New work resulting from my eagerly anticipated day in studio!

Thanks to the pension strikes I had most of the day to myself, finally! Here are a few things I have been working on......... Now if someone will kindly buy some art I can stop worrying about my lack of a pension!

O'Hooley and Tidow release "The Last Polar Bear"

So the story begins back in the summer. Whilst dog sitting in lovely Suffolk I received an email from Belinda and Heidi Aka folk duo O'Hooley & Tidow asking whether I might be interested in illustrating their second album "The Fragile", a follow up to their critically acclaimed debut "Silent June".

"Hoorah!" and "Of Course!" I replied and now many months later the first stunning single "The Last Polar Bear" has been released.

                                                        www.ohooleyandtidow.com

Folk Radio described O'Hooley and Tidow's unique sound better than I can so you can expect to hear.....

     Haunting piano, soaring strings and warm harmonies which combine beautifully. These dapper-suited    gentlewomen have an unconventional, wryly observant, melancholic and sometimes uncomfortable take                on life; creating their very own brand of contemporary folk song.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO (and my illustrations!) HERE; http://youtu.be/92a0s0Ry_hY

DOWNLOAD THE SINGLE HERE; http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00632SKEW


OR HERE; http://itunes.apple.com/album/the-last-polar-bear-single/id477514997?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1



"The Fragile" is due for release in February 2012 on No Masters.

I'm super proud to have been involved in this project so please help us promote it by tweeting, blogging,  shouting and generally spreading the word!

Stay tuned for more artwork images, tour dates, future single releases  xx

Yesterdays Southsea Boutique Market

Yesterday I got up a little too early to fight the fog and set up my stall at The Southsea Boutique Market held monthly in the Portsmouth Guildhall. Over 120 stall holders and what felt like 4 million people crowded into the guildhall to share a love of all things handmade and vintage.

Stalls included art, jewellery, vintage clothing, collectables, cakes, toys and everything else in between.

                                           Above are a few shots of my illustrated goodies....

                          Look out for the next Southsea Boutique Market on December 18th!

Patchwork quilt progress so far!

                                                        
                                                        I know you were all wondering ;-)

Guildhall Boutique Market this Sunday 20th Nov

Come on down to check out the best in local illustration, art, craft and vintage at the Guildhall Boutique Market this Sunday 20th Nov in Portsmouth Guildhall. Doors open at 11am and there is no entry fee so come and peruse over 80 stalls to pick up unique xmas gifts and presents for yourself!

I will be there so come and say hello!

Check out my August post to get an idea of what to expect on the day....

Get more info at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=315802765102959

or find the Boutique Market on Twitter at  www.twitter.com/southseabtqmkt

On the way out of the house last night.......

Spooky winter skies creep slowly over Knowle as the Asylum throws flickering shadows that wake the babes and prickle the spines of cats.

Maison Foo Present MEMOIRS OF A BISCUIT TIN @ The Nuffield Theatre

Last night I went to see Maison Foo perform their current show "Memoirs of Biscuit Tin" at The Nuffield. I was absolutely blown away by their gorgeous artful shabbiness, incredible physical characterization and the sheer inventiveness used to bring to life a really touching, human story.

Taking place in an abandoned house, the characters; wall, floor and chimney are searching for the old lady who used to inhabit the house. Through clowning and improvised puppetry, her memories and small stories are re-enacted by her crumbling house, building a picture of a real who is more than the dementia sufferer she ultimately became.

The piece was so moving and joyful at the same time, everyone should see this! Go to www.maisonfoo.com for more info and tour dates.  

Little Things I Make.....

Through the power of Etsy I recently found Brighton based Lucy Ashworth, creator of "Little Things I Make". Her whimsical forest dwelling creatures are folky and fun with a lovely illustrative feel. Check out here Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleThingsiMake  or visit her blog to see where she will be selling her wares next!
http://littlethingsimake.blogspot.com/

Learning to patchwork quilt, results so far.......

One of the lovely ladies involved in the Broadlaw Community Mosaic Project (more about that later) has been teaching me to patchwork quilt and here are the results so far...... I'm not sure how big I'll be able to make it as the pile of on-going projects is inching ever skyward but so far so good.