Fishink at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2015 Pt 1
Hi everyone and welcome to Monday. I’m still reeling from my exciting trip to the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair which was on last Friday to Sunday. Did you go, what did you think ? I went with an old school friend Sarah, who’s a part-time ceramist and we loved every minute. So much so, that we were wondering at one point why we felt hungry, when we suddenly realised we had been looking at the show for over 4 hours and had completely missed lunch ! That’s how absorbing it was lol.
Before I transport you there, I want to say a little about the fabulous weather on Friday and how amazing Manchester looked. There’s been a real change in the architecture, shops, restaurants and feel of the city over the last 10 years and it’s starting to bed itself in with the old and become familiar.
I loved this curious fox in White Stuff’s window, and some enticing new publications in Waterstones, featuring Eric Ravilious, New Chinese Art and Cabin Porn !… and no, it’s not what you might be thinking : )
It’s a book about beautiful spaces in the woods.
Two new restaurants, (new to me anyway) are Artisan and Neighbourhood, both looking very glamourous with their twinkly lights and decoration. The Lawn Club and the Oast House both looked great in the sunshine too.
These beautifully autumnal trees shone out. Sarah informed me that she thought they were Liquid Amber trees, they certainly lived up to their names, the colours were stunning.
Ok enough about the streets of Manchester and on with the show ! It stared with a section devoted to Ornament. Described as ‘ a curated selling exhibition of museum quality collectible craft from eminent UK makers.’ Paul Scott‘s unusual ceramics were first.
Jin Eui Kim‘s clever optical ceramics I had seen before. Rebecca Gouldson‘s richly textured and reflective metallics, caught my attention. I liked their colouration and mappish, illustrative qualities.
Rita Pamiczky had some shimmering and luminous textiles and Beatrix Baker showed some playful wooden structures, made from steam bent Cumbrian wood.
I loved the burst of colour and beautiful yarns on both stands from Angie Parker and Judith Watson.
Angie is inspired by colour and vibrant Scandinavian rug weaving techniques. Whilst Judith took inspiration from peeling paint and ceiling architrave.
Some simple, contemporary hand-made ceramics from Lynne Hutchinson, featuring intricate inlaid and sgraffito surfaces. Beautiful in grey and white.
Libby Ward, already feels like an old friend even though I’ve only met her twice! She’s so friendly and chatty, it’s hard not to get drawn into her ‘experimental methodologies and thought-provoking jewellery’. See how well her rings sit together .. Libby was the hand-model on this occasion. Brittany Delany is also a designer I’d featured last year, her range has grown to incorporate leather straps and unusual materials to mark, score or colour her pots.
Fun ceramics from Jasmine Simpson, her weary, resting Lions and flying Swans made me smile.
Great to see a little refined woodwork from designer maker Laurence Brand. I was very tempted to get another chopping board (even though we already have five) just because they were made with so much love. : )
Finally today some remarkable copper and silver sculptures from Emma-Jane Rule. Her pieces are hammered into their seed like shapes and surfaces take impressions from denim and mesh. I loved the way they shone and caught the light.
That’s all for your starter intro. There were so many great designers there I’m going to be talking about this all week. So see you Wednesday and Friday for more treats to come. What do you think so far ?…
Mike Austin and Jing Jing Tsong Illustration Harmony
Mike Austin and Jing Jing Tsong are a couple who are both illustrators, live in Hawaii and spend their time split between illustrating and surfing ! No wonder their work is soooo colourful ! : ) I got in touch with Jing Jing and she kindly gave me some background information.
” Mike and I studied Graphic Design at Pennsylvania State University. We had great mentors who emphasized conceptual thinking over the compartmentalization of disciplines. The result was a way of working that incorporates time and sequence, graphic design, illustration, photography and typography. At Mike’s first job, he had the opportunity to work with art from illustrators such as Vivienne Flesher, Alan Cober, Marshall Arisman and Brad Holland. That’s when the light went on for Mike, “This is what I want to do!”.
Mike’s work is quite bold and graphical.
I really like the textures and patterns he creates in his work, even when it’s depicting tough topics, like global warming and pollution.
His designs have a lot of direction and movement.
Water, education, health and money matters, are all subjects that he’s covered in his vast portfolio over on Altpick..
I like how there are themes which appear in slight variations.
Shapes that re-present themselves.
And sometimes they even turn into all over design repeats.
Mike also has a lighter, more quirky, digital handwriting style too.
Jing Jing has a softer feel to her work, and a collection of over 800 illustrations to call upon too !
I really like her textured leaves and water (above).
Jing Jing’s work looks at areas such as Animals, Ethnic, Nature, Family, Folk Art and Celebration.
Perhaps some illustrated traditions arose from her own family memories.
