Aesthetip december2013 by Aesthetip

ISSUE 7: DECEMBER 2013

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WELCOME

Hello, We are all very excited in the head office at Aesthetip with Christmas coming. Have you done all your Christmas shopping yet? Don’t worry if you haven’t, we have picked out some ideas in our Great Gift Find section. We are packed with art this issue, we have an established artist as The Artist Of The month, a feature on a very talented illustrator, art exhibitions you may of missed, photography, a Christmas fashion shoot and even some festive DIY to try out. We have two new contributors joining us this month, which we are thrilled to announce. My personal favourite feature has to be from Silvia McKiddie with her encounter on a date with a gentleman… it’s a must read! We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and we look forward to exciting creative projects to come in the New Year. Hope you enjoy the Christmas edition, Emma Griffin EDITOR

MODEL / Crystal lily PHOTOGRAPHy / Griffin Photography

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THE GARDEN GATE FLOWER COMPANY

CONTRIBUTORS EMMA GRIFFIN Editor

STEVE KENYON Deputy Editor

CAROLINE PEDLER Illustration

SILVIA MCKIDDIE Cook

MEGAN SHARP Photographer

CHARLOTTE DAVIS Artist

LARA BINGHAM

HOLLY KENYON Writer

LAURA PARSONS

Vintage lover

Rebecca Tonkin Photographer

rosy penna Writer

Writer

MAISIE MARSHALL Photographer

If you would like to be featured in Aesthetip. We are looking for, graphic designers, fashion designers, illustrators, designer markers, artists, performers and photographers based in Cornwall. If you have an event you would like to share with us, please get in touch. All submissions and enquiries: aesthetip@gmail.com

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contents art

ILLUSTRATION

design

08 ARTIST OF THE MONTH Jessica Cooper

46 ILLUSTRATor john kilburn

86 Christmas Gifts

20 FIRST ELEVEN EXHIBITION 30 PRIVATE VIEW 32 CURATORS DIARY 33 Artist interview with Andrew Lanyon 36 INSIGHT WITH Maggie Matthews 42 Falmouth Wharves 44 Artist Morwenna Morrison 96 Event Calendar

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PHOTOGRAPHY

FASHION

LIFESTYLE

56 Photographer Rebecca Tonkin

54 Fashion and Party Wear

78 Christmas Wreaths

64 Silly old sea dog

80 Girls skate cornwall

72 Street style cornwall

84 Festival of lights

74 Make up artist Serene Hayes

86 Christmas Gifts

60 Photographer Maisie Marshall

92 DIY leaf jars 94 DIY with Sylvia McKiddie 96 Event Calendar 98 Book Review 100 Studio Bites with Sylvia Mckiddie

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW US HERE:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Aesthetip/385560578221024?ref=hl

http://aesthetipmagazine.blogspot.co.uk/ DECEMBER

artist of the month / jessica cooper

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On a lovely fresh Sunday afternoon we met up with the artist Jessica Cooper in her cosy light filled studio based in the Newlyn School of Art, as Jessica explained she struggled to work from her home based studio and decided to take up a residency at Newlyn. We could see why this space would appeal, high ceilings and large sash windows flood the studio with light and provide Jessica with a fantastic working environment. Jessica who recently came out of what she calls teaching retirement to offer her skills and knowledge to eager students at the school was not particularly looking for a new studio but was easily persuaded after she walked into the room. As the artist explained it has opened up the opportunity to work to a larger scale now as space was previously limited to her, and although not directly influencing her work has allowed her the sense of going to work and being able to switch into a creative frame of mind. She aims to be in the studio at least three days a week which means she can then devote the other days to catching up with the business of being an artist and other projects that might come along.

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Jessica has had a very busy year with work exhibited across Devon and Cornwall with the most recent being a show called Good Enough To Eat, which is installed in St Enodoc Hotel, Rock. The body of work was inspired by dishes cooked by the master chef Nathan Law. As with the presentation of his dishes, Jessicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work has a similar sense of space working with multiple layers. In many cases the space that surrounds both creatives work is as important as what can immediately be seen. The show provided

her with a deliberate focus which she finds helps push her work. The exhibition runs throughout the majority of December until the hotel closes for a New Year break. The artist explained that she is looking forward to the festive period which will be a well deserved break from which she can launch herself into 2014 working towards a show at The Belgrave St Ives in June and later in the year at Edgar Modern, Bath.

Although she is excited about both of the shows and cracking on with a new body of work, she has yet to decide what the theme will be and prefers to work to a set idea. Having a brief is something Jessica enjoys, she has collaborated with the Tate over the years turning her images into designs specifically for items such as mugs which can be purchased in the galleries. She explained that part of the appeal is how much the gallery gets behind and supports their artists.

