OBJETS POUR NOEL

My illustration and stitching works are on sale at the gallery Objets the Désire in Cabot Circus, Bristol. It opened the beginning of October and it will be there as a pop-up shop until 24th December. The response has been great and my creations have been nicely received. It is a satisfactory end of the year, thanks to everyone who bought something of mine! Have a wonderful festive period! x

 My 'Safari Elephant' cushion (top) - can be bought here

'TIS TIME TO SAY THE WORD...

C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S :-)

Above are some of my latest card designs, which I have made for the pop-up gallery in Cabot Circus. The set up is slowly updating, in fact, some wintery and Christmas stock is magically appearing in store! I hope you come to have a look! 

MAKING MEMORIES

I have had the experience of working with sufferers of different kinds of dementia within a care home environment and I have seen in person how this condition affects not only the patient, but also his/her close family members and friends, so I was more than happy to participate in the Alzheimer's Society Memory Walk event and raise some money by doing a craft stall to show my support and acknowledge how big a cause this is. 

Saturday's event at Blaise Castle was very successful, despite the rainy start. I was really pleased to see how many people turned up!

I was paired up with a lovely lady called Helen, who makes beautiful fragranced candles and cute home accessories. Our stall was right in front of the stage so we had full view of all the performances, which helped brighten up a rather dull day (or at least the first part of it as later on the sun came out). 

Helen was late to set up her table, as she volunteered to help out with the signs for the 10 mile walk, but I wasn't made aware of that so I spread my stock out by taking over the other table which was allocated for her (see the first picture below)...eventually I retreated! 

The walkers and enthusiastic sprinters were welcomed at the finishing line by a cheering crowd and there were plenty of refreshments and entertainment on offer, such as: 'Here Come The Night jars', The Gasworks Choir and Ilu Axé choreographed Samba drumming band. There were also freestyle dancers, hula hoopers, face painters, candy floss, homemade cakes, pizza, tombola and craft stalls (us!).

The Memory Walk Officers and Volunteers were absolutely brilliant, they looked after us very well and showed us so much appreciation for our contribution to the day.

I sold more than I thought, especially the new designs, which was great to see. 
In a couple of days I will be setting up my work (both my stitchings and my designs) in Cabot Circus, in a new pop up shop/gallery called Objets de Désire, which is already an online boutique. The shop will run until 24th December! Hopefully see you there!

Here are some of the new items that were on sale:

ps. These last typewritten 'Baby' quotes proved very popular on Saturday, in fact I was commissioned to make more, since I run out of the blue ones...apparently more baby boys than girls are born!

HAPPINESS IS...

I am more drawn to mechanical objects than digital technology so it's no wonder that when the opportunity to use a typewriter in my work came along I (literally) grabbed it with both hands! 
I realised that there is a considerable public interest - when it comes to handmade items - in works where words or quotes are included, therefore, I thought that adding a typewritten section in my pictures would be the best way to update and push forward my style, this also allowed me to move from greeting cards towards a more versatile and frameable object/gift. The most important thing for me is that, because of the unpredictability of a typewriter, a handmade feel is more emphasised, for each picture becomes a unique piece with all the (relatively minor) smudges and irregularities. 

The colourful printed textiles and paper, as well as the embellishment of hand drawn or cut out birds and butterflies, make these compositions such a lovely gift to someone dear or, perhaps, they could brighten up a dull corner in your home... there it is a bit of wisdom and warmth (handmade with love) within such an easy reach! 

I have used quotes that inspired or touched me in one way or another, thoughts on happiness, friendship, a baby's arrival and I have also included a few verses from the song "Over the Rainbow", which I find nostalgic but, nonetheless, very beautiful and reflective.  

I will be 'testing them out' at the Alzheimer's Society Memory Walk event in Bristol this month, where I will have a stall along with other makers. I am so glad that I was asked to partake in it so that I can give a hand and make a contribution to such a great cause. 
Hopefully see you there!

