colourliving

the unfinished project

Here’s a question for you? Have you ever started a project and not finished it?

For those of you who are sitting back thinking: no! Congratulations. You are super humans, good on you. For the rest of us, we are probably in good company. I believe we all have unfinished projects, whatever they may be. They can range from something very small, like fixing a window in the house to a larger project of decorating a room, building a conservatory or writing that book. The list is endless!

I must admit, as time goes on and i get older and wiser there are far less unfinished projects. Maybe i’ve outsmarted elements of procrastination, maybe i’m vary of starting projects knowing very well i cannot finish. Maybe, just maybe, i’ve accumulated better tools to deal with this dilemma and learned how to avoid the ‘merry-go-round’.

So, what is outstanding at the moment? Well, there is an unfinished project, a project i’m embarrassed to tell you has been sitting here unfinished for a good couple of years. The reason i wanted to share this on the blog today is to ask you to hold me accountable!!! By publicly announcing this, i’m hoping that i can share the progress of this and show you before and after photos. Ok, this is not going to be done in a few weeks but i will try and complete by the end of the year. Let me show you what it is!

Here is one corner of my roof terrace. A couple of years ago i had this section covered in marine ply mdf board because i knew i was going to layer it in a mosaic design.

Having done a 1-day mosaic course many many years ago i thought it might be fun to do a larger project. Hmm, always a good idea at first! I measured up, designed the entire surface, chose colours, bought the mosaic tiles, got all the bits and pieces i needed and hey presto!

Once i had everything ready, i really went for it. I remember starting in july, it was sunny and i thought if only i could finish it over that summer. After about two weeks it started raining for the rest of the summer (anyone see some similarities here) and my incentive disappeared. I successfully persuaded myself, that now, i might as well finish it for the following spring. Ah, that dreaded delayed deadline. Correct me if i’m wrong here but we haven’t had a really warm and dry summer for years! This year doesn’t look as if it will be the exception!

So, this is how far i got. Still unfinished, this is the longest panel (see first photo). There are nine in total, counting all the sides, both long and short.

If truth be told, i’m still excited about both the design and the colours, which is good news. My roof terrace needs an injection of something. All my herbs have died with the torrential rain we’ve been having. Am rather upset about that. What worries me most is that i might have forgotten how to do mosaic. But then, it’s probably like riding a bike. I’m hoping that by finishing it i might lure the sun back. Could it be possible that we will have a sunny spring and summer in 2013?

Wish me luck and feel free to prompt me from time to time:)

Have you ever attempted a mosaic project? Have you ever been on a course?

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the making of the ‘colourliving’ website

When i first played with the idea for the website, i knew i did not want to have photography of interior settings. I wanted something that reflected my curious, slightly eccentric and playful personality.

Having always been a fan of Slinkachu little people street art and miniatures in general, the plan was hatched. Now what to do and, more importantly, how to do it? I looked around for some sort of figures or figurines i could use, inspired by the work of sloane tanen. I quickly realised i was taking on too much so scrapped that idea and decided against figures.

I started researching online and lo and behold i came across the world of dolls houses and miniatures. Go figure, it’s a whole world in itself. My first stop was at a dolls house exhibition in alexandra palace. As luck wanted it and following my very astute nose, i came across a young woman who seemed rather out of place there as the average age was 50+. She had her own little stand amongst her mothers’ chris much larger stand. There was something about her and i hovered around for a while before approaching hannah. ‘Hi, i’m not really here to buy dolls house miniatures or anything of the sorts, i’m thinking of creating some miniature scenes to photograph for my upcoming website, i uttered.’ ‘Err, i haven’t worked anything out yet, but just wanted to get an idea of what is around and your stuff is really beautiful.’ Hannah’s work was different. It was smart and had panache. I’m sure both hannah and chris thought i was bonkers but they entertained my eccentricity.

