August Edit

Hello summer holidays!

This month I have collected items from our Gallery Shop that are bright, bold and unique. Some are functional and some are just fun!

The full Edit.

Front left is a beautiful trinket bowl from Drawn & Fired priced at just £10. The free and swirling patterns made by the glaze takes me straight to the beach with my feet in the sea.

Glaze for summer days. Drawn & Fired Trinket Bowl £10

Just behind the bowl are two very different candle holders. To the left is a crocheted LED candle holder by Hooked on Joy , also for £10. All the yarn used is handspun and the stitches created by crocheting cast beautiful shadows when the candle is lit. To the right is Rosie Perrett's striking candle holder for £20. To me, this would work on it's own too - with it's delicate colour yet strong and barbed appearance.

Left: Hooked on Joy LED Candle Holder, £10

Right: Rosie Perrett Ceramics, Candle Holder, £20

At the back at the Edit, we have Jemma Banks' new print in stock showing beautiful, lush houseplants. I wish mine looked like that! At £20 for the print or £32 framed, it is a perfect present for someone who is striving for a home full of foliage but lacks the green fingers essential to achieve it! That particular person would also love Designate's Everlasting Flower for £20, made using reclaimed scaffolding boards. No watering can necessary for either.

Jemma Banks, Plants Print, £20 or £32 framed

Designate, Everlasting Flower, £20

To the right of the Everlasting Flower is a new zine, 'Markings', from Jon Boam for £10. Full of robotic images and intriguing, almost skeletal, sketches it is part of a new range we have in stock. 'Markings' and Jon's other items are brand new to West Studios; colouring book, originals and prints. A very different aesthetic to most of our other products. I like it.

'Markings' by Jon Boam, £10

Coming forwards now, in front of of 'Markings', are two beautiful greeting cards from Jerry Daniel; blue skies and blue sea. Holiday essentials. They are £2.50 each. Just lovely. We also have many other cards by Jerry  - all with his eye for strong forms and bold colours.

Jerry Daniel, Greetings Cards, £2.50 each.

Down and to the front left are some great, functional but funky pieces from Shadow Crafts. Plectrum holders and pouches designed to carry either loose change or earphones! No more tangles in those wires... and music wherever you go with the plectrum holder. We have a variety of wooden plectrum designs for you to choose from too. Shadow Crafts make all their products from off cuts of leather from local upholsterers.

Shadow Crafts Plectrum Holder, £10

Shadow Crafts, Coin or Earphone Pouches, £15

So, there you have it. Our August Edit for your viewing (and purchasing!) pleasure. If you see anything in our Edit that you would like us to reserve for you to come and pick up, please do not hesitate to call us on (01246) 500799 or email us and hello@weststudios.co.uk We always have a pot of fresh coffee on as well as a great selections of teas and cold drinksfor when you come to collect...

We look forward to seeing you!

My time at west studios

Sophie came to do work experience with us at West Studios from 9th - 13th July. Below are some of the things that she discovered during her time here.

'Autumn Shadows' by John Connolly

'Guernsey Blue Sparkle' by John Connolly.

At the same time as Sophie being with us, West Studios are displaying an exhibition of work by Artist John Connolly. 

"I’ve come to West Studios for my Work Experience; these are some of my favourite things here -
John Connolly has beautiful pictures. I especially love his paintings of an autumn forest and a sparkly ocean."

A variety of ceramic pieces By Deborah (Drawn and Fired).

Ceramic dinosaurs and rabbits by Beth Cartwright

Sophie also got to look around at work done by our own tenants, and pieces that she found in our shop.

"Deb Langner and Beth Cartwright do amazing things – I didn’t realise how difficult ceramics were, and knowing about this makes you appreciate their work even more!"

"There are a lot of things on display too. All the cushions have lovely designs; as well as the crocheted tea light holders. I find Edie OP’s little comic booklets sweet and funny."

"I also just love the art studios in general. There are so many different things, everyone has their own style and they’re all so talented in what they do." 

John King's Studio space within West Studios.

Seller of the Month - Pixie Drew

Each month, we will be showcasing an independent seller for our 'Seller of the Month' profile. For July, we have chosen Pixie Drew!

An edited selection of Pixie Drew's wares.

Pixie Drew designs and creates illustrated items that are instantly recognisable. Her signature style is cute with an edgy sense of humour. Case in point, these badges below!

'Stay Weird' - I couldn't be any different!

'Selfie Queen' - we all know one!

We have so many different badges in stock right now... something for everyone.

Something for everyone!

There are many coordinating items as well. For example, these biscuit themed goodies. 'You Don't Know the Power of the Biscuit' card together with a biscuit mug and badges - perfect for the bickie connoisseurs out there.

Biscuits!

Mugs, for dunkin' those biscuits!

'For Fox Sake' and Elements mugs are fun and a little bit naughty. The handlettered plates we also have in stock are upcycled for a fun slant on frilly china patterns from days gone by.

Hand lettered and drawn plates.

All the Pixie Drew products in our Gallery Shop range from £2 to £10. If you see anything in this post that tickles your fancy, as always, to reserve, please either call us on (01246) 500799 or email hello@weststudios.co.uk right away as a lot of these are one-offs!

July Edit

Hello July! What a scorcher! This month I have collected items from our (new look) Gallery Shop that are perfect for summer holidays, lazing on the beach and festivals! Ooooh, lovely!

The complete Edit for July.

