Some more college work... tea-cards that have a 'singles' slant on them... maybe these could be sold as part of a Match.com package? when you sign on? free tea bags with cards inside...or a range of teabags that have these inside? or would that be rubbing it in slightly? maybe not such a good idea??? or simply a book idea that may sell in an artsist gift shop/gallery like Here and Now?... there could be all sorts of characters and animals etc so you would match them to each other however you liked?...anyway I wanted to start creating characters that I could possibly start writing narratives for but I think I'm more interested in the techniques and something simple and immediate...leaving the viewer to make up their own narratives and character assessment for example. I could easily make a book with these characters and it to be a book that would amuse.

some new work!

Some new work from my Unit 2 for my MA... I'm not sure how these would be presented... I have a feeling they would simply be paintings with a title... the title being important, in that it would be their context? maybe the title contrasting heavily with the image? I'm presenting next week so need to do lots more!....wI'm hoping that seein them up on the web will help me see them differently... ie detaching them from my grasp so I can look at them objectively!...we'll see..

I am dying to do a book about my dawg! and here's the first pic! not sure on story ideas yet??

www.carolinepedler.co.uk

updating the website!

college work!, hi5 and being inspired!

I've been doing some college work, briefly!...I have to prioritise it this time round as I love it when I get stuck in but never give myself the time to, as I have so much stuff to do before I can! if that makes any sense??? anyway here's some I have done in the last couple of weeks...these were used for the last Truro hi5 show and working on the idea of singles ads!... also a collaboration with my piers under the title recipe....buuut anyway, now the hi5 exhib is out of the way nearly... we take it down on Sat, I can start making more time.. It's Bank holiday Monday today so I took the day off and helped a little with the Victorian Fayre, for the gig club, and then took myself off to Penzance to The Trewidden Studios, where I wandered around and took all the great art in... I was really interested to meet Georgina Houndsome and Alex Higlett as I loved both of their work at the MA show last year!...they were on the MA course I am on now. I bought a book from Alex and wished I could afford a print of Georginas too! I had a look round everywhere and stumbled across Sam Bassetts studio and WOW!...I love his work and you should have a look...google Sam Bassett / artist...his website wasn't working when I tried. Anyway I left there and got back to my car and Because I had earnt some money from the film crew for a couple of paintings I went back to Sam's studio and treated myself to two little paintings of his.. Very chuffed. I love them ... here they are!

Wunderschon travel documentary filming in my studio!

WDR TV from Germany have been filming me today for their Travel Documentary, Wunderschon. They found my website and loved my flower paintings so wanted to come and chat to me about them. They came and went in two and a half hours and they were soo lovely!. Was a real joy to have them there. Was funny in bits and they bought some work and some books from me too! a great day in great company!.. here are some and the show goes out in Germany on the 18th July...also the new show up in St Austell.. you can see more on the hi5 blog and the facebook page... here's some work I did for it and a pic of the upstairs room.

hi5 and Word M'art in the Market House

Hey we're back on it!.. here's the poster and the press release and some the artists taking part!

We also have Ryan Jones (Hitchcock Rules) playing live with his band!! refreshments available so pop along for some live music, chat and lots of art.

Art Explosion in the Market House St Austell

Art collective ‘hi5’ and internationally acclaimed poet Sally Crabtree have collaborated to transform the Market House in St Austell for two weeks with poetic performances and exhibitions thanks to support from Feast, Restormel Arts, St Austell Town Council and Cornwall Council’s Creative Team.

‘hi5’ is a collective of five South West based professional artists with track record of using art to change spaces, especially empty shops. The collective include illustrator Caroline Pedler, painter Faye Dobinson, printmaker Paul Bawden, painter, Lucy Brown and designer, illustrator Andy Pedler. For this particular project the group have also invited three guest artists to join them including ceramicist Rebecca Harvey, St Austell based Tamsin Dearing and sculptor James Eddy who will be creating a site specific installation.