Hannah and chris told me they were next exhibiting at the kensington dollshouse festival in london and so i went with a little more of an idea what i was looking for. There’s a summer and winter festival and the next one is actually in a couple of weeks. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The place is a haven for anyone interested in high quality miniatures and, oh, be prepared to part with some serious cash. So, there i was, a sort of shopping list in hand, ready to go wild for a couple of hours amongst some serious dolls houses collectors and connoisseurs. I bought some stuff, but most of the props i wanted for the photography i commissioned from hannah, who works in the product design department of the university of bristol. A huge thank you to hannah, whose input in the brainstorming of the ideas was invaluable.

The website was a labour of love for me and although i absolutely missed the point of shooting miniatures (it doesn’t show, hence why i wrote this post) i still feel it reflects the essence of what i tried to achieve. I hope you enjoy the visual diary……….

First off was the concept for the website.

Then came the sketches for the individual miniature scenes.

Now, I needed a lot of props. Some would be items I needed to commission, some would serve as a background. Let’s start with those. I was lucky that i had bought moma’s modern playhouse in magma a few weeks before. Somehow i knew, one day, it would come in use.

Next are some of my own artworks that i used as backgrounds props.

Here are some props i found online.

The details on the iphone and macbook are incredible, right?

The eames lounge chair and footstool and salvador dali’s lip shaped sofa are from the kensington dollshouse festival. Did you spot the cute hat stand?

The next lot is some of the stuff i commissioned hannah to make exclusively for the website. Isn’t she super talented?

Finally, here is a selection of the photographs used for the website.

There you have it. Months and months of work. I still don’t know how to photograph miniatures but no doubt would have done a better job if i came across tilt-shift photography earlier. Alternatively, next time i just ask the lovely james balston for advise. What are friends for?

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patterns patterns patterns

As mentioned in my previous post, here are some sketches and drawings taken from some of my small sketchbooks. My big passion is colour and patterns and i always try and come up with some form of mark making that will translate into a pattern. So, without further ado, i hope you enjoy some of these. I hope they might inspire a colour combination or just make you smile. Happy spring everyone!

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city hopping

I got thinking. How do people choose what to see, where to shop, eat and stay when exploring a city. We all know there is a plethora of things each city has to offer and with limited time how do we choose and navigate, and more so how do we keep a record of what we want to visit?

Back in the early 90′s i swore by the marco polo guides. Originated in germany, it was like a bible to me. Every time i would visit a new city, off i went to a shop (note ‘shop’ as we didn’t have internet shopping) to buy the accompanying guide. I would study it as if my life depended on it. They had the marco polo selection for every category and you could be sure that their ‘favourites’ were honest and had nothing to do with price. I’ve used so many of their suggestions and was never disappointed.

Slowly, they started bringing out english editions which i preferred. They are no longer available but the german version is still thriving.

City maps are everywhere and each person has their favourite. I did try many afterwards, here are some of my selection: luxe guides, travel guides with a difference. Super-svelte in format, it will fit into any pocket. No pictures, no graphics (except the front cover), only concise, curated travel companion for the discerning traveller. Updated each year, they also have monthly online updates.

Who hasn’t heard of wallpaper city guides? Of course you have. A run away success, they have dominated the travel guide market since their launch in october 2006. Many tell me they don’t like the guides because they associate it with the magazine. I can tell you i have had the best meals and other recommendations from them. I really like their 24 hours in a city section. For example, the first milan edition told of the then recently opened studio museo achille castiglioni. Achille castiglioni was a renowned itailian industrial designer who, at the age of 84 died in 2002. His heirs got some sponsorship and in 2006 signed a 5 year agreement allowing his studio to stay open and be visited by the public. I was so excited to be able to go and see the studio of such a talented designer, so phoned a friend and flew to Milan. It was magical and i will not forget that visit in a hurry. Additionally, through the guide, i found an incredible place to eat, an authentic 40 year old family run tiny restaurant.