Bright colours to match the sun (hands up who thought this heat wave would end two days after it started...!).

Edit Detail.

As you can see, we have a new design of Totebag by Rollerdog Designs for £20. It is the perfect size to take to the beach (yes, you do need another bag!) and keep all your suncream, water and towels together. Great long handles too...

Fleurmingeau have some very cute little heart hangers for £3.50 in stock at the moment; perfect for decorating your space, adding some colour. Why not send one in a birthday card? These cards by Kate Beinder for £3.25 are all handpainted so no two are the same, as unique as the fantastic person you are sending it to!

Fleurmingeau Heart Hanger with Kate Beinder hand-painted cards.

Pictured with Kate's cards is a leather bookmark for the book you've been saving to read on your holiday. Shadow Crafts Bookmark, just £3. Shadow Crafts also have some beautiful, leather jewellery in our Gallery Shop; our Edit shows these bright and eye-catching strap bracelets. We stock lots of different colourways and designs. Each Shadow Crafts bracelet is just £10.

A small selection of the Betsy Rose jewellery in our Gallery Shop.

Our Betsy Rose jewellery is really colourful. These pieces are just £6 for the bracelet and £9 for the earrings. Very unusual, don't you agree? In the background of the image above is a cute embroidery hoop by Meliferra.

I couldn't think of a better image to add to our July Edit than a cactus! Wow, it's hot at the moment - have I already said that?! Meliferra, Embroidery Hoop £17. Behind the cacti is a cushion by Inuro for £25. Get comfy on your sun lounger whilst you read your book!

On the wall behind our Edit is a piece from our Derbyshire Young Artist of the Year Exhibition which is held here every year. This piece is 'Ecology' by Natalia Opalke who is the 2nd Prize winner in the Year 10/11 Visual Arts category. The exhibition is officially over but we will still have some of the pieces displayed for a few more days.

As always, if you see anything in this edit that piques your interest and you *need* it in your life, just drop us a line either  by phone on (01246) 500799 or email on hello@weststudios.co.uk and we can reserve it for you to come and collect it. A lot of our stock is unique so reserve the piece you like now to avoid disappointment! Have a cup of our inhouse coffee from Northern Tea Merchants whilst you're here or an ice-cold can of San Pelligrino to cool down. What could be better than that?

Seasons - An Exhibition by John Connolly

In this blog we explore what themes run through John's work, what inspires him and why he chooses to use acrylics and mixed media. John's exhibition will be available to view from Friday 6th July to Friday 3rd August.

What is the name of your exhibition? 

‘Seasons'

What medium do you use in your art?  

I use acrylics and mixed media.

What drew you towards using that medium?

I originally worked mainly in water colour and mixed media on paper so it seems a natural progression to develop my work using Acrylic inks and paint which are both water based. I have done some work in Oils but much prefer the quick drying time with acrylics and the versatility of acrylics when working mixed media.

What themes run through your work? What themes are you exploring within this exhibition?

I am a landscape/seascape  artist and am particularly interested in looking at the ever changing  light, colour and textures within the landscape across the seasons. I often paint the same place in different seasons, weather, and lightning conditions. My favourite time of day being very early morning as the sun rises and the world wakes up. Painting at that time is a kind of celebration for being alive to live another day. This exhibition is an eclectic mix of work showing my response to  the ever changing light, colour and textures throughout the seasons.

What inspired you to pursue art and how long have you been doing it? 

I have always drawn and painted since I was very young. When I was 10, my older sister went out with a very young artist, Howards Selina who went on to train at  the Royal Academy of Arts. When I saw his work, I knew I wanted to draw like he did at the time, and I  spent about a year just copying portraits of 'The Beatles’ unlike Howard who would take himself off to Whitby to sell portraits of old fisherman he would draw. 

I trained as an art and drama teacher and always feel that its important that if you are going to teach an arts subject, then you should develop your practice and  work at a professional level. So for many years I worked as an actor with Compact Theatre  while teaching drama and then I started exhibiting my paintings when I taught art from 2002. In 2010 I decided to paint full time in my own purpose built studio in Bolsover.   

What inspires you?

Since the death of my father, 27 years ago, I have felt  the need to create. To leave something , to make my mark. As well as acting, I wrote several plays that were performed throughout the Uk and in The UAE. and when I took up painting seriously in 2002 I began to exhibit my work in Cornwall and then in other galleries throughout the Uk.

The main thing that inspires me is literally 'being alive’ and being able to see and capture  how beautiful the world is. My paintings are a celebration of life and  that beauty and an expression of the feelings I have when out in the landscape whether it be a remote beach looking out to sea,  ancient woodland or bleak moorland landscapes. 

More and more as my work develops, I am more interested in capturing the essence of a place, drawing upon my feelings and emotions rather than painting with topographical accuracy.  

 Why did you choose West Studios to exhibit your work?

Having started my acting career with Chesterfield Arts Centre Theatre in the late 70’s under the director Jack Blackburn, and then working as director of North East Derbyshire Young Peoples Theatre, NEDYPT for 11 years all based within the college,  it is wonderful to return to West Studios to exhibit my paintings. I am really impressed with how the space has been developed into what I would say is the best exhibition space in Chesterfield and the surrounding area. At the moment  I think its still a hidden gem, but with the the help of Hannah and Joby is becoming more well known and has already given many artists and ‘makers’ the opportunity to share and sell  there work to the wider public. I am really looking forward to showing my work here throughout July 2018