Showing posts with label Alison Day Designs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alison Day Designs. Show all posts

Saturday 24 February 2024

Immersion: Diving into the World of Surface Pattern Design




My collection of dried, pressed flowers and leaves, grown last summer and picked from my garden or collected en route somewhere are a great source for sketching. I’ve even created floral sheets for inspiration.





Below is first attempt pattern: Fuchsia Frolic - using a favourite plant that I grow each year in my garden for inspiration. This was created after taking part in free a 5-day pattern challenge, generously offered by Bonnie Christine.


Although I’ve used Adobe Illustrator before for publications, it was a learning curve on what else Illustrator can be used for. The pattern still needs a little tweaking, but was a lot of fun to make - I love a challenge!



The prospect of what learning surface pattern design could add to a my business long term, in terms of creativity and passive income is exciting. So, I’ve signed up for Immersion, an 8-week course (offered by Bonnie), to add this skill to my repertoire. The stunning course book and goodies have already arrived in time for the start on Monday !


Alison Day Designs 🌸


Saturday 6 January 2024

The Ivy, Oxford: Falling Far Short of the Grandeur (& Price Tag)

 



Having planned to to spend the festive season abroad, visiting my son in the Netherlands, I suggested to my sister that we have pre Christmas celebration dinner together. The Ivy in Oxford was on my list of restaurants to try, so after we had both taken a look at the menu, I booked a table.


Founded in 1917, the original Ivy restaurant was in the West End and was popular with both celebrities and theatre-goers. Since then, The Ivy Collection has grown to a chain across the UK and Ireland.


Researching the menu online, it looked promising and offered a variety of choices. As an artist, I was also intrigued by the sumptuous interior photos. Both my sister and I were excited by the prospect of our festive meal.


Arriving earlier than our booking, we sat at the bar and ordered cocktails while waiting for our table. In the interim, I enjoyed the interior decor and botanical illustration reprints on the walls.





The cocktails came. I had ordered The Lost Paloma, tequila based with lime and grapefruit soda and my sister a Foxhound, brandy based with cranberry and lime juice. The barman introduced my cocktail as he presented it to me, in a manner befitting a cocktail. However, in the interval between serving the first and second cocktail, like the gust of an incoming storm, the barman's attitude changed and with a face like thunder, he literally hurled the second cocktail in my sister’s direction, without an introduction. We were astonished at the change, although I had observed his manager admonishing him during the making of our order. 

Back to the cocktails, both were pinkish, tasted almost identical and were watery. The usual cocktail promise, of flavour infusion coupled with expert mixology, was totally absent!


Our table ready, we moved from the bar, disappointing cocktails in hand, to a table for two, close to a serving station. This proved to be too close, because shortly after sitting down I was unceremoniously elbowed in the head by a member of the serving staff.


The ambient lighting of the restaurant was too dark and the fact that I had forgotten my reading glasses, meant I was unable to read the tiny font of the menu. We requested candles, which our table was lacking and although pretty they didn’t improve the twilight. To read the menu, I used the torch on my mobileas did the rest of my fellow diners.





First we ordered wine and water from our waitress. Opting for something new, we chose a Greek wine: Assyrtiko White Ash (Santorini, Greece) and Elra, a still water.

I’ve never experienced such a fiasco, surrounding a bottle of wine. As the waiter, who spoke little English, opened the wine, we asked if the wine could be chilled in the ice bucket, which at the time was situated behind my sister’s chair. No reaction. He labelled the bottle with our table number, hid the bottle out of reach at the service station and disappeared. 


In anticipation, we drank the water, but the wine didn’t return. Eventually, we managed to catch the attention of our waitress, who said the wine was coming. When it finally reappeared, after about 10 minutes, it was dumped unceremoniously in the ice bucket - without ice.



The request to pour our own wine, so as not to be hurried through an £80.00 bottle of what turned out to be a poorly chilled and uninteresting Greek wine, was met with surprise and the various attempts to fill our glasses were quickly nipped in the bud. Requests for the ice bucket to be filled with ice, to cool the tasteless, now warm wine, caused confusion. It took several requests before ice was finally brought by the manager, with apologies for the delay.


Making the staff aware of our dietary requirements - my sister is Vegan and I have an allergy to gluten went smoothly, but greatly reduced our menu choices. My bugbear was that a lot of food items had been cooked in the same oil as food containing gluten. Chips as a side had to ruled out for this reason and additionally because they had been (unnecessarily) coated in an ingredient containing gluten, to make them more crispy. My sister’s choices were reduced dramatically as well, to salads and the cliché go to option of sweet potato curry, favoured by many a restaurant.


Onward and upward, the food arrived…



My starter, a lobster and prawn cocktail was served in a bowl held by a striking crab holder and was delicious. This was followed by duck curry, kept warm by a tea-light lamp, rice and green beans with almonds. It was tasty, but not particularly special. Not being in the mood for the sweet potato curry, my sister opted for a salad starter and salad main, which were so-so and uninspiring.


