It has become almost a tradition that sometime in July, we pack up our summery things and head over to Pembrokeshire to stay with friends in their summer chalet for a long weekend. This year was no exception.
During our stays there we have always tried to make the journey over to Skomer Island to visit one of the largest Puffin colonies in southern Britain. This year was the first year that the sea wasn’t too rough, the wind wasn’t blowing too much and we actually managed to get up early enough to get over to Martin’s Haven for the early boat ! Well actually this year the boats are running later and even though we were there in plenty of time to catch the 10am ferry, it was already full so we bought tickets for the 11am trip and explored the area during our wait. Taking care to avoid the nesting swallows swooping in and out of the low doorway to the toilet block !
I noticed this grey seal bobbing in the water off the coast and the wonderful drama of the cliff faces and the wealth of colourful flora around.
The boat comes, and because us brits ‘seemingly’ love to queue, a cliff-edge line of people forms. We file onto the boat (which takes about 50) and off we go. Noticing the gorgeous blues of the sea and sky as we go.
It’s only a short ride of about 20 mins to the Island, the sign onboard the boat (below) made me smile and once there, the Guillemots and Puffins were lined up to greet us, embedded on the cliff edges.
There is a good variety of things to spot on the island. It becomes a little like an adult game of i-spy !
In the middle of the island lies a 19th century farmstead, a modern day gathering place for the tourists to sit and use the facilities. You need to bring your own food, and drink if you plan to stay a while, but can jump on any returning ferry so you’re not tied to having to be back at a specific time.
We sat down to have lunch near to the Garland Stone, an impressive pyramidal stack just off the northern tip of the island.
Surrounded again by beautiful views and beady eyed seagulls who no doubt had one (or both) eyes glued to our sandwiches.
Below, on the shores of the Garland Stone, grey seals swam and basked in the sunshine.
I noticed this Rock or Meadow Pipit, happy sitting on a rock looking out over the brown and green fields.
There is a problem on the island with the over population of Rabbits, originally introduced to the island in the 13th century and farmed for their food and fur. There are now approx. 10,000 rabbits on the island and about the same number of Puffins. Sadly they destroy the natural vegetation, promoting the dominance of species like Bracken at the expense of of more palatable grasses and herbs. They also cause soil erosion caused by intense grazing and burrowing. In their favour they provide food for predatory birds which would turn to seabirds in their absence.
It’s been suggested that Shearwaters and Puffins require Rabbits to dig holes in which to nest but they are actually capable of digging their own holes. Puffins do, however, like nesting in areas free from tall vegitation. If Rabbits were removed, there would be a danger that the coastal slopes currently inhabited by Puffins would become overgrown and they would disappear.
The puffins were definitely the highlight of the day and on parts of the pathway, they were only a few yards from your feet, scurrying comically out of their burrows. They are a lot smaller than I had imagined (about 25 cms high) and have a permanently angst expression on their faces.
This year it also happens to be the 60th anniversary of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. They’ve commissioned London company ‘ Hatched ‘ to design a poster campaign to promote the park’s natural beauty, coastline and abundant wildlife. I feel they have done this very well. You can find out more about purchasing the postcards and posters here.
Thought this maybe a good place to post some puffins I drew a while ago, after visiting Seven Stories in Newcastle.
Part two of this post about Pembrokeshire to follow soon.
Fishink Pops Up in Manchester’s Craft and Design Centre.
Over the next couple of weeks I’ll be looking after a friend’s shop in the Manchester Craft and Design Centre in the Northern Quarter. The shop belongs to Tom and Kitty and is called Wall of Art. There’s a fine range of photographic prints and printed canvasses, some taken in Cuba…
some in America …
and even some taken in Manchester.
I will be selling a small range of my own Original Illustrations, Cards and Notebooks.
I’ll be there for the next three weeks on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays (10.30 til 5pm) so please do drop in and say hello. Wall of Art is on the second floor straight down the corridor (from coming up the stairs by the front doors) and is the last shop before you hit the corner. See you there !