Great movement and colour too.
Both artists have created children’s books. Here are Jing Jing’s.
And a few from Mike.
This ‘Fire Engine No 9’ has just been published by Random House Books. I feel it has a flavour of Miroslav Sasek’s work to it. Looks Fab.
Jing Jing says ” My newest project are illustrations for a book that will be published in May 2016 by Simon and Schuster, ‘Before We Met’ by Laura Krauss Melmed. Mike also has a new project, because in December 2015, a book that he illustrated will be published by Simon and Schuster, ‘Nellie Belle’ by Mem Fox.”
Great work Mike and Jing Jing, thanks for taking the time to be a part of my blog and do catch a few waves for us when you’re not working, won’t you !
Jing Jing mentioned in her email ” —it’s great to be part of a blog that celebrates illustration!” which is a lovely thought.
She was already familiar with my blog, which is great and which also made me wonder which readers are the furthest away from Manchester ? Could it be you ? Please do let me know where you are readers, it would be great to find out.
As a point of interest I should mention that I’m off to visit the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair today.
It’s on until Sunday evening and well worth a visit if you’re in the area or fancy some fine craft culture over the weekend. As a result, I’ll hopefully be sharing some wonderful new businesses with you next week too.. so watch this space !
Mid Week Mix
Since about 2008, I’ve been collecting images from the internet that have caught my eye. Way back then, I wasn’t so diligent in keeping records as to where images came from, or who had painted, photographed, illustrated or indeed created the artwork in the image. So I apologise in advance for their lack of referencing, but to be honest, it was purely about seeing groups of imagery together, that for whatever reason, I enjoyed. As I have managed to amass quite a few of these ‘collaged sheets’, I thought I would share them with you, in the hope that they may also provide some inspiration to you the readers, from their shape, colour, texture or out and out randomness : )
Do let me know your thoughts and which images catch your eye for whatever reason. Also I’d like to mention that I’ve recently started an Instagram page for Fishink Blog. The link is (https://instagram.com/fishinkblog) or you can click on the button on the right of my site. I am building up the collection every week, so if you lovely folk would like to follow me, or leave a comment or see more of my artwork, then please pop on over and check it out today. I’ll look forward to sharing more of my own illustration with you.
Nicholas John Frith Retro style Illustrator
Growing up in the Chiltern Hills, just a stone’s throw from the children’s author Roald Dahl, Nicholas John Frith now lives and works on the Dorset Coast. He has a strong mid century style and creates designs for many different companies, including these for Red Cap Cards.
Like myself, Nicholas includes humour in his work.
Even retro inspired gift wrap designs !
I like this illustration of the boy with his cap, quiff and dog.
Nicholas also works with ceramics, he’s created a fabulous wildlife range selling through Magpie.
I really, REALLY like these mug designs now selling on the Beast In Show site.
Wouldn’t your cuppa taste better with these chaps to look at ? : )
More cards (above) for Lagom Design as well as children’s story books like Hector and the Hummingbird.
And a cautionary tale about Greedy Gulliver Woodpigeon.
There’s a wealth of things to like in Nicholas’s work and I think I like them all !
A good reminder here, originally designed for the Bournemouth Air Festival in 2013, to… Let Your Imagination Fly. Something we should all try and do more often. Thanks Nicholas and I hope this makes you smile today too.
Adult Colouring Books by Johanna Basford
I expect by now, (if you have had your eyes open the last time you entered a book shop), you’ll have noticed a growing trend, a hugely successful trend which comes in the form of colouring book for Adults. You may well have seen a half dozen by the till, but I wonder if you also knew that the idea originated by pen and ink illustrator Johanna Basford ?
She graduated in 2005 from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee with a degree in Printed Textiles and a portfolio stuffed with monochrome silk screen prints and drawings. Following that, she set-up a studio and set out on her mission to ‘vanquish the vector and champion the (wobbly) hand drawn line’. A task, I feel she is accomplishing with ease !
The story goes that an Editor at Laurence King Publishing saw Johanna’s work online back in 2011 and thought her illustrations could work well for a children’s colouring book. Johanna came back with the idea of doing a book for adults and it went quiet for a moment, until she drew five detailed mosaic-like illustrations and the publishers were sold !
Since it’s release in 2013 her first colouring book “Secret Garden”, (printed by Laurence King) has sold more than 1.4 million copies in 22 languages, her follow up “Enchanted Forest” has sold out of it’s first print run of 226,000 copies and is onto it’s second. Her third book “Lost Ocean” is set to continue delighting and enticing her adult audience, allowing and encouraging them to rediscover their inner child and colour away to their hearts content. What’s not to like in that !!
You can see a little more about Johanna’s work here.
