Whitecross St party 2012
It was the third year that we participated in Whitecross Street Party. I think having been there from the start, I can honestly say that it just keeps getting better and better.There is just so much to do & it’s really family friendly with lots of activities for the little one’s. Although I am at our stall majority of the time over the two days, I did manage to see a few things like the fire breathing horse and my friends Brassroots performing on the new stage area on the Sunday.
I am sure we will back next year for more rising of the none-conformists!
Sweet Memories-Sweet Revenge
I really don’t need to say much this time, the photo’s explain it all!
It was all decks on hand when the Sweet Toof Sweet Revenge show was getting put up by the High Roller Society. The mammoth space in Hackney Wicks Colour Works building was transformed in to a “sweet delight” in the middle of the Olympics!!!!!
The preparation was immense and everything manged to get pulled together in the final stages, although I did feel really bad in pulling the big Blue shutters down on peering faces just when the show was meant to start! Sorry! They didn’t stay shut for too long though.
The most amazing thing about the show for me was to see all the great works made through the years under one roof. All the past pieces reminded me of the time and place when I had first seen them and the people that had been with me. Sweet memories of times gone by…….
Hope you enjoy the photo’s, and thanks to the High Roller Society and all those who helped with the show for letting me part of it.
Ax
You are here exhibition
London Framing Workshop presents:
You Are Here
You Are here is the second in the installment of the summer exhibitions brought to you by London Print Workshop.
Hackney Wick has been home for the swarm of young creatives descending into its raw industrial makeshift studios in the last decade or so. And has quickly become one of the biggest artist communities in London.
You Are Here celebrates this flourishing talent and diversity by showcasing five artists who practice/live in the “Wick” and explores their very individual and personal development within this close nit community. The various disciplines and subject matters are very personal in technique and style and range from the medium of painting, illustration, printmaking and street art.
Aida
A political refugee from the Middle East in the early 80′s, Aida describes herself foremost as a designer maker, a full time screen printer and a “some time educator.”
Having taken some time out from dressing Brick Lane’s Fashionistas with her label Brag, she’s set to concentrate on her fine art printing and independent production house “Aida Prints”
Since then, Aida has exhibited in various exhibitions with more major ones including Mutate Britain(One Foot in The Grove) in West London (2009). In 2011 completed a street art inspired print project with Safewalls, an art project set up by Cirque du Soleil. More recently she has showcased two major screen print releases at Pick Me Up (Contemporary Graphic Design) 2012, and just completed the Banger Art project alongside major international street artists with Nelly Duff which involved transforming an old car in to a piece of art.
https://www.facebook.com/Bragstarrs
Mantis
South African born artist Mantis has been a steady contributor to the urban and contemporary art scene for the last ten years.
He has exhibited internationally, showing numerous times in group shows with some of the worlds leading galleries from Los Angeles, Miami, Australia, Bangkok, Berlin, Italy and his current base in London. His First solo show “Altered State” in 2010 was in Hackney Wick’s very own derelict Lord Napier pub.
Mantis’s work reflects mostly on the social issues that confront us in our daily city grind and although full of hope it rides and questions on the darker edge of the social conscience. With his work, he asks that we enter into a new way of thinking and that we play the game of life with heart, pushing forward collectively in a positive and constructive new direction.
John Atherton
John Atherton attended Glasgow School of Art where he studied Graphic Design. He has worked in many design fields but more recently his work has a fine art direction. In his latest series of ‘unusual portraits’ his working process dictates the narrative of each piece, the subsequent gallery of historical, aristocratic freaks uses various techniques that include painting, screen-printing and collage.
Luke Moss
Luke received a diploma in Architecture from the University of Westminster in 2007. Having previously studied Fine Art at Byam Shaw and the Central School of Speech and Drama.
He currently works as a Robotics Engineer for the Shadow Robot Company.He has been exhibiting artwork in group shows for the last fifteen years under the pseudonym ‘Dybbuk’ and as part of the creative sound system ‘Hekate,’ in and around Europe including; Poland, Romania and Bulgaria.
With a focus on the anthropomorphic interpretation of machines and objects, Luke’s painting could be described as narrative-driven Synthetic-Surrealism.
