrate the engagement of the client's daughter (an old school friend of mine) which took place in Central Park. To create a successful paper cut design using manmade, rigid structures was admittedly a challenge, but one I'm pleased to have undertaken. It's helped me break out of my comfort zone and expand my portfolio, and the client was extremely pleased - as were her daughter and fiancé!
This is, without a doubt, the most challenging papercut I've done! So far all my designs have been nature-orientated. Using organic shapes means I can be more flexible with my designs as the natural shapes can be easily manipulated to piece together a good composition. The brief for this cut, however, was that the artwork had to be New-York-themed as it was a gift to celebrate the engagement of the client's daughter (an old school friend of mine) which took place in Central Park. To create a successful paper cut design using manmade, rigid structures was admittedly a challenge, but one I'm pleased to have undertaken. It's helped me break out of my comfort zone and expand my portfolio, and the client was extremely pleased - as were her daughter and fiancé!
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