Aesthetip October 2013

ISSUE 5: OCTOBER 2013

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FRONT COVER BY/ EMMA GRIFFIN

WELCOME First of all, I just want to thank you for all the words, views and encouragement on our journey with Aesthetip. Our Sept issue met record numbers of views from across the world.

Aesthetip was first just a little project my husband and I started for fun. But now, it is so much more. It has turned into something exciting and huge! I can’t help but smile when I realise what we have achieved since our first issue.

In our October Halloween issue, we have some great creative talent to share with you and hope you enjoy their work. We showcase the established artist Sam Basset as our artist of the month. He welcomed us into his studio and showed us what he’s been up to. We have a larger illustration section this month, a review on an exciting exhibition of artists and some wonderful news about a local established artist. We are very pleased to have an interview with renowned photographer Matt Wing and there is even an interview with a local talented model to read about.

Remember if you are based in Cornwall and you would like to showcase your work in our future issues, please get in touch we’ll be happy to your work with the creative world.

Thanks, EMMA GRIFFIN EDITOR / PHOTOGRAPHER aesthetip@gmail.co.uk

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CONTRIBUTORS MEET OUR AMAZING TEAM

STEVE KENYON Deputy Editor

CAROLINE PEDLER Illustrator

TIFFANY FRIEND Photographer / veg Patch

MEGAN SHARP Photographer / Girl In The City

CHARLOTTE DAVIS Curator Dairy

SILVIA MCKIDDIE Cook

LAURA PARSONS & CHRIS THOMAS Writer / Reviews and Creative Apps 4

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contents 06 — ARTIST OF THE MONTH 20 — SUSPENDED SENTENCES 24 — SIMON ARMITAGE 26 — THREADNEEDLE 30 — CURATORS DIARY 34 — THE EDITOR 38 — ARTIST/ NANCY PICKARD 42 — EVENTS 46 — AN ILLUSTRATOR 52 — ILLUSTRATOR INTERVIEW 60 — PHOTOGRAPHER 66 — SHUTTERPOD 68 — FASHION 84 — INTERVIEW WITH A MODEL 88 — RELIABLE CREATIVE 92 — VEG PATCCH 94 — GIRL IN THE CITY 95 — SOUP 94 — HOT SPOT 98 — CREATIVE WRITING 100 — Creative Apps 102 — KERNOW ROLLERS 106 — PERFORMANCE REVIEW 108 — BOOK REVIEW 110 — SILVIA MCKIDDIE 112 — WHATS HOT

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ARTIST OF THE MONTH

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ARTIST OF THE MONTH

SAM BASSETT

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Walking into Sam Bassett’s studio in the legendary Porthmeor Studios St Ives, is like wandering around the mind of the artist.

Tentatively stepping around completed works and many in progress hung on the walls, propped against the walls and literally spilling out of every nook and cranny, its difficult to find a slither of floor to walk on. Sam’s work can utillise anything he has to hand meaning that something you would consider throwing away could make its way onto one of the artists pieces.

Sam is renowned for his multimedia paintings, and unlike many of his contemporaries does not specialise in one medium preferring to work with anything to hand that has the desired effect or texture. As Sam explains he is not precious about his art, and has a kind of what-will-be-will-be approach, working with accidents and coincidences, building up layers to form finished pieces. That said, he often finds that even though he has decided a piece is complete, he will often go back to it at a later date to work on it some more. Unusually if this results in something not working out - he doesn’t get despondent and continues on.

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In the words of the artist, moments happen but can be replaced by something better tomorrow.

Many of his favorite works came together by chance, with accidents causing him to rethink or work into the piece resulting in unexpected results.

That said, Sam has an exceptional talent for mark making in particular drawing, so the two often collide together in what can only be described as beautiful harmony. There is also a greater depth to his art with much of the narrative being of an autobiographical nature, communicating events and thoughts, feelings and emotions automatically.

There is also a real honesty in his work with imagery documenting life around him as he creates and works, in a sense the paintings are like a diary of events, with thoughts from the past and day to day happenings naturally filtering in. The craft he employed has been developed as a medium to tell a story or document an event.

Currently he finds himself working more playfully, letting the paint do more of the work and trying to utilise a build up of layers in a more honest approach which is less about himself.

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Sam is constantly working and creating, which is when he is at his happiest, there is a solo show in the pipeline for next summer and other exhibitions coming up - but this is not the driving force behind him, more the need to simply create. The actual process of creating the work is far more important than the end result, it is the craft and the act itself that motivates him. Having several part-time lecturing roles enables Sam to focus on the creativity with less pressure to sell work to get by.

Aside from the normal day to day practise, he is working on a new project with two other equally ambitious male artists who have painting at the heart of their work.

All three share a common goal to just make work and are as visually strong as Sam. They have chosen a space to work in together that offers the opportunity to collaborate and make larger scale works. All three artist feel that painting needs a good boost, creating something unique with painting still at its core.

As a local in St Ives, Sam has no doubt witnessed a big change in the area over the years with many of the properties being bought up for holiday lets and weekend breaks which only get used for a short time throughout the year, he is working on a project that documents the local fishermen with their traditions and lifestyles versus that of the second home owners which should make for very interesting viewing when complete.

As Sam explained he sees it as being an interpretation of storytelling reminiscent of the Bayeux tapestry.

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We discussed where Sam dream venues would be to show his work in the future, there are several places around the world including New York that are of interest, but when pushed further, Sam explained how he would really love to install paintings and 3D works in an church.

The Cornwall connection is very strong for Sam who is keen to champion his contemporaries as much as possible. He was responsible for the LETH Office exhibition last year which was one of the most original shows seen in the county in a very long time, and more recently collaborating with Joseph Clarke (Director of Millennium)to put on a show in the old coffin works Truro which included an array of known and unknown talent coupled with live painting. As the artist explained; there should be an all for one and one for all community effort to support and push each other to create and show off the strong local talent we have.

Many artists are busy working away underground, with much of what they are doing not seeing the light of day, with so much talent it feels like its all bubbling under the surface and is ready to explode.

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Sam is represented by Millennium, examples of his work can be seen on their website: millenniumgallery.co.uk

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INTERVIEW / STEVE KENYON PHOTOGRAPHY / EMMA GRIFFIN — GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

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Suspended Sentences

CAROLINE PEDLER In mid September one of the nation’s favourite poets, Simon Armitage, arrived in Newlyn after walking the South West coast path from Minehead to Land’s End giving readings of his poetry in 24 venues on the way, ending his travels on the Isles of Scilly.

In response, artists Mark Spray, Jesse Leroy Smith and Henry Garfit, and 47 other artists set up home in a disused fish warehouse in Newlyn, with the help of Millenium Gallery and ‘Suspended Sentences’ was born.

In the darkness of the damp, autumn open evening I drove down, paid my entrance fee and started to peruse. The first room was perplexing, but intriguing. The second room had an empty shaft with a hanging cord, the room of egg shells and writing, the dart board of light and the film of starry skies and consuming music made me want to stay and watch the film over and over again. The darkness made it, but the addition of the hanging girl at 8pm was intoxicatingly beautiful.

I felt like I was watching while inspiration was fed into my body intravenously. What a treat.

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Back at the front entrance I continued into the front hallway and met me old pal and fellow artist, Faye Dobinson. She showed me into a room big enough for one, so I sat down in the dark opposite a mirror image of myself. A light came on and my reflection disappeared and an empty chair mirrored me instead. I screamed! Everyone laughed, I came out and felt like an excited child.

There were 3 floors full to the brim of things to see and touch and take in.

Handwritten texts were in every nook and cranny. A poet was reading excerpts of Simon’s work in front of the images that corresponded to, and that were inspired by, that piece of writing. The artists had responded, not only to Simons work, but also to the building itself. Faye had taken a tracing of holes that were left from the space around a dartboard. She traced the holes and transferred the pattern they made into wood, lit them from behind making them into their own night sky.

I made my way up the stairs, through to smaller rooms with prints and paintings among wires and fuse boxes. Videos showing in others, and sculptures on windowsills. Through to bigger rooms with bigger paintings, and a huge variety of artwork on plinths by the likes of David Whitaker, Jason Walker and Michael Rees.

The final room was a pop up cafÊ and a bar, with a chance to buy catalogues and grab a beer. There’s too much to mention in detail but the overall feeling of the show was that of integrity and familiarity.

A feeling that only comes from an honest and direct relationship or response to the surroundings and its material. A show that was worth the drive and left me wanting more, mostly to be involved and offer a response of my own.

Inspiring.

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PHOTOGRAPHY / CAROLINE PEDLER

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AN EVENING WITH SIMON ARMITAGE / LAURA PARSONS Back in 2010 literary polymath Simon Armitage decided to walk the Pennine way, an arduous 256 mile walk taking the intrepid (or foolhardy) walker from Scotland to Yorkshire, or vice versa. The motivations behind the endeavour were numerous, but one of his core aims was to travel as a modern troubadour, spending three-weeks living off his wits, his poetry and the kindness of strangers.

Armitage recounted this epic challenge in his bestselling novel Walking Home, and despite congealing Mars Bars, a tombstone suitcase and frighteningly changeable weather, he wasn’t entirely put off walking.

In fact, after a couple of years recuperating Armitage decided to repeat the recreational, professional and social experiment on the opposite side of the country.

By some quirky twist of geographic fate, the South West Coast Path also happens to be 256 miles long, and over the summer of 2013 Armitage embarked on this notoriously testing trek. Along the way he stopped off at over twenty very varied venues, including the Schooners Bistro and Poughill Mill, to give poetry readings

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and collect donations based on what the audience believed him to be worth.

