New Work: Sketches for Book cover

This is a sketch for a book cover i'm working on for Penguin UK.
I like combining squiggly line drawings with photography.
I'm working on the hand lettering for the title as well but can't show that yet.

Inspiration: Marc Jacobs

Watched this documentary on Marc Jacobs AGAIN on the wknd. Directed by Loic Prigent and originally shot for french TV.
It's a great window into his creative mind and process which includes really interesting inspiration boards + lots of panic, self doubt and cigarettes.
j'adore marc jacobs.

Influences: Wallpaper Designer Tracy Kendall

Last night attended an evening with UK wallpaper designer Tracy Kendall. I've admired her work for several years - especially her fantastic cutlery series. Her enormous knife fork and spoons are so bold + beautiful and were a definite influence on me when I created my oversized book covers and scissors. They definitely fall under the category "Wish I thought of that first!

She is now moving into wall coverings with 3 dimensions. On display were several of her new designs including wonderful papers made of buttons and puzzle pieces. Must also be mentioned Tracy wore great argyle leggings and red shoes. Very 'quirky British'.

Textiles: MissPrint

Love this new textile company Missprint which Maxwell of Apt therapy featured on his 'Best of the ICFF' list. The wallpapers, wall stencils and lamp shades are designed and hand-printed in a small East London studio by Yvonne and Rebecca Drury.
My favorite is this Muscat design which reminds me alot of Lucienne Day's patterns from the 1950s.

Data Visualization: Lists tell a story

Ever since listening to Spark's podcast about the Feltron report I
have been thinking of ways that data can tell stories. This amazon receipt for example tells a story about my summer vacation.

Stockholm prep: Josef Frank

Detail of above


yum!
I'm going to Stockholm next month (i know lucky) so am making a list of design shops to visit.
Top o list is Svenskt Tenn: Home of Josef Frank textiles.
I love Frank's incredibly vibrant textiles which explode in a riot of big blooming flowers + fantastical birds. Methinks it would be hard to feel sad while sitting on one of his chairs. He sounds like a great guy: described as a designer who was fueled by curiosity and a roaming imagination - who was able to move from textiles, architecture, furniture design, glassware and lighting with ease. wow.

Harvey Faircloth

I have been following the blog of Abby Clawson Low, former Senior art director at Kate Spade for about a year so was very excited to learn that she has teamed up with her friends Katie Hatch and Mara Papa
to launch a clothing line called Harvey Faircloth.
I predict it'll be a huge hit.
I love the bio and "inspiration wall" they have included on their website and their use of the phrases 'plucky pioneering spirit' and 'fearless panache!'

Manicules

Nick Shinn's talk was great.
Among many items I learned that the Victorian pointing hands I've always liked have various names including a manicule and bishop's fist.
There is even a flickr group specifically for manicule watchers.
Speaking of... here's a photo of my completed manicule needlepoint.
When I sew the 2 sides together it'll be an eyeglass case.