shanghai trip

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I spent a few days in Shanghai recently, re-acquainting myself after a ten year break. Thankfully there are still some lovely old parts left...although the new and shiny is asserting itself strongly...I took photos with my LCA on black and white film, looking for the beautiful old, messy Shanghai, mysterious through the fog and cold. I missed all the old-style bicycles (everyone seems to be on electric moped thingys now), that used to be everywhere. But the food was of course as tasty as ever!Shanghai dumplings are something special, they really are...

Lane Crawford gift cards

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I've designed some festive season, electronic gift cards for Lane Crawford, the exclusive luxury department store in Hong Kong. They are the latest in their 'artist series'. There are three designs to choose from,  the first is a simple reindeer on a metallic aqua background, the second is a selection of winter holiday sketches on silver...and the third is a special Christmas gold and red version of my HK toile...(You can still buy the toile teasets at Lane Crawford by the way). Happy Christmas shopping!

coop house

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A few weekends ago I went to stay in the littlest castle you've ever seen. Well, it was actually a renovated summer house, but it's been beautifully renovated by the Landmark Trust, and it looks like a castle, so that's good enough for me...It's up near Carlisle, and the weather held out for us, so we walked in the mud, got chased by cows, and watched salmon leaping in the river. I loved the antiques that filled the house, and spent time drawing some of them. This jug is my favourite.We also went to see Hadrian's wall, and I fell in love with the land all around.

charity christmas cards

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I've designed a range of christmas cards this year for ndi moyo, a charity that provides palliative care for HIV/AIDS sufferers in Malawi. Here are some of my favourite designs. I based them all around traditional Christmas themes of baubles, gifts and trees, using African textiles and patterns to reflect the locale of the charity itself.I've done five designs, which you get in a mixed pack of twelve cards (six cards by another illustrator) with envelopes. Unfortunately you can't buy just my designs, but it all goes to charity, and the other cards are pretty interesting too! If you're thinking of getting your christmas cards soon, I hope you'll consider buying these...

Spirit of Christmas fair

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So, it's that time again. I'm working at the thinkgadgets lighting stand at the Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia in London next week (2 - 6 Nov), please come and say hello!

I've worked for thinkgadgets since it started, over 10 years ago, designing light-shapes, creating illustrations for their packaging, and doing work on their website (check out the link above). The lights are all decorative, and are usually sold in large stores, like John Lewis, Libertys, The White Co etc. But the Fair is a chance to see all the collection together!This is a drawing of one of their colourful light-chains, and here's one of my favourite light mobiles (I designed the shapes, they change colour!)I help out every year at the Christmas fair, it's great to get direct feedback from people buying lights I've designed. Hope to see you there!

just a minute

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I went to a recording of  'Just a Minute' (my favourite radio show ever) last week, at BBC Broadcasting House in Portland Place, London. We had to wait in line for a long time, but it was worth it. Nicholas Parsons was jovial and dressed smartly in his usual stripy blazer, the panel was almost ideal: Paul Merton was droll, Jenny Eclair sharp, Ross Noble a bit obscure and crazy, and Gyles Brandreth was totally OTT. I loved it!

I used to listen to the show with my dad, when I was a child in HK, when it was broadcast on the world service on sundays. When we moved to the UK when I was 12, dad and I went to a live recording with all the original panel: Kenneth Williams, Derek Nimmo, Clement Freud, and my favourite, Peter Jones.

It was so amazing to see another recording, so many years later. Nicholas Parsons is still the chairman, and has been for the whole of the 45 years it's been going! Amazing...

new River Cottage TV series

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The new series of River Cottage starts tomorrow in the UK, all about vegetables, hurrah! It will feature many of the recipes from his new book (illustrated by me, by the way). I did the calligraphy for the title sequence, and one of  my vegetable prints will also be animated in the opening shots.From Sunday 15 th October, channel 4, 8pm. Enjoy!

travel photos

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I've just got my negatives back from my latest Asia trip, and here are a few photos to share...This is Taipa old village, in Macau. There are still a few tiny patches of old charm left there, if you look hard.Ritsurin Garden in Shikoku, Japan. It's listed as one of the top three, and was calm, orderly and very green, with delightful koi and picturesque red bridges.Sayabashi bridge in Kotohira. We went to climb the mountain to Kompira san here, a famous pilgrimage temple & shrine. More photos on the way, but hope you like these in the meantime!

iriya plus cafe mural

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While I was in Tokyo two weeks ago, I went to visit my friend Naomi who runs iriya plus cafe, in Iriya, near Ueno. It's in an old warehouse building that she renovated, keeping the gorgeous original wooden beams and shelves, and overall traditional Japanese style, but adding a modern feel.She commissioned me to paint a mural on the main cafe wall, as a backdrop for the upcoming 'pancake party' event, with live music by the local band JOYZ (you can see them in the above photo).I drew this initial rough design, but found out that they don't make pancakes in a frying pan! So I took the pancake out and added more text. I also changed the font I used for 'POP' into my more comfortable calligraphic stye. Here's how it looked when it was done.A photographer called Takumi Yamamoto, a friend of JOYZ, documented the day: me doing the mural, and also JOYZ playing live while I was doing the painting. There was a typhoon that day, but we were all snug inside. This is everyone, including the cafe staff... If you're in Tokyo on October 29, try to make it to the live event, I bet it'll be fantastic. For tickets and more details, go to the iriya cafe blog. Wish I could be there!