Jessica who studied at Falmouth University and Goldsmiths learnt to be an independent artist mostly through the hardness of Goldsmiths and the challenges presented to her. This coupled with being out of Cornwall for the first time having grown up on the coast with a beautiful Brittany style garden cultivated by her dad, it must have been a real eye opener. The artist prefers to draw from life and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work with still lifes and produces endless notes and

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sketchbooks to draw on for reference. For her show earlier in the year at Kestle Barton she drew and studied from the well stocked gardens there bringing the outside into the exhibition space. Jessica and her husband are regular surfers, although this does not have a direct influence on her work, it provides a chance to clear her head space from personal and world issues. Discussing her work more in depth she explained that the art is full of hidden darkness that is masked by the soft colours and minimal compositions, which certainly means we will be looking at her work with fresh eyes. The teaching work she is undertaking is very important to her, wishing to share her knowledge with people who are willing to pay to hear what she has to say. Although the course she is running at Newlyn School of Art will be the same theme each of the six will be different exploring techniques through exercises, and as the artist explained can often inspire her work to. 18

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PHOTOGRAPHY / GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

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first eleven 20

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A multi-disciplinary art exhibition showing new works by the first occupants of the CAST studios. Works selected and curated by Lisa Wright. On 9th Novemeber CAST studios opened their doors to show an exhibition of eleven artists who work within the building. We sent two artists to photograph the show.

PHOTOGRAPHY / CAROLINE PEDLER

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ARTISTS SHOWING / ATO Amy Thomas Sally Cole Nicola Bealing James Hankey Mike Hoggett Julliette Paull Roger Thorp Tim Pryke Shelly Tregoning Ben Sanderson

PHOTOGRAPHY / JAYNE ANITA SMITH

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NICOLA BEALING

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NICOLA BEALING

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FIRST ELEVEN / PRIVATE VIEW

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PHOTOGRAPHY / CAROLINE PEDLER

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A CURATORS DIARY / CHARLOTTE DAVIS

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The Only Non-Slip Dodo Mat in the World / Rosy Penna

This month the always friendly faces at Falmouth Art Gallery have been set a challenge , dismantling their displays, as local artist Andrew Lanyon and his team of artists started to unleash the gallery’s new multimedia sensation. The roaring success of the Art Masters exhibition has been replaced by the uniquely imaginative The Only Non-Slip Dodo Mat in the World by Lanyon, which ponders a question surely near to the heart of every artist and creative: ‘How does a person access their inventiveness?’

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Lanyon guides us through the process using the ever inventive protagonist, Ambrose Fortescue, who himself has been created by an imaginative mind. In an attempt to better understand this whimsical exhibition, and its accompanying book, I caught up with the lead artist, amongst its construction in the gallery.

What can people expect from The Only Non-Slip Dodo Mat in the World?

How has the range of media used helped to shape the exhibition?

Crikey! Nobody’s asked me that.

It’s exciting because I often don’t know what’s the best medium to express an idea, so I’ll follow it in one medium and then in another and then compare …

It’s quite a big question! It’s difficult … Too much text for definite. I always hate shows with too much text, but I am incapable of not following logic. If you’re doing crazy stuff, I think it’s better and funnier, and more philosophical, if it does follow a very detailed, clear, logical train of thought. There is far too much text, although maybe a good thing about it is that people will just give up by about the third panel and buy the book. Which is available here in the gallery… …and that’s useful, as I’m a bit out of pocket really on the show, having been working on it for two years! A long time in the making! It is really … about six years in all because the previous two shows were developing the idea of how we access inventiveness … this is an extension of the previous two shows. A finale, really. Are you pleased with how it’s coming along? It’s exciting! The idea was to have enough time to work on each model and get the lighting exactly right- but we are running out of time… From what do you take your inspiration? Well, from all over. People I know, as well as history and, I suppose, art, literature, music: everything … It’s curiosity that’s driving it. And secondly, the desire to express what I discover, from that curiosity. You remain living and working in Cornwall, do you consider it an inspirational part of the world and how has it shaped your work?

In a moving model, it’s the kinetic sense that’s dominant because movement is the form of expression, as with painting it’s the visual- it’s a static thing … I’m drawn more towards working with other people and the temporal arts, rather than the static arts. I’m often beginning with an idea in a static form, but then I move it into narrative or into song or into a moving model or a film. So it progresses through the different media? Each medium has a different sense hierarchy, so you’re stressing a different dominant sense, as you put it into each medium. How have the team of artists you are working with helped to shape the project? (Laughing) Well they’ve done all the work, really … I’m having to undo some of their stuff and rework it a bit, but not much. Mostly the things they’ve done have been amazing. Beautiful. In The Only Non-Slip Dodo Mat in the World, we follow your protagonist, Fortescue, as he muses and creates inside the heads of the greatest thinkers and creators; whose head would you like to work inside and why? Not anybody’s. Not even my own. (Laughing) I discovered that the imagination is outside … it’s about not being caught inside anybody’s head – even one’s own.

It’s good to have roots. I appreciate that … I think that the people are more important than the place.

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The Only Non-Slip Dodo Mat in the World exhibition runs from 30th November to 1st February at Falmouth Art Gallery, situated on The Moor and admission is free. The accompanying book written by Andrew Lanyon can be purchased from the gallery shop for ÂŁ10, so why not immerse yourself in both?

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The MIDAS AWARD 2013 Marc Messenger has been announced as the winner of The Midas Award 2013, an art exhibition that was on show at Millennium Gallery, St Ives during November. He was selected from a shortlist of five artists, all recent Fine Art graduates from Falmouth University, for his impressive installation, described by Marc as a: “simple construction using repetition of geometric forms made from natural materials allow[ing] for the unexpected to evolve. What may appear solid and complete becomes open and unanticipated.”

