Delft tiles - transfers pre-firing

Delft tiles - transfers pre-firing

Having set out some 6 months ago creating faux delft tiles - actually ink paintings on mdf panel - I now find myself here, with real ceramic tiles and transfers of my designs soon to be fired.

I'm using a selection of delft tiles - two types from your actual Delft in Holland (a flat standard tile with slight crackle-glaze, and a selection of more authentic older-style tiles with a more-pronounced crackled surface and slight variations in tone) and a few 'English delft' tiles from Fired Earth. It will be interesting to see how they fire in the kiln and how that will affect the cracks in the tiles. I shall keep you posted.

The transfers arrived in the post this morning (from the same place as Grayson Perry gets his, 'parently!). Fluffed a few getting to grips with the 'floating' process but now have it I think.

Next step: Get them fired and see how they look. Very exciting!

Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker - Poster

Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker - Poster

Butcher, Baker, Candletsick Maker
850 Years of London Livery Company Treasures
Guildhall Art Gallery
22 June to 23 September 2012

The Poster design I was commissioned to create for an exhibition of 850 years of London Livery Company treasures at the Guildhall, opening this Summer.

The gentleman shown is a Guildsman and wears traditional ceremonial robes and cap. Embroidered onto the robe are a selection of over 200 of the treasures.

The strip at the bottom is for Price and Website information and for the coat-of-arms of the City of London.

Twitter Ye Not - The Mutiny on the Bounty

Twitter Ye Not - The Mutiny on the Bounty

A regular piece I did for the Daily Mail Weekend magazine about how figures in history might have twittered or tweeted or whatever, had they the chance, inclination and technology. This was the last one.

The Mutiny on the Bounty was a mutiny aboard the British Royal Navy ship HMS Bounty on 28 April 1789. It has been commemorated by several books, films, and popular songs. The mutiny was led by Fletcher Christian against the commanding officer Lieutenant William Bligh. According to most accounts, the sailors were attracted to the idyllic life on the Pacific island of Tahiti and repelled by the harsh treatment from their captain.

I have shown a stern Bligh on one side, a brazen Christian on t'other, the fated ship between them and a palm tree representing Tahiti.

Delftware tile - The Carpenters' Arms

Delftware tile - The Carpenters' Arms

One of the many new 'Delft' tiles (actually paintings on panel and not ceramic!) I have created for my Umbra Sumus (We Are But Shadows) solo show at the end of April, in Spitalfields.

This tile shows the coat-of-arms of the Carpenters' Company, one of the ancient Guilds of London.

The Company received its coat of arms in 1466. It is described as "A felde silver a Cheveron sable grayled iii Compas of the same" meaning "a field silver, a chevron sable (black) grailed and three compasses of the same”. The compasses represent the carpenter’s tools, and the chevron may represent a roof support, 'chevron' being 'rafter' in French.

It is also the name of one of my very favourite London pubs, the Carpenters' Arms on Cheshire Street off Brick Lane. Formerly owned by Violet, the Kray twins' mother, the pub is to-day ran by brum Nigel and his partner, frenchman Eric. It does great food.

Delftware tile - Donald Parsnips

Delftware tile - Donald Parsnips

One of the many new 'Delft' tiles (actually paintings on panel and not ceramic!) I have created for my Umbra Sumus (We Are But Shadows) solo show at the end of April, in Spitalfields.

This tile is a portrait of Donald Parsnips, author of the Donald Parsnips' Daily Journal, and Alter Ego of artist (and Spitalfields resident) Mr Adam Dant.

Delftware tile - The Lamb and Flag

Delftware tile - The Lamb and Flag

One of the many new 'Delft' tiles (actually paintings on panel and not ceramic!) I have created for my Umbra Sumus (We Are But Shadows) solo show at the end of April, in Spitalfields.

This tile shows the Lamb & Flag, representing Jesus. As well as a popular pub name, the lamb and flag is the symbol of the Middle Temple law courts.

Delftware tile - Tempus Fugit

Delftware tile - Tempus Fugit

One of the many new 'Delft' tiles (actually paintings on panel and not ceramic!) I have created for my Umbra Sumus (We Are But Shadows) solo show at the end of April, in Spitalfields.

This tile has a winged hour-glass and the latin inscription Tempus Fugit (Time Flies), a comment on the transitory nature of Life...

Delftware tile - Horace

Delftware tile - Horace

One of the many new 'Delft' tiles (actually paintings on panel and not ceramic!) I have created for my Umbra Sumus (We Are But Shadows) solo show at the end of April, in Spitalfields.

This tile depicts a bust of Roman writer Horace. Part of his quote 'Pulvis et Umbra Sumus' (We Are But Dust and Shadows) can be seen on the sundial over the Fournier Street mosque, after which my Exhibition was named.