Hello Friends, I am now blogging over at www.marielouiseplum.com. All the old posts from here are over at my new home. I will be keeping this blog up for a little while but eventually it won't exist anymore. See you over at my new home. X
I'm very lucky to have an art supply shop in the town near me. What's lucky about it is that they have lots of old stock that is no longer made, or items that have slightly changed, be it the branding, packaging or material ingredients. My latest bargain is a juicy set of liquid acrylic inks from Winsor and Newton. Now, there is a new range or equivalent of these inks, but you can't get them like this, in this set, in this packaging anymore. I also got a few individual inks thrown in to the deal in addition to the pack. Bargain!
I was recently commissioned by Hopscotch, a contemporary old-fashioned (does that make sense?) sweet shop in London, to design, cast and illustrate some giant wall sweets. It took quite a while to make these megasweets up. I'd like to do a load more for them and have the walls bursting with giant sweets. 
The Spider & the Fly is a pop-up shop in Edinburgh. It's located at 65 Bread Street and is currently operating on a month-to-month basis, so get down there quick before you find it's suddenly disappeared.
Last month the Cut-Click Mail Art exhibition which I am a part of was on display there. They now have some lovely Alice-inspired work on display and for sale, and will be changing the exhibition again soon. Follow @thespiderandfly on Twitter to be kept up-to-date with exhibition news.
The Spider & the Fly proprietor, Emily (Magpie Market), could not be more charming and helpful. You must check out the shop. She is stocking some amazing work from artists, illustrators and crafters, and has combined a delicately twee yet spit'n'sawdust style with the stripped bare boards and paint splattered stone floors and tasteful Victoriana wallpaper to create a temporary wonderland in an interesting secondary retail location.
I spotted this at the bottom of Cowgate where it meets Grassmarket. A lovely triptych.
I'm in Edinburgh now for the entire month of August. That means my blog posts will be even more sporadic than usual. But it also means that's because I am getting on with lots of work that I will eventually post about.
So here's my first bit of published stuff in Edinburgh. An illustration for Forest Fringe. Here's the front and back page of the first Forest Fringe zine. I get a good mention on the front and the entire back page is one of my illustrations. 
So I'm doing this thing in Edinburgh on 26th August. It's at The Forest for Total Kunst and is in all the listings so have a search. I'll write more about it nearer the time, when I know what I'm doing for sure and what time I'll be doing it.
What I know so far is that it's a performance that depends on lots of people taking part. I've made four brand new masks from plaster impregnated bandages. I cast my face for a laugh. Not the easiest way to make a mask.
I'll show you the masks as they progress.
The ever brilliant Cut-Click have got our Mail Art (I say 'our' as I contributed work, along with tons of other excellent illustrators) hooked up with new exhibition space around the country. Current stop is Magpie Market at The Spider and The Fly, 65 Bread Street, Edinburgh.
Images © Claira Turvey and Magpie Market.
I'm heading up to Edinburgh next week to tout my wares and perform/exhibit at the Fringe festival. Not sure how long Magpie Market will be at 65 Bread Street but I hope I get to pop in and say hello.
The next stop for the Mail Art exhibition is the Milkwood Gallery in Cardiff.
You really must go and see this: a collaboration between Keith Newstead and Ralph Steadman, 'Whoops a Daisy...!', an exhibition of Ralph's art and illustration and Keith's automata, currently displaying at Black Swan Arts in Frome.
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I love this week's post bag. Another delicious 'zine has been delivered, featuring my work. Actually, this is a book. A book you can colour in! How about that then? It's called the Doodletrain and features work from over 100 illustrators across the world. Doodletrain is part of the The Scribble Project, put together and featuring work by Lisa Currie.
Look what plopped through my postbox
I'm really impressed with the quality of the print, the book looks aces. The illustrations chosen by Lisa are all brilliant, there even appears to be a couple of entries by under 5's - or is that just a mega naive style?
As with the Cut-Click printed issue, I'm not going to give much away here, you'll have to buy the book for that. No longer available from Etsy (they have all sold out!) you can still get one by contacting Lisa directly.
Check this little note out, love it. Thanks for letting me be a part of this, Lisa!
Two pieces that didn't make it in to my final body of work for Cut-Click's Mail Art exhibition.
Cut-Click have floated a winner yet again, this time by getting together a printed issue of their zine. Here's a peep at the cover image, designed by Tigz Rice.
I have a two page strip about life in a magical wood. I love woods and would like to live in one. I'm not posting the whole strip up here, I want you to dig deep and purchase a copy.
In case you aren't aware, Cut-Click are the fabulous folks whose Mail Art exhibition I took part in. The exhibition is still travelling round the country, next stop The Spider and the Fly pop-up gallery in Edinburgh.