A trip to the ladies loos, was the most fun I had all evening. On the way, the walls are covered with pictures and replicas of exotic botanical prints at every turn. The toilets are a fantasy in pink in a variety of shades and tones. The loo is pink and the floor tiles a pale pink. Climbing roses and beautifully detailed birds adorn golden walls, with statuesque Greek gods posing in between.



Not wanting to be subjected to another course, we opted for the simplicity of an after dinner digestive. A Sambuca for me and a 6-year old Calvados Camut, for my sister. To avoid further artistic license, I stipulated that my Sambuca be flaming and have one coffee bean in it. This arrived as ordered.



We requested the bill, which came to an interesting: £239.29 (including a 12.5% service charge !!). 


In summary, the over all experience of The Ivy, Oxford can only be described as having a patchwork service of: initially helpful, embarrassingly servile, not always there when needed and total incompetence, à la Fawlty Towers. Added to this, the food and drink is average. Needless to say, there won’t be a second visit.






Re-awaken your inner creative in 2024 and grab my FREE download: The Ultimate Kickstart

Saturday 18 November 2023

Unlock the inner artist: Creativity for a busy schedule


Have your creative passions faded into the background, in the daily hustle and grind of work and family responsibilities that demand constant attention? 


Does the spark that once ignited your artistic spirit seem like a distant memory, buried beneath the weight of endless to-do lists and urgent commitments?


Is your inner artist searching for an outlet for creative expression?


For those seeking to rekindle their creative spark, the world of hands-on, creative, digital courses offers a gateway to unlocking artistic potential, while fitting into a busy schedule. Courses that provide a supportive and nurturing environment, where new skills and art forms can be explored.


The beauty of these courses lies in their flexibility; whether you're a complete beginner venturing into the realm of art, or a seasoned artist seeking to refine your skills. There's a course tailored to your expertise and available free time. Online learning platforms offer a treasure trove of options, allowing you to access courses from the comfort of your own home during those precious moments of downtime.


With a vast array of creative disciplines to delve into, the possibilities are endless. From the intricate art of paper quilling, to the mesmerising world of digital animation. Embrace the tranquility of painting, the meditative rhythm of knitting, or the power of storytelling through photography or filmmaking.


Engaging in creative activities has been shown to enhance cognitive function, boost problem-solving abilities and reduce stress levels. A therapeutic outlet for emotional expression, allowing you to process and navigate the complexities of life through art.


Moreover, joining online creative courses provides an opportunity to connect with a community of like-minded individuals. This sense of belonging can be particularly enriching and offers a supportive network and space to express one’s authentic self.


As you embark on your journey, remember that creativity is not about achieving perfection or conforming to a specific standard. It's about embracing the process, the joy of exploration, and the freedom to express yourself without judgment. Embrace the imperfections, the unexpected twists and turns, and allow yourself to be guided by your creative spirit.


So, with this in mind, why not start by dedicating a few hours each week, for some me time? Explore a new art form, take an online course, or simply pick up a paintbrush and let your imagination run wild. You'll be amazed at the transformative power that this can bring into your life and remind you of the boundless potential that lies within.


Re-awaken your inner creative - grab my FREE download: The Ultimate Kickstart 🌸


Alison Day Designs


Sunday 5 November 2023

The Ultimate Creative Kickstart - in 5 Bite-sized Steps

 




Do you find yourself staring at a blank page in your sketchbook, or the computer screen hoping that something will spill out?


Ever found it difficult to set aside some me time for your creativity?


Or, are you feeling just downright uninspired? 


Let me show you how to re-energise your mood, give yourself space to breathe and (re)awaken the inner artist, with a bite-sized - 5-step inspiration and Creative Kickstart.



🌸 Re-awaken your inner creative - grab my FREE download: The Ultimate Kickstart


Alison Day Designs

Monday 31 December 2018

Smartie Pants



When I was a child, every Wednesday my maternal grandparents would come to visit. First to arrive was my Grandmother, Freda. She would arrive with a rustle of bags, on a celery scented wave, having just been to the local fruit and vegetable market in Oxford. Of course her bags had goodies for us too. Comics such as: Whizzer & Chips and Diane and there was always a big bag of cheesy shapes –savoury biscuits in mini diamonds, triangles, hearts and clover leaf shapes. They were very popular and disappeared by the handful into our hungry mouths.
This would keep us quiet for a while, but as we neared the end of the afternoon, our excitement would grow at the imminent arrival of our Grandfather, Joe.  Ex-Merchant Navy and publican of a local watering hole in his home town, before he retired, he wore a brown checked sports coat with deep pockets. From these he would produce three tubes of smarties – one for each of us. Popping off the coloured plastic lids, first we would compare the alphabet letters on the underside of the lids. Then we’d upend the tube so that the multi-coloured smarties would slide down into our hands, like a conveyor belt. There was an art to eating them and favourite colours were always saved until last. Once the Smarties were gone, the tube was still fun. Replacing the lid, if you blew hard enough down the tube, you could get the lid to shoot across the room like a pop gun.
Then there came the week that Grandad turned up with the devastating news...

