I watched the most amazingly beautiful documentary called Hear and Now the other night and I thought it was quite poignant as we are about to release the 'communication' issue.
Having both been deaf since birth, Paul and Sally Taylor (aged of 65) decide to undergo risky surgery to enable them to hear for the first time. Filmed by their daughter, Irene Taylor Brodsky, it follows their lives as they go from being deaf all their life to finally hearing.
What made it so relevant was at the end they talked about how they still felt disconnected to the 'hearing' world. Even though they could now hear they could not distinguish the different words and still relied heavily on lip reading. They hoped that by receiving the implants they would be able to understand and participate in actual conversations like regular people but in reality they still found it difficult to communicate with people.
Anyway it was one of the most moving films I have seen in a while so be prepared to blubber your way through it!
Can you tell us a little about the illustrations you submitted to Blanket
The illustrations featured in the Blue issue of Blanket, are taken from a developing series of ‘Triffid plants’. I have always had a fascination for flora and have spent many an hour drawing plants from life. As a trained Textile Designer, I have skills in turning these sketches into considered repeated patterns and placement prints. Taking influence from my design practice and a personal drive for truthful representation, I have challenged myself in the last year to step back from the plant specimen and experiment with a more fantastical exploration into plant forms, plant structure and the growth process. In saying such I have taken my botanical knowledge of plants and focused on the details, bringing together elements to create studies from my mind’s eye.
What inspires you to make art?
That’s a big question and one I find difficult to articulate. I have always created art in some form, whether it be painting, drawing, textiles, or working with sculptural forms. I can be inspired by a moment, a small textural detail, a colour, a pattern, science, everything and anything. It has never really been a conscious act. When I pick up a pen, something just comes out, almost of its own accord. The inspiration for the ‘Triffid plant’ series, was inspired my John Wyndham's novel ‘The Day of the Triffids’. If I had not created art I would be a Botanist. I am fascinated by the concept of plant life taking control and acting out against humans. We live our lives rarely giving consideration to how much flora sustains our existence. The Triffid series explores the concepts of genetics, survival or the fittest, and the mutations of species over time, a direct response to surviving against human arrogance and human actions. The resilience of plants is an inspiration. I find beauty in the colour, the form and the perfect composition of plant life. From total death and destruction, new life always forms. With the total obliteration of landscapes through the Victoria Bushfires, plant life will return to devastated landscapes, in so doing bringing hope to communities that their towns will rejuvenate. That first sprout of new life bursting through the surface brings me sense of joy, respect and love.
What would you like your art to express about you?
That I have a passion for detail and a desire to bring botanical art into a contemporary setting. I hope that my art allows people to take a moment and focus on those little details, and to appreciate the elements surrounding them, however trivial they may seem in the rush of our technological world. I would love it if someone walked away from one of my paintings with new sense of awareness of their place in our natural environment.
What have you learned from another artist lately?
To let go of fear and explore new avenues. To stop questioning your own abilities, and have the drive and passion to leap into the void! There are several artists I have stumbled across, that are working in collage media. I find this very interesting; I see this as the ultimate challenge. I am inspired by the freedom of colour and freedom of line, unbridled imagination. To take something with one purpose, and transform it into something completely new and separate from its initial intent.
What do you like about the Blanket community?
The Blanket community is so diverse, and inspirational. Blanket Magazine gives creative people a vehicle to share their skills, and to be showcased in a professional manner to the masses. It is an outlet for talent, for hidden and secret idiosyncrasies of the underground art world.
To see more of Amy's work visit her blog The Painted Forest
March marks the arrival of Autumn in Australia which is a negligible concept when you compare the climate here to countries with real seasons (you know, places where it gets cold and stuff). Anyhow, while its still in the mid-twenty degree range, many Sydney-siders are starting to rug up for the impending cooler climes - like this street sign. Already prepared, it is now attired in this rather snazzy woollen body suit. I think this indicates that there are some generally caring people in my local community or somewhere, a knitting circle has gone insane...
~ Jon
Can you tell us a little about the illustrations you submitted to Blanket?
All of the drawings I've submitted share a common theme. Each one deals with nature, growth and the connection of all living things. I know it sounds a bit silly, but it's something that has been on my mind for ages now. My most recent submission is called "kitsune", which is the Japanese word for fox. Like all of my drawings, it's done in simple lines with a subtle use of colour. I try to convey my ideas as simply as possible because I subscribe to the "less is more" mentality.
What inspires you to make art?
I've always seen art as a way to escape reality. If I get bored of or annoyed with the things around me, I can just create something I enjoy. I suppose my drawings come from a dissatisfaction with the urban setting I'm surrounded by.
