New Talent Alert: Kim Martin

Check out the portfolio of Kim Martin, specialising in food & beverage work for consumer products & packaging. Yum!

Rollet Draws for Martell

Claire Rollet can finally reveal her work done for the cognac Martell.

Working with the Parisian advertising agency Being, Claire made illustrations showing chic Paris style for a limited edition bottle. It was a major campaign with the drawings being used on the packaging, shelf stoppers, shopping bags and palette boards aswell as the bottle itself. Claire says "I had great fun with this job, taking me back to my French roots. Marine Bouvier was a fantastic Art Director with a great vision and lots of energy."

Cheers Shannon!

the art

the beer

Shannon at the event

Shannon Toth proudly holds a bottle of beer adorned with her 'Mascarilla' art!
The Collective Arts Brewery in Toronto, Ontario hold regular contests for artists to have their art on a beer label, with the belief of "raising the creative consciousness by linking art and artists with the sociability of beer. This collaboration extends from visual art to music and film." Shannon's striking image of the lady in the skull mask won the attention of the brewery, and now drinkers can enjoy her art whilst downing their beer!

Cricket and a Cuppa

Andrew Hutchinson completes another dream job for Yorkshire Tea.
As official sponsors of the tea break at the forthcoming Ashes test matches, Yorkshire Tea decided they should produce a special edition box featuring a typical cricket ground scene.  Having worked previously on the re-launch of the iconic Yorkshire Tea packaging and being a keen cricket fan, Andrew was delighted to be asked to undertake work on this commemorative box.

Tequila Mockingbird

Towards the end of last year Lauren Mortimer illustrated 'Tequila Mockingbird'; a cocktail book published by Running Press.  The book which contains recipes based on classic novels is now out and available to buy!

Lauren was commissioned to produce 40 full page illustrations, as well as the cover. She says "My job was to illustrate the recipes incorporating key themes from the book upon which it was based. I used only graphite, creating quite surreal images throughout; (Lord of the Mai Tai's, Charlie and the Chocolate Faketini, Gin Eyre are a few of the titles....), it was such a fun and great creative project for me...it also got a great review in the Evening Standard (news)paper.".

Wibble Wobble

This cheery culinary illustration is the creation of Sarah Beetson for The Times newspaper.

Commissioned by Andy Hatch for The Times "Body and Soul" section, the illustration accompanies an article on jelly, and how it makes a low-fat alternative to the usual cakes, creams and trifles!

Studio Visit with Sarah Beetson

Our very own Sarah Beetson is featured on The Vine blog, where she is interviewed and her passion for her occupation revealed.

Sarah Beetson is an artist-slash-illustrator with a lot going on. She counts '60s American literature, John Waters, cult film, Japan, rock music, decaying urban typography, and Coney Island as her inspirations, and divides her time between a picturesque farm in Queensland and a Motor Torpedo boat on The Thames.

In the lead up to a long hot summer preparing for her forthcoming exhibition on the Goldcoast, Sarah took us on a studio tour of her working space.How would you describe your art practice?I live for it, 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. Where is your studio and how did you come to work there?My studio is in my house - a converted dairy shed on my boyfriend's family farm at the foot of Mt Tamborine, South East Queensland. It is idyllic, surrounded by rolling hills, creeks, rainforest, cows, chickens, wallabees, exotic birds and organic fruit - avocados, macadamias and custard apples are the main crops. I made the move up here from Melbourne last year and it has truly enabled me to immerse myself fully in my work without distraction. We are still close to Brisbane and The Gold Coast, plus I travel to Melbourne and Sydney every few months and I spend most Northern Hemisphere summers in London onboard a friend's Motor Torpedo boat on The Thames. I get my city fix when I need to but it seems I am a country girl at heart!
 What happens in your studio from week to week besides art-making?I also work as a part-time artist's consultant for Illustration Ltd in London - I am very lucky to be able to do this from my home studio, as well working on illustration commissions and personal work for my own exhibitions.What is important when setting up a space like this?Good storage solutions, technology and internet, and space, space, space, and maximised usage of what you have. Then covering the walls with colour in the form of artwork, cutouts, inspiration material, etc. I like them to be literally dripping with colour.
  
Do you always carry a sketchbook?
No - I generally work at my studio, then gather my inspiration via other means whilst I am away from it. I very often work in a sketchbook though - it is the best way to see the progression and development within a series of works. Occasionally I will work in transit - for example, when I was working on my last exhibition I got stuck in snow drifted Norway waiting for a flight to Heathrow - and I ended up starting a series of aeroplane sick bags - drawing on them as I flew different airlines back to Australia. I also created two large canvas works on the boat in London, which was fun negotiating The Thames Tides and finding my sea legs!
What are these Pollies? How long have you had them?
They began life as a pair of pyjama cases which a family friend created for me when I was born. They were apparently pinned to the wall above my cot, but I pulled them down as soon as I could stand. They have endured numerous outfit changes and still bear the remnants of some appalling childhood sewing moments. One has a missing foot which I rediscovered a few years ago and reattached with a safety pin. I hadn't seen them in 10 years, but once rediscovered in a box in my parents garage - I wondered if they were the subconscious inspiration for the pink cheeks I often give the subjects in my paintings?
  