His Cornish adventures, interactions and observations will be the basis for his new book, Walking Away, to be published at some as-yet undisclosed date. If you can’t wait to read his musings on Cornwall’s landscape and hospitality here’s our take of one of the final readings on his trail, hosted by Newlyn School of Art on a wet and windy September evening.

As the imposing building now housing the historic Art school is perched a fair way up a steep hill, the windswept, soggy and breathless crowd arriving at the venue must have felt more than a little sympathy for Armitage’s current predicament. When he started out on his journey some weeks earlier, the UK was at the tail-end of a heat wave. The skies were clear, the weather warm and the days almost completely mizzle-free. But by September 17th gusting winds and unpredictable deluges of rain were putting in an almost permanent appearance, and not even an Auntie May’s pasty would be enough to lift the spirits of the most seasoned walker during a 12 mile stretch exposed to that weather.

That being said, Armitage certainly didn’t have the look of someone beaten by Cornwall’s special microclimate when he arrived for the evening’s reading.

With the paint splattered jam jars, stained palettes and bunches of well tended brushes neatly crammed on the window sills, it felt a little like school as we fought for the best position amongst the rows of plastic seats. But, when he mounted the raised platform, settled into a fabulously elaborate upholstered chair and pulled out a book the atmosphere changed, and it became, as he joked, ‘like Jackanory’.

Before he got into the reading proper, Armitage put us at ease by offering a little background and detailing his current mission. Although one fan described Armitage as ‘the Eeyore of walking’ after reading his tale of travel on the Pennine Way, he certainly seemed in good humour as he listed the stops on his South West journey. For Armitage this walk will end on the Isles of Scilly, and he intends to time the tides so he can travel between several islands on foot.

One, the Island of Samson, is described as having a single resident on Wikipedia, a fact which prompts Armitage to state that while he doesn’t yet know who that person is he hopes they like poetry, because ‘they’re going to get some’.

The works Armitage selected for the evening were a varied mix, displaying diverse aspects of his creative career. As well as reading an extract from his translation of Gawain and the Green Knight and the distinctive, list-style poem ‘Oh come all ye faithful’, he treats us to classics with a Cornish setting, such as ‘Roadshow’ (set in St Ives at the time of the Solar Eclipse) and ‘Causeway’ (which references the stone path leading to St Michael’s Mount).

‘So hundreds followed in their wake, some on Zimmer frames, some on stilts, some in wellies and some on bikes, one with gravy stains up his tie; thousands legging it down the beach, some in khaki and some in kilts, some in purdah and fancy dress, one with a monkey round his neck.

And more. In fact the bastard lot.’ – Causeway

His distinctive Yorkshire accent filled the room in spite of the intimate volume maintained throughout, and as the rain set up a steady rhythm on the windows we were swiftly drawn into the micro-narratives of his works and the greater narrative of this personal journey.

Armitage then went on to field questions from the audience, providing glimmers of insight into his creative method and editing process.

In his view, writing poetry cannot be forced but requires first the urge to write and then isolated time to think through the idea and form it artistically on a page.

He also edits extensively.

After rewriting an initial poem twenty times or more, it’s rare for Armitage to end up with a final piece containing a single line of the original pen-and-paper draft, but he reassured us that this kind of literary sacrifice is necessary to hit upon the perfect structure, vibe and expression for the concept.

While this was all very interesting, we did fail to find out anything really useful, like which Cornish pubs he’d particularly enjoyed over the previous few weeks. Although, at one point the conversation did somehow get steered onto the frankly alarming topic of alternative dentistry, and whether or not a wisdom tooth extraction

might be less painful if it were removed through the anus.

As the evening drew to a close there was just time for one more poem before the sock was whipped out (Armitage’s vessel of choice for collecting donations) and the book signing began.

In one review of Walking Home it was argued that while the text offered a pretty fair description of the conditions and hardships of the Pennine Way, it was hardly a good advertisement for the walk.

Luckily for the South West, Armitage intimated that while he’d met some pretty colourful characters on his journey so far, the tourist board would have nothing to fear from this write up.

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THE THREADNEEDLE PRIZE

LISA WRIGHT / THE GUILTY’S GAZE ON THE INNOCENT

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MILLENNIUM ARTISTS FEATURE IN THE TREADNEEDLE EXHIBITION Some exciting news about our artists based in Cornwall. Represented by the Millennium gallery in Si Ives, the artist Lisa Wright has won the 2013 Threadneedle Prize with ‘Guilty’s Gaze on the Innocent’. The prestigious Threadneedle Prize – the UK’s leading showcase for contemporary figurative and representational painting and sculpture, mooted to rival the Turner Prize.

Lisa is among six artists shortlisted from over 3,500 entries.

Her selected work ‘The Guilty’s Gaze on the Innocent’ explores the embarrassment, confusion and awkwardness of adolescence and makes reference to 16th Century portrait painting.

Previously, Wright has won the Hunting Prize in 2003 and the National Open Art Competition in 2009.

Lisa shares the £30000 with Clare McCormack, it is the first time that the prize has been awarded to two winners.

The exhibition opened on 24th September 2013.

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Now in its sixth year the Threadneedle Prize exhibition will include 111 paintings, sculptures and installations by 95 artists from across the UK and Europe. This includes four additional Millennium artists - Sarah Ball, Marcelle Hanselaar, Sax Impey and Carlos Zapata - who will all have work featured in the exhibition. The public can help to choose which artists deserve an additional cash prize, as £10,000 is also available for the Visitors’ Choice Award.

Millennium has had numerous successes over the past few years – not least in the Threadneedle Prize with two artists being shortlisted in previous years and Tim Shaw winning the inaugural Judges Choice Award. Furthermore, following on from Lisa Wright’s win at The National Open Art competition in 2009; David Whittaker won in 2011 and Joy Wolfenden Brown was selected winner in 2012.

CARLOS ZAPATA / SON YOU STILL ALIVE, CHILD SOLDIER

The current good news surrounding the Threadneedle Prize 2013 is great cause for celebration, further highlighting this unique artistic community. It is of great interest and excitement to see so many artists involved with the gallery being noted further afield in highly esteemed prizes such as this.

The Threadneedle Prize opens on 25/09/13 and continues until 12/10/2013.

SAX IMPEY / AFTER THE DAWN

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SARAH BALL / ACTIVIST

MARCELLE HANSELAAR / CHILD SOLDIERS

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.millenniumgallery.co.uk www.threadneedleprize.com/

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A CURATORS DIARY / CHARLOTTE DAVIS A seasonal chapter The Summer is finally over and what a season it has been! Now Autumn has already set off a whole list of new projects including ‘Suspended Sentences’ in Newlyn, ‘Splash’ festival in Falmouth and a new set of exhibitions in galleries and museums across Cornwall.

Get your draw on October is going to be an exciting month with an almighty ‘Big Draw’ month. I am looking forward to seeing what everyone gets up to. I am currently organising a Draw! group which will meet every Thursday evening in Truro throughout October, to share sketchy ideas and allow those pencils and biros to be inspired.

If you would like to join in or find out more, please contact me via email contact@charlottedavisprojects.com Tales from Gyllyngvase Moving on with this drawing theme, I would like to tell you a little about a collaboration I am currently working on at the Courtyard Deli in Falmouth with Rowena Siorvanes. Rowena is an illustrator living in Falmouth, who recently graduated from Falmouth University. Since Friday 13 September, Rowena has been working on a studio wall installation for ‘On The Beach’ exhibition. Fine line drawings dangling from pegs on the wall depict the idiosyncrasies and subtle insights into the lives of Gyllyngvase beach goers.

They are instant and composed with care and consideration. This exhibition is continually developing until 10 November.

So please do keep popping into see this project evolve. And you never know, you may see someone you recognise included in the beach installation.

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Rowena Siorvanes

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POP UP ART Many of you may be aware that from 13 - 22 September, Falmouth showcased its second ‘Splash’ festival. ‘Splash’ is an arts, performance, music and literature festival, delivered by Falmouth BID (Business Improvement District), Falmouth Bookseller and Falmouth Art Gallery. This year, I curated a POP UP ART trail through the town, running from Events Square through to The Moor. 18 local artists were invited to display their artwork in a variety of shop windows including a solicitors, bakery, cafe and clothes shops. Artists involved in this project included Lucy Apple, Jamie Boyd, Nick Brennan, Anna Cattermole, Suzanne Crook, Ferris McGuinty, Penny MacBeth and Georgina Maxwell. This provided a fantastic opportunity to see the artwork that is being created in artists’ studios just off the beaten track of Falmouth’s main street.

Wandering down to Penlee House Art Gallery & Museum, I surveyed the Graham Sutherland ‘Darkness into Light’ exhibition with intrigue and respect.

This show depicts a fascinating documentation of the mining at Geevor with charming photos of the mine workers and pre is well worth a visit. Afterall, this is our local history.

Congratulations Finally, I think I can speak from a great mass of people who were taught by Lisa at Falmouth University. Congratulations to Lisa Wright for being joint-winner of the ‘Threadneedle Prize’ for painting and sculpture.

For me, this project was a massive success through the collaboration between artists and local businesses and I have heard that a number of artists have already opened up future projects as a result of POP UP ART. Could this be a thing of the future?

It would be great to see this kind of collaboration continue in other towns.

Adventures down West This week I spent an indulgent afternoon doing exhibition research in Penzance.

Myself and Joeleen Lynch were invited to have a sneak preview of ‘The False Memory Archive’ by A. R. Hopwood at The Exchange.

The composition within the display is engaging and without giving too much away, it has already got me questioning how much I really can remember from my childhood.

Did ‘Frankie Goes to Hollywood’ really play droning music to me in my bedroom?....