His drawing and design work stretches across numerous records, canvases, human skin and walls.
http://www.hekate.co.uk/LUKE%20MOSS/frontpageLuke.htm
Sweet Toof
You can’t miss Sweet Toofs recognizable pink fleshy gums and skull heads which are plastered onto almost every rooftop building as you enter and leave Hackney Wick, these iconic images have almost become the identity of the area.
Sweet Toof’s painting starts with and evolves out of his street art; whether as a solo graffiti artist or in collaboration with the esteemed Burning Candy crew.
Like the streets of 1980’s New York, an ever-increasing army of street artists of which Sweet Toof is one of the most prolific and artful today is reclaiming London’s streets.
Equally disciplined in traditional painting and printmaking techniques, Sweet Toof masterfully blends urban detritus with bygone decadence. Fusing ancient methods with modern materials, Sweet Toof’s imagery combines layers of historical and current cultural references to create unconventional, iconoclastic art that is at once both traditional and contemporary.
Nelly Duff: Banger Art
Making Of: Holly-Anne Buck Print
Competition winner- Holly-Anne Buck
Little did I know a chance meeting with Holly-Anne Buck who had the next stand by mine at the Other Art Fair 1 that I would end up printing her winning designs a few months later!
To top that, I actually think that Holly-Anne well may be the first lady artist that I have made a screen print edition for!
In fairness, we didn’t begin work straight away on the print, and getting the artwork right was our prime concern.
Majority of Holly-Anne’s work is collage based and she has a great talent of juxtaposing various imagery together to make amazing and sometimes crazy compositions.
This had it’s own little hurdles for us as screen printing is obviously an analogue process, so when you try to reproduce something that has already been processed digitally transferring it back to analogue you really need to handle it with experience and care to no experience too much dot clash (Moiré). Luckily Holly-Anne has a printmaking background so she immediately understood what I was going on about so she was a little more forgiving.
Very bizarrely I had just purchased some140T mesh screens, which are probably the tightest mesh count I have printed through as yet, so I thought I would give it a go!
After we had the go ahead from the initial samples my work continued. Armed with the original artwork close to me, I couldn’t seem to get the Rose in the middle of the deign bold enough! So, I have a little confession to make…..I actually had to add another layer to the print so it became 4 colours instead of the 3! I know, I know, but I couldn’t really let the print leave without me being a 100% happy.
As you could imagine Holly-Anne was very pleased with her print she actually told me that she couldn’t take her eyes of it.
I am so happy Holly-Anne won, well deserved winner.
We really enjoyed running the print comp because I really believed in it, and wanted to connect with other artists and designers. I love being able to make work for other artists as much as I love making work for my self. Thank you for all who voted and thanks once more to the entrants and the runners up. Aida x
The new stunning prints titled “Flowers that Wander & Bloom, London 2012″ will be available from here: hollyannebuck.com
LCC Surface Design Graduate Show
Surface Design @LCC Graduate shows 2012
Surface Design at the London College of Communication has a long history in priding itself in delivering one of the best Applied Arts programmed in the UK.
Our philosophy is that design for the “Surface” needs to be innovative and unique and this can only stem from our belief of imbedding the traditional fundamentals of Surface Design and image making in the developments of our students time with us.
We are pleased to announce that this years Graduate Surface Design at the London College of Communication will be exhibiting at the Elephant & Castle, 3rd Floor Galleries which will be open to the public from the 15th June- 21st.
There will be a showcase of over 60 graduate students exhibiting a diverse selection of work, which includes Screen Prints, textiles, paper based products, ceramics as well as more Conceptual 3D and innovative pieces.
The opening reception will be on the evening of the 14th from 6pm, where there will be various screen printing demonstrations including, how a textile length gets printed into a repeat design as well as having the opportunity to pull your own squeegee, and print a mini poster and other various delights on the evening.
We will also be taking a wonderful selection of our graduating students to what promises to be an eventful year at the prestigious New Designers Exhibition in London between the 27th-30thJune at the Business Design Center in Islington- www.newdesigners.com. This year will be our first year exhibiting under the category of Contemporary Applied Arts (stand CA22).
