Together lets make Monday a magical one, once again the chance to weave stories around the wonderful animations of Arseniy Lapin hope that you enjoy them as much as I do. Transport yourself to the world of your imagination and see where it takes you today!

Finally something a little different but just as magical. If  you feel like growing old leaves little to be desired take the time to sit down and enjoy watching this film by Julia Warr .

Shot in Fire Island, New York, this film (4min. 23 sec) captures the secrets of eternal youth as Maia Helles, a Russian ballet dancer turns 95 but still remains resolutely independent, healthy and as fit as a forty year old. Made by Julia Warr, artist and film maker met Maia on a plane 4 years ago and became utterly convinced by the benefits of her daily exercise routine, which Maia perfected, together with her Mother, over 60 years ago, long before exercise classes were ever invented. (2011)

Film by Julia Warr
Music by Lola Perrin

Anna Torma.

I thought that I would while away this Monday morning looking at more of the work of one of my favorite textile artists Canadian Anna Torma. I also thought that you might enjoy sharing this moment of pleasure with me. After a very busy but successful weekend this is sheer indulgence.

Draw me a car 2004.

Rainy Day.

Playground 4.

Jardin du Wiltz. 2006

Storytelling 1995.

Trans verbal 2004.

Troubadour songs 2.

Sewing mends the soul - Author unknown

Stitch your stress away.

Meet The Makers.

Here is another of our talented makers Julie Bull, Julie is a textile artist and illustrator take a peek at a small collection of her work and see what you think.

'Bees and Flowers' cushion.

Such a sweet little flower grouping. (detail from a larger textile).

Just look at this great story quilt, it's such fun.

 

From the large to the small, such cute little brooches.

 'Rhian and Nog' just great for a child's bedroom or maybe for the child within!

www.juliebulltextileartist.co.uk

Come along and meet Julie at the 'makers market'.

Midweek meander. More street art.

 Street art from Blu-Os- Gemeos, Lisbon Portugal. 

Sucking the life from the world.

Lauri Faggionni.

I have just recently discovered the creative work of Lauri Faggioni, I don't know how I have not come across her work before! What draws me to the work is the simplicity and quirkiness, it is uncomplicated and unpretentious.

Lauri Faggioni is an award-winning director, production designer and choreographer, and is among today’s emerging pioneers in the creative world.  She started her career as a fiber artist, owning Lake an arts and antiques store in New York City. Discovered by famed French director Michel Gondry, she was asked to make props in his films.Faggioni went on to collaborate on additional stop motion animation work with Gondry as well as projects with renowned director Johan Renck.........

Text copied from www.laurifaggioni.com

Have a good weekend, do something that makes you smile if you can.

Illustration

I'm intrigued by these mixed media illustrations by Anne Crahay, their familiar yet unfamiliar, appealing yet strange but most of all inventive and great fun.

ILLU CIRQUE.

BRICOLES.

ECO CALENDRIER.

Want more www.annecrahay.blogspot.com

Thought for the weekend.

Midweek meander.

Meandering through beautiful choreography.



And from the male perspective? Makes me smile!




Enjoy your sewing machine, make it your friend. Thanks to Ros for this little beauty.



An unusual use of knitting, just to make you think about things.

Musicians and Illustrators who work with animators.

I hope you enjoy these short animations on a Monday.

The charm of these short animations lies in creating a space or image that enchants, or invites a suspension of belief, allowing you to revisit a place where all things are possible, if only for a second.

The first one messes around with graphics and images, I'm sure we can all remember this simple concept from children's books but set to music and animated makes all the difference. Maybe something we could revisit and mess around with using collage techniques!

The Chap / Even Your Friend from Lo+LOAF TV on Vimeo.

Illustrator Celeste Potter.
A beautiful surreal little story with great imagery.

The Dog Who Was A Cat Inside from Trunk Animation on Vimeo.

I have a cat who thinks shes a dog so this little film makes me smile.

If you have problems with buffering because of your computer connection

I suggest that you put it on mute, download it and then when its downloaded

watch it with sound straight through.

Have a good week.

Happy Monday. Put your feet up and relax.

Kick back, make yourself a cuppa, crack open a bar of your favorite chockie and enjoy these amazing short films. 

A wonderful animation by Ishu Patel which as the title suggests is made entirely from beads, animated art!

A Fish with a Smile by Jimmy Liao.
This film is a really happy little one with a really simple concept, it won first prize at the Berlin Film festival 2007, give it time to weave it's magic.

In 1958 the great Norman McLaren utilized paper cutouts to transform a French-Canadian nonsensical folk song into this surrealistic animation. I just really enjoy this one!

A big thank you to www.animalarium.blogspot.com for introducing me to these great little films.

Midweek meander.

I love text, and handwriting is so personal, in these days of email, texts and messaging I really miss getting letters. I can't remember the last time I received a good old fashioned letter, the odd postcard but not a letter. I heard on the radio that the sales of writing paper and fountain pens are going up so maybe a lot of people feel like I do! Here's some nostalgia for you to enjoy.

Artist Katerine Frund.

Unknown.

Artist Janet Jones, 'Out of Context'.

Artist Cecil Touchon.

Cecil Touchon.

Artist Seth Apter.

None of this work could have been made without the good old fashioned skill of letter writing, so I guess if we want to make art like this a revival is long over due, here's hoping!

I am tired, Beloved

of chafing my heart against

the want of you;

of squeezing it into little ink drops

and posting it.

Amy Lowell- The Letter.

Visual story tellers.

On this Monday morning I thought that we could enjoy the work of two illustrators Gemeo Luis and Tesa Gonzalez.
Firstly Gemeo Luis who makes his imagery through beautiful and intricate paper cuts, these paper cuts make his work interactive and accessible as he not only uses them as book illustrations but as gallery installations, wonderful, see what you think.

Strange and inventive work.

Fancy a go? See more of this work www.gemeoluis.com

Now the work of Tesa Gonzalez, she is a children's book illustrator who also makes beautiful short animations to promote reading in schools.

Again beautiful and unusual work. More, yes please www.tesagonzalez.blogspot.com

Art is not what you see

but what you make others see.

Georgia O'Keef

Lucky lucky me.

During my teaching year at the University of Cumbria I have been lucky enough to have been working with some inspiring students, it is their final year shows at the moment so if you can get along to see them then what are you waiting for? I have decided over the next few posts to show you some of the work that I have enjoyed starting with the thought provoking and inspiring Emma Mckenzie.

Emma works in ceramics and I have been watching her develop her ideas for quite a while, she is leaving us now to continue her studies in Manchester, I am sure that she will have a successful future in front of her so this is one to keep an eye on!

Emma in her studio.

I am particularly draw to Emma's work as it touches something deep within the viewer, speaking to people  in different ways of universal human experiences, this enables you to project your own stories and emotions onto the pieces . Although photographs can never do this work justice as it is very tactile, I hope that you will find it as interesting as I do.

Inspired by material gathered during a cultural exchange placement in Bulgaria exploring the themes around private memorial in public spaces.

The red clay used for these figures was dug from the site of the tragedy.

In memory of the fishermen who lost their lives to the sea during Scotland's perfect storm of 1881.

To see more of Emma's work www.emmamckenzie.com

We do not see things as they are

we see things as we are.

Talmud.