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PHOTOGRAPHY / LIZ BEST

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EDITOR EMMA GRIFFIN

Tell us a bit about your background?

I started my career as a fashion designer for some global brands. In 2011 I graduated from BA Fine Art from Falmouth University.

Since graduating I started up a book project, called Insight, a visual showcase of the artist headspace. This is an ongoing project which will published as a large coffee table book in 2014. I work now as a fashion and portrait photographer commercially and as a Fine artist.

Above all I believe I am a storyteller with imagery.

How did Aesthetip start up?

Being surrounded with local artists and creative’s I noticed that there wasn’t much press about what we have in our area, being Cornwall. Working as a photographer I work with magazines and notice there wasn’t really an avenue to send imagery or news to. I am passionate about where I live and what creativity we have around us, and I am struck by the amount of talented emerging artists in Cornwall, that I feel need to be shouted about. As well as the art there is a creative lifestyle that runs alongside, so I decided to create this magazine with the help of my husband Steve.

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Our aim was to showcase the creative lifestyle we have in our area.

How do your chose what to feature in the magazine?

We break the magazine down into sections, art, photography, illustration, designer makers, fashion, vintage, lifestyle and even a cookery section. I didn’t want to create a wordy, boring magazine. I wanted something that was visual, interesting and easy to read.

How important are your contributors?

Very! We have a great bunch of contributors and with out them our magazine wouldn’t be as good as it is today. I value them all and each person shows huge creativity in what they bring to the magazine. It’s also great to see when they get as excited as we do about the magazine.

How do you contribute to the magazine?

I design the magazine spreads, create the imagery for the artist of the month and some smaller features.

I create a fashion shoot per month which I’d like to be inspiring for artists, and this is an area of growth within the magazine. My biggest part is the front cover shot. I feel this is the most important shot as it’s what’s attracts our readers. I always aim for the front cover to be shot in the style of my own conceptual photography I do as an artist.

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What plans have you got personally in y our photography?

As well as working for magazines and for private clients I am very excited about my first solo show, hopefully 2014. I am working on a big body of work, which comes from my earliest memories of the stories read to me by my mother as a child. My mother has always made up her own stories with make believe worlds and characters. I am working on a collection of portraits that echoes the memories of the narrative, the stories my Mum has installed within me. Each portrait is styled by myself using props that are either, made or designed by myself. I do not use Photoshop to add on aspects that are not actually there.

The collection of images will be beautiful, sometimes uneasy but all narratives as though the people I am capturing are characters within stories. The show itself will showcase the photographic portraits, the props, short films and sounds. I am really excited about it!

EMMA GRIFFIN / THE PRINCESS

EMMA GRIFFIN / THE GOVNOR

What are your future aims for Aesthetip?

We run this publication out of love not for a money gain.

Being so shocked to how popular Aesthetip has been since our first issue in July. Our aim is to gain more contributors, more interesting features and make each issue bigger and better than the last. I’d like to think that the features and fashion spreads inspire our readers and helps others to create. Being in Cornwall I feel very proud to be surrounded with so much creative talent and I would like to thank all of our readers and contributors for being on this journey with us, it’s certainly been fun!

For more details on Emma please see her website: www.griffin-photography.co.uk

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ARTIST / NANCY PICKARD Nancy is an established artist in Cornwall She produces mixed media paintings in an eccentric, naive style as well as enamelled silver jewellery, ceramic and mixed media sculptures. We casught up with her to ask her about her jewellry.

We understand you are an established artist in Cornwall; have you alwayscreated jewellery as well?

It’s strange to be thought of as ‘established’ - I moved to West Cornwall 12 years ago, after making a living as a community artist in Wales. My youngest was starting school and all I knew was that I had to get back to making art somehow. I never had a business plan!

I trained at what was then the Central School of Art in London and at Cardiff art college, my degree was in ceramics.

How did the jewellery making start, why did you start creating pieces like this?

When I found myself in Cornwall, I was short of time and space - so I came up with the idea of using a tiny enamel kiln, which fires quickly and can be stored in a cupboard! This little kiln has been a huge blessing to me: I have spent the last decade just experimenting with what colours and effects can be acheived - it’s an endless source of joy!

What is your inspiration behind the pieces you make?

I love the effects that heat has on the fused silver and enamel. Each piece of jewellery that I make is a one-off to me the pieces are mini sculptures or paintings. Perhaps that’s why they look a bit different to other people’s jewellery.

This new collection is very sculptural it’s quite geometric and minimalist in both colour and form. But I am also currently working on some more organic shapes in softer colours, as well as some new monochromatic pieces, all of which can been seen on my website.

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Are they are jewellery makers you admire?

I have recently fallen in love with the jewellery of Art Smith . He was a black american jeweller of the 1960s and I love that his pieces are sculptural and formal rather than pretty! Somehow their ‘modernist’ look has endured (for me at least!)

Do you work from two different spaces or share one space for painting and jewellery making?

I work with paint and clay as well as metal - I have never been sure whether I am naturally a sculptor or a painter, (these are just labels, aren’t they?) but materials and the way things are constructed is hugely important to me.

And more than that, I just love being in the studio and having peace and time to make things. I have always knitted and scribbled and cobbled things together call it what you will. It works best when it comes naturally, it’s only afterwards that analysing things becomes interesting. I love talking to other artists about their work - but am often lost for words to explain my own!

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What is it you like about this medium?

It’s interesting to spot images and motifs that reoccur in the jewellery, ceramics and painting, perhaps that is where the essence of my own practice lies. I have two distinct spaces to work in but things spill over, no matter how disciplined I try to be. Often, if I am stuck with a painting, I can get on with some jewellery and find that the problems are resolved unconciously while I am going through the metalworking processes.

What are your plans for the future with this?

I still don’t have a business plan!

But I am finally starting to have a good string of galleries, both in Cornwall and nationally - and I’m always happy to hear from people if they want to visit the studio or commission a special piece.

Full details of current outlets and some of the work available is on my website www.nancypickard.co.uk

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MODEL, HAIR AND MAKEUP / EMILY FAULKNER

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OCTOBER EVENTS

As the days start drawing in and summer officially passes the baton to autumn, Cornwall’s galleries are clearing the decks and starting afresh with a tantalising array of exhibitions. Here’s a little look at what’s on offer from Aesthetip’s Big Seven.

Newlyn School of Art – Chywoone Hill, Newlyn As always, the Newlyn School of Art is offering a diverse range of courses throughout October, with something to suit every interest and skill level. Here’s our pick of two classes to watch out for in the month ahead.

Art History – 12th October During this one day course students are given an illuminating overview of West Cornwall’s creative history from the 1880’s right up to the present day. Guest lecturers from the Newlyn Gallery, Tate St Ives and Penlee House Gallery offer their specialist insight and guided tours of illustrative slide shows. A perfect, inspiring introduction to the development of Cornwall’s artistic legacy.

The Potter’s Wheel Course – 19th — 22nd October Over four days potter Jack Doherty opens student’s eyes to the potential of one of the oldest artistic forms, helping them hone essential ceramic techniques with one-on-one tuition and expert guidance. Although a basic knowledge of throwing is preferable, clay preparation, throwing, centring and forming basic shapes will be covered in a series of projects before students move onto joining, turning and construction, with the aim of ending the course with expanded and polished abilities.

For more information about upcoming courses offered by the Newlyn School of Art go to www.newlynartschool.co.uk

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Newlyn Art Gallery – New Road, Newlyn As part of the annual Newlyn Arts festival, the creativity of local residents is celebrated from the 5th October to the 2nd November with an exciting collaboration between Newlyn’s artists, poets, photographers, musicians and actors. Villagers are encouraged to get involved by nominating their favourite artist and featuring in a series of photographic portraits.

A selection of works from the Newlyn School of Art’s internationally renowned tutors, including Jessica Cooper, Tim Shaw and Rose Hilton will also be for sale.

The Exchange – Princes Street, Penzance A.R. Hopwood’s False Memory Archive took over The Exchange on the 28th of September and will be dominating the gallery until January of next year. If you didn’t see our write up of it in last month’s event calendar here’s a little background information!

The False Memory Archive is composed of collaborations between Hopwood and a varied mix of artists, scientists and individuals. The touring exhibition is designed to provoke discussion regarding the fragile, and often deceptive, qualities of memory and question what truths can be perpetuated by ‘false’ memories.

The public can contribute to this everevolving exhibition by depositing personal ‘false’ memories into the archive at www.falsememoryarchive.com.

For more information about exhibitions and events being held at Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange please visit www.newlynartgallery.co.uk/ Millennium – Street an Pol, St Ives In October each of Millennium’s three floors is being given over to a different artist offering a unique perspective on ‘mainstream’ artistic techniques.

The classically trained Fine Art lecturer Lisa Wright will be occupying the first floor of Millennium from the beginning of October to early November. Her contemporary, figurative and often autobiographical drawings have won her critical acclaim and international recognition, but in recent years her focus has turned to the elusive construct of the ‘universal’ child and the physiological independence which develops in puberty.

Colombian-born Carlos Zapata is a selftaught artist who takes folk and tribal influences and creates personally expressive, vibrant and emotive works.

His hard-hitting sculptures, including the chilling ‘Execution’, will dominate Millenniums’ second floor throughout October.

Chris Anthem’s expressive Fledge collection will take over the third floor from the 4th October to the 5th of November. Anthem’s provocative works are designed to reflect the fragility of humanity, and consequently make both subtle and overt reference to various religious and tribal divisions within society. As Anthem has spent time variously in Ethiopia and Lebanon his pieces are also a thought-provoking take on the issues of identity and Diaspora.