Two other Illustrators who have both released their own line-work books are Melanie Mikecz who has appeared on Fishinkblog before.
It’s easy to see how Melanie’s work translates perfectly into black & white, (please colour me in), pages of fun.
A more textile/ floral book called “Bloom” is available by Caty Zocco. I guess that it all depends what kind of images appeal to you, to want to colour in. Both of these are available by Free Period Press.
Great to see another reason for adults to return to their childhood again. Colour away everyone, the chill out time is good for you : )
Mid Week Mix
Since about 2008, I’ve been collecting images from the internet that have caught my eye. Way back then, I wasn’t so diligent in keeping records as to where images came from, or who had painted, photographed, illustrated or indeed created the artwork in the image. So I apologise in advance for their lack of referencing, but to be honest, it was purely about seeing groups of imagery together, that for whatever reason, I enjoyed. As I have managed to amass quite a few of these ‘collaged sheets’, I thought I would share them with you, in the hope that they may also provide some inspiration to you the readers, from their shape, colour, texture or out and out randomness : )
Do let me know your thoughts and which images catch your eye for whatever reason. Also I’d like to mention that I’ve recently started an Instagram page for Fishink Blog. The link is (https://instagram.com/fishinkblog) or you can click on the button on the right of my site.
I am building up the collection every week, so if you lovely folk would like to follow me, or leave a comment or see more of my artwork, then please pop on over and check it out today. I’ll look forward to sharing more of my own illustration with you.
Fishink In Ireland
Hello again everyone, did you miss me at all ? lol only time will tell : )
I’ve had a few days away in Ireland since I saw you last. Rather relaxing (although we did quite a bit) and felt very lucky to catch up with some good friends during that time too. Of course I took some photos to share my days with you.
We stayed near Banbridge in the north, with a lovely view across a green valley and a garden full of wildlife. The birds and butterflies made me smile with their balancing antics and vivid colours.
The Chiffchaffs were extremely animated and rather tricky to capture (one below), we had some good fortune with the weather too.
This was Newcastle, County Down, and the impressive Slieve Donard Hotel.
Originally built by the Belfast and County Down Railway,as an ‘end of line’ luxury holiday destination. Construction started in 1896 and was completed and officially opened on 24th June 1898 at a cost of ￡44,000. It was one of the most majestic hotels of its time and was almost self-sufficient with its own bakery, vegetable gardens, pigs, laundry and innovatively a power plant, which also provided electricity for the railway station.
The Slieve Donard typified the ideas of Victorian grandeur and luxury with its Drawing Room, Grand Coffee Room, Reading and Writing Room, Smoking Room, Billiard Room and Hairdressing Rooms – you can’t help but conjure up scenes of great style and decadence. ‘One’ could even partake of sea water baths, douche, spray, needle and Turkish baths all provided by an electric pump straight from the sea.
We had a fab luncheon there and a sunny walk along the coast and beach afterwards too.
The following day we headed south to Carlingford, where they certainly know a bit about contrasting colours !
Walking up the hills above the town, enable some great views of the harbour and hills opposite. Sadly we didn’t see any of the little folk.
Some more delights of my friend’s morning-time garden, how many purples! Do you ever get the feeling you’re being watched ?
A collection of butterflies including Red Admirals, Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells, a Speckled Wood and a female Pheasant (not a butterfly), hiding in the long grasses.
We spent the last day in Belfast, eating at the scrumptious ‘Made in Belfast’ in the Cathedral Quarter, with our most excellent hosts.
Such a lovely space.
We also popped by Titanic Belfast for all you need to know about the sailing vessel. Then back into Belfast to spot some local delights at the Mac (Belfast’s cultural hub), bottom right below.
Spotting some great looking graffiti and venues en route.
Last but not least this beautiful ceramic encrusted ‘Big Fish’ made by sculptor John Kindness.
The work was commissioned to celebrate the regeneration of the River Lagan. The site is a significant landmark as it is the location of the confluence of the River Farset with the River Lagan (Belfast is by the way named after the River Farset).
The outer skin of the fish is a cladding of ceramic tiles decorated with texts and images relating to the history of Belfast. Material from Tudor times to present day newspaper headlines are included along with contributions from local school children. Being over 10 meters long, it is a big fish indeed.
A well needed and wonderful three days. Thanks again to our hosts and the warm people of Ireland, who helped make our calming break, a most memorable one.
Fishink Artwork
Everyone who has read my blog for long enough to know even a little about me, will know that I like nothing better than looking at ceramics, illustrating amusing animals and researching items from the 1960s. Needless to say that a combination of all three has just joined the household. It’s a Cat Bank by Ceramist Dante Baldelli I fell in love with his lion… and then I saw his cat .. WOW!! Inspired (or rather created) from the work of Lisa Larson, another fav of mine, it makes me smile every time I look at him.
