Ai Wei Wei at the RA

Looking forward to going in to see this exhibition, but in the meantime I really enjoyed walking through the striking installation of sections of trees in the courtyard: collected from the mountains of southern China. 

RUA Annual Exhibition 2014

Good news! 

I'm totally delighted that my new Butterfly Cloud Bowl has been selected for the Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition in the Ulster Museum 17th October 2014 - 4th January 2015.

The inspiration for my silver bowl is the Butterfly Spring in Dali, SW China, where every spring time people come to see literally thousands of butterflies, attracted to a pool and the surrounding blossom, creating a spectacular sight.

Preparation for new silver bowl

Adding the finishing touches to some of my new paintings. Then I'll be ready to start a new silver butterfly bowl this week, with paintings as my starting point

Happy New Year!

...with love from Chinatown, London, UK 2014  xxx

Sketch 1, 2014

I've enjoyed doing a more precise drawing, alongside the looser palette knife paintings, since coming back to London after New Year. This is a small teacup on my Puer teatray. I like the patterns of word carvings in the wood.

It's been added to 'sketch'   . 

Kunming still-life series

Just completed two more for my new collection of still-life paintings, made using oil bars and palette knife ..... getting ready to launch in 2014

 Kunming Still-life

Kunming Bowl with Blue Fish

Yunnan Flowers

New Blossom Bowls

Blossom bowl still-life paintings are well underway.....

Teacup with blue fish and blossom

Teacup on black table

Still life: Chinese Bowls

I've enjoyed immersing myself in colour again, this time developing my still-life series of  Yunnan tea cups, bowls and blossom. All painted with Oil bars, some of them handmade from Sweden: Bivaxoljekwritor:) 

A way of slowing down and observing what I see in front of me. It becomes a meditation on the object itself, making associations with time spent in China and what I've seen out there. 

By using oil bars and a pallet knives, I can't work in great detail. It's an impression of what is there, capturing something about the object without reproducing it as I would in my drawings. 

I'm looking forward to developing this series over the next few months and making some of them available for sale online. 

Puer Teacup and Orange Blossom 2

Philip Rhys Matthews solo exhibition at GX Gallery

Locomotive

It was fantastic to be at the Private View of Photographer Philip Rhys Matthews, at GX Gallery in Camberwell last night. I was impressed to hear about the amount of painstaking work and research that goes in to each photoshoot, from the detailed embroidery he did himself for the Chinese costume, to the printing of images on to silk for the backdrops. I liked the size of the prints and the fact that each photograph is printed on rag pearl giving a warmth of tone.

Fiscal Cure

Fiscal Cure, Fiscal Cancer is an incredible first solo exhibition for this recently graduated young photographer, with his well researched reference to fine art while exploring current issues about East/West relations, in the context of stunning fashion photography. I wish him every success in his career and will be fascinated to see how his work progresses in the future.

Seeing the elaborate costume and accessories in the show reminded me of traditional Chinese Empress costumes. In December I will hear Jung Chang speaking at the V&A about her new book,  'Empress Dowager Cixi: The concubine who launched Modern China'. Having heard Jung Chang speak before, I'm really looking forward to this one.

Love London

This weekend is the last chance to see Tutti Frutti, Rare Beauty, our October show on Columbia Road. We'd love to see you.  I'll be there with Vicky Forrester tomorrow on our very last day.

 What a great show it's been at the Number Ninety-Four Gallery. Thanks to Simon for hosting us so brilliantly. What a social hub it is! 

 Want to check out a few things on Columbia Road if there's time tomorrow; Beyond Fabrics  for haberdashery supplies and to call in next door to Number 94, where the legendary Angela Flanders, perfumer with cult following, has her original and exclusive perfumes. 

Next week, in between silversmithing and painting, I'll be taking a beginner's calligraphy workshop taught by Japanese Calligrapher, Shoho. And if I have time I'll be along to the V&A to see the Pearl Exhibition and Chinese Painting  - the once in a lifetime chance to see rare collections from around the world. 

So much to do!

Cloud Collage

Panicale, Italy

As we get to the tail-end of the summer, and inspired by my trip to Italy, I'm in the mood to make a cloud collage of my pics from different countries. 

Here it is...... all going on my Cloudtastic board on Pinterest. 