                                      

THE CHARM OF THE LOCALS...

The Valley of the Rocks, North Devon 

Lynton, North Devon

It was such a breath of fresh air for me to spend a few days exploring the beautiful coastline and rolling hills of North Devon. I was so surprised of how many places we visited during our two-day holiday, which thankfully was blessed with sunshine.

Our first stop was the picturesque Dunster Castle (National Trust property) with its stunning interiors and immaculate grounds and village. The Victorian library and sitting room was my favourite, the wallpaper had an exotic feel to it with a light blue background and a multitude of golden birds, butterflies and dragonflies in relief. The oak bookcase enshrines hundreds and hundreds of old volumes and the soft furnishings, matching the walls, gather in front of a very elegant fireplace in marble. So much wisdom, so much knowledge, so many untold stories in the air. One of the bedrooms had a secret passage and the cellar had recordings of people witnessing ghostly apparitions...suddenly, erm I meant sadly, it was our time to go.

We carried on driving down to Porlock Bay. We parked the car and then adventured through salt marshes to then arrive at an immense beach covered in pebbles. It was quite desolate, however, very atmospheric! We had a not so comfortable picnic, but very re-energising after all that walking. 

We decided to move on to search for a camping site and drove through Exmoor Park. We stopped to admire the overwhelming green surrounding us on one side and the deep blue sea far away on the other, as the sun was lowering and drawing the day to a close.

Our campsite was by a river just beyond Lynmouth, and despite the tiring eventful day, the lovely dinner at the local pub (although we had to wait quite a long time to be served), our cosy tent and the suggestive settings, I still had trouble to sleep due to the constant noise of rushing water!

The next day we visited Lynmouth and its memorial hall, which displays pictures and memorabilia of the destructive floods of 1953. We also visited the above village Lynton (140m), with lovely murals depicting the stags of Exmoor forest, which the locals are very proud of. Lynton can be reached by funicular railway, which was so much fun, once up there your gaze could stretch so far and follow the coastline and its cliffs into the distance. 

By following the signs, we left the village behind us and walk approximately half a mile. We found ourselves on a narrow coastal path and then into the amazing Valley of the Rocks, inhabited by wild goats. The views were breathtaking, on the right the steep rocks diving into the sea, on the other the green valley and the graceful presence of the Exmoor ponies down below. It was such an exhilarating experience, we weren't ready to go home just yet so we headed further down the coast to Croyde Bay to watch the surfers, finally swim in the sea (well, not me) and take in another unforgettable peaceful sunset. Then yes, we were ready to make our way home.

QUENTIN'S WORLD

I find Quentin Blake's illustrations very fascinating. Their spontaneity and the fast pace with which they have been executed allows movement and connection with the story. They describe a collection of actions, feelings and ideas in an instant. It almost seems that the characters are moving and whispering, and the leaves are trembling (in the case of the picture below, which is from The Green Ship, a children's book written by Blake himself). You just want to turn the page to see where you are headed next and the interesting thing is, with his stories in particular, both the adult and the child can gain something special from the experience. The adult can reflect  on past experiences through the reminiscence of the characters and the child's imagination is stimulated, drawing them both into the adventure.

I admire Blake's style of working because I know how difficult it is for me to draw quickly and from memory. I wish I could improve on that and watching the videos on how he does it at Quentin-in-action has inspired me a great deal. Since I can remember, I have found drawing to be the most authentic and sincere mode of expression - it allows a creative interpretation, a vision, a representation of the world as the mind and the heart see it.

I would love one day to write, illustrate and translate a children's book into Italian. I have a long way to go, although an idea for a story involving space travelling to 'delicious' worlds is already in the making.

THE RED BALLOON

Here is a stitched representation of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and a Bristol hot air balloon floating over it...I thought I'd give this very popular and iconic image a go. 