We would love to see you so come and say hello, and if you can’t, you can see some behind the scene photos and ramblings on these sites.
http://surfacedesignlcc.tumblr.com/
http://collectiveink.tumblr.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/LCCSDatND2012
Going Wilde at the Wild Food Kitchen
It was a bit of a last minute rush for me but my friend Alex Daw asked if I would like to bring down some of my animals to accompany his artwork for the latest pop up restaurant for the Wild Food Kitchen in Hackney, as he thought the theme seemed to be right up my ally. I couldn’t refuse now could I!
When I arrived first thing last Thursday morning you wouldn’t think that the restaurant was going to be open later on that evening. So I began taking the cut out prints out, barely awake and started work. To my great surprise what Alex had already done really complimented all the different colours of work that I had brought down. So I carried on amongst the electricians fixing the light fittings and the head chef Jimmy Garcia organising the kittichen staff who were scurrying around prepping vegetables, there was a real great buzz about the place, with everyone working hard to meet the opening deadline.
I couldn’t wait to see it all finished and taste the yummy wild foraged delights which were going to be on offer. We headed down there on Sunday evening, where a friendly and charming hostess greeted us at the door and showed us our table. The place looked amazing, with all the ambient low lighting, the art work, the smell of the delicious food and the late entertainment which proved to be one of the highlights of the night. We were fortunate to be sitting on the same table with two of the scattered members of City Shanty Band , who didn’t let on that they were going to perform that night with the rest of the members who had also been discreetly dotted about the restaurant to surprise us with their heady mix singing & hand clapping & minimal instruments. They performed catchy humorous songs with a twist of traditional sea shanties with an urban vibe.
Throughly enjoyable and refreshing evening. I am told that they City Shanty Band will be back at the venue again next Thursday so I would highly recommend you book early to taste some great food and great entertainment!
Aida’s Glorious Big Bonanza Free Printing Giveaway
Competition Winner: Holly Anne Buck
Shortlist:
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Holly Anne-Buck, Gaetan Billault, Jay Blunt, Hannah Collins, Clare Dewell, Hijak ’85, Adam Jacques,
Sui Kim, Keith Little, Mark McAleese McQueen, Pedro Moreira, Ian O’Dem, Nicola Reed, Sarah Richards,
Mark Ring, Jamie Stuart, Juliette Stuart, Philip Walton
Wow, we have finally got our WINNER ! Congratulations to Holly Anne Buck. We will be getting started
with you print very soon.
Thank you so much to all our lovely entrants for making our first competition such a great success.
We are planning lots more fun competitions for the future so keep your eyes peeled, we would love
to see more of your artwork again.
Thanks for all your support and well done Holly Anne Buck.
Lots of love
Aida x
Behind the Scenes at the “Zoo”
I am sure you have had enough of me going on about this years Pick Me Up (Graphics Fair) by now, but it is because I was so excited to have something in the show. For the last two years, I had visited the fair and was a little envious of all the artists that had been exhibiting.
This years show, didn’t fail to disappoint me. I think I could even go as far in saying, it was one of the best yet, especaially as there was a special focus on drawing and I know in the past it has been quite print based.
Well, there are plenty of reviews of the show on many many other blogs out there, this is not my role, so I will shut up. What I do have is some sneak pics of us helping set up the Nelly Duff “Zoo”, which was so much fun, especially being able to put up the main entrance wall of the Zoo. You wouldn’t think it would be so hard to make something look naturally pasted up and aged- I think it took us about 5 hours or so to achieve the look! Many strategic rips and scratching went on……
Just incase you were in hibernation, you can see my new screen print launches FlamingoRama & Scarlett Ibis now available from Nelly Duff.
Making Of: Flamingorama
Having always looked towards the wilder side of the animal kingdom for inspiration as mentioned in the ‘Left with the Unicorns’ blog post, I knew that I was going to be working on a bird theme collection of prints for the next few months at least. When I heard the news that these were potentially going to be launched by Nelly Duff at their “Zoo” themed room for Pick Me Up fair, the pressure was on and I knew they had to be special and maybe something that I had never done before- lets say I was feeling slightly out of my comfort zone. If you have read the ‘Unicorns’ post, you will know that this version of the Flamingo is the second one which I reflects my personality a little more. Where in the last one, as nice as it was, maybe I was too influenced or even haunted by the history of the past.
