Does the future of art and design actually lie in the past? It’s the subject we are exploring in our current issue the ‘Gone but not Forgotten Issue!

In this issue we explore arts and crafts from the more obscure traditional crafts such as macrame and automata to other traditional crafts (such as embroidery, papercuts and, of course, letterpress) and show how contemporary artists are using these crafts and their skills to create and influence modern art and design.

Surprisingly many of the skills have been self-taught by people who have a real passion and love for their craft. And it’s passionate people like them who will ensure that these traditional crafts are protected and preserved for generations to come. I hope you will enjoy this issue and will enjoy hearing the personal stories from some very passionate artist and designers. I even hope it may inspire you to learn a new skill of your own!
Bec

Scroll down to see what we have for you in this issue!

Blanket’s Cover Art

This issues Blanket cover took artist Katherine Beefheart a staggering 50 hours to embroider! It’s difficult to pick up all of the exquisite details on the cover image so I wanted to show you a closeup – just look at that gold embroidery – amazing! And Katherine’s original words {or word play I should say} is exactly the right theme we wanted to reflect with this issue – it certainly is the ‘Revival of the Fittest’!

Blankets Featured Font {FREE with this issue!}

One of Blanket’s favourite type designers, Vanessa Zoydberg, is back with another beautiful typeface for us to enjoy! Her ‘Redis‘ typeface was actually inspired by the lettering found on an old, metal sugar box – it couldn’t be more perfect for our theme!

We Are Willow {FREE Song Download!}

Remember the song download ‘Save it for Someone Else’ from Butler Williams in Blanket Issue 9 {The Holiday Issue}? Well lucky for us Chris Butler, one-half of the duo from Butler Williams, is back again with another beautiful song especially for us. Chris has embarked on an exciting collaboration project called We Are Willow and for Part 1 of the series Chris has teamed up with the ever so talented musician {and artist} Kathryn Edwards. Together they bring us ‘Saving Grace’ taken from the EP ‘We Are Willow – Part One’.

Letterpress {Feature article}

Australian designer, Alischa Herrmann, from Bespoke Press turned her back on the corporate world and decided to follow her dream of setting up a small letterpress studio. We talk to Alischa about the ups and downs of starting out and how 77 year old retired printer Robert {Bob} Read became her mentor. We also chat to Bob – just how does he feel about passing on 62 years of experience and knowledge to a younger generation?

We also interview Chicago-based designer, Chad Kouri, from the Post Family about his love of type, letterpress and his involvement with the Hamilton Woodtype Museum.

Linocut {DIY Tutorial}

Learn how to linocut this beautiful – but simple – tea towel with the help of our DIY tutorial compiled by Richard Brittain and Rebekah Nathan – the crafty duo behind Bliss In A Teacup.

Also inside this issue you will find:

• Have you ever wanted to change history? Blanket writer, Jonathan Hulme, has {let’s just say in 1995 Billy Ray Cyrus has a terrible mullet accident and can never have children, particularly one’s called Miley}. See how his world would have looked…

• Blanket writer, Gwendoline Watson, teaches us how to embrace our inner child! Who’s for colouring in purple flower stems?

• If you were a child of the 70′s you will already be familiar with the craft of macrame. But if not we are going to introduce it to you with a little help from craft extraodinaire Tamara Maynes.

• The art of Papercutting has been around for centuries but we look at how contemporary artists are influencing a new generation of graduates. We speak to Jonathan Chapman {aka mrYen} about his papercut work.

• Ever heard of the name automata? No? In more laymans terms they are mechanical toys and we see how Tory Fiterre has turned his hobby into a side-business.

• Blanket writer, Melinda Woledge, discovers how an old, tatty cookbook is a direct connection to her grandmothers memory. She also passes on a unique recipe for a Bible Cake!

• Re_action!
Artists featured inside this issue: Abi Daker, Álvaro Cabeza a.k.a. CAP·388, Anna Cornell, Carla Rak, Diana Santisteban, Emily Chappell, Emma Kidd, Fee Harding, Jason Watson, Jess Racklyeft , Kim Triebsee, Kyle Jorgensen, Laurelin Matulis, Lauren Holmes, Lloyd Stubber, macn (aka Martín Cocchi Nan), Marek Haiduk, Marie Larkin, Michael Barolet, Orlagh Murphy, Sarah Holmes, Stephanie Kubo, Yung Tsai.

