but life kind of of got in the way. I've been ill, had lots of exciting emails and been a very busy bee but I'm back and want to do things properly ha!
Exciting news, I now have my prints in two real life shops! which I will blog about soon and will be having an Urban Graphics greetings card out soon with one of my print designs on it :)
I want to do at least one post a week this month to get me going for next year as I really do want to get better at this whole bogging thing! No doubt at least one of them will just be christmas related as Im obsessed and already listening to Wham! in cosy pjs :)
I'll do better I promise!
Lx
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Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
New print....
So I've been trying to venture away from all black prints but it wasn't going so well, but after continuing my tattoo themed prints I decided to have a go at illustrating a sugar skull. I have always loved them, and painted my face as one for many a halloween party but this was my first go at illustrating it. I love the intricacy and tried to get as much in as I could without making it impossible to cut out of lino. By layering a gold layer of ink underneath it not only added a bit of glitter and sparkle but added another dimension the print and brought out the details more.
This is one of my favourite things I've done for a while and it is a limited edition of only 10 so if you want to pick one up for yourself click here.
Made You Look....
As soon as I saw Anthony Burrill tweet about a colab with Hattie Stewart I had to find out more! Made You Look is a documentary by Look and Yes Media about creativity in the digital age.
The documentary looks at creatives that despite being in a digital era are turning away from their screens to use more traditional methods of making things. Basically my life haha. They have interviewed a wide range of creatives from Anthony Burrill to Ed Cheverton about their creative practice and the importance of creating tactile objects and it looks like a really exciting documentary.
Having filmed over 20 hours of interviews, they are currently looking for backers on kickstarted as they have run out of funds to finish the final edit and keep it a completely independent production. I've given my pledge, so If you can spare a few pounds, or a lot of pounds please do and as always on kickstarter the more you pledge the better reward you will receive, like a Limited Edition collaborative screen print by Hattie Stewart and Anthony Burrill!
Watch to find out more...
'If everything we create only ever exists in a digital cloud, I think thats a terrible shame'
Sam Arthur (co-founder of Nobrow Books)
Having filmed over 20 hours of interviews, they are currently looking for backers on kickstarted as they have run out of funds to finish the final edit and keep it a completely independent production. I've given my pledge, so If you can spare a few pounds, or a lot of pounds please do and as always on kickstarter the more you pledge the better reward you will receive, like a Limited Edition collaborative screen print by Hattie Stewart and Anthony Burrill!
My favourite....
Now I know this isn't everyones cup of tea but I love stationary and a good set of pens is essential. I've recently bought a lush new big moleskine diary in an attempt to plan my days better and become more productive as well as not forgetting things, as I have the memory of a fish. It's been a while since I've had a proper diary and after using a running out biro for the first week I decided I had to buy some new writing pens, not that I need an excuse to go stationary shopping.
Muji is one of my favourite stationary shops ever because everything is so minimalist and practical. I have bought their acrylic storage for my makeup on my dressing table as its just so handy and fits perfectly, and their notebooks are always handy and cheap! But back to pens, I used to always have a range of pens readily available in my pencil case at uni, but since I have been using mainly fine liners and pencils I've neglected my pen selection.
I have been buying these gel ink ballpoint pens since I was doing my GCSEs and they never fail me. The range of colours is perfect, they come in varied nib width? (I don't know if thats right but you can get a thinner 0.38 or thicker line with the 0.5) and they write so beautifully. They're the sort of pen that makes you write neater because its such a good pen to write with if that makes sense.
I'd forgotten how much I love writing in colour and how much prettier my diary looks when everything is colour co-ordinated (lets see how long that lasts), and I would highly recommend these to everyone!
L x
Muji is one of my favourite stationary shops ever because everything is so minimalist and practical. I have bought their acrylic storage for my makeup on my dressing table as its just so handy and fits perfectly, and their notebooks are always handy and cheap! But back to pens, I used to always have a range of pens readily available in my pencil case at uni, but since I have been using mainly fine liners and pencils I've neglected my pen selection.
I have been buying these gel ink ballpoint pens since I was doing my GCSEs and they never fail me. The range of colours is perfect, they come in varied nib width? (I don't know if thats right but you can get a thinner 0.38 or thicker line with the 0.5) and they write so beautifully. They're the sort of pen that makes you write neater because its such a good pen to write with if that makes sense.
I'd forgotten how much I love writing in colour and how much prettier my diary looks when everything is colour co-ordinated (lets see how long that lasts), and I would highly recommend these to everyone!
L x
Frankie...
I always have been and always will be a magazine lover. There is just something so nice about curling up of an evening with a beautifully designed magazine, printed on quality paper and filled with real people and real stories.
