Old Town: News Extra

Old Town: News Extra

An A6 promotional postcard design I did for Old Town clothing, to advertise their tumblr blog 'News Extra' http://oldtownnews.tumblr.com/

The fella with the bugle is based on a World War I 'poilu', or French infantryman - literally 'a hairy one', as they had earned the reputation of rushing into battle rough, ready and unshaven - resplendant in his buttoned-back blue coat and helmet and red breeches.

Great Fire of London delft tiles (cont.)

Great Fire of London delft tiles (cont.)

Here is my introduction on last week's Spitalfields Life for the Artists of Spitalfields Life selling exhibition that starts to-night:

Come and see Paul Bommer’s series of forty-eight delft tiles inspired The Great Fire of London 1666 at The Artists of Spitalfields Life opening at Ben Pentreath Ltd on Wednesday 7th November

Like Pieter Breughel, George Cruickshank and Ronald Searle, Paul Bommer’s work is firmly rooted in the European grotesque and populated with distinctive specimens of humanity – conjured into being through his unique quality of line, waggish, calligraphic and lyrical by turns. Fascinated by culture and lore, Paul celebrates the strange stories that interweave to create social identity and the fabric of history, turning his attention to The Great Fire Of London in this latest series of limited edition Delft tiles.

Bull Wharf

City of London

Pudding Lane III

Garlick Hill

Pepys' 'Parmazan' cheese, which he buried in his garden to avoid destruction by the Great Fire. Whether or not it survived is lost to History...

Nell Gwynn - actress, beauty, courtesan, oraNGe seller and mistress to King Charles II, the Merrie Monarch.

Great Fire of London delft tiles (cont.)

Great Fire of London delft tiles (cont.)

Here is my introduction on last week's Spitalfields Life for the Artists of Spitalfields Life selling exhibition that starts tomorrow:

Come and see Paul Bommer’s series of forty-eight delft tiles inspired The Great Fire of London 1666 at The Artists of Spitalfields Life opening at Ben Pentreath Ltd on Wednesday 7th November

Like Pieter Breughel, George Cruickshank and Ronald Searle, Paul Bommer’s work is firmly rooted in the European grotesque and populated with distinctive specimens of humanity – conjured into being through his unique quality of line, waggish, calligraphic and lyrical by turns. Fascinated by culture and lore, Paul celebrates the strange stories that interweave to create social identity and the fabric of history, turning his attention to The Great Fire Of London in this latest series of limited edition Delft tiles.

Honey Lane, traditional bee skep.

Ypocras (or Hippocras), a spiced and sweetened wine, named after Hippocrates, very popular in England from Medieval times and mentioned frequently in Pepys' diaries.

Coney Hope Lane. where stood the Grocer's Hall. Coney being a term for rabbit, from Latin Cuniculus.

Great Fire of London delft tiles (cont.)

Great Fire of London delft tiles (cont.)

Here is my introduction on yester-day morning's Spitalfields Life for the Artists of Spitalfields Life selling exhibition that starts next week:

Come and see Paul Bommer’s series of forty-eight delft tiles inspired The Great Fire of London 1666 at The Artists of Spitalfields Life opening at Ben Pentreath Ltd on Wednesday 7th November

Like Pieter Breughel, George Cruickshank and Ronald Searle, Paul Bommer’s work is firmly rooted in the European grotesque and populated with distinctive specimens of humanity – conjured into being through his unique quality of line, waggish, calligraphic and lyrical by turns. Fascinated by culture and lore, Paul celebrates the strange stories that interweave to create social identity and the fabric of history, turning his attention to The Great Fire Of London in this latest series of limited edition Delft tiles.

Hare Court

Windmill

Fig Tree Court

Mister Punch. Punch and Judy was first recorded in this country in the diary of Samuel Pepys, performed outside St Paul's church in Covent Garden.

Smithfield Meat Market

Samuel Pepys, diarist.

Memento Mori of the Great Plague 1665

Great Fire of London delft tiles (cont.)

Great Fire of London delft tiles (cont.)

Here is my introduction on yester-day morning's Spitalfields Life for the Artists of Spitalfields Life selling exhibition that starts next week:

Come and see Paul Bommer’s series of forty-eight delft tiles inspired The Great Fire of London 1666 at The Artists of Spitalfields Life opening at Ben Pentreath Ltd on Wednesday 7th November

Like Pieter Breughel, George Cruickshank and Ronald Searle, Paul Bommer’s work is firmly rooted in the European grotesque and populated with distinctive specimens of humanity – conjured into being through his unique quality of line, waggish, calligraphic and lyrical by turns. Fascinated by culture and lore, Paul celebrates the strange stories that interweave to create social identity and the fabric of history, turning his attention to The Great Fire Of London in this latest series of limited edition Delft tiles.

A Plague Doctor of 1665, with the beak of his mask filled with herbs to protect against evil vapours.

Annus Mirabilis. 1666, the year of the Great Fire was dubbed the 'Year of Wonders' because in Roman Numerals it was the only date that contains all Roman numerals, once only and in the correct, descending, order.

King Charles II, who famously hid from Cromwell's men in the Boscobel Oak.

Pudding Lane. Although this actually refers to offals, tripes and innards, rather than sweetmeats and desserts!

Poultry. A road in the City connecting the Royal Exchange with St Paul's.

Fish Street Hill, just up from Billingsgate Market, where to-day now stands Sir Kit Wren's Monument.

Eurus, the East Wind, that blew the fire westerly towards Old St. Paul's.