Tao Fong Shan, Hong Kong

Gotland 1

Chongqing, China

Gotland 3

Gotland 2

Dali, China

Italy mountainscapes

Just back from Tuscany and the two weeks have been chillout time - and pretty productive too. We had a big art studio set up for kids and adults. Some varied creative approaches to painting! 

I did some paint play, using my Chinese brushes (and a bit of salt) and 

am happy with these dramatic little pieces. It's just fun to have a go. 

Masterpiece 2013

I was given a ticket for Masterpiece last year and knew I'd be back in 2013 to see it again.
Interesting walking through what was the Chelsea Flower Show only a few weeks ago to see yet another amazing exhibition in the same grounds, this time all under cover.
Highlights for me this year were the galleries showing contemporary Chinese Brush Painting: I loved Gao Xingjian's sublime ink on paper, in the Aktis Gallery and Yang Yanping in Michael Goedhuis Gallery.

Work by Gao Xingjian, similar to one I saw at Masterpiece 

I missed the talk on contemporary Chinese brush painting given by Michael Goedhuis and hope to hear another one sometime soon.

Pepys' first Cup of Tee

I like this extract from Samuel Pepys diary, 1660, which I came across recently......

September 25th

To the office, where Sir W Batten, Collonel Slingsby, and I sat a while; ... And afterwards did send for a Cupp of Tee (a China drink) of which I never had drank before

Apparently it is one of the first references to drinking tea in England - it must have been a real luxury considering the cost and length of time it took transporting tea from the Far East. It was only drunk by the fashionably rich in England for the next 100 or so years.

 Chinese porcelain and a Yixing teapot

Britain has since become the country with the largest per capita tea consumers in the world.


I like this Dutch Golden Age painting by artist Roestraten (1627-1698) showing a Chinese tea set used in Europe. 

Banking in China

Another great Friday night atmosphere at the V&A - 'David Bowie is....... '

Loved the red carpet into the gardens, with 'paparazzi' at the ready, Bowie music blasting. Needless to say, we just slipped off the red carpet quietly and were glad to see a more extroverted poser in front of us take the limelight with flair. Great fun!

But looking around the galleries, our attention was caught by these tiny silver place card holders from the 1930's, from Chengdu.  The little figure on the left carries a bamboo stick with two baskets on either end with the word 'bank' written in mandarin. Is this how money was transported in the past? 

Asia House Fair

A wonderful afternoon was spent in Asia House hearing a Tea Master from China Life tell us about Tea. After tasting a few teas, I bought my favourite tea which is Silk Oolong - have been enjoying  its 'creamy milk and mango flavours' every day for the past two weeks. Love it.

I need to find out about more about my Puer Tea Cake - a gift given to me in 2008. Apparently it will improve with age, like a good wine.

Puer Tea Cake and cover 

Now looking forward to checking out China Life's stylish 1920's Shanghai Tea Bar in Camden.....

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Claire Hart Design New Collection

Claire Hart Design is launching a new Collection at Craft Central Gets Hitched next week.  
Be one of the first to see her stunning new China-inspired designs.  Click here for your invitation to the show.

New Rose Branch Necklace

 Craft Central Gets Hitched returns for 2013! Give your wedding some character with unique, handmade products by 60 designer makers. Fed up of sprawling soulless commercial wedding fairs? Get personal at Craft Central 21-24 March 2013! All you need to add a handmade touch to the big day. From the bride herself to guests looking for the ideal gift, there’s something for everyone… and, what’s more, IT’S FREE! 

Browse ready to buy products, commission your own piece or discover a bespoke service. Our designers are as excited as you are about your big day (well, almost!) so come and meet them!

Ming Crown at the British Museum

I had a morning (booked four months ago as yesterday was the first Wednesday I had free!) to study this late Ming Dynasty crown at the British Museum. Such a luxury to spend a morning in a quiet library, drawing an antique. It had to be set on crumpled tissue paper to raise the level so that the down-turned beaks of the birds in the front were not touching the table. 

I am fascinated by  the incredible detail of the whole crown - phoenixes, flaming pearls, flower heads, dragons - but it was the leaves that caught my attention, plus a few tiny clouds which I discovered hidden amongst all the gilt silver openwork:)

Flowing movement in the leaves

I first saw Chinese crowns in Dali, Yunnan, in 2008  but at last I have seen an original close-up. It is an amazing decorative object. I've made lots of drawings and will probably need to book a return visit the next time I have a Wednesday free - hopefully less than four months away!