Heards Design Partnership

The trip to St Ives was inspiring and rewarding for different reasons.  Breath taking coastal views in perfect spring weather had me photographing and drawing on the beaches from Godrevy, through Hayle to Porthmeor, St Ives.  Too many galleries to take in though not all promising creative treasure.  The St Ives Society spring show was a treat though and I recommend a look.  The prize is in the downstairs space at Mariners Gallery. A memorable exhibition by Stuart Thorn along with John Higgins.  Both these artists are experienced and practised professionals able to show a command of their media and an understanding of their subjects. Both consummate designers, both abstactionists and at home in the important gallery which once hung with Heron and Lanyon and other leading twentieth century painters.  Thorn and Higgins justifiably take the baton on with honors

Thought we’d have a cultural day out to St Ives this weekend.  We’ve been invited to the PV of one of our artist clients, Stuart Thorn, at the Mariners Gallery.  I had work there myself a few years ago.  The St Ives Society of Artists spring show is also on upstairs.  The SISoA also boasts one or two other artists we print for, Mary Ann Green for one.  I also see one of my old college pals is a member.  Wonder if he’ll remember me?  Doubt it. Older and grayer.

The Taylor’s restaurant opening was well received and our prints much admired.  Laure Bury especially as she’s ordered 6 prints on canvas following he seeing the finished pieces.  I have a new one to proof, just scanned.

Still trying to find time to start one of the commissioned paintings I’ve been asked to do.  Another one just in.  Looks looks a busy few months ahead, thank goodness.

I’ve just had an exciting meeting. Heards Design Artists Printmakers have been asked to produce a range of canvas prints from the portfolio for a smart new restaurant in Tavistock, Devon.  We’ve known the owner for many years and have worked alongside on various projects.  His latest venture is “Taylor’s”, a stylish cafe and eatery, beautifully set into one of the oldest buildings in the town. State of the art kitchen technology alongside medieval oak beams and lime rendering.  We were already printing and supplying canvases for the upstairs area but he now wants our work throughout.  Some of my own pieces and works by some of our contemporary artists.  Busy week for me then.

I guess we’re all suffering but That amount of snow and ice is VERY rare in this part of the world.  We got iced in over Christmas – OK holiday, so fine –  but the early January snowfall had us cut off.  Couldn’t get the cars in or out and actually had to be towed in by tractor!  Dealing with customers was more difficult.  We had to march into town over frozen fields and crunchy back lanes and carry paintings back to scan.  Big ones too.  Three for John Ashton and one for Honiton based artist Mike Hughes, whose wife, Morag, drove down from the other side of the county.  Such is the devotion to duty.  The cold even effected our broadband.  Very slow speeds, but as I’m always saying, technology is fine but it still comes in fixed to poles like the telegraph used to in the 19th century.  Someone has to sort this out.

Meanwhile I still have a commissioned painting to finish and a load of design and print work to get through.  Here’s some pics to look at.  Roll on summer.

Hi and Happy New Year.

Been back in action 6 hours and things are stacking up.  Continuation of our press redesign for Kivells, the estate agents.  All urgent now as the new look is gaining sway.  I have a book to illustrate for a new publisher, 9 line and wash illustrations for a story set in the 50’s – they now tell me after the roughs went in.  Great reprint on the Stewart Thorn image we did earlier; The Bay, 120 x 83cm on canvas.  It’s very sellable and he’ll find galleries very interested I’m sure.  I have a big oil painting commission on too.  We’re trying to make space in the studio and have realised we’re running out of room.  More on that one later.  The web site is going to get an overhaul too.  I keep promising but Keith is on my back for new stuff and I’ve told him to push me.  Trouble is , so is everyone else….

Some Christmas greetings have started to appear on Facebook. Merry Christmas and seasonal best wishes from Heard’s Design.  Hope you have a good holiday and a rippin’ new year.  All best for 2010.

Merry Christmas to family friends and folks

… And no, it’s not some bit of clipart.  It’s a heardy original ‘cos that’s what I do.  Thanks.  IH

I’ve been encouraged to join the Facebook community.  Turning up old friends and contacts already.  This blog should appear there, if the technology works.  Let’s see.  Should also find us on Myspace and Linkedin, and might even get some songs on Youtube.  All this from a medieval cowshed in Devon!!

I can’t believe where the second half of November went.  Seems we’re working around the clock at the moment.  ”Big Noise” promo stuff went to print, as did WQ tide tables.  Most new work is scan and print, with a fantastic portrait to reproduce for my great friend and mentor, John Raynes.  This 4′ oil had to be scanned and printed as big as possible – which we did –  and is now winging it’s way to the south of France.

We’ve also been printing for a lovely new artist, Gretta Barclay.  She used to design fabrics and we’ve reproduced a set of poppy paintings on canvas panels.  They look incredible.  I’ve also scanned a set of hedgerow studies, 12 in all, with the December one going to a client already. See below.

Thinking about a show for next year now and talking to a couple of artists about collaborating and taking the show “up-country”. Let’s see what happens.

We’ve just finalized the 2101 plymouth area tide tables for our client Weir Quay Boatyard.  As last year, another well known artist has been commissioned to paint the cover. Watercolourist, Rob Dudley has produced a sparkly scene from the quay and we’ve wrapped it around the back.  Ian Heard’s chart of the Tamar features centre spread once more, a useful aid for navigators.

We’re also completing the designs for another project from the same client. Big Noise is a schools event here in Tavistock featuring a massed choir and jazz legend, Mike Westbrook’s Glad day, based on the works of William Blake.  I once confessed to being a Blues player to Mike, who kindly suggested that’s where it all started.  There will be more on this subject to come.