What's the mood of your mood wall? Did you take all these photos yourself?These particular photos are all my own and were all gathered on a 2008 US Road Trip. They mainly originate from signage in Santa Cruz, Coney Island and The Neon Boneyard in Las Vegas, as well as from the Pinball Hall of Fame. I originally put them up for font inspiration for my BMI Badges and Wordsearches in my last solo exhibition "YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU EAT", but I left them up as I use so much typography within much of my work.
What are you listening to at the moment?
I am loving the "We Are Only Riders" Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions compilation record. Jeffrey Lee fronted 80s band The Gun Club, who were highly influential but not greatly commercially successful. Jeffrey Lee died in 1996, and a box of his unrecorded demos was later discovered, to be re-recorded in the format of this album by his contemporaries and bands he inspired including Nick Cave, Debbie Harry, Mark Lanegan, Lydia Lunch, Mick Harvey, 16 Horsepower and The Ravonettes.  I just painted Jeffrey Lee's portrait as part of my Unsung Heroes series.
  
What fuels your day?
Coffee in the morning and a boiled egg courtesy of my hens. A glass of Lindauer Fraise can often help if I am working late into the night.
What is great about gouache? How much do you love it?
The best thing about Acryl gouache particularly is its permanence (as it is a mixture of gouache and acrylic), it's incredible quality, and the massive colour range available. I particularly love Japanese brand Turner Acryl Gouache and Holbein Acryla Gouache. Unfortunately I have to ship them in from The States and the UK as their are no stockists in Australia!
What do you think about laws that restrict the sale of spraypaints?I understand why there are restrictions. But I think school kids probably need access to spraypaints if they are interested in developing their art. I once bought a friend's kid a bunch of spraypaints for his 12th birthday, as he was really interested in making murals in his backyard and could not get hold of the paints. Plus - the basic brands can be a lot cheaper than many of the materials found in an art shop. In terms of graffiti laws - I always thought they were pretty appalling. In London there was an anti graffiti campaign that offered cash rewards to anyone tipping off police to graffiti artists' identity. I think any kind of public are should be encouraged and how hard would it really be to provide designated areas for these kids to have an outlet? But I guess the massive success of Banksy, Blek Le Rat and the Melbourne Street Artists has already changed the path of graffiti culture going forward.
  
How does an artwork evolve? Chance or planning?
I begin by conceiving an idea or a theme for a painting or series. I will then spend time researching that theme via books, internet, film, museums, etc, and further clarify the direction of the work. I will then source photographic reference, either by setting up my own small photoshoots or using found reference. I greatly admire those gifted with a photographic memory who are able to draw from the pictures in their mind – but that is not me. I like to surround myself with as much information as possible about the subjects before I begin. Then, halfway through the process, the painting begins. By this time I have planned out much of the composition and materials I will incorporate. But I never have a preconceived idea set in stone of how the piece will look when finished, and I always surprise myself with the outcome.
  
Does your desk feel like "home"?
It feels like a perfect combination of production and madness.
How do you balance creativity and chaos?
I don't - I just work through it! But time out with my hens, yoga and swimming often help.
You have chicken and cow friends to keep you company!
The cows don't have names as they often leave us for market - so I try not to get attached. Although there have been several generations of white-faced Santa Gertrudis calfs that have been named 'Baby White Face I, II, III' etc. Our last Bull, named Dave, made an appearance on a canvas bag I painted and embroidered with a Richard Brautigan poem for an LMFF show at The Australian Poetry Centre. 

My chickens are adopted ex-battery hens and are named as follows: Lee Mellon, Sal Paradise, Angelina, Ignatius J.Reilly, Joanie, Sunny and Isabella Blow. 
A Billy Idol quote that inspires you!
OK, I narrowed it down to three:
 
Russian roulette no fun / I don't need a gun / I just need someone
 
If I had the chance / I'd ask the world to dance / And not be dancing with myself

It's a nice day to start again / WOW! / There is nothing fair in this world / There is nothing safe in this world / And there's nothing sure in this world / And there's nothing pure in this world / Look for something left in this world / ohooooooooooooh / Start Again!
Sarah Beetson is represented by 19 Karen in Queensland. Look out for her solo exhibition there in 2011.

See Sarah Beetson's full portfolio here.

Parliamentary Waffle House

Parliamentary Waffle House to open near Carnaby, London in run-up to election.

The Parliamentary Waffle House, an election based bar and eatery by Bompas & Parr opens at 65-67 Broadwick Street, London on 22^nd April 2010.

Each item on the menu will be orderable in a variation corresponding to one of the three major political parties.  Orders will feed directly into a live action swing ‘o’ meter that gages the mood of the country as people vote with their mouths.

