Amelia’s Magazine | Review: City and Guilds of London Art School Fine Art Degree Show 2015

Tuesday Riddell water city guilds
Tuesday Riddell.

Visiting my accunpuncturist last weekend before the New Designers show I chanced upon the fine art degree show from City & Guilds students, tucked away in a quiet Kennington street. I’m glad I took a nose around as there was some interesting art to be found.

Rene Gonzalez-Pino City Guilds
This is part of a massive work by Rene Gonzalez-Pino, inspired by great scientists.

Diane Chappalley City Guilds
Diane Chappalley pink city guilds
Diane Chappalley creates enigmatic abstract oil paintings: stimulating strange recognitions.

Georgia keeling city guilds
A print by Georgia Keeling reminds me of blood vessels.

Nickolas York-Simpson city guilds
The marriage of old prints and new iconography lives on in the work of Nicholas York-Simpson. His Disasters of Modern Society series is based on conversations with friends and strangers about our deepest anxieties and fears.

Tuesday Riddell city guilds
Tuesday Riddell city guilds trunk
My favourite find was the stunning work by Tuesday Riddell, tucked away in a garret room reached via a spiral staircase. She paints intense lush landscapes, thick with flora and oozing other worldliness. Think magical golden tree trunks and swirling waters, painted onto mirrors to heighten the feeling of falling into another realm.

Categories ,2015, ,City and Guilds of London, ,Diane Chappalley, ,Disasters of Modern Society, ,Fine Art, ,Georgia Keeling, ,Kennington, ,New Designers, ,Nicholas York-Simpson, ,Rene Gonzalez-Pino, ,review, ,Tuesday Riddell

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Amelia’s Magazine | Rock Paper Scissors: Camberwell College of Arts Illustration Graduate Show 2015

Anna Skeels
My final review of the graduate illustrations shows is for Rock Paper Scissors, the stand alone show of Camberwell College of Art students held at Hoxton Arches last week. Lovely loose painterly pieces (above) from Anna Skeels were inspired by a Tove Jannson short story called The Woman Who Borrowed Memories.

Joseph Killick
This strange animal is by Joseph Killick, for a project based on the John Tradescants, Lambeth collectors of rare oddities.

Percy Edgeler
Percie Edgeler made abstract collaged patterns to go with a zine project.

Katt Hardy
I absolutely loved this decorative ‘Story Screen‘ by Katt Hardy, who applies her illustrative skills to interior design.

Alex Gamsu Jenkins 2
Alex Gamsu Jenkins
This crop is part of a vast tableaux featuring life in Croydon and Penge, an astonishing and oddly beautiful work by Alex Gamsu Jenkins, whose work I would love to see submitted for my brand new colouring book open brief.

Nana Takeuchi
Nana Takeuchi 2
Nana Takeuchi 3
Nana Takeuchi presented beautifully drawn tribal costumes and pot creatures.

Hayley Ford
Hayley Ford 2

Finally, these Jurassic era papermâché dinosaurs in neon colours by Hayley Ford attracted loads of likes when I posted them on instagram. What fun!

All of these images first appeared on my own my instagram feed: follow me there to catch my discoveries as I make them!

Categories ,2015, ,Alex Gamsu Jenkins, ,Camberwell College of Art, ,Camberwell College of Arts, ,Croydon, ,Graduate Show, ,Hayley Ford, ,Hoxton, ,Hoxton Arches, ,illustration, ,John Tradescants, ,Joseph Killick, ,Katt Hardy, ,Nana Takeuchi, ,Penge, ,Percie Edgeler, ,review, ,Rock Paper Scissors, ,Story Screen, ,The Woman Who Borrowed Memories, ,Tove Jannson

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Amelia’s Magazine | New Designers 2015: Floral, Jungle and Narrative Textile and Surface Design

New Designers Emily Ward
Next up in my coverage of New Designers 2015 part one I present more favourite textile and surface design – this time concentrating on florals, narrative designs and a popular jungle theme. Emily Ward at Norwich Uni put together a fabulous display showcasing her designs on lampshades.

New Designers Zoe Cook
Beautiful birds feature on this lovely silk scarf by Zoe Cook.

New Designers Marcia La Madrid
This lovely knitwear installation from Marcia La Madrid makes creative use of the very popular rubber plant motif.

New Designers Krupti Valgi
This lovely rich textile design is by Valgi Krupti at Bucks New University.

New Designers Wendy Connington
The 50s influence was strong with Wendy Connington at Loughborough Uni.

New Designers Alice Greaves
Fun prints from Alice Greaves have a narrative feel.

New Designers Izzy Dryburgh
Izzy Dryburgh pursues the ever popular butterflies theme.

New Designers Rachel Whichelow
Juicy florals by Rachel Whichelow at Huddersfield make brilliant use of sunny colours.

New Designers Hannah Reuters
Hannah Reuter had fun with this lovely liquorice allsorts textile design.

New Designers Emily Downer
A Day at the Zoo is by Emily Downer at Falmouth Uni.

New Designers Jemma Scanlon
Sophisticated embroidery created by Jemma Scanlon.

New Designers Jessica Boulton
Jessica Boulton was inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream to create this stunning scarf – a firm favourite with my followers when I shared this on my instagram feed.

New Designers Emma McClusky
At University of Dundee award winner Emma McCluskey created this gorgeous leafy print design.

New Designers Sophie Rolley
Extravagant painterly florals are by Sophie Rolley at Leeds College of Art.

New Designers Suzannah Marakova
Suzannah Marakova created these glamourous decorative designs.

New Designers Hannah Edmonds
This cool scissor pattern is by Hannah Edmonds.

New Designers Joe McFadden
Joe McFadden at Herriot Watt worked the hipster look with dark floral sophistication.

