We'll be back very soon!

I suppose I could come up with some rather far fetched scenarios to explain my absence over the last few weeks…

#1 I have been abducted by some charming but not so clever aliens, who have been trying to wire my earlobes in the wild hope of using them to communicate signals with planet Earth. They ultimately had to release me when they realised I don’t actually have earlobes

#2 Estelle sent me on a very dangerous and top secret expedition in an ancient-buried-lost-city in South America to recover the last fragments of a very rare pigment that changes colour like the rainbow

#3 or I could just simply admit, that we have been very very busy working on some new and exciting projects and we do apologise for not coming out to play as much as we would have liked…

…but, we’ll be back very soon with some new rubrics, some interviews and lots of fun stuff!

Stay tuned…

When Mess Gets Arty: Case No.3

Swan Lake gone full on Disco

When Mess Gets Arty: the strange, wonderful, funny or just plain inappropriate things found in “mess”, in all its glory and completely unaltered.

Case No.3  Big Hair Day

What it really is: a close up on a palette made of an old piece of white canvas, and used to mix colours.

Now cropped and viewed from a different angle: Swan Lake gone full on Disco! We see a little dancer skipping away, with her bright orange tights, a nice big white puffer jacket, and probably one of the biggest bouffant hair do, surrounding her tiny yellow face.

We’d love to hear what YOU see, let us know in the comment box below.

... and the winner is...

Winner: "Really?" by iReina

The “Get your own Secretary!” competition is now closed, the entries were all amazing! The votes have been counted and we have a winner!!

Congratulations to iReina all the way from Spain, who gets to pick her very own Mini Shueya: The Secretary.

The girls are already fighting for a chance to go and enjoy the Iberian sunshine!

Stay tuned...

Did you know... Mummy Brown?

Lunatyc does a Cleopatra
Pen and ink sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Still touring the world and making incredible discoveries!

Did you know Mummy Brown?

Very popular with the Pre-Raphaelites, this rich brown pigment was originally produced from the remains of Egyptian mummies, both human and sacred animal.

Urgh!

The ancient Egyptians used aromatic herbs, resins and asphaltum to embalm bodies, a nice little recipe to preserve them from decay. When the remains where found during excavation of the burial grounds, someone - no one seems to know who (or maybe dare to say who?) - had the very strange idea of grinding this brown mixture of decayed bandages, arteries and bones into a fine powder to use as a pigment.

Due to its popularity a large number of mummies were imported into Europe and this pigment was still very common until 1925, but is not in use anymore.

Now have you guessed where I am yet?

Stay tuned

Exclusive: snap! at the Bankside Gallery

Snap! at Bankside Gallery
2nd to 7th May 2012

Still on my travels and just popping in to say, with great pleasure, that Estelle work will be part of “snap!” the South London Women Artists’ second show at Bankside Gallery.

The exhibition will be based around Women Artist Diaries from the Women’s Library collection at Goldsmith’s University, including the 1999 edition featuring one of their members, Jackie Brown.

During the show there will be a gallery talk by a Tate guide (the Bankside Gallery is situated just by the Tate Modern) and a performative event.  Education workshops will involve four schools from the Bankside area.

If you’d like to attend the Private View, please Estelle directly (email), she will send you all the details.

Opening times
10am-6pm, admission free
 
Free events
Private view/Diary launch 2 May 6-9pm
Gallery talk 5 May 3pm
Performance 6 May 3pm

Did you know... Carmine?

Mexican Flamingo
Pen and ink sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

As you may know, during the competition, I've been sent on a forced holiday, so I'm exploring and reporting from beyond Studio 231 West.

All the way from Central America, I've been investigating the gorgeous Carmine.

Also called Crimson, it is a cool (as in “not warm”, although it is quite a cool colour!) red with a bluish tinge.

The colour comes from a natural dye, the carminic acid, extracted from female cochineal insects – Coccus Cacti – who, as its name suggests lives on cacti, and is found mostly in Central America and Canary Islands.

As it’s a dye, unfortunately, the colour is not permanent and will fade over time, but it is still used in paintings, mainly for watercolour.

Still in Central America (Oh don't you wish you were there too?!), another animal who lends their colour are the brine shrimps of the Yucatan region, in Mexico. Although their colour is not directly used in the arts, they do make for amazing wildlife photography and are responsible, in association with aqueous bacteria, for the coral colour of the Yucatan Flamingo’s feathers. Believe it or not, baby flamingos are actually grey!

Stay tuned…

Competition - "Get your own Secretary!"

"How can I help you Honey?"
Ink and watercolour by Estelle Rocca-Serra

To celebrate the 5th anniversary of Studio 231 West, we are organising a fun competition with an original Indian ink and watercolour artwork from The Secretary series to win!

Check all the details on the competition page here.

Good luck!