I have long been aware of the Australian lifestyle magazine "frankie" but have only just begun to buy it and have fallen in love. If you haven't had the pleasure of coming across it yet Frankie is a lifestyle magazine aimed at 20 somethings who want a bit more from their magazine. The beautiful matte pages are filled with design, art, writing, home, life, photography and craft, and give you something thats full of real life people and their stories yet doesn't take itself too seriously.
Now I love pouring over celebs and finding out who's dating who, but sometimes I need a bit more, I need some inspiration and to know that its okay to not know what I'm doing with life at 22.
Each issue comes with a beautifully illustrated pull out poster and is thick enough to last you till the next issue. It manages to have something for everybody, mixing great illustration and photography amongst its articles and is great to dip in and out of.
I'm currently making my way though issue 60 and I haven't been disappointed. The design is very clean filled with pastel patterns and easy to read typography.
I can totally rate whilst Reading 'thanks but no thanks' by Caro Cooper. I'm reminded that I'm not alone in this big 'ol world. There are loads of people trying to 'make it' and find their way in the world, whether it be in the creative world or just the world in general. Everyone faces rejection and questions like 'am I no good? should I just disappear?' often come to mind. But it's not all so bleak, things will work out if you believe they can and 'you'll be OK'.
Aswell as reassuring me that things will be ok I especially liked the Party directory. Yes many of the things are based in Australia but who doesn't want to browse bakeries and confetti supplies to give the best party in town. It's like a physical pinterest board of ideas and crafts and who does't want that.
So if you are after something funny, smart and inspirational or just want to gaze and beautiful designs pick up a copy of Frankie and you won't be disappointed.
Here we go....
I've decided to make a go of this blogging thing, I really enjoy it when I do it but become a bit of a slacker and forget about it.
BUT...
I've had a bit of a re-arrange and made it look all pretty and have decided to regularly blog once a week, most probably on a sunday but we'll see how it goes and what day suits me best. The post will be design related but anything from a review of a cool magazine I found, some ephemera I picked up in a charity shop or sharing cool designers/competitions/exhibtions.
I have also been busy making prints and so will post pictures of those and links to where they are available to buy as and when I make them and I might sneak in a few random posts about things I'm loving at the moment!
See you on Sunday!
Laura
I just wanna make nice things
BUT...
I've had a bit of a re-arrange and made it look all pretty and have decided to regularly blog once a week, most probably on a sunday but we'll see how it goes and what day suits me best. The post will be design related but anything from a review of a cool magazine I found, some ephemera I picked up in a charity shop or sharing cool designers/competitions/exhibtions.
I have also been busy making prints and so will post pictures of those and links to where they are available to buy as and when I make them and I might sneak in a few random posts about things I'm loving at the moment!
See you on Sunday!
Laura
I just wanna make nice things
Finding my way..
Since leaving uni I've never really figured out where I fit in. During my third year I struggled trying to place myself 'in industry' because I like to do a bit of everything. I was never certain that I wanted to work for a magazine or be a designer in a company. There was so much pressure to focus your FMP to industry folk that would want to hire you that I cracked and thought this was the be all and end all, but it really wasn't.
After graduating the last thing I wanted to do was go into full time work. Yes I looked for jobs but with no determination and no interest in them. I got part time work and decided to focus on me. On what I actually want to do. What I actually enjoy doing.
Throughout the last year I have swapped and changed artistic styles and mediums. From doing a print one day to drawing in detail with coloured pencil. The problem is I enjoy doing too much! Recently, however I have started to hone in on one skill, linoprinting.
Printing with lino has always been one of my favourite things to do since school. Yes its hard and it takes forever but I think that why I enjoy it. I did a lot more screen printing at uni which was fun and a great way to print editions but I always go back to lino. It's the way that you have to work hard and are so physically involved from beginning to end. You do all the hard work and learn from your mistakes. I've always been one to go back to basics and lino does it for me.
In the last couple of months I have set up an Etsy shop and made myself create new prints regularly, and its been going well. Sales are still slow but then it's still really exciting when someone does buy something even if it is just a postcard. It's kept me motivated and more determined to do well and by focusing on just creating linopints I have improved my skills. I'm still working it all out and my press is a bit hit and miss sometimes but I think thats the beauty of it. No two prints are the same, and I kind of prefer when they don't come out right and have a bit of texture to them, it adds to it... but maybe thats just me.
After my linoprint design being chosen for the Secret 7' project I have been wanting to develop it further and had an idea for a new print, a tattooed pin up girl in the same lined illustration. I tried it out and its probably one of my favourite prints! From this i've just begun to explore more tattoo imagery and I'm loving it and the response seems to be really good.
