Itching To Tell You....

That a selection of my work is now available at the Itch Gallery - it's a delightful contemporary gallery situated in the lovely town of Oakham in Rutland.

I'm in good company, you should check it out!

Olympic Legacy Wall

Okay, okay, I've been wanting to tell you about a forthcoming project for so long now, but I've been holding it in....

Over the coming weeks, I will be working with KHCTSC (Kirk Hallam Community Technology & Sports College) to produce an Legacy Wall for their new sports building that opened last year.  KHCTSC were one of 42 schools selected for a pilot scheme to engage with the London 2012 Olypmics - promoting the values,  linking communities and so much more - see here for some information

Today I met with some of the Ambassadors - students from Y10 that have been working hard on these projects, to select some images that will form part of the final design.  Earlier this year, the college ran a challenge both at 'home' and with primary school pupils in the area, to design silhouettes based on the theme of what the Olympics and/or its values, means to them. 

This week I will be working with art students to take these images and make moulds, or 'stamps', that will be used to create texture on a large sculptural ceramic wall piece.  The overall design is still to be finalised, but I was thrilled when the young ambassadors like two of my suggested ideas.

My challenge will be, not only to help the students create the sections of this overall finished piece, but overseeing the whole project, from technical design aspects, to frame work, to installation - wish me luck!

No images of this one to show you yet, but for those of you thinking you might have heard me mention the school before, well, yes I have.  It was their sixth form building, the Lakeside hall, that I designed my degree show piece for, which I am proud to say hangs in the prominent stairway - and I get to see it quite often.

I am thrilled to be working with the school again - if you know me personally, you will know I am quite loyal and proud of my local community and the school holds a place in my heart as I went there (a few years ago) - I am one of those who can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed my school years.

It's quite a turnaround really - as a student, I was part of the "Mural Squad" - we ended up doing several large scale painted pieces, some of which graced the school corridors, but some went further affield - we did a piece on the "Three Kings" for Derby Cathedral, and a maze wall mural for a Derby hospital waiting room amongst others - and now I am back there again, a little older and wiser, but still creating large wall art!

Flora & Fauna

Wow, it's been a while.... I have been quite busy, honest!  I am currently working with a local school on an Olympic Legacy Wall - its for their new Sports Hall, and I am working with the students to make a large outdoor piece.  Hopefully will have something to show you soon.

I've also been accepted into two new galleries, so there will be more places to find my work soon... yippee!  And writing and submitting proposals for some community art projects.... 

Meanwhile, down at the studio, I have been playing with decals.  Oh and sandblasters, but nothing to show there yet.  I won't show you too much of what I have been doing, that's a surprise, but I have some fun stuff in development - but here's one I made earlier:

Ladybird Wall Hanger