Mystery photos!

A few days ago I found a Lomo fisheye camera in my local charity shop (the same place I found my fave camera, the taz polaroid!). Even better, there was a roll of half used film inside. I got it developed yesterday and found out what the owners looked like! There were a few weird photos, they took 2 of different plug holes (!) and some more normal ones of birthday cake. My fave is the one above. I wonder who the owners are and why they got bored halfway through the film!

Gemma Correll Interview - Part 2

Here's the final part of the interview with the brilliant Gemma Correll.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Everyday life... people I see, pets, places I go, music I listen to. My work is directly inspired by the things I do every day, which are usually quite mundane but usually produce a funny moment or two. I also love looking at vintage children's annuals, screenprinted circus posters and books called things like "My Special Book of Kittens and Puppies, 1967".

What other artists/illustrators do you admire?

There are so many amazing illustrators around. To name but a few- Anke Weckmann, Ian Stevenson, Tom Gauld, Demetrios Psillos, Liz Adams.... I could go on and on, but I won't because it's time for my hourly coffee.

Illustration by Anke Weckmann

Thanks Gemma! You can visit Gemma's Etsy shop for more loveliness!

Gorgeous calendars

I love the calendars spotted on Irene Suchoki's etsy shop... Now i really have the urge to make my own with photos I took throughout the last year! has anyone ever had a calendar made themselves who can offer tips?

Asterisks in the Sky

..these make me happy. Seen here - hopefully more will be added soon!

Oooh! I love the charity shop!

Just got this from le charity shop for just a fiver! And it has half a roll of film in it! I wonder what's on there?!! I need to find out soon! Yay!

Interview with Gemma Correll - part 1

I can't remember where I first spotted Gemma Correll's illustration work but it seems to keep popping up on all my favourite websites. I love her naive and humorous style, and her pictures of cute pugs and kittens always cheer me up on a dull day! Read on for Part 1 of the interview!

How did you get started as an illustrator?

I studied Graphic Design, specialising in Illustration, at the Norwich School of Art and Design. After I graduated, I was lucky enough to get a couple of freelance jobs and just went from there really. I knew that I wanted to be an "Illustrator" from a young age- before I even knew the term. I just knew that I wanted to draw pictures and maybe write stories, too. I've been full-time freelancing for 2 years now.

What has been your favourite project to date?

I love doing self-initiated projects, like my daily diary series (see above). In terms of commissioned work, I had a lot of fun recently doing some drawings for Fred Flare- I illustrated some E-cards for them, featuring a girl called Bee (and her Pug) in Fred Flare outfits. I'm also working on some fun designs at the moment but I can't say exactly what they are yet!

Whats the best and worst thing about working in illustration?

The best thing is being my own boss... it's also the worst thing! While it's great that I can (pretty much) make my own hours, take holidays when I want to (although I usually end up working when I'm on holiday) and sit at home eating biscuits all day, it is also very tricky to manage my time. I try to be organised and work "set" hours but you can't plan creativity, I'll often have my best ideas at 2am and consequently end up working 14 + hours a day. I work at weekends too. It's partly necessity because I have lots of work on and lots of admin-y stuff to do like package orders etc and partly because I'm just rubbish and knowing when to stop.

- Thank you Gemma! Part 2 will be up tomorrow, when we'll find out where Gemma finds her inspiration from!

Sublime Stitching: Cushions

I finished sewing onto these pillow cases for a friend's birthday... I hope she likes them!

New Illustrator Interview: Gemma Correll

I haven't posted an interview for ages but this week I'm really excited to announce there will be one with illustrator Gemma Correll! First part will be up tomorrow. Hurray!

Photo project: the Return!

Well after a long break me and my Chicago-based friend Adam have resumed our photo project, this time the theme was "comfort", see our photos here! (I love Adam's kitty picture)

Top Christmas Films

I'm thinking of having a little Christmas film evening next month and really want to watch It's a Wonderful Life again. Another yuletide film starring James Stewart is The Shop Around the Corner which I remember watching on tv a few years ago, I'd really like to see it again (I think it was set around Christmas but can't be sure!). You've Got Mail was based upon this film but I think the original outweighs it!

What other Christmas classics can you recommend?

No Place Like Home

I want these shoes!

Toast you can write on?

This is the future! (I have trouble believing this is real?!) found via milk

Pretty watercolours

Jean Seberg

I just stumbled upon the work of Clare Owen, an illustrator based in Cornwall. Love her watercolours. Oh and I spotted she's just finished reading Naive. Super by Erland Loe which I'm currently reading (see below).

St Vincent

Fairy lights!

I was inspired by this lovely blog to get some fairy lights for my bed and I love how cosy it looks now.

Hearts + Stars

I really love these photos taken by akenisa - i might make some shapes to stick on my walls..

via daydream lily

Something's afoot..

I am currently loving taking photos of feet for some reason! Here's a few recent ones taken this Autumn..

1000 Awesome Things

I have been feeling a tad gloomy this week, the dark nights, the lack of finances etc.. but this website has been putting a smile on my face. 1000 Awesome Things. Time to celebrate the little things.

Sparkles!

Last night Tom took some piccies of us playing with sparklers on my balcony. 'Twas lots of fun!

Dreamy polaroids

Double exposure + light leak + sparkler writing + frozen lake

Some amazing polaroids on Amalia Sieber's photostream... I'm hopefully going to be playing with sparklers tonight. Yay. Also watch this video, for more sparkler action, it's brilliant..

The two paths..

Hmm yes, I think i am going to go for the left hand column. via miss wallflower

I need this book!

(Except I can't stand Daniel Radcliffe!)

What i Wore Today

Drawn in a quick five mins whilst waiting for the heating to kick in at home..inspired by this group.

Shake it: History of the Polaroid Exhibition

Walker Evans, no title, 1974

As i'm off to London in a few weeks I thought I'd investigate what's on and I found this exhibition on the history of the Polaroid which is on at the Pump House Gallery. It includes pictures by Andy Warhol and large scale work by David Hockney which I'm excited about seeing. I shall report back!!