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Graduating with a First Class Honours Degree earlier this year, Marc’s inspiration comes from nature, and the intricate and complex structures, and cycles that exist within it. “Being in natural or urban environments allows my imagination to wonder at the multifaceted character of the world that I inhabit,” he explained.

“The temporality that is implicit within these environments allows me to explore and resolve the human preoccupation with the nature of existence.” As this year’s winner, Marc will receive a cash prize of £1,500 and mentoring from a Fine Art tutor at Falmouth in order to prepare for a solo show at Newlyn Art Gallery in the autumn of 2014.

ART EXHIBITION Four lecturers working in the arts in Cornwall decided to get together and create a show of thier work. Esther Smith had the idea that they could exhibit together as they are all makers of some kind, whether through the mediums of metal, clay or fabric. The exhibition was held during late November in The Poly, Falmouth. The four artists were: Claire Armitage Jacqueline Clark Kane Chetwynd Esther Smith

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INSIGHT / maggie matthews

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The established artist Maggie Matthews is based in St Just Cornwall. Her studio is within her home and although small it is a well worked in space. There were sketches on the wall, a painting in progress that stood out in the middle of the space and her equipment and items of interest surround the room.

I found Maggie very dedicated to her craft and a how she worked interesting, a pleasure to meet.

GALLERY REPRESENTATION / www.cornwallcontemporary.com WEBSITE / www.maggiematthews.co.uk

WERE YOU DICOVERED? OR DID YOU HUSTLE YOUR WAY INTO THE ART WORLD? It took me years to be taken on by a gallery. I started for three years self promoting and putting on shows in cafes.

Maggie also uses the other rooms in her home. She has a process in her work by gathering found natural objects, sketching in her sketchbooks (out on location) and then drawing out the elements she finds interesting and making them more abstract. She told me it takes a long time and it is a long process but that is how she works. Maggie even painted her lounge completely white so that she could place her finished paintings into a gallery type atmosphere. In this space she spends time to think and check that the actual painting is indeed completed. I really liked this process and I liked how she used her lounge.

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Welcome to the Wharves of Falmouth by miranda stevens You say ‘Falmouth Wharves’ and no one really knows where you are talking about. You then add on ‘the Fish Factory’, and people offer you a knowing nod. To me, that’s exactly what the peeling painted green and idyllic warehouses clustered together on the water’s edge highlight; that marriage between old and new. As far as I can make out, Falmouth Wharves has been in business for a long time now. Used during the Second World War for reconnaissance, its history is likely to stem way before that. That history, however, is almost impossible to find ; Falmouth Wharves has a deficit of publicly available information about it generally, and for that reason a lot of what I know has been passed on from the hustlers and bustlers who ‘have been here from the start’. As I sit in a corner of Warehouse 13 where a new café has been built, I am greeted by the previous warehouse owner, who tells me who it was that had it before him. The history of the Wharves is orated, it is living and breathing history, passed on by people and stories; the best kind of history.

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The Wharves face an on-going battle between preservation and gentrification; with planning pilchards nipping at the toes of the warehouses to get the area transformed into a hub of luxury, and with avid campaigners fighting for its maintenance, the Wharves sit uncomfortably on one side of an unstable see-saw. This dichotomy of interests sheds light on all the small and flourishing businesses and industry within the wharves, ones that epitomise Falmouth more generally, and ones that would be painfully missed if called into question. The Wharves are Falmouth’s creative underbelly; they are the underdog’s underdog and the artist’s kingdom. I want to convince you— as they have convinced me— that Falmouth Wharves exemplifies and epitomises a beating heart and bursting hub of creative flair. If I have not convinced you, then I managed to find a resident of the Wharves to do it for me. Meet Emma I met Emma on a day when she was moving into her new space in the Fish Factory. She let me interview her.

Do you think being here will influence your work? It has given me the opportunity to explore the Cornish arts scene. Although I don’t feel the scene is overly established, I do feel it has lots of potential. It has facilitated my work, it definitely gives me the opportunity for exploratory conversation, I don’t get that anywhere else. It is an important community, and an incredibly creative space. I feel the wharves are an example of utilising something that other people have disregarded. We are making good something that is considered redundant. We are creating something that is worthwhile within interesting spaces that sit outside of commercialisation.

Who are you? I’m a recent, no, wait, that’s not true. I’m in the middle of my MA in Contemporary Art Theory, and I’m trying to find my feet. I’m trying to establish myself as an independent curator.

Emma Parfit is one amongst a kaleidoscope of creatives making their mark and showing their work down at the Falmouth Wharves. If you have the chance, go and seek out the humdrum escapists: the artists, musicians, boat builders, furniture makers, vintage enthusiasts and the rest. Like them, you may not ever wish to leave.

Why are you here? I was looking for physical space to explore; somewhere I could go that was my own space. I wanted it to be in a creative environment.

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artist / Morwenna morrison

My latest project is a conceptual piece which reflects my continued interest in social issues. Factories: Repetition, Productivity, Exploitation, Team work, Child labour, Job security, Humiliation, Satisfaction, Suicide, Safety and Danger.

