Bloom

Print by Charlie Harper, one of my most favourite illustrators.

Tiring of making excuses, I resolve yet again to move forward and make changes in my life. I read this poem on The Love Diaries blog today and it resonated with me.

Risk, by Anais Nin

And then the day came,
when the risk
to remain tight
in a bud
was more painful
than the risk
it took
to blossom.

I'm in a strange mood today, maybe it's because the sun has gone away again. Over and out. xx

This Week's Round Up...

Illustration by Lock Sin.



Been a bit shy on the blog front of late, this week has been pretty productive due to a surge of energy thanks to the sweet, sweet sunshine and the pure glee of cycling to work.

Things that have been keeping me going through the lean times here at the Craft Centre are: creativity, past loves, losing track of Springtime crushes, barbeques, rocking out, bedroom dancing, pop hits, positive thoughts and bullshit avoidance tactics. Sweet deal.
I really wish I had some money for new tattoos, I would fully be getting this sexy little mama on my upper thigh...best do some work then, eh? Pow! xx

In love with my shoooes

In love with my shoooes
Originally uploaded by little nell smith

I don't usually do 'what I wore' posts, but I have a tripod now and I'm not afraid to use it! So a little light posing was called for before I went out last night. I went to see Gideon Conn at the Deaf Institute, I have seen him many times, but my friend Nick is making a film about him for his Masters, so I thought I'd show my support. Thoroughly enjoyed myself!
I mostly wanted to post pictures of these brillo shoes I got in New York, a fabulous vintage find, I'm sure you'll agree! They were only $14 and look like they've hardly been worn! Huzzah!




Yesterday I received a call from Dena, a lovely lady that I have freelanced for at Manchester Art Gallery, facilitating family workshops. She has a new job in Barnsley and has asked me to help with a workshop there on Saturday, I'm excited, it sounds like it will be a lot of fun!

More tricks up my sleeve...

Hurray hurray, another project is go! Over the past couple of months I have been in talks with Sam of the Ministry of Craft. She is an absolutely lovely lady (with an uber cute baby!) and I'm very pleased to announce that I will be heading up my first T Shirt printing workshop on the 6th of June, at The Friend's Meeting House in Manchester City Centre. Check out the Ministry of Craft website to book yourself (and a friend!) a slot. Wouldn't that make a brilliant pressie?! Go go go, do it now! It'll fill up fast ;)

It's a helluva town

IMG_1406
Originally uploaded by little nell smith

What can I say? New York was amazing, amazing! I flew First Class, gobbled much food, drank my own body weight in fine wines, stayed at the swanky Soho Grand, shopped shopped shopped, went on a helicopter ride over Manhattan, had my mind blown by the collection at MoMA, walked through Central Park, goggled at the Guggenheim, drank cocktails at the Rainbow Rooms, chomped a cheeseburger at the Union Square coffee shop and generally lived it up. The only disappointment in the tale is that we saw no
celebs until we were dining before our flight home, when we witnessed the massive horse-like visage of Piers Morgan. Yeah, great. Still, a roaring success, felt like I was away for 2 weeks rather than 2 nights!

up and down and round and round

Hello! Despite my good intentions to blog more often, I always leave it too long and end up forgetting all the splendid things I've see and done. Sorry about that.
On Sunday I got a call from lovely Kwong from Castlefield Gallery inviting me to be part of a focus group tomorrow night to assist in audience development planning. I am interested and excited, but also a little nervous - I have the fear that it may all be a bit highbrow for little old me. I just draw pretty things, gah! But I guess you always know more than you think you do, right?

The questions we're going to be discussing are:

1. What interests you about contemporary arts and culture in Greater Manchester and further afield?

2. Where do you experience/go for contemporary arts and culture in Greater Manchester?

3. How do you find out about contemporary arts and cultural?

Any thoughts?! xx

p.s, please can someone get me this outfit from Minimarket, I need it for dinner in New York on Saturday! But more on that at a later date, promise ;) xx

Scramblin' gals

Sunday saw me and my good friend Liz (of Lily Greenwood fame) embarking on a little adventure to the hills of Edale. The day started out grey n'drizzly, in true Manchester style, but once we were further into the countryside, the sun came struggling through the clouds.
I haven't been walking in ages, it was so, so good to breathe in the fresh air and to take in the beautiful scenery...and laugh, drink rum and stumble around.
I'm teaching again tomorrow and feeling a little nervous. Positive thinking all the way!