Cornwall Contemporary – Chapel Street, Penzance While Neil Pinkett’s Lake District collection, which we discussed in September’s issue of Aesthetip, will remain on display in Cornwall Contemporary until the 20th, his works will be joined by those of Penzance-based fine artist Arthur Lanyon and mixed-media maestro Amanda Slade from Friday 11th.

Lanyon, as the grandson of artist Peter Lanyon and son of Matthew Lanyon, has an impressive artistic pedigree and produces high-impact pieces. If you like works with a bold structure and intense colour focus, this display will be right up your street.

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Slade’s more naturalistic scenes providean interesting contrast to Lanyon’s forceful pieces, and while paintings of flora and fauna can often be a bit twee and forgettable, Slade takes this traditional subject matter and gives it a stark, atmospheric edge.

Lanyon and Slade will be exhibiting at Cornwall Contemporary until the 4th November, so be sure to pop along.

The Belgrave – 22 Fore Street, St Ives As the Belgrave continues its tribute to one of Britain’s most famous artistic families, the work of young-pretender Luke Frost makes way for the rhythmic multi-media works of Anthony Frost.

Anthony’s expressive, textural pieces brush the boundary between precision and energetic freedom and are often considered to map the creative process. The Zoomster collection will be on display from the 28th September to 14th October.

Tate St Ives – Porthmeor Beach, St Ives From the 12th October to the 26th of January Aquatopia will be taking over the Tate St Ives, and given that Cornwall is the UK’s most coastal county there can be few exhibitions with a more fitting focus. In a major exhibition of over 150 historic and modern artworks crossing a range of disciplines, the mysteries of the unfathomable reaches of the seven seas are explored and imagined.

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Displays range from the real and majestic to the haunting and fantastical. Through the depiction of alluring sirens, haunting shipwrecks and archaic creatures, myth, nature and history are brought together in a totally unique capsule of incredible depth.

Special events to look out for over October include the Tate St Ives talk at Falmouth School of Art on Wednesday 9th October at 18:00. Turner Prize nominee Spartacus Chetwyn will be sharing his experience as a painter, performer and sculptural instillation artist, while event exhibition curator Alex Farquharson will be giving a brief-but-illuminating introduction to Aquatopia. Although entrance to this talk is free, advance booking is essential so be sure to secure your place at www.falmouth.ac.uk/events On Sunday 27th October the first of a series of fortnightly literary events will explore narratives set both on and under the sea. With guest speakers and the dramatic backdrop of the Aquatopia exhibition, this promises to be a unique and atmospheric event. Stories of the Sea starts at 14.00 and entrance is free with admission.

Check out the November issue of Aesthetip for our next guide to the month’s top creative events!

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ILLUSTRATion

CAROLINE PEDLER This month I would like to introduce recent graduate illustrator Peter Morey.

I saw Peter’s work at the MA final show at Falmouth University in September. His work stood out firstly because of its boldness of presence and colour, but also because of his process. Not unlike myself, Peter works hard to maintain the energy and integrity of his marks and in his own words “the organic development of meaningful and energetic imagery is what I am pursuing with my constant scribbling.”

So I will hand you over to Peter to explain what he does in more depth…

Hi - I’m Pete, and I’m from London.

I came to Cornwall by way of Warwick, Spain and Exeter, to do the MA in Authorial Illustration at Falmouth University. I’ve come to illustration from a previous life teaching English as a Foreign Language (mainly in Spain and Exeter), with an academic background in Philosophy (at Warwick University), although throughout all of these things I have been drawing almost constantly.

My work is grounded in this previous experience, but I follow intuitive ‘automatic’ type processes using bold lines, mark-making and flat, graphic colours. Everything previous to this work hangs in the background as subconscious or lateral influences.

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I call this the ‘doodle principle’ – it’s a similar process to doodling in class while the teacher talks – and it often results in eclectically informed work that carries an energetic punch.

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I develop initial ideas into narrative comics, which I sometimes produce as layered screen-prints.

I enjoy using silkscreen because the process brings out the energy of the initial drawings, adding a new dynamic element with layered, graphic colour combinations. The process compounds the energy already embedded in an image and can add to the story in a comic.

In fact, my first commission after the MA is to use the live scribe approach in a set of animations, presenting health and well-being information for a Cornish company called ‘Exhale’.

The live drawings will be animated in a similar style to the ‘RSA Animate’ series.

I have an exhibitionist streak, which is why the ‘live scribing’ work has developed. I have performed these in a variety of contexts – an academic conference at Falmouth University, a comedy night at Goldsmiths college, a punk poetry event in Berlin, teachers’ meetings at a summer school in Exeter, and most recently at the Falmouth University MA Show.

The live work is especially valuable for me because it creates a direct connection with an audience. The images are not solely my own in this context, nor are they entirely the audience’s.

Instead, I am sharing a kind of visual thinking with people which provides lateral and sometimes funny perspectives on proceedings.

Images and words link up in strange ways on the paper or wall, creating new and unforeseen meanings. People respond quite gleefully to this, even in a dry teachers’ meeting, and they definitely remember it.

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Wildlife Illustration Workshops at Gwel an Mor

Well-known for its luxury holidays and unique wildlife experiences, the Gwel an Mor Resort in Cornwall has now become a major draw as an inspiration for artists.

As part of an exciting new on-going art project, the resort is presenting a weekend of Wildlife Illustration Workshops hosted by Gwel an Mor’s current Artist in Residence, Claire Scully.

Over the past six months, this acclaimed London-based illustrator has been visiting and using the resort as her inspiration for a new body of work, creating illustrations of the countryside surrounding Gwel an Mor and the wildlife who reside there.

Demonstrating how the resort has captured her own artistic imagination, each day-long workshop will cover Claire’s process with a focus on patterns and textures within nature and how to document these fine details.

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The day will also include a guided walk through Gwel an Mor’s woods and surrounding countryside with the resort’s Wildlife and Conservation Ranger, Gary Zammit, who will give everyone the opportunity to meet some of the resident wildlife up close to capture images for illustration, including birds of prey and foxes.

Under Claire’s expert tuition, visitors will have a unique opportunity to study a range of flora and fauna in detail and learn how to translate their observations onto paper.

With lunch and refreshments provided, the rest of the day will be spent drawing with Claire’s guidance, producing illustrations of Gwel an Mor’s inspiring natural subjects.

Alongside the Workshops, the resort is also hosting an exhibition of Claire’s work. With Gwel an Mor’s strong connection to wildlife and conservation through their Feadon Farm Centre, Claire Scully was selected as their first Artist in Residence due to her celebrated portraits of British wildlife.

A well respected artist, Claire Scully’ s work has been exhibited extensively and commissioned for Penguin Books, Random House, Howies, Wallpaper Magazine, New York Times, Guardian and Universal Records amongst many others.

Wildlife Illustration Workshops at Gwel an Mor Resort, £45 per person including lunch & refreshments Limited spaces available to book contact 01209 844160 1 day workshop, running from 10am - 4pm on Saturday 23rd or Sunday 24th November 2013 Drinks and buffet lunch provided but please bring art materials (sketchbook / paper, drawing tools and a digital camera or camera phone/ipad). The event will run in all weathers, so please bring warm and waterproof clothing.

Suggested age from 12 upwards and open to all levels and abilities For all Gwel an Mor PR enquiries, contact: Lucy Jenner-Brown PR lucy@lucyjennerbrown.com 01637 818 301 / 07971 688 939

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ILLUSTRATOR / MARY GRIFFIN

Mary Griffin is an illustrator based in Cornwall who has designed and published a unique 78-card tarot deck called The Hezicos Tarot. Mary is well know in the Tarot world to date and has sold her deck worldwide. Each of her illustrations holds a fantastic watercolor technique with a stunning attention to detail. Right now Mary is writing and illustrating her own book, which is a story, based on a character from the world of Hezicos.

I was lucky to have a glimpse of the illustrations that she is working on for this book.

Walking into Mary Griffin’s studio you can’t help but feel nourishment of the senses: from the carefully arranged found object collections, inspirational images on pin boards, sticks that look like figures and post notes of ideas and stories. Not one object grabs your attention more than another: groups of similar items, whether they’re plants, seeds, dead insects carefully laid out as an object of beauty, books, all in harmony with each other as a huge source of inspiration. Just like Mary’s illustrations, the more you look the more you will see.

How long did it take from the initial ideas to the completion of designs for your tarot deck?

The Hezicos Tarot was first published in 2010. The process of creating my deck from the initial ideas, drawings to the finished artwork and the completion of the book to accompany The Hezicos Tarot, took just under two years to complete.

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Where does the name Hezicos come from?

The name Hezicos was from my childhood.

When I was very young, I invented a different country and called it Hezicos.

I was very fortunate as a child to live in a house that had an enormous rambling garden. The country of Hezicos was situated in a wild part of our garden at the edge of a small wood with a stream running down beside it. As children, we played in Hezicos for hours at a time.

All and everyone were different there!

Your work is pretty unique and full of creativity. Where does your inspiration come from?

Interesting question as I really do not know. I have always liked the unusual.

I grew up reading about and drawing fairies, ogres and genies. As a child, I had a very vivid imagination and spent hours writing stories and illustrating my little books. I was always fascinated with wax works and automata models. I can still remember the images from years back.

Can you describe your creative process?

Once I have an idea for a painting, I do not make many initial drawings, maybe just the one. When I am happy with this, I will transfer the image onto tracing paper. The next step is to transfer the traced image onto watercolour paper. To do this I use Wax Free Artists’ Graphic Transfer Paper. By the time the image is finally transferred on to the watercolour paper, I will have actually drawn the image three times.

