Merry Christmas from Rebecca

I've finished my last commission of 2012 and my pencils have finally been put down!

Here is Baylea-Mae who has kept me very busy over the past week...

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas pencil fans! Thank you for your support and for giving me an amazing 2012! xx

BRAND NEW! - Collar Clips

You can now wear my art on your collar! Simply clip each pendant to your collar tip and voila .. beautiful!

I have also released some new keyring pendants in antique silver. These new pendants have a little pine cone charm too! (I love these)

I will be at Lichfield Guildhall, Staffordshire, tomorrow from 10am - 4pm. Come and say hello and buy your last minute stocking filler treats :)

// FEATURED IN // 1000 Portrait Illustrations

My work has been featured in this wonderful publication, 1000 Portrait Illustrations, and I have finally managed to get myself a copy to show you all.

Last year, shortly after leaving University, I was approached by the author to be featured in the 'realistic' section of the book. I was amazed that my work had been recognised and considered to feature alongside some truly amazing illustrators, most of whom had inspired my work throughout my time at University.

It is a fantastic feeling to see my work published,  although it is also quite strange seeing my University work there... My whole way of working has changed so much since then!

Anyway here's a peek if you can't get to Waterstones!

The book is divided into two sections- realistic and experimental portraiture work and displays a range of different styles. It's the perfect resource book for anyone interested in portraits.

Etsy store launches this Friday!

I have finally got my act together with my Etsy shop preparations. All my products are made, packaging is prepared, shots have been taken, and I am now ready to launch my online shop, which will open this Friday-November 30!

I have already had some fantastic feedback from some WIP images I've posted on my Facebook page and I am hoping all the effort and hardwork will pay off with the launch of my shop (Fingers crossed)

All products are adorned with my pencil illustrations and are made by hand, by me. The array of wonderful little gift ideas are sure to delight your eyes.

Anyway, here is a little taster... and be sure to check back on Friday with a link to my new online shop :)

Bookmarks for you bookworms..

Finished off my labels for these beauties today! Perfect gift for those bookworm friends of yours :)

My Etsy shop will be open, soon! .. I promise! 

Craft Fair News

Last Saturday was my first craft fair of the season!

The last few weeks I have been very busy preparing all my stock, including the launch of a new range of products.  (I blogged about those here). Although the fair was disappointingly quiet and footfall was low, I still managed to sell quite a few little gifts and I had some great feedback on my new range.

My little helper was my little sister who I roped in to keep me company all day- Big thanks to Jenny!

 

My Best seller on the day was my vintage style owl keyring.. with two more fairs to go before Christmas and only one of these left, I think I best make some more!

Find me and my handmade treats at Lichfield Guildhall craft fair on:

Saturday 17th November 10am-4pm

&

Saturday 15th December 10am-4pm

Keep up-to-date daily by following me on Twitter and Facebook

New product launch - 'A Woodland Walk'

The last few weeks have been a little stressful to say the least! I have been crazily working away at my desk... scribbling, note-taking, drawing and sewing to produce a whole new range of products adorned with my hand drawn illustrations, ready to launch for Christmas.

I decided to be a little experimental and dip into processes and techniques that I have never worked with before. Although a little scary to begin with, I took to the sewing machine and tested a few bits of material to see what I could put together. (We did have a few fall outs, but me and the sewing machine are now best friends).

With the release of a new range handmade products, I have also launched a brand new special collection, on trend for this season, called ‘Woodland Walk’. This collection is inspired by woodland animals and has been created to bring a quaint, charming and beautiful touch to an array of homewares and gifts.

The Woodland Walk collection includes cushions, cosmetics purses, small coin purses, keyrings, necklace pendants and bookmarks. The collection will be available to buy from this Saturday at my first Christmas fair...

If anyone is interested in buying any of my new homewares and gifts, please get in touch. I will also be attending a few craft fairs in the lead up to Christmas, where all new products will be available along with some other bits and pieces. Dates and venues as follows:

Saturday 3rd November - St Pauls, Walsall 10am-4pm
Saturday 17th November -Lichfield Guildhall, Lichfield 10am-4pm
Saturday 15th December - Lichfield Guildhall, Lichfield 10am-4pm

If you can't make it to any of these venues then stay tuned as I will hopefully be opening an online shop this coming month! Yay!

You can follow my Facebook page here, where I also regularly post up photos and updates of new happenings...

x

Images 36 Book Launch & Exhibition - Mini Film

My wonderful cousin filmed and edited some footage from the Images 36 exhibition and book launch. This is a mini film that he has produced from the evening at Somerset house.

My Ghost Bike illustration was selected for 'New Talent' in the Images 36 Best of British Illustration publication. (If you missed it..read up my recent post here!)

Somerset House from Matt Emons on Vimeo.

John Lewis Exhibition - Mini Film Overview

Here is a mini film overview of the exhibition I was involved with over the summer at John Lewis, Oxford Street. (If you missed it, click here!)

somewhereto_ John Lewis 2 - FullRes 1080HD from Esther Brown on Vimeo.

Thanks to Somewhereto_

// FEATURED IN // Images 36 - Best of British Illustration 2012

I took a little trip to London this week to attend the private view and book launch for Images 36 Best of British Illustration. It was a super night with an array of talented peeps!

I received my book, which my illustration 'Ghost Bike' was selected for the new talent category...

 Images is the UK's leading illustration competition, annual, awards show, and touring exhibition dedicated to showcasing the very best in new British illustration. It is unique in that it is Britain's only jury-selected illustration competition, judged by a highly regarded panel of industry experts.