The waffles are made using custom-built irons that employ technology commonly used in the fabrication of fighter jet engines. They were as part of a research programme run by Bompas & Parr in conjunction with Central Saint Martins MA Future Textiles.

Visitors will be asked to don special hats to demarcate their political allegiance. A soap-box and memo wall will be provided for partisans to air their view. Non-stop political coverage will be screened so drinkers and diners are up to speed. The Parliamentary Waffle House will also host the Museum of Food vs Politics. Exhibits include Tony Blair’s face on a melted cheese sandwich, a step by step guide to Thatcher’s Egg Diet and the wrapper of the notorious Gummer burger.

In the evenings the Parliamentary Waffle House will host a programme of politics and food related entertainment. Think Tank Thowdowns see top ideas men battle for supremacy, there will be screenings of political films like In the Loop and special lobbying nights where we give the public access to the parliamentary big boys. On election night itself there will be an all night vigil with celebratory booze for the victors and tea and sympathy for the losers.

In terms of design the installation unites the perpendicular gothic style of Charles Barry’s Houses of Parliament with the gothic styling and typography of waffle houses across Europe. Interestingly Barry’s system based architecture mirrors the processes involved in waffle making and the portcullis logo of the Houses of Parliament looks like a waffle. 

Harry Parr, partner of Bompas & Parr LLP comments:

“At the Parliamentary Waffle House politician’s can reach out and touch voter’s most sensitive organ: their bellies. We are looking forward to seeing lots of MPs pop down. Qualifying members of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group can even drink for free.”

For further information and images please contact Sam Bompas, partner at Bompas & Parr

Tel: + 44 (0) 7944 405 193 Email: sam@jellymongers.co.uk  Web: www.jellymongers.co.uk

Visit www.jellymongers.co.uk for further details of the installation

Visit www.carnaby.co.uk  for details of further events in Carnaby

ENDS

Editor’s notes

·       Parliamentary Waffle House will be open between 22^nd April and 6^th May

·       The opening hours are noon til midnight

·       The Parliamentary Waffle House will be at 65-67 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9QY

·       Further information is available from www.jellymongers.co.uk

Bompas & Parr editor’s notes

·       Bompas & Parr curates spectacular culinary events, creates fine English jellies and designs bespoke jelly moulds. Their work operates in the space between food and architecture. Projects explore how the taste of food is influenced by synaesthesia, performance and setting.

·       In the past Bompas & Parr has worked with leading architects including Lord Foster, Will Alsop and Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners to design jelly moulds. Heston Blumenthal used Bompas & Parr’s jellying expertise for his television series Feast and they created Alcoholic Architecture – a walk in cloud of breathable gin and tonic.  Bompas & Parr recently hosted the Architectural Punchbowl in which a building was flooded with over four tonnes of alcoholic punch that visitors boated across before having a drink.

·       Bompas & Parrs’ first book Jelly with Bompas & Parr will be published in June 2010 by Anova books.

See their portfolio here 

Carnaby

·     Carnaby is…… unique independent stores, unusual boutiques, global fashion brands, award winning restaurants and hip nightlife. Carnaby has it all.

·     Step under the iconic Carnaby Arch and experience the edgy and cosmopolitan vibe of London’s top shopping destination. Twelve streets make up this style village including Carnaby Street, Newburgh and Marshall Streets, food quarter Ganton Street, Kingly Street, Foubert’s Place, Beak Street, Broadwick Street, Marlborough and Lowndes Courts and the vibrant open air courtyard, Kingly Court. Carnaby is perfectly located between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus in the centre of London’s West End.

·     Carnaby has staked a claim on fashion’s frontier since the 1960’s and continues today to be at the heart of eclectic fashion and design.

·     For further information on Carnaby contact Sarah Mole at Sister – 020 7287 9601 Sarahmole@sister-pr.com

Waffles

·       Waffles are made by cooking batter between waffle irons to give them their characteristic shape. They have an interesting history. Medieval waffle irons often depicted elaborate coats of arms, crosses and religious or magical symbols. Waffles were sold outside churches on special occasions and competition was so intense a severe waffle law had to be passed.

·       The highlight of the eighteenth century social diary was the waffle frolic. We want to bring this back.

·       The logo for parliament looks like a waffle.

All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group

·       To promote the wholesomeness and enjoyment of beer and unique role of the pub in UK society; to increase understanding of the social, cultural and historic role of brewing and pubs in the UK, and their value to tourism; to broaden recognition of the contribution of brewing and pubs to employment and to the UK’s economy; to promote understanding of the social responsibility exercised by the brewing and pub industries; to support the UK’s brewing industry worldwide and to promote a positive future for beer and the pub.

For further information and images please contact Sam Bompas, partner at Bompas & Parr

Tel: + 44 (0) 7944 405 193 Email: sam@jellymongers.co.uk  Web: www.jellymongers.co.uk