iphone portraits

I have a brilliant new hobby..... drawing my friends with an app on my iphone called Artstudio.

I never thought drawing with ones finger on a tiny screen could be so much fun. The portraits are shown in order from my first to latest, I think I'm improving.

New Prints at PULSE

I am showing some new prints at PULSE until 7th June. It has been good fun and I have met some really nice folk, existing customers, new customers and fellow designers. Below are some of the new prints which are available here.

Peep Through SHAPES

Next week sees the publication of my book SHAPES published by Walker Books
SHAPES- A visually stunning introduction to shapes for babies.
This bold, eye-catching board book explores shapes through graphic patterns in a simple, contrasting and novel way that is perfect for the youngest babies who are just beginning to develop their visual skills. Each shape is introduced as a part of a fascinating pattern and has holes in the pages to inspire interactivity.

Down to Margate

I went down to Margate to visit the new Turner Contemporary musuem. From the outside not a great building in my ever so humble, but once inside its a fantastic space.

The current exhibition centres on Turner’s painting The Eruption of the Souffrier Mountains, in the Island of St Vincent, at Midnight, on the 30th of April, 1812. (pictured above)

The six contemporary artists in the exhibition work in the same spirit of enquiry, invention and interest in the natural world that flourished during Turner’s lifetime. Just as Turner explored nature in paint and colour, so these contemporary artists play at the borders between what we can see and know and the truly fantastic. Four of the artists have made new work for the opening of Turner Contemporary. Like Turner, their work responds to the special setting of the gallery in Margate, on the North Kent coast.

Conrad Shawcross is fascinated by science and philosophy, and his work evokes the forces governing the universe. His dramatic new installation draws together a number of threads evident in his practice. A suspended rotating light sculpture fills the gallery with shadows from a large bronze ‘tree’ sculpture, taking the form of a sound wave from a harmonic chord that appears to grow from the gallery floor.

The museum shop is pretty good too but the 14,000 visitors who attended on the first day (they were only expecting 5,000) seemed to have left gaps in the shelves. I was very pleased to see a nice selection of Art Angels cards, my ABSENCE design being one of them.

A couple of days earlier in a charity shop I was lucky enough to scoop an original box of 24 rings of PLAYPLAX so it was great to find in the Turner Contemporary shop a newly reissued box.

Invented by Patrick Rylands in 1966, PlayPlax went on to sell over a million copies. 

Patrick was an art student when he first came up with the concept of these brilliant interlocking squares. PlayPlax is in the permanent collection of the V & A and demonstrates perfectly that the best toys are the simplest. 

HELP!

I am looking for some help. I need what I believe they call these days an 'Intern'. An illustration or printmaking student, or recent graduate would be great, but I definitely need someone who is keen and willing to learn. I need help with framing, printing, delivering, sending out orders and generally mucking in to the everyday tasks of my studio. I also may need help every now and then manning my stall at Designers Makers Market E8.

The work would be varied, sometimes monotonous, sometimes not but I think a good opportunity for the right person to learn and hopefully have fun!

Hours and remuneration are negotiable.

Please email a C.V and covering letter to me; james@generalpattern.net

Chats Palace art auction

Chats Palace is a brilliant arts and community space in Homerton, Hackney. They are holding an art auction on the 31st March at the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green raising money for their 2011/12 arts programmes for children and families in Hackney.

Artist contributing include Cornelia Parker, Gavin Turk, Tom Hunter, Stephen Gill, Gayle Chong Kwan, Gideon Mendel, Laure Prouvost, Cedric Christie, Eva Rothschild, Pascal Rousson, Alex Hudson, Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey, Shane Bradford, Graeme Miller, Tim Betjeman, Perienne Christian, Bobby Lloyd, Greg Rook, David Fryer, Jeff McMillan, John Smith, Miranda Pennell, Colin O’Brien, Brighid Lowe, Delia Woodman, D J Roberts and Sandra Blow amongst others.

I have created this very limited edition print (only 5), please come down to the childhood museum on the 31st.

The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Awards 2011

I was honoured to be asked for the second year to design the poster for The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Awards 2011. Competition launches on the 7th March. I hope my poster inspires many youngsters to enter.

I also designed the anthology for last years winners.

A coiled spring

I made a delivery yesterday to a new stockist, The Home Front in Greenwich.

After business and a mooch around the market, I headed to my new favourite place in SE3, The Painted Hall. Whilst walking through the grounds of the Naval College I was amazed by these tough little daffs forcing their way through the turf. A very welcome sign indeed.

Me & You

New print available from here

Designers/Makers Market

My artwork for the new Designers/Makers Market starting in April.

My new identity....

Nice type...

... to be found at The London Transport Museum.

Some old stamps...

... I have collected over the years that really don't need to be cluttering up my desk any more.

VAT 10%!

Betsey's Winterlude 2011

My initial design, not yet finalised for Betsey's Winterlude 2011. Should be a brilliant day, get yer tickets quick.

SALE MADNESS!

Enter promo code XMAS before 20.12.10 to receive 15% off at my online shop.

VIKING, DOGGER, GERMAN BIGHT...

'Viking' 1 colour Screen print on Colourplan Natural 270gsm paper Open Edition, signed and dated by James Brown Paper Size: 30 x 42 cm. Image Size: 26 x 37 cm

£31 available here

Behold!-A new print

I was approached by The Independent to produce a alternative piece of royal memorabllia to commemorate the up and coming wedding. The article runs this Sunday in the colour supplement and features eight other designers reaction to the brief.

My print can also be purchase here.

Festive Fair at The Museum of London in Docklands

Thu 9 Dec, 6-9pm FREE Join me at my favorite London museum for an evening of crafts, carols and Christmas cheer as the Museum of London Docklands opens its doors to some of the city's best craftspeople (and me). There will be mince pies and mulled wine to accompany carol singing, craft-making activities and stalls selling unique gifts from jewellery and ceramics to badges and stationery. Please bring cash and cheque books along as credit card facilities may not be available.

The Sutton House Christmas Craft Fai

I shall be selling my wares this weekend at The Sutton House Christmas Craft Fair. Come and do your Christmas shopping with mulled wine and mince pies in the oak paneled rooms of east London's oldest house. Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th December 2010. 11am-5pm Father Christmas' Grotto 2pm-5pm both days 2&4 Homerton High Street Hackney E9 6JQ Adults £1.50 Children FREE National Trust members FREE www.nationaltrust.org.uk/suttonhouse