This summer just gone I packed up my day bag and made a trip down to St Ives where I had a proper art geek treat in store for me.
Such high level geekery required the correct attire, socks and sandals just felt right.
The big treat was that Gemma at Tate let me in to Barbara Hepworth's studio for a snoop around. To get all close up to the hardworking things in there and catch a vibe for expanding the mug design a little (more news on that another time).
It was magic to get amongst all the hard working things and feel the special aura of such an amazing woman through the place she worked.
The tools felt like artworks in themselves, such satisfying shapes that corresponded to the beautiful shapes of the sculptures, maquettes and inspirational objects around the place.
I spent a good amount of time just poking about taking it all in
And then I got to spend a little time in the sun in her garden making some preliminary snips and sketches. Perfect.
Ok, I'm going to start shouting about this dang website now,
Maybe that's how you've found it, maybe you heard the shouting.
Hello,
Please: have a look around, enjoy the ambience, visit the shop if you like.
I've completed my final artwork for the wonderful Garden Folk, their fourth seasonal event Cow Christmas will be complete with pantomime.
Purple Patch (where the Garden Folk live) is such a great space in Bristol, it's well worth a visit.
I have this beautiful new website all set up and ready and yet I haven't told anyone about it.
Why is this?
Have I been intensely busy? Yes
Have I also been intensely lazy? Yes
You can decided which I'm being in this photo.
Doing collage for all this time I've got pretty good at cutting up books but sometimes, out of the blue, I just don't manage.
This morning I was unexpectedly seduced by Inside Churches. I don't know why it pleases me quite so much to know the names for obscure cruciforms but it does, Inside Churches is a keeper for sure.
I want to share just a few of the best pages with you
First up crosses. Milrine, Fleuree, Barbee, Crenelee.
Please, choose your favourite and name your hipster coffee shop after it. Or indeed hipster baby.
For me: Bezant.
In case you're ever at a loss for conversation on your next date or whatever I think what's your favourite type of column? Is one of the most exciting questions a person can ask.
If your date answers Doric I'd say they're pretty chic, probably marriage material.
If they say Ionic I'd say, they're a fun, outgoing person. Prepare to party.
If they answer composite they are 100% an awful psychopath. Get out of there.