Isla Rustrick

Inspired by Iris Apfel, Isla Rustrick has created some beautiful illustrations of this fashion icon and a fabulous concertina book. Isla has graduated from Dundee's Duncan in textile design.

"In response to our excessive consumer culture, my collection focuses on emotionally durable knitwear, targeting women over the age of 40. Fashion icon, Iris Apfel, was quoted saying “I enjoy the thrill of the chase, the discovery and the endless search”. After considering how our elders once purchased clothing, I discovered a distinction between style and fashion. Aged 78, Lynn Dell, declares “My philosophy of fashion says ‘me too’ while style says ‘only me’” when featuring in “Advanced Style”, a documentation of flamboyant seniors. My research revealed that ‘exuberance’ is essential in choosing a timeless garment." Isla Rustrick

A 12 Foot Letter by Lorina Bulwer

Last night I was amazed and delighted to discover this work by Great Yarmouth woman Lorina Bulwer dated as 1900's, created when Lorina was incarcerated in the towns lunatic asylum.

I grew up rurally at Burgh Castle on the marshes outside Great Yarmouth, Norfolk  from the age of 11. 
So finding such an amazing piece of work, connected with this area, added to its potency for me. 
Also I have worked with people for many years who would be classified (if anyone was to classify people) as outsider artists. 
People, all people have a story to tell and art facilitates great story telling. 
This is a story, a wonderful 12 foot letter so incredible in its narrative, its fabrication, colours and yes its anger. It is a very powerful piece of work shouting from one century to the next.
Last year another letter surfaced through time this time it is a 14 foot letter, I cannot wait to see these amazing pieces of social history and incredible pieces of art.

Marianna Oklejak

Loved finding the wonderful illustrative textiles of Marianna Oklejak today, but I love her illustrations and daily observations as well, she has a great creative spirit.

Eva Volfová I

I am extremely lucky to have some wonderful students and it is a great honour to be able to meet, have fun and be part of their creative lives. Lucie Mouchova was one of my students this year and when she travelled home in one of the holidays I jokingly requested a children's book. A couple of weeks ago I got two beautiful books from the Czech Republic. 

This book is by Eva Volfová and it's pictures are made from scraps of fabric and thread.
Musing this morning on why this book and its illustrations are so poetic I concluded it was its humanity and vulnerability. 
Our lives are constructed from scraps of fabric and thread our precious memories are often scraps of paper and pieces of fabric and it is these tiny fragments that hold memories of our lives and loves.

Vladimir Radunsky III

"When Vladimir Radunsky was a child, he hungrily devoured books in which all of the animals appeared appropriately clad. So it is hardly surprising that his first visit to the zoo came as a deep shock, because of course the animals were all stark naked!"

Here there are from top to bottom; crane gloves , horses breaches, hippo pants and an elephant hat. All part of the 'beastly wardrobe' by Vladimir Radunsky. I have to say, I love the silk crane's opera gloves.