What I love to do in my spare time is sketch and doodle.
These often will be the beginning of a new design.
Recently I have been taking myself off  to cafes
with pencils and paper in hand to do just this.
The thought of a good coffee and maybe a doodle
at the end of it makes me smile, simple pleasures.
I thought I would share some of my recent work.

Lewes East Sussex

A sunny day spent in Lewes last Saturday.
Numerous second-hand book shops and good 
places to eat made me very happy. 
There are also many independent shops and one 
of my favourites is Closet and Botts.

I've also been making a decision on which 
designs to keep for 2015. 
It's been a difficult task.

Sorry for the delay in posting this week.
Like many weeks, time has caught up with me
and with the clocks going back this Sunday
I'm all over the place...

Anyhow, I hope everything is fine with you.
I'll be back with a lengthier post next week.

To enlarge click image

I have been around a lot of helpful people this week.
A big thank you goes out to you all who have bought
Obiko this far.
Your kindness is never forgotten x

An Autumn day

This week I thought I would post a few phone photos
from last Wednesday.
The sun shone all day, bathing everything in warm light.
I had a long walk in a local park called Alexandra and popped
into the last independent bookshop in St Leonards-on-sea
called Bookmans Halt.

A wonderful autumnal day.

Q&A with Sophie Azimon from Made in Hastings

Good morning

In Obiko's Q&A series, stockists and favourite artists are asked to
tell us a bit about themselves.

First up we interview Sophie from the lovely shop Made in Hastings 
which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Made in Hastings was the very first shop to sell Obiko greeting cards
and they still stock them today - something which Obiko is grateful for.
The shop is a cooperative of five local people who all have their own
creative talents and who sell their work in the shop along with many
other Hastings artists.

This is a shop not to be missed on a visit to the town.

Q&A with Sophie

Q What is your favourite place?
S  My house

Q If you were to interview anyone who would that be?
S  Peter Blake

Q What is your favourite hot drink?

S  Black coffee

Q What was the last greeting card you wrote?
S  It was a Christmas card to my 97 year old grandmother

Q If you could learn anything what would it be?
S To be able to plaster, I would love to plaster a room.
 
Q If you had the last stamp in the world who would you send a letter to?
S  My grandmother

Q When was the last time you wrote a letter?
S  Maybe 20 years ago to my then boyfriend
 
Q Who or what would you like to see on your doorstep?
S  My cat

Q What would be your perfect day?
S A Sunday day out with my partner to Dungeness

Q What is for dinner tonight?
S  Leftovers, whatever is in the fridge

Thank you to Sophie
&
Made in Hastings

  

Budapest

Having arrived back later than anticipated yesterday
evening from a few days away in Budapest, I haven't
managed to get this weeks post together. But instead
I've posted a few photos of my enjoyable time away.
I'll be back next Wednesday with my first interview
for the blog from Made in Hastings.
I hope you are all having a good week.

Wallpaper

Lizzie Allen

 Marc Camille Chaimowicz

 Belynda Sharpes

This week I thought I would mention the wallpaper exhibition
at the londonprintstudio who last weekend launched their new show
Wallpaper – Artist’s Interior Worlds’ as part of the London Design Festival 2014.
The show runs until 1st November but the London Design Festival
finishes this weekend.

Wallpaper heaven...

Above are a few of my favourite artists from the exhibition.

My my doesn't Wednesday come around quickly.
If you've been reading the blog, you know I had an open
studio last weekend. Thank you to the people who
came along. If your around Hastings this weekend
we will be open again from

11-6pm at 
103 Old London Road 
Hastings
TN35 5LY

We also have some more work for you to see
and some tasty fruit punch to try.
Above are a few photos of some of the work
you can buy.

Coastal currents Arts Festival 2014

Linda Williams (me)

 

Marta Munoz

 Steviegun

It's Wednesday and time for another Obiko post.
Coastal Currents has begun and for the past 15 years
Hastings and St Leonards have put on a great
Arts Festival incorporating live events, exhibitions,
performances, open studios and much more.
This year I will be participating in the open studios,
showing some of my personal work along with Obiko
stationery. Fellow doodler Steviegun and a favourite
illustrator of mine Marta Munoz will also be joining me.
There will be limited edition screen prints, postcards,
greeting cards and stationery. 

I would love to invite you along.

We will be open on the 
6th & 7th, 13th & 14th September 
Open from 11-6pm

Address
103 Old London Road
Hastings
TN35 5LY

Logo thoughts

I have been looking at the Obiko logo this past week as
I'm wanting to use it in a different way. I think it would
look good on tissue paper, but haven't any Obiko gifts at
present to wrap up. Another sticker maybe, large ink stamp,
wax seal?

Any suggestions email me at info@obiko.co.uk
leave your address and I'll send you any card of your choice
from the new ranges.

The logo was inspired by a sketch I did from the flower buds above
from my garden, many years ago now. I have lost the initial sketch
which is a shame, but the flowers still bloom every year.

New Obiko blog feature

     Botany

This week I thought I would mention a new Obiko feature
for the blog starting in October. I will be visiting stockists
and artists around the country where I'll be conducting a
brief interview with questions and answers and taking photos.

It's been a lot of fun so far. I've been to London and interviewed
Angela from 'Botany' a great concept lifestyle shop in Hackney
and walked just down the road for a local interview from a shop
called 'Made In Hastings' who source all kinds of lovely local
products and was the first shop to stock Obiko cards five years ago.

Drawing at the National Portrait Gallery

Hello
Today I am going to write a little about 'Late Shift'
held at the National Portrait Gallery. There are regular
events put on a Thursday and Friday 6pm until 9pm.
There is also a drop-in free drawing session held every
Friday from 6.30-8.30pm. The brilliant thing is the class
is suitable for everyone.
I've attended a few times and was there last Friday.
There is a tutor who will guide you if needed and all the
materials are provided, so no need to take anything along.
If you get there earlier enough there is also a portable stool.
It's a great venue to spend a couple of hours or 10 minutes,
it's up to you.

For more information take a look here

A few of my sketches above.