This year all our Christmas cards are hand printed by Hanna (3).
20 December 2013
17 December 2013
It's official: Yorkshire is one of the best regions in the world.
Seriously, why was everyone so surprised when Yorkshire came third in Lonely Planet's ”Best in Travel 2014 - the best regions”, just after Sikkim in India, and The Kimberley, Australia.
It may have been unexpected, but it is not unjustified.
Just look at this picture I took the other day, with my iPhone, out of a moving car - stunning, no?
This is how the press reacted to Lonely Planet’s choice:
Yorkshire – it's even better than we thought! [The Guardian]
Lonely Planet Reveals The Best Cities And Regions To Visit In 2014 Including - Wait For It - Yorkshire [Huffington Post]
Lonely Planet Reveals The Best Cities And Regions To Visit In 2014 Including - Wait For It - Yorkshire [Huffington Post]
But hey, Lonely Planet is the largest travel guide publisher in the world. They must know, right?
12 December 2013
Babbling Fools - the rock and roll dub
In case you've missed it last week at the Oblong Theatre in Leeds, here it is online:
It's strange to watch the film nearly 5 years after working on it. I still remember all the lines, as I heard them over and over while John was editing.
P. S.: This is me at 8:00, stirring the semolina.
It's strange to watch the film nearly 5 years after working on it. I still remember all the lines, as I heard them over and over while John was editing.
P. S.: This is me at 8:00, stirring the semolina.
07 December 2013
Don't invest in fashion, but invest in the world
"Buy less. Choose well.
Make it last.
Quality, not quantity.
Everybody’s buying far too many clothes."
"Kaufe weniger. Wähle bewusst. Gebrauche es lange.
Qualität, nicht Quantität.
Alle kaufen viel zu viele Kleider."
Dame Vivienne Westwood
To my readers who understand English, please listen to this powerful talk by this amazing, inspiring Lady:
Hier zwei Filme, die sich mit den Auswirkungen unseres Textilkonsums beschäftigen: Im ersten Film auf das Leben der Menschen in Fernost, wo unsere Kleidung produziert wird und im zweiten Film auf das Leben in Afrika, wo unsere Kleidung landet, wenn wir sie nicht mehr wollen.
Der Preis der Blue Jeans
Der Preis der Blue Jeans
Die Altkleiderlüge - wie Spenden zum Geschäft werden
"Die meisten glauben, dass die hierzulande gesammelten Altkleiderspenden direkt in die Katastrophengebiete der Welt gehen. Was sie nicht wissen: Der größte Teil der gespendeten Bekleidung wird weiterverkauft - zum Kilopreis. Einige Hilfsorganisationen platzieren oft nur ihr Logo auf den Sammelcontainern von Altkleiderfirmen.
Ein geringer Teil der Kleidung wird direkt in Deutschland an Bedürftige ausgegeben. Die besten noch brauchbaren Sachen gehen nach Osteuropa und in die arabischen Staaten. Sechzig Prozent der heimischen Ware gelangt nach Afrika. Doch was passiert dort mit den Altkleidern? Die Reportage-Autoren Michael Höft und Christian Jentzsch haben in Tansania nach Antworten gesucht. Ihr Fazit: Nicht nur deutsche Firmen und einige große Hilfsorganisationen verdienen gut an den Kleiderspenden, auch für viele Händler in Afrika sind Altkleiderspenden ein lukratives Geschäft. Selbst die Ärmsten der Armen müssen dafür bezahlen. Die Billigkleider überschwemmen die Märkte des Landes und zwingen die afrikanische Textilbranche in die Knie."
- Die Reportage, ARD und NDR
05 December 2013
Colour of the Year 2014: Radiant Orchid
Pantone announced: "Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health" Read the full press release here.
Above image of an Orchid on my kitchen windowsill was taken in natural light with my Nikon D200, focal length 35 mm, aperture f/4,5, exposure time 1/80.
For online text I use the HTML value B163A3.
Here's how you can find it in your colour systems.
RGB: R 177, G 99, B 163
CMYK: cyan 33 %, magenta 72 %, yellow 0 %, black: 0 %
And finally Pantone: PMS 18-3224
Above image of an Orchid on my kitchen windowsill was taken in natural light with my Nikon D200, focal length 35 mm, aperture f/4,5, exposure time 1/80.
For online text I use the HTML value B163A3.
Here's how you can find it in your colour systems.
RGB: R 177, G 99, B 163
CMYK: cyan 33 %, magenta 72 %, yellow 0 %, black: 0 %
And finally Pantone: PMS 18-3224
Don't get it mixed up with Radio Orchid ;0)
04 December 2013
Babbling Fools
If you missed it last time, BABBLING FOOLS, a film I worked on with my partner John, has been voted best film at Oblong Cinema - so they're showing it again, tomorrow, 7:00pm Thursday 5th Dec. Oblong Cinema, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds.
