30 November 2010

Magpie Market : Edinburgh

Please let the snow be gone so we can have lots of visits from all of you on Sunday 12th December - for all your Christmas needs - unique, handmade, one of a kind and at all ranges of prices!

28 November 2010

Art Pocket Mirrors

Inspired by my daughter who wanted a more grown up little purse mirror. So I took my designs and had them made a Limited Edition Set with four to choose from in what you see above and all available from my new Folksy Shop

26 November 2010

Adam Monsterosity Interview

Well, I'm over in Japan to get some insight into 'Aussie Dude' (as he calls himself) Adam and his work.  I just want to thank Adam for giving me some of his valuable time to participate in my creative interviews!!  OK Adam it's over to you now:-
Why do you do what you do?

A) Im not good at doing as im told. B) I didn’t know there was a choice! When I was about 6 or 7 I was asked at school what I wanted to do when I grew up…. I said “I just wanna make cool shit!” Well ok maybe they weren’t my exact words but I like to think that if I had the vocabulary I would have used it. Anyway the meaning is the same, I like to make stuff… just cos.
Do you work in silence or music blasting or ...?

Sometimes I listen to music or the radio and sometimes I work in silence, but most often I listen to audio books, novels (horror/suspense) or currently I’m listening to lots and lots of small business and marketing e-book audios.
What's your routine before you create ?

Procrastinate! It depends on if I’m creating for a client or for myself but I usually start by working on something other than the thing I’m meant to be doin… this is my reverse procrastination psychology technique. I struggle with focus so now I work on something I don’t need to work on, then find my creative brain thinking about the project I should be working on and before you know it I am procrastinating again from the thing I was working on (that I shouldn’t have been) by doing the creative thing that needs to be done… I hope that made sense to you, cos I’m confused!
Who's your favourite designer / artist / musician or song at the moment?

I have to say straight of the bat Im not a fan of the word favorite, this is because I suck at making decisions. Anyway off the top of my head and going on people I keep coming back to…

Music - Portishead, Massive Attack, The Cure, The Cat Empire, Eskimo Joe, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Morcheeba, Lamb, Snow Patrol

Artist s- Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama, Thierry Mugler (fashion designer) Bill Henson (photographer) Touma (toy designer) and many more.
Chocolate or cheese?

There’s a time and a place for everything people… but both with wine


What is your PLAN B?..

I don’t have one……..But if you put a gun to my head right now… I think Id open a Taiyaki shop in Sydeny, don’t know what Taiyaki is? Google people! Its delicious!  Or maybe I'll become a deck hand or a window washer or ummm I dunno know, I just don’t want to die!” put the gun down please! Please!!!
What have you learned about being a creative?

Creativity is an innate skill everyone has… its only how we use that skill that differs between us. Creative thinking wins the race people… it will solve your kitchen storage problems, help you decide what to do with your hair, how to cheat the tax man and how to build your own business. By the way Im not suggesting or condoning, cheating the tax man, not publicly anyway… but a good creative tax accountant is always a good idea.
Beefranck
Who do you think I should interview next?

My first choice would have been Mimilove but since this came my way via her awesomeness…

Beefranck - Etsy- http://www.etsy.com/people/beefranck Flickr- www.flickr.com/beefranck

HelloAgainMonsters - Etsy- http://www.etsy.com/shop/HelloAgainMonsters
Any advice for Ziggy

Fly be free, do what you do and kick ass at it, and never never ever give up!!! Oh and don’t put tomato sauce (ketchup) on your salad, its gross


Thanks Jay once again. Have a kick ass awesome day!!! Adam

Note from Adam - Read my blog its fun! or better yet visit my shop and send me money for cool stuff, its also fun!!! ;)

Shop... www.monsterosity.etsy.com
Blog... www.monsterosity-tokyo.blogspot.com
Flickr...http://www.flickr.com/photos/midnightcircus/

23 November 2010

Etsy Front Page

I've (aka sunshinescot) made Front Page on Etsy again with my new 'Art Badge' and it's a great big HUGE thank you and a hat trick for Amber of Red Tile Studio. Thank you so much Amber - 3 in a row! Amazing!

19 November 2010

Jo Cheung Interview

And now it's Jo's turn for me to introduce you to a very creative and inspirational young lady. Welcome to Red Road, Jo - and a great big thank you for taking the time to do this for me as I know you have a lot of projects on the go. So here's the questions:-

Describe yourself in five words ...

Daydreamer, coffee addict, happy, quirky, Northerner.
Where does your inspiration come from

Going to different places around London and definitely listening to a variety of music keeps me going when I'm working. My ideas come from experiences, snippets of conversations, cafes, friends, photos, found objects........generally life is full of moments which continue to enrich my work.