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At this stage, any areas on the final image that I wish to keep are highlighted with masking fluid. The image is then painted using Artist Quality watercolour paints.

This can take a long time especially if the picture is highly detailed, and most of mine are! When the painting is complete, I then apply black waterproof ink to the areas of the painting I wish to accentuate.

The medium I use for illustration work is Winsor & Newton watercolour pans.

I also use Staedtler Karat Aquarell coloured pencils.

One other tool I like is masking fluid; I just love the effects, which can be achieved using this medium.

I also use oil and acrylic paints onto canvas. When doing this procedure I make an initial drawing and then transfer free hand my image onto the canvas.

Which tools do you use the most?

My beloved paint brushes!

I have three jars of watercolour brushes. Each jar holds a different kind of brush. These vary in quality, age and size. When I buy a new brush, I paint a nail varnish colour onto the end so that I know this one is NEW! I have found an amazing company Rosemary & Co who make beautiful hand made brushes for all mediums. I never use my best watercolour brushes with oils or acrylics.

I have a very serious addiction to pencils; I even like the smell of new pencils!

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How long do you often take making one piece?

Depending on the size of the work, usually at least two weeks sometimes more.

This only applies to illustration work. A large canvas can take much longer.

How does your job as an artist influence your life?

Do you feel that you see things around you differently for example?

I strongly believe that all artists see the world differently from others.

I certainly notice small things that catch my attention, usually when out walking my dogs. Small circular spider’s webs amongst the grass covered with dewdrops, quite spectacular. Pieces of driftwood when looked at in detail reveal a face, body or animal. Images imbedded in a stone. Sometimes others cannot see what I see, but it is nevertheless there. Like many creative people, I tend to daydream, imagining stories and pictures. When my children were young I loved nothing more than telling stories.

All artists are incredible people we have imaginations only others can dream of.

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Do you have any favorite artists? Contemporary or from the past?

I really enjoy looking at other artists’ work. The diversity out there never stops to amaze me. My all time favourite artists are firstly Arthur Rackham.

He was an incredible illustrator. As a child, I remember being frightened but strangely drawn to his sometimes aggressive pen and ink drawings. His images have followed me all my life; I just love his work. David Hockney for his colours and freedom of style and lastly Amedeo Modigliani for his amazing elongated figures and his incredible name.

What are your plans for the future of your career?

I have written and illustrated a children’s book. It is my hope to get this self published or find a publisher who will bring this story to life. It is only within the last week that I have finished the illustrations, which accompany the story. I am very excited about this project and hope others will enjoy this book as well. There are sequels to the original story and I would like to illustrate these subsequent stories as well. I have also been thinking about creating and illustrating an oracle deck, which will link to my Hezicos Tarot.

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Finally, do you have any advice for artists / illustrators looking to delve into the selfpublishing world?

As I am myself just dipping my toes into the self-publishing world, I could probably do with advice from others. I have heard many conflicting stories but as it is so difficult these days to find a publisher, I am certainly going to try the self-publication route. My advice to anyone is, just follow your heart.

Have a look at her official website www.hezicostarot.com, to see how her unique take on illustration is applied for Hezicos Tarot Deck.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ mary.griffin.927

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PHOTOGRAPHER MATT WING

INTERVIEW BY TIFFANY FRIEND

This month I had the pleasure of meeting up with the fantastic Matt Wing, a truly gifted Photographer. Loving music as I do and seeing who he has been close to gets me tingly with excitement. I got to ask him a few questions too.

Matt could you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Press, Music, Wedding and Sports Photographer. Born and bred in Cornwall but I moved to Essex last year to be closer to London work, still working in Cornwall though!!

How did you get into Photography?

I’d always been fascinated by photographs and like most people I guess it started out as a hobby, an expensive one at that!

But originally it was looking at old black/white sports, particularly football photographs.

Can you tell me a little about your background?

Broad based background would sum it up I guess, a vastly different array of jobs from Postman to DJ to Photographer.

I spent most of my life as a DJ in and around Truro & Newquay’s pubs and clubs.

It was a brilliantly entertaining job and on the whole and it allowed me to meet my wife so I’ll forever be grateful for it.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Because of the different types of things I cover the good stuff is different dependent on the situation. The best part of wedding photography is the longevity of your work. Not many photographers can guarantee what they shoot will be looked at again in 40/50 years time with the same feeling. I find the press and music stuff is far more exhilarating and pressurised but in much the same way as wedding photography you only really have one chance to capture a moment, the difference being you’re not in a pen with 20 other snappers all willing to dig you in the ribs to stop you getting the shot.

The time came for me to call it a day and the fact that I felt like the oldest person in the clubs made it easy.

Alongside this I’d been studying at Plymouth University under the mentorship of Andy Hughes and finally finished my FdA in Action Photography in 2011. I cannot recommend further study in the field enough and the value of what I learnt in these years help me every single day. The technical side is key, too many people call themselves a ‘photographer’ without fully understanding their camera.

Any bad bits (laughs)!! “this would make a good shot” “don’t you use film” “can you make me slimmer” “can I have a go”

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JACK WHITEHALL / MATT WING

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TINIE TAMPAH / MATT WING

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Film v digital? Your opinions?

I started with film and used it quite extensively as part of my degree but the way the press/sports/music industry works now is very different. The picture desks literally want the images seconds after you’ve taken them so it becomes a juggling act of taking the pictures, edit, crop, levels and upload to ftp’s whilst still shooting more frames.

Do you feel you can only take good pics with expensive equipment?

Not at all. The expensive cameras can make things easier, but you still need the eye to see it in the first place. Some of my best photos are from my £150 Panasonic Bridge Camera.

Nikon, canon, other or a Matty mix up?

I’m a Canon man (Two 5D MK3 bodies, 70-200 f2.8 , 24-70 f2.8, 35mm f1.4) not because I think Nikon or Sony is inferior but because throughout Uni the lenses we could borrow were Canon. I’m happy with the bodies and lenses I have but I’m sure I’d be equally as happy if they were Nikon’s too.

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Any advice you can give someone thinking of pursuing a similar career?

It’s bloody hard out there and much like anything its contacts that get you into things. I’ve seen plenty of poor photographers in places and venues that I don’t have a sniff of. You must persist with it though. You’ll get knocked back for a while and newcomers are always treated with a certain amount of caution. In the last year I’ve shot Jay-Z, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake & Michael Owen to name a few.

If someone had told me that a year ago I’d have laughed at them, You never know.

Would you subscribe to our magazine if it went from online to print?

Certainly, fresh idea and inspiration is what everyone should be looking for to further themselves.

It was a pleasure chatting with Matt, to see anymore of his work or get in touch his details are as follows. www.mattwing.co.uk FB/ mattwingphoto twitter/ @mattwing79

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SHUTTERPOD

BY TIFFANY FRIEND

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I had the pleasure of catching up with Josie from Shutterpod this month!

Josie is so passionate about Shutterpod in all its aspects, is the backing behind all its inspirations and drives everything that Shutterpod stands for and believes in. Josie wants to make art accessible to anyone, as sometimes can be seen as highbrow. Spreading and sharing knowledge is such a feel good feeling, especially when you work with people who leave saying ‘first time I have felt talented’. This is more so the case when workshops are run for support groups and homeless who cannot access this kind of thing everyday, it is so helpful for them for much more than making something, they build self confidence and making them

for much more than making something, they build self confidence and making them feel talented is all worthwhile.

Along with always seeing something magical, hands on and refreshing appear before your eyes without digital or with!

Shutterpod have spent this summer raising money from crowd fund and they reached their target, this was great news for Josie.

At present it is exciting times for Shutterpod as they are in planning stages for setting up Photo Festivals!

The Festivals are all about what Shutterpod itself thrive from, The Alternative process of Photography or some might say ‘Vintage’ or ‘Old School’!

Focusing on non digital processes. This is how Josie learnt and you can tell just from her beaming face when she is talking how much she loves the original way of photographing, before digital!!

Shutterpod are running a workshop in November, you can book through Aggi Arts. Aggiarts.co.uk.

If there is anyone out there that wants to be involved in the Festivals, Cyanotype, traditional black and white, lumen, polaroid and such like please contact Josie got her new schedule of events for 2014.

Was an utter pleasure chatting to Josie and know I will be going to the festivals!

Contact Josie at josie@shutterpod.co.uk And twitter @theshutterpod

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FASHION/

THE DARK BRIDES

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DESIGNERS / ANNALISE HARVEY, ANNA D’ SOUZA AND HOLLY YOUNG MODELS / MEGAN SHARP, LILY PICKLES, KATE ROWLAND, RUTH U’REN. HOLLY HARWOOD MAKEUP/ REBECCA MADEN HAIRSTYLIST/ ALANA RICKARD FLOWERS / THE GARDEN GATE FLOWER COMPANY LOCATION / ENVY’S GARDENS PHOTOGRAPHER / EMMA GRIFFIN

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DRESSES / ANNA D SOUZA HEADWEAR / HOLLY YOUNG 70

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DRESS / ANNA D SOUZA HEADWEAR / HOLLY YOUNG

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DRESSES/ ANNALISE HARVEY HEADWEAR/ HOLLY YOUNG

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PERFECT FOR THIS SEASON

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EKO Womenswear’s AW13 collection / EKO Womenswear presents a luxurious range of versatile, sustainable and easyto-wear women’s separates and lounge wear for Autumn / Winter 2013.

Created as a capsule wardrobe for the modern women this collection spans work to play and everything in between. With a focus on soft separates in natural fibres, the interest is created with an emphasis on sculptural drape and long feminine lines. Using organic base layers combined with sculptural day dresses, created is a mix and match wardrobe and a collection spanning a wide age range.

