(black and) white everywhere

Well, the snow is falling here on the south coast. It looks like a black and white film outside the window, so I thought I'd look out some of our black and white images for your perusal today.

Firstly, this is our slogan in the studios.

Then these wonderful paintings by Tori Brown in (mostly) black and white.

And finally, my first attempt at some styling.

It needs more work, I think, but you have to start somewhere, don't you? So one more for you, from our print collection:

au naturel

It has been a busy couple of weeks here at normal designs' HQ. Last week was the opening of Burning Bright, an exhibition of up and coming artists featured on Saatchi Online, and curated by director of the Saatchi Gallery, Rebecca Wilson.

Here we are with my painting Big Hunk O' Love in the toilet of the Saatchi Suite! Yes indeed, where better to be shown than in the throne room! Read about the exhibition here. Last week was also half term, so spent the days with the boys going to the park, even in this freezing weather. This week was my better half's birthday, so flowers and presents (brown paper packages, but couldn't find the string!) and a hand printed card from the boys.

 

Tulips and daffodils bringing spring indoors, in front of a drawing by the very talented Christopher Wheeler. This picture reminded me of the dinner ingredients from the other night:

and also made me think how wonderful it is to have natural things surrounding us. Be they flowers, driftwood or shells picked up while walking on the beach.

 

 

Have a great weekend all, and enjoy the mad month of March!

they call me mellow yellow

The weather on the south coast has been pretty grey and miserable for days, and indoors it has been very dark and gloomy, so I decided to look out for some sunshine yellow to cheer us up a bit.

I know this year's colour is supposed to be emerald, but I needed a bit of sunshine! I found this little ornament on a shelf, the oilcloth we used to upcycle this vinyl covered chair

as well as one of a growing collection of teapots! I also gathered some other bits and pieces together to photograph

And then I had a play around on Photoshop, working on some designs which will become paper stencil screenprints! Just a little yellow goes a long way.

Have a yellow smiley face day.

saatchi gallery exhibition

I was very pleased to be contacted last week by Rebecca Wilson, the director of the Saatchi Gallery, and asked to participate in their upcoming exhibition at the Hyatt Hotel in London's Portman Square, for three months from February.

Big Hunk O'Love, oil on board, 2010

So I took my "Big Hunk O'Love" in to the framers yesterday, The Frame Factory in Brighton. The service and the price there were both outstanding. They were wonderful. I shall never go anywhere else again!

I also worked on some new prints for normal designs. This positive message, and another:

That really is how I feel these days, after such a dreadful year in 2012, let this be the year that it all comes together!

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend

I have been noticing how many bloggers have highlighted Ferm Living's new collection, with some items even appearing in Elle Decoration last month. They really do have some lovely stuff.

(c) Ferm Living

I really love this pattern, found on cushions, shower curtains and even tea trays.

(c) Ferm Living

I particularly like this tray.

(c) Ferm Living

But where had I seen that pattern before? Lo and behold I looked around my studio and found this painting I painted two years ago.

Sometimes I'm behind the times, but sometimes I'm a little ahead!

See all products at Ferm Living.

See more of my art on my Flickr page.

new prints from normal

Here at normal designs we have been working on some limited edition prints of our first design there is no such thing as normal, which can be seen on our eco friendly bags around Brighton.

Here it is framed. We have also been working on some new designs, currently at the testing stage. This one is inspired by listening to a lot of Radiohead:

Here is an old favourite, which we have yet to print.

We are thinking of producing limited edition screenprints, and also an unlimited run of giclee prints for £10 each. What do you think? We are also looking at card printing. Here is a design for Valentine's day:

all designs are (c) normal designs.

Please tell us what you think in the comments section below, we always appreciate feedback! Thanks for looking.

arty shelves

Here is a very quick How To...make room for more art in your life. Here's the before:

Some of our art collection, including work by Tori Brown, Paula Day, Dominic from Luton, Paul Griffiths and Janette Staton, as well as some drawings by my son. One trip to Ikea later, with a voucher which we got for Christmas and, among other things, we purchased four long picture shelves.
First, fill and sand any holes. Touch them up with paint, then measure the walls and find the mid-point.

Using a spirit level, mark through the holes in the shelf with a pencil and make some guiding holes in your wall. Our walls are stud partitions, so I glued the back of the shelves with No More Nails and just used wood screws.

The first two shelves are up. More measuring and you're ready for the next two. And here's the finished result.

Now there's room for 100% more art, including some small sculptural objects and letters. And happily, the sun came out too!