New Designers Hatty Atkins
And finally, pretty patterns inspired by curios by Hatty Atkins at Nottingham Trent Uni.

All of these images first appeared on the New Designers instagram feed (they very kindly asked me to guest post a favourite selection from both part one and part two of the show) or on my instagram feed: follow me there to catch my discoveries as I make them!

Categories ,2015, ,A Day at the Zoo, ,A Midsummer Night’s Dream, ,Alice Greaves, ,Bucks New University, ,Emily Downer, ,Emily Ward, ,Emma McCluskey, ,Falmouth Uni, ,floral, ,Hannah Edmonds, ,Hannah Reuter, ,Hatty Atkins, ,Herriot Watt, ,Huddersfield, ,Izzy Dryburgh, ,Jemma Scanlon, ,Jessica Boulton, ,Joe McFadden, ,jungle, ,Leeds College of Art, ,Loughborough Uni, ,Marcia La Madrid, ,New Designers, ,Norwich Uni, ,Nottingham Trent Uni, ,Rachel Whichelow, ,review, ,Sophie Rolley, ,surface design, ,Suzannah Marakova, ,textiles, ,University of Dundee, ,Valgi Krupti, ,Wendy Connington, ,Zoe Cook

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Amelia’s Magazine | New Designers 2015: One Year On Review

New Designers Julia Toledo
This year the One Year On section of New Designers was curated by Luna & Curious co-founder Rheanna Lingham (read my exclusive interview here). I particularly loved the selection of jewellery designers at part one (this is just a small selection) but have included my finds at part two of One Year On in this write up as well. All of these designers are actively creating and selling their products so do visit their websites and get in on the action too….

The new Woven on Stone collection from Julia Toledo (top) features gemstones combined with pure silk details. Spectacular and different.

New designers Hannah Grace Ryan
I loved the tactile nature of these granulated silver pendants by Hannah Grace Ryan.

New Designers Karen Elizabeth Donovan
Super delicate, intricate and beautiful. This titanium necklace is by Karen Elizabeth Donovan.

ND Flora Bhattachary
Bold rings by Flora Bhattachary make a big statement.

ND Mei-Ling de Buitlear
Mei-Ling de Buitlear pearl earring hoops are beautiful simplicity.

ND Hayley Beckley
Hand pleated neck cuffs by Hayley Beckley offer an alternative take on statement necklaces.

ND Rachel Froud
Moving on to surface design, Rachel Froud obviously had fun making vegetable artwork into tablemats!

New Designers Harriet Popham
This unusual print is by Harriet Popham, who was inspired by her local landscape in Somerset.

ND Augusta Akerman
Subtle illustrations by Augusta Ackerman were translated into textiles.

ND perished pets
This tiny blue mouse by Perished Pets offers a unique take on ethical taxidermy (she uses roadkill).

ND Leah Jensen
Leah Jensen creates narrative scenes on porcelain to create unusual vessels.

ND righteous raven
Jungle fabrics by Righteous Raven feature lush colours and bold leaf designs.

ND Charlotte Wilkinson 2
ND Charlotte Wilkinson
These amazing glass brains by Charlotte Wilkinson were inspired by her father’s illness. Such a wonderful way to channel creativity.

ND So Klara
So Klara textiles feature bold colourful splashes, a major interior design statement.

ND Vive designs
This neon lasercut acrylic chess set is by Vive Designs.

All of these images first appeared on the New Designers instagram feed (they very kindly asked me to guest post a favourite selection from both part one and part two of the show) or on my own my instagram feed: follow me there to catch my discoveries as I make them!

Categories ,2015, ,Augusta Ackerman, ,Charlotte Wilkinson, ,Flora Bhattachary, ,Hannah Grace Ryan, ,Harriet Popham, ,Hayley Beckley, ,Julia Toledo, ,Karen Elizabeth Donovan, ,Leah Jensen, ,Luna and Curious, ,Mei-Ling de Buitlear, ,New Designers, ,One Year On, ,Perished Pets, ,Rachel Froud, ,review, ,Rheanna Lingham, ,Righteous Raven, ,So Klara, ,Vive Designs, ,Woven on Stone

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Amelia’s Magazine | New Designers 2015: The Best Illustration Graduates

ND Jen Leem Bruggen
My final New Designers review features work displayed as part of the Visual Communications section in part two of the show: with the focus on illustration, of course.

New Designers Jen Leem Brugen
New Designers Jen Leem Bruggen 2
I absolutely adored the fantastic illustrations of Jen Leem Bruggen at the Uni of Hertfordshire, seen here in a concertina foldout booklet, showing a magical use of colour.

ND Gemma Taylor
This piece is titled Monogamy by Gemma Taylor – showing a great use of pattern combined with bird imagery. Also at Hertfordshire. Sometimes it is the lesser known art colleges which throw up the most unexpected finds!

New Designers Ana Jaks
New Designers Ana Jaks 2
One of my favourite discoveries was work by Ana Jaks at Falmouth Uni – I love her use of colour and shape to create eye catching images.

ND Alex McGinn
Also at Falmouth I was taken by fine editorial work from Alex McGinn.

New Designers Hazel Partridge
Other pieces that caught my eye: a lovely bird by Hazel Partridge.

New Designers Charlotte Perry
This cool alphabet design by Charlotte Perry.

New Designers Thomas Pullin
And a fun character by Thomas Pullin.

ND Jess Rose
New Designers Jess Rose
The Nottingham Trent Uni stand was ridiculously difficult to navigate but I eventually established that these exciting silk scarf designs, inspired by viruses, aches and pains, are by Jess Rose. Beautiful and engaging.