Piece of work (not mine) featured in the Mail Art exhibition
To download archived Cut-Click issues, click here.
If you've been following my tweets you'll know that I had a wonderful time in Amsterdam last weekend. It was my first time in the city centre and I was blown away by its look, smell and feel. Love it. Want to go back. 
I was invited to Amsterdam by Donna DuCarme and Rick Lightstone of the ABC Treehouse Gallery (affiliated with the American Book Centre) to take part in their expo of urban art, the aptly named Urban Arts Festival. I have blogged about what the festival is before - an open air 'atelier' with artists working, selling and crafting, and also workshopping at the ABC Treehouse (studio, workshop space and gallery). The square on the Spui was filled with rows of crafters and designers on their own stalls. My neighbours on one side were a collective of fabulous paper and plush crafters. Their work was available to buy and make, as well as some essential books on the subject. 
I set up my stall early on, selling prints and original framed illustrations, mini-zines and postcards. My masks weren't for sale, although people could and did freely try them on. I also took a batch of plastic blank face masks for people to illustrate on. I gave a couple of one-to-one workshops, one with a Brazilian lady and another with a very cool little boy. 
There were too many notable highlights of the day to mention them all, so I'll namecheck just a few of the artists and projects I am especially into. Molly Crabapple s
Hey Folks, look what I am doing this weekend! International jetsetter that I am, I'm off to Amsterdam to tout my wares and also give a mask workshop. The wonderful American Book Centre are the hosts of the Urban Arts Festival and have invited me to work, sell and have much fun with the good people of the Netherlands.
From 1pm-5pm I will be selling original framed illustrations, masks, zines and postcards at the atelier in front of the American Book Centre. There are 50+ other artists selling and working on the square, doing all manner of insanely interesting things. At 5pm I will be conducting a mask illustrating and wearing workshop in the ABC Treehouse. After a quick talk about why I use masks in my art we will illustrate the character and background of some pre-prepared masks before interacting with each other in our masks.
There are workshops going on all day. Some really fantastic workshops they are too - check out the ABC Treehouse website for more info.
Okay, so here's the other stuff that essential to know if you are coming for fun in Amsterdam...
"On Saturday June 26 2010, from 1pm to 6pm, the American Book Center and the ABC Treehouse present the ABC Urban Arts Festival. The large square in front of The American Book Center Amsterdam will be transformed into an outdoor "atelier", with artists showing and creating work on-site for the public to enjoy. Some of the hottest local and international artists, representing a cross section of graphic designers, illustrators, graffiti artists, fiber artists, paper-toy designers – all with an urban edge - are scheduled to participate!
At the ABC Treehouse, workshops will offer free ‘hands on’ lessons to the public and discussions with artists, publishers and other industry professionals covering subjects such as design, crafts, illustration and practical crossovers between the areas.
For up-to-date information about artists attending the Urban Arts Festival, vist the American Book Center blog.
For information and reservations for workshops and other related events, see the individual listings for June 26th on this website."
It's a little late in the day but I'm finally posting my blog about the wonderful Space Made Live event last weekend. Curated by cutting edge design agency Small Media Large, Space Made Live was an incredible mash-up of talents, featuring installations, audio visual work, paintings, drawings, sculpture and live acts.
I took my masks on the road to Glasgow to have some fun with visitors to the event. During the day I was installed in my exhibition space, mostly sat, masked up, in a suitcase, pouncing on people for words and thoughts. A few brave people interacted with me during the day, although quite a few more got a bit freaked out and scooted off before we really got anywhere.
I tried a number of approaches to interact with people. With a lovely little John Bull Printing set I asked visitors to give me words, the first words that popped into their heads. Taking a word from each person I formed a story. Not many people agreed to do this with masks on, but no matter. They did at least get involved.
My masks were hanging from hooks on all four walls. Visitors were invited to try on whatever they wanted. Of course the one group of children that came in had no fear, they went straight up to the suitcase of masks and proceeded to try them all on. With the exception of one girl. Who cried. A lot. Must work on an escape route out of the crying child situation.
© Thomas Makridis, www.pictureglasgow.com
In the evening there was a live event launch so the atmosphere was much more suited to people getting stuck in with the interactions. By now I had removed the mask and clambered out of my suitcase - I wanted the visitors to wear the masks and interact with each other.
Tactically placing two chairs opposite each other, a mask on each seat, is a clear instruction without having to speak. People get it - they take the mask and sit down. Under the chairs they find cards with simple questions stamped on them... "Where are you from?", "Why are you here?". The aim is to answer the questions in any way you want. There's just one rule - do not tell the truth.
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12th - 13th June I will be taking my masks to Space Made Live, an event in the imposing Victorian 'Arthouse' (actually called Arthouse) on Argyle Street, Glasgow, for two days of interactive art and workshopping. If you're in Glasgow you absolutely must come, Space Made Live is a really exciting event, curated by the fabulous Small Media Large and featuring a number of wonderful artists.
