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!

Bleubird Vintage

 I started following James Kicinski-Mccoy, or as she has become known to the internet world, Bleubird Vintage, after seeing re-tweets on twitter. As soon as I saw her blog, I fell in love. It is full of posts including fashion, photography, craft, home-schooling, family (beautiful family!) and much more. Everything is incredibly inspiring and I would recommend reading it to absolutely everybody. There will be something for you!

I was recently asked by Hels Martin to illustrate a picture of her and her youngest daughter, Gemma Bird to accompany her interview in Lionheart Magazine. Of course, I jumped a the chance. I illustrated two in the end and one can be found in the magazine. I hope she will see and like what I have done! They were beautiful photographs to illustrate.

Both illustrations were created using photographs from Bleubird Vintage and you can find these and many more over on her blog! Do go and look at her posts, you'll feel warm!

Prints: Lionheart Magazine

As I said in this recent post, Lionheart Magazine is launching this Sunday! I'm so happy Hels asked me to sell some of my prints at the launch. Everything about the magazine looks just beautiful so to be involved feels so wonderful. 

I wanted my prints to look their best so did lots of research into mounts and cellophane packaging. I find that a lot of mounts you can buy in shops seem flimsy and poor quality. They're never as thick as I would like, very expensive and have no backing. I found an online picture framing specialist (based in Bedford) that seemed perfect. The Picture Gallery do made to measure mounts from as little as 70p (when you but 10 or more) and offer you board backs for as little as 40p! I was a little worried to go ahead as it was the first time ordering and I know nobody who has used them. They arrived in great timing (3 days after I gave them my measurements) and were very carefully packaged. They are amazing! Thick, quality, clean - everything I had been searching for! I would completely recommend them, I couldn't be happier! (The print feels so hefty and I think it adds a certain distinction).  I have the same feelings towards cellophane print bags. They can be so poor in quality. Luckily I found another online shop; Eden Wrap. Again the quality is fantastic, the delivery fast and the price very reasonable!

I hope this may come in useful to you now or someday. I do think the quality of the packaging reflects on the work and, of course, first impressions count! 

Hels is (not so patiently) waiting for her printing to be complete this Friday, reading to sell and send out. I cannot wait to see! Here are some sneak peeks she took on her printing visit to see the process happening!

Exciting!!

Illustration & photos

Hello! I hope you enjoyed my post on Lionheart Magazine. I have another post about someone (and something) very inspiring to come in the next few days! Hopefully you'll enjoy that too!

To start with, here is a working stage of one of the illustrations in Lionheart. (Fashion illustration showing a dress by Prophetik) I'm so happy with how this one turned out and love it in this stage too!

Christmas has really began in the chocolate shop this week. The mad rush is a little overwhelming (it makes working in a cafe last year seem a doddle!) but it's also becomming an even prettier, exciting and tasty place to work than usual!