Great advertising by nutty local knitters!

What better way to advertise?

A knitted bollard cover could add colour to 
Brussels' bronze 'peeing dog'!

Out and about around Clarendon Park, I chanced upon a craft shop on Queens Road called 'Knit One'.
I'm not a knitter but my attention was captured by a couple of unique and colourful bollard covers. Knitted, of course.
What fun! Presumably made by the unquestionably creative managers of the shop, the bollards edge the pavement outside 'Knit One' and the woolly bollard jackets not only advertise the shop but show what can be achieved with wool, a sense of humour and a little imagination.
My only question, one which presently remains unanswered, is whether the cosy bollard blankets shrink in the rain or when local dogs chance to raise their leg? 
Or perhaps these attractively crafted covers put them off their aim?
Let's hope so :)

A taste of the country in the city - courtesy of nutty knitters

Factum Arte & the facsimile in art

Program presenter Roger Law

A friend told me about a relatively new radio programme on BBC called, WOW! How did they do that?
Presented by the colourful Spitting Image founder, Roger Law, the show features the people behind some of Britain's most outrageous and successful designs, inventions and events.
I'm now committed to every episode, convinced by the recent inclusion of Madrid-based Factum Arte, whose work in facsimiles, from the paintings of Caravaggio to Tutankhamun's tomb, jumped out of the radio in full- blown technicolor and whose website has to be one of the most fascinating and creatively interesting around. To be astonished see www.factum-arte.com

Two of the paintings by Caravaggio facsimiled by Factum Arte: 
www.factum-arte.com

'Clueless' goes home

My painting, 'Clueless' commissioned by BBC broadcasters Tony Wadsworth and Julie Mayer has been on display at BBC Radio Leicester but the couple now have their painting hung at home. They were kind enough to send through this charming photo. Thanks guys!

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Tony Wadsworth & Julie Mayer at home with 'Clueless' by Lizzy Hewitt

The Ingenious Thomas Heatherwick - on BBC iPlayer now!

Thomas Heatherwick

The BBC has once again delivered a corker of a TV programme in Alan Yentob's Imagine series. This one features the multitudinous talents of Thomas Heatherwick, architect, model-maker, sculptor and designer, probably best known for his rising copper cauldron for the 2012 London Olympic & Paralympic Games.

The programme, which features the development of his 'Garden Bridge' across the River Thames, brings into sharp focus the diverse talents of the man who's been called 'the Leonardo da Vinci of our times' by no less a figure than Terence Conran.

Mayor of London & new Routemaster bus

I had no idea Heatherwick was behind London's new Routemaster bus, or the Rolling Bridge at Paddington Basin. In fact I first heard of Heatherwick when his extraordinary Seed Cathedral, the UK Pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai, won RIBA's Lubetken Prize. 

Seed Cathedral / Expo 2010 / Shanghai

His work for UK and overseas institutions, transit authorities, tourism centers and hotels have until recently gone unnoticed by all but those in the know, but with a studio of around 100 specialists in London and offices overseas, Heatherwick's reputation and presence are growing, controversy notwithstanding.

He makes furniture, interiors, urban infrastructure, has designed the forthcoming Teeside Power Station, and Laverstoke Distillery, as well as an astonishing 'Learning Hub' for Singapore and a strategic new frontage for Guy's Hospital in London. 

The Unstoppable Thomas Heatherwick; on BBC iPlayer for another 3 days. Or look out for the Imagine repeats showing on BBCTV later in the year. One way or another, don't miss it!

Thomas Heatherwick's cauldron for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games

New sketches

So like BB

My recent visit to the Scilly Isles provided a good deal of artistic inspiration: since I returned I've been working on a number of artworks which I'll doubtless bring to you in due course. Right now though I thought you might like to see some of my early sketches.

Comparing these with the more cartoon-like sketches on the rest of this site I can see how much my work has developed over recent months. This pleases me as I have no wish to keep on producing exactly the same work; I like the idea of my art always changing, always evolving.

Now it's becoming a little cooler I may go out and take some photos too. The hot weather has been glorious but it did make me so lethargic!

Comparison sketch from 2010

Ad hoc photographic course from Glen Tillyard!

Lizzy by Glen Tillyard

My award-winning photographer friend, Glen Tillyard, and I went to a photographic exhibition last week.
The weather was so good that we walked from my home to the exhibition in the centre of Leicester and as you can see, Glen brought his camera along.
Glen, who used to work as a photographer for the Leicester Mercury, is one of the best technically skilled photographers I know, so much so that he now runs popular courses in photography, manipulating and managing pictures.
Find details of his courses here: www.glentillyard.co.uk

Glen uses available resources for unusual images

An arty holiday on the Isles of Scilly

A kingdom in a lens: Lizzy gets creative.

Max and I are just back from a short holiday break on the Isles of Scilly, off Cornwall's south western-most tip.
The Islands weren't somewhere I particularly fancied going until I discovered they are hugely popular with artists: many live there and lots more visit as tourists to paint the sea views and the bird-life which proliferates.
So to my surprise, as well as soaking up the rays (getting my poor feet burned in the process!) I found lots to do and plenty of interesting things to see.

Great views everywhere!

Here's just a sample of the artwork and artists I found; it was inspiring to meet and see so many painting in such a small geographical area. If you'd like to know more about holidaying on the Scilly Isles visit simplyscilly.co.uk or scillyonline.co.uk

Prices vary but can be low

 

Fairies inspired by nature

Always plenty of sea views

In a range of painting styles

The coastal essence distilled

Meet the distiller!