Inner Circle Magazine Cover

Happy New Year everyone!

A few months ago I was back in touch with Inner Circle magazine (who I've illustrated for on several occassions). I created the cover illustration for the new issue of the online magazine (the magazine for alumni of Regents College). The new issue contains a story on the new school of fashion and textiles, but I wanted to stay away from the traditional images of fashion (models and high fashion clothes) as much as possible and focus on the making. To get this across I drew loads of giant bits of equipment such as sewing machines, scissors and an iron, to focus on the making side of things. You can see the whole magazine here. 

The Ladywellephant- a charity elephant all about Ladywell!

A little while ago (ahem!) the lovely Slater & King in Ladywell asked me to create another painting to go on a model of a baby elephant which could then be raffled off with all proceeds going to charity. This time round the ele was only a miniature (aww!) and to celebrate the lovely area of Ladywell I dedicated the whole design to the area of South East London, my old home not so long ago. The mural features Hilly Fields park, the view into central London, the cafes, several dogs, my cat who sneaked in amongst the flowers and Slater & Kings shop too! Tickets can be bought from Slater & King but hurry there's only a week or so to go as the raffle ends Christmas Eve. All proceeds go to the charity Signal supporting parents of children with Autism.

London Fashion Week Illustrations

A few months back I was asked to do some fashion illustrations based on October's London Fashion Week. I've not really done any illustrations that just focus on the outfit before so jumped at the chance. The designs were quite detailed so I was a little unsure if I could achieve the effects with paper collage alone, so I used painted washes and patterns on the papers first. (From Top to bottom Mary Katrantzou, Holly Fulton Burberry and House of Holland).

November Exhibitions!

This month I've got a solo exhibition of my work at Kaizo Hair Salon in Shoreditch. I've entitled it "Down the Rabbit Hole" as my work often references Alice in Wonderland due to the large number of bunnies in my work! It's on for the whole of November and you can buy both cards and prints directly from the salon or from me at my NOTHS shop. 

I've also got some new on my ele in the UK Elephant Parade.  She is now on display in Cardiff from 13th November at the Wales Millenium Centre.

My Elephant on Tour!

A bit later I know but here are a few pictures (courtesy of Elephant Communications) of my design in the first couple of stops on the UK tour. There are also a couple of me painting her back in the Summer. 

My elephant and the rest of the herd are currently at Intu Eldon Square, Newcastle till 16th November.

New London Stockist Bermondsey Fayre

Over the last few weeks I've been busy visiting new (and a few old) stockists of my artwork. It's always nice to match a face to an email and get a sense of each individual, shop, gallery or cafe or in some cases all of these! A couple of weeks ago I dropped off my work at Bermondsey Fayre a wonderful boutique and gallery that stock independent artists, designers, fashion, jewellery whilst also being a yoga and event space-phew! Here are a few pics of my work in-situ. Thanks to Liz and Charlotte Kessler (whose stunning work is next to mine) for introducing me.

I've also had a bit of a spruce up of my display in the quirky Reddoor Gallery and cafe in Greenwich and dropped off some artworks with Degreeart for their trip to Manchester's Buy Art Fair. 

Royal Teas Autumnal Art Exhibition

I've got a selection of my work on show at Royal Teas in Greenwich. I've chosen my most autumnal feeling pieces (since there's definitely a bit of a nip in the air right now!) including my new piece "Up, Up and Away!" that I created initially as a flyer for Wonderhill Craft Market. They do a fab selection of yummy cakes and are on a quaint little street just round the back of the town centre. To by my work email me direct, buy at my Not On the High Street Shop or pop into Reddoor Gallery and Cafe Greenwich who also sell a selection of my work too.

An elephant never forgets...

On Friday I had to bid a sad farewell (for now at least!) to my elephant as after over a month of painting she is finally complete! I made the last few finishing touches to my painting, tidied up some fuzzy lines and generally made more work for myself by smudging areas that had been fine, until it was time to stop. The parade will start on the 16th July at an as yet secret London location, before moving on to destinations across the UK.

And in case you wondered where my pictures of fellow visitors to St James park were here's a family of swans!

A Mammoth Task (the Elephant Parade part 2)

As I mentioned earlier on this month, I've been busy painting my elephant design in readiness for the start of the first UK tour for the elephant parade. It's great to see the design taking shape (and getting lots of compliments from friends, staff at intu (the tour sponsors) and a team of decorators thanks everyone!) Only a week to go and I am nearly done (apart from a lot of tidying up and a coat of varnish).

Lovely to be able to have lunch and walk home through St James Park too, I've never seen the pelicans this close before!