To live!

To live!, originally uploaded by Stephen >.

This is my new favorite little lady.
I had a mini discussion with the Photographer about why/how he thought she could be so happy behind the glass......

I hope you like her.

Polaroid Paradise

I bought myself some polaroid film a few months ago in anticipation of the SX-70 I was going to buy...the camera never did materialise, but I was given an awesomely clunky polariod camera from about the 1980's which I am currently carrying with me on a bike tour, It is my one concession to weight and I will not be parted from it.
The first picture I took and I was hooked, but because of the cost of film I'm having to ration myself with how and when I use it. The image posted are 2 shots I took on Dartmoor when the weather was atrocious, it was so cold I couldn't feel my hands, but the sky was amazing.
I hope you like them, and I hope my understanding of the camera and film improve the more I use them...That is until it is no longer produced...boo hoo

Who is Zang Huan?

I've just recently come across an artist called Zang Huan. I really know nothing about him save a few images and a quick look at his website.
What caught my eye was a series of very arresting images from some of his video work.
What do you think?

Visit my ETSY

Seeing my friend Vic's comment about her new etsy shop, reminded me I still hadn't finished making mine, so I would also like to invite you to visit my etsy here.

just googling myself

I've just had a look at my new pages on the southwest crafts website and this made me wonder what I would find if I googled myself.
It took till page 3 to find this site, and all sorts of random stuff came up before. I think it's about time I figure out all these tags and things that are needed to up my position in search engines.
I did come across this though. I'd almost forgotten I had been a part of it. The 4-way portfolio print exchange in early 2007. A collection of works by printmakers from Norway, Lithuania, Scotland and England.

Freddies House

I have stayed at a friends house a few nights these last few weeks. Freddie has been amazingly generous offering up a bed in her beautifully renovated Farm House virtually in Penzance.

It made me realise a few things.
1. I LOVE south Cornwall
2. I want a house with land and studio space
3. Freddie has GREAT taste in art

I walked into her living room on that first night and was confronted by the most amazing big painting that I'd seen a few weeks before at the University College Falmouth Summer Show. My desire to own this painting was only suppressed because I knew I would be going away, and the fact that it was already sold!!
I am so glad it went to a good home. Here is a picture of the painting...

http://www.craigdixon.org

new ceramics

It's been a few days since finishing my new batch of mugs, vases, brooches, fridge magnets and coasters.
here are a few pics...not much to say about them at the moment, so the pictures can speak for themselves...
The glaze is different, but the slight blue tinge in the white is beautiful

My sewing samples...time delayed.

I closed my computer last weekend and have only just opened it! Another really manic week. I have just about finished making the ceramics for south West Crafts and now need to plan the firing stages. Back down to Falmouth next week, but first here are some other images from the Alison Willoughby workshop...These are my samples....The last image is my 'free hand cross stitch' and although I think it's pretty awesome I had my friends doubled over in stitches....I don't know what was so funny!

Long Exciting Week

It has been a very long few days, but so much fun. I've been catching up with friends, making lots and lots of ceramics and attending a workshop for 2 days by Alison Willoughby.
Below are a few photos of that workshop.

Dickon Update....

I just found this....some people I think are just too talented! Check out some of Dickons music here. It's just like is art..weird but wonderful.

Whilst having a look at a friends blog I came across this, I've seen some of Slinkachu's work before but wanted to share it and have a record of it for myself.
Thanks to David at www.hackleys.com/wpress who somehow manages to combine a busy work/creative/private life and still find time to discover lots of exciting things.

BIG ORDER!!

South West Crafts just put in quite a big order for my mugs and a few other items, for before I leave...hummmm...now I really do have to sort out clay, kiln, glaze etc...
www.southwestcrafts.co.uk

Introducing......

....Dickon Drury
I've bean meaning to write here about this amazing guy for quite some time. I first met him as a fresh faced enthusiastic student on the Foundation Course at the University College Falmouth when I myself was recently Graduated and working as a technician.
Strangely we have bumped into each other a bit since then (his grandparents live near to my mother!) but this summer was the first time I've seen his current work...and what a pleasure it was. His choice of subject and technical skill have developed so much in the past 4 years that if i hadn't met him in his gallery space I would never have known who's work I was looking at. I was enthralled even before I found out..
It is quirky, but sophisticated, hinting at a much more complex story than that which is visible at the surface.
I love the characters, I love the totally schizophrenic nature of the materials used, I love how it's all been put together with found and made objects.
The fairy tale has just been reinvented.

Next, I am sad to say that my camera had just run out of battery and I had to suffice with my phone camera...which is just shocking and does the work no justice..I am trying to track down Dickons next show so that I can get better images...but for now.....

crusty mugs

I put my heavily embossed mugs into a Local Art Show last weekend and sold all but 2 of my remaining stock!!!
A guy who runs an Art Gallery was interested in more for his shop, but I haven't heard from him. I'm guessing because he heard I was going away. If he contacted me very soon though there would be a faint chance of me being able to get a large batch produced and shipped to him before we leave. This is unlikely on both fronts, as I don't have his name and most likely he hasn't heard of this blog!
Here are some photos of my last few mugs before they wound their way to new and hopefully loving homes!

Hidden Art Favorites

http://www.crispinmcnally.co.uk
http://www.highermarketstudio.co.uk/

Crispin's buttons are so much more impressive in person, they have a surface quality that just makes you want to touch them and experience their texture. They ones I preferred were the out sized, 'slightly too large for a garment' sort.
Higher market studio has a selection of their work on their website, although the picture I've used above is not the sideboard I saw it uses the same process of reclamation and laser cut melamine.
Gingerspin's website does not show her most recent work and I didn't snap a photo at the show. I haven't included an image, because I think her more recent work is far more impressive, beautiful combinations of recycled fabrics that compliment each other, beautifully sewn and wonderful bag patterns. http://gingerspin.com
http://www.katestainthorp.co.uk I had a look at her web page and now I'm not sure she made the bracelets I saw. I'm thinking she shared her stand with someone else. If anyone knows then I would love to know for sure...just comment below

Hidden Art Cornwall

I went to the Hidden Art exhibition in Godolphin House yesterday. I was a brilliant showcase of design that is happening in Cornwall now. http://www.hiddenartcornwall.co.uk/events/design-fair
I will say though that most of it is very consumer oriented, there was a lot of little things to buy, my favorites included ceramic buttons by Crispin McNally, small hand painted bracelets by kate Stainthorpe, recycled bags by Gingerspin and a wonderful reclaimed 1970's sideboard by lucy Turner

This is an amazing painting by Neil..... I will get his surname later, he is a ceramicist turned painter who lives near me in Cornwall. I only recently found out he painted and now I've seen his work I am trying to figure out how I can afford one!
I would say this painting is about 1x1m painted in acrylics.
His work seems to revolve around the fantastic, distorted creatures and landscapes reworked and enlivened with vivid colours.

fresh start

Today is a new day.
I'm starting again with this blog. It has been used for the past year or so for a running commentary of my MA in Multi-disciplinary Print from UWE.
That finished in February and since then I have been feeling my way through the ether and grounding myself for the new experience of 'not being a student'.
I have been up to a few different things, teaching at the University of Falmouth on the Textile Design Degree and MA Design, some, new designing, but mostly organising for a gargantuan trip that I am on the verge of embarking upon.
The trip itself will be blogged about on a new website www.iswallowedafly.com and I will dedicate this site to all things design, art and craft that I come upon now and during my travels.
I will be attempting to gain useful employ during this trip, so will also use this space to visually and verbally document these new experiences