SITE FEST : Polyrhythmic Snarl

Introducing Ed Lawrenson and Sam Marsh, the highly skilled duo behind Polyrhythmic Snarl who are returning to Stroud's Site Festival this year. Exploring collaboration and process, these paintings use geometric shapes, line and form to trick the eye and manipulate the sense of space.

When viewing this Magic Eye visual trickery on kite shaped canvases I get the distinct impression that I am somehow being drawn in and hoodwinked by these master painters. Attempting to locate the start and the end of these intertwining colourful forms is near impossible but that doesnt stop the viewers eye from trying to make sense of it all. In the end you can take from it what you will - I enjoy the abundance of immaculate colourways and the feeling that I cannot look away.....

This is a teaser of a show, only running from 9th - 11th May on Kings Street in the center of town, so get this one in your diary. Visit the Site Festival website for all the details. Highly recommended!

Hot News - Angie Lewin Does Ceramics!

Angie Lewin - printmaker, painter, surface designer - a modern day Ravillious who can turn her hand to anything. She has just released a range of ceramics - two designs of porcelain plates to be exact - with John Julian Design. A match made in heaven. Available individually or in sets of 6, two colourways to choose from. Check them out immediately here.

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....

Mothering Sunday Saviours

So here are a few things which have been catching my eye this week, and which I think are just great. Lets not forget that Mothering Sunday is fast approaching in the UK, so I thought a few suggestions of last minute gifts would be useful to a few of us! 

First up is a lovely bit of surface design by screen printer and designer Hannah Madden. This is just one of my choice picks from a range of cool shades that she does, but they are all great really. All this one needs is a lovely turned wood Danish lamp stand and voila! Pure chic!
Check out Hannah's website here to see the vast range of good things she makes.

Olive Leaf Shade by Hannah Madden 

Next up is lovely new monogram stationary by the ever-wonderful paper goods brand Rifle Paper Co. I defy anyone to dislike anything that Anna Bond creates - it is impossible! Something like a small set such as this is super thoughtful for your old mum, but is achievable for those on a modest budget. Check out the entire range and prepare to be stuck for choice.

New Monogram Stationary by Rifle Paper Co

Anyone who knows me even a little bit will know that I am rather obsessed with the work of Artist Angie Lewin. She hits on that mid century craftsman approach so very well and is some kind of modern day Edward Bawden as she turns her hand to all sorts of decorative arts - prints, fabrics, papers- and all with consistent success. Her newest fabric Stellar is just another example of a great new fabric design, and is available off the roll and in ready made cushion covers in several colourways.
I am also rather in love with the new scarf which she produced in conjunction with her exhibition at Yorkshire Sculpture, and this item is a limited edition, so its super special. Purchase it via the YPS website here before they all sell out!

Angie Lewin - Stellar Cushion Cover

Angie Lewin with YSP - Limited Edition Scarf

Finally, and this is if you really want to push the boat out, take a look at this milk and sugar ceramic set by Scholten & Baijings at Smug in Islington London - always a trusty benchmark when on a quest for cool stuff. This set is so unusual and the colours undeniably cheerful. This is my favourite but really the whole range is worth a look. They are by no means cheap, BUT they are unusual, original, unexpected, useful, dishwasher safe, cool - do I need to keep going?

Ridiculously delicious ceramics from Smug

....And if all that fails to suit your Mothering Sunday gift needs, then culinary delights are always a winner too - so why not choose my absolute favourite edibles of all - Fiendish and Goode dainties. 

It is true that I am just the tiniest bit biased as I was the original taster for this business back when it was just cake inspirations at midnight during our art school days, but hand on heart, these are incredible, and if you haven't already tried them then you must - and then report back on which are your favourites! (Mine is the lemon drizzle and pistachio!). These are sure to please even the most stern of Mothers, and are bound to place you firmly in the Good Books. They do a great gift box set that will do the trick. Check out their Facebook page here to find out market dates, and place your orders. 

I leave you with an image to drool over.

Fiendish and Goode - Goode just about covers it!

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.

Coffee Morning

Much of my work is triggered by small things in daily life, things that are emotive or are an everyday activity - walking down the street, writing a letter. A still life from the kitchen table.

Mixed media collage unique piece, also reproduced as a greetings card - in the shop!

Look Book - Some Ideas

I have been playing around with what is the beginnings of a look book with a new body of work.
Some I have had in my mind for a long time, and it is so nice to finally see them realised, and some still need tweaking and are in the early stages of development. It is interesting to see what you enjoy making most in the process of doing other things - for example I really enjoyed painting the wallpaper, and even though I created it as a tool, I am already itching to make some more large scale designs.

There are lots more designs that will be coming out over the next few months, so I'll keep you posted as and when. In the meantime, take a look at some of the pieces that are currently available. Hope you like!

Vintage Collar and Sprinkles Zipper Pouch

Zipper Pouch  and Collar
Dress- models own

Touch Me Coin Purse

Green Linen Dash Zipper Pouch

Vintage Collar Dress - models own, vintage turban is a sample

Atomo Clutch

Look Sharp collage

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!

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