A day of chillin...

 Last week has been total madness with tons of work deadlines and socialising six evenings in a row!  

Today  was national holiday here in the UK, so I took the opportunity to sit in the sunshine with a cup of tea and a good book - total indulgence ! Tomorrow back in the studio to prepare stock for this coming Saturday's art fair...How was your weekend?

Massimo Viatli London Exhibition

I fell in love with Massimo Vitalis' images years ago whilst browsing through the Photographic book section in Waterstones bookshop and I hope to own one of his prints one day! 

The images made so much of an impact on me that since then I have developed a phobia of crowded beaches and refuse to be part of a crowd following a trend! Although I must add that these images make me smile seeing the humour in them and at the same time bringing me great memories of my childhood and teen holidays. 

Massimo Viatli was born in Como, Italy 1944. He moved to London after high school to study Photography where after that his career began and hasn't looked back since. After working as a photojournalist and cinematographer for many years he then began his beach series in 1995.

Massimo Vitali's work can  be found in the collections of the Guggenheim in New York, the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid, Spain and the Elton John collection. 

If you are in London over the next few weeks I'm very excited to tell you  there's currently an exhibition of his work in London  at the Brancolini Grimaldi Gallery.  For opening times check here.

Back on Track...

 Time flies and thinking about it I haven't been here for a long time! As I mentioned before I had a major operation ,  so I've had to spend a sometime healing.  I'm glad to say I'm feeling much better.

So much has happened in the last couple of months. I've visited some fabulous exhibitions including an amazing Photography exhibition-Paris Photo! -A surprise birthday present from Matt !It was just what the 'doctor ordered' - a few amazing days in my beloved city -Paris !! Later on this week when I find five minutes I shall tell you more about the exhibitions and Paris.

Also there are new projects in the processes for the start of 2012 involving rebranding all my work which shall share more with you when is all completed.

In the meantime I'm very busy in the studio producing Christmas orders and creating private commissions. All back to normal at last ! ( and dreaming of Paris, the quintessential cafes and all the charm that this amazing city has to offer )

Inspiration in Full Flow !

Image of Frida Kahlo

Today the sun is shinning through my window and inspiration is in full flow as six paintings are in production in my studio!! It feels good! I hope your day is a good one too :-)

London's Frieze Art Fair This Weekend

If you are in London this weekend you might like to know Frieze Art Fair is in town! A wonderful showcase of over 170 galleries from around the world featuring leading contemporary artists. The exhibition takes place in London's Regent Park every October. 

Arboreal (Detail)
Rohini Devasher

For those that live in the US you'll be able to attend Frieze Art Fair in New York's Randall's Island, Manhattan  and will take place on 4-7 May 2012. It will be the first time the exhibition crosses over the pond.

Noriko
Jon Kessler

I highly recommend a visit for those that love modern art and haven't had the chance to visit the fair before.

For visitor information and ticket prices click here. October 13-16.

A Dangling Conversation:...
Uwe Henneken

People Watching In London

A couple of days ago I was in London to visit Pulse.  After the show it was such a lovely day that I took a walk back to my old neighbourhood.  I had a couple of hours to spare whilst waiting to hook up with my friend Jo for a drink, so with my camera in hand I took tons of photos which I'll write a post on soon. I love London so much for the relaxed attitude to be as you like and the best thing is that no one really cares!

Country Living Spring Fair 23-27 March London

                                                                        

To celebrate 20 years of the Country Living Spring Fair the magazine has got together 400 exhibitors for the forthcoming show next week in London's Business Design Centre.

You'll be able to buy directly from independent  designers, makers and retailers from  all over the UK. A range of gorgeous  products for the home and garden, food, clothes and jewellery will be on sale. The show runs from 23-27 March and you can find directions to get there here. Ticket price is £16 at the door unless you want to save some pennies and buy online in advance.

I wont be exhibiting this time due to other work commitments but I'm going to try  for the Christmas Fair.

I'm off to the city for a few days..

Well folks the day is finally here! Finally I'm off to London for 5 days to be part of an exhibition I've been working for months! I shall tell you all about it when I get back...Be good and have a good week Xx0

Ps. The photograph is my mother somewhere in Argentina not so long ago :-)

An Englishman in New York: Photographic Exhibition -Jason Bell

Liam Neason

Kate Winslet

Zoe Heller

If you happen to be in London this weekend you might want to pop in the National Portrait Gallery and check the current photographic exhibition"An Englishman in New York" by Jason Bell. British born photographer living in New york was inspired by some of the 120,000 British men and women living in the big Apple. Jason has photographed leading figures setting the cultural agenda in the city such as; Kate Winslet, Writter Zoe Heller and Sting are to name a few. The exhibition runs until 11 of April 2011.