ND Josh Patterson
New Designers Josh Patterson
Cooking up a storm! This lovely editorial work is by Josh Patterson at Birmingham City Uni, who has unsurprisingly already worked for an impressive roster of clients, as well as winning several awards.

New Designers Michelle Bowden
And I also liked this painterly pattern by Michelle Bowden.

ND Sorcha Faulkner
New Designers Sorcha Faulkner
At Cambridge School of Art I liked a more traditional take on cookery illustration by Sorcha Faulkner.

NEW DESIGNERS micah shaW 2
New Designers Micah Shaw
This house on a hill and ghosts are by Micah Shaw at Plymouth College of Art.

New Designers Sander B
ND Sander B
At Coventry Uni I loved this gorgeous book of Nordic folklore by Sander B Draws.

ND Jack Bailey
New Designers Jack Bailey
Jack Bailey was showing work with Cygnet Ink as part of a show put together by the Uni of Lincoln. I really enjoyed his mixed media approach, featuring beautiful delicate watercolour animals, buildings and matching models.

ND Yada Subhadira
At Portsmouth Uni I liked this 3D papercut of skulls by Yada Subhadira.

New Designers Bethany woollvin
And these planets with eyes by award winner Bethan Woollvin.

New Designers Dale Sylvester
Finally, this piece featuring the nerve endings in the brain is by Dale Sylvester.

All of these images first appeared on the New Designers instagram feed (they very kindly asked me to guest post a favourite selection from both part one and part two of the show) or on my own my instagram feed: follow me there to catch my discoveries as I make them!

Categories ,2015, ,Alex McGinn, ,Ana Jaks, ,Bethan Woollvin, ,Birmingham City Uni, ,Cambridge School of Art, ,Charlotte Perry, ,Coventry Uni, ,Cygnet Ink, ,Dale Sylvester, ,Falmouth Uni, ,Gemma Taylor, ,Hazel Partridge, ,illustration, ,Jack Bailey, ,Jen Leem Bruggen, ,Jess Rose, ,Josh Patterson, ,Micah Shaw, ,Michelle Bowden, ,Monogamy, ,New Designers, ,Nottingham Trent Uni, ,Plymouth College of Art, ,Portsmouth Uni, ,review, ,Sander B Draws, ,Sorcha Faulkner, ,Thomas Pullin, ,Uni of Hertfordshire, ,Uni of Lincoln, ,Visual Communication, ,Yada Subhadira

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Amelia’s Magazine | London Art Fair 2015: Review

London Art Fair 2015 review_Amelia_Gregory
After some years attending the London Art Fair I have a fair idea of where to find the artists that will catch my eye. Here’s what I loved at this January’s show, held at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

John Stark-The Division of Labour
John Stark: The Division of Labour. This eery tableaux features beekeepers poring ominously over their hives.

Tom Butler
Also at Charlie Smith, Tom Butler once again showed that the trend for doctoring the faces of old photographs continues.

Jamie Taylor at John Martin gallery
Jamie Taylor at John Martin Gallery has also been messing with faces, this time pixelating his painted version of an old portrait.

Matt Smith at Ink_D Gallery
At Ink_D Gallery artist Matt Smith chose to deface the features on a tapestry. Myself and others clearly find this style oddly appealing; I wonder why? It seems to me a reference to the way the past is all eventually obliterated. The subjects of these works must have meant something to someone at some time, but we are swamped in a sea of memories that means nothing to anyone anymore.

Katharine Morling
I am more used to seeing porcelain sculpture by Katharine Morling in the Whitechapel Hospital, here she was showing with Long & Ryle.

London Babel by Emily Allchurch
London Babel by Emily Allchurch was selling well as a light box display. This powerful piece shows a future dystopia inspired by Brueghel’s Tower of Babel.

Bird Tree by Simone lia
Bird Tree is the newest screen print from Simone Lia, on display with Jealous Gallery.

Paul Scotts Cumbrian Blues-Palestine, Gaza
Paul Scott turns traditional ceramics practice on its head with his Cumbrian Blues series. This Palestine, Gaza plate sets the destruction of war against a traditional pattern.

Dawn by Juliane Hundertmark
This strange figurative work is called Dawn, by Berlin based artist Juliane Hundertmark.

Jane Ward at bearspace
Jane Ward at Bearspace Gallery specialises in super detailed digital collage landscapes, combining the urban and the natural in a dreamlike manner.

Guy Allot - Alien III at Grey Area Paris
Gary Allott - UFOs at GreyArea Paris
Guy Allott- Barricade
I am really taken with the surreal works of Guy Allott, who was showing with Grey Area Paris.

Mark Thompson
There was no title with this painting of a spooky house in a wintery landscape, but fortunately an artist friend on instagram was able to inform me that it is most probably by Mark Thompson.

Heather Nevay- Last Days in the Dollhouse
Heather Nevay: Last Days in the Dollhouse. This Glasgow based artist produces extraordinarily strange vignettes inspired by the memories and dreams incapsulated in dolls.

Roland Corbin- Iona
I am a sucker for an evocative natural landscape and I love the way that Roland Corbin has captured the splendour of rock formations on the islands of Iona.

Geoff Diego Litherland- Spaceship Earth
Geoff Diego Litherland creates an eery fantasy world in Spaceship Earth, showing at Antlers Gallery.

Photos of soviet monoliths at breese little
I love these photos of brutalist Soviet monoliths by Jan Kempenaers at Breese Little.

Adam Dix
Follow (kneeler) by Adam Dix
I am always a massive fan of Adam Dix, who was showing with The Contemporary London. I love the use of tapestry to make this footstool, titled Follow (kneeler).

Anaemic Archives by Christos Venetis
Finally, Anaemic Archives by Christos Venetis is a series of delicate pencil drawings on old book covers. An engaging installation tucked away at TinT Gallery.