03 December 2013
A dress from the printer
Jessica Rosenkrantz and Jesse Louis-Rosenberg of Nervous System are using 3D-printing in a very clever way.
The jewellery and garments they've developed has articulated joints so they transform their shape when removed from the printer. They call it 4D-printing as they are doing 3D printing in one shape that is intended to be in another shape and can transform without manual labour. They are currently working on a dress, that'll unfold and unravel into it's shape when lifted out of the tiny space inside the printer.
They named the process Kinematics. Exciting stuff. Watch the video.
"4D-printed" shape-changing dress and jewellery by Nervous System from Dezeen on Vimeo.
via Dezeen
The jewellery and garments they've developed has articulated joints so they transform their shape when removed from the printer. They call it 4D-printing as they are doing 3D printing in one shape that is intended to be in another shape and can transform without manual labour. They are currently working on a dress, that'll unfold and unravel into it's shape when lifted out of the tiny space inside the printer.
They named the process Kinematics. Exciting stuff. Watch the video.
"4D-printed" shape-changing dress and jewellery by Nervous System from Dezeen on Vimeo.
via Dezeen
01 December 2013
Blogging Your Way
Over the last few weeks I've been taking part in an online course run by Holly Becker from decor8.
I learned about intention and style and feel very inspired by my teachers and fellow students.
Here are some images I shot for my homework. Yes, we had to do homework, but this was fun!
When the kids are in bed - or have grown up and have gone to university - I'll have more time and will post some more closeups, and write about camera settings and set up.
Fellow students, please leave a comment or send a message to let me know you've been looking at my blog. It's always good to hear from you. x
P. S. Yes, it's the same sofa as in the painting in the post below.
27 November 2013
The most expensive work ever sold at auction
So this month Francis Bacon's paintings of Lucian Freud sold for US$142.4m, that's around 106.000.000 €, roughly £89 000 000, that's rather a lot.
In fact that is the highest price a piece of art has ever raised in auction. But you don't have to be a millionaire to be able to hang some beautiful artwork in your home. Did you know you can rent a painting?
The painting above by my partner John was actually rented out and then bought.
With a monthly payment you can either get the painting you've set your eyes on and want to own at the end of your contract or you can exchange the painting to have fresh work every now and then. It's also a good opportunity to find out if the piece looks and feels right in your home.
Some people don't buy a painting, though they like it very much, because of the commitment that comes with owning a painting. It can be a big statement. Sometimes you need to hear what your family and friends say and you might want to live with the painting for a while to see how you'll feel about it before you buy.
All of the above images are by John Coombes.
Look at more of his figurative paintings, drawings, and mixed media pieces.
In fact that is the highest price a piece of art has ever raised in auction. But you don't have to be a millionaire to be able to hang some beautiful artwork in your home. Did you know you can rent a painting?
The painting above by my partner John was actually rented out and then bought.
With a monthly payment you can either get the painting you've set your eyes on and want to own at the end of your contract or you can exchange the painting to have fresh work every now and then. It's also a good opportunity to find out if the piece looks and feels right in your home.
Some people don't buy a painting, though they like it very much, because of the commitment that comes with owning a painting. It can be a big statement. Sometimes you need to hear what your family and friends say and you might want to live with the painting for a while to see how you'll feel about it before you buy.
All of the above images are by John Coombes.
Look at more of his figurative paintings, drawings, and mixed media pieces.
Shooting stones
Yesterday our friend Sue Lawty came to the studio. She brought her latest work to be photographed.
It's a commission for a hospital in North Yorkshire.
photograph: Jess Hutchinson
I've seen the work in progress at her studio before, but to see a finished panel was so magical.
You look at the fine individual stones and then step back to look at the panel, which is 2.4 m long, and somethig happens. The stones, which are carefully arranged, form beautiful patterns. The whole piece consists of 7 panels, so when finally installed it will be be 16.8 m long. 240000 stones, which are collected from local beaches, represent the number of people living in that area.
Totally mind blowing.
It's a commission for a hospital in North Yorkshire.
I've seen the work in progress at her studio before, but to see a finished panel was so magical.
You look at the fine individual stones and then step back to look at the panel, which is 2.4 m long, and somethig happens. The stones, which are carefully arranged, form beautiful patterns. The whole piece consists of 7 panels, so when finally installed it will be be 16.8 m long. 240000 stones, which are collected from local beaches, represent the number of people living in that area.
Totally mind blowing.
19 November 2013
Shooting tents
We've done some more photographs of my tents. So glad to have an in-house photographer.
Wir haben meine Zelte noch mal fotografiert. Schön, wenn man einen Fotografen im Haus hat. :)
Danke, John.
Danke, John.
18 November 2013
Restraint - dance for camera piece
The latest dance film by my partner John Coombes is online now. It's so special to show the final version of this piece. It was planned, rehearsed, filmed and edited over such a long period of time, I can't quite believe that it's finished now. I got so used to hear the wonderful music coming out of the studio and John's office over the last few months.