For this season, the soft silhouettes, sculptural elements, draping and interesting twists in the range are inspired by the legendary artist Barbara Hepworth.

The dramatic Cornish coastline and its rough seas were the guiding influence for this range of natural tones and textures of the new EKO range.

The colour palette covers peacock blue, petrol, charcoal, smoke, mulberry, mineral pink and black.

The collection is made entirely from sustainable fabrics, selected from the latest technology in eco-fibres such as super soft organic jersey from eucalyptus and organic cottons. The proof really is in the wearing as they handle beautifully and feel so incredibly soft, resulting in a collection as kind to the environment as the garments are to you.

Available: www.earthkindoriginals.co.uk and selected stockists throughout the country.

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AUTUMN FASHION megan sharp WITH A/W style piece/ This month I worked on a photo shoot to showcase my top five looks for A/W ‘13 and to make it even more interesting, I borrowed all of the clothes used for the shoot from CHSW charity shops. My ambition was to show you all that, with a little insight, good planning and styling, everyone can afford to look good with the new trends. I hope this encourages you all to have a good old clear out of your past season wardrobe and think of CHSW for your clothing castaways!

A little about CHSW: Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) opened their third hospice, Little Harbour, in St Austell nearly two years ago. The children’s hospice is a ‘home from home’ for children with life limiting conditions and their families. These are children who sadly will not survive to adulthood and through their hospices, CHSW aim to offer a safe haven where children and families can create and celebrate precious memories and enjoy special time together. The hospices provide highlyqualified, palliative care professionals that are on hand 24 hours a day allowing peace of mind and respite opportunities for the whole family, often for many years. A sibling team are on hand to provide a wealth of activities and support for siblings, and the hospice also provides end of life care and bereavement services for families.

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It costs Little Harbour over £2 million a year to run and the money raised through CHSW charity shops contributes to keeping these vital services going.

Sharon Elliott, Head of Retail said “Our shops are such a valuable resource to us and we at Children’s Hospice South West could not do what we do without our dedicated volunteers in retail and the stock donated to us”.

Big thank you to the local businesses in Truro for helping us with this shoot.

To Truro Arts for letting me and my camera invade your space (again!) and to Viv at Lemon Street Market for letting us use your beautiful gallery space and for so kindly rearranging artwork for us!

Thank you to you both!

Please follow my blog to keep up to date with what I am doing. www.lovehummingbird.blogspot.co.uk Look One: Winter Florals As the dark skies of winter start to draw in why not hold onto your summer florals for a little longer?

Keep it cosy with a nice pair of boots and don’t be afraid to team your summer tea dress with a chunky knitted jumper!

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Look Two: The Lady This look is one for work!

It’s sophisticated and it’s smart. The lines are clear and the whole look is well structured with empathise on the shoulders and waistline. To style this piece I used a Purple pencil skirt, a hot colour for the season, and teamed it with a classic mac drawing in the waistline.

Look Three: Pretty Pastels Similar to Winter Florals, this is one for those of you who aren’t ready to say goodbye to your summer wardrobes just yet! This look takes the soft touches of summer and teams them with thick black tights and knee high boots.

Can it get any sweater?

Look Four: Tartan I’ve always loved heritage and tartan certainly oozes of this! On the catwalks, tartan was shown in red (another good colour for the season) however, I could not resist this little bit of vintage Cornish tartan!

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Look Five: Animal We’re starting to get a little wild here and I love it! Dashes of animal print work so well with denim.

Animal print adds a little fun to a casual look, or you can go a little mad with your styling, as I have here, with these unmissable leopard print trousers.

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Wild Card: Nun Okay, I know, I said my top five looks but I couldn’t resist throwing this one in as a wild card; it’s not for everyone!Taking inspiration from religion with high neck lines, crisp white lace and black. It’s dark, it’s a little bit gothic and I am a starting to really like it! At first I thought it was awful but I really love the details in some of the pieces.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN SHARPE

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MEET THE MODEL Interview with

ROLAND BRAY How did you start modeling?

I started modeling through university.

I study at the Tremough Campus, Penryn, and a few of the friends I made there were studying photography and I was just asked to model by one of them. I was apprehensive, as I had never done anything like it before. However, I really enjoyed myself, it felt really comfortable and I had a really good time! After that the images got seen by others and I got asked by more people to model for them.

It was really flattering.

What do you like about modeling?

I like how creative it can be. Also, I like how I can be a completely different person, whether I am modeling as myself or as a character. I’ve done some drag shoots too, which have been so much un, a completely different type of modeling to normal as I have to think female. It’s so fun to have your hair and makeup done too - especially for the hair shoots I’ve done for iNkfish Hair and Beauty.

What is your dream model job and the location?

My dream job? That’s a really tough question. I would love to be signed to model for Alexander McQueen one day, actually I would love to model for any of the big fashion houses! It would be such an incredible experience. There are so many places I would love to model and I’m finding it really difficult to answer this part of the question. Umm, off the top of my head I would love to model in Times

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Square in New York, in my head I can picture all the cars rushing past but I would be stood in focus in the middle of it all in some crazy outfit!

Who would you like to work with in the future?

There are a few people I would love to work with in the future, and most of them are in my dreams!! I would love to model alongside Cara Delevigne, I reckon I could give her eyebrows a run for her money.

She seems like such a great girl and I think it would be just amazing to model with her. I would also love to work with Lady Gaga, she is such a modern day icon but I love how she encourages people to be themselves without fear. But, back to the real world, I am completely open minded as to who I work with, I always want to experience new things with new people so whatever comes my way is great!

How do you balance being a student and modeling?

Balancing the two things is actually quite easy. I have been very lucky to work with amazing people who have been totally flexible, and I myself am pretty flexible too! I have to admit around my exams I sat this May a lot of people were asking for me and it was all very chaotic (I find it hard to say no to people) but I managed to balance it quite well. Modeling is always a nice break from studying and it allows me to forget about any stressful deadlines I might have.

What’s your most memorable shoot?

There are too many! I’d say being shot as Lady Gaga in the middle of Falmouth was very memorable. I got some strange looks and people started taking photos on their phones. It was random and exciting and just massive giggle! I was also shot once in Kennel Vale woods and I had to stand in the river wearing a “Florence-and-the-Machineesque” kaftan, people out walking just stopped and stared, a couple of people also started applauding!

Again, it was all good fun, if not slightly cold as it was January.

Who do you admire and would you like to meet?

There are so many people I admire. This probably sounds so cheesy but I really admire my mum. She has to contend with a lot, battling daily with a disability but she carries on with a smile on her face, which I think is remarkable. There isn’t a day that goes by where one of my friends does something that I admire, I love them all dearly and they all inspire me! I would love to meet Vivienne Westwood and Lady Gaga one day, I think that they are both just remarkable human beings.

Do you have any advice for those who want to start modeling?

It’s kind of hard to know what advice to give, as there are some many ways into modeling really. I have to admit I’ve been

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very lucky, as people have come to me instead of me asking anyone for work.

Best thing I can sugget is to be as available as possible to photographers as possible. If you know anyone studying photography then ask if they need models and then offer. Being confident is really key, if you appear nervous (which you will feel, I did!) then it gives bad signals to photographers, as it may be hard for them to work with you. On the other hand being too confident is also bad as you could come across as arrogant and photographers/stylists etc won’t like that.

Finally, don’t be disheartened by rejection, you won’t be the right person for every shoot, but there’ll be certain ones you are perfect for!

www.thatssoroland. blogspot.co.uk

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Beautiful artistic products straight from professional, reliable creatives.

We caught up with Anna Ward who runs Two Red Trees, to chat about her business.

Cornwall is held in high regard as a vibrant and creative hub of the UK. Our peninsula is home to a thriving community of artists – from jewellers to potters and painters to stonemasons – we have a complete spectrum of artists calling Cornwall home.

Anna Ward, Managing Director of Two Red Trees celebrates this rich and diverse community of creative people. In her late twenties she gave up working for a large corporation in London to move to Falmouth and study for a Masters Degree in Illustration. This opened her eyes to the wealth of talent in Cornwall and she went on to set up TwoRedTrees.co.uk – a website promoting and selling the work of handpicked designers and makers.

Two Red Trees was initially set up for Cornwall based creatives but its popularity has led Anna to expand the business to a national scale. Today work is available from some of the freshest emerging designers and makers from all round the UK. The company also employs a PR agency who aim to get the work of the Two Red Trees sellers into top magazines and blogs. To date the site has been featured in Country Homes and Interiors, InStyle, Stylist, Easy Living, Ideal Home, Stella and many more.

‘Being around so many creative people was amazing, but it rapidly became apparent that many of these talented individuals were struggling to gain recognition for their work.’

Anna set up Two Red Trees to showcase and sell the work of the most promising designers and makers, but the business focuses on more than art alone.

‘I wanted to provide a platform for creatives who have not only talent, but a professional and business minded approach Dream Bright Locket by to their work. This way Two Red Trees is able to provide its customers with access Naturally Heartfelt (based in Falmouth) to completely unique collection of products made by UK artisans, safe in the knowledge that they’ll be looked after as a customer and that the products are of the highest quality. Buyers have all the convenience and reliability of large online stores, but with the individual and unique products you can normally only find in small boutiques and galleries.’

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Butterfly Hairclips by Crown and Glory Accessories (based in Liskeard)

Baby shoes by So Small Shoes (based in Truro)

Rame Head Cushions by Helen Round (based in Torpoint)

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Screenprinted Notecard set

by Mellybee (based in Falmouth

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Snowflake Necklace by Behind the Showcase (based in Par))

Key Pendant by Hannah Mary Jewellery (based in Penryn)

www.TwoRedTrees.co.uk

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THE VEG PATCH WITH TIFFANY FRIEND

Well what a fruitful month it has been. Summer has waved us goodbye until the next time and dare i say it.....I am so happy as this is my favourite time of year, boots are back out, rainy muddy walks and splashes in the puddles, our freezer is packed full of runner beans and apples mainly, they seem to be taking over us with produce this year. Lets not forget all the blackberries from our foraging.