On the evening of Saturday 12th June, there is a live event featuring a showcase of audio/visual work, spoken word and electronic music performances. There are also audio walks and even an even a life-drawing session, and interactive mask workshops from me. All of this is taking place throughout the building. Tickets are required for the evening event, they will be available from here after the 26th May.
Over the weekend the artists will have jammed the Arthouse full of their work and it is open for viewings. I will be exhibiting my masks, which you can try on, and also interact with me while masked.
To see all the artists involved please click here. I am so excited to be taking part in this event and want to see as many people there as possible, so come!
Space Made Live is part of Glasgow's West End Festival 2010.
The Urban Arts Festival is drawing near so here's a few photos (below) from last year to show you what kind of thing will be going on.
I'll be drawing live on the square, selling art and conducting a mask workshop in the ABC Treehouse.
The mask workshop will be a test of imagination and escapism - we are not making masks but inhabiting them. More information to follow. Keep 'em peeled!
URBAN ARTS FESTIVAL, 26th JUNE 2010 - SPUI 12, AMSTERDAM
All photos (Arts Festival 2009) taken from Urban Arts Festival Facebook group.
Here's a vid, courtesy of SuperFly, of the wonderful Big Top Jamboree that took place last weekend at Drouthy's Basement, Dundee. Unfortunately I can't embed the video, so just follow the link. I had work on display there, as part of the Cut-Click Mail Art exhibition, that had exhibited earlier in the year in Grimsby.
Big Top Jamboree was organised by a Dundee collective, three very switched-on girls. Here's what SuperFly says about them...
"A collaborative project by Jen Collins, Nikki McWilliams and Lauren Gentry, who met when they contributed to the 'Central Station V's SuperFly' project organised by SuperFly. They first came together in March 2010 to organise the fantastic 'Jumpers & Jamboree' event.
They aim to organise fun, unique events to give the creative community of Dundee the opportunity to get together, collaborate & sell their work.
SuperFly was there to document the event - the work and the atmosphere as part of 'SuperFly on the Wall' - a mini-doc video project that aims to document events and activities that will be of interest to the SuperFly community.
Sign up on the website for updates on SuperFly events and web content.
superfly.org.uk/contact/"
So, a little shout out to SuperFly there. Nice to see Yuck'n'Yum (who I did some work for a year or so ago now) zine nestled in on one of the tables!
Here's some photos of the Jamboree, by The Skinny photographer Joanna Montgomery.
I love Lindsay Grime, she does something special. Click the pics below to go to her Etsy site.
The night was a total success. I was installed in a small cell and conducted masked interviews in character with my visitors. The always excellent Laura Holden assisted me. We didn't get any photos of us in action, that was kind of tricky, but we did get some photos of the cell and our masked friends.
We operated a strict "two in, two out" policy. Any other spectators had to watch from outside the cell until it was their turn to come in. We had a queue of visitors. Thanks so much to everyone who came and took part, and to Sarah Ruff who curated the 'Hairy Mary' event that we were a part of.
If there's one thing I never enjoyed reading, it's sci-fi. However, sci-fi paperback covers are a different story altogether. I love them. Check these out, they are some of my favourites.
This is instalment number one, more to follow in future blog posts...
Illo work for an editorial ad for Ripping Yarns antiquarian bookshop.
Visit their shop at 355 Archway Road, London. It's an Aladdin's cave of exciting books from the 1800's - present day (although not many from the present).
They have a wonderful children's catalogue of illustrated first editions, Puffins, Picture Puffins etc.
The old guy in the house with the washing line has fought off another nasty winter and is back to hanging his bloomers out to dry. I thought you might benefit somehow from seeing this, the fresh first burst of his Spring time hanging.
Hello Palz!
Come and see me and my masks at Hairy Mary, a live-art cabaret curated by Sarah Ruff, on 5th May (that's next Wednesday). I will be locked up in The Old Police Station, a reclaimed Police parlour that has been turned into exhibition space, artists studios, museum, supper club and tea rooms, at 114 Amersham Vale, Deptford.
I can't wait to get banged up at this "do-it-yourself-art-centre". I've never exhibited at an old cop shop before. You'll have to come and find me, I'll be in the place where the bad people go. You can come and help me with my enquiries. There'll be masks. And a curious victim. 
If that's too mysterious for you, here's what's going on in simple terms: I'm installing mask art and conducting an interactive live-art performance in one of the cells at The Old Police Station, 114 Amersham Vale, SE14 6LG from 7pm on 5th May.
Facebook Event here - feel free to invite mothers, brothers, sisters, lovers etc.
just brilliant. love this stuff and all your illustrations marie! plum post is the best. mart