Where do you get your inspiration for your artwork?
I can get inspiration from just about anything and at any time. I generally get ideas at the least opportune moments, like right before bed, or when I'm driving my car. I've learned I should always have a pen and paper on hand to record the nonsense I come up with. I think the two things that inspire me most are nature and folklore. I can sit for hours watching wildlife and travel shows on television, scribbling pictures of strange creatures at the same time. I also spend a lot of time on wikipedia reading about anything and everything and a lot of what I read gets incorporated at some point into my drawings.
What would you like your art to express about you?
I don't really have much of an ego, so people can take what they'd like from my work.
What do you like about the Blanket community?
I like anything that gives people the chance to express themselves and get their name out there. I think in many cases art communities are inaccessible to outsiders, so it's refreshing to see something like Blanket doing what it does.
{See more of Bens work here!}
Camm Rowland was the Type Designer behind the gorgeous font used in the opening credits of 'True Blood'. He was influenced by makeshift signage that he saw along the roadside.
To create the 'True' family fonts he drew each letter by hand, cut each letter out with an x-acto knife, and then scanned them in to the computer. He created 8 font families altogether!
The fonts used in the opening sequence of the show were a mixture between “True Gothic” and “True Blade” which had alternate characters and weights - so it adds to the hand made quality.
I found a great site that has a behind the scenes look at how the opening sequences were filmed by Digital Kitchen (who also filmed the opening sequences of Dexter and Six Feet Under)
I have been a big fan of the Florence Broadhurst prints ever since I first discovered them. But it was the life that she lead that has fascinated me the most.
She was a singer, a dancer, a designer, an artist and a businesswoman. She ran various businesses such as an arts academy in Shanghai during the 1920's, a dress salon in London (she reinvented herself as Madame Pellierand during this time) and a trucking company.
Her most well known role was running her internationally successful wallpaper company but it is her death that was the most intriguing. In 1977, aged 78, she was found murdered in her studio. The killer remains a mystery to this day.
Luckily her prints live on under the care of Signature Prints so we can all enjoy them. I would highly recommend reading 'Florence Broadhurst: Her Secret Extraordinay Lives by Helen O'Neill if you want to find out more about her life (and death).
This image has been doing the rounds but I just love it! (I found it on ffffound...)
Happy Friday everyone!
I just had to share this with you...
The other day I was walking along the canals in my new city of Manchester and I came across a stuffed Polar Bear floating down the canal.
He looked a little worse for wear - missing an arm, terribly dirty and of course floating down the canal and I wondered what life this little bear had lead. And why was he thrown into the canal? Was it because he was broken? Or had his owner just outgrown him?
I couldn't help but feel that his expression said it all
"I'm free!"
Good luck with your journey little bear!
~ Bec
Every year I make them and break them! But I have a feeling 2009 is going to be my year! So here's a list of what I have decided to accomplish in 2009!
Read a book once a month
I spend so much time on the internet I feel like I am constantly reading something - but there's nothing like getting a book from the library. I love that musty book smell and that used feeling from all those people who have read it before you. Maybe a tiny mark or a dog eared page - or even sometimes underlined passages from someone who was inspired by a sentence. I have found and printed out a list of '50 books to read before you die' and I've just received my new library card in the mail so I am going to slowly tick my way through them!
Practice Yoga
Not only does sitting on a computer all day give me very bad posture but I am hoping to win the fight against my genes. My great aunt is 82 and has a hump and I'm hoping it's not something I will inherit. I have made this resolution every year for the past 5 years but this time I bought a yoga mat and everything!
Go to Life Drawing Classes
I have a constant steam of inspiring artwork being sent to my inbox everyday and to tell you the truth it's a little daunting. There's some talented people out there and I haven't picked up a pencil for a long time - in fact I was never really very good at drawing. I did want to be the next Leonardo da Vinci when I was growing up but I learned very quickly that this was not a very realistic prospect for me. Which is why I took up photography instead - no drawing involved. But I'm determined to give it a go this year.
Keep Blanket Going
It's a struggle sometimes I have to be honest but I'm hoping that 2009 is going to be Blanket's year! I'm working on the theory that if you envision big things then big things will come!
Anyone else got some New Years resolutions to inspire us? Please post a comment.
~ Bec
Not only do I love magazines but I love when talented people come together and collaborate on projects. And while we have all been enjoying a well deserved rest over the Christmas period two busy ladies Jessica Goldfond, from The Shiny Squirrel, and Erin Loechner from the fabulous blog, Design for Mankind, have been working together to bring us some wonderful publications for us to gobble up!
Firstly, Truant Magazine, is an insight into travel destinations around the world - and what to do and where to go when you get there. With this issue including places such as Dublin, New York, Paris and Los Angeles amongst others there is sure to be a destination to inspire you!
