Alexis's Bedroom - Fluttering Away

Alexis also asked me to do some painting on her bedroom walls.

I don't know why butterflies were on my mind, perhaps because they are such free beautiful creatures and I was feeling like I too needed to be released from something. I like them anyway and seeing them each morning will be an inspirational way to start the day. The accompanying words were taken from notes I made at recent exhibitions, and a line from a book. The bird I cannot take credit for. He is Picasso's Dove of Peace.

Some mornings are indeed perfect.

Alexis's Kitchen - Cupcakes Galore

My latest walls to love and bring to life, belonged to the delightful Alexis in Chorlton. Her style throughout the flat was very cute and girly, with a kitchen full to the brim with cupcake imagery. It was natural to translate them onto the walls. I also wanted to reflect the many circles that were dotted around on cups, teatowels and trays, to give a balanced and understated result.

Sweet and simple, just like cupcakes.

Happy Birthday Hannah

This is a little something I made for my very special friend Hannah Elder.

The main image is from a large mural I did in Kiss My Feet (see earlier blog), which I photographed and then translated onto acetate and an old envelope, to get a smaller version and a more interesting result. I then added some collage elements - an Eiffel Tower because she used to live in Paris, and a First Class stamp, because she is a first class friend. Finally, I stitched her initials and added a heart, just so she knows how much I love her.

Art is never finished. You may do a painting, and recycle the result over and over, to get ever changing outcomes.

Hernan Bas

I came across this artist whilst flicking through Frieze mag this morning.

I love the free expressionist painting, juxtaposed against the delicate figures. Free and yet focused.

Lovely.

The World is Your Canvas

http://arrestedmotion.com/tag/os-gemeos/

Just stumbled across this great website, with a multitude of of videos documenting current trends in street art. I've always had a fascination with it, but have steered clear since my art teacher frowned upon my Grafitti project in year 10. Didn't go down at all well! I think it's almost superior to other forms of art though....because it's there, in your face, for the world to see on their way to work. It comes from the heart and contributes to the landscape of our environment. I'm not talking about silly kids who tag their name in spray paint in the small hours of the morning, but rather the ARTISTS who want their work to be seen and ensure that it is seen by exhibiting in the streets, rather than hung up on Bourgeois Gallery walls.

It is the work of the people, for the people.

Life is like a Story Book

I find myself so frequently amazed by the objects and words that already exist in this world, and yesterday was no exception. On a short stroll around Bozeat village, my Dad and I stumbled across this street sign. Yes, it actually exists. You couldn't write it. I'd like it to be my address one day...

Miss SophieRobyn Redbreast
Gretel Cottage
Puddding Bag Lane
Glistenville
L0v3 4rt

Something along those lines anyway. I'll do my best to make it happen....

Country Bumpkin

Nature is something that we all take for granted. Well not today. Walking from my lovely home village to one of the neighbouring ones, I soaked in every ounce of it. The fresh clean air, the autumn leaves, the horses in the fields, the indentations of the bark, the different flowers and most of all the never-ending views across the fields, every so often interrupted by the church steeples. Every village has one. Isn't that nice.

Along my way I found so many things of interest, including an abandoned "Push it!" Dance Cd (the only piece of litter for 6 miles), a rusty ring-pull and my favourite, a heart shaped walnut. Simply magical. It made me realise that my heart is here, and always will be here.

I will always be a country bumpkin!

Just Another Brick in the Wall?

People may think I'm a little crazy taking photos of random brick walls, but the sunlight was so intense today, that it bounced off this wall creating stunning colours and shadows, highlighting the natural complexities and imperfections of the bricks.

Who needs photoshop.

Our task for the week is to use a 1.5inch viewfinder and select accidental marks from floors, tables, pavements, doorways, ceilings etc and then translate the findings into drawings. It's amazing the pattern and detail that can be found in such a small area, and in locations that we wouldn't normally glance twice at.

Next time you spill a cup of tea, look closer at the silky mark it leaves behind on your coffee table.

Making Tracks

After a stupendous night of shaking my very sweaty booty to the sounds of Roisin Murphy at Legends night club, my evening was topped off by the discovery of these beautiful wet footprints trailing the pavement underneath Piccadilly train station. As I glanced at the wondrous natural beauty of the complicated contours and shapes of the human foot, I considered the story behind them, left no doubt by some female party-goer, exhausted by the combination of 5inch heels and hours dancing at the Warehouse Project.

Feet take us where we want to go in life. That night, my feet took me back to dancing. Like a lunatic. And I loved it.

Lets hope the feet on the pavement had been on an equally moving journey.