Gromit Unleashed - Artist Interview, Lisa Hassell aka Inkygoodness

Still not had a chance to visit ALL of the Gromit's on the trail yet?  Well let us guide you to a really gorgeous one... Lisa Hassell aka Inkygoodness tells us more about her dog...

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us the inspiration behind your Gromit design? 

Hi, my name is Lisa Hassell, and i'm an artist / designer, writer and founder of illustration showcase Inkygoodness! After living in Bristol for several years (and plans to move back one day!) I currently live and work in Birmingham where I juggle freelance projects and raising my son. My Gromit design is made up of colourful arrangements of swirling lines, organic shapes and contrasting patterns and textures, inspired by nature & my love of colour. I had a lot of fun creating the design which I think shows through in the final artwork. I sat down with a pen and knocked it out in a few hours, colouring it digitally with photoshop. 

How was it creating a 3d dog? 

Absolutely brilliant, but also a little terrifying! It's the first time I have painted anything on that scale, and I quickly realised that my original design was too ambitious – the combination of colours, intricate details and layering of paint required on the Gromit meant that I had to take the decision to scale it back a little – otherwise I would never have got him finished! It probably took about 3 weeks of intensive work, and plenty of late nights near the end – I barely slept the night before he was collected! I loved every minute of it – the project has been a fantastic experience, and visiting him in Bristol was a very special moment for me. The variety and quality of the Gromit's on the trail is incredible, and I'm very proud to be involved. 

Where can we find your Gromit? 

Poochadelic is number 63 on the Gromit trail and located in the grounds of Gloucester Cricket Ground until September 8th.

For more information please visit my websites: http://lisahassell.tumblr.com/ inkygoodness.com 

Thank you Lisa, wow your Gromit is totally psychedelic!  

If you look at the trail map - you can find poochadelic..

63 - Poochadelic

Location:  Gloucester Cricket Ground

To downlaod your own trail map please visit the Gromit Unleashed website.

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Meet the Maker - Sophie Richardson

The Meet the Maker interview for today features the very lovely Sophie Richardson and her beautiful homewares, which are available in our SUMMER Paper Scissors Stone shop, here in Bristol - over to Sophie for a little more about her...

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your work?

My name is Sophie Richardson. I am a surface designer creating colourful, illustrative patterns for ceramics, textiles and stationery. I used to work for big museums like the V&A which was really inspiring and helped me realise how much I wanted to design and create myself. In 2011 I came to Bristol to study for an MA in Graphic Arts and turned my love of mid century design into illustrations and patterns. I searched high and low to find specialist British manufacturers I could work with to create well made items using my print designs. I am now working in London again and busy conjuring up new ideas for the next additions to my range. 

Apart from creating things what else do you enjoy doing? 

If I’m not designing I’m probably cooking or eating, I love inventing recipes. I also love to explore wherever I am and often find ideas strike me when I’m out and about. I still visit Bristol a lot as many of my family and friends are there. I love a walk along the docks, ticking off my favourite haunts like the Arnolfini. For winding down a love a bit of pilates or a good book! 

Where does your inspiration come from? 

For as long as I know I have been interested in interior design and I can’t help hoarding things I find beautiful or interesting. Everywhere I inhabit gets filled with colourful things. Even during a brief spell in my parents attic! I covered the shelves with shells and teacups. I think the best ideas come from day dreaming and that might be on a walk in the park or it might be looking at a book of 1920’s textile designs. Inspiration can strike anywhere if you’re ready for it! 

Describe your studio or workspace? 

The most important part of my workspace is my Apple Mac and it goes wherever I go. That and the tablet attached to it which I use to draw on screen. I sketch my ideas on paper very quickly before I forget them and then I draw them again properly. The area around my desk changes depending what I want to look at that day but generally I try to keep it a clear white space to help me think. 

What is a typical work day for you? 

There is not really a typical day as I fit my own work in the evenings and weekends and lunch hours! During the week it’s mostly talking to suppliers and customers and stockists. I save designing as a weekend treat when there’s lots of light and time to get creative. 

What do you love most about what you do? 

I love that I have finally found a way to combine illustration and colour with tangible items that can be useful and cheering to people around the house. The best part is hearing back from customers who say how a product makes them smile or is the envy of their friends. 

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be? 

Oooh, probably Vanessa Bell. She was one of the Bloomsbury group and painted really flamboyant motifs for fabric and china and if you go to Charleston House, her paintings are everywhere, all over the walls.

