Homage : Stephanie Cole

No, not that Stephanie Cole! No, I'm talking about Stephanie Cole, textiles designer and illustrator extraordinaire!

Take one look at Stephanie's work and you can tell that she has lived in some naturally beautiful places, and these inspirations have seeped in to her work. Lush green places with flora and fauna,  alongside sparse coastal characters depicting everyday activities are what you will find in these surface designs and illustrations.

Wooden Hare Necklace

I first met Stephanie a few years back while at a small but excellent arty crafty type event in deepest Gloucestershire - and then promptly wondered why I didn't already know about her work, it seemed so established and professional. At the time I was managing a craft gallery that was in desperate need of newer, fresher, younger work - just like this - so I instantly set about trying to convince Stephanie to become a stockist.Years have passed and her brand has continued to grow, she has relocated to Finland and has even been voted by Channel 4 as one to watch.

Farmers Market Tea Towel

Stephanie's range is broad but everything has her signature aesthetic to them - screen printed textile wares, paper goods - my current favorite is the wooden hare necklace. I'm always interested to see what Stephanie has been up to, and where she'll go next as there is always something exciting up her sleeve. Keep up to date with new products and events on Stephanie's blog.

I shall leave you with some of my favorite postcard paintings from her Postcard A Day series....

When you touch me it's magic

Touch Me - Mixed media collage- screen print, acrylic, indian ink, pen

Available as a unique piece and reproduced as a greetings card.

Photo Shop

So Art Flea is only a few days away (as if you needed reminding, I just know that you are all perched on the edge of your seats in anticipation!) and apart from showcasing my work on the 18th I will also be manning a photo station of sorts, where you can have your potrait taken with me, illustration style!
What does this really mean Sarika? Well, it means stepping in to big sketchbook page, attaching your chosen features and adopting a speech bubble or two- depending on what you want to express of course- as that's what it's all about. It means -in short- becoming one of my characters.

To take part is FREE, and no appointment necessary. This is chance to get involved with my work, have a bit of fun, get a great image for you to enjoy- and maybe walk away with a tear drop or two!

Vintage Collar . Blouse and skirt- made by me

Vintage Collar
Dress - models own. Turban - a sample

All collars - www.sarikathakorlal.com

Turban - www.sarikathakorlal.com

Orange vintage dress - models own

Black blouse, white vest and black skirt - made by me

Art Flea!

Hello all!

Well we have just entered May - and are enjoying a glorious sunny Bank Holiday by the way- and this is the time for art festivals in Stroud, so it is such an exciting time to be in Gloucestershire. You may or may not be aware that Stroud is like a little pocket full of creative people- nearly everyone you meet is a visual artist, a designer, a writer, a musician- you name it- and this is the time of year when all this energy is cranked up and there are loads of shows and general happenings. So if you are thinking about visiting Stroud this is the month to do it, and the 18th looks set to be particularly exciting what with the fantabulous Art Flea event which is being held at the historical Brunel Goods Shed, and where yours truely will be exhibiting!

Art Flea is "A bizarre bazaar of wondrous things; part flea-market, part conceptual art experiment and part car-boot sale, featuring artist-run stalls and installations alongside live performance, film screenings and fabulous food. Featuring John Walter (presented by Meantime), Pippa Tideman, Nick White, Sam Marsh, Mik Artistik, John Hegley, Illustration Gallery, Nick Abrahams, Antlers and lots more. Food and drink includes Silver Rocketeer, and TinCan Pig Box"

 Events start at 10.00am on Saturday 18th May. 

Come and say hello, get yourself a bite to eat, see some amazing shows, and even have your portrait taken with me and become immortalised as one of my characters!


Visit www.artflea.co.uk or www.sitefestival.org.uk for more information.

New Look!

Read all about it! My website has got a whole new look! 

I don't there's any such thing as 'finished' when it comes to websites - things just change too much for them to be a static presentation of a person's work - but hey, that's a good thing! There's a new layout and new imagery, but there's still lots more goodness to come, so I'm looking forward to 'unveiling' it as things come together. In the mean time I hope you enjoy the new stock images, and get a sneak peek of my new surface designs - these form the backdrop of some of the greetings cards!

Toodlepip!

Who me? Apparently nobody says 'Dear' anymore except for me and OAPs. Is this true? I think it a most romantic, endearing sort of term. I used details from my own minty 1950s spectacles for this one and did several drafts in order to try and try and capture the right feeling with the right lines.....

  

Available in the shop

On the Backburner

Seeing as I've introducted some of the new people on the block you to, I thought Id show you some more work in progress, so lets see a little idea take shape......  

Even though there are only 3 sketches shown here there will be elements of each that have popped up in other places while I work out what to keep and what to discard, and as the personality of the idea/person emerges. Sometimes a spontaneous idea and the first drawing will be spot on and wont need revisiting, sometimes things also have work themselves out, so whilst here in 3 images it appears that Im practically finished, often it will take a while to arrive at this point.

 A little look at how things change and develop over time, when I've got an idea or an expression marinating in the back of my mind, and over time it begins to take shape as you keep revisiting it. I'm envisioning this one as a print, I just love how the texture and colour are turning out, and the generally happy feeling it's all about. We all need hugs after all!

                                                                            

Studio Goings On

....a few bits and pieces in the studio, taken after a late night's drawing and scribbling (hence the poor lighting!)

Some greeting card ideas, and some character ideas