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I’ve chosen to laboriously copy photographs of various factory workers from the industrial revolution up to the modern day; from the newly industrialised countries to the developed world. The process will be repetitive, possibly boring - much like the majority of factory work. Productivity will be low. The finished product is intended as a contemplation on the lives of these workers. This project has plenty of scope to develop – I can see a production line of artists…

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ILLUSTRATION with caroline pedler /

john kilburn This month we have another local Falmouth illustrator, printmaker, bookmaker, John Kilburn. I met John on the second year of my MA. John was one of the first guys I spoke to on a meet and greet and has been a good friend ever since. Not only is he an all round lovely guy, he is talented beyond his own belief and one of the most versatile illustrators I know, with a huge talent for drawing, printmaking, plucking ideas out of his head and drawing stories and comics on the spot. So over to John to introduce himself, and a new venture for you all to get involved in.

PHOTOGRAPHY/ GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

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I am a freelance artist, illustrator and designer based in Falmouth, Cornwall. Originally from Bristol I grew up in Devon then moved to Bath where I studied graphic design and illustration. Last year I completed my MA in authorial illustration at Falmouth University. I love making illustrated books and comics. My main inspirations are natural history and the absurd. As well as making my own handmade pop-up books and comics I work closely with Atlantic Press, a small imprint affiliated with Falmouth University who publish first time works of authorial illustration. My work with Atlantic Press takes me to book fairs around the country which has helped me to tap into an incredible culture of artists and illustrators who are making and selling their own work. Atlantic Press have recently started working with a new distributor and are making tentative steps into the American market so we hope to be publishing several new books in the near future.

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I am a keen printmaker and am in the process of setting up a silkscreen studio. I was recently guest print maker at The Print Shop in Bristol and my work is on display at The Tobacco Factory in Bristol until the end of the month. My handmade pop-up book The Golden Plaice can also be seen at Bank Street Arts in Sheffield in the International Artists Book competition exhibition. I recently completed my second 24 hour comic challenge with Plymouth University and the resulting comic The Collector will be published by Murmur the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fledgling imprint. You can see more of my work at www.johndkilburn.com which links to my facebook and twitter pages.

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John has recently opened a gallery and events space with fellow graduate Vincent Larkin. 64 Killigrew St is in the heart of Falmouth and offers an affordable and exciting space that showcases emerging and established creative talent. Following a successful show by the creators of FOLD Zine, 64 Killigrew St is about to re-open as a working studio with art and ephemera on sale from local artist’s and illustrators. ‘Homage’ is the next exhibition and as a collective brief, all the artists taking part will be paying homage to their heroes from the world of popular art and entertainment. To submit work to exhibit get in touch. www.facebook.com/64killigrewstreet or visit them between 10am and 5pm most weekdays.

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PHOTOGRAPHER / Rebecca Tonkin

A small fishing village on the South Coast of Cornwall, known by the small harbour opening â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the mouse holeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; where Rebecca grew up. It was a safe, tranquil and quiet village, where everyone knew everyone else. Today however, tourism and second home-owners have emptied the streets of Mousehole from locals, with young families not being able to afford the steep house prices, removing that sense of community. Yet these local characters from fishermen, lifeboat men to artists and housewives, linked by family and that same love and loyalties for the village are dedicated to Mousehole. Not wanting to live anywhere else in the world.

The Local Characters of Mousehole

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This series of portraits represents the characters that remain. Photographed in context, the places you would find them within the village using mainly natural light.

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www.rebeccatonkin.com

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Photographer / Maisie Marshall

Cornwall is often seen as the poorest county in England. Members of the public perhaps don’t always see the positive parts of Cornwall and what it has to offer. They are so busy focused on the negative aspects they miss the beauty of its natural landscape. The rustic coast that lines up along the dramatic ocean, missing what’s right in front of them.

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That’s why I have focused on the positive outlook that surfers have in their community where I live, taking an optimistic perspective on my local area. Surf communities in Cornwall allow people to share their passion and make the most of where they live, it becomes more than sport but an appreciation of what’s around you.

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FASHION & PARTY WEAR / emma griffin It’s party season so grab yourself your party outfits from the high street! Here are two perfect outfits for a man and a woman, that’s also bang on trend HIS / Rust brown wool blazer. From River Island £90.00 Product no: 273984

Pure Cotton Tapered Leg Chinos £29.50 Product Code: T176341B From Marks and Spencers

LIGHT GREY POPPER LONG SLEEVE SMART SHIRT Price: £28.00 Item code: 83B34GGRY From Topman

Homme Brogues £75.00 From ASOS

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HERS / DAVINA DRESS BY JONES AND JONES Price: £60.00 Item code: 62H13EPLE From Topshop

TEDDY FUR PEA COAT Price: £79.00 Item code: 07F04EWHT From Topshop

60 Denier Super Soft Opaque Tights Product Code: T602211 £3.50 From Marks and Spencers

Red or Dead lindy hop glitter low heels £68 Product Code: 1258087660 From Schuh

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CHRISTMAS WITH SILLY OLD SEA DOG

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Photography / Keith Riley Photography Models / Katie-Louise McLoughlin, Craig Mahoney, Bella Make Up and Hair / Morwenna Thomas

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Photography / Kernow Dream Photography Models / Yani Pascoe & Melissa Blake-Lomax Hair & Make Up / Kelly Thorne Location / North Coast Log Cabins

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www.sillyoldseadog.com

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street style / CORNWALL

Lara Bingham from Vintage Warehouse 13 has been out on the local streets of Falmouth, capturing our street fashion.

