Apologies for the break in my blog. Suddenly real life work called and I found myself working in the corporate world.
Back to my studio and today my work is featured on a new craft site called Art Garage
Check it out.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Femi Kuti tonight !!
I'm so excited to be seeing Femi Kuti tonight in Prospect Park. I've been a long time fan of him and his father Fela and was actually fortunate to see Fela perform in London before he passed away. So here's a drawing in honor of Femi and his wonderful music.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Indian Elephant
Today I'm starting work on my project for Matta and in my research I found this wonderful image - a little teaser of things to come.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Todd Selby
I love the photographs of Todd Selby. He captures interesting people and their creative spaces in such a beautiful and raw way. Check out his site and click on each photo to go deeper into their lives.
Member of The NewNew
Last night I met up with and joined a group of independent artists all based in the Metro New York area. The NewNew group members come from many different backgrounds and produce solely handcrafted goods including clothing, home décor, jewelry, accessories, paper goods, bath and body products, toys, and baked goods. The group offers support and collaborates in shows and fairs across the New York Area.
They have a great blog which showcases artists and has updated information on events and handmade markets.
As a new member of this group I will be keeping you updated on these events.
They have a great blog which showcases artists and has updated information on events and handmade markets.
As a new member of this group I will be keeping you updated on these events.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Oh how it poured !
There I go again with the weather but Saturday was spectacularly wet at the Hip Hop Festival in DUMBO. Thanks to my friend Alisa who owns Greeteez, a great t shirt company that you can draw on and wash off. She brought a tent that we huddled under and stayed dry for the most part. The crowds were out to hear great music and despite the rain we made some sales and met some nice people.
It was too wet to get good shots of the stall but I think this picture sums it up.
It was too wet to get good shots of the stall but I think this picture sums it up.
Friday, June 19, 2009
M'Afrique by Moroso
A little known fact about me.
In 1999 I set up a company called Tink which sold handmade, recycled products made by artists and cooperatives in South Africa. I had traveled there in 1998 and was overwhelmed by the ingenuity of the crafts people that needed to survive and thus developed businesses creating beautiful home furnishings out of recycled materials to sell to tourists.
I established relationships with individuals and cooperatives and set about spreading the word here. This turned into a wholesale company and for a few years we were flourishing. Then I realized that I hadn't illustrated in a while and something had to give; I'm sure you can guess what that was.
I still love the products I sold and learned so much from the experience.
This brings me to the subject of M’Afrique by Moroso which I discovered today.
It's a collaboration between Moroso, an Italian furniture company and various artists and exponents of contemporary African culture.
Patrizia Moroso explains that "looking at Africa through the eyes of contemporary art, photography, architecture and design is perhaps the most appropriate way of approaching this vast, powerful continent, so creatively rich and diverse that today it is still one of the greatest sources of inspiration for modern design".
The woven plastic chairs struck me as I worked with telephone wire weavers who made bowls for us and the bright patterns are reminiscent of those.
I also love Dutch Wax prints and have my own plans to cover my favorite armchair (the one in the picture a few day ago) with a slipcover made in a Dutch Wax print.
In 1999 I set up a company called Tink which sold handmade, recycled products made by artists and cooperatives in South Africa. I had traveled there in 1998 and was overwhelmed by the ingenuity of the crafts people that needed to survive and thus developed businesses creating beautiful home furnishings out of recycled materials to sell to tourists.
I established relationships with individuals and cooperatives and set about spreading the word here. This turned into a wholesale company and for a few years we were flourishing. Then I realized that I hadn't illustrated in a while and something had to give; I'm sure you can guess what that was.
I still love the products I sold and learned so much from the experience.
This brings me to the subject of M’Afrique by Moroso which I discovered today.
It's a collaboration between Moroso, an Italian furniture company and various artists and exponents of contemporary African culture.
Patrizia Moroso explains that "looking at Africa through the eyes of contemporary art, photography, architecture and design is perhaps the most appropriate way of approaching this vast, powerful continent, so creatively rich and diverse that today it is still one of the greatest sources of inspiration for modern design".
The woven plastic chairs struck me as I worked with telephone wire weavers who made bowls for us and the bright patterns are reminiscent of those.
I also love Dutch Wax prints and have my own plans to cover my favorite armchair (the one in the picture a few day ago) with a slipcover made in a Dutch Wax print.
photos originally posted on June 19th on Yatzer
Ebon Heath
Continuing the coverage of my super talented friends, I want to share with you the work of Ebon Heath. I've known Ebon for 15 years and in this time he's worked commercially as a graphic designer but always made beautiful paintings and sculptures behind the doors of his home/studio in Dumbo, Brooklyn.
Now we're finally getting to see the fruits of his labor and I'm truly blown away by his typographic mobiles. To see these in the flesh I couldn't believe they were all cut and assembled by hand; the detail is incredible.
To read a full interview with Ebon, go here.
photos originally posted May 16th on Yatzer.
Now we're finally getting to see the fruits of his labor and I'm truly blown away by his typographic mobiles. To see these in the flesh I couldn't believe they were all cut and assembled by hand; the detail is incredible.
To read a full interview with Ebon, go here.
photos originally posted May 16th on Yatzer.Thursday, June 18, 2009
Rostarr
Good morning. I don't know if it's because I'm British and I'm predisposed to talk about the weather but I'm compelled to say that this June has been unbelievably bleak and I'm longing for some sunny days.
A few weeks ago I went to visit some friends Rostarr and Magali that have just bought a new home in Bedford Stuyvesant up the road from me in Brooklyn. Rostarr is a wonderful painter that has been producing beautiful work for over a decade and is now having shows worldwide. His paintings have evolved from huge intricate canvases to
drawings that are reminiscent of Arabic calligraphy and Eastern design.