‘No Smarties this week, your Mum says I’m not allowed to give you sweets every week,’ 

he said. Of course we didn’t believe him and searched his deep pockets, but this time they were empty. But Grandad was the kind of soul who played by his own rules and couldn’t bear to look at our downcast little faces for long. As if by magic, he would produce three unopened tubes of smarties from an inside pocket. On future visits, if he said he hadn’t got any Smarties with him, we wouldn’t believe him. It turned into a game, to search his pockets for the forbidden tubes, until giggling we found them. 



Although these were never as fun as the tubes, Smarties also came in small boxes too. I’m delighted to say that one of my illustrations, of a retro Smarty box has been included in the delightful Uppercase Magazine: Packaging Portraits, issue #38.





The Embroider


Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around—
Vanilla Sky

Early 2018, I awoke one morning with the decision to throw my current life in the Netherlands to the wind. I’d been living on the continent for over 27 years and remaining there no longer served who I was and what I wanted out of life. 
I decided there and then that before my next birthday, in April, I would repatriate to my hometown area of Oxfordshire in the UK. So, I put my house up for sale at the start of March and began a major life laundry, clearing up, throwing out and closing down my life there.
The move was complex. A moving company took the bulk of my possessions to the UK and put them in storage; my brother drove over with his transit van and picked up me, my two cats and remaining possessions. The overnight journey by boat went well and the cats became expats.
Since then, re-activating my life has been complex: buying a house; finding a job and getting used to England again. The feeling that I’m on Mars has lessened, but it’ll take a while before I feel as though I belong. The urge to speak Dutch has vanished, although the odd Dutch word will still pop up now and again thwarting my flow.
Finding a job is the main task at the moment and Internet searches on job sites are interspersed by appointments with employment agencies. It’s a slow process and my enthusiasm goes in peaks and dales.



On my trips to the centre of Oxford, I notice the increase in the number of homeless people, living on cardboard box panels, under duvets. Over the years, it’s  increased exponentially and it’s a sad sight to see in what is considered to be such an affluent city. Alongside the street dwellers, are opinionated preachers, musicians and young people, showing off acrobatic or football skills, in the hope of a few coins from passers by. 
One person, however, stood out from the rest, and who actively seemed to be trying to make something more positive out of her circumstances. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, on a sleeping bag, she was totally absorbed in the process of sewing a picture on a large canvas, using brightly coloured, embroidery thread and wool. Ironically, her back was facing the outside wall of a well known bank. Her pictures are happy scenes embroidered onto material, guided by roughly sketched outlines. Every so often she would be forced to take a rest, due to the arthritic pain in her hands. The results of her labours are charming, colourful pictures, which have a naivety to their style.

Stopping to chat, I found out that this was Carol’s turf. She’d sat here every day for the past six years—sewing. Her pictures were not limited to canvases, there was also a large lamp shade that someone had thrown away, which she had covered with her creative stitches, plus a rather macabre looking doll. ‘I’ll sew on anything I can get my hands on’, she said. At one time, she made a series of small dogs, which became popular and sold instantly whenever she made them, but she found making things to order boring. That’s not why she sewed: ‘I do what I do, because I have to,’ she said.

Whenever the police tried to move her on she would say: ‘I’m not beggin’, I’m working.’ To the tourists who want to photograph her she says: ‘ If you want to take a photo of my work and help me do what I do—throw some coins in the box.’


I told her that I kept a blog and asked if she’d mind if I photographed her and her work for a blog post: ‘You do what you’ve got to do—at least you asked, most people don’t’, she replied. ‘I’ve been on telly and photographed before’, she added. As a raised my phone, she went quiet, adverted her eyes and bent her head to look at the ground. 

Like many artists, Carol was doing, in her words ‘what she had to do’. How she came to be there is of course another story and not relevant to my conversation with her. I was touched by the way she embraces her creativity as a means to survive on the streets, but ultimately shies away from the limelight.

If you’d like to see Carol’s work, or have a chat, you’ll find her sitting at Carfax, at the end of Cornmarket Street.


Friday 27 October 2017

Creative Jumpstart



The obligations of modern life are manifold and often leave us with little real time for ourselves, Five minutes here and twenty minutes there, snatched in between daily obligations and work. Any real 'me time', is as precious as gold dust and when it comes down to it, we’re often out of puff, uninspired, or blocked creatively…

Taking time for ourselves, and tapping into what we really want is an important way of giving ourselves space to breathe, re-boot and energize. This is not only important for our personal well being, but also affects our relationships and every other area of our lives.

Creative Jumpstart is a FREE, 5-day, creative boost, delivered daily to your inbox. Each message contains a mini assignment and each day builds on the one before.

Whatever your artistic experience—whether you’re in need of a creative boost, are just starting out, or a seasoned professional—Creative Jumpstart is for you!



Sign up today and I look forward to seeing you on the course: Creative Jumpstart






Monday 16 October 2017

Autumn Ink




This month, along with thousands of artists the world over, I’m taking part in the inky drawing challenge of #inktober, over on Instagram.

Shared work is tagged with #inktober or #inktober2017. For those who want it there's an official prompt list for inspiration, but ever the rebel, I’m seeing where each day takes me!