With some classical references and taking inspiration from the likes of John Audubon and Basil Ede, I wanted to make artwork that echoed the atmosphere and composition of the original illustrations and give them a new lease of life through digital rendition and screen printing techniques, especially focusing on various processes and finishes to make these birds really sing.
The fist two birds in the collection are specially produced are launched by Nelly Duff in this years Pick Me Up show in Somerset House. Audubon’s classic Reddish Pink flamingo has been given a major rework, with a composition that is reminiscent of “the land of the giants” with a small hint of detail on how some of these birds can now only be seen in captivity and not in their natural habitat like Audubon and his predecessors had the privilege of observing. Again, this is offset by my classic trademark use of acidic Pink and Black Glitter printed on recycled speckled paper with the apt title FlamingoRama.
To view these birds in their new natural habitat, Pick Me Up- Contemporary Graphic Art Fair runs from the 22 March – 1 April. The prints can also be viewed after the show at Nelly Duff gallery.
I will be posting some behind the scene photographs and commentary on Nelly Duff’s ZOO room for Pick Me Up in the next blog post soon xx
Making Of: Scarlett Ibis
Having always looked towards the wilder side of the animal kingdom for inspiration I tried not to fly too far from the nest with the new collection of hand screen printed editions especially made for the Nelly Duff gallery in London.
With some classical references and taking inspiration from the likes of John Audubon and Basil Ede, I wanted to make artwork that echoed the atmosphere and composition of the original illustrations and give them a new lease of life through digital rendition and screen printing techniques, especially focusing on various processes and finishes to make these birds really sing.
The bright Red flamed ruffled feathers of this print can only be the Scarlett Ibis, which sits perched on a silhouette of a thick branch, which is another recurring theme, running through both the Flamingo and the Ibis. The dark Gray background and the thick Black gloss overprint over the beak and tail of the Ibis makes this print very dark and majestic, making it a welcome addition to grace any wall.
To view these birds in their new natural habitat, Pick Me Up- Contemporary Graphic Art Fair runs from the 22 March – 1 April. The prints can also be viewed after the show at Nelly Duff gallery.
Left with the Unicorns
In my mind, I had been planning to start a bird based screen printing project for some time now. Many hours of researching through books, The V & A, The British Musuem and the Museum of Natural History and a million photographs I was driving my self into a right tizz. So many choices and so many avenues to follow but I knew I had to settle on some sort of a vibe.
I knew that I didn’t want it to look too ‘twee’, as that’s not my thing. They had to be bold and quite powerful, but mostly colourful. (Had to get the Pink in there somehow)
I decided to whittle the first 3 down, and started with the mind set of, S, M & L birds…just like when I am printing clothing!
My main focus and inspiration was to ‘mash up’ the old with the new, so draughtmen like John Audubon and Basil Ede were a big inspiration.
The hardest thing I guess “only” working with the screen print medium, for me, is the time consumption and the expense, and obviously spending hours getting the art work right before you make your positive films. In total, just for me to produce these first intitial proofs, I made over 16 screens, went through lots of paper, and never mind the pots of inks that I mixed. My hands and fingers were getting so tired of mixing over 16 pots of ink in various colours that I wanted to try out for these samples, that at some point I couldn’t even clamp my screens in the frame because they were hurting so much.
At the end, the hardest part was the admittance that these wouldn’t actually make the cut and I had to go back to the drawing board. It’s a complicated feeling when you have to reject something that you have created and say that this is not good enough! Oh well, can’t get it right all the time! For me, this was the first time that this had happened and I think I have learned a very valuable lesson- my creativity cannot be rushed!
New Print Launch for Nelly Duff at Pick Me Up
Dear Friends,
Here is a sneak peek at what to expect from my new collection of prints which will be launched by Nelly Duff at this years Pick Me Up (Contemporary Graphics show) Obviously, I can’t reveal the fully finished prints just yet, you will have to go to the show to see that, so below is a summery of what to expect. More behind the scenes photo’s and “Making of” to follow soon. Hope to see you there xx
Aida- New Print release for Nelly Duff at Pick me Up 2012
FlamingoRama & Scarlett Ibis
Having always looked towards the wilder side of the animal kingdom for inspiration we find that Aida hasn’t flown too far from the nest with the new collection of hand screen printed editions especially made for the Nelly Duff gallery in London.