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spotlight / makeup artist serene hayes How did you get started in the business?

What are you working on at the moment?

I’ve always loved and makeup and beauty, I thought about going into Beauty Therapy but soon realized that my passion lay mainly with makeup rather than waxing and massage! I studied High Definition Visual & Photographic Makeup at Facebase Studio in Truro and my makeup career has flourished since then.

I’ve got lots of exciting things in the pipeline at the moment, this time of year is very busy for pre wedding makeup trials and of course Christmas photo shoots – I’m looking forward to using a lot of glitter!

What your favourite looks for the next coming season? Gold’s and Bronze’s seem to be very popular colours for eye makeup during the winter season and I love that as they are such warm yet glamorous colours. I absolutely love the traditional smokey eye using golds and blacks, it’s a gorgeous look and is perfect for the Christmas and New Year party season. Deep colours for the lips such as plums and Berry reds are also very in at the moment too. What is the best makeup tip ever? This is a tricky one as there are so many! I would say to always use a good finishing / setting powder as not only does it help your makeup stay put longer but it will also stop foundation and concealer from creasing. What has been your favourite makeup job so far and why? I can’t think of one particular favourite as I have had so many amazing makeup experiences however I’ve definitely enjoyed some of my more “crazy” looks the most as it’s so fun to really get creative with different colours and techniques!

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What is the most exciting thing of working as a makeup artist? What do you love of your every day work? It’s great that my passion is also my career. I meet so many new and unique people all the time and I love that I can completely transform their confidence with makeup, it’s very rewarding especially when it is a bride – it is so special to make somebody feel beautiful on their most important day. I do also love fashion work as makeup is an art and it’s great to be let loose and create some more dramatic looks that would usually not be desired on a wedding day! Where do you find your inspiration and stay current? I find my inspiration from literally everywhere; I’m constantly seeing new things that inspire me! I stay current by following celebrity trends, catwalks/fashion shows, looking through the latest fashion magazines and I find media sites such as instagram and pintrest are brilliant for inspiration and to keep up to date with the latest trends.

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Make-up artists are well known for loving certain makeup products, what are your most favorite products that you’re never found without? My kit is primarily made up of Arbonne cosmetics which is vegan approved mineral makeup which also features a unique optilight technology to blur imperfections and create a flawless finish. If I had to choose it would be very difficult but the products that I literally couldn’t live without are the liquid foundation, the coverage is just amazing and I rarely have to use concealer on anyone when using it. Highlighter as it gives such a lovely healthy looking glow to the skin, and probably lipstick as it is an instant way to bring a bit of colour to the face, Arbonne lipsticks do also moisturise the lips too which is an added bonus.

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Please tell us what makes you a Top Makeup Artist… time for self promotion? I always make sure I listen to what the client wants and make sure I work with that in mind. I like to think that my styles are unique and I always ensure I put all of my passion into each makeup look I create so that the client is happy and completely confident. It’s also really important to me that any makeup I use is completely free of Parabens and artificial chemicals so that is good for my clients skin and not damaging to them, I feel this is unfortunately something that a lot of makeup artists do not take very seriously. www.serenevictoria.co.uk facebook / serenevictoria-makeupartist Twitter / SV_makeup

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christmas wreaths the garden gate flower company A traditional round Christmas wreath or garland can add to the festive spirit in your home. In Aesthetip head office we are huge fans of The Garden Gate Flower Company who make the most amazing wreaths. The girls will be running a Christmas Wreath making workshop on Thursday 12 December 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 2pm. Here are our favourite wreaths by The Garden Gate Flower Company.

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www.thegardengateflowercompany.co.uk

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GIRLS SKATE CORNWALL / holly kenyon

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Hi I’m Holly, and I’m fourteen years old. I am a girl skater. I started skating because I thought skating looked very fun and cool, and then when I started skating I loved the feeling of it. Skating helps me clear my head, and before I have to do some homework, and I don’t know what to write about it helps me think. So it helps me think creatively.

Switch is an all girls event every other Friday at Mount Hawke Skate Park from 16:00-20:00pm. It’s an event for girls (no boys) to skate, BMX, roller skate and scoot. It’s a great event to go to if you just want to skate or do anything without any boys. You can be any age and you can be at any level. It doesn’t matter if you have only just started or if you’re amazing. It’s also great to go with your mates and have a laugh, and you can even meet new people there too. I like Switch because it’s a great place to skate and be surrounded by girl skaters. I also like it because its nice to see so many girl skaters at so many different levels doing tricks and even learning to skate.

www.mounthawke.com

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In November a really cool brand called Thrashion luckily sponsored me. I got a very cool t-shirt in a medium size so its nice and baggy and I can wear it with leggings. I like this t-shirt because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made out of nice, soft fabric so it makes it very comfy to wear and its very warm too. It goes really nice with skinny fit jeans and a flat cap on backwards. www.thrashion.com