Revenge! At least…

Too many girls!
Photo Eszter Szicso and Basil

After all those less than flattering images, in various embarrassing situations set up by Estelle, in what I can only assume is a deliberate attempt to bring ridicule to my honourable name (yes, yes) I have finally managed, with the help of fellow artist and friend Eszter Szicso, to steal a photo of her in the studio! Ah!

Oh by the way, to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of Studio 231 west, in April, we are preaparing a fun competition for you, with original artworks to win!!

Stay tuned...

Sketch of the Day

The Groupie
Graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Estelle told me this little one materialised in her sketch book at a concert of some friends, an Americana band. They were sound-checking at the time, hence the name The Groupie.

I suspect we might see more of this little groupie in the future!

Stay tuned…

Sketch of the Day

For Basil with love
Graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Ok, so as I gently, and ever so subtly, suggested it to Estelle a few days ago, she actually drew me a monster truck, I give you that! But somehow I would have hoped for a more... how could I put it... masculine approach! 

There really was no need to go and cover it with girly daisies now, was there?! You hippy! Sigh...

Breaking News: The girls are back!

"Resistance is futile"
Oil on canvas by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Well technically they’re not quite there yet, but they’re on their way.

Estelle gave me an exclusive that she is working on some new Shueya paintings as well some new tips on How to Handle a Wedgie.

I fear that soon the studio will be filled with more frivolous attitude and oestrogen that I might be able to handle!

Oh how I wish that someday Estelle would start painting Monster Trucks…

Stay tuned...

Hot from the Easel: Mini Bar

Mini Bar, Mini Cocktails
Oil paintings

From the top left corner of the photo and going clockwise: Berry Collins, Red Rum, Sea Breeze and Black Russian.

The Mini Bar series is a variation from the larger Usual Suspects series of paintings, a fun and bright collection of decadently high heel shoes inspired by cocktails, in a mini format.

They are oil on linen textured paper paintings, mounted on board, and framed in a 25x25cm black deep edge box frame.

For pricing and availability please contact Estelle by email.

When Mess Gets Arty: Case No. 2

Abstract Oriental Ceramic Cat?

When Mess Gets Arty: the strange, wonderful, funny or just plain inappropriate things found in “mess”, in all its glory and completely unaltered.

Case n.2 The Abstract Oriental Cat

What it really is: a close up on the left leg of some “Studio Jeans” i.e. used to be a decent piece of clothing to walk down the street and now so covered in paint that is barely decent enough to walk down the corridor at the studios!

Now cropped and viewed from a different angle: Estelle tells me I should have more control over my phobia, but it looks to me like a stylised, almost abstract, oriental representation of a… cat! A bit like one of those ceramic cats, don't you think?

We’d love to hear what YOU see, let us know in the comment box below.

Did you know... Breadcrumbs?

Breaded Pigeon
Sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

As surprising as it sounds, fresh breadcrumbs are widely used in the arts!

The kneaded soft white of the bread can be used as an eraser, its light stickiness will gently pick up particles of charcoal, graphite and even dust on drawings. It is gentle enough not to roughen the surface of soft and delicate paper.

Even more surprisingly, it is well known to be used for art conservation, in particular it is one of the safest ways to clean watercolour and gouache paintings, but less well known is its use to clean varnish tempera and oil paintings.

Our friend the pigeon holds quite a strong stance against this specific use of his staple food, but to be perfectly honest his position would be more credible if he wasn't already covered in crumbs and he is not really our friend anyway! Go have a wash mate!

Source: The materials and Techniques of Painting - Kurt Wehlte

Breaking News: "Addiction" feature

Hesa Inprint "Addiction" feature
contribution by Estelle Rocca-Serra

The Daily Mouse is delighted to let you know that Hesa inprint has published Estelle’s contribution to their “Addiction” feature; you can read all about it here.

Hesa inprint is a bilingual (Finnish & English) blog, web magazine and printed art magazine. Based in Finland’s Helsinki, they aim to provide a platform for artists, writers, photographers, film makers and anyone who has a vision and voice to share their opinions, work and stories.

Feel free to explore it, there is so much to discover and enjoy!

Stay tuned…

A Shueya a day keeps the doctor at bay

How to handle a wedgie: The not so subtle
Oil on linen by Estelle Rocca-Serra

How to handle a wedgie: "The not so subtle"
(Oil on linen, 90x90cm)

More guidance on "How to handle a wedgie", Shueya style, here.

Just between you and me, I heard Estelle is working on some new “Wedgies”!

Stay tuned…

When Mess Gets Arty: Case No.1

The Farting Witch

A new feature of the Daily Mouse: the strange, wonderful, funny and just plain inappropriate things found in “mess”, in all its glory and completely unaltered: "When Mess Gets Arty".

Case No.1 The Farting Witch Basking in Sunshine.

