Pop Up in Whitstable

At the beginning of September I took part in my very own Pop Up Shop in the lovely seaside town of Whitstable.

It's just across the estuary from me here in Leigh on Sea and its a place I have frequented quite often on little visits, as one of my friends, Imogen has a place there.

I was sharing the space with vintage lifestyle brand Love Ur Look.  Ronke, the designer had held a pop up shop in my gallery earlier in the year (more about pop up shops later) and mentioned she was doing one in Whitstable and I jumped at the chance!

I made some mugs based on the local landmarks of Whitstable - Red Sands, the historic WW2 forts out to sea, Wheelers Oyster Bar, The Fish Market in the harbour and the Old Neptune Pub along the seafront:

They went down really well and now they are being stocked at the Whitstable Improvement Trust - 34 Harbour Street, Whitstable (if anyone fancies a gander or wished to purchase one!)

I had also brought along some other artists work from my gallery in Leigh.  Julie's teacups and also artist Malcolm Perry's paintings of Whitstable:

Here are some other pics from my Week in Whitstable:

I had an incredibly nice lunch at Waltshaw's (19 Harbour Street) - a few doors down from Show Off Gallery, I had A salt beef on white bread and a sparkling elderflower.  Yummy!  Would def recommend, the lady was very friendly, and if I was into coffee I would be in heaven! And if I wasn't working, I would have had a sip of the mant craft beers they have on offer!

I found that Whitstable was very similar to my home town, perhaps that's why I like it so much?

Wow ... it's been a while

So, I've just realised just how long ago it was since I wrote my last post on here.

Gosh, so much has happened in the last 3 years, I just don't know where to begin!

You can have a look at my facebook page, to see absolutely everything I've been up to, but I think that a fresh start from now onwards would be better, although i'll put a couple of posts up about my recent commissions and exhibitions for you to have a gander.

Ah, it feels nice to be back!

Grayson Perry's Essex Retreat

Wayhey!  Good 'ole Grayson. Giving Little Essex a mention!  He want to build a house right here in mine & his home county of Essex, dedicated to the Essex Girl 'Julie'.

Julie happens to be a resident ceramicist at my studios... I wonder if he is looking at her for inspiration?

Really looking forward to seeing this.  Dont think it will be built until 2014 or something anyway.. read more on the BBC news website..

Terry Sibson's Exhibition - Private View

What a lovely busy evening this was! Thanks everyone for coming!

By 4.25pm (we opened at 4pm) we were packed to the gunnels!  Terry's work obviously proved popular with the masses!

Here is a little bit of background info on the artist, Terry... as well as some images from the drinks reception!!


Terry Sibson is Southend born and bred.

She trained to be a teacher back in the distant past & for last 20 years has worked as a special needs coordinator.

Terry started painting 15 years ago when attending classes led by talented local painter and tutor Reg Smith -mainly as company for youngest daughter who was just embarking on a level art. Daughter stopped painting as soon as a- levels finished but Terry has been painting ever since.

Started painting journey working in oils but has recently discovered the many and varied benefits of working in acrylics. This medium suits her style which is to paint boldly and quickly ,without unnecessary detail ,yet allowing layers of colour to show through.
Subject matter is very eclectic and varies from holiday destinations, local scenes, interiors (particularly fond of cafes) to ,lately, a rather impressionist look at cows, sheep and ducks.
She has exhibited and sold works at the Beecroft Art Gallery, art fairs, cafes and other venues around Southend and the local area.

She has been constantly grateful for the wealth of guidance and support from local Leigh artist Peter Smith who she has painted with weekly for the last decade and who has been a real influence on her painting.

Amazing cakes, made by Terry and her Mum! Nom Nom Nom

You can see an example of Terry's work here : www.made-in-essex.com


The exhibition runs until Saturday 13th October.
During the exhibition, gallery will be open 11-5pm Monday - Saturday (closed Wednesdays, cos I work at Job number 2 then!)

ALL WELCOME!

Tales from the Two Puddings

My uncle Eddie has written a book about the time he was a Landlord in his pub The Two Puddings in the 1960s:

Ties in brilliantly with my work!  Alot of the photos used in my collection 'The Chewing Gum Floors' are featured in this book.  See of you can spot some of them in the video?

Later in the year I will be holding a book signing here at the gallery, so watch this space!

Pencil it in your diary for Saturday 10th November!

New Commission

For a 60th Wedding anniversary.  I was approached by the couple's son and daughter-in-law as they had seen my work before, and thought it would be a wonderful present for his

parents upcoming anniversary.

The couple were very well travelled and the son wanted to include various references to where they had married, lived and places they loved.

The supplied me with some lovely vintage photographs.  One from their wedding day, and others of which scrawled on the front was their promise of love to each other - from all those years ago!

Love doing projects like this!

approx h23cm x w11cm

aestheticodes

I have been working with my old university (UAL - Central Saint Martins) alongside Busaba Eathai and Brunel University creating a new type of 'barcode'

And I've just come back from the Launch held at the Old Street branch of the restaurant as part of London Design Week.

The idea is to have a code incorporated into a design, drawing or pattern  instead of a QR code - you know those square things you see on the corner of posters etc, which takes you directly to a website? Instead of one of those, which could make an item look ugly or ruin the overall look of a product.  You may understand better if you have a look at the images below.

Anyway, one of my designs was used on the press release and the invite sent out to potential sponsors and clients! Yippeeee!

Busaba "creates a tailor made dining experience triggered by smartphone recognition of decorative artwork which can be placed on objects such as tableware, menus and placemats.  Customers are enabled to explore tasks such as ordering, paying their bill, queue jumping and more"

The images above and below are my designs!  Unfortunately I had another design, but it broke coming out of the kiln (typical!) so it couldnt be used at the launch! Bummer!