Categories ,2015, ,Adam Dix, ,Anaemic Archives, ,Antlers Gallery, ,Bearspace Gallery, ,Bird Tree, ,Breese Little, ,Business Design Centre, ,Charlie Smith, ,Christos Venetis, ,Cumbrian Blues, ,Dawn, ,Emily Allchurch, ,Follow (kneeler), ,Geoff Diego Litherland, ,Grey Area Paris, ,Guy Allott, ,Heather Nevay, ,Ink_D gallery, ,Iona, ,Jamie Taylor, ,Jan Kempenaers, ,Jane Ward, ,Jealous Gallery, ,John Martin Gallery, ,John Stark, ,Juliane Hundertmark, ,Katharine Morling, ,Last Days in the Dollhouse, ,London Art Fair, ,London Babel, ,Long & Ryle, ,Mark Thompson, ,Matt Smith, ,Palestine Gaza, ,Paul Scott, ,Roland Corbin, ,Simone Lia, ,Spaceship Earth, ,The Contemporary London, ,The Division of Labour, ,TinT Gallery, ,Tom Butler, ,Tower of Babel

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Amelia’s Magazine | Free Range Art & Design Shows 2015: Middlesex University Illustration

Amy Laker Middlesex
A few weeks ago Middlesex University showcased work from graduates at the Free Range Art & Design Shows at the Truman Brewery. I went along to check out the best of the illustration talent:

Amy Laker Middlesex Eve
Amy Laker Middlesex A-Z of dance
Amy Laker Middlesex plate
First up, the lovely work of Amy Laker (see also above), including a page from her A-Z of Dance, what a great idea.

Insect patterns by Chloe Whiffin
These intricate insect patterns are by Chloe Whiffin.

Dervla Mary
Embroidery hoop by Dervla Mary
Barbarians by Dervla Mary
Dervla Mary specialises in surreal prints featuring barbarians, foetuses, dervishes, heros and villains, rendered in a juicy risograph colour palette and multiple mediums.

Salome Papadopoullos elvis
Another illustrator pushing the boundaries of her medium is Salome Papadopoullos; loved this crisply rendered embroidery of Elvis.

Yun Ru Tan 1
Yun Ru Tan 2
More stitchwort from Yun Ru Tan, who created these surreal embroidered patches. Bizarre fun!

Sachiko Oguri
Sachiko Oguri mermaid
And Sachiko Oguri produced this beautiful print of the sea, featuring mermaids, traditional Japanese maidens and plenty of fish.

Categories ,2015, ,A-Z of Dance, ,Amy Laker, ,Chloe Whiffin, ,Dervla Mary, ,Elvis, ,Free Range Art & Design Shows, ,illustration, ,middlesex university, ,review, ,Sachiko Oguri, ,Salome Papadopoullos, ,Truman Brewery, ,Yun Ru Tan

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Amelia’s Magazine | Home London at Olympia, January 2015: Review

WOW_Home_london
WOW lighting from Pad Home.

This year I attended the January Home London show with toddler in tow, since needs must. He was very, erm, helpful, on the first leg… then promptly fell asleep in his buggy after lunch (something he never ever does) – giving me a good few hours to see more of the show and actually chat with the designers.

Ella_Doran_vintage_toy_car_wallpaper
First stop, vintage toy car wallpaper by Ella Doran went down especially well with Snarf.

Michael_Angove_Ary_Trays
Åry Trays is a Scandinavian manufacturer of birchwood trays who work with a host of designers including many UK based ones. I particularly liked quirky designs by RCA alumni Michael Angove.

Nazanin_Kamali_Minecraft_cushion
Shrimp_cushion_Nazanin_Kamali
Snarfle made a beeline for this Minecraft inspired beanbag by furniture designer turned artisanal textiles designer Nazanin Kamali. She had made it for her own son and was very tolerant of his desire to kick his shoes off and pretend sleep, and even helped bribe his removal with a handy chocolate coin. Her unusual embroidered shrimp cushion got a huge amount of love when I posted it on instagram – a sign, perhaps, that people are growing weary of the ubiquitous owls and foxes that still dominate current decorative designs. Find her cushions stocked in SCP.

Otago_design_beaded_pots
I discovered Otago Design at last year’s Tent London (about which I still planning some kind of review… unfortunately my Kickstarter campaign to produce a book got in the way of an earlier blog). I really love the way they marry African design sensibilities with contemporary design.

Toby_House_iridescent_lighting
One of my absolute favourite finds was this amazing iridescent flat pack lighting by the relatively new TOBYhouse from London based designer Toby Sanders. Having already wowed the world with super fun Beach Ball lights, this is his latest innovation.

Moomin_tile_arabia
Arabia make a whole host of Moomin ceramics that are just so darn cute… can’t wait for Snarf to get better with china!

Klaus_Haapaniemi_iitala_dancing_foxes
Klaus Haapaniemi does it again for Iitala with these gorgeous dancing foxes. His designs are out of this world, if only I could afford to own some.

Lush Designs_Beekeeper_Snarfle
Lush_Designs_unicorn_plate
Lush_designs_ceramic_kitty
Snarfle gave the thumbs up to the new Bee Garden fabric design by Lush Designs, and we were both enamoured with their lovely new range of melamine tableware for little ones, inspired by requests from customers with kids who frequent their East Dulwich shop. The unisex designs feature a unicorn and a lion, and Snarf promptly set up a play kitchen to make us cups of tea with the beakers. Also new to the range: these ceramic kitty money boxes.

Fanny_Shorter
This year the COADG curated area had grown, with some old names joined by new finds. Fanny Shorter textiles are always a winner, and I’m looking forward to her new collection, due for release later this year.

