New edition of Penguin prints almost ready

I spent an inky weekend completing the last stages of my new edition of A Room of One's Own print. Back in March I completed Passes 1+2  and this weekend I screened in the title with a smaller screen. I then tea stained them each individually - with real tea FYI! The only stage remaining is the adding of a coffee ring.
As you can see I ran outta room in my studio area for drying so used my livingroom + office! This is indeed a work/live space.

 Applying the black ink to the screen.
Tea staining the print with real tea. (Red Rose fyi) :-)

NYC Day 6

A short day in the city--
just time enuf time to pop into Uniqlo and see that Orla Kiely had just done a huge line for them.
Lookee: You can buy on line here.
 
It was quite strange to see her stuff in bulk and at super affordable prices after visiting her posh Soho shop the day before - and especially after attending a Surface design show all about licensing + branding.


This scarf was 12.99 ooh ahh.
After a harrowing flight with American Airlines (Never again!:-)) I'm back home.
Yay.

NYC Day 5

A visit to Orla Kiely's new shop in SOHO at 5 Mercer St.
I loved how the rough industrial exterior contrasted with the sweet little sign. (see white arrow)
Interior of Orla's shop. Very bold wallpaper.
The new Dwell Studio shop at 77 Wooster. Still setting up... hence the boxes!
Opening June 2012.

A visit to the lobby of the Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca. SIGH. My favourite lobby ever.
(This is Robert's DeNiro's hotel that he had built and designed to exacting standards)
Just loved loved the warm layered mix of tile, lime green velvet chairs, juicy flowers + paintings and that wonderful stripey couch
(Must find the name of the Interior designer)
377 Greenwich St.


Dinner next door with Scott + Amet at Locanda Verde. 
Delish.

NYC Day 4

A Visit to the Lilla Rogers booth
Artist Alison Cole (who matched her playful work so nicely with her polka dots +orange sweater)
 Jennifer - an agent at Lilla Rogers + artist Helen Dardik
 Jennifer Judd-McGee (sporting a jaunty Orla scarf!)
 Jennifer's panel.

 The work of Carol Gavin.
 Jon Cannell's banner.
Helen in front of her banner.
(Note she looks suspiciously similar to the masked girl behind her- he he)
 More banners from Susy Pilgrim Waters, Susy Ultman and Cartolina.
Lilla herself (!) holding up some of her brand new work done in a new collage style.

After following Lilla and her agency for over 15 years (ever since I became an illustrator).... it was a thrill to finally meet her in person. Lilla exuded a super positive energy and was very generous with her answers.
You can read my full interview with her here.
Next a visit to PRNT studio's SURTEX booth.

PRNT is a brand - spanking - new studio founded by the young designers above: Jenna Russelle + Halla Koudsi. The two founders have backgrounds in the illustration + fashion worlds respectively and met while working in the apparel industry in Toronto.

In addition to their own designs PRNT carries patterns created by several different artists which results in an enormous variety of work available within one studio. See samples below. Most of their patterns have a highly illustrative vibe and would work wonderfully in the fashion, home + paper goods markets.

 




After finishing up with Surtex I quickly ran through the ICFF (many stunning booths + equally stunning looking people!) and then did quick peruse of the National Stationary show. 
The highlight there was a visit with Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co.   
Lookout for an interview with her in an issue of uppercase later this year!

(ps. Apologies for the fuzzy photo. One of these days I'll learn to adjust my camera settings....)
Well maybe....