For my own habitual need to connect, I do smile and/or say hello to anyone I encounter who will engage with me. I also call at least one person a day to check in with them, whether they are family, neighborhood folks, or friends. Skyping, texting, calling, Zooming, letter writing—whatever it takes to be together—helps tremendously.
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My art is urban sketching. I draw everything anything that relates to the city and the people that live in it. My default position is on a street corner with a moleskin and fineliner pen in hand. My studio is a simple desk where I finalise my artwork or if I’m unable to get out and about, create new works using photographic references.
Read MoreMy studio is in my house now. My stuff is encroaching upon all of our living space. I used to have a studio in an old school but it was so cold I used to give up. I swapped from an illustration MA to a Fine Art one at Central St. Martin’s and then did a Fine Art PhD. There’s a snobbery about illustration but I love doing both.
Read MoreMy studio is a small white space in my home. It’s at the back of my house so it feels separate and I have to ‘go’ there, a bit like going to work. It has a north-facing window, so the light is beautiful to work in, and a door out to the garden. I tend to listen to audio books or Radio 4 throughout the day. My work is very time consuming, so I need to go into a work zone in my head – the rhythm of the spoken word helps me do that.
Read MoreI live in North London, in a busy area of town near to Hampstead Heath, so now that there is less traffic on the roads, a sense of calm has been afforded to the neighbourhood. I am lucky to have a purpose built studio at the bottom of my garden which was built as a music room by the previous owners. It has two small sky lights and it is north facing. I have always managed to have a studio somewhere over the years that I have worked as an artist, but this has been my first north facing studio and it makes such a difference. No more chasing shadows which fall across your artwork as the sun crosses the sky!
Read MoreI'm a writer, so my work is creative but not art. I've written two books — The Secret Lives of Colour and The Golden Thread — and I'm working on my third now. I also write about design and culture for magazines and newspapers including The Economist, Elle Decoration and Wired.
Read MoreMy portraits of lips are colourful, super glossy and a little bit provocative. I’m fascinated by the mouth as a focal point for communication, and aesthetic expression through lipstick and colour. Before starting to paint, I had a career for many years in fashion and in magazines, which I think really plays into what I like to explore in my painting, as well as the aesthetic I aim to achieve. In my studio now, I have several new pieces in various stages of completion. Since the lockdown began, I haven’t been to my studio, so I’m missing painting a lot. Can’t wait to get back to it!
Read MoreYesterday was Mothers Day and my boys have moved to their Dad's house mainly because he is a teacher and can home school. I will miss them dreadfully but right now as you are well aware it's about doing the right thing. Louis and Woody if you're listening, (probably not, definitely not, in my dreams...) I love you.
Read MoreSo today, I'm lost in New Orleans and I love it.
I have travelled the world since the age of sixteen. Travelling alone is something that has happened over the last few years. And the world is indeed a very small place. My inbox has been full since I arrived. Last night I was out with best_dressed_man he lives in DC but was home in New Orleans seeing family.
Read MoreI’ve had a fair few wild nights out in my time, and most of them I’d like to forget. The seriously wild ones I can’t even bear to even re-live in my mind.
I might be persuaded to talk about the time I woke up at 7 am on the grass verge near my house with my sunglasses on fully dressed with a handbag and laptop over each arm. (It must have been summer) When the sun came up, I sat bolt upright. No, no, stop, it’s not working, it’s making me panic, I’d need a stiff drink to finish that story.
Read MoreSome people have a shoe addiction I have a framing habit. It is one of the reasons I set up Blank White Space. I'd frame the boys if they stood still long enough. The guys at Ray’s Frames in Hackney smile when they see me coming (that is at least three times a day).
Read MoreLast year I got our Christmas tree into my convertible Fiat 500 (Geoff, he had the roof down). The fabulous Botanical Boys carried it upstairs for me. As much as I’d love a huge 20ft Norway Spruce (like the Queen) my tree is normally around 5ft. With two now strapping lads, I’m hoping for a bit bigger one this year.
Read MoreMy first boyfriend was a graphic designer with exquisite taste, he used to hand make the packaging for each and every single one of my beautiful Christmas presents. Every gift was well considered and really thoughtful He was my first love. The only problem was his font family came first. Today he is one of the most awarded Executive Creative Directors in London. I’m so proud of him, he is a extremely talented and special guy.
Read MoreFirst things first it was our first birthday yesterday. A big thank you to all our followers and new clients that have shown so much love and support for our independent brand. It has been extremely hard work and a labour of love but with nearly 5k followers, and numerous gallery walls under our belt I can honestly say it was worth every minute and more.
Read MoreWith Frieze Art Fair hitting London this week I thought I'd write a piece on talking about art. Deep breaths, it can be a tricky subject to master even if you're a creative type. Surprisingly I'm not threatened by intellectual people, in fact, quite the opposite, I'm absolutely fascinated by them. I always want to find out how their minds work, what they think and what I can learn. Because of this I have ended up with a lot of 'boffins' as friends as guess what, I bloody love it.
Read MoreStreet Art started in New York in the 1960's and peaked in the 80's with the subway train murals in the Bronx. Graffiti, urban art, spray paint graffiti, guerrilla art whatever you want to call it, has moved away from the being an act of vandalism to a way of bringing beauty and messages to the world. It's perfectly acceptable and pretty cool to have street art in your home.
Read MoreThings are getting hot and steamy in the bathroom so hold on tight. Hanging wall art in there can be pretty tricky, to be honest. If you ask your local framers (I know mine all to well - poor guy) you can get glass that stops the steam affecting your precious prints and artwork. It's a bit more costly but well worth it. Then you can relax in a bubble bath knowing your pieces won't ripple.
Read MoreI fell into upholstery quite by accident and then I fell in love with it. Not a big surprise for anybody who knows me! I've always had a fetish for chairs and a soft spot for theatre chairs. Anything from another era, that begs to be restored to their former beauty. I just love vintage. Between the internet, flea markets or just wondering the streets with an eagle eye for discarded furniture, I have found quite a few pieces to restore and reupholster.
Read MoreMy passion for the Caribbean happened purely by accident. After the boys’ father, I had a relationship with a DJ, whose family originates from there. Put it this way: he had the funk, I did not. My first trip to the Caribbean was with him to St Vincent and Barbados. After that I had the bug.
Read MoreIn my last blog we got as far as a piece on the lounge gallery wall and one on my bedroom. So let's finish off the lounge. I have a beautiful book wall that I adore. The thing about book walls is that you can change them every month, every week, every day, if you've got the energy. They are great for people with commitment issues and they hardly make any holes in the walls.
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