What it really is: a sheet of tracing paper, used as a palette with blue paint, mixed with some yellow to find and select the right shade of green.

Now cropped and viewed from a different angle: at the Daily Mouse we are a bit silly and very childish… we see a witch, ice skating under the glorious sunshine, and who seems to have found a rather biological mean of propulsion, and quite a large fly finding herself in the wrong place at the wrong time!

We’d love to hear what YOU see, let us know in the comment box below.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear!
Graphite Sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Happy Chinese New Year to all our Chinese friends!

Did you know…Le Blog?

From Basil with love

Not our usual “Did you know…?” feature but it seems Estelle has been swallowed into her computer, implementing new features on her website. So in the meantime I'll take the opportunity to tell you about a few features of the blog.

You can have each post delivered to you directly in your mail box (check the little box just there on the right above “Painting of the day”).

You can also share the blog or individual posts, where I look particularly handsome, using the “Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Mail” buttons. It has to be said I haven’t been looking my best lately, must have a word with Estelle. Maybe if I get her some chocolates it would help...I find bribery usually helps!

Stay tuned….

The Mystery Feathers – Mystery solved!

Mystery Feathers, The evidence
The Flirtine, Sculpture by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Well, I told you I had a lead on The Mystery Feathers. Ok I give you that, it took me a while, but finally the mystery is solved! This is what they were for: The Flirtine!

Created by Estelle, The Flirtine is held like a Venician mask in front of the eyes, the feathers allow you to see through but from the other side no-one can see your eyes… Flirt on!

This is what Estelle says about it: “When I started to develop the concept of the ‘Flirtine’ series of paintings, it became obvious that it would be so much fun to make a sculpture of the accessory I created, and was about to paint. This would also give me an idea of scale, volume and texture.

Oh and just to get the record straight, I don’t take it with me when I go out on a hot date! Well, not always.”

"Not always"... yeah, right!

Stay tuned...

A Shueya a day keeps the doctor at bay

The Flirtine, Rule no.2 "Create a mystery"
Oil on canvas by Estelle Rocca-Serra

A brand new series of Shueya paintings, The Flirtine collection.

The Shueya girls are back, with a few tips on how to flirt… Shueya style!

You can discover the rest of the collection here.

Stay tuned…

The Geek: Charcoal

Fuel free power, husky dog
Charcoal sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Charcoal has been known since antiquity, and used for a very wide range of purposes: fuel, medicine and even as a constituent of gunpowder! It is also one of the oldest art materials used for drawing.

Produced by the incomplete combustion (with little or no air, otherwise it would turn to ashes) of sticks of wood, this process makes it extremely stable and durable.

Charcoal is usually supplied in sticks with sharp edges, very useful for drawing fine lines. It turns into a dusty powder when applied, which makes it a very versatile medium that can be blended for very smooth shadowing, used for rough sketches or primary drawings before a painting. The pigment is easily removed with an eraser, which can also serve as a drawing tool. From subtle finish drawings to dramatic and expressive sketches, the range of charcoal is very wide.

An important point though, it needs to be sprayed with a fixative, or the drawing will be, literally, slowly blown away over time.

Source: Wikipedia

Before and After with Andrew Fyvie

Before: Newspapers... After: "Genji Monogatari"

Believe it or not, this stunning carved stone like sculpture is actually entirely made out of newspaper!

Andrew, welcome to the Daily Mouse and thank you for participating to this feature.

How do you transform simple newspaper sheets into this stone textured sculpture? Do you have a magic wand??

Well, I start with some newspapers densely screwed up to form a self-supporting core for the sculpture which I can gradually build up to create the form. The surface is then moulded from papier mâché  -  a mix of newspaper, shredded down to individual fibres, and glue - to produce a dough-like material that can be applied by hand. The black colour comes from the printing ink.

Oh, and as to the magic wand, I don't have one of those, but I do have a finely honed ability to visualise the development of a three dimensional form from nothing.

It has quite a cool name, what is it?

The name of the sculpture is 'Genji Monogatari' (The Tale of Genji) from the title of a 12th century Japanese novel about Prince Genji, a junior member of the emperor's family. I liked the idea of the figure being a human skull (viewed from the front) as well as something of a gunslinger with a touch of samurai (hence the title).

Have you ever used any other unusual materials?

I am always thinking of different materials to express ideas and have used corrugated card, re-enforced cement, beaten copper, catering tin cans, foam and recently I have even used office carpet felt. 'Houppelande' and 'The Nascent Bud of The Magnolia', both of felt, were shortlisted for competitions in 2011, the Royal Academy summer show and The Threadneedle Prize respectively.

You can see more of Andrew’s work on his website (www.andrewfyvie.co.uk).

Happy New Year, Happy Hangover!

Party Animal!
Graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Happy New Year!

Urgh… I need to go back to bed…!