Flora Chang . Chirpy Character Creator
Flora Chang specialises in illustrations of a ‘feel good’ nature. It’s therefore a pleasure to introduce her work to you in the hope that it induces a wave of Fishink blog smiling 🙂
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Flora has been drawing since she was small and has always dreamed of being able to draw for a living. She says ” My parents were both teachers and very creative. Growing up, I remember going to different classes and workshops with my mom, and she was always making stuff with her hands, even until this day. They have always fostered my creativity, but at the same time, they did not want me to grow up to be a starving artist. Thus I didn’t pursue an art education until I decided to go to San Francisco in 1998. (Those three years in San Fran are among the best years of my life.) I graduated in 2001 from Academy of Art University with an MFA degree in graphic design and was hired by Hallmark Cards before my graduation”
She has lived and worked in Kansas City as a full time designer & illustrator for almost 12 years, making children’s products. ” I love my job; my office is like a big art school where I work and learn from many artists everyday. I love to make and draw stuff for kids and adults alike, and I always carry my sketchbook and a black marker pen with me wherever I go. I am most happy when I am doodling, creating, and learning. If I am not making something, I am not me. I am most inspired by colors, organic forms, folk arts, vintage children’s illustrations, and objects with beautiful textures and lines”
Such quirky and appealing work, just look at this stripy topped little bear with a monocle and curly moustache, sheer genius.
This elephant is superb, I like the texture of the line and his little herringbone topper ! Some mocked up book covers here that have come out of a course that Flora is currently taking with Lilla Rogers called Make Art That Sells which from the comments on Flora’s blog looks fascinating.
Great to see some variation in style, like these more painterly ladies.
Some work with design repeats.
Flora’s doodling knows no boundaries, wood, ceramics, stone…
Some amazing and creative sketchbook work here too. Flora finishes by saying ” I am truly thankful and feel so blessed to be able to draw and share my art with you. I hope my works will make you feel warm, happy and put a smile on your face ” Well Flora I think they have.
A few snippets of the latest fashion for men from designers like Kenzo and Gaultier. 2014 seems to be the year that Fashion designers are inspired by artists. There are strong graphical elements, combined with painterly, artistic mark-making.
Gaultiers’ ‘cracks in the pavement’ print makes this bold statement, with a visual designers’ cut across the chest, to give this look it’s own individuality. Miyake looks at painterly washes in stripes and pointillism prints.
Walter Van Beirendonck takes the idea of the figure being a canvas to an exaggerated level !
Whilst Raf Simons goes down a more graphical advertising route.
And of course Moschino always knows how to give that added ‘spark’ to any collection ! Great ideas.
Many thanks to my friends over at Pattern Prints Journal for the inspiration for this post.
I have been discovering a whole wealth of interesting Vintage Record Covers. I found out about the Children’s Record Guild (CRG), a label that was popular in the U.S.A in the early 1950’s, similar to the Book of the Month Club but for records. Parents or Grandparents could purchase a subscription and then every month their child would receive a record in the mail. Most consisted of a single record with a fun musical theme. Some were classic Children’s Stories set to music such as Cinderella. Occasionally a two record set such as The Emperors New Clothes, Sleeping Beauty or Midsummer Nights Dream would arrive. The records were delivered in a colourful sleeve. Sadly there’s no mention of the illustrators who created the artwork but there are some wonderful covers. Enjoy.
A few more covers that are from other labels.
and a couple of donations from Betsy, with thanks.
I’ve been busy creating new artwork over these last two weeks. There’s a wide range of pieces, all hand collaged and original. You can find more information here.
There was a move towards blues and greens for some mysterious reason lol.
Until the pink elephants and yellow giraffes came along.
They in turn inspired some new repeats. I like these trumpeting heffalumps trundling through the jungle.
A few sprightly foxes and some more languid dogs, thrown in for good measure : )
Artwork is also available to buy or view on my Pinterest site. Prices start at just £30 for a signed, card frame-mounted piece of original artwork, and of course they can be posted anywhere worldwide. Which is your favourite ? Snap one up today and please ‘trumpet’ about Fishink to your friends 🙂 Thank you.
Finally I’d like to thank Jared Thompson from Design Juices for this great feature on my thoughts and work. You can read the complete article here. There are many other talented people for you to find out about on the blog, it’s a great creative source of visual and personal design-led information. Great Site Jared.
On the way into town on tuesday I came across this beautiful garden, such a welcome blast of colour in the strong sunlight. In Manchester, I firstly wandered in to see the girls at fig and sparrow and noticed that they had put my Fishink Cards and Notebooks on their shelves, fab to see them nestled in there, let’s hope they’re a success.
