A couple of weeks ago Russ & I took a trip North to visit family & friends, we stopped by the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (Russ & I had one of our first dates there many years ago) Unfortunately we had just missed the Rob Ryan exhibition but there were plenty of other amazing things to see.
Like this little bunny....
which turned out to be not so little
Whilst passing through Leeds we took a trip back to our old art college known a H-block, as you can see it is not the most attractive of buildings,
but still we were some what surprised to discover it had been shut down & the art department moved across the road to this fabulous new building,
I am not sure I would have worked quite so hard in this contemporary environment, I used to joke with my friend that studied at Norwich if I had gone to college there I would have just wandered around romantically, sighing! (If you haven't been its a beautiful building)
Yet again we timed it wrong & couldn't get in to see the Survive Exhibition, so these following photos are courtesy of my friend Matt, who timed it better!
We all had a big banner printed
& a framed illustration
The exhibition featured BA (Hons) Graphic Arts and Design alumni that have made their careers as illustrators.
It was very impressive to see 5 people from my year were asked to exhibit & that's not to mention all my friends also from that year that have gone on to make it in the film, music & graphic designer industry. The tutors said at the time it was a strong year and they were right. My contemporaries from right to left Matt Herring, Russ Mills, Martin O'Neil & Jackie Parsons (actually she was a different year but is an honoree memeber) Alex Williamson also took part but I don't have any photos of his work.
Next stop my friend Clare's house. Now I am not often jealous of other peoples studios as I love mine so much, but Clare's turns me into a small child every time, I stomp my foot, stick out my bottom lip and complain loudly "I want one"
Isn't it amazing & her work is amazing also, this is a painting she did of me when we were at art college together.
Her husband Giles owns the local garage and shop, did I mention I was jealous of their lifestyle, stomp, smash, bang that's me throwing another childish tantrum! !
On Monday Kate & I went to visit the ladies at the Bristol studio & I met Suzie for the first time, she has been posting & packing for us for a while now and recently has set up Belle & Boo Twitter & Facebook pages. We thought as the business is expanding it might be fun to have these written by the Bristol ladies so you get a more rounded idea of Belle & boo life & not just me wittering on all the time ! Suzie by the way is the most over qualified post & packer ever she has a degree in art conservation so is used to handling VERY precious materials indeed, our packages are looking fabulous & we are receiving lots of lovely emails like this.
"I just wanted to write to say a big thank you for my package today. Wow. I am so impressed. It was like Christmas with all the special touches in the packaging and the little clothes pins and postcards and ribbons. Not only was I delighted with the items I chose and the attention to detail in their hand-made finish, but then all the embellishments that came with the order. Fantastic"
-thank you Rachel
I have to admit I do miss the packaging desk
the Ikea bags have been replaced by Royal Mail postal sacks for the trips to the post office
& huge racking was erected by the Bristol husbands, it's all looking very grand.
& finally last night, Russ & I went to see Chicago, starring Ruthie Henshall it was such fun & afterwards we got taken back stage and met her, Belle & Boo 'might' be doing some work with her in the future, eek ! so as always watch this space