In your portfolio what are you most happy with

I'm so pleased with an ongoing series called Landscapes and Dreams. It's about a dream like and fantasy world inspired by my childhood trips to Hong Kong. Lots of stars, shapes and colours floating around the sky and hills as a backdrop to my illustrations. My early memories of our village in HK has always been this peaceful place far away from the hectic city life with fire flies and bats flying around at night. I'm planning on going back next year and spending more time there.

I've always preferred to make up an imaginary world than to draw real life as it is, having my own visual interpretation of life is a window to my world.
What’s your ideal working day

Get up nice and early and put the coffee on! Answer any emails and get going with my work. Sometimes I'll go round London for the day and do quick sketch book work, it's nice to have so many amazing places to go to especially for free as well. Having a break from my studio/living room means I can just chill out for a bit and enjoy a coffee somewhere! Plus the Internet is a bit of a big distraction, especially Facebook, so getting out of the house is a bonus!

I'm taking part in the Sketchbook Project 2011 and I'm trying to get that done before Christmas...not long to go! I'll finish around about 5 or if I feel like I can go on about 6ish. Oh and I make at least 2 trips to the post office each week which is fun.

Who influences you creatively

Julie Verhoeven. I remember when I was reading GAS Book (http://www.hellogas.com/new/index.html.en) about her back in my college days and was immediately drawn to the surreal nature and playfulness of her work. Her bold/graphic line drawings balanced by soft hues and splashes of colour with sporadic mark making techniques opened my eyes to another way of creating images. I'm pretty sure from then I knew I wanted to become an illustrator. And Deanne Cheuk who is also amazing. Loved her Mushroom Girls Virus work really really beautiful images of mushrooms and girls in an ethereal and magical world.
Deanne Cheuk
What’s your PLAN B

To continue to make more nice prints and paper products for my shop. I’d love to make more screen printed work and textile so I’m going to teach myself how to do it at home! Feeling pretty ambitious at the moment and I’ve always wanted to do it. And to get a dog!

Where would you most like to live

Well in an ideal world somewhere in Central London with a Victorian house and studio but I don’t think that’s going to happen...... So for now I’d like to move to Hong Kong and do some teaching for a while and continue with illustration on the side. Probably a bit of traveling around Japan and New York/ a trip around America.

Now’s the time to do something for myself, if you’re really motivated to go somewhere or do something exciting don’t let anything hold you back. Otherwise you’re going to regret it.
If you weren't an illustrator what would you be

Hard to say....... that’s never crossed my mind.


Any advice for Ziggy
Wrap up warm cos it’s getting colder!


Who should I interview next

Karin Söderquist. She’s so talented!

Karin Soderquist

Jo's Links

Portfolio: http://www.jocheung.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#%21/jocheung

Design Blog: http://ohlovelythings.blogspot.com/

Shop Blog: http://jocheung.blogspot.com/

Shop: http://www.jocheung.com/shop

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/saintbarbie

Society 6: http://www.society6.com/jocheung

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/saint_barbie/

Envelop: http://www.envelop.eu/shop/designers/p/detail/jocheungillustration

17 November 2010

Japan Travels

I love to travel and I just came across this as I was tidying my desktop! I think they're wishes.

16 November 2010

New Caramel Wafer Illustration

New illustration I've drawn for my 'all things scottish' range. Slight problem here as there doesn't seem to be anything healthy in it yet ... hmmmm. what does that say about Scotland then? But I love it!!

14 November 2010

Magpie Market Edinburgh

Detail of Red Road's table
Thank you Lucy aka 'jealousthreads'
Ziggy Shop   Red Road Design Shop
Thank you Kirsty aka 'awoodentree' The learning curve begins! My very first craft fair is over and I want to especially thank Lucy, Kirsty and Kirsten of Quernus Crafts for all their help and support - it was a great day in spite of the weather and if you didn't get the chance to come along there's one on Sunday 12th December - please come and say hello!

13 November 2010

12 November 2010

Kirsten Miller Interview (aka Quernus Crafts)

Every so often I'd like to introduce you to some very creative and inspirational people. So welcome Kirsten Miller of Quernus Crafts based in the UK. A great big thank you to Kirsten for taking the time to do this for me as she's very very busy getting ready for the Christmas season!
Why do you do what you do Kirsten?

When I left my 15 year career as a lawyer in summer 2009, I really didn’t have a clue what I was going to do next. I had promised myself a six month mini-retirement to get clear on the next steps, I began to play around with polymer clay, something I had done on and off for years, but never in a serious way. But once I had the time, energy and space to just ‘be’, all these wee creatures started appearing - looks like they were just waiting for the opportunity to be made! Now, I can’t imagine not doing what I do – it’s so much fun to see which wee characters are going to appear next!