Word M’art is a performance based show from the prolific poet Sally Crabtree. “Poetry should be taken down from its ivory tower and given back to the people where it belongs. In Cuba, the factory workers have poems read to them while they work and for them poetry is celebrated. It is as natural a part of their lives as living and breathing and they are not afraid to show their emotions. Here, it is only when there is a marriage, death or a birth that most of us are brave enough to get poetry out! I want to change all that and show people that poetry doesn’t have to be boring, stuffy or elitist. It can be fun, exciting, engaging and uplifting. There’s a poetry revolution going on and I want to encourage people to sign up!” says Sally.

Word M'Art is an interactive supermarket themed poetry installation, which can be set up in empty shops, supermarkets, as a market stall for fetes, carnivals, festivals or as a museum or gallery installation. The week-long launch event in St Austell will see interactive performances such as the Trolley Waltz, Poems in a Tin, ‘I'll Eat My Words’ edible poetry cakes, Shopping List Lotto, poetic cures at the Word M'Art Pharmacy and live musical poetry from the Story Aisle Word M'arts in-store band – viva la poetry.

Caroline Pedler from ‘hi5’, “The Market House in St Austell is an amazing building that houses a number of eclectic shops under the largest wooden ceiling of its kind in the UK. The aim of the collaboration is to energise a space, to give people different reasons to visit St Austell, to bring the shops immediate environment alive and to make art and poetry accessible by taking it into everyday spaces.”

The ‘hi5’ exhibitions are free and will be open from Mon 24 May until 5 June from 10am to 4pm daily, except Sundays and Banks Holiday. There is a private view on Thursday 27 May from 5 – 9 pm, this will be a great opportunity to meet and greet the artists in person and enjoy a night of art, poetry, music and creative collaboration. There will be live music and light refreshments will be available from the venue. Word M’Art will be open from 1 - 5 June, it is also free and open from 10.30 am – 4pm daily. There is a free art workshop from 2 – 4 pm, on the 2^nd June with Cosmic for children and young people, under 12’s will need to be accompanied. ‘hi5’ and Sally are closing the project on Saturday 4^, with tea and cake from 3pm.

Email: hi5artcollective.com

Blog: HYPERLINK "http://www.hi5artcollective.blogspot.com/" www.hi5artcollective.blogspot.com/

Or find us on HYPERLINK "http://www.facebook.com" www.facebook.com search hi5 art collective

Word M’art - Sally Crabtree m: 07971 687120 or www.thepoetree.net

To find out more visit www.hi5artcollective.blogspot.com

To find out more visit www.thepoetree.net

hello! what I hear you ask? well your are invited to our private view....when? on THUR 8TH APRIL 6-10PM.. please come along for a glass of wine and some delicious nibbles.

where? the old Storm watch shop at the Boscawen st entrance to Hall fro Cornwall...poster attached...

Please pass the word on and look forward to seeing you there all the links for the last show are at the bottom of this email THanks ...hi5! xxx

The line up includes artists, Faye Dobinson, Paul Bawden, Lucy Brown and Caroline Pedler with guest artists James Eddy creating an installation onsite and Rebecca Harvey with her beautifully crafted ceramics, ,with a new edition, Andy Pedler.

hi5 Art Collective are back in Truro and changing spaces for the Art In The City festival in April. Using empty shops to exhibit their work, injecting life into an otherwise dead space.

After a roaring success in September last year, the artists will be showing their work at the other end of Truro. Currently working with Neil Scott from Totally Truro and Cornwall County Council in securing a shop in Boscawen St, for the duration of the art festival. Details yet to be confirmed.


“hi5 are all full time professional artists, so finding time to come together and even organise a meeting can be tricky but we’ve managed to find some time to do some new work and hopefully put on another great show! It’s going to be a lot smaller this year due to the size of the shop we have in mind. That’s not a problem though as we can adapt and that’s half the fun of using empty shops. We’re really excited about getting in there and making it ours, if only for a week or so. Having a new artist on board is exciting too although he’s my brother I’m excited about seeing what he brings to the table, and as siblings it’s also exciting and special about exhibiting in our home town.” hi5 founder Caroline Pedler


They are planning to have an open party with entertainment, along with Nigel from Experience Wine supplying us with some delicious Spanish wine. The Tea Appreciation Society will be hovering around with some tea paraphernalia and probably some home made treats from Mrs Pedlers kitchen and Archie Browns! The launch party will take place on Thur 8th April from 6pm til late.

hi5 will not only be exhibiting work in Truro but have also been asked to do a similar event in St Austell at the end of May for two weeks. Working with St Austell County Council they will be using empty shop spaces within the Old Market House. Encouraging people to come into the town, to use the Old Market building and experience something inspiring and different.

