Showing posts with label alison day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alison day. Show all posts

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!














Thursday 14 September 2017

Final Board

Mystic Circle by Alison Day


Selecting one product from each week, here's my final collection. The styles of my products from the five weeks were quite eclectic, but I think I've managed to put a cohesive board together.
What do you think?
Now on to the next illustrative project, which is under wraps for now - more on that later.

Currently, I'm designing a creative E-Course. It's for anyone wishing to take time for themselves, develop their knowledge, both artistically and environmentally and meet others of a like mind. This course is for you, regardless of your artistic experience or creative level.



Saturday 9 September 2017

Wild Wood


Wild Wood by Alison Day


Week 5, using substrate wood and the final board is complete. This one has a hint of the orient and incorporates carving and inlaying for decoration.
If you've been following my progress, l'd love to know what you think.



View September's newsletter here



Tuesday 5 September 2017

Foxy Baroque


Foxy Baroque by Alison Day


Foxy Baroque and Home Decor week 4, is all about ceramics and incorporating text, along with various finishing techniques and decoration.

With a love of all things Gaudi, I found myself adding glass mosaic decoration to an already opulent, hand painted plate. A glass glaze on a fern coaster, which could also be used to create a mosaic wall pattern, shows how lucrative designing products for oneself could be for a broader audience.
Finally, porcelain potpourri holders, a personified vase with a foxglove skirt in relief and a unicorn tree decoration and we enter the realms of the mystical and magical world.


View September's newsletter here

Monday 28 August 2017

Glass Garden


Glass Garden by Alison Day


In week three, we designed home decor products for the substrate: glass. Combining both my bird and flower icons, an overall garden theme emerged. The pieces are a mix of translucent and opaque glass and are decorated with decals, hand painted or have fused elements.
Can you see any of these home decor products in your home ?

View September's newsletter here



Wednesday 23 August 2017

Decade Delivered




Today a box of: The Roaring 20s - Colouring Book was delivered. This is my third book, publishing under the name of Alison Day Designs. Having worked on it for several months, alongside numerous other projects and courses I've been taking, it's a pleasure to see it completed.

For the colourers amongst you, or someone who you think might enjoy a copy, they can be purchased via my here













Sunday 13 August 2017

Magic Wings


Magic Wings by Alison Day


Having completed a five month creative bootcamp late July, I found myself in quandary—what to do next? I wasn't planning on going away, the weeds in the garden could continue their rampage (at least for a few more weeks) and the Summer holidays were still in full swing. I missed the early Monday morning assignments and the camaraderie of my fellow students...
Yesterday, ahead of deadline, I uploaded my completed Home Decor assignment for week one of a five week course. Designed for the substrate: metal, with a theme of birds.
A serial student I am, but this means yet another piece for the portfolio and I'm in creative heaven!



You can also sign up for monthly updates, digital inspiration and info on a creative, E-Course I'm writing: here


Thursday 3 August 2017

Wednesday 26 July 2017

Bootcamp Five


The round up of five months of creative, bootcamp assignments. What do think?


Currently, I'm writing an E-Course. It's for anyone wishing to take time for themselves creatively, develop their knowledge, as well as meet others of a like mind. Regardless your artistic experience or creative level—so that includes you!

If you'd like to be kept up to date on my E-Course as it progresses, or have always wanted to take part in a creative class, with an environmental flavour—subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Plus you'll also receive my 10 top creative tips: here

Monday 24 July 2017

Global Goodies



'Holly, can you do that later? I need some help with the deliveries!' said Botticelli.





Holly wasn't listening, she wanted to fly too—if only...




Currently, I'm writing an E-Course. It's for anyone wishing to take time for themselves creatively, develop their knowledge, as well as meet others of a like mind. Regardless your artistic experience or creative level—so that includes you!


If you'd like to be kept up to date on my E-Course as it progresses, or have always wanted to take part in a creative class, with an environmental flavour—subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Plus you'll also receive my 10 top creative tips: here





Saturday 22 July 2017

Currant Fare



I wasn't planning on gardening today, but you know how it goes? Pick up a leaf and throw a twig in a bucket and before you know it, you have a pair of secateurs in hand, you're on a mission and everything gets pruned!

