EAT, SING, DANCE & other vows...

I made the original EAT sign for our 50s Rock ‘n’ Roll wedding buffet table, inspiration taken from my epic wedding pinterest board.

First off, I designed the invitation to set the visual style of the whole day, and all the details sprang from that. I love the clean bold lines of 50s signage and illustration and pink and black has always been a favourite combination.

I am not going to ramble on about wedding planning but it was definitely one of the best parties I’ve ever been to! Thanks to the Jukebox Jets (rock ‘n’ roll band of dreams), The Ivy House (amazing venue with gold and red velvet stage) … and my husband of course!

My best friend Barbar sang at our wedding…she has the most incredible voice, when I first heard her sing, I fell in love a bit. Singing and listening to music has the power to invoke such strong emotions in all of us. SING is an homage to her, and to my Italian great grandfather Pasquale who used to sing to stay happy; especially Opera...singing Gigli with tears of joy falling down his face. I thank my mum for her childhood memories.

DANCE, I made for my husband to remind him of when we found out we both knew all the words to Neil Diamond’s Jazz Singer album and he danced...a lot!! And anyone who know me knows I absolutely love to get on the dance floor even if it’s empty!! Must. Dance. More.

After the wedding I re-designed the EAT sign and made a print using digital cut outs of some watercolour washes (creates the authentic vintage textured look). I made it for us…to remember our wedding day. I decided to add SING and DANCE so as not to forget to do these simple things everyday: a brilliant way to lift your spirits.

sold out

And so that is the story of how my EAT, SING, DANCE prints came about…I put them on my instagram and people wanted them too! So they are now a product in my shop because, these are fundamental bringers of happiness for us all!

EAT, SING, DANCE Prints

1 Print: £15

2 Print Deal: £25 (£12.50 each)

3 Print Deal is £30 (£10 each) Bargain!

Click here to purchase.

Wedding Photographs by www.colinclay.com
Hair and make up by www.lauranaish.co.uk
Flowers by www.flowersbykirsty.com

I’ve had requests to add DRINK and LAUGH to this collection…what word would you like to see on your wall to remind you to do more of it? (keep it clean guys!)…let me know in the comments…

A Sushi Love Story: learn how to make it, eat it, paint it!

Make it

My 'Eat Sushi" Art Print £20 (A4), £40 (A3) next to Yuki's "Sushi at Home" book

If you love to eat sushi and want to learn how to make it then get yourself to Yuki's Kitchen in London. Highly recommended by me and everyone else online, she unlocks all the secrets of making sushi at home in her stunning kitchen in Crystal Palace. There are never more than eight people, and my class was full of enthusiastic food lovers with an informal and informative atmosphere. 

eat it

I took the "Let's Roll" class and left feeling totally confident about making my own sushi at home, full after a delicious sushi lunch (made my me!) and brimming with inspiration to paint some sushi as soon as I got the chance! Not only is it healthy and delicious; it has to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing types of food.

I became a bit obsessed. I studied the art of sushi presentation, the sushi menu poster, I watched the award-winning 2011 documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi: a beautiful, fascinating film that portrays the life of Jiro Ono, Master Sushi Chef and owner of three-Michelin-starred sushi restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro. Dedicated to the point of obsession, Jiro is wholly committed to creating the perfect sushi; a little bit frightening and incredibly inspiring all at the same time!

“Once you decide on your occupation... you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That’s the secret of success... and is the key to being regarded honorably.”

— Jiro Ono

paint it

I was in love! I spent two days straight painting sushi. The freshness of the ingredients ensure the brightest of colours and complex natural patterns in the plumpest of textures. I took the traditional minimalist approach to the layout of my painting, with a nod to the familiar sushi menu poster. I wanted to add some typography.

Enter some traditional Japanese etiquette. Before eating;  say 'ITADAKIMASU', bow slightly and then you may start. A basic translation is 'to humbly accept', rooted in Japan's Buddhist past which teaches respect for all living things. GOSHISOUSAMA is said at the end of the meal to show appreciation of the food and those that prepared it; "That was delicious!".

Here's the result! A bright original watercolour, reproduced as a giclee print in sizes A4 and A3. Great art to put up in your kitchen or a gift for any sushi lover.

your chance to choose my next "eat" print:

"Eat Sushi" is the second in my "Eat" Print Collection.  The first was "Eat Oysters" and you can read all about it here.

What would you like to see for the next in the series? It could be a specific recipe you love, a type of cuisine, a cooking method....share your thoughts in the comments below...

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One Night in Paris: City of Lovers, Oysters and Calvados

'EAT OYSTERS' A4 Art Print £20

Click to treat yourself!"Eat Oysters"

Last week, I took a short break from commissions and to-do lists for a long overdue catch-up with one of my oldest friends. One night in Paris!

"Eat Oysters" was the result.

Bolstered by Eurostar's £29 train tickets, we treated ourselves. We ate a lot of oysters. We went swiftly, to get out of the rain, to Terminus Nord and ordered "Le Plateau du terminus Nord", fruits de mer, kir royale, a carafe of wine, sorbet (amazing) and finished off with the wondrous Parisian coffee and a Calvados. Five hours later, slightly 'directionless', we got an uber to our hotel, the lovely Hotel Henriette, beautifully decorated. After a small lie down, we found the delicious Chez Simon restaurant; full of locals, incredible fine dining at a great price.

Our sojourn continued; we had no plans and stuck to that. A wonderful sleep, more food, wandering down gloriously grand limestone avenues with blue skies above and liqueur chocolates keeping our insides warm. A final Calvados and back to Gare du Nord...

It was transformative for me. Taking a step back from my busy life in London (my new online shop, commission deadlines, mum to a three-year-old boy) is something I now realise I need to remain sane and creative in my life and work. Lucky me, thanks to my wonderful husband, I can make this a regular thing.

Back in the studio and I was truly inspired. I painted some oysters and designed a card and a print. For me and for Fran and for all other lovers of oysters.

"LET THERE BE LOVE" CARD £2.50: inspired by my 48 hours in Paris and Nat King Cole's wonderful song as sung by my husband on seeing my painting!