I then headed over to Oak Street and the Manchester Craft and Design Centre to see the rest of the studios I’d missed the other week. There was a crowd gathered outside Home Sweet Home enjoying the sunshine and goodies on sale there.
Inside the Craft and Design centre I chatted to Lee Page Hanson about his ceramics. Lee had graduated from Sunderland Polytechnic and had been at the MCDC since 1999. His style had been influenced by artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Antoni Tapies, Paul Klee & Kura Te Waru Rewiri and Potters John Maltby & Claudi Casanovas. Working predominantly in white clay bodies, Porcelain & Earthenware, Lee manipulates and shapes his ceramics using plaster press moulds to produce textures and accentuate with oxide. His work involves experimenting with geometric shapes and some figurative images. Using coloured slips, paper resist, under-glaze pencil, lace & wallpaper embossing and on glaze lustre decoration and combing these techniques to form a ceramic collage.
Interesting to see a range of styles and imagery in his work. Apparently the lustres and gold and silver glazes have been particularly popular with his customers over in the USA.
Next I chatted to Nell Smith about her clothing company called simply Nell. Inspired by Japanese cartoons and Scandinavian textiles, Nell produce a range of babywear rompers, hats, t-shirts using 100% organic cotton and people friendly inks and artwork lol
This tiger caught my eye in his ‘card rack’ cage. Nell was busily working away as we chatted, screen printing with one hand and taking orders with the other, a talented lass. She mentioned that she’d had orders through her online shop from France, China and Norway that day ! No wonder she was busy. Lovely child-centered designs and ethos.
Sharing Nell’s workspace is lighting designer Jane Blease. Sustainability is at the core of Jane’s designs, minimising waste through imaginative and efficient use of materials. Jane takes inspiration from everything around her – nature, landscapes. All of her work is organic, either in form, pattern or materials used. In her current collection Jane intricately embroiders geometric patterns into wood veneer using colorful threads. This unusual combination of materials makes her work truly unique.
After a catch up and cuppa with Andrea in her stylish &Made shop. I chatted to the centres’ Marketing peeps about an exciting new idea I’ve had that I’ll share with you in a few weeks time, if it all comes together. Around the Northern Quarter I spotted some more interesting Manchester Graffiti. There’s a new exhibition opening in the Gallery space in the Craft and Design centre this coming saturday. It’s called ‘ Forming Words ‘ and runs until November 9th. More info here. The exhibition will open with a free, family friendly launch between 2-5pm on Saturday 13 July. This will be a chance to see the new works at the MCDC plus enjoy afternoon of entertainment and free refreshments.
Then I popped into another favourite haunt of mine Common Bar. It’s a glorious mix of chilled and colourful folk, surrounded by great food, beer and art exhibitions on the walls. Suddenly I’m in heaven lol. Some interesting artwork from NY illustrator Jon Burgerman.
The pic for the Indy Man Beer Con is a four day Beer Festival featuring different brewers and different beers on both cask and keg, food stalls, music and pop up tastings, talks and seminars. It runs 10th til 13th October and tickets for £6 are available on the site now.
The main featured artist in ‘Common’ was Billy and Alex who is Alex Godwin, an English artist focusing on painting outside and inside and keeping happy. Inspired by some real life events and people, the observations made from living in unfamiliar surroundings and keeping a positive perspective on life. The distinctive shapes, colours, characters and symbols in Billy’s work are created with an intention to communicate a colourful and happy visual message in a simple attempt to make other people smile and be happy too. Billy has exhibited her work around the UK, Germany and Belgium and her paintings can be seen decorating the streets of London, Berlin, Madrid, South Africa and beyond. It certainly made me smile and left me with a real positive feeling.
Check out some of Billys’ other projects here to truly experience the scale and colour in her stylish, upbeat work.
One other mention for Manchester based folk. On Saturday 27th July there is a
and an after party at 2022NQ you can find out more details here.
For those you you who don’t know, Shudehill Studio is a new creative space in Manchester city centre, run by two graduates from the Manchester School of Art, 2012. The Studio aims to offer affordable studio space and exhibition opportunities to local artists and recent graduates. This summer the studio will collaborate with M20 collective to host a visual arts and music festival called “NQ Pop-up”. Parts of the northern quarter will be exposed to a selection of exhibitions and performances, across a variety of unconventional venues. From ‘bars to car-parks’. This is a great opportunity for artists and musicians. Free entrance to all. 2022NQ will play host to the after party, the coming together and networking of the artists, contributors and participants of the day, offering showcase of music from hiphop-funk and soul, to house, dnb, bass and electronics from dj’s in the local area – and it’s free entry all night!