Kate Spade party

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Kate Spade has just opened a shiny new store in Pacific Place shopping mall in Hong Kong, and I was asked to be a guest artist at the opening party. I  drew sketches of the customers and VIPs (who had each been given a fabric flower to wear for the event), and gave them to everyone to keep as a souvenir gift.It was fun! I kept the portraits light, pretty, and in the style of the evening. Each one had a dash of watercolour red and pink for the flowers, and took under five minutes to complete. I think most of the guests were happy with their pictures...I had expected it to be mostly women, but alot of men sat for me also, which was great.There were a few local celebrities there, and I even drew a portrait for Stephy, a canto-pop singer.Check out all the HK stores (ifc, Harbour City & Elements, as well as PP) if you're into super nice handbags and accessories!

Stephan Said album artwork

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In my last NY blog I mentioned that I went to a gig of a friend of a friend (Stephan Said) and did some sketches... well, my friend showed him the sketches, he (Stephan) loved them, and asked me if I could do some more for his new album. So I did.We discussed the album, I watched videos of his live performances, listened to the songs, and then worked out a concept for the album cover: I drew each of the main band members, and the image wrapped around the front and back of the CD packaging to show them all.I did extra sketches for the inside of the booklet, and also did most of the hand-lettering in the same loose pen style, for the titles and track names. I think it holds it all together well.

Here's an interview with Stephan on PRI, and you can listen to the single 'Take a Stand' on the Huffington Post, and of course you can find out all about Stephan on his own website.

The album was released yesterday, September 21st, International Day of Peace.

River Cottage veg everyday!

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My new book is out! I say my new book, but of course it's Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's new book: the next River Cottage everyday cook book, all about vegetables. Yum. For this book, I created the illustrations out of the ingredients themselves: I printed with the actual vegetables in the recipes. Remember how you used to print with potatoes at school? Sort of like that, but in a slightly more professional way. I left some of the vegetable prints simple (like this globe artichoke) and with others I created narratives and patterns, to complement the recipes.The illustrations have the same relaxed 'home-made' feel to them as the ones in the last 'River Cottage every day' cookbook, but this time in full colour, and with texture. You can read what Hugh says about the book here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/aug/26/hugh-fearnley-whittingstall-vegetables

It's the Guardian link, as he writes for them every weekend. The book is on their best-seller list!You can also go direct to River Cottage to watch several videos of Hugh talking about the book. He's so excited about vegetables...

I'd also like to say a little thank you to Lawrence Morton, who art directed the book, as he's been so wonderful to work with. Thank you!

launch party

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Hi all, a big thank you to everyone who came to my opening party last night. It was crowded and cosy and wonderful! Many tea sets and etchings were sold, and I hope all my new patrons of the arts went home happy.

The show continues until the 24th September, with new pieces (rugs/cushions etc) being added next week. Bring your friends...This is me, my friend Alexis, and some of  my 'Peony Collection' silk cushions. The Peony Collection designs are created from details of the flowers in my etchings.

monsters illustration show

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As you may know, I'm part of an illustration collective in London called monsters and we sometimes get together and do projects as a group. We've got a show launching on sunday at a cycling-themed cafe/bar in Old Street. Everyone (except me, unfortunately I'm still away) will be attending the private view, so if you fancy meeting us, please join us on thursday evening. Otherwise, pop in any time to have a look at the wonderful work!

Here's a sneak preview of one of my new pieces done especially. It's a digital archival print, in an edition of 10.

Hope you enjoy the show!

Peonies, Playing cards, & Teapots

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I have a solo exhibition opening soon, in a gallery in Hong Kong, yay! It will feature my printmaking work, themed around Asia, tea, flowers and playing cards.

As well as my etchings, my HK toile teasets recently sold in Lane Crawford will be available to buy.There'll be new furnishing fabric in the pattern, which has been made into cushions, sofas, table napkins etc. I've also designed some unique Peony rugs, and this will be the first time they're available for sale! The teasets and fabric are produced by faux, and if you can't make it to the show, you can buy directly from them.

The exhibition will be at Amelia Johnson Contemporary, G/F, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, just off Hollywood Road in Central.

The opening party is from 6-9pm on Wednesday 7 September 2011, and the show continues until 24 September.

If you'd like any more information, please contact me!

Mariko