Laura_Slater_cushions
I am in no way surprised that designer Laura Slater has created a bespoke collection for Heals. Love these painterly designs!

Anna_Jacobs_lamps
These awesome hot pink flamingo lampshades are by Anna Jacobs.

Thorody
Thorody is the brain child of fine artists Vicky Putler and Theo Sykes, who are inspired by a combination of Modernism and South East London life. The resulting graphic designs are super slick and wearable for the home.

My Top Drawer review is coming up next!

Categories ,2015, ,Anna Jacobs, ,Arabia, ,Åry Trays, ,Beach Ball lights, ,Bee Garden, ,COADG, ,Ella Doran, ,Fanny Shorter, ,flamingo, ,Heals, ,Home London, ,Iitala, ,instagram, ,Kickstarter, ,kitty money boxes, ,Klaus Haapaniemi, ,Laura Slater, ,Lush Designs, ,Michael Angove, ,Minecraft, ,Moomin, ,Nazanin Kamali, ,Olympia, ,Otago Design, ,Pad Home, ,review, ,SCP, ,Snarfle, ,Tent London, ,Theo Sykes, ,Thorody, ,Toby Sanders, ,TOBYhouse, ,Top Drawer, ,Vicky Putler

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Amelia’s Magazine | Break A Lead: Masque – University of West England Illustration Graduate Show 2015

Jessica Johnson UWE 2
The illustration course at the University of West England once again showed as part of Free Range at the Truman Brewery. Here’s my pick of Break a Lead: Masque.

Jessica Johnson UWE
Jessica Johnson UWE parachutes
Imaginary brutalist building collages by Jessica Johnson were inspired by buildings in Barcelona and Paris. I also liked her space themed patterns such as these parachute rockets.

Elin Lisabeth Break A Lead
Elin Lisabeth explored a scratchy style reminiscent of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Break a Lead Camille Loftin UWE
Nice drawings from Camille Loftin focused on relaxed modes of contemporary study.

Jack Xander UWE
Jack Xander creatures
Jack Xander created surreal landscapes and creatures – loved his colourful explorer traversing a jungle beneath a volcano.

Aurore Swithenbank enamel animals
Aurore Swithenbank enamel animals 2
Aurore Swithenbank made enamel animals to features in her story of Nonoche, a polar bear in the Arctic.

Raphael Greaves UWE
I really liked architectural drawings by Raphael Greaves, but they were hard to photograph due to strange yellow lighting!

Millie Duffey 2
Millie Duffey
Millie Duffey made wonderful characters, both drawn and in ceramic form.

Niall Greaves
Niall Greaves 2
Simple but effective designs by Niall Greaves worked well in concertina format.

Sam Cox the Doodle Man
Sam Cox, The Doodle Man covered an entire room with his signature drawings, and he was indeed wandering the show dressed like this. Sam has produced work for an impressive roster of commercial clients, and I would love him to submit some work for my new colouring book open brief.

Josh Cook crochet
Josh Cook had fun upcycling crochet to create surreal faces.

Alex Christian UWE
There was lovely movement in these cavorting animals by Alex Christian.

Patterns block holiday UWE
And lastly I liked these patterns for a project called Block Holiday, artist unknown.

All of these images first appeared on my own my instagram feed: follow me there to catch my discoveries as I make them!

Categories ,2015, ,Alex Christian, ,Aurore Swithenbank, ,Block Holiday, ,Camille Loftin, ,Elin Lisabeth, ,Free Range, ,Graduate Show, ,illustration, ,Jack Xander, ,Jessica Johnson, ,Josh Cook, ,Millie Duffey, ,Niall Greaves, ,Nonoche, ,Raphael Greaves, ,review, ,Sam Cox, ,The Doodle Man, ,Truman Brewery, ,University of West England, ,UWE

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Amelia’s Magazine | Vessels Album Review: Helioscope

Junky Styling ACOFI in the shop
ACOFI launch party invite for Friday 28th January 2011
ACOFI launch party invite for Friday 28th January 2011.

Well, this dear readers, medical today is finally the official launch day of Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration, which you have no doubt seen me banging on about on Facebook and Twitter for months now, especially under the hashtag #ACOFI (it’s an abbreviation, geddit, for which I have illustrator Antonia Parker to thank). The book has been in shops since late December, but the party will bring together almost all of the featured illustrators, many of the featured ethical fashion designers, and some of the best journalistic and blogging talent under one wonderful roof: that of 123 Bethnal Green Road, an eco fashion store that is profiled in the book.

Harriet of Tatty Devine
Harriet of Tatty Devine.

During the afternoon I shall be hosting a Pukka herbal tea party for VIP guests in the new Bunker Cafe. We’re going to have a giant ACOFI inspired centre piece and lots of delightful scones and biscuits to accompany it, all baked by the fabulous Lily Vanilli, baker extraordinaire… better still Lily promises me there won’t be a cupcake in sight.

Annika of Junky Styling
Annika of Junky Styling.

Afternoon guests will be invited to sit for their very own fashion illustration with one of my crack team of illustrators, all of whom who are featured in the book. They will also be able to view my online Skype videos with all the featured illustrators, which just today have gone live on my Amelia’s House youtube channel (go check it), perhaps whilst having a soothing hand massage from lovely ethical skincare brand Dr.Hauschka.

123 ACOFI gifts
Reclaimed leather key rings made using fobs found in the shop that now houses 123. A wee gift for party-goers.

On the second floor of 123 they will be able to take a look through a selection of the featured ethical designers, who are taking part in a two week Eco Pop Up shop which will be instore until the 13th February. Make sure you get down and take a look – there’s a whole host of talent in there, and if you haven’t already visited 123 this would be the perfect opportunity.

