Wednesday, June 30

Finding the way




So, rather fatally I'd been playing with patterns with a view to ending up with some nice new paper collages for the shop, but things don't often work out that way. There's something about experimenting whilst knowing that it should amount to something nice which instantly sucks any joy out of it! But then I started looking at the things around me, my turquoise collection piece, the box of Echo and Narcissus prints back from uni marking and I realised something...

Cutting paper letters is what I'm probably destined to do. I absolutely love it. And when I think about it, it keeps popping up in my work - the Tobacco Trader project, my Freakshow poster, my Porto typography book - and they're some of the projects I liked most in the last two years.

Obviously I still love drawing and making images but making type really excites me. I have some plans now for new collection pieces, in the same kind of format as the collection of turquoise but varying the theme. I'd love to have a shop full of lovely posters.... the first of which will be a new ABC poster (top picture) in the shop soon.

Saturday, June 19

A Fresh Approach







Since uni's been out for summer I've been losing momentum like nobody's business. It's fine, I needed a break, but now need a bit of a kick up the arse to make some nice work.

This month and next I'm working as a research assistant for one of my lecturers and am looking at storytelling, in particular Folk tales. The tales I've heard are mainly based on strange things lurking in forests and a lot of superstition which for me at least, conjures all sorts of visual intrigue.

Then on Thursday I found this wonderful book full of interesting patterns (that I instantly thought Lucie would love), which got me thinking about patterns and their early origins and uses to identify people. I don't know if any of this will lead to any new work but it's got me excited which is a good start...

Tuesday, June 15

In print!


I had some exciting news today. One of my images is going to be used as the cover of 10,000 student diaries at my university!

A couple of weeks ago I submitted a "colourful image" for consideration and today I got an email to say they are going to use it. I don't know if anyone else submitted anything so I guess they had little choice, but it just goes to show it's worth doing these things. My biog and web address will be printed in every copy too so it might bring me a bit of traffic and the image will be used to decorate freshers' info in September. Yay for paper diamonds eh?

Thursday, June 10

And the winner is....



Congratulations Caitlin!
Thanks for everyone who left a sweet comment, I wish I could send you all something.
Caitlin if you can send me a quick email with your postal address I'll get the jug and brooch on their way to you!

Tuesday, June 8

All tied up



For the last couple of evenings, Jacob and I have been working on a project togther. And it's been great! Jacob is wanting to get into sailing this summer so was looking at knots on the internet. I'd always wanted a knot sampler since the collection project I was set last summer and I love arranging things as you might know, so it all came together quite quickly. I'm so happy with it!

Monday, June 7

Me me me


The lovely Cathy of habit of art contacted me a couple of weeks ago about doing a little interview with me and I immediately jumped at the chance...then promptly forgot all about it. But this morning I emailed her my answers and with impressive speed she's put together a lovely piece all about little old me! You can read the whole interview here. On her blog she also writes about her own creative practice, fashion and beautiful design.

Thanks Cathy!

Sunday, June 6

Life's a beach


On Thursday we went to Wells-next-the-Sea, as it seems to be our favourite beach on the Norfolk coast. I finally got the chance to photograph most of the gorgeous beach huts there and am planning to do some drawing from them when I have time. Aren't the colours amazing? See the whole flickr set here.

Saturday, June 5

Giveaway!




To celebrate my 100th sale on Etsy I am giving away a happy face brooch and a hand-painted milk jug!

It feels like it has taken forever to get to this landmark but I've learnt so much on my way. My style has changed a lot and more and more I'm making my shop reflect what I do in my uni life, which is exciting.

Thanks so much for all your support on here, you lovely things. Leave a comment before midnight Wednesday (UK time) and I'll draw names out of a hat on Thursday morning to decide the winner.

I've also listed another happy face brooch on etsy, sad faces to come soon...