The exhibition, featuring selected works from the book is currently open to the public at Somerset House, London until 28th October 2012.

theaoi.com
Images 36

Portrait Commissions

Aside from all the commercial illustration bits, I've recently had a few private commission orders for personal portraits. Here is one I completed and framed up last week. It was greatly received and I've had some lovely comments, which is always good :)

If you wish to enquire about ordering your own portrait ..pop me over an email at rebeccaabell@mail.com

Hero of Switzerland | To Your Health - Group Exhibition

I took a trip down to London last week to deliver my artwork to the Lomography store, East London where the Hero of Switzerland - To Your Health exhibition was being hosted. (Such an exciting venue!)

Thursday and Friday saw the opening of the exhibition with two private view events being held, both being a huge success and attracting a good bunch of fans for support.... We even had a visit from the lovely Association of Illustrators team! 

 
"Exhibiting artists alongside Dan Button and Esme Tearle this year are the usual troupe of dear friends, old and new, hangers on and talented creeps that have produced work specifically for the To Your Health themed show."

My exhibition piece is called 'Desolate', which takes a personal view on hopeless emotion. Read more in my previous post here:

There really is some fab work on show and all for sale too! So, if you fancy buying yourself some nice pieces of art created by some super talented arty folk get down and have a look! The exhibition runs until 23rd September 2012 and is open Mon-Sun 10am-7pm / Thurs 10am-9pm.

Massive thanks goes to Dan and Esme from Hero of Switzerland who curated the show, for all their hard work, and for inviting me to be part of a fantastic exhibition!

Lomography Gallery store (near Spitalfields Art Markets)
117 Commercial Street, 
London, E1 6BG.

John Lewis | Britsh Culture - Group Exhibition

So, after a very anticipated wait... I finally managed to see my work up in John Lewis, Oxford Street. As my previous post explains, I was selected as 1 of 12 illustrators/artists by Somewhereto_ to be part of a rotating group exhibition that celebrated the theme of British Culture.

'Clever Box', is part of an illustration series based on British idioms and proverbs which was completed as my University major project.

My illustration 'Clever Box' is exhibited until Wednesday 12th September, then afterwards replaced with more beautiful work by some other arty folk.. so if you are around pop over and have a look!

(The Brasserie) 3rd Floor,  John Lewis, Oxford Street, London.
Nearest tube- Oxford Circus or Bond Street  

New work for an upcoming exhibition..

Here is my illustration created for the Hero of Switzerland: To Your Health Exhibition, which opens its doors this Thursday!!

Desolate takes a personal view of the hopeless emotion felt through depression.  The sensitivity of the illustration establishes the thought of low-spirit, tearfulness and sorrow, juxtaposed with the use of inspirational text.

The proverb; ‘There can be no rainbow without a cloud and a storm’, provides a sympathetic reminder that a) you are not the only person in the world who has ever experienced discouragement and b) the occasional down makes the up ones more up! Simply, you have to take the good with the bad and this is what I intended to depict with my illustration.

Limited edition signed prints will be available to buy at the gallery throughout the exhibition. Hope you like it!

Thursday 6th - Sunday 30th September 2012

Lomography Gallery store,
117 Commercial Street, 
London, E1 6BG. 

*More info here

My Viking Project. Aged 6.

I thought I would share this with you all. My mum came across some bits of my old schoolwork in the loft at the weekend... Amongst it was my Viking project that I made in year 1. A budding illustrator even then!

Christmas fair prep..

Over the last few weeks I have been prepping for christmas fairs (it feels too early, but is fast upon us!) I have been busy making lots of decorations and various gifts to sell which I am super excited to share!

I am currently in the process of booking stalls at the fairs, therefore I will post up a newsletter of dates and venues very soon when it's all booked up!

Hero of Switzerland | To Your Health - Group Exhibition

I am currently working on some illustrations which will soon be part of the 'To Your Health' exhibition at the Lomography Gallery Store, East London. 6th-23rd September 2012

Sign up to the Facebook event here!
@Heroswitzerland

Exhibition at John Lewis

I recently received exciting news that my artwork had been selected for a group exhibition at John Lewis on Oxford Street, London!

The rotating group exhibition celebrates the theme of 'British Culture', in keeping with the great patriotism and celebration that this year has brought us-with the Jubilee and the Olympics. The exhibition has been put together by Somewhereto_ and involves the work of myself and 11 other illustrators/artists.

 
My illustration 'Clever Box' will be exhibited* from Thursday 23rd August - Wednesday 12th September, so if you are around pop over and have a look!

*Pictures to follow

(The Brasserie), John Lewis, Oxford Street, London.
Nearest tube- Oxford Circus or Bond Street 

COW Studio Workshop

Last week I went along to a creative workshop at the COW Studio in Birmingham's Jewellery quarter. The workshop session was bag making and was so much fun! Francine who runs the workshop was super lovely and very helpful .. and even made us a very yummy victoria sponge cake-amazing!

I would definitely recommend booking a workshop session.. there are various ones to choose from over on the website here: creativeopenworkshops.com

Fashion Drawings

I have finally had one of my London Fashion Week drawings printed and framed (bit late I know!) this was my favourite from Basso & Brooke's collection..

Florence signed my artwork!

I received my vinyl artwork from the Secret 7” Project last week, which has been signed by Florence herself (how exciting!) I just had to get it framed up to put on my wall and here it is. I am so pleased with how it looks… something to treasure for a very long time :)

Learn more about the Secret 7" project here!

Portraits

I am currently working on a series of celeb portraits to use for some self promotion mailers. I have recently completed this illustration of fashion guru, Alexa Chung. Here's the initial rough sketch to the final outcome.