Beautiful Soul
A blurry pic of me trying on my Beautiful Soul shrug. I will try to look more elegant in it today…

The utterly brilliant Courtney at Forward PR is looking after my PR for today so it looks like I’m going to be busy with interviews almost all afternoon… look out for more in depth coverage in the coming weeks on lots of other websites and blogs. Come 7pm the party proper begins in the newly converted Scout Hut, kicking off with a live gig from Amelia’s Magazine favourite 6 Day Riot, fronted by the glamourous Tamara Schlesinger. We’ll be drinking lovely Spindrift and carbon neutral East Green beers from my favourite beer company, Adnams, alongside Vodka O, a pure Australian spirit.

Nicola of Beautiful Soul with ACOFI
Nicola of Beautiful Soul with ACOFI.

I’m then planning to cut the big Lily Vanilli cake and hand it out in a gloriously sticky manner, hopefully in a way that isn’t too reminiscent of a five year old’s birthday or a wedding with no groom.

Nina Dolcetti shoes
I’m going to be wearing these fabulous Nina Dolcetti shoes.

From there on in it’s going to be a big old dance party once The Pipettes hit the decks…. followed later in the evening by my TOP SECRET special DJ… who I will now reveal is none other than Will of the Mystery Jets… it’s going to be a good one.

ACOFI in the Tate Modern
ACOFI in the Tate Modern.

And of course there will be lots of copies of ACOFI around to browse through… and possibly the most fantastic goodie bag EVER to accompany all purchases of the book on the night, containing gifts created exclusively for the occasion from Tatty Devine, Moleskine, Dr.Hauschka, 123 Bethnal Green Road and Pukka Teas – all presented in a specially designed #ACOFI bespoke tote bag. It don’t get better than that.

ACOFI moleskine
My special bespoke ACOFI Moleskine, with a holographic imprint of the logo on the front cover.

Dr.Hauschka goodie bags at The First To Know launch party
Dr.Hauschka goodie bags at The First To Know launch party for Lida Hujic’s new book earlier this week: I haven’t unpacked/packed our goodie bags yet.

So that’s the plan. But it will all probably be fabulously disorganised mayhem. Make sure you bring your camera if you’re coming! And I feel I should state apologies at this point that this party is invite only… but there just isn’t enough room (or drink, or cake) to accommodate any more people. It’s principally a party to promote the book, so I’ve invited the illustrators and fashion designers who features in it, and lots of bloggers and journalists.

ACOFI tote bag
All packed in the lovely limited edition ACOFI tote bag, designed to complement the cover by Andrea Peterson.

In the meantime go check out my Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration Skype interviews with the 30 very talented featured illustrators, uploaded NOW on my Amelia’s House youtube channel. And don’t forget to check on the #ACOFI hashtag for updates, or take a look at my very own #ACOFI hash album.

And please go buy the book… cos the future of this website kind of depends on it… For a sneaky 10% off use the discount code ACOFI LAUNCH – vald for one month only until the 28th February 2011 (coincidentally my birthday… just thought I’d drop that in)

Right, I’m off to get my hair blow-dryed by Shine on the Green… I hope they will be able to tame it into something suitably sophisticated. See you on the other side…

ACOFI launch party invite for Friday 28th January 2011
ACOFI launch party invite for Friday 28th January 2011.

Well, advice dear readers, recipe today is finally the official launch day of Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration, which you have no doubt seen me banging on about on Facebook and Twitter for months now, especially under the hashtag #ACOFI (it’s an abbreviation, geddit, for which I have illustrator Antonia Parker to thank). The book has been in shops since late December, but the party will bring together almost all of the featured illustrators, many of the featured ethical fashion designers, and some of the best journalistic and blogging talent under one wonderful roof: that of 123 Bethnal Green Road, an eco fashion store that is profiled in the book.

Harriet of Tatty Devine
Harriet of Tatty Devine.

During the afternoon I shall be hosting a Pukka herbal tea party for VIP guests in the new Bunker Cafe. We’re going to have a giant ACOFI inspired centre piece and lots of delightful scones and biscuits to accompany it, all baked by the fabulous Lily Vanilli, baker extraordinaire… better still Lily promises me there won’t be a cupcake in sight.

Junky Styling ACOFI in the shop
Annika of Junky Styling
Annika of Junky Styling.

Afternoon guests will be invited to sit for their very own fashion illustration with one of my crack team of illustrators, all of whom who are featured in the book. They will also be able to view my online Skype videos with all the featured illustrators, which just today have gone live on my Amelia’s House youtube channel (go check it), perhaps whilst having a soothing hand massage from lovely ethical skincare brand Dr.Hauschka.

123 ACOFI gifts
Reclaimed leather key rings made using fobs found in the shop that now houses 123. A wee gift for party-goers.

On the second floor of 123 they will be able to take a look through a selection of the featured ethical designers, who are taking part in a two week Eco Pop Up shop which will be instore until the 13th February. Make sure you get down and take a look – there’s a whole host of talent in there, and if you haven’t already visited 123 this would be the perfect opportunity.

Beautiful Soul
A blurry pic of me trying on my Beautiful Soul shrug. I will try to look more elegant in it today…

The utterly brilliant Courtney at Forward PR is looking after my PR for today so it looks like I’m going to be busy with interviews almost all afternoon… look out for more in depth coverage in the coming weeks on lots of other websites and blogs. Come 7pm the party proper begins in the newly converted Scout Hut, kicking off with a live gig from Amelia’s Magazine favourite 6 Day Riot, fronted by the glamourous Tamara Schlesinger. We’ll be drinking lovely Spindrift and carbon neutral East Green beers from my favourite beer company, Adnams, alongside Vodka O, a pure Australian spirit.