• Here’s my work… I hope you like it!
Artists featured inside this issue: Alvaro Sanchez, Anne Cobai, Ashwin Patel, Brandan Gomez, Carla Rak, Christopher M Brock, Claudia Forsbrey aka Claud Forsb, Davi Augusto, Emma Brown, Forrest Elliott, Jon Hannan, Rachel Caldwell, Sarah Lowicki, Stanislav Olehno, Tim Galpern.

I’m very exciting to be finally announcing the details on the very first Publishers Club meet and greet! This little get together has been organised along with my favourite independent publishing buddies Julian from New Sugar and Dave from AMMO magazine.

Julian, Dave and I set up Publishers Club last year because we are all passionate about continuing the evolution of independent publishing (print and online!) and supporting our creative community.

The day will be a relaxed meet and greet event for publishers, writers, artists, designers, photographers, or anyone creatively inclined to meet, have a drink and chat.

We hope this initial meet up will lead to lots of ideas for future events – so come along and share a beer and your thoughts!

Feel free to email me and let me know if you are coming to the event – and I will keep an eye out for you!
Bec

The Publishers Club Meet and Greet Event details:
Date: Saturday, 19th June, 2010 {we will be there from 2pm}
Venue:
The Vibe Bar,
The Truman Brwery on Brick Lane
91 Brick Lane, London
E1 6QL
www.vibe-bar.co.uk
Click here for a map

For more info join our mailing list: The Publishers Club

UPDATE: WE HAVE SET UP A FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE!
Let us know if you will be attending ; )

To infinity and beyond! We’re taking you on a trip into the ‘Cosmos’ with 150 pages of stories, articles, and images all related to our chosen topic.

Scroll down to see what we have for you in this issue!

The Blanket Project {12 FREE Artist Cards with every Blanket Subscription!}

One very special feature this issue is our artist project ‘Astrology Psychology’ which includes a fascinating study on whether our star signs influence our creative process. We challenged 12 artists – each with a different star sign – to create a piece of art and to keep track of their creative process along the way. We then compared their findings with a short synopsis of the characteristics of their star sign to see the results – and trust me – some of the results were jaw dropping!!

A big thank you to our 12 enthusiastic artists who made this project possible and produced the most amazing artwork! Louise Jennison, Sam Brewster, Laura Willis, Anna Bongiovanni, Dhany Arliyanti, Little Gonzales (Dan Gray), Gordon Reid (aka Middle Boop), Stephanie Diaz-Schumm (Stephyds), Sara Barnes, Jessica Kim, Marcos Chamizo and Hannah Morgan.

And as an extra bonus for all Blanket Subscribers you will be receiving the final 12 artworks as a printable artist card template so you can print them out and send them to your friends!

The 12 Blanket Artists Cards are available for single purchase here or are FREE with every Blanket Subscription!

Blanket’s Cover Art

We asked Designer/Illustrator Tanya Johnston to create a cover for our ‘Cosmos’ issue that transported us to a secret world! Inside we follow her creative process as she created the cover art for Issue 22 and find out more about her career that spans over 20 years.

Blankets Featured Font {FREE with this issue!}

This issues featured font ‘Neu Eichmass’ is bought to you by designer Ivan Khmelevsky.

Close Encounters {Artist Interview}

It wouldn’t be the ‘Cosmos’ issue if we didn’t include an Astronaut somewhere! We interview photography artist Elaine Duigenan who had a close encounter with Astronaut Leland D Melvin that lead to a once in a lifetime opportunity!

Kaitlin Beckett {Artist Interview & Collaboration}

This fun collaboration project will be sure to inspire you! Artist Kaitlin Beckett used the photograph below {featuring some of my personal objects} to inspire her to create a little character we have affectionately named ‘Randolph the Adventure Hog’.

Also inside this issue you will find:

• Blanket writer, Jonathan Hulme, inhales patchouli and explores his own cosmic shortcomings to find out if your personality and future are tied to when you were born.

• We catchup with Jessica Wilson {aka Jek} as she embarks on a three month road trip around the US! 