PHOTOGRAPHY / GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

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Festival of lights / by megan sharp So Christmas is almost here and I couldn’t be more excited! This month I had the honor of covering Truro’s annual Festival of Lights. The theme, as I was later informed, was ‘Something out of the ordinary’ which was quite fitting as we were completely unable to come up with a theme on our own; it was all too bazaar for anything I suggested! The talking point of the evening had to come to us from Falmouth uni with their pregnant lady, complete with see-through bump and moving baby; bit disturbing for a family event but impressive none the less! My personal favourite was the dinosaur, but maybe that was because I was stood near a young boy who got so excited when he saw a huge dinosaur chomping its way down the street! There were lots of impressive lanterns this year to mark the beginning of Christmas at Truro and the lights were as beautiful as ever! I always like the lights at the cathedral the most and the little raindrop lights that guide you down the side streets.

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great gift finds Christmas is just around the corner and we are all thinking about gifts, what to buy and where from. Well in the head office of Aesthetip,we are all about supporting our local stores and designers. We have been out and about looking what is on offer in our great gift finds. We love what Four Crows Gallery has in store right now, perfect for Christmas gifts. 3 Commercial Rd, Harbourside Porthleven, TR13 9JD

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great gift finds Perfect for the Christmas party from Crown and Glory £35.00 Elbie Crown Headband - Gold http://www.crownandglory.co. uk/product/elbie-crownheadband-gold

Sea Birds on the Wing Silkscreen print £15.00 http://pirrippress.bigcartel. com/product/sea-birds-onthe-wing-silkscreen-print

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heroin recycled skateboard cufflinks £18.00 http://www.thrashion.com/ product/prod_1868488Heroin-RecycledSkateboard-Cufflinks.html

Children’s Hats Hand made by Elf and Munchkin from £16.50 https://www.facebook.com/ ElfandMunchkin

Lovely little stocking fillers, Holly Brooch by Pretty Things From Pickle £2.00 https://www.facebook.com/ prettythingsfrompickle

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great gift finds Robin-red-bead (pictured with ‘nest box’) and MyDear Christmas reindeer decoration. Both are designed, laser-cut, and sold in Mawgan Porth. Robin is available from Disco Beads (facebook.com/ discobeads) for £9.99 with his nest-box, or £5.00 without. The 21cm Mydear is £5.00 kARANdAVE (facebook. com/karandave.co.uk) at the new artsandcraft studios in Mawgan Porth.

Double petal brooch designs made to order £14 + postage or free Newquay collection. Child’s brooch on ribbon £9.50 + postage or free Newquay collection. Shop: www.folksy.com/shops/ FlottlesByLiberty Email: Liberty@Magic-Nights.co.uk www.FlottlesByLiberty.weebly.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ FlottlesByLiberty DECEMBER

Thrashion Recycled Skateboard Jewellery® launches another product first. The guys at Thrashion Ltd have come up with another amazing and original idea for a new recycled skateboard product and the best thing is that it’s raising money for Skateistan! Thrashion Recycled Skateboard Jewellery® has hooked up with illustrator and graphic genius Jon Horner to produce the first ever skate ‘SNAP’ game. This amazing take on the traditional ‘SNAP’ card game features 52 full colour 350gsm silk laminated cards. There are 13 different designs all illustrated by Jon Horner and reverse printed with another of Jon’s custom designs based on traditional playing cards imagery.

This new and completely original product will be launched in December 2013 but are available to pre-order through the Thrashion website now! These are a limited edition item and only 10 have been made. All profits made will be donated to Skateistan. For more info please contact Nat at Thrashion on word@thrashion.co.uk or visit the website http://www.thrashion. com for more details.

The cards are packaged in beautiful hand crafted games compendium style boxes which have been produced by Driftwood Surfboards and Thrashion Ltd from recycled skateboards and sustainable wood sources. DECEMBER

diy leaf jars

I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about you, but I just love the different colours of the winters leaves on our grounds? Wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it be nice to bring these colours into our homes? This easy Leaf Jar is so simple but really effective.

Collection of dry leaves

Jam jars and glue ready

Paint a jam jar with PVA glue where you want to add your leaves

Stick on the leaves and add another coat of glue and leave to dry.

All you need is the following: - A collection of different sized and colurs of dry leaves, - PVA glue, - Jam jars, - Tea light candles, - An old paint brush,

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christmas diy / silvia mckiddie Silvia McKiddie here, I have been asked to share two of my favourite Christmas Crafts with you lovely readers. Christmas is such an exciting time of the year. I am always very busy cooking and also crafting. The first craft project is some very sweet Candy Cane Mice! These are such fun to make with children and I always make plenty of them to decorate my home. I sometimes hide them in all sorts of funny places, and my grand children spend ages searching for them. As the tails of the mice are made from sweets, its always a rush to see who finds the most. CANDY CANE MICE To make the mice you will need the following: Pencil Scissors Craft Glue Candy canes or licorice tails. Assortment of different coloured felts.