Nicola of Beautiful Soul with ACOFI
Nicola of Beautiful Soul with ACOFI.

I’m then planning to cut the big Lily Vanilli cake and hand it out in a gloriously sticky manner, hopefully in a way that isn’t too reminiscent of a five year old’s birthday or a wedding with no groom.

Nina Dolcetti shoes
I’m going to be wearing these fabulous Nina Dolcetti shoes.

From there on in it’s going to be a big old dance party once The Pipettes hit the decks…. followed later in the evening by my TOP SECRET special DJ… who I will now reveal is none other than Will of the Mystery Jets… it’s going to be a good one.

ACOFI in the Tate Modern
ACOFI in the Tate Modern.

And of course there will be lots of copies of ACOFI around to browse through… and possibly the most fantastic goodie bag EVER to accompany all purchases of the book on the night, containing gifts created exclusively for the occasion from Tatty Devine, Moleskine, Dr.Hauschka, 123 Bethnal Green Road and Pukka Teas – all presented in a specially designed #ACOFI bespoke tote bag. It don’t get better than that.

ACOFI moleskine
My special bespoke ACOFI Moleskine, with a holographic imprint of the logo on the front cover.

Dr.Hauschka goodie bags at The First To Know launch party
Dr.Hauschka goodie bags at The First To Know launch party for Lida Hujic’s new book earlier this week: I haven’t unpacked/packed our goodie bags yet.

So that’s the plan. But it will all probably be fabulously disorganised mayhem. Make sure you bring your camera if you’re coming! And I feel I should state apologies at this point that this party is invite only… but there just isn’t enough room (or drink, or cake) to accommodate any more people. It’s principally a party to promote the book, so I’ve invited the illustrators and fashion designers who features in it, and lots of bloggers and journalists.

ACOFI tote bag
All packed in the lovely limited edition ACOFI tote bag, designed to complement the cover by Andrea Peterson.

In the meantime go check out my Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration Skype interviews with the 30 very talented featured illustrators, uploaded NOW on my Amelia’s House youtube channel. And don’t forget to check on the #ACOFI hashtag for updates, or take a look at my very own #ACOFI hash album.

And please go buy the book… cos the future of this website kind of depends on it… For a sneaky 10% off use the discount code ACOFI LAUNCH – vald for one month only until the 28th February 2011 (coincidentally my birthday… just thought I’d drop that in)

Right, I’m off to get my hair blow-dryed by Shine on the Green… I hope they will be able to tame it into something suitably sophisticated. See you on the other side…

ACOFI launch party invite for Friday 28th January 2011
ACOFI launch party invite for Friday 28th January 2011.

Well, illness dear readers, today is finally the official launch day of Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration, which you have no doubt seen me banging on about on Facebook and Twitter for months now, especially under the hashtag #ACOFI (it’s an abbreviation, geddit, for which I have illustrator Antonia Parker to thank). The book has been in shops since late December, but the party will bring together almost all of the featured illustrators, many of the featured ethical fashion designers, and some of the best journalistic and blogging talent under one wonderful roof: that of 123 Bethnal Green Road, an eco fashion store that is profiled in the book.

Harriet of Tatty Devine
Harriet of Tatty Devine.

During the afternoon I shall be hosting a Pukka herbal tea party for VIP guests in the new Bunker Cafe. We’re going to have a giant ACOFI inspired centre piece and lots of delightful scones and biscuits to accompany it, all baked by the fabulous Lily Vanilli, baker extraordinaire… better still Lily promises me there won’t be a cupcake in sight.

Junky Styling ACOFI in the shop
Annika of Junky Styling
Annika of Junky Styling.

Afternoon guests will be invited to sit for their very own fashion illustration with one of my crack team of illustrators, all of whom who are featured in the book. They will also be able to view my online Skype videos with all the featured illustrators, which just today have gone live on my Amelia’s House youtube channel (go check it), perhaps whilst having a soothing hand massage from lovely ethical skincare brand Dr.Hauschka.

123 ACOFI gifts
Reclaimed leather key rings made using fobs found in the shop that now houses 123. A wee gift for party-goers.

On the second floor of 123 they will be able to take a look through a selection of the featured ethical designers, who are taking part in a two week Eco Pop Up shop which will be instore until the 13th February. Make sure you get down and take a look – there’s a whole host of talent in there, and if you haven’t already visited 123 this would be the perfect opportunity.

Beautiful Soul
A blurry pic of me trying on my Beautiful Soul shrug. I will try to look more elegant in it today…

The utterly brilliant Courtney at Forward PR is looking after my PR for today so it looks like I’m going to be busy with interviews almost all afternoon… look out for more in depth coverage in the coming weeks on lots of other websites and blogs. Come 7pm the party proper begins in the newly converted Scout Hut, kicking off with a live gig from Amelia’s Magazine favourite 6 Day Riot, fronted by the glamourous Tamara Schlesinger. We’ll be drinking lovely Spindrift and carbon neutral East Green beers from my favourite beer company, Adnams, alongside Vodka O, a pure Australian spirit.

Nicola of Beautiful Soul with ACOFI
Nicola of Beautiful Soul with ACOFI.

I’m then planning to cut the big Lily Vanilli cake and hand it out in a gloriously sticky manner, hopefully in a way that isn’t too reminiscent of a five year old’s birthday or a wedding with no groom.

Nina Dolcetti shoes
I’m going to be wearing these fabulous Nina Dolcetti shoes.

From there on in it’s going to be a big old dance party once The Pipettes hit the decks…. followed later in the evening by my TOP SECRET special DJ… who I will now reveal is none other than Will of the Mystery Jets… it’s going to be a good one.