Although the structure of the bridge may look simple enough to recreate, it actually took a long time to get right, or as closer to right as I could get it, within the constrictions of such an intricate technique used on a small surface and a fabric which weaves limit the possibilities of shapes, almost dictating the outlines of the work. Apart from that, job done!

'The Red Balloon', thread on canvas, 3" hoop

GENTLE FLIGHT

I am so glad to say that my small stitching works have been well received in Paper Scissors Stone, the venue in Cabot Circus where I am exhibiting at until the end of June (only a month to go!), so I have been working on some more hoop designs which showcase my thoughts on Springfulness...I hope that they will make an original gift idea for the upcoming Father's Day, or, stealing a line from a lovely customer, ' a no-reason present', which, we thought, it's the best thing to give...and receive!

Swift, thread on floral fabric, 3" hoop

Throughout this Volume I have had the pleasure of working alongside two really talented and supportive ladies, who have given me some really precious advice and inspired me a great deal to continue on this journey towards a life full of making (and hopefully selling!). Here they are: young and busy mum Fritha Strickland, a professional illustrator and the writer behind Tigerlilly Quinn (also her name!) and Lizzie Pearce, a nature and folklore lover who produces some very exquisite felt jewellery.

Thank you girls!

MY SPACE. MY HEART.

My Meet the Maker - Interview has now been published and has gone out into the world! 

I must say that at first I found the idea of talking about myself a little overwhelming, however, while I was examing each question carefully and trying to think about the most honest answer, I realised that this whole process was what I needed to help me see more clearly where I am standing at this very moment of my creative career. 

My practice is currently split into two different ways of making, this enables me to channel in a more organised and flexible manner my ideas and skills, while reaching out to different audiences. One is based on the very core of my studies and research; it is characterised by my abstract 'paint drop' stitching technique, which I refer to as 'proper art'. The other way of making brings out a more commercial, fun and accessible - in terms of image - side of my practice.

I find that what the two have in common, not in equal measures of course, is craft. This reflects my own approach to making, which aims to create unique original pieces, no matter how small or big these are on the art charts.

Since moving to Bristol, I felt a different energy around various art practices. Everyone is an artist here, everybody makes things, everybody communicates in their own made-up language. I was lost in this for a while, I was questioning myself and what I had achieved. I felt like I had to reinvent myself and I was afraid of disappointing or disconnecting from all the people who understood or, rather, 'got' my work and where I was trying to go with it, but I had to step back from that and take these responsibilities and all their weight off my shoulders. For the first time since my academic years, I set out to learn again with an open (and much lighter) mind via what I considered another unknown long and winding route, which initially took me away from my real goals and ambitions. If , for the time being, I could make money from selling greeting cards and small versions of what slightly resembled my bigger works and ideas, at least, I thought, I would keep my creativity alive and so my dreams, that's how True Icon Designs was born.

I was told that no one should compromise their art for the sake of accomodating it more comfortably and safely within the city they live in, but that's what I have done, because I feel that our art is shaped by our experiences and perception of the immediate surroundings. By embracing and accepting this, I have become more engaged with the place I live in and I have come to fully appreciate my abilities to work in different ways. Also, I have identified the key elements that may be crucial to take my 'proper art' up a few notches. 
I have found new inspiration, freedom and determination...and, not to mention, I have sold!

Talking about the different parts that make up my art world has helped me see it in a different light, a more calm and diffused one.  

Here are a few more shots, not included in the interview, which show my small studio and myself working away...

The heart in this picture is now sold, but I am working on similar designs :-)

PAPER, SCISSORS, STONE AND...BUTTERFLIES!

My work is now on sale at Paper Scissors Stone in Cabot Circus (12th April - 30th June). 

Here are some of my newest greeting card and wall designs made appositely for the current Volume: SPRING 2013.

VALENTINA...

11-16 February 2013

It has been another successful show at Room 212!

To everyone who supported me throughout the week: thank you for showing so much interest in my art and ideas, and kindly buying my works! Much love X