Which local artist/maker do you most admire?

I really like Emmeline Simpson’s portrayal of Bristol.

Tell us your current loves: 

* Shop - House of Eve

* Restaurant / Café - Bills 

* Blog - Swiss Miss 

* Magazine - The Simple Things 

* Book - The Printed Square 

* Designer / maker / artist - Matisse 

If you were stranded in the wilds somewhere, what item would you need with you the most?

Pen and paper.

Thank you Sophie, we absolutely adore that tea-towel, such a beauty!  

If you fancy filling your home with delicious items, then head on down to our Paper Scissors Stone, SUMMER shop - where it is full to the rafters with items to inspire!

Paper Scissors Stone

Quakers Friars

Cabot Circus

Bristol

Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm

Sun:  11am - 5pm

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Gromit Unleashed - Artist Interview, Lindsay McBirnie

Another Gromit Unleashed meet the artist interview today, this time our talented illustrator is Lindsay McBirnie.  Lindsay's dog is awesome, and well worth the trek to find it...

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us the inspiration behind your Gromit design? 

Hello! I’m Lindsay and I work as a freelance artist and illustrator in Bristol. My Gromit, Fiesta, is inspired by the street fairs, carnivals and all the colourful characters I have met since living here in the city. I arrived in Bristol in October time last year and wanted to portray the lively, buzzing atmosphere I have experienced from my time living here.

How was it creating a 3d dog? 

When I stood in front of Gromit for the first time I realised the ears were huge and stuck out a lot – I had thought about taking him home, but he didn’t fit through the front door. Painting in the studio was great as I got to meet and work alongside other local artists, and watch their designs take shape. As a lot of my design is focused on the legs I spent a lot of time on the floor and bumping my head when I went to stand up. It definitely took a lot longer than I had anticipated to finally finish, but was so much fun to do – and very rewarding. 

Where can we find your Gromit? 

He’s enjoying the views on the terrace up at the Avon Gorge Hotel.

You can find more of Lindsay's work on her wesbite.

If you look at the trail map - you can find Fiesta...

54 - Fiesta

Location:  Avon Gorge Hotel - Terrace

To downlaod your own trail map please visit the Gromit Unleashed website.

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Gromit Unleashed - Artist Interview, Cheba

Following on from our series on Gromit Unleashed, featuring local Made in Bristol & Drawn in Bristol team members, today we are delighted to show you Cheba's stellar Gromit, Grosmos.  Here is a little interview about it's creation...

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us the inspiration behind your Gromit design? 

I go by the name of Cheba and I'm an artist from Bristol, I also run Weapon of Choice Gallery on Park Street. My Gromit 'Grosmos' was heavily inspired from Space and Hubble telescope images of the Birth of Stars and Nebulas. It's a style I've been playing with over the last few years but not put a lot of it into the public eye until i was really happy with what i was producing. 

How was it creating a 3d dog? 

I loved painting Gromit! I was also lucky enough to paint one of the WoW Gorillas for Bristol Zoo (24 Carat Camo) last year so knew what I had in store, I want to paint more and more! I hope more projects like this happen in the future as it's a great cause and great for the city. 

Where can we find your Gromit? 

My Gromit is situated on the 1st floor of Harvey Nichol's in Cabot Circus, where you'll also find some of my painted canvases scattered around the store which will also be auctioned off in September with proceeds going towards the Grand Appeal. I've also painted the entrance way and one of the pillars in store in a similar style to my Gromit. Cheba's 'Carina Nebula' print is also available exclusively to Harvey Nichols Bristol store and Weapon of Choice Gallery (bottom of Park St), limited edition to 100 A3 signed and numbered prints, priced at £35 with half the proceeds going towards the Grand Appeal. 

My website address is: Weapon of Choice Gallery

Twitter is Cheba_Bristol

Thank you Cheba, your Gromit is beautiful!  You can find Grosmos on the Trail Map...

32 - Grosmos

Location - Harvey Nichols, Cabot Circus

For more information please visit Gromit Unleashed website, where you can download a trail map or an app for your phone.

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Meet the Maker - Cordelia Hutchinson

Hello!  Hope you had a lovely weekend?  Let's start the week with an interview by a Made in Britain artist. Cordelia Hutchinson produces stunning still life and landscapes... here's a little more about her, her life and inspirations...

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your work? 

