A Visit to The Hive Studios

On Friday morning I visited The Hive Studios in Chelmsford for a cup of tea and a natter with the artists. 

It's something I've been meaning to do for quite a while - Kymberly of Fitzygogo! (who had a pop up shop last year at my gallery and makes t-shirts and prints adorned with vintage comic book style faces) had invited me, but we both were so busy we could never put a date in the diary.

Unfortunately the leading lady Karen (who set up the studios) was unable to be there, but Kymberly, Tracey, Kitty, Janie, Jill & Cherry (essex girl speaks) were all there to welcome me with a warm cuppa and a biscuit or two!  Check out their website giving a bit more info about themselves here.

We had a lovely chat, catching up with what all of us were doing and also gave each other advice of where we could take our artworks and products next - fairs, markets, exhibitions etc

Here is a peek at Kymberly's studio space:

Below is Kitty's space.  I just loved Kitty's illustrations, I loved the colours and the compositions!  I told her that some of her subject matter and her style was very quirky and would work really well in East London at the markets and art fairs there.  I'd also love to see some of her designs on greeting cards!

An overall shot of the studio:

I love how all the artists are together and not separated.  It must mean they can bounce creative ideas off of each other - it had a real nice feeling.

A cheeky little sign hanging in the bathroom!  As found by Kymberly in a vintage magazine!

I also took a look at a look at Janie's studio - just across the way from The Hive.  She works in there with her partner.  This is one of Janie's pieces that I found interesting.  It reminded me of speech bubbles!

Overall, I had a really nice time at The Hive and something a little bit wonderful has arisen from my visit.  Next year, The Hive Artists will be exhibiting here at miss annabel dee* gallery & studios!  Hurrah!  It will be really nice to showcase their work.

Watch This Space!*

Spring has Sprung

Take a look at these gorgeous Spring & Easter decorations by Julie Spurgeon, a resident artist at miss annabel dee* studios & gallery

Look at those cute button tails!

I'm also in the process of changing the window display around, in time for Spring.

We stock Larios Pet pins.  Come along and check them out!  We've got Pugs, Beagles, Bunny Rabbits and more...

I'm Potty for my new studio!!

A local newspaper article covering the opening of my gallery

I was quite lucky when it came to getting a piece in the local paper about the gallery finally opening.  You may remember I had a Pop-Up Shop in the same space a few months back during the Leigh Art Trail and the paper covered the story then.  Ever since the journalist, Hannah Marsh has been walking passed peeking in the windows to watch my progress..  So when I emailed her the details of the opening she was more than happy to oblige.

We had a lovely chat, she actually came to the gallery to talk to me which was really nice rather than a telephone interview and her being there, really gave her a feel for the place.

Festival of Britain celebrations at the South Bank Centre



The South Bank Cente Beach huts

 I was lucky enough to be involved in part of the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain along the South Bank over the last couple of weeks.
Metal an arts orgainisation in Southend, my home town managed to secure the beach huts along the embankment for 4 months.

My work was shown in the Gallery Hut for 2 weekends over the two April Bank Holidays.

Setting up the Gallery hut

My Vessels

All Washed Up! Brooches

more images of the vessels i made especially for this event - entitled 'Wish You Were Here'