I feel like I'm finally beginning to find a style I like working in and can develop into a series or project and I'm really happy with my work at the minute. I'm glad I stuck it out and didn't get stuck in a job I hate, I am looking for a design related job so I can get out of retail but I can feel myself creating a name for myself as well and things are getting exciting.
L x
After graduating the last thing I wanted to do was go into full time work. Yes I looked for jobs but with no determination and no interest in them. I got part time work and decided to focus on me. On what I actually want to do. What I actually enjoy doing.
Throughout the last year I have swapped and changed artistic styles and mediums. From doing a print one day to drawing in detail with coloured pencil. The problem is I enjoy doing too much! Recently, however I have started to hone in on one skill, linoprinting.
Printing with lino has always been one of my favourite things to do since school. Yes its hard and it takes forever but I think that why I enjoy it. I did a lot more screen printing at uni which was fun and a great way to print editions but I always go back to lino. It's the way that you have to work hard and are so physically involved from beginning to end. You do all the hard work and learn from your mistakes. I've always been one to go back to basics and lino does it for me.
In the last couple of months I have set up an Etsy shop and made myself create new prints regularly, and its been going well. Sales are still slow but then it's still really exciting when someone does buy something even if it is just a postcard. It's kept me motivated and more determined to do well and by focusing on just creating linopints I have improved my skills. I'm still working it all out and my press is a bit hit and miss sometimes but I think thats the beauty of it. No two prints are the same, and I kind of prefer when they don't come out right and have a bit of texture to them, it adds to it... but maybe thats just me.
After my linoprint design being chosen for the Secret 7' project I have been wanting to develop it further and had an idea for a new print, a tattooed pin up girl in the same lined illustration. I tried it out and its probably one of my favourite prints! From this i've just begun to explore more tattoo imagery and I'm loving it and the response seems to be really good.
I feel like I'm finally beginning to find a style I like working in and can develop into a series or project and I'm really happy with my work at the minute. I'm glad I stuck it out and didn't get stuck in a job I hate, I am looking for a design related job so I can get out of retail but I can feel myself creating a name for myself as well and things are getting exciting.
L x
I want to grow up..
For a while I've been quite content with things despite not everything going the way I wanted, it didn't bother me, I was okay.
The last couple of days however have gone downhill. For a while I have been getting stressed out living at home, now I love my fam but sometimes it's just too much. I want to eat what I want when I want without having to worry about who's in or what time people get in. I want to be able to do whatever the fuck I want at whatever time I want. I want to grow up. I feel like I revert back to a younger self when at home, who becomes lazy and unmotivated.
I am trying my hardest to get a job with some relation to Graphic Design, in london so I can live there. Retail sucks, I probably complain more than I should but it's such a chore and I'm just no the sort of person who sees a job as a way of earning money, I want to actually like what I do. But jobs a few and far between, whether they want a junior but expect 2 years experience or they're just to officey. I don't think I'm being really fussy but at the end of the day I've got part time work for the moment and I don't want to settle for something just as bad as what i have now.
The only silver lining is that I'm still making. Buying the press, despite spending my whole bonus in one go, was probably the best decision I've ever made as it's kept me going and exciting about making stuff and slowly but surely things are selling.
I just feel like I'm in such a rut. My brain is ready to be living on my own in the big city, meeting new people, going on adventures and just having a bit more fun like any girl in her early 20s should, but no I'm sitting in my childhood bedroom, waiting whilst everyone gets on with it.
I feel like our generation has been stuck with such a raw deal. Back in the day you went to uni and that alone gave you the best job prospects whatever you wanted to do but now there are so many graduates leaving uni and are stuck. If you're not one of the luck ones who made loads of contacts, won competitions or knows someone in the business you're thrown out onto the pile as if you had never even got a degree. Personally I have issues with my uni course and the way it was run and the prospects it gave us but regardless it's not easy nowadays. It's a vicious circle of needing money, needing a job but needing experience, how the fuck am I supposed to get experience if no one will give me a job.
I just feel like I need to catch a break because it's been far too long since I felt excited about something and its bumming me out.
I hope this is just a hormonal phase.
The last couple of days however have gone downhill. For a while I have been getting stressed out living at home, now I love my fam but sometimes it's just too much. I want to eat what I want when I want without having to worry about who's in or what time people get in. I want to be able to do whatever the fuck I want at whatever time I want. I want to grow up. I feel like I revert back to a younger self when at home, who becomes lazy and unmotivated.