ACOFI in the Tate Modern
ACOFI in the Tate Modern.

And of course there will be lots of copies of ACOFI around to browse through… and possibly the most fantastic goodie bag EVER to accompany all purchases of the book on the night, containing gifts created exclusively for the occasion from Tatty Devine, Moleskine, Dr.Hauschka, 123 Bethnal Green Road and Pukka Teas – all presented in a specially designed #ACOFI bespoke tote bag. It don’t get better than that.

ACOFI moleskine
My special bespoke ACOFI Moleskine, with a holographic imprint of the logo on the front cover.

Dr.Hauschka goodie bags at The First To Know launch party
Dr.Hauschka goodie bags at The First To Know launch party for Lida Hujic’s new book earlier this week: I haven’t unpacked/packed our goodie bags yet.

So that’s the plan. But it will all probably be fabulously disorganised mayhem. Make sure you bring your camera if you’re coming! And I feel I should state apologies at this point that this party is invite only… but there just isn’t enough room (or drink, or cake) to accommodate any more people. It’s principally a party to promote the book, so I’ve invited the illustrators and fashion designers who features in it, and lots of bloggers and journalists.

ACOFI tote bag
All packed in the lovely limited edition ACOFI tote bag, designed to complement the cover by Andrea Peterson.

In the meantime go check out my Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration Skype interviews with the 30 very talented featured illustrators, uploaded NOW on my Amelia’s House youtube channel. And don’t forget to check on the #ACOFI hashtag for updates, or take a look at my very own #ACOFI hash album.

And please go buy the book… cos the future of this website kind of depends on it… For a sneaky 10% off use the discount code ACOFI LAUNCH – vald for one month only until the 28th February 2011 (coincidentally my birthday… just thought I’d drop that in)

Right, I’m off to get my hair blow-dryed by Shine on the Green… I hope they will be able to tame it into something suitably sophisticated. See you on the other side…

Vessels Helioscope

So I’m sitting in my studio in British Columbia, stomach Canada, more about looking out at the mountains & snow-covered trees, approved which are glistening in the winter sunshine. And I’m listening to Vessels second studio album proper, Helioscope. It’s a pretty perfect backdrop to Vessels’ expansive sound and what I predict will be one of my album highlights of 2011. I consider myself a lucky girl right now!

Since they emerged onto the experimental post-rock scene in 2008 with debut album ‘White Fields and Open Devices’, I have developed a firm love affair with the Leeds-based five-piece. Their sound has been described as ‘big’, ‘delicate and heavy’, ‘intricate and vast’, and Helioscope certainly lives up to these claims.

Gemma Milly - Vessels Helioscope

Vessels by Gemma Milly

To some people, the very label ‘post-rock’ conjures up images of seven minute-long angsty harmonics and tremolo, leading to a vast guitar climax, if you can stay awake that long. But Vessels seem well versed in the art of writing songs with very strong composition, which keep you intrigued as to where the melody will take you and hooked right until the last bar. White Fields… certainly has all these ingredients, so where to go from a critically acclaimed and undeniably accomplished first album? Well, they’ve taken their knack for tight, technically astute songwriting, done away with some of the arguably arbritary vocals, and build on this to create a far more polished and confident sound.

Monoform kicks things off at a nice relaxed pace with some intricate drumming from the uber-talented Tim Mitchell, soft vocals in the background masquerading as another instrument rather than a standalone tune. The only thing that is slightly lacking towards the end is a little extra ‘oompf’, which leaves you feeling that the track never quite realised its full potential.

Vessels Band Studio

Vessels in the Studio.

For me, the album highlight is The Trap – I could listen to this on repeat for a month and not get bored. The band have managed to do what so many post-rock outfits have not, combine a really catchy beat and well-rounded melodies with a complex arrangement of instruments, clever time signature changes and a well-written structure.

Other stand out moments come courtesy of the beautiful melodies in ‘Later Than You Think’, Stuart Warwick’s haunting vocals on ‘Meatman. Prostitute. Piano Tuner’ and the juddering ‘Art/Choke’; with its enormous base line & chugging guitar riff set to looped piano tinkelings & atmospherics, this is a fine example of Vessels’ mastery over their instruments. The song ends abruptly and I realised that I’d been holding my breath for the last few bars! In this case, forgetting to breathe is definitely a sign of a flippin’ amazing song.

Stuart Warwick

Stuart Warwick provides guest vocals on ‘Meatman. Prostitute. Piano Tuner‘.

Overall, what sets this album apart from the debut, is a greater attention to contrast and pace. ‘Heal’ provides a satisfying hiatus from the crunching Art/Choke and the breathy vocals of ‘Recur’ are a welcome addition to an album that is predominantly instrumental. Time signature changes are executed effortlessly with precision and skill. And don’t even get me started on the quality of Tim Mitchell’s drumming – a man whose talents constantly and consistently blow me away. Even though this is by no means a concept album, it still has all the essential elements of a good narrative and takes you on a journey. You can really get absorbed in Helioscope – as every 5/8 rhythm is balanced with melodies verging on the, dare I say it, toe tapping! But this contrast is what keeps you enthralled with the album.

Above all, the obvious technical skill and ability of the band really does shine through on this album. What would be my criticism? Maybe that it is verging on the commercial side (I admit I’m clutching at straws here), but for an instrumental-led album, achieving a more accessible slant is quite an achievement. When it comes down to it though, I suggest you listen and make your own mind up and, if you possibly can, catch them on tour in March in the UK, Ireland and Europe.

Categories ,album review, ,Experimental-rock, ,Gemma Milly, ,Helioscope, ,Meatman.Piano Tuner.Prostitute, ,post-rock, ,Stuart Warwick, ,Tim Mitchell, ,vessels

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