I've Moved!

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I've moved to an entirely brand new website, please come and check out my new address! www.sarikathakorlal.com

This project was sponsored by Channel 4 and completely caters for all aspects of my work; my own creative practice, my e-store, blog and social media.

Looking forward to seeing you there soon! X

News... Its Rather Big!

It is just over a month ago that I was discussing the Collect show at Saatchi and since then I haven't published a jot - how time flies when there is lots to do! I have been busy working on several new projects and in an effort to bring them to fruition I have just been keeping my head down and working as much as I physically can - and thoroughly enjoying it too!

First project in line for readiness is a brand new website, one which I am working hard to make fabulous, and will be much more of a forum for all things art and vintage. Discussions on style, interiors, making, exhibitions, events will be happening - pretty much everything I am usually jabbering about, but much bigger and better! I am also really pleased to be able to confirm some guest writings from a selected few brilliant people on the scene- so I hope that I have managed to sufficiently wet your appetite for the launch over the coming weeks.
Stay tuned on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming dates, or get in touch if you would like to get involved.

Happy Sunday!....

Exhibition : What Do I Do Now?

...The time is fast approaching, when folk from far and wide flock to lesser known Stroud in Gloucestershire for the two main events of the summer - the Textile Festival and Site Festival.
Both are fantastic events, and as Stroud is bursting with both emerging and established artists there is always something great to see.

Last year I participated in the amazing Art Flea event at the Brunel Goods Shed, which was a brilliant show. This year I am back at the Goods Shed for a second time and will be part of What Do I Do Now?  as part of Site. An exhibition hosted and curated by Anna Jacob, alias Clementine Holmes - a newbie fresh out of art college with some big ideas. This years Site Fest is all about art and writing colliding so I will be contributing some new woven textile pieces which I'm really excited about.

Dates are 17th and 18th of May, with live music on the Saturday evening from 8pm.
Find the show at Studio One. Right next to Stroud Station, its easy to find if you fancy a visit.
Find all event info 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!

Girl About Town : Chelsea Art School Fashion Show

If you say that you are paying a visit to a college but are not a student this may give a rather dull impression of an outing. Not so with an art school, and certainly not so with Chelsea art school. This week I had the pleasure of having an elusive invitation to the First Year Textile student's first fashion show at Chelsea School of Art, very exciting. You dont have to twist my arm to visit Chelsea as the grounds are just lovely, and there is that un mistakable vibe of excitement and creativity to be found in all good art schools - I just love it - so many young people crammed together, just gasping to be given the tools to do something amazing (can you tell I miss it?). Anywho, I was front row, and managed to grab some great, if albeit fuzzy, photos of the show - you get the idea.

There was so much good work in this show - really interesting uses of materials, making unlikely sucessful unions. A few that have really stuck in my head were a recovered lampshade as headwear, and white wadding foam (the kind found inside oven gloves) worked with some kind of hard plastic in to a tailored garment. Other students had gone for a traditional process but had really pushed it further - most memorably were the coral skirt which was pleated in such a way that it appeared to take on the form of a huge tulip and the pleasts waved at you as the model walked by, and of course the knitted horn headwear  piece - strange and wonderful!

The great thing about first and second year is that this is the time when students are able and encouraged to take risks, you are still finding out your own creative identity so you end up moving in new directions and testing the waters. It is in the final year that you have to hone things in, tone it down, and start putting your work in an marketable 'box', so it is just great seeing shows at this level - it really is what you would call raw talent.

I leave you with said fuzzy photos - I defy you not to be inspired. Enjoy!