We have exhausted recipes, crumbles, pies, accompaniments for dinner, buns, chutneys you name it we have tried! We have entered a few of our best vegetables into local competitions for a bit of fun. One thing we haven’t 92

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exhausted recipes on is ‘crab apples’, we have a lot if these but struggling with recipes, we have tried the jelly. If you have any suggestions or good recipes to try, do write to me, I would love to hear from you.

Halloween is near and we always have a party, it is on the same week as my eldest daughters birthday and my own so we love to celebrate! This year we have already got our squash ready and waiting to be prepared and decorated!

They are bigger than the pumpkins at the moment!

Through this month, I will be beginning to tidy the patch, collect seeds and bring in anything that may get frost damage, pick the fruits and dig the compost.

Tip this month is anything that isn’t going to do well outside now pick, ripen them up by leaving a banana next to them, or wrap in a paper bag with it or tea towel as bananas let off a natural gas called Ethylene that speeds up ripening, for instance put a banana with green tomatoes if you do not want to be making green tomato chutney!

My favourite chutney recipe is my mothers, is as follows.

1) Peel, core, all of your fruit and vegetables your using and the garlic

Apple Chutney

2) Put it all into a saucepan add half of the sugar and half of the vinegar, all of your spices and let it simmer to soften

Ingredients: 21bs of apple (or whatever base of chutney you wish to make, like green tomato) When not doing an apple chutney add 1 apple to your mix!

1 clove of garlic 1/2 pint of white wine vinegar 1-2 teaspoons of mixed spice or pickling spice 2-3oz of sultanas, raisins or dates 1/2 teaspoon of salt 10oz of caster sugar

3) add remaining sugar when it has simmered and all fruit is soft. If using pickling spices remove these before adding the remaining sugar

Enjoy, and try other fruits/veg yum!

Next month i will show you some tips on tidying up and keeping seeds.

Have a fabulous October!

Find me on Facebook: Bumble Dodo Email me: bumbledodo@gmail.com

4) When it has a consistency like jam, put it into warm and sterilised jars, do not let it touch the lid if your jar is metal as the vinegar will rust it! Add wax circles on the top or grease proof paper. Done!

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GIRL IN THE CITY megan sharp Autumn is, without a doubt, my favourite season. I simply love going into town and breathing in the crisp autumnal air!

Truro seems to be one of those cities which is ever changing and there is always something exciting happening so I thought, for this months column, I would take you with me as I explore my home town and show you what makes it exciting to me!

This week was my sister Ree’s 25th birthday so we met up with our friend Tammy to have a girlie day out (something we do not do enough these days) and, of course, we started with lunch! We ate at Fodders, where I had a grilled goats cheese salad on brochette with a peppermint tea, Tammy and Ree had creamy grilled mushrooms with strawberry milkshake (obviously not ready to be grown ups just yet). Located in Tinners Court just off Lemon Quay, Fodders is a popular location for shoppers; it is family friendly and has lots of quirks to catch your eye! Often mistaken for a Vegetarian restaurant, Fodders actually offer a wide selection of food and has something to keep all grumbly tummies happy!

Following our lunch we decided to hit the town to see what bargains we could find!

Ree and Tammy don’t live in Truro and I work full time so it is nice to sometimes wander around and see what’s new!

We searched the record store for vintage vinyls, walked up and down the highstreet for dresses and raided the charity shops for oddments and curiosities! Of course, we went home with a multitude of bargains!

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To round off the day we simply had to check out the Birdhouse Cakery for a little sweet treat! There is ALWAYS room for cake in our little family and this new discovery will not be forgotten! In fact, I plan on returning next weekend for my own Birthday treat! A humble, cosy hide away tucked in behind the Cathedral serving good tea and a very large selection of cakes! Yum!

PUMPKIN SOUP Now the weather has turned we will all start to think about having soup. This is perfect to take out with, take to work or have in the studio.

I’d like to share with you my Pumpkin Soup Recipe with you.

What you need: 2 onions, Oil, One pumpkin, Milk, Sea salt and black ground pepper, 1 t spoon of curry power Lets cook!: Scoop out the inside of your pumpkin and cut in to cubes. Chop up your onions and fry in oil for a few minutes. Add the pumpkin and a pinch of sea salt. Add one teaspoon of good curry powder and stir.

Add 3 to 4 cups of milk and bring to boil. reduce the heat and simmer until pumpkin is soft. Then liquidise the mixture and serve with a pinch of ground pepper on the top.

YUM!

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hot spot THE OLIVE GROVE

THE OLIVE GROVE Bistro/CafĂŠ has a real relaxed feel to it, incorporating our Delicatessen, Farm Shop, offering HOME COOKED FOOD & LOCAL PRODUCE. Set within the wonderful surroundings of CORNISH GARDEN NURSERIES, Perranarworthal, Truro.

Open 7 days a week from 10am -5.30 Monday to Sunday, offering breakfast lunch & High Tea with Gluten wheat & dairy free options available.

The Olive Grove, Cornish Garden Nurseries, Barras Moor Farm, Perranarworthal, Truro, Cornwall, TR3 7PE

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“I sat here one afternoon and perused the choice of cakes, before i had to try two!! Lovely calm atmosphere, listening to the wind between the bamboo! Truly relaxing place to visit and collect your thoughts.”

BY TIFFANY FRIEND

PHOTOGAPHY/ TIFFANY FRIEND

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CREATIVE WRITING The Gooseberry Soxies written/ drawn by a Mousy In a small town, down a long lane stood a little blue house

‘I would like to see some new soxies and maybe stay for a while’

Inside was an old lady knitting soxies, helped by her pet mouse

‘I am looking for special soxies, only the very best will do’

She worked through the day sometimes into the night

‘Well’, said the old lady ‘would you like to come through’

For her soxies were sort after, warm, comfy and so bright

She took him to a room full of hundreds of boxies

Each of her soxies were made with a secret magical thread

‘I have many for you to look at, thousands of different soxies’

Which was safely locked away in her old broken wooden shed

The cat had a good look at all the soxies for sale

She would knit a spider’s web into each of her soxies

‘No, this is not what I am looking for’, he said wagging his big tail

Then carefully wrap them in feathers and place in brown boxies

‘I would like you to make a pair from my very own design’

The old lady also made extraordinarily long scarves

He placed down a paper, dragging his claw across a pencil line

Some of which had been sold to royalty and even a giraffe

‘They must fit snugly’ the cat said with a grin

One early morning as the old lady was knitting away

‘I also need eight pockets for my dead mice to sit in’

In walked a magnificent fat cat with a swag and a sway

‘I would like them to have stripes, coloured pink, orange and blue,

‘Good morning’he said lowering his bright purple hat

‘Also fine gold thread and pearls are to be woven through’

‘My name is Poot Morrow, I am a very important cat’

‘At the top of each leg, on the hem to be seen,

The old lady looked at the big cat a little bit wary

I would like six gold gooseberries to be sewn in the seam’

‘Oh don’t worry’he said ‘I’m not the least bit scary’

‘On the back of each leg a silver bell should be put into place

He walked over to the counter with a purr and a smile

This must be sewn into a small piece of silver filigree lace’ The fat cat leaned over the counter with a swag and a sway

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He smiled at the old lady, ‘Can you make these for me today?’

‘Oh no’, said the old lady. ‘These will take more than a week’ Her mouse jumped into her pocket and gave out a quick squeak ‘Very well’said the cat leaving the little blue house ‘I will see you in eight days and also your delightful mouse’ The old lady worked hard to finish the strange order Having problems finding gold gooseberries to sew in the border At last they were ready, wrapped and placed in a brown boxie The cat called that day and was thrilled with his new soxie He gave the old woman twelve gold coins and a hug And left her a present, a beautiful crimson red rug With the gold coins the old lady bought her mouse a new bed She treated herself to a coat, boots, a hat and a MUCH BIGGER SHED

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BEHANCE The trouble with getting recognised is that you need to put yourself out there in many different ways. Meeting people and visiting shows/exhibitions is a great way to make connections, talk and communicate ideas. However, modern day technologies mean that more and more of us are presenting ourselves in a digital way. Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are relatively simple ways to showcase work and keep people up to date with what you’re up to, but in order to qualify you as a acknowledged and recognised creative people tend to want to look a little deeper, which makes having a personal website something of a necessity.

The prospect of building a website for yourself can seem like an Olympian task.

However, there is one very popular website which simplifies everything down to a few, easy-to-follow steps, not only creating an online portfolio accessible by a worldwide audience but also a means of generating a website based around your work quickly and professionally. Behance is completely free to use and can be an invaluable tool for inspiration and research. Once you have created your profile, which takes a matter of minutes, you can immediately upload images of your projects, accompanied by as much or as little written copy as you desire, with projects being immediately published to your profile. As well as appearing on your page projects feature on the world feed, giving them a global reach. Behance also allows you to give and receive feedback on your own and others work and build up an inner circle of creatives with whom you can share projects before you launch them, and so profit from insightful feedback.

