Lowndesbourne

The Friends of Lowndes Park got in touch with me to create a flyer that would entice people to come along and enjoy a music filled Sunday in the park.

Having seen my London Map illustration they were keen to have a similar feel, so I took myself down to the park and explored.  Lowndes Park is quite local to me but I must admit I haven't been for a walk there in a couple of years now so it was nice revisiting the area.

It's a great park with lots of space for picnics and games but also hosts a large pond, skate park, courts and playground as well as a new covered platform for events such as this!  This is shown in the focus of my illustration as you look down from the hill that makes up the rest of the park.  You also get a nice view of the surrounding area from right at the top.

You can find out more about goings on in the park on their website lowndespark.org.uk

It's nearly the 7th Manchester Artist's Book Fair!

Not long to go now - YIKES I best get on with making books so I have something to sell!  Every year I think I should of had time to get up to Manchester so I could screen print a 'Manchester' book.  Yet again, I have not!  However, I will hopefully have one ready of York which is at least in the right direction eh?

Oh and also Lisbon, which is a newbie and an old favourite, my '(Delft) Blue' Amsterdam book will be available too.  I will also have some pocket mirrors, screen prints, limited edition prints of watercolour illustrations and a few cards too.

Mail Art Update

A while ago (it's no longer a short while, I realise that I'm very behind on this) I received a very generous package from Jessica Gowling aka Nature's my Friend.  I've been safe guarding it on my desk, putting up various bits for inspiration and generally loving the look of the lovely typewriter written letters Jessica sends.

The main, amazing, marvellous (love using this word) object to this package was a beautiful hand printed moleskin sketchbook.  There was also a matching postcard, which went straight up onto my board of inspiration that I've recently created in my room.  I want to do this sketchbook justice!  I'm waiting for an awesome project idea to come along that would be perfect to fill it's lovely pages with.

Do you have any ideas to help me out?

If you'd like one of these for yourself, then you'll find it in her online shop here.  You can also find Jessica on Twitter here and here.

Untapped Cities

A very exciting announcement!

I have started illustrating for Untapped Cities (WOOHOO!), you'll be able to see new work from me every two weeks on their site www.untappedcities.com under '(Art)chitecture' which will be my column.  I'll share a new building illustration and write a few words to go with it each time.  Go straight to my column here.

It gets better -

Untapped Cities has just opened a shop!  You'll be able to buy prints of my illustrations in their 'Society6' shop and other works which will also be for sale in their 'Etsy' shop too.

Marvellous no?

pssst... You'll also find work by The Downtown Doodler on Untapped Cities who I recently did a collaboration with :-) You can read about that here.

Happy Birthday

This illustration follows on from my 'Home Sweet Home' design and shows a birthday house!  YAY!  Filled with cake, bunting, balloons and banners, it shows a home alive with birthday celebrations.  The perfect card to use as a party invite and to send or take to a birthday.

Home Sweet Home

This piece marks the start of a new personal project of mine to do more illustrations of buildings.

HURRAH!

It is so easy to get distracted with all the lovely commissions I get, that I get carried away and forget that I need to illustrate for me too or I'll have nothing to show for what I love.  I get a great sense of achievement being able to illustrate other peoples loves, bringing a smile to your face and maybe a chuckle if I've got it spot on.  But It's not always something that can be shared with everyone.  Therefore, I have given myself this project to design and illustrate a range that is focused on what I love.  Buildings.  Cities.  Architecture.  Houses.

Give Away

Thats right, you heard me correctly!

I am giving you the chance to win an illustration by me commissioned by yourself.  An A4 illustration of your choice, a complete one of a kind illustration specially for you.  I will use watercolours and add fine line detail, which is the style I tend to opt for when illustrating.  I'll allow a border of paper round the edge to make framing easier.

Some examples of past commissions I've done

In order to enter, I'm asking that you visit my Etsy shop and give me some feedback.  Now.  This doesn't mean that you have to buy something, (although that would be nice if you are tempted).  It means that, I have recently added new products, experimented with the photography and altered my postage costs and therefore would love to hear what you, my lovely customers / fellow illustrators / crafty folk / friends / family, think of it all.

Ideas for you customisable illustration:

• Home / House
• Favourite city
• Garden
• Invitation
• Favourite cafe/shop
• Sweets / Chocolate
• Logo
• Favourite plant
• Pet
• A trinket
• Favourite shoes / bag
• Or you might just like to tell me a few things that you like and see what I come up with!

Please follow this link: www.etsy.com/shop/charlottevallance

And either leave your thoughts in a comment below here, email me, send a message via Etsy (there is a link to 'contact me' on my page) and of course let me know how you would like to be contacted if you won!

I'd love to hear what you think of my photos, the postage costs and the actual items for sale.  If you think something needs improving, let me know!

After all the entries have been placed in a hat I shall select one lucky winner and three runners up.  If you are a runner up, I'll be sending you a little goody bag :-) ppppst I've just had confirmation of a piece of Naida Crystal Jewellery to be in the runner up prizes...you can see her work here: www.etsy.com/shop/naidacrystal

So a total of 4 prizes to be won, you have just under 3 weeks to enter and closing date is the 22nd August at 8pm (UK time).

Most importantly, anyone can enter!

Good luck

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