My name is Cordelia Hutchison. I have always loved sketching and painting and when I was studying History of Art I suddenly realised that all I wanted to be doing was the practical stuff. After the most wonderful term in Florence where I was doing lots of life drawing I realised that I had to keep it up. 

Apart from creating things what else do you enjoy doing? 

I am a bit of a fidget and have lots of energy. So when I am not painting I am usually doing Capoeira (a Brazilian dance which combines playful fighting with acrobatic movements). I absolutely love Brazilian culture and travel to Brazil every year with my family. 

Where does your inspiration come from? 

Most of my inspiration comes from places I go and people I see. I love to paint sea scapes and pictures of people going about their everyday life. What I look for is the effect of strong light on the subject. I paint my canvases a bright, cerise pink which gives a warmth and light to the final paintings. Bristol is such a wonderfully creative place to be so it is pretty easy to feel inspired. 

Describe your studio or workspace? 

I have a little studio at the back of my house but it is jam packed with canvases, frames and books so I tend to paint on my kitchen table. The room is a busy family space in the day and transformed into my workspace once the kids are in bed. 

What is a typical work day for you? 

My day usually starts with a bit of doodling on the back of an envelope and a list of all the things I need to remember, I am terribly forgetful so if this doesn't happen, nothing gets done. If its a sunny day then always get out and about on my bike and take my camera and my sketch book. I often pop into Niche to get frames and then to the fine art shop on Park Row. The evenings are spent painting and framing things up ready for exhibitions. I try not to check my emails and phone too regularly as this is the worst distraction. 

What do you love most about what you do? 

I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be able to do what I love. It is really satisfying creating things, I loved just getting totally absorbed in a painting. 

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be? 

Matisse 

Which local artist/maker do you most admire? 

I really like the work of Claire Halifax, it is so fun and quirky. 

Tell us your current loves: 

* Shop: Sunday Market at the Tobacco Factory 

* Restaurant / Café: Mrs Browns- Victoria Park 

* Blog: Poiresauchocolat

* Book: Captain Corelli's Mandolin 

* Designer / maker / artist: Relton Marine 

If you were stranded in the wilds somewhere, what item would you need with you the most?

Dark chocolate.

Thank you Cordelia, your work is truly wonderful.  And yes I am sure even Bear Grylls would take some chocolate with him!

You can find Cordelia's delicious paintings in our Made in Britain shop, which is open daily.

Made in Britain

Quakers Friars

Cabot Circus

Bristol

Mon - Sat:  10am - 6pm

Sun:  11am - 5pm

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Gromit Unleashed - Artist Interview, Laura Cramer

Laura Cramer's Gromits are causing a stir with their beautiful intricate paintings, we caught up with her and asked her how it was painting such beautiful designs...

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us the inspiration behind your Gromit design? 

My name is Laura Cramer and I paint colourful semi abstract oil paintings. I am quite well known locally for my Bristol cityscapes.   I submitted three very different designs and to my delight, two of the designs were chosen. I wanted my Gromit designs to be inspired by artists who have gone before me, so both my designs are based on artists from the past. My first sculpture is Vincent van Gromit, who is a tribute to both Gromit and the great Dutch painter himself. I wanted the chance to try and encourage adults and children to “look at Bristol through Vincent’s eyes”, i.e if Vincent had come to Bristol, what he might have seen, and how he might have painted our beautiful landmark scenes. My second Gromit “The Five a Day Dog” is inspired by the Renaissance painter Guiseppe Archimboldo, who (in the mid to late 1500’s) painted portraits of himself as a combination of fruit and vegetables.  I thought it could be fun to play on the national guidelines of 5 fruit & veg a day, in a “Laura Ashley meets Cath Kidston” type design.  There is also an underlying message or reminder of the need to eat well and healthily particularly when recovering in hospital from an illness. 

How was it creating a 3d dog? 

I painted both Gromits at the public studio space at Broadmead where the public could just meander by and take a look. It was quite hard keeping Vincent’s identity a secret, as it got to a point in the painting, when people were starting to guess who the character was…..sunflowers on the feet, a bandage on his ear…..starry night scenes of Bristol on his jacket! I was inspired by fellow artist Tom Berry to “sit” Gromit up on a stool, allowing me to get to the trickier parts.  My lower back was very grateful for this discovery. An ironic twist to Five a Day became apparent when I was told where he was to be located i.e. a few doors down from my local fruit and veg shop off the high street close to my home. In fact, en route to painting Five a Day, I would stop off and buy some fresh fruit and veg to use as studies in my painting. It was very frustrating not to be able to tell them what I was up to! Now that he in place, the cat’s been let out of bag….or should that be the dog let out the bag….. 