I was so happy to see his new studio which is underneath his apartment and showcases years of amazing creativity.
Imagine how thrilled I was when they gave me a pair of Converse that he designed.
A few weeks ago I went to visit some friends Rostarr and Magali that have just bought a new home in Bedford Stuyvesant up the road from me in Brooklyn. Rostarr is a wonderful painter that has been producing beautiful work for over a decade and is now having shows worldwide. His paintings have evolved from huge intricate canvases to
drawings that are reminiscent of Arabic calligraphy and Eastern design.
I was so happy to see his new studio which is underneath his apartment and showcases years of amazing creativity.
Imagine how thrilled I was when they gave me a pair of Converse that he designed.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
B is for Boombox
Just in time for the Hip Hop Festival on Saturday, I've produced my boombox print on a larger scale. This has been my best seller from the alphabet series and how old "skool" hip hop can you get ??
Matta
Yesterday I had a meeting with my lovely friend Cristina Gitti, the owner of Matta, a beautiful store at 241 Lafayette Street and Spring Street in Manhattan.
Cristina is the designer of the globally inspired line of clothing, pillows and throws which are all made from natural fibers and hand produced in India. She travels out there twice a year and has established wonderful relationships with the families that she works with; she can tell some amazing stories.
Matta also carries lines from other designers and I was happy to see my bag nestling next to some beautiful bright pillows.
We are working on a book project together that will be published in September and I will reveal more down the line.
.
Cristina is the designer of the globally inspired line of clothing, pillows and throws which are all made from natural fibers and hand produced in India. She travels out there twice a year and has established wonderful relationships with the families that she works with; she can tell some amazing stories.
Matta also carries lines from other designers and I was happy to see my bag nestling next to some beautiful bright pillows.
We are working on a book project together that will be published in September and I will reveal more down the line.
.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Lucidity
A couple of months ago I wrote about a project I had been asked to participate in with Tom Wild, a design student from the UK .
Today I received news that the books have been printed and are ready to be sent out to a carefully selected group of British design studios. The project is gathering alot of interest and to see the entire book online please click here.
Here are a few excerpts from it.
Today I received news that the books have been printed and are ready to be sent out to a carefully selected group of British design studios. The project is gathering alot of interest and to see the entire book online please click here.
Here are a few excerpts from it.
Inspiration
What a wonderful weekend of selling my wares and meeting lovely people. The weather cleared on Sunday and the Bleecker Street Art Fair was a huge success especially positioned right outside Magnolia; who knew there were so many cupcake fans out there.
Thank you everyone who came down and showed their support.
I thought it was about time I shared a few snaps of my home and things that have inspired me over the years. Unfortunately I can't seem to get great pictures of my barber shop sign collection but I'll keep trying.
Note the photo on the top right in the collection of family images; that's my sister and I in 1976 giving flowers to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Thank you everyone who came down and showed their support.
I thought it was about time I shared a few snaps of my home and things that have inspired me over the years. Unfortunately I can't seem to get great pictures of my barber shop sign collection but I'll keep trying.
Note the photo on the top right in the collection of family images; that's my sister and I in 1976 giving flowers to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Good To Know Project
A few weeks ago I posted about my feature on Pikaland and Amy Ng, the creator of this wonderful blog, invited me to participate in an ongoing project of hers called The Good to Know zine. It's purpose is to offer up advice and inspiration from artists/illustrators/designers on creativity, business and life.
ISSUE #2 (Now with illustrations from participants!): When does one know that a personal style has developed? Is it important to know what exactly that style is?
The book costs $7.00 and is well worth it for any creative person in need of some inspiration or just for the beautiful design alone.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA
On another really dreary day I'd like to send a sunny message to my sister in London.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
New Prints Available
I have just returned from the printer and have some nice new 9 x 12 and 8 x 8 prints available at my store. Check them out.
Gold Teeth
Another yucky day but some more refreshing images that should put a smile on your face.
I found this company called Gold Teeth at the Renegade Craft Fair but not much information on them other than they are 2 Brooklynites making silkscreen prints and cards. They made me chuckle anyway. Enjoy.
I found this company called Gold Teeth at the Renegade Craft Fair but not much information on them other than they are 2 Brooklynites making silkscreen prints and cards. They made me chuckle anyway. Enjoy.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Enormous Champion
Another dreary day in Brooklyn but hopes of sun and warmth for the weekend.
I've just discovered that I will be right outside Magnolia Bakery (Bleecker and W11th St) on Sunday at the Bleecker Street Fair so combine a visit with me and a yummy cupcake at the same time.
It's always nice to meet a husband and wife design team and Jason and Jordan of Enormous Champion are just that. They are based out of Brooklyn and are primarily stationary designers; inspired by nature and travel they produce beautiful illustrations using environmentally friendly materials.
Their Animalia boxes really stood out for me. The boxes were drawn and designed by Jason and the 15 different animals in this collection are made of sustainably harvested maple wood and the finishes are non-toxic and very low/no VOC.
I've just discovered that I will be right outside Magnolia Bakery (Bleecker and W11th St) on Sunday at the Bleecker Street Fair so combine a visit with me and a yummy cupcake at the same time.
It's always nice to meet a husband and wife design team and Jason and Jordan of Enormous Champion are just that. They are based out of Brooklyn and are primarily stationary designers; inspired by nature and travel they produce beautiful illustrations using environmentally friendly materials.
Their Animalia boxes really stood out for me. The boxes were drawn and designed by Jason and the 15 different animals in this collection are made of sustainably harvested maple wood and the finishes are non-toxic and very low/no VOC.
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