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Step 1 On a photocopier, enlarge Candy Cane Mice template by 150 percent, then cut out. Step 2 With a pencil, trace ears and body onto the felt, then cut out. Step 3 Cut inner ears and a dot for a nose from felt in a contrasting colour, cut dots for eyes from black felt. Glue the face and inner ears in place. Step 4 Make slits in body for ears and candy cane tail where marked. To make cutting easier, fold the felt across centre of slits and snip with your scissors. Slip ears through slits at front, then slide wrapped candy cane or licorice through body slits, tucking the end underneath the ear piece at the back.

My second Christmas craft is a absolute must have! The smell is divine and they look gorgeous. Dried sliced orange garlands add fragrance to the whole of your house and are very easy to create. You can thread ribbon through the dried orange slices and decorate your Christmas tree, archway or banister. Try adding a few cinnamon sticks or bay leaves to add texture and ambiance. They are so sophisticated dears. So here we go! DRIED ORANGE SLICES To make the dried orange slices you will need the following: 5 oranges Sharp knife Paper towels Non stick cooking spray Large flat baking tin (swiss roll tin)

Bake the orange slices for approximately three hours, the smell is wonderful. Turn them over and let them bake another three hours or until they feel and appear dry, but are still pliable. Remove them from the oven to cool. They look and smell divine if just placed in a small bowl.

HAVE A LOVELY CHRISTMAS where ever you may be! Keep smiling and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to feed the birds!

Yours, If children are helping, then please remember that an Silvia McKiddie adult should slice the oranges and monitor the use of the oven.

Use a sharp knife and do not remove the orange peel. Cut the five oranges into crosswise slices so each slice reveals a portion of each segment. Try to cut the slices into a 1/4 inch thickness. Press the orange slices between two hick layers of paper kitchen towels to remove any extra orange juice. Preheat your oven to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray your baking tin with the non stick spray and arrange the orange slices in a single layer on the baking sheet.

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Event Calendar / December In a month packed with festivities, parties, shopping and seasonal commitments, fitting in time for your creative fix can be hard, but our favourite galleries are making sure there’s plenty to draw us out over December. Newlyn School of Art – Chywoone Hill, Newlyn The standout event at the Newlyn School of Art this month is the Artist’s Book Weekend from the 14th December. Tutor’s Alex Higlett and Georgina Hounsome will guide participants as they explore the concept of the artist’s book as a means of creating flow through sequences of words and images. Basic book structures and bookbinding techniques will be covered with a view to everyone producing their own individual artist’s book by the close of the weekend. Newlyn School of Art runs a wide range of interesting, instructive and specialist classes throughout the year, so if you’re struggling for gift ideas you may want to look into buying a loved one a creative treat. For more information about upcoming courses offered by the Newlyn School of Art go to http://www.newlynartschool.co.uk/

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Newlyn Art Gallery – New Road, Newlyn From the 7th of December to mid January the Newlyn Art Gallery is devoting both floors to two artists enjoying an upward trajectory in their careers. Painter and sculptor Gareth Edwards will be showing his Cloud installation in the upper gallery while Falmouth-based painter Peter Webster will be decking out the lower gallery with Thirty Paintings, a selection of works drawing inspiration from personal imagery. The Exchange – Princes Street, Penzance A.R. Hopwood’s False Memory Archive remains in place at The Exchange throughout December. If you want to be part of this growing exhibition there’s still time, just deposit your ‘false’ memory into the public archive at www.falsememoryarchive.com. For more information about exhibitions and events being held at Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange please visit http://www.newlynartgallery.co.uk/ Millennium – Street an Pol, St Ives Until the 7th of December Millennium will be hosting Drawing the Line, a fundraising event with proceeds from drawing sales supporting freedom from torture. Then from the 13th of December the gallery is presenting its mixed-media winter exhibition.

Cornwall Contemporary – Chapel Street, Penzance Throughout December Works on Paper will be adorning the walls of Cornwall Contemporary. This enticing range of unframed pieces features both established and up-and-coming artists and covers all manner of mediums and subjects. The Belgrave – 22 Fore Street, St Ives Following on from the gallery’s tribute to the Frost dynasty, The Belgrave is celebrating the season with a Yuletide Exhibition of modern and contemporary art and design. While the exhibition houses a wide-ranging collection of exciting works, the Contemporary Canopics by Lucy Foakes are a standout example of artistic reinterpretation. In Ancient Egypt canoptic jars were used to store and preserve the internal organs of the deceased as part of the mummification process. The jars were typically ceramic and adorned with religious icons. Lucy Foakes has turned this rather gory historical artefact into colourful tributes to famous creative minds, including George Harrison and Andy Warhol. Other pieces to look out for include the oil painting Newquay Zebra by Bill Bolger and digital print Tricolour Metaimage by John Clark.

