Farewell Cobble Lane Studio


 It is with a heavy heart that I am having to leave my art studio.  I was at Cobble Lane Studio for almost a year and, during that time, I discovered how wonderful it is to have a shared creative space.  My studio mates; Mike Hall, Zack McLaughlin, MESH137 and Claire Barrett are the loveliest people and I'll be sad to not have them in my life so much.

Cobble Lane's eponym
My old desk at Cobble Lane


And now, I'm back working from home (sigh).  It's not so bad, because it's definitely temporary until I find a replacement studio.  I will definitely be getting a studio space, as soon as my summer of weddings is over. It's worth every penny. Here's why:

Working from home sucks because:

  • If I'm in the house on my own for an extended period of time I start to talk to myself and go a little bit crazy.
  • There is not enough space in my house for all my "art stuff"
  • I am currently working on my dining table..... which means I have to eat very close to my computer (potentially disasterous)
  • I eat everything in the fridge.
  • I never stop working

Having a studio means:
  • I get to work with other illustrators, who share their stories and concerns and listen to mine
  • I get to meet other exciting people and we all know that networking is good.
  • I can separate life from work easily
  • I am super productive in the studio 
  • My illustration tools can be laid out sensibly
  • It makes me feel a little bit more professional
So illustrators, and creative people, let me know if you have a studio space in London.  I'd be keen to see it.
x, Willa

Handsome Frank - An Insider's Guide and #hftab

Last night I was at Handsome Frank presents "An Insider's Guide to Illustration".

It was a cool little event, hosted by Illustration Agents Handsome Frank and held at The Church of London's new event space, 71a.  If you don't know The Church of London they are the creative genius behind Little White Lies Magazine the beautifully illustrated movie magazine, amongst other fab publications.  To be honest, I was even quite excited about seeing inside their offices.

The event had great insights from illustrators Tim McDonagh and Malika Favre and Art Director Paul Pensom, 

D&AD New Blood winner and Pick Me Up 2012 exhibitor Tim McDonagh talked about his working practice and what he has learned since he left University.
The sublime illustrator, Malika Favre showed us a how her saucy work has developed over the years. 



And Creative Review Art Director Paul Pensom was there to give a really helpful top ten list of what to do to impress an art director.  I definitely took away lots of great ideas.

While I was there, I also got to see Handsome Frank's first exhibition; Tweet-a-Brief  - an exhibition inspired by creative briefs collected on Twitter, which was hanging in the same space as the talks.  The exhibition was great!! Handsome Frank has the most incredible talent on its books.  Totally worth seeing, so go visit before it finishes on July 22.

The Picture Show - A Summer Illustration Spectacular!





I popped by to see some friends at the opening night of The Picture Show exhibition (http://www.thepicshow.co.uk/) on Tuesday night.  It was great to catch up with some illustration peeps, and some friends that were taking part in the show.

The Picture Show is a showcase of work from 10 illustrators, who met at the University of Westminster.


Chetan Kumar
Artists:



Emma Cowley

If you're in the Oxford Street area, pop by and have a look.  The exhibition ends this Saturday,   21st July.  It's at the Coningsbury Gallery (near Goodge Street).



New Designers - Highlights

Last week I went along to the New Designers at he Angel Business Design Centre, to see what illustration, design and textile graduates were doing.  There are so many talented people out there and it was great to see a real mix of styles from graphic novels to children's illustration.  It was really inspiring.
Here's some of my own personal highlights:


Annelin Fagernes' Illustration
Annelin's loose lines and free watercolours are beautiful.  I especially loved her book "The A-Z of unusual phobias".  It was fun and colourful and full of illustrated loveliness.





Rosy Higgen's (feminist?) graphic novels
These beautiful comics were so beautiful and Rosy is obviously very talented.  I fell in love with this comic even more because they talked about feminist issues; graphic novels for a new generation.





Emma Cowlam's hand stitched fashion illustrations


Technically, Emma was part of the exhibition as a graduate "one year
on", and of course I have seen her work in a number of blogs.  I love
her work, and it was motivating to see how much she has achieved in one
year.
As well as exhibiting and selling her work privately, Emma's client list
includes Elle, Country Homes and Interiors and the V&A Museum.


The Blood Bag Project 

This great project was been set up Leigh Bowser, to raise awareness of
the rare blood condition Diamond Blackfan Anaemia after her niece was
diagnosed. This important cause asks people to take part in a craft
exhibition by "donating" a crafted blood bag.  Strangely beautiful, I'm
hoping to craft something, and encourage other people to take part too.

Links

Places to find me:
My website
Etsy
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn

People I have worked with
Amelia's Magazine
Slink Magazine
Darling Fashion
Lilly Wiggler
Necklush
Yoga and Home


Inspirational blogs and people
Lisa Stannard - Beautiful, soft and floaty fashion illustration and print
Francesca Waddell - Brilliant, clean, sophisticated fashion illustration
Fifi Lapin - the cutest best dressed rabbit out!
Garance Dore - The epitome of classic French style illustrated
I love Illustration - perfect place for illustration inspiration
Kelly Smith - pencil / watercolour / fashion perfection
David Downton - The prince of fashion illustration
Rene Gruau  - The prince of fashion illustration
Laura Laine - Shape and swirling pencil