RESTRAINT from John Coombes on Vimeo.
The Spirit is free, she has shed her social inhibitions, she has shed her anger, she has shed her clothes, she lives free, nothing restrains her. But, without anything to fight against, to strain against, she has no drive, no objectives, no passion.
Ab heute Abend ist der neueste Tanzfilm von John auf vimeo zu sehen. Nach all der Planung, den Proben, dem Filmen und dem Schneiden hab ich mich so sehr daran gewöhnt ständig die Musik aus Johns Büro und dem Studio zu hören. Das wird mir sicher fehlen.
Danke Chris Zippel für die Musik.
UPDATE: 14600 hits in the first week! YAY!
RESTRAINT from John Coombes on Vimeo.
The Spirit is free, she has shed her social inhibitions, she has shed her anger, she has shed her clothes, she lives free, nothing restrains her. But, without anything to fight against, to strain against, she has no drive, no objectives, no passion.
Ab heute Abend ist der neueste Tanzfilm von John auf vimeo zu sehen. Nach all der Planung, den Proben, dem Filmen und dem Schneiden hab ich mich so sehr daran gewöhnt ständig die Musik aus Johns Büro und dem Studio zu hören. Das wird mir sicher fehlen.
Danke Chris Zippel für die Musik.
UPDATE: 14600 hits in the first week! YAY!
12 November 2013
TipiLotta - beautiful indoor playtents for children
After months of development and product testing my tents are now available.
Order before 20th November to get 20 % discount.
Moritz
£ 90
100 % cotton
Rosie
£ 90
100 % cotton
Joey
£ 110
six pole tent
made from unbleached wool
also available made from organic cotton
Poppy
£ 130
100 % cotton
Limited edition featuring the famous 1,2,3 Design by Graziela Preiser
All prices are for the tents and rope only. Poles can be bought at your local hardware store.
The tents come with clear instructions of which dowel to buy and how to set up your tent.
- choose from four different styles
- matching cushions, bunting and flags available
- have your own custom made tent designed and handmade to fit your nursery
- ideal Christmas present
01 November 2013
17 October 2013
16 October 2013
03 October 2013
Derelict Textile Mills
Stunning photographs today on dailymail.co.uk of derelict textile mills in West Yorkshire.
Especially the first two images on dailymail.co.uk remind me very much of Bankfield Mill, our former studio. The first one looks like the upper floor and second one just like the staircase going up to it.
It's terribly sad that no one else has moved in this fabulous space since we've left. I drove past yesterday and it hurts to see the windows to the upper floor of that beautiful building being borded up. All this great space being neglected. Sad.
We've had happy times there.
Here are a few images taken by John Coombes on the day we moved out.
Especially the first two images on dailymail.co.uk remind me very much of Bankfield Mill, our former studio. The first one looks like the upper floor and second one just like the staircase going up to it.
It's terribly sad that no one else has moved in this fabulous space since we've left. I drove past yesterday and it hurts to see the windows to the upper floor of that beautiful building being borded up. All this great space being neglected. Sad.
We've had happy times there.
Here are a few images taken by John Coombes on the day we moved out.
01 October 2013
18 July 2013
A day in the life of a British clothing factory
A beautifully shot and edited film about Sunspel Clothing, who manufacture clothes in Britain since 1860.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BRITISH CLOTHING FACTORY from Sunspel Clothing on Vimeo.
14 May 2013
12 May 2013
17 April 2013
22 February 2013
At the weaving lab
Last week I went to a talk about textile printing organised by The Society Of Chemical Industry at the University of Huddersfield. After the talk I took a tour round the textile department, to see what has changed in the past eight years since I have been studying there.
21 February 2013
20 February 2013
Some time to print and think
I love experimenting with new colours and ideas. The new paint I use for screen printing is quite runny, but I am happy with the results. The samples turned out great.
18 February 2013
Weekend walk
As it's been sunny at the weekend I went for a long walk at the Sculpture park with both kids.
Johanna was thrilled to find some snowdrops
It's perfect for a walk with the kids. I don't like walking along the road with lots of traffic. In Frankonia we go for walks in the forrest or use Feldwege, small roads amongst fields. They don't have these here in Yorkshire. There are lots of footpaths across fields, but you'd have to climb dry stone walls, so not ideal for pushchairs.
The Camellia House and a sculpture by Sophie Ryder.
Johanna was thrilled to find some snowdrops
and exciting sculpture.
It's perfect for a walk with the kids. I don't like walking along the road with lots of traffic. In Frankonia we go for walks in the forrest or use Feldwege, small roads amongst fields. They don't have these here in Yorkshire. There are lots of footpaths across fields, but you'd have to climb dry stone walls, so not ideal for pushchairs.
The light was fantastic in the afternoon.
Inside the Camellia House it smelled of wood and flowers and you could hear water running.
I like the structure and marks on this sculpture.
Johanna finding Isamu Noguchi's sculpture Finding.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