• Blanket writer, Gwendoline Watson, let’s us in on how we can experience a far-flung dusty planet inhabited by outlaws and aliens by staying on our very own planet.

• Blanket readers show us their ‘Creative Spaces’

• There’s also another Pic Shaws comic for you to enjoy!

• Re_action!
Artists featured inside this issue: Aengus Tukel, Alessandra Tecla Gerevinì, Andreco, CAP·388, Crystal Sylver, Ekaterina Koroleva, Elise Hori, Ester Grossi, Gabriel Lazo, Giorgio Fratini, Ilaria Grimaldi, Jahan Gerrard, Jason Watson , Jeffrey Meyer, Jenny Kendler, Jon Hannan, Kim Vang, Lukasz Wierzbowski, macn {aka Martín Cocchi Nan} , Marcus Butt, Morgan Kendall, Niko Vartiainen, Olivia Locher, Rena Littleson, Rod Luff, Shauna Askew , Uliana Panyukova and Veronica Romanenghi.

• Here’s my work… I hope you like it!
Artists featured inside this issue: Apeseven, Crystal Sylver, Ekaterina Koroleva, Elise Hori, Elizabeth Ranger, Giordano Poloni, Hampus Bovbjerg Grip, Jacob de Graaf, Jess Smart Smiley, Laura Carey, Laura-Kate Chapman, Louise Wright, Moie Preisenberger, Pragya Kothari, Rena Littleson, Rina Yarv, Serrah Russell, Sila Tanilli and Simone Maynard.

In April Blanket put a Call For Artists to be involved in our Blanket Project for our upcoming ‘Cosmos’ Issue. The response was amazing and we secured our 12 artists and set them a brief to create a piece of art work about their astrological sign. This little experiment was to see if their star signs – or the date and time they were born – had any affect over their creative process.

Each artist was given a deadline of 3 weeks and was asked to keep a note of the time they spent on researching the brief, how many ideas/concepts they worked on and the time it took for them to create their art work.

In the meantime I researched all the different star signs and wrote a little synopsis for each star sign so that we could compare their responses and their artwork.

Each artist has now sent in their artwork and the results have been nothing short of jaw dropping! Not just because of the beautiful art work that is all completely different and unique but the comparisons between the synopsis and each artists individual way they have set about creating the piece. This is one project you do not want to miss!!!

You will of course have to wait until we reveal the results in the Cosmos issue but I wanted to show a little sneak peek of just one of the works in progress {above} from the lovely Sara Barnes – our artist for the star sign Libra. And yes that is embroidery… and cut outs… and lots of goodness!

Just a reminder the final artwork will be used on twelve beautiful and unique print-at-home artist cards, which will be distributed as a FREE gift to Blanket subscribers. It’s a good time to become a Blanket Subscriber wouldn’t you say? ; )

With the new Rock, Paper, Scissors issue being released and a week away on holidays {I went to Prague – it was beautiful and I would love to show you all photos but on my return my SD card came up with an ERROR message and I lost ALL 4GB of my photos! Tragic!} …anyway we’ve had a few weeks off since the last installment of ‘Where Are They Now’. But it’s time to pick it up again and to catch up with some more artists we have uncovered in the pages of Blanket over the past 3 years and see what they are doing now. We’re up to Issue 6 The Good vs Evil Issue!

BARD HOLD STANDAL {HELLO BARD}

Issue 6 would probably have to be the most colourful Blanket cover we have had – and that was all thanks to designer and illustrator Bard Hold Standal. He had some very wise words of wisdom to pass on during his very entertaining and tongue in cheek interview for budding artists as well: “The worst thing you can do in the beginning is to doubt your own creativity or set your own work up against someone who has already mastered the craft.” And his other piece of advice ‘Don’t eat squid’ {Quote taken from Blankets Hello Bard interview in October 2007}

GORDON WIEBE

Gordon Wiebe has a really unique style – and an impressive client list – so I knew he would have some great advice to pass on to budding artists. I wanted to ask him an important question that I’m sure has crossed the minds of many a budding designer. Is it important to find your own style or to adapt your style to design trends? His response: “What are the chances that the current trend sums up and says much about you as a person completely and wholly? Zero. If you’re going to spend your time doing something – do it for the right reasons – to further explore yourself, others, the world etc… This is a long process and, if done honestly, very rewarding.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. {Quote taken from Blankets Gordon Wiebe interview in October 2007}

ANDREW GORDON

Over the past 3 years since we interviewed Andrew Gordon his illustration and painting style has certainly developed and matured. Below are some pics from his solo exhibition last year. Wow is all I can say! But of course we always knew he was a talented fellow. Make sure you put him on your watch list!