Where can we find your Gromit?

Vincent is number 4 on the official map, located just off the Triangle, where Elmdale Road and Woodland Road intersect, located at the corner of the boundary of Bristol Grammar School. His Sponsor County Contractors have done an extraordinary job in collaboration with BGS to provide a specially constructed “kennel” for Vincent, with steps up to the viewing area, and mirrors around the paneling, to allow people a full view of the cityscapes on his jacket. The icing on the cake is that at night, the display area lights up with small LED lights formed in the star constellation of Canis Major (the Greater Dog), making the scene truly a “starry, starry night” Five a Day Dog is located on Henleaze High street (down from Lloyds my local green grocers)outside his Sponsors CJ Hole Estate Agents.

Thanks Laura!  You can find Laura's dogs on the Trail Map at:

4 - Vincent Van Gromit

Location:  Elton Road

68 - Five a Day

Location:  Henleaze Road

For more information please visit Gromit Unleashed website, where you can download a trail map or an app for your phone.

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Gromit Unleashed - Artist Interview, Sarah Matthews

Probably one of the most visited Gromit's beneath the Clifton Suspension Bridge resides Sarah Matthew's Gromit - Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion.  We asked Sarah a little more about it...

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us the inspiration behind your Gromit design?

My name is Sarah Matthews, and I am a designer and illustrator working at Aardman Animations. When I moved to Bristol a few years ago I fell in love with the landscapes and the lovely buildings, so I started to draw them in my spare time, and created them as prints and cards. I wanted my Gromit to show off Bristol at it's best, from historical attractions to exciting markets and graffiti. I think it captures what a vibrant, fun and beautiful city it is.

How was it creating a 3d dog?

When we first received the plain white Gromit's, it was quite overwhelming as they are SO big, but after a little climb on him and a massive doodle in pencil I started to get really excited and couldn't wait to start! It was scary having to make the first move with permanent black pen, but once I started I didn't want to stop, it was hugely satisfying seeing my illustrations on such a large 3D scale rather than an A6 card. I kept coming up with new ideas as I progressed with the design, which for me was really fun as I enjoyed having to adapt and create something really unique. I found the painting stage quite tricky as I added all the colour after I'd drawn the whole design, and I really liked seeing it in black and white, showing off the detail, but once I started with the bright blue sky I knew it would bring the whole design together.

Where can we find your Gromit?

It's at Sion Hill in Clifton, which has the most beautiful landscape of the Clifton Suspension Bridge behind it. I couldn't have asked for a prettier location, and as I've drawn the bridge on the Gromit it's a fantastic back-drop.

Thank you Sarah, your Gromit is so Bristol!  We love it.  

If you look at the trail map - you can find Sarah's Gromit at number 53 - Sion Hill. 

You can follow Sarah on her tumblr site:  http://sarah-matthews.tumblr.com/

To downlaod your own trail map please visit the Gromit Unleashed website.

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Gromit Unleashed - Artist Interview, Hannah Cumming

Hannah Cumming is usually known for her beautiful children's books and illustrations, but recently she was asked to design a Gromit.  We are asked her a little about it...

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us the inspiration behind your Gromit design? 
My name’s Hannah Cumming, I’m a children’s illustrator and author. I got the inspiration for my Gromit design from thinking about the Gromit fever that the trail would start- he’s such a well loved character; he's clever, cool under pressure, and a very faithful friend, so I liked the idea of doing a visual salute to him. This would involve loads of characters wearing something Gromity! I had a few ideas, like people wearing Gromit T-shirts, the ears, but I decided eventually on using his iconic collar, as it could be worn in so many different ways (useful for jokes!) I also wanted to design a sculpture that you could really look at, where there was lots to see; crazy characters (and a few recognisable faces) & some silly jokes, and of course lots of colour. 

How was it creating a 3d dog? 

Fun and hard work! My work as an illustrator has been quite digital recently, so stepping away from the computer and the fiddly 2D images to paint a five foot 3D dog was a quite a change of scene. I couldn’t click ‘undo’ on Gromit! I usually paint with watercolours too, so getting the acrylics out again took some practice. But it was so much fun- getting your hands and clothes covered in paint again, working on a large scale, it was brilliant. I banged my head and knees on him quite a lot though, he had some awkward angles! 