Have a great weekend whatever you are doing, the sunshine is great here but I'm afraid is a work all weekend for me preparing for my exhibition in London next week.

If in London...

If you are going to be in London in the next couple of weeks you might be interested in checking out an exhibition of photographs by Leo Fuchs featuring Paul Newman. His images capture some of Newmans intimate moments never seem before. The exhibition runs untill 23 October and you can see it in Proud Camdem South Gallery.

A new look...

Having been absent to this blog is due to a lot of work lately, specially preparing for the major exhibition at House and Gardens Spirit of Christmas, London. A lot of preparation is involved including the layout of the stand which will have to be displayed as a shop for five days. Last week I went hunting for ideas and found this furniture in my local second hand shops so this weekend I shall be painting and revamping them..lets see what I come up with ;-)

New Diary Dates...

Well...here I am getting my little routine back to normal after what was a very hectic summer. I hope your summer was good and had more sunshine where you were than we had!

Now feeling ready for another very busy couple of months ahead before Christmas time with three exhibitions to prepare so far...

The dates I can announce are:

House & Garden Spirit of Christmas Fair, Olympia, London. 4-8 November

South Hill Park Craft Fair, Bracknell, 14-15 November

Victoria Halls, Hartley Wintney, 5-6 December

Hope to see you there!

A celebration for those that love reading...

If you are like me and love finding a special moment and place to read, be it your favourite sofa chair by the window as its raining outside, garden amongst your flower pots, train journey, local cafe or park and at the same time observing walkers by with your favourite coffee and cake ... You'll enjoy this exhibition of photographs coming up next month at the photographers gallery in London by André Kertész (1894 - 1985) one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century..
Hi images were taken between 1915 and 1980 in countries he traveled through, visited, lived and worked such as Argentina, France, Hungary, UK and USA. Capturing readers of all ages in various locations -on rooftops & balconies, in parks, on crowded streets, at train stations, in libraries - creating a poetic study of the act of reading.
"Kertész’s photographs are a celebration of the absorptive power and pleasure of reading" Photographers gallery. I personally can't wait !

Something for the weekend...

If in London this weekend why not check out the Deutche Borse photography exhibition in London's Photographers Gallery...It runs until the April 13. Oh ! and if you didn't know the gallery has moved to a cool new venue behind Oxford st. There's a fabulous bookshop with incredible collection of photography books and cafeteria too ! (one of my favourite spots in London! )

Top Drawer Spring 09

At the Show..

The Big day...

Setting up...

On arrival at Top Drawer, Earls Court, London.

Hi to all! here I am back as promised. Well, it has been a few weeks of madness at the studio creating new designs & products followed by exhibiting at Top Drawer trade show in Earls Court , London. As always before the show there is the panic and worry that all might go very wrong but after it is all finished I look back and very glad to have been part of such a great show and having met old and new friends/ clients...soooooooooo...see you there again in September!

Exhibiting this weekend...

Hi to all!!..I'm still here and sorry for my absence to this Blog. I have been in working 24/7 preparing for Top Drawer spring in Earls Court, London. I hope to see you there those that will be attending...Have a good week and those in the UK wrap up warm !

Street Photography

I must tell you all that after writing the last post I've been looking through some of my old photos to submit for the Street or Studio at the Tate in collaboration with Flickr. So far I've found this image that I took in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia a year ago...I remember I was strolling through this busy area when I saw the cyclists with the caption on the bus going by " free flow of friends", it was one of those moments of quickly looking through the bag to find the camera and do an instant touch on the button, all I can say I'm glad I managed to get it time!

Your Photos in Print

How fantastic!..The Tate has teamed up with Flickr and Blurb to produce a photo book, Street & Studio, you can read more about it here. You can add up to two images per submission, closing date is 27 July. How to add the image instructions is here. Good Luck !

Spring Fair News Article

Thank you so much to Rachael Taylor for writing an article on the Spring Fair News page about me & my forthcoming online retail store coming soon . You can read it here .

This week @ the studio....

Since my last post my week has been dominated in the Studio sorting out orders and deliveries; exotic fruit smoothies and iTunes library have been keeping me going through the long hours ....