Murgatroyd & Bean

Today I discovered a fascinating work of Kathleen Murphy also known as Murgatroyd & Bean an artist based in Herefordshire. She handcrafts textile curiosities in bright colors and embroidery stitches inspired by folklore and fairy tales. Her one-of-a-kind pieces are created using recycled fabric, hand embroidery and found objects. 

The creatures that you see above are from "The Silva Populi" a collection of woodland folk who are naturally shy and try to disguise themselves as woodland birds and beasts. They conceal their true identities by wearing tiny garments to look like the fur, ears or feathers of animals such as foxes or owls. They live in small glass jar and when they are not feeling too shy they agree to come out to have some fun. There is a delightful animation film where one of the Silva Populi is seen dancing!

She conducts workshop sessions at Trumpet Corner Art Studios & Tearoom where the students will learn embroidery, discuss their experiences and get a chance for problem solving, if any, on personal textile related project. If you are in the area and want to work with like minded people, you might want check out more details on her website.

Suzan Visser's Surreal Art

Suzan Visser is an illustrator and a visual artist born in 1967 in Maarsbergen, NL. While growing up she was surrounded by people who were artists which played a significant role in her becoming interested in arts. She studied at College of Fine Arts in the city of Utrecht and Drawing and Biology at Teachers College Utrecht.

In the beginning of her career she used to illustrate biology texts and gradually evolved to a unique style which is surreal as well as humorous in nature. The primary subject matter in her work are owls and other animals who often accompany people. These beings are depicted in a strange set up like that hippo seating in a wash basin looking at its reflection in the mirror. So funny! She will participate in a solo exhibition at Honingen Gallery from June 11 through 27, for more information on the show go here.

"Menagerie" by Repeat Repeat

Good morning, I hope you are having a good week so far. About a couple of weeks ago I featured the adorable "Hello!" collection of mugs and porcelain money boxes designed by Gillian Naylor and Mark Faulkner of Repeat Repeat Designs here.

Today, I have another beautiful range by Repeat Repeat Designs of homeware and kitchenware titled "Menagerie" that offers mugs, jugs, table mats and coasters. The range features quirky animals, birds with flora and fruits motifs inspired by the world of decoupage. The illustrations of owls, deer, giraffe, elephant etc. are in striking colors of orange, green and turquoise. You can find all the products from the collection here and here.

Paper Sculptures by Suzanne Breakwell

Suzanne Breakwell was born in Coventry currently lives in Brighton, East Sussex with her family. She gained Higher National Diploma Photography at Bradford & Ilkley Community College, & then received graduate degree in BA(hons) Technical Arts Design for Film & Theatre at Wimbledon School of Art, London. Suzzane is a self-taught paper artist who creates gorgeous sculptures using wire, paper mache, corrugated paper, pages from books and cotton rag papers. For her pieces she gets inspiration from the natural world and it's rich flora and fauna. 

The artist shares on her website why she uses paper as the main medium for her work: "I adore paper as a medium & love the beauty & simplicity of creating my pieces from a medium that is so widely used in by so many on a daily basis. It’s the potential of the blank paper & what it might be able to become which sparks my imagination. I find the delicate yet strong characteristics of paper make it an interesting & versatile material to work with. It is this contradictory nature which fascinates me & its ability to continually reinvent itself never seizes to amaze & continues to push me forward developing new ideas & techniques."

The barn owl sculpture is a stunner! The tiny pieces of paper are shaped individually by hand to make feathers in different shapes and sizes. The paper feathers are left raw and rough at the edges to add texture. Her sculptures are brought to life by the use of colored paper and paper with text before they are mounted on oak stands.

Alice Mary Lynch

Somerset based textile artist Alice Mary Lynch creates delightful dolls with distinctive personalities. I am enamored by the fancy attires she sews with hand-embroidery and glass beads embellishments. The beautiful dresses are crafted meticulously for each of the dolls, you can mostly tell what character the artist wanted her doll to be at the time she was making the dress for example: the owl looks like a princess in the fancy dress or the hares who could be bride and groom in that white lacy attire. 

"Armoured with glass beads, crystals and talismen, they are glittering little warriors, watching out for us in the real world."- the artist's statement.

Alice has made costumes for music videos and short films, and has exhibited in boutiques and galleries in London, Paris and Somerset. Her clients include Anya Hindmarch, Alice Temperley, Marwood and Victoria Beckham.