ANA BAGAYAN

Ana Bagayan still holds the record for the shortest ever interview in Blanket Magazine. Her interview consisted of ‘answers’ from a magic eight ball. So we went back to the magic eight ball to ask it a new question. Would the answers from Ana have been more insightful than from a magic eight ball? Its response ‘Don’t count on it’. Harsh! It doesn’t matter anyway because her work really does speak for itself. If you happen to live in Rome, Italy you must check out her upcoming show ‘Flutter’ at Mondo Bizzarro Gallery on May 8th, 2010.

{You can still get a copy of Blanket Magazine Issue 6 – The Good vs Evil Issue – just click on the relevant picture to download it}

I have long been a fan of Etsy so I was delighted {and surprised!} that they even knew about my little publication – and that they would entrust me with a Guest Curator post! At first I thought this task would be easy – especially as there are so many wonderful hand made treasures to be found and many artists, photographers, designers and crafters I have already featured in the pages of Blanket. But that is actually why it made my choices so very, very difficult – because there is too much choice! And I’m not sure if you have noticed but usually I dedicate a WHOLE magazine – every TWO MONTHS – to my art loves.

The nicest thing about having to narrow down my selections to just 12 was that I really had to think long and hard about my true aesthetic. And I guess you all get a little insight into what appeals to me – some of my Etsy picks may just surprise you! Check out the whole post here…

Sorry kids – I have no time to write a blog post today for the ‘Uncovering Blanket’ section because I am too busy putting the finishing touches on Issue 21!  So instead I thought I would give you a little sneak peek into how this issue is shaping up and what you can expect to see in the upcoming Rock, Paper, Scissors issue!

First of all I am very excited that Miso AND Ghostpatrol, two very talented artists from Melbourne, Australia, have collaborated together to design the Blanket cover. Below is a sneak peek of Miso hard at work in their studio creating her part of the cover…

We also have another amazing line up of artist interviews for your inspiration and enjoyment! All under our theme {and with a bit of a Blanket twist!} of Rock {posters}, Paper {wheat pastes} and Scissors {collages}

From Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Anthony Zinonos, Kathryn MacNaughton, Shannon Rankin, Dan Stiles, Paul Gardner from FloraFauna, Sei Rey Ho from Us & Them, Ghostpatrol, Miso and Know Hope.

And of course, as usual, we will be uncovering some exciting talent in our Re_action and Here’s my work… sections. Like the beautiful work below by Tessa Hulls. Isn’t it AMAZING!

Issue 21 is set for release on April 1st {yep April Fools Day!} which means you have just a few more days to purchase the current ‘I Think I Can Fly’ issue before the change over {if you haven’t already of course!}

Right – well it’s back to work for me! I will see you in our Rock, Paper, Scissors issue soon!
Bec x

I can hardly believe we are already up to Issue 5 – The Face Issue in our countdown! For those of you who are just catching up I have been taking a look back at past artists, designers and photographers we have uncovered in the pages of Blanket over the past 20 issues {and now almost 21 issues!} So let’s get started!

DUSTIN PARKER

Dustin Parker was our cover artist for Issue 5 and he is ALSO featured in Issue 20 of Blanket in our article on Independent Publishers {he produced online magazine Proteus Mag}. Dustin no longer produces the mag but he is still producing his art! Which include digital painting, abstractions and portraits.