My creative work is still developing too. Here are some new additions. The blue flowers have started growing, so it must be nearly autumn ! lol
A few bendy cats, small white dogs and a monochrome version of a dog party, for those of you who prefer a more zen-like approach to illustration.
And a bright, sunny, living room collage to hopefully make you smile too.
I also take on commissions and creative projects, drop me a line here to discuss… Craig@fishink.co.uk
All comments and suggestions most welcome. I’ll be taking a short break from the blog so see you all in a couple of weeks time.
I’d just like to start today by saying congratulations to the Queen, Elizabeth II. Who, this afternoon, becomes the longest reigning monarch in 1,000 years of British history. Out reigning her great, great, grandmother Queen Victoria by a day. She has served 63 years and 216 days on the throne and that’s quite an achievement by anyone’s standards ! Well done Ma’am !
Since about 2008, I’ve been collecting images from the internet that have caught my eye. Way back then, I wasn’t so diligent in keeping records as to where images came from, or who had painted, photographed, illustrated or indeed created the artwork in the image. So I apologise in advance for their lack of referencing, but to be honest, it was purely about seeing groups of imagery together, that for whatever reason, I enjoyed. As I have managed to amass quite a few of these ‘collaged sheets’, I thought I would share them with you, in the hope that they may also provide some inspiration to you the readers, from their shape, colour, texture or out and out randomness : ) Today’s selection is heavily influenced by the ever so fabulous work of Paul Bommer.
Do let me know your thoughts and which images catch your eye for whatever reason. Also I’d like to mention that I’ve recently started an Instagram page for Fishink Blog. The link is (https://instagram.com/fishinkblog) or you can click on the button on the right of my site. I am building up the collection every week, so if you lovely folk would like to follow me, or leave a comment or see more of my artwork, then please pop on over and check it out today. I’ll look forward to sharing more of my own illustration with you.
Val Samuelson Mid Century Cartoonist, Illustrator, Painter
I can’t recall how I stumbled across the wonderful work of Val Samuelson (or Vallance Arnold Samuelson to give him his full title), but I do remember having to do quite a bit of research, to piece together the man behind the illustration.
Born February 27, 1913 in Barrett, Minnesota, Val Samuelson studied at the Minnesota School of Art and the Institute of Fine Arts. By the time he surfaced in Palm Springs in 1953, (after working as a sign painter in Minnesota and as art director for two advertising agencies in LA), he had eye problems and had endured several years of complete blindness. He healed himself, to a degree, with eye exercises and hypnosis–a lifelong interest.
In his diverse career, he worked as a professional photographer, a cartoonist, a children’s book illustrator and a board game designer. He starred in the Art in Action show for Palm Springs’ TV station KMIR. As well as teaching many fledgling painters in private classes, Samuelson was one of the dreamers behind the Idyllwild Arts Academy, the influential school on the hill.
In 1960, Samuelson married Marian Gibbs. Born in Laramie, Wyoming, Marian had an art degree from the University of Wyoming and was working as a secretary to the late Palm Springs mayor Frank Bogert–then editor of the Villager. Pretty and assertive, Marian was an asset to Val’s social life. Samuelson was soon showing up in society photos with Jonas Salk and his wife, the painter Francoise Gilot.
I think his work has a Mary Blair feel to it, I’m certain he would have seen her ” I Can Fly” Little Golden book which was published in the early fifties or had been to Disneyland and was possibly influenced by her ” It’s a Small World ” exhibition there.
On the painting side, collectors of his art included society names Steven Chase, Palm Desert founder Cliff Henderson, the actor David Janssen, Chester “Cactus Slim” Moorten and Charles Shelton (Desert Magazine editor).
One of the final wishes of long-time desert artist the late Val Samuelson came true October 11, 2000, when his widow, Marion, donated one of his landscape paintings, the Arroyo, to the City Hall in Cathedral City. For many years, it was displayed in the lobby. In 2011 it was relocated to the second floor where it can be viewed by the public today. You can see it here below.
There’s more about Val’s painting Here in Ask Art .com and in this informative piece by Ann Japenga.
Many thanks also to Ann for some of the information used in this post and for helping me finally pull together the children’s illustrator and the painter. Wonderful work.
UPDATE November 2019 !!!!!!!!!!
I was recently contacted by Kyle, a Fan of the site and a collector of Val’s artwork. He saw this post and kindly send me some photos of the paintings he owns and gave me his blessing to share them with you too.
Some really interesting pieces.
And quite an impressive collection too. Thanks Kyle for sharing these with Fishink Blog.
fishinkblog.com 