Spring cleaning!!!

So today is the first day of the Easter break and I'm determined to get my studio looking cool and feeling organised which will inevitably make me want to spend every minute in there making gorgeous stuff :) wish me luck! I'm gonna need it ...

First Live Assignment- so exciting...

So I'm three days in to my first week back at uni, and already I feel like I've got a mountain to climb!!! That mountain however, is so far away from any mundane, usual old uni mountain that any non-art students have to face. I can already see that this year is going to be thrillingly fast paced, intense and full of exciting new experiences. The first of which is our live assignment, so this basically means we have to work to a REAL brief for a REAL industry professional- JOANNA COUPLAND!

I had already come accords her work within my search for animal sculpture products, so I really am looking forward to getting the chance to meet and work with her. From her studio in York, Joanna makes all of her products by hand, taking inspiration from nature and taxidermy. Below are a few images of hers, for more gorgeousness, take a peek at her website...http://www.joannacoupland.co.uk.

Long time no speak...

As September (and the misty Northern weather) is drawing in, I'v finally managed to get myself sorted and made it back to my blog space!

It's been a while, but Summer 2014 has been a good one, and I'm feeling refreshed and motivated after a long break.

To fill you in (and enjoy a  reminisce) here's a few things I have gotten up to over the sunshine months...

1. Taken one heck of a vacation across the pond to see the big mouse and his mrs
2. Ziplined down one of the longest lines across stunning Caribbean ocean
3. Climbed the Dunns River Falls in Jamaica
4. Camped in a "pod" aka SHED
5. Got well and truly stuck in to decorating/ renovating our home which firstly consisted of completing a bedroom/wetroom overhaul- the results of which I'm chuffed with (blogging from my bed made up with bargainous luxury "White Company" bedding over-looking an enormous statement light I have to say it feels a tiny bit like a hotel room :D )
6. Spent some long awaited quality time with family and friends
7. Continued a lifelong hunt for "treasures" in charity shops and at fairs
8. Visited Chester Zoo and developed a love for Meercats- so adorable!
9. Knocked back a few tipples- and savoured every one
10. Was guest at two amazing weddings 
11. and I did manage a few chilled days here and there...

and a few visuals to prove it...

Heres to Summer 2014! I have to admit, I am quite looking forward to swapping the tee's for snuggly jumpers and the white wine for a comforting hot chocolate.

xoxo

P.s hope you like the new look blog, just a quick change but it's made all the difference don't you think?

Print rooming...

After spending all afternoon in the print room, I'm pretty pleased with my samples. I wanted to do some basic ones to make sure my screens were okay before I start experimenting more. I struggled with the size of the screen with it only being be second shot at screen printing, but I'm excited to get creative now...

Before layering the next part of my design I used string to help me line it up. Below is a sample I tried using two colors of pigment on the screen pulled through at the same time, not sure it works but it definitely gies more texture than one colour alone.

IRONWORK ENVY...

I am really inspired by this gorgeous ironwork i set my eyes on in the V and A whilst in London last month. I can imagine creating some really interesting print based around the scrolls and fluid lines.

All own images taken at V and A museum London 06/02/14

Art deco similarities...

I've spent the day mulling through art history and in particular at the Art Deco period, I've just found these tea towel designs by Lindsey Lang ; the patterns and colours remind me of some of the art deco textiles that I came across today!

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  http://lindseylang.co.uk/collections/tea-towels

Colour palette inspiration...

After talking about personalised colour palettes and how I'm still a little scared of colour only yesterday, I just had to reblog this post I found on http://printpattern.blogspot.co.uk.
The colours are simply gorgeous, I love the fact that they are bright yet still sophisticated and not too garish. Some of the actual patterns however I'm not as keen on (further down the line byAngela Walters and Jeni Baker) I don't find the graphic repetition of the prints interesting enough but I really do like the collection by Chic Flora as despite being quite graphic, they still retain a delicacy (it could be the florals!) Definitely a flash of colour palette inspiration...

Here are some more upcoming fabrics due for release this spring at Art Gallery Fabrics. February saw the arrival of Chic Flora an in-house designed collection of  lush florals in mineral blue, coral, and lime.

Below: Next month will see the release of Pat Bravo's 'Essentials'collection.

Below : Also arriving in March is 'Drift' by Angela Walters, inspired by a tropical island paradise.

And finally (below) April  will see the arrival of Dreamin Vintage by Jeni Baker.