New Art!

I picked up this painting in a charity shop today for £2. I'm trying to think of a way of describing my collection of these paintings other than 'amateur art' because I don't think it's my place to decide who is and isn't a 'real' artist.

Found art is something else entirely - Marcel Duchamp's 'Fountain' from 1917 is probably the most famous (and earliest) example.

I suppose some of my paintings could come under the category of 'naive' art like the painting 'Papa Gueye' below by an anonymous painting from Kharkov.

For now I'll call the collection found paintings rather than found art, but what do you think? How would you classify paintings done by artists who paint as a hobby?

Crescent Craft Class

On Sunday I had the joy of making lots of paper party decorations with a group of lovely ladies at the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast. We made book trees, paper pompoms, giant flowers made from card, fan decorations and tissue paper flowers.

I also have a Christmas crafternoon planned for next month. I'm looking forward to getting properly into the festive spirit with mince pies, It's a Wonderful Life on in the background and lots of mulled wine on the go. Oh yes, and we'll be making things too! Probably the book trees and photo globes.

 Why not organise a crafternoon of your own? Even if you aren't particularly crafty, you could ask your friends to take it in turns to share their talents whether it be baking, knitting or papercraft.

Let's start a crafty revolution.

Caife Na Croisbhealaí and a Tibetan singing bowl

My friend Eddie introduced me to the wonder that is a Tibetan singing bowl today while in the Irish language worker's co-op Cafe Na Croisbhealaí in Belfast. You run the stick around the outside rim of the 16th Century handbeaten bowl and it emits the most beautiful ringing sound which gets louder the slower you go around the rim. It's really something quite special. As is the cafe (otherwise known as BX) and the characters who hang out there.

Recycled Book Christmas Trees

I only accepted the fact that summer is over a few weeks ago but now I'm jumping head first into Christmas mode. Here is my first batch of recycled book trees for this year. They make sweet presents and are good for decorating your dinner table or mantlepiece.

These are a few from last year, on my mantlepiece with the gorgeous nativity set we were given as a wedding present.

I'm going to be selling some from the Lulu Lounge in the city centre and hopefully at a few Christmas craft fairs. And I'm also really excited that the Belfast branch of Waterstones have bought some off me to use as rather appropriate Christmas decorations. (forgive the rubbish phone photos)

Columbia Road Flower Market

Here are a few pictures from Columbia Road flower market which my sister Helen (above) brought us to on Sunday morning. It's a feast for the eyes and full of traders shouting about their wares like the cockneys in the films. And the flowers were so cheap! If I lived in London I'd be there with the rest of the silly hipsters poncing around with flowers in the basket on the front of their bikes.

I really did feel like I was in a film because look! A real life Pearly King!

London baby yeah!

Myself, Danny and about 20 of my school friends travelled to London for my friends Carly and Sasha's wedding this weekend past.  It was in Greenwich which meant it was a very civilised affair (the surroundings that is, rather than everyone's behaviour) and was overflowing with love and laughter.

Another highlight of the trip was seeing Scott Bakula of Quantum Leap fame in a play called 'Terrible Advice'. I can reliably inform you all that Dr Sam Beckett is still a total dreamboat.

We wandered around Greenwich market, the Royal Naval College, the slightly less glamorous Deptford High Street (with the beautiful St.Paul's church pictured above) and on Sunday poor Danny was dragged around a plethora of markets including the amazing Columbia Road flower market and Spitalfields.

Thanks to the beautiful Carly and Sasha for providing such a fun and special weekend.