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The benefits of having a Behance portfolio are numerous, whether you update it every week or leave it at simply having a little explore once a month, but the hidden beauty of it is the ProSite functionality. By activating your ProSite you can quickly create a website based on different predetermined layouts, all editable and updateable with your own logo (if you have one) colour scheme, typeface - anything which helps put your stamp on it. Behance then flows in your projects directly from your portfolio site. By using simple on and off tools you can decide which projects you would like to show, which to hide and in what order you want them to appear. All of the imagery and content is then brought through to be displayed meaning that you don’t have to worry about re-uploading and retyping project details, everything is there for you already. If you add a new project to your portfolio site there’s an option to display this on your website and it will feed straight in – hitting two feathery things with one hard thing comes to mind. There’s even an option to sell your work directly from your website a function also present on the main Behance portfolio site.

There are of course cost implications with using the ProSite, such as purchasing a web domain name, but this can cost as little as £1.99 for two years!

You’ll be able to choose a custom url, which again helps with self promotion, and you could go the whole hog and get your own email address based on your new url. You’ll need to pay Behance a small fee of between £6-7 a month to host the website for you but in the grand scheme of things this is a pretty small price to pay.

While there are other websites which offer a similar service, the Behance network is well established and growing every day, so its great one to get on board with.

If you’re still not sure whether this is the option for you, check the site out for yourself and enjoy the constantly updating stream of varied work uploaded by other creatives. Visit www. behance.net to get started and good luck!

BY CHRIS THOMAS

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KERNOW ROLLERs

By Rollason & Sgt. Walker Roller Derby: one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and it’s right on your doorstep in Cornwall.

Roller derby is a unique, fast-paced, female-dominated sport that is taking the world by storm. The sport originated in the USA in the 1930s but it is the revival that began in 2001 that brought roller derby to the UK five years later.

In 2011 South Cornwall joined the derby community as Kernow Rollers was formed, establishing an inclusive and empowering non-profit sporting organisation engaged in the competitive development of Flat Track Roller Derby. Not heard of roller derby before or unsure of how the game is played? Check out our video which explains how the game works and features members of the league.

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The sport is run by the skaters for the skaters, which means that every member of Kernow Rollers contributes in their own way to keeping the league running and developing. Because of this DIY approach, roller derby has a real sense of community that you don’t find in most other sports.

Saffa Perry, Kernow Rollers’ coach and captain, joined the league in our first recruitment, and is a great person to talk to about the sport’s sense of community: “I joined Kernow Rollers in October 2011 after attending a recruitment that September” she explains, “so that makes two years that I have been involved with roller derby- though at the pace our league is moving it feels much longer!”

“What I like about the sport is the camaraderie. I can remember the quiet and compulsory handshakes when I played badminton, but that is nothing compared to the eagerness our team feels to run over and hug and congratulate our opponents after every game, win or lose. There is a common derby story that basically goes, ‘I thought I was going to learn how to hit people over on skates.

I did, but I also learned how to be a better person…’.”

Although the game is fast-paced and fullcontact those elements are confined to the track. Once the final whistle is blown the room is full of sweaty roller girls with teams descending on each other for post-action hugs and talk of the after party! Watch this brilliant documentary made by player Bear Thrylls for an insight into what being involved in roller derby really means.

During the two years that Kernow Rollers has been running, our biggest challenge has been finding a venue large enough to host games (known as bouts) that spectators can attend to showcase the sport to the community and introduce it to a wider audience. The league was really excited to finally find a venue earlier this year in Truro, where we currently train.

Having a fit for purpose training and bouting venue allowed us to showcase our first home game on 14 September. We invited some of our favourite teams to play, which saw Cornwall compete against Devon in a double-header bout. Our neighbours Cornwall Roller Derby sent their travel team, Atlantic Breakers, to play Plymouth City Roller Girls. Plymouth took the win in the first game of the day with an impressive point margin that left the final score 286 - 84.

As a growing league we are always on the lookout for sponsorship to aid our progression and were delighted when Lexie offered to send her range of Clara Tees for our A team skaters to test and model.

Having Lexie photographer Emma Griffin come and visit us was loads of fun. We’d just won our home game so enjoyed an evening of relaxed skating after all of our efforts the previous day.

We first heard about Lexie when she was studying at Falmouth University, and really love her ethos of stylish sportswear. Roller Derby is a lot about the spectacle, and players often spend a lot of time preparing their ‘boutfits’ before a game, so it’s great to find a company that appreciates that sport and style can go hand-in-hand. We can’t wait to work with Lexie again.

Please visit our facebook to find out more about our upcoming games and recruitments: www.facebook.com/ kernowrollers.cornwall

Kernow Rollers then took to the track to take on Grin ‘N’ Barum from Barnstable.

Our team took an early lead and maintained a leading score throughout the game. We had trained hard in preparation, after Grin ‘N’ Barum had narrowly beaten our team of newer skaters earlier in the year, and the hard work paid off. We ended the game with a score of 202 - 78 and an immense feeling of pride that all of our determination and training had come to fruition- and all on our new home ground!

Wix Derbypix photography

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T SHIRT AND SHORTS/ LEXIE SPORT PHOTOGAPHY/ EMMA GRIFFIN

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SHOW REVIEW SLINKY MINSKY

The Slinky Minsky’s are a Burlques group based in Cornwall. Not only do they run shows across the county they are also a Hen party and Cabaret show provider.

The Slinky Minky’s are a very small, close-knit team and have become very popular across Cornwall. We popped along to see the show that was performed at Dolly’s Tea Room and Wine bar in Falmouth in Sept.

The atmosphere was amazing, the outfits outstanding and I just loved the different characters within the group of the three of them. Stephanie who runs the group, her voice filled the room and was beautiful.

So much laughter and everyone was having fun. Definently a show not to be missed!

Really enjoyed ourselves. www.slinkyminskyburlesque.co.uk www.facebook.com/slinky.minsky

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REVIEW book reviews by our readers and contributors Review of Troika, 63-83 Thanks to the popularity of antique and auction programmes like Flog It there are few people who haven’t heard of Troika pottery.

In just twenty years thousands of distinctive pieces were produced and Troika’s place in Cornwall’s creative legacy was established.

Although many books discussing Troika’s history and wears have been published, Troika 63-83 (which commemorates fifty years of Troika) offers a more in-depth and personal look at the people behind the pottery. The text also succeeds in outlining a persuasive argument as to why the sculptural ceramics, which have been considered ‘tourist fodder’ by some, deserve to be reclassified as art.

By interviewing former employees and utilising previously unpublished documents and photographs, readers are shown how pieces were produced and given a rare insight into the factors behind the pottery’s rise and fall.

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One of the authors, Lawrence Illsley, is the son of Troika founder Leslie Illsley.

As Leslie passed away when Lawrence was a child, the text can also be read as a young man attempting to understand the father he never knew by piecing together the jigsaw of his formative years.

There’s even humour, in the form of anecdotal gems like this one from decorator Jane Fitzgerald; ‘I had some mugs once and put ‘For Hughy Baby’ on the bottom. I didn’t put them in the kiln, Leslie did, and he unpacked it and sent the mugs off to Heals’.

So if you happened to buy some unusually personalised Troika from a London department store in the early eighties you’re in possession of some very rare pieces!

Whether you’re interested in Troika specifically or Cornish ceramics generally, this book not only provides a concise history but a social commentary about what it felt like to be part of a future institution.

BY LAURA PARSONS

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Hello dears!

Well, another month has passed us by and we are now taking our fist steps into Autumn. I love this time of the year. You cannot beat walking the dog on a crisp Autumn morning.

I must tell you my latest news, I have been on an adventure with my beloved Pug Rodney. I am sure that I have mentioned that I am a professional Dog Judge. My particular breed is of course the wonderful Pug. I was invited to judge at a very prestigious dog show last weekend in York. So Rodney and I set off on our adventure.

It was easier to travel to York from my home in Cornwall by train and certainly less stressful. I packed a picnic for us both and took with me Rodney’s oriental cushion, he won’t travel on anything else. It was a beautiful day and we had such a great time. Unfortunately, I could not enter Rodney in the show as he was my dog.

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The best of breed was won by a dear little girl Pugglet called Prudence.

She was a sweetie! We stayed overnight at my friend’s house and travelled back on the Sunday. It was fun but glad to get back home and have a nice gin and tonic! Well, this month my dears for Studio Bites we are going to make a Rich Gingerbread Cake. Something to warm you up when you get home.

So here we go...

METHOD Pre heat your oven to 180c (350 F) Gas Mark 4. Line with greaseproof paper a 7 inch round cake tin. Grease the tin and paper and leave at least 2 inches of paper above the top of the tin.

Put the butter, sugar, treacle and water into a pan and heat gently until the butter has melted. Sieve all the dry ingredients together. Pour the melted ingredients on to the dry mixture and beat hard until thoroughly mixed. Make sure no mixture is left in the pan.

Add the lemon rind and the eggs. Beat once again, then pour into the lined and greased tin. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes in the centre of your oven. Test by pressing gently in the centre of the cake. If no impression is left by your finger, the cake is cooked.

INGRED IENTS 5 oz o f butt er 6 oz o f blac k trea cle 4 oz o f brow n suga r 2 eggs 1 tabl espoon of wat er 7 oz s elf ra ising (with flour plain f lour u se 2 l evel t baking easpoo p o ns w d er) 1 teas p o on o f grat ed lem 2 teas on rin poons d of gro und gi nger

Cool for about 30 minutes in the tin, then turn out carefully on to a wire rack until cold. Ice and decorate with preserved ginger if wished.

I hope you will give this lovely cake a whirl. Till we chat again, take care and keep smiling!

Sincerely yours, Silvia McKiddie

IMAGES / GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

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WHATS HOT?

LAMP SHADE / Lorna Syson From £42 www.lornasyson.co.uk/

CUSHION / Sam Pickard £89 www.sampickard.co.uk

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DESIGNER BIRDS