MATT MOORE

Matt Moore {aka MWM Graphics} has recently finished a solo show in Paris and I am SO impressed with the work he produced for his show – and even more impressed that he turned up in Paris a month before with no art, no supplies and no firm idea about what he was going to create. But if you read Matt’s interview with Blanket you would know that’s just how he likes it… “I definitely embrace accidents. Sometimes I even try to create them. Like working with my other hand or picking my color palette with my eyes shut.” {Quote taken from Blankets Matt Moore interview in August 2007}

KARL KWASNY

This is a lovely coincidence to be featuring the work of Karl Kwasny today because on Wednesday I met the super-talented Timba Smits from Wooden Toy Quartely {who is also featured in the current issue of Blanket Magazine}. So what’s the connection you might ask? Timba put together the Lyrics & Type exhibition {where chosen artists illustrate their favourite music lyrics into a visual piece} and one of the artists involved in the first exhibition was Karl Kwasny. For his piece he chose lyrics from the song ‘Oh Comely’ by Neutral Milk Hotel to illustrate. Now that’s one beautiful design I think you will agree!

JORDAN CLARKE

It doesn’t seem like two years since I was first introduced to the work of Sydney artist Jordan Clarke but maybe that’s because I have been following her creative career since that first discovery. I mean just look at these collages! Beautiful!

{You can still get a copy of Blanket Magazine Issue 4 – The Movement Issue – just click on the relevant picture to download it}

To celebrate Blanket reaching 3 years {and 20 issues!} I’ve been taking a look back  and revisiting some of the creatives we have uncovered in the pages of Blanket during that time. Issue 4: The Movement Issue is next up on our countdown list!

KANAKO SASAKI

The photo by Kanako Sasaki was perfect for the cover of Issue 4 ‘The Movement Issue’. It was the first time we had used a photo for the cover of Blanket but it appealed because it was cheeky, fun and unexpected – and that’s what a cover should be! Kanako is currently in Paris on an Art Residency and is completing a new project documenting and interviewing elderly Japanese men and women who live in Paris. Her photos below are taken from her recent project ‘Drifted’.

JULIANNA SWANEY

Julianna Swaney {aka Oh My Cavalier} has always had a very distinct illustration style but it has been a real joy to see how it has developed and matured in the last few years. And just in case you also wondered, like me, what the story was behind the name ‘Oh My Cavalier’ we asked Julianna that question in her interview. “It’s a phrase from a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkin, called “Wind Hover”, about a falcon. I read it in High School and it has always stayed in my head. When it was time to name my website and store it seemed fitting.” {Quote taken from Blankets Julianna Swaney interview in June 2007}

And speaking of websites… Julianna has a brand new one where you can see and buy more of her beautiful work!

BRAD EASTMAN

Brad Eastman {aka Beastman} is a busy artist and the founder of Australian online art magazine We Are The Image Makers {WATIM}. So he was a great person to ask what advice he would give to other creatives… “Try not to waste time, if you like creating, just keep doing what you do as much as you can. Try not to let some shitty full-time job control your life, strive to get the job you are happy to do everyday. Life is short, you gotta make your mark.” {Quote taken from Blankets Brad Eastman interview in June 2007}

And if you check out his website you will see he certainly has been living by his own advice!

AMY SOL

The one thing I have always enjoyed about looking at Amy Sol’s work is the serene feel that overwhelms you just by gazing into one of her paintings. At the time I asked her what her influences were… “I naturally choose to create a female subject. I never gave it much thought as to why but I suppose the female character is the metaphorical embodiment of mother nature. The animal always makes an equal companion and is a good guide through a nature realm.” {Quote taken from Blankets Amy Sol interview in June 2007}

HELGA KVAM

My husband, John, and I are utterly obsessed with Iceland and we have Icelandic landscape photographer Helga Kvam to thank for that. Her photographs captivated our imaginations and we haven’t been able to shake it. I’m sure Helga has done wonders for Icelandic tourism! She’s inspired John and I certainly. We will be traveling to Iceland in July this year on a 2 week holiday! I promise to take lots of photos while I’m there {although I don’t promise they will look anywhere as near as good as Helga’s!}

{You can still get a copy of Blanket Magazine Issue 4 – The Movement Issue – just click on the relevant picture to download it}

My copies of Issue 1 and 2 of Ammo Magazine arrived in the post! Dave Hughes has done an amazing job of putting these together and they are full of inspiring illustrators. I can’t wait to collect more editions!

You can find out more about Ammo Magazine {and a whole lot of other independent publishers} in the latest issue of Blanket.