Another great day in Manchester. Thanks to all involved for answering my questions and letting me study, capture and display their work here.
A quick vote of thanks to all who entered the competition to win the signed Benji Davies Bizzy Bear Book last week and I’m pleased to announce that the winner is (small drum roll) Bridget Strevens-Marzo who co-incidentally also happens to be a childrens’ book illustrator herself and quite a Benji fan too ! Many thanks to all who took part commented and helped to advertise Fishink Blog. So now to the illustrator for today.
Pablo Rueda is a full-time illustrator & designer living with his wife and family in Gijon, in the north of Spain. I wonder if his workspace is always this tidy, somehow I think it maybe 🙂
Pablo has always been fond of illustrated books, ‘ I’ve been a Richard Scarry fan for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until I started a small screen-printed t-shirts business, eleven years ago, that I began to work on my own illustrations. ‘
He starts his ideas with a sketch, which is then digitised and turned into a vector image adding colours and texture as he builds it up. He says that he rarely gets illustrators block but should it happen, he tries to get away from the studio, plays with his kids, watches films, looks at books and then usually can see things from a different point of view and the inspiration soon returns.
When asked what advice he’d offer new illustrators he said ‘ It is important to acquire visual references to develop your own style from, to know the work of studios and illustrators from the past and present. But don’t stop at illustration only… go ahead with architecture, photography, cinema, music… Above all I’d say that the results you get are proportional to the hours you dedicate to working and learning. It’s a simple formula, though an arduous one…’
Through this funky site This is Mykea you can design and customise your ikea furniture with stickers that you design and then print through the company. You can even make money if others buy your designs too. Pablo has some great suggestions.
He describes his work as ‘ Retro, naïve and childish ‘ and is a confessed liquorice lover, enthusiast of old sci-fi movies and collector of children’s illustration books. His list of tools consist of a pencil, a box of Manley crayons, an iMac, a Wacom Cintyc and, especially, lots of books to learn from.
More from the very talented Bernice Myers. This selection is mainly from the 50’s and 60’s, and it’s good to know that the very prolific Mrs Myers, some 60 books later, is still working ! I love the textures and animal shapes in this book.
In contrast to this here’s a different style again, and did you know that Being Nice is lots of Fun ? I really like the characters used here, amongst others Sociable Sue, Messy Bessie, Slowpoke Cyril, Cranky Conrad, Crabby Gert, Lonesome Lou, Polly Politeness, Stubborn Stan and Gentleman Johnnie, you can identify their characteristics straight away.
A more technical book but with Bernice’s touch of gentle humour, it makes learning facts less tedious.
A couple of famous books, I’m sure you’ll have seen around.
This postman always reminds me of Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau or Jacques Tati in Mon Oncle.
Bernice has already appeared here and here previously on this blog. It seems we just can’t get enough of her 1950’s and 1960’s work. If anyone has any more images I’ve not featured already, I’d love to add them to this post.
If you’re vaguely in the Manchester area this weekend don’t forget to check out The Little Northern Contemporary Craft Fair featuring approx 40 of the North’s leading designer makers. SUNDAY 7th July: THE KING’S SCHOOL MACCLESFIELD SK10 1DA. Opening times: 10am-5pm, £2 entrance on the door, childen under 16 free. More information here. Featuring the work of many designers I’ve featured on Fishink Blog previously. (N.B. Macclesfield is about 45 mins south of Manchester).
Also if you’re in the Edinburgh region this weekend then get along to The Scottish Gallery to meet Angie Lewin, Mark Hearld and Emily Sutton in person and find out more about their work on Saturday 6th July from 11am – 1pm. They’ll be signing copies of their recent books and other pieces of artwork presently displayed in the Ten Printmakers Exhibition.
Thanks to Chris Brown, Angie and Simon Lewin and The Scottish Gallery for the images.
Then take a walk over to Concrete Wardrobe, 50A Broughton St., EH1 3SA Edinburgh, who sell some of my Fishink Cards and Meet the Makers Lara Scobie (ceramics) and Joanne Garner (jewellery), it should be a great event.
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