Mixtape October

We did quite a simple mixtape for this months swap (the first for some months) It was partly simpler than normal as the one we were sent had some awesome songs on, but just came in a plastic sleeve, with the title scribbled on the front. However, I think the simplicity works. All the songs mention other musicians in the lyrics.

Amelia's Magazine (latest work)

Just a couple more illustration I have done for Amelia's magazine  over the last couple of weeks.

The articles they can be found in are here and here

PennyFest2!

On Sunday I was privileged to be a part of an event called Pennyfest2. This was a music and art/craft event that took place at The Vines Bar in Derby. The day was set up in order to raise money for Penny's Fund, find more about the fund  here.

A lot of hardwork went into setting this event up, a great deal of it being done by the lovely Pete Salter and Holly Booth, who also run Hatch'd Magazine (a creative network based in Derby). There was a whole host of amazing bands and artists including Haiku Salut, Josh Happens, My Psychoanalyst and there was also a reunion set by Plans and Apologies. There also some great stalls there including The Cake Ladies, Born Restless, So Boho Vintage and me! And to top it off there was food (including homemade curry!) and drink, truly, what more could you wish for!?

The day was absolutely scorching, and everyone was having a great sweaty time together!

There were some awesome prizes on the tombola, we had our eyes on the tattoo session and the Ukulele, but alas we didn't win. The day was a huge success though and overall made £2000! What a result!

About a girl

The latest 'mixtape' we received from Nick Taylor, another great one, find more of his work here

Unfortunately there will be no more mixtapes for a while, as the guy who organises the project is taking a break from it so he can concentrate on finishing his MA. I think we might get withdrawal and just have to keep making them anyway!

Clap Your Hands!

Just some images of the latest artwork I created for the mixtape project that we are involved in.

I'm really pleased with how this one turned out. I love the colours and the retro feel that I created. It would be so ace to design some artwork for a band some day soon. 

The result of hardwork!

So my project at Madeley High School came to an end last week. It feels strange that I won't be going back there once a week, as I have done for the last 3 months. The project accumalated in the children making and installing their own artwork, it was a hectic but successful day. Below are images of their work in situ

The whole class contributed to this flower pot, places in the reception area

This one was partly inspired by the wool installation the children did with me, but here they took it a step further. It had a real sense of dynamism, and the group were very committed; putting the work out in horrible weather!

This group put their 'Mario' inspired installation in the library. They placed boxes around the library that released balloons with viewer interaction; ingenious!

This group were inspired to create this musical creation! It was placed on the hall stage and looked fantastic!

This group were also inspired by music, to create these 'music trees' from an interesting array of materials, they were placed in discrete places around the school, so students sort of stumbled across them

Motion City Soundtrack gig

Sunday night was a great night; me and my husband went to the Birmingham 02 academy to see Motion City Soundtrack play. If you haven't heard of them, they really are a fantastic band; pop punk at it's very best. Fantastic poetic, witty lyrics and great melodies, sung and played with a passion that is obvious.

This is their current album artwork done by the talented Joe Ledbetter http://www.joeledbetter.com/

I had been very excited about going to see them live, and was happily not disappointed at all. Their performance was awesome! The crowd was great too, we nearly raised the roof. I think Justin Pierre could have gotten away without singing at all if he'd wanted!

Only disappointment...... no girls t-shirts in my size :(

Now I'm super excited, as I have bought tickets for Saturday at the Leeds festival......BLINK 182! Here we come!

Wooly installation and easter illustration

So I've been pretty busy the last week or so, which is good, but feel like I need a day just to do nothing!

I had a fantastic time at the school I'm doing a creative partnerships project at on Monday. I was introducing the idea of installations to the group, and hopefully over the next few weeks the group will be making their own.
As a spring board for the children I began by wrapping ribbons round the schools outdoor classroom, and got the children to come and react to it. Admittedly it didn't look like much as that point, and as you can imagine I got a lot of funny looks off other pupils while I was doing it! Though that was cool.
Then i gave the children a ball of wool between small groups and asked them to finish my work off.
The result was fantastic, and the children all had a fantastic time. I got some pretty awesome photos of it too, below are just a couple.

Also just thought I'd share with you a little illustration I created for easter. Slowly feel like I'm getting to the point I want to be at with my imagery, still not quite there yet.