Where can we find your Gromit? 

Collarfull is in front of the church in sunny Castle Park.

Thank you Hannah, Collarful is one our firm favourites.  If you look at the Trail Map you can find Hannah's Gromit at Number 28 - Castle Park.  More Gromit stories to come!

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Gromit Unleashed - The Map of our favourites

 Trail Map

So we are 6 weeks into the Gromit Unleashed Trail. Have you managed to spot all of them yet?  Have you even started looking?  Well let us guide you round some of our favourites in the Made in Britain HQ...

(if you click on the artist link - it will take you to the full interview and the inspiration behind each design).

18 - Butterfly

Artist:  Philip Treacy, painted by Ruth Broadway.

Location:  Inside Bristol Old Vic Theatre.

21 - What a Wind Up
Artist:  Trevor Baylis,  painted by Ruth Broadway
Location:  Redcliffe Street

39 - Stat's the way to do it
Artist:  Gavin Strange 
Location:  Aardman HQ

41 - Bunty
Artist:  Paula Bowles
Location:  St Mary Redcliffe

58 - Grrrrrrromit
Artist:  Carys Ink
Location:  Windmill City Farm

62 - Feathers
Artist:  Dave Bain
Location:  Gloucester Road

64 - Blossom
Artist:  Emily Ketteringham
Location:  The Downs

79 - Amazing Gromit
Artist:  Tom Berry
Location:  Cheddar Gorge

And there many, many more!

Over the next few days we shall highlight some of our other favourites and a little interview of the Artist behind the dog.

Trail ends on 8th September, be sure you have seen them all!

For more information please visit Gromit Unleashed.

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Meet the Maker - Sarah Le Corre / Dolly What Not

Today's Meet the Maker interview comes from local lass Sarah Le Corre.  Sarah's beautiful cards and designs can be found in the SUMMER Paper Scissors Stone shop, here is more about her and her inspiration...

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your work? 

Hello. I’m Sarah Le Corre the name behind Dolly What Not. I design & make homemade cards & gifts from my home in Bristol where I live with my partner & our 4 children. Working from home is perfect for me, I can spread my time between family life & work. I have to be fairly organised, when designs are ready to be made up I’ll spend a day cutting out, then the next I’ll sew pieces together & so on. This works well for me & helps me keep track of where I am. 

Apart from creating things what else do you enjoy doing? 

When I’m, not working or doodling around with ideas I love to read. My work gives me the escapism I love but reading takes me somewhere completely different, I love getting lost in a good story… 

Where does your inspiration come from? 

My inspiration comes from all around me, I love colour & textures. A jar of mixed buttons can get me terribly excited by all the possibilities…. I love the outside & nature. I enjoy adding birds & flowers to my pieces, building them up with fabrics then sewing an outline & watching them come to life. 

Describe your studio or workspace? 

I work from home in what should be our dining room. The kids had it first as their playroom but I managed to steal it away!... it’s not quite there yet regarding décor, in my mind I know how it will finally look, but in the meantime its home to my fabric & button stash & its my own space where I can escape… 

What is a typical work day for you? 

Once I’ve dropped  the kids to school I then sit down & go through emails & any work that needs doing on my web site www.dollywhat.co.uk & then it’s into my work space where I catch up with orders & new designs. 

What do you love most about what you do? 

I love creating things I have done since an early age. I love to sketch ideas then watch as they come to life. I love receiving feedback from customers & taking on bespoke designs & helping them bring to life an idea they have. 

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be?

Degas 

Which local artist/maker do you most admire? 

My mum, Ann Le Corre shes a landscape artist, I love the delicacy of her work. 

Tell us your current loves:

* Shop : Cox and Baloney… fab for vintage finds. 

* Restaurant / Café: Carluccios… 

* Blog : Made in Bristol of course!!

* Magazine: vintage life

* Book: having kids has made me a huge harry potter fan! 

* Designer / maker / artist: Robert Heindel 

If you were stranded in the wilds somewhere, what item would you need with you the most? 

My sketch book.

Thank you Sarah!  Just pretty designs, we love them.  If you head down to Paper Scissors Stone this SUMMER you will be able to buy your own Dolly What Not cards.

Paper Scissors Stone

Quakers Friars

Cabot Circus

Bristol

Opens Daily:

Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm

Sun:  11am - 5pm

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