Cuppa?

Haven't had too much time for sketching in the past couple of weeks, mainly because I've been invited to be the sole illustrator taking part in the Tea and Prosperity exhibition at British Design Week.

I think it's this week actually, so I'd better get on...

The press release says it best:

'Yearning for a bit of old-fashioned glamour and down-at-heel elegance?
Then you'd do best to head down to the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane from 23rd
September...Part tea room and part design store, Tea & Prosperity is
combining the best of both worlds to create something special.

Serving tea & scones throughout the day, with champagne cream tea served
every evening after 7pm, everything in the room is for sale -right down
to the ceramic dish that your scones and clotted cream are served on.
Visitors can expect to see and buy everything from tables and chairs to
mirrors, glass and ceramics, featuring the antique to brand new pieces
by designers working in Britain today.

Here are a few of the pieces I'll be exhibiting and the stories behind them:

Ah yes afternoon tea at the Hotel Meurice, Paris. When I was there it was full of a lot of people who looked a little like Madonna, ordering improbably creamy desserts.

This garden was commissioned by The Guardian Weekend Magazine. I don't want to think about how long it took me. I didn't know much about gardening when I started. Now I know a little more...

This is a couple I saw in Rome, and an old Roman map. I sat for a while in the Bar della Pace across from the Piazza Navona, wondering exactly what their relationship might be.

Coco Chanel's apartment, Rue Cambon. Was I there, or was I just dreaming?

This little parade was commissioned by Glaxo Wellcome. Perhapsthis is what happened to all the Madonna-clones at the Meurice who ordered too many macarons.

This last piece below is calle White Food. I'm not sure why I'm interested in white food, but I find something oddly fascinating about smooth white eggs, icing, milk and marshmallows.

Well, unless you're located in the wrong continent, I hope you can make it to the old Truman Brewery between 23rd September - 1st October for tea and cakes.

If you're interested in seeing any of these pieces hanging somewhere other than your computer screen, I'll be selling a signed and numbered limited edition of each print at the exhibition. Or you can order them from me direct. They're a3 size and cost for £65 per print (or £160 for 3) + post and packaging (£5 in the UK for any number of prints - please get in touch for non-UK postal prices). They're archive quality digital prints on rag paper, guaranteed for a minimum of 75 years. I accept payment by cheque, cash or Paypal and I'd be delighted if you'd like to stop me and buy one.