The blackcurrants certainly did need picking, but it doesn't end at that. The plant then has to be cut back right back, leaving the new branches for the next season. In the moment, I thought why not—take the time? Repetitive, mantra-like, as I plucked the tiny, purple, vitamin C bombs from the branches, I found myself thinking about how, I inevitably was destroying the habitat of some bug or other. I could feel the reproach, from an enormous grey spider, swinging from the remnants of her web and of the bright green grasshoppers, pinging all over the place. A plastic-looking earwig looked quite pissed off, or maybe it's just their demeanor. All had to relocate, with one consolation, I left the berries that fell for any passing takers. Immediately, a big fat slug, smelling the berries, advanced, amazingly fast for a slug, out of the poppies, to claim and gorge itself on a berry bigger than its head.

My prize, the berries you see in the photo above, weighing in at a grand 340 g. As I sit on the garden bench relaxing, I wonder what will be next on the harvest agenda, before the leaves start to fall: tomatoes, grapes, blackberries...



Currently, I'm writing an E-Course. It's for anyone wishing to take time for themselves creatively, develop their knowledge, as well as meet others of a like mind. Regardless your artistic experience or creative level—so that includes you!

If you'd like to be kept up to date on my E-Course as it progresses, or have always wanted to take part in a creative class, with an environmental flavour—subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Plus you'll also receive my 10 top creative tips: here


Friday 14 July 2017

Floral Unity



A floral Mandala created using botanical finds from my garden: Wild Strawberries, Poppy seed pods, Hydrangea, Lemon Verbena and the grass is Red Baron (love the name— reminds me of the cartoon, Snoopy). I don't know what the yellow flower is.


The name Mandala comes from the Sanskrit meaning 'circle'. Easy to make and a meditative action. The balance of elements within the circle are a symbol of harmony and unity. Mandalas are used by many cultures the world over, for pre-meditative, intention setting. It is also seen as a tool for the psychic journey and represents cosmic as well as psychic order.

What do you think of my creation?


Currently, I'm writing an E-Course. It's for anyone wishing to take time for themselves creatively, develop their knowledge, as well as meet others of a like mind. Regardless your artistic experience or creative level—so that includes you!

If you'd like to be kept up to date on my E-Course as it progresses, or have always wanted to take part in a creative class, with an environmental flavour, please, sign up for my newsletter to be kept up to date on my progress: here



Tuesday 4 July 2017

Eternal Flame


Revealing the Inner Artist through Creativity, Knowledge & Personal Development

In the last few months, I've been writing a Creative E-Course for adults, whatever their artistic experience or creative level. It's for anyone who would like to get in touch with their artistic muse, or carve out a little time for themselves.

Although I'm not at the stage to reveal all yet, more details will be revealed as I progress. I will say however—it promises to be good!

So, if you'd like to be kept up to date with its progress please, sign up for my monthly newsletter: here


Saturday 24 June 2017

Dreaming Spires




I've been wanting to create an illustrative map of my hometown, Oxford, for quite a while now. After a little research I came across plenty of interesting things to draw. With a total of 38 colleges on offer (13 appear on my selected slice of Oxford's city centre), Oxford is filled with an varied richness of: restaurants, shops and enough pubs for a jolly good pub crawl.



That was a few months ago and then other projects took precedence and I lost my momentum. Fast forward to two weeks ago and what should come across my path, but a map making course given by Nate Padavick (They Draw and Travel) on Sketchbook Skool. Perfect, it was a no brainer. A week long course, with the potential of a completed map (for me, of Oxford) at the end of it. So, I dove in (add to a the other three courses I'm was already doing—I'll never learn!)
The course was inspiring and the instruction from concept to finished map, clear and easy to follow. I've uploaded my map to TDAT's website, with a feeling of achievement. If you'd like to see the whole map, you can here

You may also be interested to hear, as an artist, and in the light of environmental challenges, I'm currently writing a creative E-Course. Due to appear later in the year or early 2018.
In it, the problem is addressed through hands on creativity, along with sources, resources and an informed environmental awareness.
It's an E-Course for adults wishing to take time for themselves creatively as well as meet others of a like mind. Regardless of artistic experience or creative level—so that includes you!
If you'd like to be kept up to date on my E-Course as it progresses, or have always wanted to take part in a creative class, with an environmental flavour, please, sign up for my newsletter to be kept up to date on my progress: here
The newsletter is a digital feast that will arrive in your inbox monthly, it also includes my most current illustrative work.

Thank you for reading.

Friday 16 January 2015

Mosaic Waves


Upcycled mosaic table top with an organic, multicolour design, created using a mix of conventional white tiles, handpainted tiles and pieces of mirror.