With some classical references and taking inspiration from the likes of John Audubon and Basil Ede, Aida wanted to make artwork that echoed the atmosphere and composition of the original illustrations and give them a new lease of life through digital rendition and screen printing techniques, especially focusing on various processes and finishes to make these birds really sing.
The fist two birds in the collection are specially produced and will be launched by Nelly Duff in this years Pick Me Up show in Somerset House. Audubon’s classic Reddish Pink flamingo has been given a major rework, with a composition that is reminiscent of “the land of the giants” with a small hint of detail on how some of these birds can now only be seen in captivity and not in their natural habitat like Audubon and his predecessors had the privilege of observing. Again, this is offset by Aida’s classic trademark use of acidic Pink and Black Glitter printed on recycled speckled paper with the apt title FlamingoRama.
The bright Red flamed ruffled feathers of the second print can only be the Scarlett Ibis, which sits perched on a silhouette of a thick branch, which is another recurring theme, running through both the Flamingo and the Ibis. The dark Gray background and the thick Black gloss overprint over the beak and tail of the Ibis makes this print very dark and majestic, making it a welcome addition to grace any wall.
To view these birds in their new natural habitat, Pick Me Up- Contemporary Graphic Art Fair runs from the 22 March – 1 April. The prints can also be viewed after the show at Nelly Duff gallery.
Making Of: Otto Schade Sweat Heart & You Got the Power
Here are the latest new Screen Print offerings from the Chilean artist Otto Schade . They are the classic band illustrated art works.
The “Sweet Heart” is especially appropriate for you lovers out there with Valentines fast approaching….
“Sweet Heart” and “You Got the Power” are now available from The Ben Oakley Gallery (London), both are an edition of 25 printed, 3 colour screen print on Somerset Satin 300gsm paper.
Making Of: Remi/Rough Known
It was about a year ago when Remi/Rough released his first ever screen print Edition “Phenomenon” which was printed right here in The Glorious House of Brag by the infamous, talented screen printer Sam from Mula Printing.
After the success of the last print, Remi was ready to release his second print edition called “Known”. This one was a little bit different from his classic trait mark of clean graphic lines and angular shapes but never the less, still very recognisable as the artist work. I particularly love the large circular curves and and the perfect sphere that lies completely balance on the tiniest of hair line at the foot of the curve.
As a printer, for me, I knew the simplicity and the cleanness of the design would represent many hidden challenges to make sure everything was printed meticulously with all the colours being very much solid with no discrepancies in any part of the print. The colour balance had also had to be right and I did have to make a fair few samples to get this just right.
I think the most challenging part was that, I had no line or key lines to hide behind….it was all exposed, never mind getting rid of all the little bits of paper fluff and dust that kept obstructing the large solid areas of colour. Despite all this, the prints turned out beautifully and I am sure they are going to look fabulous hanging on any art lovers wall!
Remi/Rough- “Known” prints are now available in Two colour-ways, Black (edition of 25) or a very limited Blue (edition 10) from Whisper Gallery (London)
Season Ticket Art Fair 2011
Sometimes you make work and your not exactly sure where it’s destined for or if you would even get to show it. For me, the art show Season Ticket at he Old Shoreditch Underground Station was set to me my destination. As I explained my plans to the curators I could see all my hard work and panic being worth it at the end.
I was delighted to be given the walls of the main entrance of the show and later on, an alter- esque boarded up arch window to place a more permanent robust piece of art work. I had many biblical visions on my mind for that space but as time was short and with my only options of transportation was the public sort, I opted to make a slightly smaller version of the main entrance piece, entitled “3 Wise Men”.
The main entrance pieces ended up taking about 8 hours to put up, maybe this was due to it being a freezing December evening in a cold building with no heat and working with fingers like icicles. Each piece of the instillation is individually Screen Printed on various papers with lots of hand embellishments and plenty of Glitter thrown in for good measure.
