Monday Musings... Ray Eames

I love this image of Ray Eames standing amongst geometric sculptures. I can only imagine that as a designer, it would only be natural to hope that your work will inspire designers for generations to come and that is exactly what the Eames' have done. When I look around my own living room that is filled with bits and pieces of textiles from a variety of stores and designers yet all of the designs have definitely taken inspiration from Charles and Ray Eames. So inspiring!

Monday Musings... Women's Hour

So today I was sunning myself in Aberdeen (yes you read that correctly, the granite city was scorching this weekend) and I noticed a bit of chat on twitter about a craft programme on Radio 4, Women's Hour programme. I just listened to it half an hour ago whilst making a skirt. There's some nice discussions from designer-makers including Donna Wilson (see above image). Of course you could have a season of programmes on the subject! Have a listen and let me know what you think. 

Enjoy!

Monday Musings... Matthias Jung

Apologies for the late Monday Musings post, I was pulling a 14 hour shift yesterday. I came across the surreal collages of Matthias Jung when I was trawling the internet for interesting building pics. Jung creates collages of structures in situations that couldn't exist in real life. Definitely worth a look! 

Monday Musings: Edinburgh Yarn Festival

Apologies but yesterday was hectic so i'm cheating a wee bit and giving you Monday Musings on a Tuesday! I wanted to give a mention to the Edinburgh Yarn Festival taking place this weekend. I know embroidery is my thing but I have been known to dabble in other crafts on occasion. Seasoned knitters will love the selection of stalls and beginners will find the selection of classes a real help. There's lots more info on the website but get yourself down there and join in the fun!

Monday Musings... Hoop-la Mag

I'm so pleased to be a contributor to the Spring issue of Hoop-la Mag! I designed a pattern for a birthday card and wrote a step by step guide so if you want to give it a try you can pick up the mag in WHSmith or online. If you haven't read previous issues of Hoop-La, it's a contemporary embroidery publication full of DIY projects, insights into craft rooms and interviews with artists working today. 

Monday Musings... Marlene Dumas

South African artist, Marlene Dumas, has recently opened a new exhibition, The Image as Burden, at the Tate Modern. I have been a big fan of her work since art school because I always admired her cropped portraits that focus attention on the face. I also read that she paints from secondary images (photographs etc) which I found quite rebellious when we were always told of the importance of painting from life. I'll hopefully get to the show in the coming months... let me know what you think if you manage to make it along!

Monday Musings... Electric Gardens

The amazing electric gardens is happening in Botanic Gardens Glasgow. The gardens will come to life with lighting displays and projections as well as performances. I think it looks pretty amazing and i love the idea of spaces being used well at night time. It's the first time the event is being run so fingers crossed it all goes well! Find out more on the Botanics website.

Monday Musings: Amelie's Party

I can't believe it but my little girl is now 2! We organised a party for her at the weekend and of course I decided to make everything for it despite only having Friday night to do it all! The cupcakes were easy as i've made them a few times before but the challenge was making Amelie a strawberry birthday cake with animals on it. I bought the animals from a toy shop and used a few bits n pieces from a dolls house as well.

Glad it's another year before the next one!

Monday Musings: Cat Film Festival

Image credit: 'Milo wanted attention by Jahzyoga', Cat Festival, Walker Arts Center.

So the Cat Film Festival is coming to Glasgow. The Gallery of Modern Art will be showing some classic feline films and doing related activities. This is all part of the Glasgow Film Festival 2015 and I for one think it's great. Don't be mistaken, I am not a cat lover by any means, I just like it when festivals become a bit more accessible and less serious! 

Monday Musings: Pantone 2015

The decision has been made, the colour of  2015 is ... Marsala! I actually enjoy the fact that the internet is going wild over a colour. According to Pantone "Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth". So here's to the colour we'll be wearing all year.

Monday Musings: PJ Harvey on display!

