Image of the Day - Kyla Tomlinson

The Clydebank Blitz - mixed media 16" x 15"

Kyla Tomlinson is a Ayrshire based based Freelance animator, illustrator and concept artist.
She'll be exhibiting her figurative and portrait work at the Palace Art and Craft Fair in May.
Visit her blog here

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The Big Egg Hunt 2013

Now in its second year, the world’s biggest Easter egg hunt challenges the public to find 101 eggs across the UK, whilst raising vital funds for leading children’s charity, Action for Children.

 

 

Over 100 giant Easter eggs will be hidden in cities across the UK as part of The Lindt Big Egg Hunt from Tuesday 12th February until Easter.  This year, the iconic Lindt Gold Bunny will be joining the fun, giving hunters the chance to win one of 100 years’ worth of chocolate. Thousands of Lindt Gold Bunnies and Lindor truffles will also be handed out as part of the egg-stravaganza.

The eggs have been designed by a host of leading artists including Sam Taylor-Johnson, Annie Kevans and Billy Childish. Myung Nam-An - who has exhiited with us inb Brighton and London has also designed an egg called Dragon's Eye.  Other eggs will feature some of the UK’s best loved children’s characters such as Moshi Monsters, Peppa Pig and Sponge Bob Square Pants.

Locals and tourists alike can bid for their favourite eggs in an online auction, or get interactive with the hunt by using their mobile phones to find out more about the eggs and their artists.

For the first time, this year The Lindt Big Egg Hunt will be going on tour from London to Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and back to London in time for Easter.

London (Covent Garden) Tue 12 – Sun 17 Feb
Birmingham Victoria Square Tue 19 Feb – Mon 25 Feb
Liverpool Paradise Street Wed 27 Feb – Tues 5 Mar
Manchester Exchange Square Thu 7 Mar – Wed 13 Mar
Glasgow St Enoch Square Fri 15 Mar – Wed 20 Mar
London (Covent Garden) Fri 22 March – Mon 1 Apr

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Maker of the Week - Jenny Robertson

Jenny Robertson produces hand knitted cobweb lace shawls, stoles and wraps in gossamer silk and hand-spub cobweb wool. Jenny is based on the Isle of Eigg in Invernessshire and trades as A'Nead Knitwear. She will be showing her work at the Palace Art and Craft Fair.

At what age did you know you wanted to become a maker? 
I was about 50, and to facilitate this, I did research online to get realistic pricing, and then started work. I subsequently learnt to spin and learnt about social media to promote my business.

Is being a designer your only job?
I do other casual work to supplement my income. The main job is being part of the maintenance team for Eigg Electric, the company which supplies Eigg with electricity. I also am one of the first responders for our local broadband company.

If you could be anything else what would you be?
Wood worker
What is the most interesting / fun job you have had?
Creating a wrap for a bride to her colours and a christening shawl with a blue border, knitted in local merino/gotland fleece. I love being able to make things specially for people in the colours and fleece type that they choose.
 

What is your most prized item of design / craft?

At the moment, a shawl knitted from hand-spun baby alpaca as it was completely my own design, not based on anything else and the first shawl I'd spun the cobweb yarn for. Alpaca gives a lovely airy look which makes you feel warm to look at it.
What are you listening to? 

I love orchestral music, especially pieces which bring the natural world to mind.

How many hours do you waste on the internet each day?
Avoid going on line unless I need to research something. Otherwise, it's mainly just for emails.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
On the Isle of Eigg - it's just the most perfect place for me and my dog, Harry
 

Where and what is your studio?
I work from home, which is the house I built when I moved to Eigg - just perfect.
Three words that describe your feeling of doing your work?
Satisfaction, enjoyment, pleasure

Chips or mash?
Both!

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Image of the Day - Simon Yates

Simon Yates is one of a number of furniture designer/makers exhibiting at the Palace Art and Craft Fair.

His furniture is designed to flows and to have a strong and defined form. 