I even got to feed my new “money” addiction and covered one of the walls with the “Credit Crunch” wallpaper. We added some larger cut out, folded, 3D money on top, for added effect; a moment of genius from John. Made the whole wall look alive! If you don’t believe it, check out the photo’s.
One last note, I would like to thank Alex Daw and The High Roller Society for putting on, such an amazing show to see the end of 2011 with and letting me go Wilde xx
Making Of: Credit Crunch Wallpaper
I can see why making money can be so addictive as I think I have definitely developed an addiction to “Printing Money”. As I lay there fantasising how great it would be to be surrounded by money I had a epiphany! Make some wallpaper, this was the solution. As it shows in the photographs, it just went on and on and on and on…….delightful.
Making Of: Otto Schade Amy Winehouse Print
There were spooky going on’s in the studio when these Amy Winehouse art works were being printed . As the layers of the art work were broken down, with each layer I printed, I could almost see in to the soul of the subject….never mind all the things going missing and being moved around in the studio! It was the eyes.
Pretty sure this will be another classic print for Otto Schade, with only a limited amount printed (27 to be exact) of the Black & White edition, & only 5 in the Silver and 10 in the Gold. The lips & the nails are all lovingly hand finished by the artist in Amy’s signature Red. A lovely tribute & I ‘m sure these won’t be around for long too.
Print Yourself Out of Debt
It’s any printers long term dream…how to print money! So here at Brag Towers we thought we have a go and try to beat that nasty old Credit Crunch with the revival of our “Credit Crunch Note” Each $100 note is worth $50, with the exchange rate of: 50 USD = 32 GBP. It’s not guaranteed to get you out of debt but will sure look great on your wall or in your oversized wallet!
3 Colour Screen print with a hand embeleshed layer.
43cm x 73cm, 250gsm Somerset Antique paper, signed & numbered.
Making Of: Hood Thingamajigs
Million hours in making but they are back. The famous Bragacalavas from the good old “Brag Boutique” winter staples. I had actually forgotten how long they take to make, start to finish. Luckily, I had found a batch of the fabric already cut out in one of the storage bags, so I only had to print and sew them this time round.
As usual, those of you who frequented the old shop would remember, I enlisted the help of my mother to help me sew these baby’s up. What a trooper, we made a production line of pressing, pinning, sewing and pressing again to finish these off. The results are all there for you to see. They look awesome and I must confess, now I know why they are worth all the effort, IT’S BECAUSE THEY LOOK SO HOT ON!
Fee Fee La Fou HQ
It was a while back now that I was contacted by the delightful Miss Fee Fee Lafou for some of my Neon coloured prints for her delightful soon to be Circus themed shop in the heart of Dalston in East London. As you can imagine, I’m never short of anything Neon in my studio, so off I went searching through my archive to see what I can give her that was suitable. As the launch of the shop was on Halloween, it was only fitting to give her the Brightly Florescent Vanitas Skull & for the subdued tastes out there, I also included a Black version.
I had first visted the shop when it was a work in progress, with the smell of gloss paint wafting through the air. It was shaping up to be one of the most amazing quirky boutiques I had ever seen. Once the official unveiling had happened, I was not to be disappointed.”This is the first of FFLF’s ambitious projects is to unveil Fee Fee La Fou HQ – an artist inspired, concept boutique that makes curious products for curious people ” Fee fee explains.
It’s spirit is inspired by ‘The Shop’ Tracy Emin’s & Sarah Lucas’s project space & Exhibition 3 curated by Peter Blake at the Museum of Everything.It’s a glorious space with lots of desirable feasts for the eyes, from Prints, to Home Wares, Jewellery as well as Miss Fee Fee’s own hand made objet d‘art.
The shop is open Wednesday – Saturday noon until 7pm & Sunday lunchtime until 5pm. It’s located just two minutes from Dalston Kingsland Overground Station & beside the Vortex Jazz bar, on 6 Bradbury Street, N16 8JN.
On Saturday the 10th of December FFLF will be celebrating the imminent arrival of Saint Nicholas & her Germanic roots by showcasing some gorgeous German Christmas decorations, handmade stocking fillers & original, extra ordinary Christmas gifts. Frohe Weihnachten.