And secondly, fresh off the press - or should I say web - the new Mankind Mag! With already 6 issues under her belt Erin has been working hard behind the scenes on a new re-brand of the magazine. I can't wait to devour every page!
~ Bec
Our Wallpaper competition has inspired me to list my favourite hot spots in my old haunt of Brunswick, Melbourne. I couldn't narrow it down so I have 10! If you're ever in Melbourne make sure you check out Lygon Street and Sydney Road in Brunswick. This list is making me very homesick ; (
1. Monk House Design (102 Lygon Street, East Brunswick, Melbourne)
A gorgeous little boutique full of fabulous clothing and accessories by Melbourne designers (see Precious Porcelain - gorgeous porcelain brooches)
2. Sugardough (163 Lygon Street, Brunswick East, Melbourne)
A beautiful Panificio & Patisserie shop which serves dainty baked goods on vintage china. It smells and tastes delicious!
3. Rumi's (132 Lygon St, Brunswick East, Melbourne)
Lebanese style food. I was first introduced to Persian Fairy Floss here! And even though they are Lebanese they have Turkish Delight - or should it be called Lebanese Delight? Either way it's my favourite!
4. Atticus Finch (129 Lygon Street, Brunswick East, Melbourne)
Sometimes I like to be posh. At Atticus Finch I can sip Tempranillo while snacking on duck pate. You don't get much posher than that!
5. The Alderman (134 Lygon Street, Brunswick East, Melbourne)
The Alderman has a great little backyard for a quiet beer. Or a glass of red in winter by the cozy warm fire. Dogs are also welcome ; )
6. Lulamae (Shop 151 Sydney Road, Brunswick, Melbourne)
A cute boutique run by the sweetest girls on the planet! (I bought a fabulous bright tangerine winter coat here - which unfortunately burnt in my car accident. Luckily when I rang Lulamae they were able to track me down a bright orange one instead! Thankyou!)
7. Thalia Thai (82 Lygon St, Brunswick, Melbourne)
The cheapest and best Thai food around (especially the Pad Thai!) It also has a quirky, friendly chef who waves to you when you come and go.
8. Small Block (130 Lygon St, Brunswick, Melbourne)
Good leisurely breakfast spot (which is a nice way of me saying that the service is really slow) It didn't manage to deter me though as I kept coming back for the Asian pork omelette with chilli jam! I like the vintage petrol signs on the wall as well. I want my walls to look like that too.
9. Gallery 696 (696 Sydney Road, Brunswick, Melbourne)
Run by the lovely Toby and Melika this is a fantastic shop, gallery and art space. You will be introduced to some of the most talented emerging artists around - and you might also find some lovely art to take home (or even a Blanket poster and badges!)
10. Black Hearts & Sparrows Wine Purveyors (131 Lygon St, Brunswick, Melbourne)
Obviously as a designer I base the quality of the wine or beer on the quality of the design on the label. You really can't go wrong here.
If you want to share your list of hot spots make sure you enter our Wallpaper competition!
Email: competition@blanketmagazine.com
(please include in your email your: Name, City and Country of Residence and your list of 5 Hot Spots!)
~Bec
We were delighted to have the lovely Miss Erin from Design For Mankind to be our very first Blanket guest Blogger. With so much inspiration surrounding her everyday we asked Erin what inspires her?
Erin: Gracious. This is one of the hardest questions for me to answer, because I feel so inspired by so many different things! But, if I had to choose, here are my top five inspirations, along with a few reasons why I think they're totally awesome:
1. Libraries
I love the smell of old books, new books and well, books in general. Although I have to admit, art/design books smell the best.
2. Rain
I love to write during a thunderstorm. Although I don't have a tin roof like in the movies, I still feel like I'm a bit of a star.
3. Portland
As in Portland, Oregon. OK, I've never been there. But because of aforementioned #2 and the bustling art community, I feel like I would love it. I often close my eyes and pretend like I live in a tiny bungalow there. Portlanders--- do they even HAVE bungalows in OR?
4. I.D. Magazine
I get so excited when this goodie arrives in my mailbox every two months that I have my own night dedicated to the action. I call my husband, scream "It's I.D. Day!" and he brings home Chinese food as I devour every inch of those beautifully laid out margins. It's quite possibly my favorite day of the bi-month!
5. Photography
When I'm feeling low on inspiration, I browse Flickr and choose some favorites depending on my mood. It's a fun game for me to play, and sometimes I have to 'unfavorite' my picks and wonder what exact state of mind I was in when I chose that, but most of the time, I love my favorites forever.
www.designformankind.com