PJ Harvey is pretty much one of my favourite artists. I love how her style has evolved over time and was so excited to hear about a new project for her upcoming ninth album. Harvey will take part in a live installation at Somerset House in London where members of the public (for a fee) can view the recording of the album through one way glass. It will be interesting to see how the project is received when it goes live on 16th January but it should be interesting for all involved, artists and spectators.

Monday Musings... Mouse House

We were out for a walk in our local park on Christmas day and came across a huge tree with a small door attached to the bottom. It was definitely the type of thing that someone must have done for their kids- such a lovely little mouse house! 

Monday Musings

What's better than knitting? Oversized knitting I say! This image is from Little Dandelion and is the amazing work of textile artist, Jacqueline Fink. Jacqueline has a shop that sells oversized knitting goods for your body and your home so have a look for some shopping or even just for inspiration. You can also pick up kits to give it a go yourself. 

Monday Musings

I came across some embroidered book covers by Chloe Giordano. I love their simplicity... Check out more on her website

Monday Musings... Yurts!

Our holidays have become a bit less 'exotic' since our little girl came into our lives. So i'm trying to find as many fun places to go in Scotland as I can. This yurt caught my eye and is definitely on my list for our next relaxing break!

Monday Musings... Art from Elsewhere

Art from Elsewhere is a touring exhibition currently in Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art. The show changes format in every city but the aim is showcase the diversity and talent of artists working across the globe. Featured artists in the Goma show are Ana Mendieta, Kara Walker and Eugenio Dittborn.

Dittborn's works are amazing and definitely worth a visit to see those pieces alone. His Airmail Paintings are created on lightweight fabric and sent through International post. This was the only way the artist could get his works to exhibition spaces because he was currently living under military dictatorship in Chile.

More info about the shows can be found here...

Monday Musings... Colouring in

For a long time colouring in was always something enjoyed by children at a young age, lost during teen years and then a guilty pleasure when you have your own kids. I fall into the latter category and spent a good hour on the train colouring in with my toddler this weekend.
One thing I have noticed is how much cooler colouring in books are! They're full of beautiful patterns and some even offer the opportunity for you to add to the existing designs as well- great for a creative block me thinks. This is a far cry from giant ordinary images (ball, car, tree etc etc) in big thick black outlines.

Here's a selection of my current favourites...



Buy it here

Buy it here

Buy it here

Monday Musings: Egon Schiele

 

Egon Schiele (1890-1918) is one of the first artists that I can remember being truly inspired by. I was in second year of high school and flicking through books in my art classroom. I came across a small book of Schiele's drawings and was completely mesmerised. The black outlines, the use of mixed media and the awkwardness of the drawings really appealed to me- he was doing all of the things we were told not to do in fine art!

The Courtauld Gallery in London will be hosting an exhibition of Schiele's nudes from October until January 2015. If you're in and around London during the next few months I would recommend checking it out.

 

Here are some of Schiele's works in the meantime to wet your appetite...

 

 

Monday Musings: Streetcar

I've always been a bit funny about watching theatre on the big screen. For me, its always felt the same as watching a concert on television (doesn't match up to the real thing). I decided to put all of my reservations aside and go to a screening of A Streetcar Named Desire at The Grosvenor Cinema in Glasgow.
I'm now gonna eat my words- it was A-mazing! The performances by all actors were fantastic. They must be so physically fit to do this type of theatre every night. The revolving set and limitations of all scenes taking place over two rooms was so engaging. I also loved the location in the Young Vic, London. There was a short film during the intermission about the ethos of the theatre and it just looks like such a creative environment to work in as a director. I'm looking forward to the next one!

Monday Musings... Lost Values

Over the weekend I was introduced to Lost Values , an eco-friendly company started by Elena Corchero. I absolutely love their range of products that are useful and chic at the same time. Clothing and accessories have a reflective surface so are perfect for cyclists and those of us who live in countries that get pretty dark in the winter!