All Things Considered

Will Self on the Brompton
Posted by Simon Lewin

A link from the Brompton folding bicycle website led me to this article by Will Self in The Independent:

"It was love at first sight – the first time I saw a Brompton folding bicycle, I fell in love with it. All right, perhaps this is an exaggeration on all fronts: it wasn't the first time I'd seen one, but the first time I'd really noticed it – or her.

And it was not so much love – an emotion, I concede, that unless you're seriously perverted, only truly exists between sentient beings – as a kind of lusty covetousness; but, you can take it from me, it was a very strong feeling, and one that has only increased over the years I've either had a Brompton between my thighs, or hefted one in my arms."

Read the article in full (Portait by Andy Sewell)

Posted by Simon Lewin on October 30th, 2008

Curwen Studio & Paula Rego
Posted by Angie Lewin

I'm off to the Curwen Studio tomorrow to work on a couple of new lithographs so called in to see the studio's 50th Anniversary Exhibition at Tate Britain to absorb some inspiration from the selection of artists' lithographs on show there.

If I'm ever asked to explain how I create a linocut or a wood engraving at my home studio, it's no problem - but the lithographs that I create at the Curwen are another matter. As part of the exhibition you can watch a short video which shows Paula Rego working on a print created for the anniversary alongside Tom Martin, studio manager, and Stanley Jones, who along with Robert Erskine, founded the Curwen Studio in 1958.

As well as demonstrating the entire process from drawing to finished print (pictured here) the video shows the close interaction between the artist and the printers (who are practising artists themselves). This collaboration is also evident in a display of letters between the Curwen and artists including Piper, Sutherland and Hepworth. Also on display is Mark Hearld's commemorative lithograph 'Printing with Spirit'.

Posted by Angie Lewin on October 26th, 2008

Castor & Pollux – Brighton
Posted by Simon Lewin

On the road again on Thursday. A night in London, then down to Brighton ready for the opening of Angie's exhibition of prints at Castor & Pollux in Brighton. If you're in the area between 6-9pm this Friday (October 24th) pop in for a drink. It's going to be very tempting to see Underworld who play in Brighton the same evening.

Back to London on Saturday, then Angie heads off to the Curwen to work on new lithographs. More news on that soon.

Posted by Simon Lewin on October 21st, 2008

River Cottage Store & Canteen
Posted by Simon Lewin

We're just back from a trip to the South West for the opening of Angie's exhibition at Hybrid in Honiton.

Took the the opportunity to try Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage Canteen in Axminster. Located at the back of their local produce store, the Canteen showcases food from the South West, open pretty much throughout the day. I guess that knowing so much about HFW and River Cottage from the various TV shows and books, it could potentially have been a disappointment. But no such worries. Great service, friendly staff and very hearty food. I think we would have felt we'd earnt it more if we'd walked round the Golden Cap estate that day, not the day after.

Posted by Simon Lewin on October 19th, 2008

Squob.com
Posted by Kate Sullivan

Earlier this year I posted a blog about the Dutch motor-home site Tonke. Although the pictures of the motors were great, my understanding of the Dutch text was not so great, so I confess to knowing little about the beautiful vehicles at the time.

Then this week I received an email from Chris from the Recreational Vehicle blog, Squob, Informing me that he had just posted information about Tonke's in English.

After reading the article I flicked around the Squob site. It is brilliant if you're interested in diverse forms of mobile architecture and like to dream about roaming around, mortgage free.

"Squob is the only RV website focusing on good design. We cover the most interesting new vehicles and classics from the past."

The site is full of  images and information on trailers, motor homes, expedition vehicles and caravans both vintage and modern. It has links to some amazing images on Flickr, including a pick of Squob's top ten best RV images from the Flickr Group Squobstock.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on October 16th, 2008

Katrin Moye
Posted by Kate Sullivan

Today I've been unpacking a selection of beautiful ceramics made by Katrin Moye. In the gallery we now have three designs from Katrin's collection of vintage inspired, hand drawn pottery.

This week, Katrin is exhibiting at Somerset House, London's annual contemporary craft fair, Origin.

Origin runs for two weeks, each week 150 talented makers will exhibit jewellery, furniture, textiles, glass and ceramics as well as pieces made from metal and wood.

This weeks show, runs until 12th October. The following week will run from 14 - 19 October 2008.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on October 9th, 2008

Letterpress
Posted by Simon Lewin

Below is another snap of the labels I printed earlier in the year at Harrington & Squires in London.

Slowly but surely getting our own letterpress set up in order - we're having a press restored at the minute and have just purchased a good quantity of type. This will be housed in a workshop where we'll also have our own screen-printing table for short runs of textiles and limited edition cushion covers.

As we're already bursting at the seems in Aylsham we're in desperate need of more space - hopefully we'll have some news about that very soon.

Posted by Simon Lewin on October 3rd, 2008

Ultramarine
Posted by Simon Lewin

This is the first in a no doubt irregular series of posts about albums that seem to get more plays than others on my iPod.

"Every Man and Woman is a Star" was Ultramarine's second album, released in 1991. Simon Reynolds describes the album perfectly in his 'Energy Flash' book:

"Perhaps the first and best stab at that seeming contradiction-in-terms, pastoral techno... all sun-ripened, meandering lassitude and undulant dub-sway tempos... like acid-house suffused with the folky-jazzy ambience of the Canterbury scene."

The duo (Paul Hammond and Ian Cooper) were inspired by early UK House and long standing crushes on A Certain Ratio, 23 Skidoo and Cabaret Voltaire and collaborated with various musicians including Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers and David McAlmont.

Very much recommended and enjoyed by St. Jude's, "Every Man..." is still available from the gem that is LTM. Paul Hammond now records as Further Details and runs Real Soon.

Posted by Simon Lewin on October 2nd, 2008

The Big Draw
Posted by Kate Sullivan

This month, drawing goes national with the ninth annual Big Draw event. Its aim is to show "that drawing is the perfect medium for observation, self expression and fun."

"The Big Draw proves that drawing is an enjoyable public  activity as well as a private passion. It is inspired by the  visionary Victorian artist and writer, John Ruskin. His mission was not to teach people how to draw, but how to see."

All around the country, events for all ages are being held in museums, heritage and environmental sites, galleries, schools and art clubs. Participants are invited to explore different drawing techniques using a variety of mediums such as clay, chalks, pastels, digital imagery, pencils and crayons.

To find out the events happening in your area, click here. For further information visit The Big Draw and Campaign for Drawing.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on October 2nd, 2008