I have a new studio buddy..... Anna moved in a few months ago and making the place look really creative!...great to have her on board. We have a lovely cosy studio now..except for it being a bit parky in the winter!.. New puppy addition coming soon too!...good things ahead! I'm 4 months into my MA and beginning to really enjoy it but underestimated the emotional strain it would put on me so making more room for it in my life and looking forward to getting my marks for my first essay so I can learn and move forward!...

I have started working with Julia Stone on the book we're doing together and we're very excited... it's gonna be an old school kids book and here are a couple of sketches... I'm thinking a more Tim Burton stylee boy and not so cute and not so kids book! but more edgy! ... similar kind of trees etc though....Also recently just done some more sketches for an article in Aus for Julia for some of her stories.

Also roughing out the my new book with Little Tiger work in progress on my drawing board!

Just okayed a talk at my bro's college in Swindon in March and a talk for the Truro Arts Society soonish I think. So enjoying life in the world of illustration... plus getting ready for the Scilly Champs in May. 3 hours of rowing this morn and it's cold out there!!!

Wos on?

well what's new? after a couple of sleepness nights and late nights working I'm a wee bit tired but it's all beginning to make sense!.. I have an essay to write by next week so any spare time is spent on that.. I have been working on my first college project and have come up with a set of images that I will put in a book... I see shadows in my window and have rather torrid sleep patterns so I have been using this as the subject for my study...

I've been having meetings with Creative Unit and hi5 and we're on the move again. In St Austell and Truro..both around April and May time....news will be posted on the hi5 facebook page and the blog.

wos new?

...Along with working on a new book for my publisher I've been tying up a few commission ends... these three for Lou Lou and a card for papyrus. I'm waiting to hear from Julia Stone and a book idea she has and I now have a whole week off... infact even more than that which is unheard of over Christmas normally...

college proposal

...an idea I'm working on for my MA proposal... meanings and fuel behind it to follow later when I have time to add it on..but briefly exploring the way I natural practice art and illustration. Getting in touch with a more soulful practice that is intrinsically mine, exploring my unconscious mind/self...exciting stuff...

This is an image from the video (that I can't upload!). I want it to rotate and pulsate and sizzle to a soundtrack. Morphing from a character / shadow, that I see in my bedroom when I have nightmares, into this ball of detritus that pulses with life.

It is a very personal journey that I did not intend to follow but is very apparent in my life as I continue to deny my true potential and hide all the things, that are truly me, in my shadow! time to face the beast!..the video is also purely a sketch that represents a feeling or at least how I want the finished video to feel and look. The music is from a cd I play to calm and rebalance myself when I'm on my own... it's by Jonsi and Alex from Sigur Ros... Indian Summer from Rice Boy Sleeps.

Noodles is finished!!!

well I bleedin gone and dunnit!!!.. Noodle is all finished and sent off in full!.. I've just finished the covers woohoo!!... It really has been a hard book to get into and finish...especially with all that purple and the fact that I was so busy!.. I've added the text I created but no doubt this will differ on the actual one...

The other book has also been finished and will be collected by UPS to fly to the US tomorrow!...Those I won't put up on here! x

So onwards with my MA. I must find some more work to tide me over Christmas but not until I've had a break from the commercial and I intend to take a whole week off and get up late and go running and leave work on time and be creative! I may even do a couple of workshops and use the print room at college if I can...It feels so good to be free!!! I've started my research journal for my first proposal. I have decided to concentrate on what makes me tick and has made me tick in the past in my sketch books... to get what is in my head and my heart onto the page and into my work... To find my own voice and language. Everything seems happy again!...xxx

so many things!...

