Polly Finch

1. First on the list of my favourites from the smiths row exhibition is the wonderful papercut artist Polly Finch. Her delicate hand cut art is so intricate and lovely and usually carrys a sweet message. I always find papercuts so amazing as I could never imagine having enough patience to cut something so detailed.

Jessie Ford Illustrations

Jessie Ford is a freelance illustrator based in Brighton, she has worked for big clients such as major newspapers and magazines as well as collaborating with Mothercare and the Early Learning Centre. She also happens to have an online shop where you can buy all her prints in A3 format. Here are a few of my faves.

I love this print for Transport for London, it pretty much grabs the essence of London.

A To B

 This print below is pretty much my mantra for life! Yum

All I Really Want

The colours and use of patterns within the fonts looks great here,

Alphabet

Love - to raise funds for the Demi McKenzie Cancer Trust

 For some reason this reminds me of a Picasso print.

Musical Dreams

Postcards for Japan Exhibition

Postcards for Japan is an exhibition by Children's Book Illustrators and Children's Book Illustration MA Students in aid of Teachers for Japan.

My friend Natalie who is one of those students told me about an exhibition she is holding with fellow students and illustrators at the Michaelhouse Cafe, St Michael's Church, Trinity Street, Cambridge from the 5th-11th September between 8am and 5pm. I should have posted about it earlier but been a bit distracted this week, but there are still a couple of days to check it out.

Each postcard is a piece of original artwork which when together represent a message of hope and good wishes for Japan. The work will be exhibited and sold anonymously at the same price so you can become the owner of a piece by a well-known illustrator.

The MA Children's Book illustration at Cambridge School of Art has strong links with Japanese students. This exhibition has been organised to raise funds in support of the relief efforts in Japan, following the earthquake and tsunami.

Church Street Gallery, Saffron Walden

I took a trip to Saffron Walden on Saturday with my sister-in-law. It's been a few years since I had last been so I was pleasantly surprised in the choice of shops. One of my favourites was the Church Street Gallery a fantastic shop full of local artists work including many prints at very affordable prices. They feature artists such as Angie Lewin, showcasing her fabrics, cards and cushions.

(Image from Church Street Gallery)

I also particularly liked the Multiple and single block lino cuts by Fiona Carver shown below.

Images from Fiona Carver

I actually ended up buying this lovely Red linoprint by Zoe Badger titled 'Endless Love' for my husband's birthday, well in truth, it's more for the house but I'm sure he'll appreciate the sentiment.

Check out more of her work on Folksy, I'm also loving her Flower Power and Bookcase Linoprints.

Images from Zebedee on Folksy

Block Printed Cards

I was browsing one of my fave blogs Paper Crave and came across this post about Katharine Watson's Block Printed Cards. The designs are apparently inspired by Indian textiles and folk arts and include textiles, journals and block printed cards. Each card is individually printed using a hand-carved linoleum block and the detail she creates is amazing. You can buy her products on her etsy shop here.

Images from Katharine Watson

(Images from Paper Crave)

Fiona Douglas of bluebellgray

While perusing the pages of the June issue of Elle Decoration I came across an article on Textile designer Fiona Douglas the creator of homewares brand bluebellgray. The article was about her Glasgow apartment. she has used her signature prints and textiles throughout her home and her use of colour is fantastic. The colour on the wall in the living room is Farrow & Ball's 'Pitch Blue', which compliments Fiona's 'Rosie' Floral pattern on the sofa perfectly. She is releasing Fabric to buy by the metre soon via her website.

I love the books in colour coordination here.

I really need to get on with a photo montage wall like this, it's a great way of displaying all of your fondest memories. The colour used on this wall is Farrow & Ball's 'Dix Blue'.

(All images above from Elle Decoration)

I am also in love with the blue painted Ercol chair on the right of this image, I am very tempted to do this myself.

(Image from bluebellgray)

V&A Shop

Whenever I'm in London I try to get to the V&A, even if it is just for the shop. There is always something quirky and interesting in there even if it's just a postcard. At the moment I am loving the V&A Print shop. They sell everything from Rob Ryan Laser cut prints to Black and white photos of fifties screen stars such as Grace Kelly.

This print is of the Small Hours furnishing fabric by Lucienne Day for Heals from 1953.

This is a photograph of Grace Kelly taken by Clarence Sinclair Bull, 1956. I love the simplicity of this photo.

This print is titled 'Pattern' by  Nina Chakrabarti for the V&A Cherry on the Cake: Paper Collection. This print incorporates the current trend for patchwork but with the twist of modern patterning.

Here we have Relais, from Quinze planches donnant quarante-deux motifs décoratifs by Edouard Benedictus, 1930. The colour combinations in this print are wonderful, would love a room decorated in these tones.

I love this 'Make Do and Mend' print by Bold & Noble. It's so simple but that's what makes it perfect!

And of course, how could we forget the wonderful Rob Ryan laser cut.

So as you can see the V&A offer a print to suit every taste. So next time your in London pop into the museum shop or get browsing.

Rob Ryan

I have been a keen follower of Rob Ryan's work for a while now. His laser cut prints have inspired pretty much every major retailer to produce designs with folky patterns and messages. His influence can be seen in everything from Stationery to textile design. He also produces his lovely illustrations on tiles as seen below,  all his products can be purchase from his etsy store or from his shop on Columbia Road, Ryan Town.

At the recent Top Drawer Exhibition Wild & Wolf were exhibiting an exciting new Rob Ryan licensed range. Including a vase, plates, notebooks and mugs.

Rob will also be having a solo show 'The Stars Shine All Day Too' at the air gallery from 1st to the 20th of November. I will definitely be getting myself down to London for that, as I missed his open studio at Somerset House during the summer.