Simon Yates - Centipede bench with Bench with textured Oak seat scorched with a naked flame. Legs from Ash and Stainless Steel

"It must be appropriate to its environment and to function as it's intended. Inspiration comes from my interest in sculptural, organic and geometric forms"

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Maker of the Week - Sophie Marsham

Sophie Marsham produces mixed-media sculptures, made from reclaimed, found objects.She will be exhibiting her work at the Palace Art and Craft Fair in May. 

 

At what age did you know you wanted to become an artist / maker?

I knew at 21 that a career in art was for me so I went then to the Chelsea Art School for 5 year completing a BA (hons) in Public Art and Design, in 1993.

Is being a an artist / designer your only job?
Being a sculptor is my only job, I have had my own company for 20 years, this year.

If you could be anything else what would you be?
If I could be anything else, it would be a set designer for film.

One favourite living artist? Elke Harras, the german lighting sculptor, as her work is both innovative and breathtakingly beautiful.

One favourite historical artist?
Da Vinci, who was so massively ahead of his time and incredibly multi talented in different disciplines.

Who / what has had most influence on your work?
Nature has had the most influence on my work as I have an obsession with the tiniest most beautiful detail, only found in nature.
 

What is the most interesting / fun job you have had?I worked for the artist Gerry Judah, when I was 19. I was his studio assistant, but every week was a new challenge, with new materials/scale/usage. He was the key person in my life who set me on the road to an art career.

What is your most prized item of art?
A blue and black charcoal Anish Kapoor drawing which was given to me when my third child was born.

What item of art do you covet most?
Probably the unfurling bridge by Thomas Heatherwick, it would be perfect to get me from my house to the studio in my garden.
 

Last book / film that blew your mind?
Last film that blew my mind was 'Untouchable' with Omar Si, absolutely loved it.

What are you listening to? The new I Am Kloot album, 'Let it all in' which I love.

 How many hours do you waste on the internet each day? 
I waste very little time on the internet as my hours are very precious, especially now I've weened myself off 'Templerun'

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? 
NYC where really special friends live.

Where and what is your studio?
My studio is in my garden, a large purpose built, heated shed with lots of windows.

Three words that describe your feeling of doing your work? 
Challenging, fulfilling and exciting.

Chips or mash?
Mash (with leeks!)

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Image of the Day - Ali Yanya

In the run up to the Palace Art and Craft Fair this May we'll be running daily previews of the exhibiting artists and craftspeople and their work. 

We start off with Ali Yanya who exhibited at the last Palace Art Fair in 2011.

 

Istanbul born Ali Yanya took a fine arts degree at Marmara University and went on to teach at Mimar Sinan University for two years.  Conceiving an ambition to master the art of printmaking he won a Turkish government overseas study scholarship and secured a place at the RCA where he gained an MA with Distinction (his talent being singled out by Peter Blake) and returned to lecture at Mimar Sinan University.  He moved to the UK in 1996 and has since been teaching at Kensington and Chelsea College and elsewhere and exhibiting widely.

White Paper - Ali Yanya

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Preparations starting for Palace Art and Craft Fair

Preparations are now in full swing for our new (or least rejigged) event taking place this May - the Palace Art and Craft Fair

The show is our first show which is split equally between craft and art, with the 59 craft spaces in 3 rooms in Fulham Palace itself and in 2 marquees in the courtyard. The 64 Art spaces are in a large marquee on the front lawn of the botanical gardens surrounding the Palace.

Fulham Palace is well worth spending some time - its a Tudor/Georgian Bishop's palace set in its own miniature country estate - complete with walled kitchen garden and vine house, botanic gardens, all in virtually the center of London.

The Palace Art and Craft Fair takes place 16th-19th May and we're hoping for warm sunny weather to enable visitors to enjoy both the fantastic art and craft and also the lovely surroundings.

 

Reduced price earlybird tickets for the Private View (live music and a glass of wine) and the normal opening hours are now for sale from our website here

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