Photography...

It's been a little while since my last post, so firstly, hello! Unfortunately my drawings didn't win the What Is Love competition, but I'm working on improving them and hopefully I can launch them myself as prints and cards in the near future!

I've recently treated myself to a new camera (the boyfriend handily stood on and broke the last - but I was secretly happy about the fact we had the perfect excuse for a new one!), so I've been happily snapping away this last week. One subject I never tire of capturing is flowers. I love the final images, they're so bright and inviting.

We went for a little trip to Oxford last weekend, so I took the opportunity to take some architecture photographs, another beautiful subject matter. (I always find architecture fascinating and believe buildings can really bring something special to a place - I could spend ages gazing, snapping and drawing an interesting structure).

The final image in Oxford (above) reminded me of my holiday in Venice - the closeness, how unique each building is and those beautiful colours. Below are some of my favourites.

And, of course, I can't get excited about buildings without mentioning my trip to Tokyo. The vibrancy, the height, the lines and the excitement of the landscape there was incredible and completely different from the aforementioned.

And, finally, Kyoto! Just as stunning but a stark contrast from Tokyo. I love how intricate these are. It really is a very magical place. I can't wait to go back and see more!

I've decided I want to illustrate some of these photographs, both the flowers and buildings. I love illustrating people and fashion but I also love experimenting and working on something completely different. I think it helps keep work fresh and interesting, as well as allowing me to translate my way of working into new subject matter. I think it definitely helps someone's decision when commissioning you too. I remember a tutor at uni once told me - if someone wants a drawing of a spoon, they want to know you can draw a spoon. You may be a brilliant illustrator but they may not be able to envisage your style working with that subject. So draw anything and everything - I love that!

So you may see some of these come to life as drawings very soon! Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I won't leave my next post as long!

What Is Love?

This morning I found that Tigerprint had a competition ending today. I decided the subject, "what Is Love?' was too good to pass up so got working on it this morning. I love illustrating love, it's a beautiful and strong subject and with everybody being so different, there is a lot of scope.

I had actually started some personal work a few days ago and they seemed like the perfect start. Flowers have very strong connotations with love, so it was perfect! Basically my thoughts were to produce a number of different phrase and colour combinations, writing some of the things love means to me, and hopefully means to others! (I produced the blue and green for those who don't like pink - but I think it worked just as effectively!)

The first two are the drawings I had already done followed by my five entries. I hope you (and they!) like them.

And my entries..

Wish me look!

EDIT: The LOVE part is my own text, the other is a commercial use text I found. With more time I would have attempted it all by hand. Maybe next time, I'd love to play with text more!

Lionheart Magazine In Print

I posted about Lionheart Magazine before Christmas. I knew already i was going to love it but when I received my own copy it was more than I could ever have imagined. The stunning cover, the thick matte pages throughout, the beautiful photography and use of illustration throughout, the articles, the ideas, the interviews. it's magical. Hels has done herself so proud and I hope this magazine will get the platform it thoroughly deserves. If you haven't bought a copy yet, you can buy it here. If you appreciate craft, art, quirkiness, wonderful imagery then you'll love this. I love the fact Hels is so supportive of independent people, specifically the fact that she uses so much illustration! Other magazines focus on the photos - Lionheart has both, a perfect mix! Here are some photos I have taken of the mag:

I absolutely love the patterns used throughout the magazine, designed by Georgia Coote. And the cover illustration by Gemma Millie is truly beautiful.

I was asked to use my previous illustration of Fritha for a piece on her and little Wilfryd (still a tiny peach when written!) I was delighted for her to use my piece, Fritha is such an inspiration and I love how we've gotten to know each other through twitter - I even went to stay with her at the beginning of the year! A wonderful read!

This illustration was produced to accompany an interview with Bleubird Vintage, the inspiring owner of this beautiful blog. It's one of my favourite blogs and I always come away feeling positive, inspired and full of ideas. I love her photographs and posts on motherhood. Her blog makes me excited about the future - home and family - and I think it is her blog that made me want to share more photographs in my posts (so thank you Bleubird!). The interview with her is as inspiring and wonderful as always, so enjoy!

My final piece in the magazine was a fashion illustration inspired by designer, Jeff Garner of organic design label, Prophetik. I love his designs and in particular the piece I illustrated from his A/W 2011/2012 collection. His work is both bold and striking whilst still remaining very wearable. The interviews discusses his journey, ideas, his ethical approach and much more. (I also love Teapots page opposite my illustration!) Below is my illustration in full. I loved this piece - the colours, detailing and the mix of dark and light.

Below are some of my favourite pieces from the magazine. The first is a piece by writer and presenter Cherry Healey (most known for her insightful and thought provoking BBC3 documentaries), discussing the magazine's theme of Bravery. I absolutely love the illustration by Rachel Lewis, it's stunning! The next is an interview with illustrator, Daria Hlazatova. Her work is so dreamlike and magical, I could get lost in her blog all day. You can see the detail and love she puts into her illustrations. And finally, an interview with Emma Block. I feel like I have grown with Emma, graduating at the same time, appearing in Amelia's Cmpendium of Fashion Illustration together. I love watching her develop and this is a lovely little piece!

I really couldn't recommend this magazine more. it's full of so much beauty and inspiration! I can't wait for the next issue already!

Christmas Loveliness

One of the cats hiding behind the Christmas tree. Aw.

I lost my favourite scarf after a family Boxing Day Meal at Mat's Grandma's resulted in me, him, his brother and cousin ending the evening in a club. Very sad! I saw this as the perfect excuse to buy myself a new one. Love this and it's super warm!

 

You may remember my blog post not so long ago about the clothbound series by Coralie Bickford-Smith I was dying to get my hands on. Well, I received six for Christmas from various family members. I cannot wait to get reading. They look amazing on my shelves along with the other books I got for Christmas. Happy! I'd seen the Penguin Classic books below in a local charity shop when I was home a few months ago. I bought one but couldn't afford these two. My mum went back and bought the other two. Love the illustrated covers!

 

I also got The Vintage Tea Party Book. The book, by Angel Adoree, is beautiful. It is filled with recipes, decorations, clothing and everything else vintage tea party-esque. The illustrations, by Adele Mildred are really stunning too.