Jason Freeny - Artist

Only discovered Jason Freeny, an artist/designer fairly recently (either someone sent me the link to his Lego anatomy figure, or I found it by luck) and discovered what amazing stuff he has done. I am such a big toy geek, so seeing how he specialise in designer toys made me check out his stuff. He also specialise in sculpture and computer generated imagery.

Jason created his first fictional anatomy illustration in 2000 with his depiction of the mythological "Incubus". His first anatomical digital illustration in 2007with "Pneumatic Anatomica" balloon animal anatomy and his first anatomical sculpt in 2010 with an anatomical Dunny. 

Armed with a youthful, overactive imagination, Jason creates smart, intricate works that tickle the deviant intellect through a mix of hard graphics, detailed anatomy, pop iconography and wit.

Jason went full time as a working artist in 2010 and can now be found hunched over his work table developing works of candy colored madness. He set up Moist Production Studio

More great work by Jason

Couple of places to buy Jason's work from in the US (will ship to the UK). 

Mighty Jaxx

Suburban Vinyl

#Justacard - The Avant Card Co

As part of the #justacard campaign, I will be featuring cool and interesting designers, who happen to make greeting cards. So you have no excuses not supporting them. So read all about The Avant Card Co

You can see all our products at www.theavant-cardcompany.com

The Avant-Card Company was created in West Norwood SE London July 2013.  We are a husband and wife team.  The illustrations are my own, but my wife plays an important role behind the scenes with, in her own words “the more mundane” part of running a business.  However, she is also a really helpful source of ideas and a great sounding board for me for my design ideas, and has a fantastic eye for colour.

The name for the brand was taken from the phase ‘avant-garde’ because I like to think our greeting cards are a little different or innovative to most, particularly the illustrations. Each of our greeting cards begins with the illustration, which I like to do by hand with as little technology involved as possible.

When it’s time to turn the illustration into a greeting card we like to keep things simple and local and eco friendly.  The card stock is sourced from an amazing paper factory just down the road in Brixton (John Purcell Paper), an Aladdin’s cave for paper and card stock.   The card stock we use is unique to John Purcell Paper which is a nice thought – that we are using something original to SE London.  Then it’s on to the printing and making stage.   Again not far from us, up the road in Crystal Palace, is the printers, Words & Pictures.  So as to ensure that the quality and look of the original illustration remains true to my original artwork, I work closely with the guys at the print and design company through the printing process, -  cutting and creasing the cards myself, on occasions.

The appreciation for handmade and craft products in the UK has improved in recent years which is great to see and to be a (very) small part of this is exciting.

SE London is brilliant for independent gift shops and boutiques that really appreciate the independent makers, and show this by regularly stocking our greeting cards.

We were surprised to have The National Trust  also take interest in our greeting cards and stock them in numerous shops thoughout the UK only six months from starting out The Avant-Card Co. Along with my wife and local support we plan to keep creating unique illustrated greeting cards and expanding to illustrated gifts, which we have just started to do with a small range of handmade acrylic pin badges.

You can see all our products at www.theavant-cardcompany.com

The Life Draw Inn: Life Drawing For Everyone

The Life Draw Inn: Life Drawing for Everyone

Twice a week, on Monday and Wednesday's Life Drawing sessions for everyone. Held at Exeter Street Hall. 

Mon - 8-10 pm
Wed - 1-3 pm

www.facebook.com/thelifedrawinn

thelifedrawinn.com

Tilly and the Buttons: Sewing Patterns & Workshops

Fancy learning how to sew your own clothes, then you need to check out Tilly and the Buttons, a great site which sells step by step sewing patterns as well as having workshops both online and in her studio in South London

Current workshops include learning how to make a skirt, how to make pyjamas, and how to make friends with a sewing machine. All workshops are in small groups with Tilly or one of the other fantastic teachers, in her bright and inspiring studio. 

Click here to find out what the latest workshops are: http://shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/collections/workshops

Tilly also offers Online Workshops if you not in the South London area

If you looking for sewing patterns, then check out the wide range of sewing patterns Tilly offers

http://shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/collections/sewingpatterns

Elizabeth Anne Norris - Jewellery Workshops

Interested in learning jewellery in the Sussex area then check out Elizabeth Anne Norris, who teaches adults silver jewellery in her workshop in Shoreham. 

http://www.elizabethannenorris.co.uk/1-2-1-jewellery-classes.php

Students work in silver or base metals learning traditional silversmithing and jewellery techniques. Students learn how to use hand tools, some electronic tools and a propane gas torch essential for metalwork. Tuition options are available for complete beginners and those who want to improve their skills. One to one or small group learning, in my experience, is the very best way to learn. Learn at your own pace in an enjoyable relaxed environment. 

Click on the current class options below for more info:

1-2-1 Jewellery Tuition - private one to one tuition

3 hour Silver Ring Making Workshop - for one or two students (as featured in The Guardian)

Gold Ring Making Workshop - for one or two students

3 hour Silver Earring Making Workshop - for one or two students

3 hour Silver Bangle Making Workshop - for one or two students

NEW! 3 hour Silver Pendant Making Workshop - for one or two students

Looking for Gift Vouchers for Birthdays, Christmas, Leaving Gifts or any time Click Here.

Check here for *!Special Offers!*

Please call for more information or to look around the workshop. You can also book your classes online.

Many thanks.

M: 0777 339 4413 or click here for my contact page

#fridayheroes Little Beach Boutique @littlebeachbout 9th Oct 2015

Last week my #fridayheroes blog was about Good Gym, this time is about an amazing little shop in the North Laine area of Brighton

They are based at 74 North Road, Brighton

Website www.littlebeachboutique.com

Twitter @littlebeachbout   

Discovered it when I moved into the area, and it is a real treasure trove of goodies

The stand out items have to be the glass work, like below 

But there is so much other cool stuff from jewellery to glass coasters to baby stuff to cool felt slippers (pity they don't make my size!!!) See photos below 

One of my previous blogs was about the importance of the #justacard campaign, so even if the only you buy from here is a card, you helping to support a really great small businesses (you will end up wanting to get more than a card though!)

​And they have a cool dog ​