I am also passionate about promoting and supporting the handmade movement. There is such a wealth of creative talent in this country which the public are only beginning to know about. The message needs to get out there, and I’m glad I can use some of the skills learned as a lawyer to help with that.

Do you work better with music blaring or the sound of silence or ...?

Radio 4 is my constant companion. It’s on from first thing in the morning until last thing at night, and I’m more familiar with the World Service than I really should be! There’s something very comforting and relaxing about the spoken word, and it’s easier to zone in and out to the radio, rather than to music, which I feel compelled to listen to when it’s on.
What's your routine/structure to starting any project?

When I’m making a pet commission, I start out by closely studying the photos I’ve been sent, to make sure I’ve got a good feel for the character, shape and markings. I usually bring the laptop over to the kitchen table where I work so I can refer to the photos when I need to. I’ll start by making up any millefiori canes I need for the fur and markings, and then I’ll start work on the basic shape, continuing on until the piece is finished, no matter how long that takes (usually several hours).

Working on my main Quernus range is a bit more ad hoc – although I’ll know roughly what pieces I need to make up, I tend to go with what feels right at the time. It’s more fun that way! The wee creatures have a mind of their own – sometimes I’ll plan to make up, say, wee horses, and before I know it, a trayful of mice have appeared!

Favourite music / favourite artist, designer or maker?

I love 16th century polyphonic choral music – Byrd, Tallis, Victoria – it’s the most sublime music in the world and gives me goosebumps! As for my favourite maker, that’s a tough one – there are so many amazing people out there, and I keep finding more and more! One of my all time favourites is Elki Shaw, the genius behind It Belongs To Turtle (http://www.folksy.com/shops/ItBelongsToTurtle).


What was life like before you were a creative and is your life better now?

(Probably answered this in the first question!)


What was Plan B?

I guess this is! Doesn’t feel much like a plan, though – although I plan on a micro level (marketing, events, product ranges, etc), the overall shape of where I’m going, I leave very much to intuition and going with the flow. That way I can be open to opportunities and be more flexible. And it’s more fun this way!
Any advice for people starting out on the creative path

First and foremost, do what you love and love what you do. Second and nextmost, have fun! There are few careers out there that let you play with your inner muse and create something unique and beautiful out of raw materials. It’s transformative. And one thing I’ve learned is that people buy into the love and passion you have for what you do, not whether you’ve got the fanciest stall or best marketing strategy (although that does help). Third and lastmost, be patient and keep going. It can take a while to become established, and in the early stages, it’s tempting to become disheartened. But keep going, and focus more on what you want, not your fears. Oh, and did I mention having fun?!
Susan Morrow
Who do you think I should interview next

Susan Morrow of Lynwood Jewellery (http://www.lynwood-jewellery.co.uk/default.htm). Not only is she an amazing jewellery designer and maker, but she also is a passionate advocate for the handmade movement and runs Handmade and Fabulous! (http://fabulouslyhandmade.blogspot.com/). She’s also done a lot of work for UK Handmade. She’s an amazingly strong woman. (And I have a ton of other suggestions if you want any more!)

For further info about Kirsten:-

Flickr


Folksy Shop


Etsy Shop


Website

9 November 2010

Etsy Front Page

'Crying Trees' mixed media original framed artwork was chosen for the Front Page on Etsy - thank you so much Amber of redtilestudio for selecting it!

magpie market : edinburgh

Great market on Sunday at The Grassmarket - come along and see Scotland's makers at their best and grab some lovely Christmas gifts too!

8 November 2010

pocket mirrors

Bertie Bear Heart Mirror
Kirsty Cat Chocolate Teacake Mirror
Bertie Bear Mirror
Thank you Kirsty & Lucy for suggesting little pocket mirrors - they came back on Friday & I'm really pleased with them! Just in time for my first craft fair on Sunday 14th at the Grassmarket, Edinburgh.

6 November 2010

'Do You Etsy' Feature

'Japan Stream' Art Badge highlighted on Do You Etsy. Thank you! What a lovely surprise.

5 November 2010

Etsy Front Page

Great news! The Black and White Abstract Art Card has made it on to the Front Page of Etsy - thank you redtilestudio for my very first highlight on Etsy's Front Page!

3 November 2010

First Entry

Hello there! I've been working on my new logo for far too long and needed to get my blog up and running and archive my old ones. I started working on them about a year ago with a plan to becoming creative again and it's been very successful. So it's time to start afresh. I look forward to meeting you!


My other blogs are : we3 : a life lighter : white black red


I will continue to run them for a wee while but my intention is to direct everything to this blog and to Ziggy and Friends.

Crowdfunder Clay.Coven Ceramics

Just a few more days to go to achieve their dream of bringing the creativity of clay to the local community. And as my lovely friend Tash sa...