Fee Fee says….Stay Curious
Staycurious@feefeelafouenterprises.com
www.feefeelafouenterprises.com
Making Of: Limited Edition Black ZeVra
So, I had a happy accident one day whilst cutting out my Pink ZeVra’s, one fell onto some Black paper which was lying on the studio floor. This was the start of my mission to try and pull off a print on Black paper. I knew it wouldn’t be easy as this colour can soak up anything which lies in it’s path spitting it out as a murky rendition of it’s former self. As you know, my colour pallet is not a shy one, so achieving this balance was not the easiest of conquests.
It all started well, the Black Gloss printed beautifully on the Black Somerset Velvet paper. Halfway through printing the White, I did actually stop and think, what have I let my self in for, as the ink was getting sucked into this bottomless void. Things got even more hairy as I was laying down the Fluorescent Pink and then having to print the extra think Black Glitter and then hand finishing them with extra Glitter on top of that! Phew, back breaking.
This was probably the longest time I have spent screen-printing a print for myself, and I really needed the time, of leaving them to press, which allowed me the adequate rest bite to fall in love with the original concept & vision again.
They are stunning to look at in my eyes and went on release at Nelly Duff Gallery 2 weeks ago. They are very limited and probably the last in the series of the ZeVra’s.
Making of: Sweet Toof Print: Under Proper
Aida & The Glorious House of Brag
Peter Chang Studio Visit
Whilst in Glasgow, we had the privilege in visiting the remarkable studio of Peter Chang. I was blown the first time I saw this artist’s hand made jewellery, often made from various acrylics and plastics as well as a mixture of found objects.
Chang is ever the perfectionist and I was told some pieces can take up months and months of his time to perfect. With my inquisitive mind I tried to figure out how he does it??? Still not really sure, but all I can say….. is that it all looks very seamless…….and all I can deduct, at this point in time, is that he is very familiar with traditional Chinese lacquering techniques……Look at me, I sound like Sherlock Holmes!
The range that I had the pleasure of gazing my glittering eyes on were some of his bracelets, broaches, various dishes (which had Gold glittering sections embedded) as well as a huge handrail which graces his wall next to his “real banister” like a crashed shark fin, he had originally designed & fabricated for The Highland Printmakers Workshop
It was a real pleasure meeting this incredible gifted man and maybe one day I will be able to afford one of his pieces!
Thank you Peter Chang x
Making of: Ludo’s e-Lepidoptera Print
I was so excited to be asked to print for Ludo for his first solo show in the UK at the High Roller Society which opened last Friday.
I really enjoyed printing this image, it was such a precise image with lots of delicate half tone dots so I had to make sure that the image didn’t finish too dark as they were being hand finished by Ludo himself.
Overall he was really pleased with them and I grow very fond of the print as I was making them. I think it’s going to be a classic image which is very accessible.
I also managed to get my self one of his signed books which I believe have sold out now! Check out the final finished article on the High Rollers site!
Thank you Ludo & High Rollers xx
Breuckelen@Recoat Gallery
While we were on our hols in Glasgow we managed to make it down to the EMA show @Recoat Gallery. The work was inspired by Ema’s time living in NYC for nearly ten years. The work was predominately chromatic with the only flashes of colour appearing in her well illustrated graphic screen prints. My absolute personal faves were the Black and White drop men which are her signature call!
While we were there, we also met Amy & Ali, who run Recoat, who were genuinely passionate and enthusiastic about their unique endevours in Glasgow. They are clearly on their way in putting Glasgow on the street art map.
Well worth a trip up to the city…… especially if you can go to the newly housed Transport Museum designed by Zahar Hadid…not entirely sure about the Pistachio interior wall coverings though!
Well done EMA & Recoat Galllery
xxx
Kid Acne:Kill Your Darlings
I had the opportunity to go up to to Sheffield to the Millennium Gallery to see the Kid Acne solo show. What a great space and what a carefully contemplated show! Really worth going up, especially as there are lots of Kid Acne goodies to buy at the gift shop….I bought my self a ‘Colour Me Bad’ book amazing!