A couple of years ago i came across a little start-up called à la carte. One to always support entrepreneurial endeavours, i immediately ordered myself a map. I was impressed with what i received: a guidebook, city map and piece of art all in one. Totally charming.

What’s great is that they also have maps for creative types: ‘create your own city à la carte maps come with a plain map and 2 pages of stickers and icons. You can, so to speak, decorate your own map.

Well, by that time i had already created my own maps out of normal city plans. I often go to berlin and sometimes like to take a 48 hours trip, rent a scooter and go trendspotting. So that i’m organised and know what i’m doing i create and decorate my own maps and keep adding as i go back to those cities. Here is a section of my personalised berlin map with some of my favourite haunts.

Here are some of the stickers i use. I got these from paperchase.

These days, although i still read city guides i rely a lot on the blogging world. What better way to find real gems? So, city travellers, will you share some of your ways of experiencing a city break? Do tell.

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learning the art of patience

In another lifetime, (sometimes it really feels like it) i decided to do a part-time jewellery course. I suppose after studying graphic design i realised that being creative has many outlets and it would be fun to explore some of them.

I remember the first time the teacher told us to get a solid piece of silver. Going to the jewellery making suppliers in hatton garden was really exciting but when i bought the silver i wondered how on earth i would make a product out of it. Of course, with the help of the lovely teacher, i soon discovered the laborious task of beating a piece of silver into a bracelet, ring or other object. It took me a few weeks to make a hairpin, my very first piece of jewellery.

With time i got to know about casts and precious and semi-precious stones and a whole new world opened up.

What did i learn from this? Well, i soon discovered that long-term jewellery making was not for me. It did not ignite my fire or get me that excited. I think i simply enjoyed learning how to make it, the intricate methods and the end result. Ironically, now i hardly wear any jewellery at all.

There was an invaluable lesson though: learning the art of patience. I went into jewellery making a pretty inpatient and fiery young woman. Out came someone, who understood that things take time, they have their own cycle and we cannot force or control them. Patience is a virtue and i’ve become a master at it.

Where do you fare on the patience barometer? Any anecdotes or lessons to share?

Here is a selection of some of the jewellery pieces i made. I also really got into beadmaking, which i still enjoy today. I predominantly use japanese delica beads.

 

 

 

 

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light as a feather

After visiting the david hockney retrospective i came away inspired and fully motivated to create something. One thing is clear, colour rocks and so does david hockney! For those able to visit this amazing exhibition i hope you will try and go, you won’t regret it!

Here is a little project i thought you might like and maybe even try and make yourself. It is simple and doesn’t need many materials or skills. It’s fun, inexpensive and makes for a great gift when invited for dinner or when in need of a birthday present. Alternatively, why not spoil yourself?

All you need is a bic pen, some hand dyed feathers (I buy them at the knitting and stitching show at alexandra palace) and a few different mt tapes. Play around with different feather colours and sizes. There is no rule. See what inspires you. My colour inspiration today came from the david hockney paintings.

As i didn’t have more bic pens at home i decided to use pencils instead. You can use and sharpen the pencil until it needs exchanging. It’s simple to lift off the feathers held together by the tape and place it on another pen or pencil.

There is something rather satisfying about taking an ordinary everyday object and transforming it into something more extraordinary. I also like the length and weight of the bic pen and pencil once the feathers have been attached. It gives it a different feel, better ergonomics? I think so, but you decide.

You can make a few and give them instead of a bouquet of flowers?

Why not get the bic pens in red, blue, green and black? You could have a different feather colour scheme for each or keep it all the same. Everything goes and there are no limitations. Try a monochrome one or one made out of entirely the same colour. You might be inspired by an interior scheme you have seen or something in a magazine that caught your eye.

Finally, you can keep them in a little vase or any holder you have lying around ready for the next time you desperately need something to write with. Barclays pens, eat your heart out.

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