Hello! I've been missing in action for a while and the blame lies solely with printing.  In fact, I've started a new blog to record my adventure in ink...http://inchiostra.blogspot.it/  hope you like it!

pretty simple; repeat pattern linocut of zebras.

Ok, I won't bother with the whole Happy New Year thing - it's unbelievably late for all that nonsense. Nor will i apologise for blatant lack of posting...but i have an alibi: my new printing press - guarda! che bella!! ( no idea if a press is male or female - it's just a bloody lovely thing).

Consequently, I have been completely absorbed in learning how best to use it, experimenting with different methods and inks, papers etc. since 2012 began. Here are a couple of results - interestingly, the ink seems to cover better on cheap paper (Eg, the paper bag from the bakery) than on expensive, heavy paper....for the record, these are all lino cuts/prints...

Well, I officially have no idea where the last month has gone. However, I do know I've been back to a very wintery UK and it is definitely officially Winter here, too. The accessories are out in full force - more of this to come soon - but there is no shortage of serious Winter Wear being seen on the Italian streets! Here are just a couple little sightings - today it's raining though so I shall be a)indoors and b) illustrating recent sightings, including aforementioned accessories. It's a little early for New Year's resolutions but I shall endeavour to be a more devoted blogger too!

A little note on techniques here; as part of my ongoing exploration of different methods of illustration, I thought I'd experiment with some collage. I've seen it done to great effect so frequently, and it's really good to mix up your normal style I think.

http://www.ameliasmagazine.com/fashion/carmen-a-life-in-fashion-at-the-fashion-space-gallery/2011/11/19/ Worth a look - lovely review accompanying this illustration of an exhibition of compelling images of a timeless beauty who has lived a fascinating life, Carmen dell'Orefice.

Here is a photo of my recent submission for an exhibition of art in matchboxes, for a Christmas open house over two weekends (26-27th November and 3-4 December), in Brighton. It's an interesting challenge and good to get thinking in 3 dimensions, as well exploring the nature of being able (or not!)to contain something in so small a space. I chose to make the "first in a series" with the title "Pocket Saudade" - the idea being that if you were missing something, in this case, The Sea, you might be able to open a small box and see the waves turning there. The other fictional boxes available would be The Sun and The Mountains. Enter The Clutter Open House Show http://www.facebook.com/pages/Polish-Pin/160467470635415

This is a straightforward illustration based on the latest collection, S/S 2012, from Eyglo: originally drawn for a "journalist" who didn't seem to understand the whole time/worklife balance/manners equation which comes with collaboration. sigh. Nevermind, it was a fun piece to do and I really like Eylgo's works http://eyglocollection.com/