making it round

I've just returned with Joe from sunny Wales  after a week of blissful fire circle building at Meriels wonderland. We dug, we scraped, we chisled, sawed and hammered our way to creating the most beautiful fire circle using the techniques and guidance of Tony Wrench. A 5 foot round building with a reciprocal roof, finished with turf...this one wasn't designed for living in but the same priciples apply for the frame, adding a raised floor and straw bales, lime rendered walls..
.o o o it is such a magic thing building with other people, the connections you make, that time outdoors and the enjoyment of seeing and being inside what you have built together...o o o... we had a good fire blessing party the night we finished, it makes me dream I was back there...
i tried to narrow the pictures down, there are so many good ones...taken by Dan Jones and Elena Mila

all the lovely people involved, i'm so happy to have met  you all :)

 

 

dreamers, poets and doers

tim mac macartney
this will warm your heart 

Brighton Festival Open House 2013

This year for Brighton Festival I am exhibiting at the Open House of fellow printmaker Teresa Winchester. I hope you can make it to have a look at the new work I'm showing.

cosmic

this is some new work in homage to 'bob' the tortoise shell butterfly who appeared in my bedroom at christmas last year...

experimenting with new ideas

my desk

420

Joe

 "Sophie Lillienne is an electro-alternative band started as a solo project by VeZzO, singer and musician from Italy. The project sees various collaborations with producers, musicians and singers from all over Europe"
Vezzo recently played a gig in Brighton...we've been friends for about ten years and it was great to see him play in the U.K. Listen here: www.vezzoxy.com

roundhouse woodblock

This winter seems to be never ending! I feel as though we've all been on 'pause' like the buds on the trees and the daffodils in the garden waiting, still waiting, and more waiting to burst into new life, full of a refreshed energy after the hibernation of this long winter...warm weather and sunny skies will return (i think i heard it might even be t-shirt weather this weekend)!

I've spent time this winter creating new work, and experimenting with new ideas. Inspired by my visit to West Wales whilst on a Roundhouse course (led by Tony Wrench www.thatroundhouse.info/) I created this woodblock and lino print. It's very different from my detailed etchings but i love the bold line work you get with this medium. I've printed a limited edition of 30 available to buy.

Enjoy your sunny weekend everyone!

Sennen Timcke

Sennen is a singer song writer and artist whom i've known since he was born, being the son of my mums best friend he is like family to me. His music is emotive and heart felt and I wanted to share it with you. He really should be signed. Click here to listen :24 by Sennen Timcke. He also has a website http://sennentimcke.com/ .

Chavez

My thoughts go out to all the people of Venezuela. I'm saddened to hear about the death of President Hugo Chavez who died yesterday at the young age of 58. I have much respect for him and what he did for his country, using oil revenue to boost education and health services and bringing many Venezuelans out of poverty,  how he spoke out against the US government and for his support of Cuba. His death is a sad event for the whole world. Peace to all.

one true love

Get one for yours, original vinyl print valentine cards available @ Brixi, Brixton Village SWR 8PR

Vote for BRIXI! Brixi has been selected by Grazia magazine as one of London's best unique homeware stores, click here to show your love

 

UPDATE!! Brixi won!  Londons best unique homewares stores!!

Диджитал рисёрч

i really like this video...and not understanding the lyrics makes it mysterious... but apparently it's about guys who are computer geeks...

butterfly bob

bob is a tortoise shell butterfly that turned up around christmas and he's still living in my bedroom ... it's too cold outside for butterflies... i've given him some jam, fruit, leaves. A butterfly appearing in the middle of winter?...where has he come from?

                                              bob will be sure to inspire some new work

tis warm by the fire

mince meat recipe:

2 bags of mixed currents

1 small bag of cranberries

1 bag of mixed peel

mixed spices to taste

a few glugs of captain morgans spiced, rum and brandy

cup of orange juice

1 box of muscavado sugar

I put all the above into a pan and heated slowly till the sugar melted. once cooled i added more rum.

HOP GALLERY Xmas Show

I'm exhibiting with the Sussex Arts Collective at the Hop Gallery in Lewes. Open from Saturday 1st  until 22nd December. There will be a variety of artists and makers showing and there are lots of great xmas presents available to buy. Private View is on Sunday morning from 10am till 1pm with a complimentary breakfast of er.... wine and pastries ;)

Here is a new print that will be on show

L'amour

new etching. . . :) 

malta

I went to Malta for a little holiday a couple of weeks ago. We hired a scooter and travelled around, got the ferry to Gozo... went to the blue grotto where the water glows beneath the surface, we found a gorgeous little fishing village called Xlendi and had  one of the best meals of the holiday at San Andrea, with fresh pesto and bread as an appetizer, delicious plump olives and risotto. The hotel and restaurant have candle lit tables right on the bay and the crashing waves are metres from your table. The place and it's architecture reminded me of a mezzotint I made.

 We also visited Hagar Qim a megalithic goddess temple thought to be one of the most ancient religious sites on Earth. There are points in the building that line up to the equinox and solstice sun position, the whole building appears to be shaped like a big fat earth goddess ... 
Back to work now and getting things ready for Xmas Shows. . .