Sunday 30 October 2011

MY WEBSITE ADDRESS HAS CHANGED!



It now has a much more snappy and convenient name!
So change it in your faves folder now to browse through all my vintage inspired tomfoolery!

Stayed tuned for more announcements, some involving my foray into the world of Facebook!!!

Until then, have a look at my website, you know you want to!!!




Thursday 27 October 2011

DOTTY ABOUT DORSET Part 2!

Hello everyone, I'm back from Dorset!!

Wow, what a fantastic time I had....
Once more we traversed this amazing county, finding all new wondrous places and going back to old faves.

The Jurassic coastline is just stunning. Fossils, red cliffs, white cliffs, sheer drop cliffs, sandy beaches, pebbly beaches, huge stones, tiny stones, dogs running wild, adults running wild, there was something for everyone!
And then there was the countryside... cute villages, wild heathlands, lush green valleys, sheep, cows, hilltop chapels, hidden ruins and an amazing array of wild birds.

And fear not vintage fans, there is an abundance of superb shops and whole warehouses chock-a-block full of vintage and antiques. Just pop along to Bridport, Lyme Regis and Dorchester for some of the best places I've ever been to.

I'll stop waffling now and just show you some pictures!!!
Here goes...........

The magnificent sweep of Chesil Beach from Portland.
Check out the white café called Quiddles in the foreground for a great cup of tea!



Vintage splendour at the St Michaels Estate in Bridport.

An optical illusion at Kimmeridge Bay! A fisherman is seemingly dwarfed by
a World War 2 pillbox, whilst Clavell Tower looms in the distance.

Cute cottage alert! This one presiding in the lovely village of Kingston.

Magnificently moody scene at Maiden Castle. One Roman and his dog!

Someone has a sense of humour!!
This is on a very exposed coast path near Worth Matravers.

The majestic Portland Bill lighthouse.

Wow, a huge fossil!!
Found this at Winspit Bay.



Mysterious arch at Abbotsbury...
The sign in the corner warns not to eat the mushrooms,
conveniently posted on the cemetery gate!

The stunning cliffs at West Bay.
No Photoshop here, just amazing natural colours.

Can you spot the 3 mad swimmers off West Bay beach?!
Beautiful sunset and a distant rain shower adds to the scene.

Friday 14 October 2011

ADORABLE DORSET!

Hello campers!
Tomorrow I'm off to Dorset for a much-needed recharging of batteries!

We stayed there last June and loved it so much we just had to go back!!
But while I'm away I'll still be out hunting for vintage items in the amazing shops we found down there.
And of course taking hundreds of photos of the beautiful landscapes and seascapes.

One of those adorable places is Durdle Door, so please check out this fantastic painting done for me by my Mum. Thanks Mum, I love it!!

Durdle Door by Corinne Cox

See you all soon with even more inspiration than ever before!!

Tuesday 11 October 2011

A FAIR DAY AT FULHAM!

Last Saturday I visited the PALACE ART FAIR at Fulham Palace in London, and what a day!


After a marathon journey of engineering works on train and tube we arrived at Fulham Palace. Nestled in Bishop's Park alongside the Thames it really is an oasis after the hustle and bustle of constant traffic around it. It's a place I've never been to despite visiting the Chelsea area several thousand times!

And what a lovely place, until only 35 years ago this palace was lived in by the Bishop of London and so closed off to the public. This beautifully preserved building is now very much open and I found myself looking at the sumptuous interiors and architecture as much as looking at the art on show.

This really was an inspiring experience, so many talented people were there. Art shows can sometimes be a snooty place but there was a relaxed and fun atmosphere, coupled with the surroundings, we were swept along on a creative buzz!

With everyone really friendly and happy to talk about their work, we spent hours wandering around the gorgeous palace and the surrounding marquees.

It would take ages to mention everyone we loved, but here are the stand out people we came across.

Photographer MARC WILSON, who is currently doing a series of photos on coastal defences. Wonderfully atmospheric and a real eye for a picture.
http://www.marcwilson.co.uk/


KAREN JONES, who we've met at the Hive Studios in Chelmsford and seen her lovely paintings at the Beecroft Gallery in Westcliff. (Thanks for the tickets as well!!!).
I adore her mischievous and intelligent illustrations.
http://www.karenjonesillustrator.com/


Fabulous photographic collages by LIN OSBORN.
http://www.linosbornart.co.uk/


Dark and beautiful Klimt like ceramics by TONY LAVERICK.
http://www.tonylaverick.co.uk/

Absolutely brilliant fairies by SAMANTHA BRYAN. Individually made models of fairies. Everything is so original and so much fun!
http://www.brainsfairies.co.uk/


But my favourite of the day has to be MARIA RIVANS....!
Her framed collages were mind-blowing, I was totally amazed at the depth and detail to her work.
Using vintage pictures she has created whole worlds, truly stunning!
http://www.mariarivans.com/


So please check out all their websites, you will be amazed at the range of talents we saw.

I am now even more inspired for my own work, maybe next year you'll see me at Fulham!!