I am trying my hardest to get a job with some relation to Graphic Design, in london so I can live there. Retail sucks, I probably complain more than I should but it's such a chore and I'm just no the sort of person who sees a job as a way of earning money, I want to actually like what I do. But jobs a few and far between, whether they want a junior but expect 2 years experience or they're just to officey. I don't think I'm being really fussy but at the end of the day I've got part time work for the moment and I don't want to settle for something just as bad as what i have now.
The only silver lining is that I'm still making. Buying the press, despite spending my whole bonus in one go, was probably the best decision I've ever made as it's kept me going and exciting about making stuff and slowly but surely things are selling.
I just feel like I'm in such a rut. My brain is ready to be living on my own in the big city, meeting new people, going on adventures and just having a bit more fun like any girl in her early 20s should, but no I'm sitting in my childhood bedroom, waiting whilst everyone gets on with it.
I feel like our generation has been stuck with such a raw deal. Back in the day you went to uni and that alone gave you the best job prospects whatever you wanted to do but now there are so many graduates leaving uni and are stuck. If you're not one of the luck ones who made loads of contacts, won competitions or knows someone in the business you're thrown out onto the pile as if you had never even got a degree. Personally I have issues with my uni course and the way it was run and the prospects it gave us but regardless it's not easy nowadays. It's a vicious circle of needing money, needing a job but needing experience, how the fuck am I supposed to get experience if no one will give me a job.
I just feel like I need to catch a break because it's been far too long since I felt excited about something and its bumming me out.
I hope this is just a hormonal phase.
I’m so excited….
So this weekend I got some very exciting news! My artwork has been picked to make up 1 of the 700 vinyl covers in the secret 7 exhibition. I genuinely did not think I would have been picked but it just goes to show that things like this are worth entering. I heard that over 3000 people submitted designs which is incredible and my work will be exhibited amongst the work of Harland Miller, Paul Smith and Karl Pilkington of all people!
This is probably the most exciting thing to ever happen to me and I can’t stop grinning. Obviously I can’t show you my design until after record store day but all 700 sleeves are available to view here along with all the contributors.
If you are in London on 12-13th do go have a nose at the exhibition and on record store day (19th April) all the vinyls are available to buy. Do go and check it out as the range of work is incredible and all proceed go to War Child.
This is probably the most exciting thing to ever happen to me and I can’t stop grinning. Obviously I can’t show you my design until after record store day but all 700 sleeves are available to view here along with all the contributors.
If you are in London on 12-13th do go have a nose at the exhibition and on record store day (19th April) all the vinyls are available to buy. Do go and check it out as the range of work is incredible and all proceed go to War Child.
For sale.
I have long wanted to sell some of the things I’ve made but have never got around to it but I am in the process of setting up an online shop to sell a few bits and bobs I’ve made and things I’m currently working on. So watch this space!
L x
Resolutions
So I didn’t have that great an end to 2013 due to certain things happening and not being particularly happy, but I am ready to pick myself up and make 2014 fabulous. After some time out I’m back in the creative mood and have a lot more motivation to do well, hence the starting of this blog to force myself to regularly update and make stuff. My yearly resolutions of eating better and doing more exercising are failing just as much as they do every year but my resolution of getting up before 9 and planning my day so I am more productive is going surprising well and I have to say I feel better for it. Crossing several things off your to do list before lunchtime is oddly satisfying and I can forgive myself for failing the other resolutions as I feel I am reaping the benefits of having a routine and I’m sure they will happen soon enough. So as quickly as January has gone I feel things are on the up and am hoping this year will be a lot more positive!
L x
(Please excuse the instagram photo but scanners just don’t do the copper ink justice and I can;t find my camera!)
Secret 7"
If you haven’t heard of this then you’re missing out! I saw this last year but it was too late to submit so am taking full advantage this year and hope to submit a few designs.
Secret 7” is an annual event where 7 tracks are chosen and each one is pressed onto 100 vinyls. Creatives are then invited to create artwork for the tracks resulting in 700 one of a kind sleeves. The creatives are made up of well known artists and designers through to those just starting out who submit on the Secret 7 website. The 700 sleeves are exhibited and then sold for £45 each, with all proceeds going to War Child, but you don’t know which track you have or who designed the sleeve until you have paid and get an authentication slip.
Not only is it a really great creative challenge but it’s a really exciting opportunity if your artwork is chosen to exhibit amongst some famous faces. It’s all for a good cause and you could end up with an original, one of kind by someone famous!
The tracks this year are :
Black Sabbath - Age of Reason
Elbow - Grounds for divorce
Jake Bugg - Strange Creatures
Lorde - Team
Massive Attack - Karmacoma
Roxy Music - Virginia Plains
T.Rex - Get it on
The deadline is the 17th February, so get going! and there are more details here : http://secret-7.com
L x
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