WOW!!!!!!!!!! what a few months!... I am still working on Noodle... and the US book for Sterling Publishing. Noodles writer, Sheryl has given birth.. congrats!...I have started my MA, had numerous other deadlines along with creating and co organising a collective exhibition with two events with live music and art etc. Moved in with a man! made a few new friends and contacts. Got my work in Trelissick Gallery, got some commissions to do, held a workshop and book signing at the Edinburgh Book Festival and rowed in the County Gig Rowing Championships with our A crew! I have yet still to meet with the Royal Cornwall Museum in ref to working with them on leading an empty shops project. Also working with Creative Services on an empty shops arts project in St Austell!... My next goal is to hold, with hi5 a drawing club this coming Sunday 11th Oct in the hi5 space, then onto organising our next exhibition at Christmas...! the closing party was great for the last exhib...lots of great feedback.. A report to follow. Champagne was popped!

I started my MA n Monday with a weeks induction and workshops etc. One with Andrew Lanyon which was great. He made so much sense and oozed creativity and purpose! I'm definitely on the right course. Everyone being different and lovely...receptive and open to new things...the course seems tailor made! I will post the book I started...on the workshop.. just playing with paper really.. I did notice I was making the backgrounds really simple.. something I don't do so much in my commercial practice. so concentrating on one thing or the character in question only...

I forgot I did some Christmas cards recently and here they are they were for Ling Design and it was great working with them again. I have also been offered a book with my old client Parragon.. Taking this Santa character and giving him his own book! in talks about fees etc but may take it up.. watch this space.

noodle and hi5!

More noodles illos....aaand.......The launch party was a huge success!!

Edinburgh Book Festival

...well we went, we did and we saw!...James came with me and we stayed in Edinburgh for three days and two nights. The fringe festoval was on too so we went and saw Rich Hall and some galleries and that was all we had time for after my event and just hanging out at the book festival. The city was lovely and not overcrowded at all. My workshop was sold out with 20 kids and their guardians and did a book signing after the workshop in the book shop afterwards! We were relaxing in the Authors yurt with Ian Rankin, Iain Banks, Raj Persaud and Menzies Campbell which was really lovely. It was a completely new experience to be part of something as highly regarded as the International Book festival. A real priviledge!..Bath festival next year as well I hope!...

Edinburgh festival and more noodle!±

and more noodle!!!...although going slowly and I know I will amend most of these to add that something special but the bones are there and looking ok...

Still loads to do and Edinburgh Book Festival was a welcome distraction. It was so awesome to be in such a lovely city and nice people. Didn't feel hectic.. just really relaxing to wander around.. We visiting lots of galleries with different work from the Cornish scene, which was refreshing. some inspiration found by both James and I. The best was being on the same bill and in the same author's yurt... as Ian Rankin, Iain Banks, Menzies Campbell and Raj Persaud among others! The workshop I did was sold out but I only signed one book! But Steve Smallman who wrote one of the books had sold and signed loads the day before so that's great. I didn't expect anything so it was great either way.

Well here's more noodle artwork this time...... altho the wool looks a different colour....oh well! all still full on with hi 5 etc and just trying to fit it all in... off rowing now!

hi5! flying high!!!...still!

well we had another meeting today but it was in the space this time which was really exciting as it all felt really real. We have All the Fires onboard for the launch night...and Soup gallery has an open night on the same night so working with them and sharing customers hopefully....I''ve done a couple more pieces and they're all very different which I quite like.. here they are... they;re not finished yet as I don;t like them enough yet but I can go back and change bits when I have a few and can see them all together and see what journey they were on and where I want them to continue.

hi5! flying high!!!

well... hi5 is going amazingly well.. I've actually started doing some sketch prelims...here they are.... just doodles really but I like the approach using both oils and acrylics...they are along the right lines...we have a space in Truro next to Bunters which is great and a couple of amazing people on board helping and giving advice and the space etc...so watch this space and the facebook page where new pics are going up...at the moment I'm taking inspiration from pics off the web so I have yet to find my own real original content but I'm sure I will. Just working through the pics and using the style I have used when I started my professional career. Just putting paint and colours down using a roller or brush then working into and on top of those colours layering and see what images come out of it...so the painting actually creates itself and guides me rather than me making the decisions...all very exciting!! now is the time to go big!!!xxx