Weather: It's rain or shine

It's undeniably a natural product from working in a shop, but I love weather talk. I love the British relationship with it, our eternal optimism and general wistful whimsy when it comes to terrible weather. Every year the same unseasonable rain and cold and yet it always takes us by the surprise. 

It is May but the skies are thunderous and grey, leaves are being blown off trees like it's Autumn, this is nothing new but it is all I can think and speak about...Hurry up Summer.

Open house season begins

It's no secret that I love Open House hunting in Brighton. It always feels like a hunt once you have your trail map in front of you, getting lost in suburbia, craning your neck from left to right to see if you can spot a glimpse of that tell tale bunting and Open House banner. It's such a celebration of home grown talent and I'm always thrilled to see such a wide range of artists, materials and subject matter showcasing. Oh and did I mention there is always an abundance of cake? Here is the AOH website for my details, they run on weekends for the entirety of May. Here is a peek of my first venture into the Fiveways Trail- recommended! 

Fringe Time

Starting off the Fringe in true quirky Brighton style. The Clock tower being covered in donated clothes from it's own city residents is actually a commissioned piece of work by Finnish artist Kaarina Kaikkonen. The Clock Tower will remain dressed for the duration of the Fringe and if you're curious to know and see more from Kaikkonen; she is also exhibiting currently at Fabrica Gallery, click here for more details. 

Emily's birthday

It was Emily's birthday so I wrapped up lots of lovely things, scribbled a sombrero birthday card and threw on my best day of the dead dress. We had an amazing lunch at La Choza, our current favourite place in Brighton for food and celebrated by munching our body weight in burritos and churros. 

Needless to say, it was a good day. 

Cold in Brighton

Happy Welshy day illustration!

St David's day tomorrow- don't forget to wear your daffodil and eat an abundance of welsh cakes. I made this illustration for my mum. My favourite Welsh lady.

Parky Doodles

I take great enjoyment in unexpected discoveries, especially those of a creative nature. This year I moved to Kemptown and during one new short cut home one evening came across this lovely bicycle mural. Upon flexing my detective skills (googling the signature) I found out the artist is Parky Doodles and is currently studying illustration at Brighton, here is their website, have a look because their work is really mindbogglingly good. 

Leeds

On a recent jaunt up to Leeds to see family, we had the fortune to have the time to explore the city. I loved some of the architecture we got to see and I highly regard Leeds Art Gallery. Nike Savvas was currently showing work in her exhibition titled 'Liberty and Anarchy', which involved big wooden geometric shapes with colourful material woven into the installed pieces, see the bottom left hand side image.

On top of that I was tickled to see work by other great artists including Bob and Roberta Smith and one of my personal favourites, Grayson Perry...

I love Grayson Perry.

Knit Wit

The only good thing to come out of winter, aside from mulled cider, is patterned knitwear. Just look at my mittens I procured from Oxfam for this year.

I'm currently obsessed and here is my doodle of a poncho clad lady to demonstrate my excitement.

Merry Christmas

It's always about rushed handmade Christmas cards. 

Its just tradition. 

Illustration Showcase

Emily at The Handmade Shop

When my sister isn't being a little cooking machine of wonderment. She is making amazing hair adornments. Bowbands have been the official favourite accessory to the much loved Get Cutie boutique in Brighton for some time now and I am excited to report that the Handmade Shop in Kemptown is the latest outlet to sell Emily's wonderful creations. The Handmade Shop sells a wide range of lovingly handmade items. Here is their blog and please go and visit them to see Emily's bows!