Souper Duper

Last night I had a good browse on a gorgeous food blog - Tartelette. If you haven't heard of it, do visit, if just for the amazing food styling and light-filled photography. I saw a post on Roast Vegetable Soup, and although I often make vegetable soup, I've never roasted the vegetables first, but it inspired me and today I made some for lunch, then loved it so much I made it again, slightly differently, for supper! I just used whatever veg I had, and added a pile of basmati rice and some goat's cheese which melted and all in it was divine! There was no light for a photo, so I've illustrated the recipe instead!

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My Maps

I'm working on a series of maps of Paris, New York and London, for my illustration portfolio. Obviously there's a bit too much to fit onto a sheet of A4, so I've decided to pick out a few of my favourite places in each city and map those (loosely - scale and hard fact have gone out the window). I've just this second done Paris, which brought back lots of fond memories...

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Books etc.

I just thought I'd share a couple of inspiring books I've bought in the last few weeks... The first is Rob Ryan's You can still do a lot with a small brain, which has got all sorts of lovely and interesting images of his work and workshop (it's always nice to see behind the scenes). The second is Illusive, which showcases lots of different illustrators' work and which I can't bear to put on the bookshelf as the cover is just too pretty to be hidden away! It's the third in a series of tomes, so I'll have to backtrack and buy numbers 1 and 2 when funds allow.

Screening

Towards the end of last year I took part in a screen printing workshop at Print Club in London (to celebrate the third birthday of the graphic design agency where I work). We had an absolutely brilliant day, each printing our designs which were based on the number three... I was in Parisian mode...

Co.

I've been busy all this week building an actual proper real life website (www.bessharding.co.uk). It's mostly meant as a portfolio site to show examples of my illustration, textiles and painting, and of course has a link back to this blog and to my Etsy shop. I'm really pleased with the layout, and although not all the content is there yet, it's now online and ready for viewing!! Here's a snapshot...

Ltd.

I'm getting some limited editions prints made up this week, which will be in my Etsy shop (and possibly on Big Cartel too as a tester) in about a week's time. They're A4, the same design in two colourways, printed on really good quality 310gsm paper, and there will be a run of just 15 of each. Here are the designs, if anyone would like to pre-order one please feel free to email me (see address to the right). Just in time for Valentine's!

Traditionally...

I've just entered the latest Tigerprint design competition. The brief is for a beautiful traditional card design and I've had a lovely afternoon absorbed in "beautiful tradition". Here are a couple of my entries, fingers crossed as ever!

Toothpaste Kisses

Veering away from festivity for a moment, here are two little characters I made for a friend's engagement last week. The couple in question had mentioned to me that they'd thought of painting up toothpaste lids and for some reason the idea stuck with me and when I was cleaning the bathroom I noticed some toothpaste lids and one thing led to another! They're like little station masters with bad hairstyles, but I'm pleased with how they came out! I might see what other bits of household paraphenalia I can turn into people...

A Raft of Robins

I've been making Christmas cards, not to sell but to send! Seeing as I've been doing lots of birds recently, I thought I'd continue the theme, so it's a robin in a party hat on some recycled cardboard. Winging it's way... (oh dear, I think I'll stop there).

All's Fair

I've been talking about it for quite some time, and finally on Saturday it was the We Make London Christmas Fair. It was a very festive day, with lots of wonderful stalls, and Christmassy visitors! Next up is the Of Cabbages and Kings fairs on Saturdays 12th & 19th, where my friend the fab illustrator Mary Kilvert will also be exhibiting. Here's my stall from this weekend with my whole collection, familiar and new...

Festivities

Today I sent off a parcel of festive goodies to Seastar Gallery in Cornwall, containing my new peg-angels-with-loops (just like a peg angel but with added practicality), and some of these paintings I've been working on, which are extremely optimistic and which - if they don't sell over Christmas - may make an appearance in my Etsy shop. I've got lots more to sell on my stall this weekend (see flyer two posts below).

Teddy Bears Picnic

Yesterday the latest issue of Small Magazine (an absolutely beautiful online childrens/parents magazine) came out. In their last issue I contributed a DIY project on finger puppets, and this time round one of my beeb bears was featured as part of their "the new bears in town" spread, alongside some of my favourite designer/makers like Abigail Brown and astulabee...

Christmas Fair

Next Saturday - the 5th December - I'm taking part in the We Make London Christmas Fair at Chelsea Town Hall on the Kings Road. I think it's going to be a brilliant event, there are going to be all sorts of super artists/designers/makers exhibiting, and an illustrious list of sponsors. Do come along if you can!!

Take Heart

I've made cushion covers in the past, but not often because I had a bit of a fear about inserting zips. But, I thought they'd be a good addition to my collection, so I've pulled myself together recently and made some cotton ones with hot pink silk hearts and stars on. Although they may not look it in these bleached pictures, the square one is blue and the rectangular one is dusky orange, and they have lovely soft duck-feather pads which really make all the difference...

Capital Idea

I showed a couple of my 'new style' of pictures in the last post... here's another, a commission for my sister's friend's baby shower last weekend. She's received it now so there's no embargo!

p.s. I love doing these, and would thoroughly welcome any other commissions!