Tate St Ives – Porthmeor Beach, St Ives As mentioned in last month’s event calendar, the nautically focused Aquatopia exhibition will continue to dominate Tate St Ives into the New Year, but with over 150 mixed-media works to fish through, more than one visit is advised! The Late at Tate St Ives Winter Festival, on Thursday 12th December, is one event you should definitely put in your diary. As well as enjoying free entry into the gallery’s exhibitions, visitors of all ages can get involved in a series of festive activities. Local choirs and the Stamp & Go sea shanty singers will also be providing musical entertainment throughout the evening, making sure you leave chock full of festive cheer. To see how our favourite galleries are kicking off the New Year check out the January issue of Aesthetip. LAURA PARSONS

As time is limited, anyone not able to view the exhibition in person can take a look online at http://www.belgravestives.com

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BOOK REVIEW / Laura parsons A Cornish Christmas, By Tony Deane & Tony Shaw If the incessant Christmas music, freezing temperatures and constant demands on your money are sapping your festive spirit, A Cornish Christmas is just the thing to restore your holiday mood. This text unites a range of Cornish Christmas traditions, anecdotes and memories with pictures of Christmases past to create a very merry South West archive. As well as giving an insight into unusual seasonal celebrations (like Padstow’s Darkie Days) the book provides the music and lyrics to local carols, including ‘Sound Sound’ and the ‘Saint Day’ song, yuletide recipes and jolly games. You can follow this manual to a scenic Cornish Christmas by playing rip roaring rounds of ‘Robin’s Alight’ and ‘Jack’s Alive’ and making this age-old recipe for Figgy Pudding (which was typically eaten in Cornish homes instead of Christmas pudding).

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But A Cornish Christmas isn’t all light hearted frivolity, the text also includes poignant anecdotes and extracts from local newspapers telling yuletide tales to tug at the heartstrings. So if you’re interested in Cornwall’s history, love anything to do with Christmas or are just looking for a few ideas to make your festive season even merrier, this little volume will do the job very nicely.

Figgy pudding recipe

Ingredients — — — — — — — — — — —

2 oz Self Raising Flour 2 tsps Allspice 8 oz Raisins 2 Beaten Eggs 4 oz Suet 1 tbsp Sherry ½ oz Sugar A Little Milk 2 Figs, Chopped Well 4 oz Breadcrumbs Grated Lemon Rind

METHOD Mix all the dry ingredients together. Stir in eggs and sherry and add just enough milk to make a soft dough. Place in a buttered pudding basin and cover with greaseproof paper, double thickness, allowing enough room for the pudding to swell. Steam for 3 ½ hours and serve hot with a sherry sauce.

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Hello dears, Happy Christmas. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that time of the year again, my goodness how quickly time goes by!I have been very busy this month finalising the last stages of my new book, which should be out next year, fingers crossed. Its so cold at the moment I have brought out my thermal undies, hate being cold. Rodney, my darling Pug feels the cold as well and has a new jumper that fits him perfectly, bless him. I might be investing in some wool booties for him if we get snow. Well, last month I told you all that I had met a very nice gentlemen at a wedding I attended. Malcolm was single, absolutely loaded dears, and very funny. After the wedding he invited me out to dinner, I was so looking forward to meeting him again. We had arranged to meet at a local pub, The Duck Paddle as I did not want him picking me up from home, you just never know, do you!!

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So strange dears, but at the wedding I did not notice his teeth, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know why but I suppose with everything that was going on at the time, I might have been rather distracted or very slightly inebriated. I arrived at the pub a little late, as a lady does, and he was there to greet me. He looked very smart and we decided to have a drink before the meal. Then I noticed!!!! I certainly do not have any problem with anyone who has dentures, I do not myself, but these things happen. Unfortunately, Malcolmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dentures were on the move from the moment we started to chat. I think he must have received new dentures after the wedding as I do not remember his teeth being so mobile. Dears, I could not take my eyes off them. As he talked they moved up and down and seemed to have a life of their own. It was a complete no, no for me. I know that sounds so shallow but you have to find someone attractive and the teeth ruined the whole evening. The terrible thought crossed my mind that if he gave me a kiss at the end of the evening, I would probably end up with some of his dentures. I have told him that I have met someone else, but he has been pestering me rather a lot recently, I do have that problem with men.

Pastry Ingredie This r nts ecipe for Mi a love nce Pi ly cri sp pas es giv es try an Pre he d w ill ma at ove ke 12. n to 2 20c (4 25F)Ga s Mark 10oz o 7. f plain flour 2oz of cornfl our 6oz of butter 2 teas poons of cas ter su gar 1 egg yolk cold w ater t o mix

Now, as we are fast approaching Christmas, I would like to share with you one of my favourite festive recipes, Mince Pies. I know we are all so busy and tend to rely on shop bought mince pies, but please try this recipe, they are lovely. Sift flour and cornflour together. Rub in the butter lightly. Add the sugar and mix with egg yolk. Add a little cold water, just enough to bring the pastry together. Knead lightly on a floured board. Roll out carefully trying not to use too much additional flour on the rolling pin. Cut 12 rounds of pastry with a biscuit cutter, remembering to use a larger size cutter for the base of each mince pie. Put equal amounts of mincemeat in each. Top with remaining rounds and brush with beaten egg.

Have a Very Happy Christmas from Rodney and myself and I will be chatting again in the New Year. Till then, take care and keep smiling! Yours, Silvia McKiddie

When all the pies are f illed and placed in your tin, with a sharp knife cut two slits on top of each pie to allow steam to escape when cooking. Brush your pies with milk or egg and sprinkle with caster sugar and place in the centre of your oven for approximately 20 to 25 minutes depending on your make of appliance. Cook until golden brown. I like to serve my mince pies warm with fresh double cream. You can also serve with brandy butter, which is very nice.

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