The show is on until the 23rd of October, so still plenty of time to visit.
Also check out the new ‘Stabby Women‘ film which is directed by Dscreet ,it’s dark and atmospheric with a killer sound track in my opinion.
Some of you may recognise the girls outfits in the film:
Making of: New Scarves
Well done to those of you who managed to buy a preview of the scarves at White Cross Street party, I think it was the classic case of ‘the early bird catches the worm’.
So, as of last week, the scarves have gone up on the Brag shop. There are lots more different designs and various colours to come, so keep checking them out, as I print them when I feel like it these days. So if there is one there that takes your fancy, GET IT……who knows when I would print that specific one again!
Bit of background information for you buffs out there. Each scarf is individually printed by hand on my beloved table. Depending on how intricate and how many colours are involved, each scarf can take anything between 30-40 minutes to set up & print from start to finish! and that’s just the making!
So those of you who have one already, lucky you!
P.S Have had a few reports recently that some of you have had yours nabbed when you have been out clubbing or in a bar, so beware, you have been warned…….’Brag scarves should be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times!’
Parkway Rythm: Working Girl
I got a surprise email from a musician from Sweden who went about a spiral way to manage to find me, which I was really flattered by. I am sure I have never been head hunted like this before. What I found most amusing was that after he had spotted my work out on the street, he had envisaged me as being a starved 17 year old student looking for a bit of exposure……not sure if that’s a compliment or not!
To cut a long story short, I have provided some art work for his latest record release which is titled ‘Working Girl’…..my immediate memory was of the 80′s film which starring Melanie Griffiths and Harrison Ford, which I have lost count of ,the number of times I have watched this film. I also thought that it was fitting for me as I am also a working girl (not to be confused with the type that hangs around street corners at night anyway). So I couldn’t resist but do this project!
Try and look up the record, it’s got a real 80′s NYC vibe going on, the type of track which will make you feel nostalgic, well it certainly made me think of my youth anyway!
Labels called Parkway Rhythm- Working Girl
Vandalog
Thanks to everyone at Vandalog for the great write up and to all those lovely people who commented.
check it out: vandalog
Aida
xxx
Hackney Wicked
Hi everyone thanks for coming to see us last week at Whitecross St, if anyone has any pics you could send them to us aidaprints We are gonna be at Hackney Wicked in the Fete for the Wicked area this Sunday with a few more goodies. Some new scarves, prints, t-shirts, bags and our Beach Babes range (featured below). See ya Sunday Aidaxxx 
Latest update on Brag’s new range
Hi all, had a great session today photographing the new Brag Clothing collection. Today’s turn was the women’s wear which has had a good response so far! Well, from the few that have had a sneak peak, anyway!
Photographing the Men’s tomorrow, so looking forward to some torso action there! My model had demanded for a pair of Andy Warhol’s slippers…..pretty sure I am going to disappoint him there! Unless any one can write in and let me know where I can get a pair from???????
Will keep you updated very soon.
Luv Aida xx
White Cross Street Party
Date for your diaries: weekend extravaganza at The White Cross Street Part, craft stalls, street art, and yummy treats. The Glorious House of Brag will have a stall at the event with lots of goodies including the new clothing range, samples and artwork.
Come along and say HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love and Kisses
Aida
Living Etc
Zevra print featured in May edition of Living Etc. The stampede has begun- grab yem while you can.
Safewalls
As you can see, we have ironed out our technical difficulties with ”the blank space” scenario….. hurrah! So, here is the link for the short film I was in, made by the sweet boys form the Safewalls Project! (Sorry, I’m too much of a skin flint to spend $56 on a video up loader upgrade from word press, seeing as I have just figured out how to fill the ‘blank space’).
It’s from the London stage of the project which was launched 17/02/11 at the High Roller Society in East London.
New prints coming soon
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- ummmm shiny
New Aida ’Zevra’, glitter Zebra screen prints coming soon to Nelly Duff the Columbia Road Gallery. There are two fantastic colour ways to choose from….you really need to get up close and personal with this print so that you can see the wonderful glitter finish! As soon as I put the last colour on these pieces I just thought ‘what a HOT print’.
