A Trio of Exhibitions

Over the last month or so, I have curated a trio of exhibitions based on Leigh on Sea here at the gallery.

The drinks reception of the final one is today, so I thought I would share some photos and some information about what's been going on.

The first exhibition was that of Malcolm Perry - a local artist, who's work has proved incredibly popular over the last year here at miss annabel dee*.  Perry's paintings are vibrant and fun.  

On the private view, Malcolm also was painting LIVE!  Although he didn't get much done as he was chatting with all the people who had come to admire his work!

Malcolm's work was also featured in the local paper advertising the three exhibitions:

The second exhibition was by Robin Goodier, another miss annabel dee* favourite - who is a headteacher and a painter in his spare time.  As you can see his style is totally different from Malcolm's.  It's incredibly refreshing to see the same subject matter painted in such different ways.

Last but not least is Paul Alcock.  Paul paints in 'plein air', which means he will sit outside on location painting - which I admire - especially in extreme weather.  I have a card of his from last year where he was sitting on the seafront in the snow, painting the palm trees!  That's what I call a dedicated artist!

I love Paul's work too, again it's the same subject matter and again so different from the other two artists.

(more pics to come)

Paul's exhibition runs until 21st November, so please come down and have a look for yourself.

Are you an artist?  Would you like to exhibit here at miss annabel dee*? We would love to hear from you!  Send over some pictures of your work and we will go from there: missannabeldee@gmail.com

Interview with Ian Sanders

Last week I was approached by writer Ian Sanders to arrange a meeting to discuss a possible article in the next issue of the publication 'Trawler'.

Ian wanted to tell the 'Annabel Story'.  Wow!  I was and am incredibly flattered.  

We arranged to meet at Utopia Coffee Lounge in Southend on Sea.  Somewhere where I am familiar with - it's just in town near where I live, but I never really go in there.  My other half is the coffee lover, I have a penchant for herbal teas.

When I walked in I was pleasantly surprised.  I regularly drive past the place but didn't realise it was so.. quirky!  Due to its location (Southend High Street -ish) I had unfortunately pre judged and always dismissed it (even though it always looks very busy from outside)  

It wouldn't be amiss in Leigh, or London or Brighton..The walls are adorned with art and comic book wallpaper and the chairs are a mish mash of low couches, leather tubs and vintage chairs with comfy cushions.  The menu is written by hand on chalkboards and they brew their own coffee, and you can tell - it smells delicious when I walk in and there is a good mix of people -older women chatting on the sofas, a young family eating their lunch and a couple of studenty types with attached to their earphones and laptops.  There's a great vibe!

Ian was waiting for me in the corner, we exchange pleasantries and Ian gets me a pot of peppermint tea.  I've met Ian a couple of times before through my shop - his son's have been to a couple of clay workshops, but also via Made In Leigh - his wife Zoe asked me to be a speaker at one of their events.

A snapshot of Ian's Instagram after our interview

We have a nice chat about Trawler, where we see it going in the future and about Leigh on Sea and then we are off.  He sets his voice recorder and we chat about me! Yikes!  We speak about how I got into ceramics at university and my old studio in Leighcliff Road and then my studio and gallery in Leigh Road and how it came about that I have work in Downing Street.

We speak about influences on my work, how I like providing narrative and how I am grreatly influenced by psychogeography and the Flaneur.  The art of looking up, down and around - being really aware of yout surroundings.

We spoke about more, but I will leave you to read the finished article!  I will keep you posted when and where it's available!

It was really great chatting with Ian.  He works a couple of days in London and the others 'at home' in Leigh or Southend.  Places like Utopia And Barlow & Fields in Leigh are his workplace.  Speaking to him made me realise that other creatives face the same challenges I do from Social Media to finding inspiration.  I think it's important to be in London (or away from the studio) some of the time and I think that's something I'm going to take away from this interview.  

I seem to have forgotten that my work is all about creating a narrative and exploring and finding that story.  I will be using the days that I am not in the studio or wander, go up to the big smoke, see some exhibitions, people watch.  Maybe just even sit in a coffee shop and drink in my surroundings - with a pot of peppermint tea, of course.

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!*

Leigh Art Trail Children's Workshops 2015

Here I am in the local press advertising the Leigh Art Trail children's workshops:

As usual, the kids loved getting their hands dirty and playing with the clay, we were making their favourite animals.  This year I decided to use air drying clay.  this way the kids can decorate with glitter and other bits and bobs eg pipe cleaners and then could take away their creations on the day.  (Last year I used normal firing clay and took their bits to be fired - no-one came to collect their masterpieces the week after so I was left with an army of Funny Faces!)

Go Gold for September - Limited Edition Plates

This September I have been involved in #gogoldforseptember - it's childhood cancer awareness month.  So, not only have I adorned my shop windows in gold, but I have produced Limited Edition plates with an inspirational quote.

The quote was chosen by Katie, Hattie's Mum (I mentioned her before here)  Hattie is a local two year old who has been diagnosed with leukaemia but is strong and is fighting this terrible disease, so the quote is incredibly apt.

They are £25 each with 20% of each sale going to Children with Cancer UK.  Please get in touch if you're interested in purchasing one of these plates - it's for a very good cause!

(Vintage ceramic plates with digital decal and gold lustre decal)

Go Gold for September

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month and along with other shops along Leigh Road I decided to decorate my shop and it's window in gold #gogoldforseptember.

Hattie is a local two year old who has been diagnosed with leukaemia and is the face of the #gogold campaign to raise awareness of childhood cancer, as well as her own awareness campaign #HattiesHeroes.  Leigh on Sea has such a family orientated community that the cause has struck cords with many and most shops and businesses in the area have taken part in some way raising awareness and money

I produced some limited edition plates to sell during September (and beyond) to raise money for Children With Cancer UK with 20% from each sale, going towards the worthy cause.

I also decorated my shop windows with gold bunting, teddies with gold ribbon neck ties, as well as paintings and artwork with touches of gold and yellow and ceramics decorated with gold lustre.

To find out more please go to: www.bechildcanceraware.org

I was even in the local paper raising awareness:

Here are a few more pics of my shop window and what I had on display:

Pop Up Shops

During 2015, I decided to gut the shop every now and then and host a season of Pop Up Shops.

What is a Pop Up shop?  Well, a pop up shop, in my eyes is a space in which different artists, or retailers will move into temporarily - in my case for a week or so - and sell their goods.

The Pop Up Shops over the last couple of months consisted of a a couple of vintage shops, a children's boutique and a vintage inspired clothing range.  They were very popular, however a lot of my regular customers thought I had closed down - as the whole shop was taken over by these other retailers.

I'm still here! I'm not going anywhere!  However, I think for 2016 I may only do a 'Pop Up Corner' where artists can rent a corner of the shop for a week or so instead of the whole shop - as I've built up such a lovely customer base and also a have a reputation for being where I am and selling fine art and ceramics, and I don't want to lose that!

Take a look at some of the pics of the shops:

Love ur Look Vintage Inspired Fashion

Neliana Children's Boutique

Jaded Years Vintage