Walking past a second-hand shop in Sherborne (Dorset) I spied this large ceramic mug in the window...
The design is very reminiscent of and possibly based on drawings by Rowland Emett. Rowland Emett is very much in the news at the moment as the ‘Marvellous Machines’ exhibition has just opened at the
Birmingham Museumand
Art Gallery. The exhibition runs until the 21st September - more details
here.
“With this exhibition we aim to introduce Rowland Emett and his amazing machines to a new generation,” says Tim Griffiths, founder of the
Rowland Emett Society. “He was a very familiar figure during the post-war decades but has been largely forgotten—until now. We will have twelve of the fifteen machines known to have survived in the UKon display alongside many of his distinctive original drawings.”
The mug is now residing on my desk, and I am keen to know more about it. It was produced by the Purbeck Ceramics Company of Swanage. I assume it’s a transfer print probably made in the 1960s or 70s. If anyone knows anything at all about the mug or the history of Purbeck Ceramics, I would love to hear from you.
If you are interested in Rowland Emett, you might enjoy the previous posts about him
here,
here and
here and if you would like to see him at work there is a wonderful piece of film
hereThis is another purchase from the same shop. I'm going to have a lot of fun with these!
In other news; Peter Rabbit wins Gold Medal at Chelsea!
I was excited to read about the
PeterRabbit HerbGarden at
Chelsea winning the coveted Great Pavilion Award.
The World of Beatrix Potter joined forces with garden designer, Richard Lucas, and plant nursery
Hooksgreen Herbs to create the garden. I wasn't able to go this year but kept up to date with everything on the TV and in the newspapers. It was amazing to see Mr. McGregor's garden coming to life. This reminds me of a visit from our ‘very own’ Peter Rabbit. You can read about it
here
Peter Rabbi is 110 years old this year!!! And he doesn't look a day over 6 months. No, honestly. However does he do it?
There is an official Peter Rabbit website. It includes information about Beatrix Potter and her other creations, her life and the history of Peter and his friends. There is a Peter Rabbit store for those of us who cannot get enough of this detailed, lifelike-except-for-the-clothes-and-posture rabbit.
Take the quiz to see which Potter character you are most like. I am most like Jeremy Fisher. Sigh. Well, at least, he has fun. Check out all the wonderful coloring pages, too.
I just spent the last 20 minutes playing the games on this site. They include snippets of the book read by delightful voices. And they are fun even for an oldster like myself.
Parents and teachers can view resources on visiting the Lake District. There are pages on Beatrix Potter's life and artwork. Party plans, lesson plans, this website looks deceptively simple from the home page but it really does meander on and on - a little like a rabbit family's warren. Have fun!
Afterword: I just searched for Uncle Wiggily Longears, in hopes that the old bunny rabbit gentleman would have a website of his own. Alas, I found references to his author, his books and his game. Uncle Wiggily Longears is under-appreciated. I may start an Up with Uncle Wiggily movement on my own. American rabbits unite!
Over at UneekDollDesigns, artist Debbie Ritter sells handmade dolls of famous authors and celebrated literary characters.
The collection includes the trio of ghosts who haunt Ebenezer Scrooge. Ritter has also created dolls of Jane Eyre from Charlotte Bronte‘s famous novel and Mrs. Haversham from Dickens’ Great Expectations.
Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit come as a matching set. Flavorpill made a list of other dolls, including Shel Silverstein, J.R.R. Tolkien and Joyce Carol Oates. Above, we’ve embedded a Mark Twain doll. What’s your favorite?
New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.
Snoop Dogg blows up a 4-ton armored truck (in a promotional stunt for the new Zynga game 'Mafia Wars Las Vegas,' that is. The explosive promo, which the gaming giant promised fans would take place when the title hit 10 million users, was broadcast... Read the rest of this post
Here is my submission for the Weekly Challenge. I am not used to drawing animals so I was definitely pushed for this exercise.
"I am sorry to say that Peter was not very well during the evening. His mother put him to bed, and made some camomile tea; and she gave a dose of it to Peter! One tablespoon to be taken at bedtime." - from "Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter
This illustration was done in watercolors and charcoal. Anyone know if a charcoal pencil--or something similar to charcoal--that's waterproof? I prefer to outline my images first, but that's not possible with regular charcoal.
I don't know if any of you out there have seen Miss Potter, starring Rene Zellweger, but it's a charming film and romantic to boot. I thought for sure most of it was fiction, but after doing a little research--it happened to be VERY close to the real life of Beatrix Potter. Very very inspiring.
This is great!
Very sinister. I like taht!
Excellent Peter Rabbit design. Love the pose/attitude. You should definitely draw more animals!
This is an excellent pose for a rabbit :)
That is one devious bunny. I think you draw animals really well. This is a great character design.