ziggy and friends

We're Moving!

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:59:00 +0000

I'm bringing my sites together under

RED ROAD DESIGN

so why not pop over and catch up

with what's going on.

Bad Cat Treasury

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:01:00 +0000

Thank you so much JennaRedRhino for picking Kirsty Cat for this lovely treasury!

Kickcan & Conkers

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 18:55:00 +0000

Look who's at Red Road Design this week!

Valentine Etsy Treasury

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 07:20:00 +0000

Thank you jennyhoople for highlighting Bertie Bear in this lovely treasury!

Mariska Wright Interview

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:50:00 +0000

More about Alaska and the amazing doll maker Mariska Wright here

Tile Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:31:00 +0000

Pop over to my Red Road site to find out more!!

Etsy Front Page

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 21:55:00 +0000

A great big thank you to The Blooming Thread for selecting my wee Scottie Dog!!

Folksy Feature

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:04:00 +0000

Just found out that my Folksy feature has been published! I'm delighted - Craft Local :: a personal story of contemporary crafting in Scotland.

Merry Craftmas : Kirkcaldy

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 21:36:00 +0000

At last! A Pop Up shop in Kirkcaldy High Street - I hope the council continue to promote this kind of thing and get a bit of life and uniqueness there! Ziggy and Friends will be there if you need any stocking fillers!

ziggy plushie

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:52:00 +0000

Whoever says making a plushie is easy is obviously a very talented person! Stage one of me making Ziggy - ears too big, arms not right, legs too thin. I went to John Lewis to have a look at patterns and I couldn't believe the price they are these days!

Stage two - this time with lovely single jersey and felt - do you think Ziggy looks a bit freaky too??

New Folksy Shop

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 11:03:00 +0000

New Folksy Shop now on track - might suit UK followers!!

Bertie Bear Badge, Pocket Mirror and Tote Bag

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:54:00 +0000

Nice little stocking filler idea for my new shop on Folksy - pop over and have a look!

New pocket mirrors

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:37:00 +0000

I've just completed a Kirsty Cat and Irn Bru mirror. Decided on a Culloden tartan as a backdrop to keep the Scottish feel - this one's for my lovely niece Dawn who loves Irn Bru! Can't wait to see it.

New Pocket Mirrors

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:27:00 +0000

Bertie Bear Kiss Mirror

Kirsty Cat Chocolate Teacake Mirror

Just back from the printers and ideal for a little stocking filler etc. About 2.25 inches! Perfect! Shop

Ziggy & Kirsty Cat Badges

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:23:00 +0000

buy here

New 38mm badges just arrived - was thinking that they would make great Party Goodie Bag gifts.

Sandra Dieckmann

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:29:00 +0000

Ziggy's down in England today meeting great and interesting artisans and he's been chatting to Sandra Dieckmann and finding out about her amazing work. As always, a great big thank you for taking the time to answer these questions Sandra. I really do enjoy finding out about the person behind the work!

Describe yourself in five words!! (I just asked my best friends to do that!)

Extrovert

Enthusiastic

Relentless

Very Loyal

Honest / Open

(they also didn't want to leave out bubbly, fun, friendly, beautiful, striking ....arrrghh ...too much already!)

Where does your inspiration come from

From everything around me. The green trees, the flowers that are out now ,the streets, peoples faces, the sky and London life. Rubbish on the floor and stains on the asphalt, things that noone else has time to look at any more.
Then there is my love and my cat Little Crumb and my friends and other creatives that I’m connected to.
Anything by David Attenborough. Nature books and google images searches for animals! Touching and watching animals and the natural world. Bus dreaming! Music! I think that is only the beginning! These questions are not fair you don't want to read 10 000 words! Tell me what I missed.

In your portfolio what are you most happy with

I think I'm never happy with anything. I'm really excited while having the idea and creating a piece but as soon as it is published it's forgotten and I think about another million things. If I had to choose it would probably be the Wolf face I use in my logo or the Panda bear I created for mine and Jamie Mills Endangered Animals series.

What’s your ideal working day

A clear, bright happy mind. Fresh fruit and coffee and a bit of time out while a friend comes to visit. The days when the ideas flow and I'm feeling on top of the world and my workspace is relatively tidy for a change!

Who influences you creatively

All the things I mentioned in Answer No. 2.

What’s your PLAN B

There is no plan B. I know I'll be ok anyway it goes. Optimism please!

What’s next in the pipeline for you

I'm working for someone (don't want to say yet) which is amazing. There is quite a few interviews, some front covers and upcoming commissions and I have tons of plans.

I write a new list every day and it is just getting longer and longer. I'm just way to excitable!

Apart from that I'm really enjoying running my three illustration projects: Haus Stories and If I Was You and the new Creature Curiosity project. All are currently open for submissions.

If you could be any animal what would you be

A bear or a wolf. They are just too beautiful for words but I do love ALL animals ;D

Any advice for Ziggy

Always smile while hopping and keep your ears stiff and upright. Stay away from the fox and the farmers. Keep away from rabbit pie and dirty rabbits with Myxomatosis.

Who should I interview next

Jamie Mills @JamieMilk. He is absolutely brilliant! I'm working with him on our Endangered Animals Collaboration. You can view some of our images here already: http://www.society6.com/studio/endangeredanimalsseries

For further information about Sandra:-

http://www.sandradieckmann.com/http://www.etsy.com/shop/SandraDieckmann/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandradieckmann/

http://www.society6.com/sandradieckmann

http://twitter.com/sandradieckmann

New Bertie Bear Christmas Cards

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 05:22:00 +0000

Square (5 x 5)) Bertie Bear Christmas cards with sparkly trees! Let me know if you want red or green!

Baby Highland Coo & Deer Greetings Card

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:31:00 +0000

Highland Coo Card

Highland Deer Card 2 new cards to add to the collection for 'The Animals' range - 5 x 5 inches

snail & tortoise art badge

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:14:00 +0000

One of a collection of five badges I've designed from my original artwork! All 1 inch badges and can be found on my other Etsy Shop

Sam Battersby

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 20:21:00 +0000

Ziggy's been wandering the world (this week in Australia) meeting great and interesting artisans and he's been chatting to Sam aka Matou en Peluche who's principally herself, chief artist, illustrator and drawing machine!

Also greatly assisted by a partner who's a technical genius and all round good guy - Matou en Peluche means Plush Tomcat and under this banner produces original drawings, cards, posters, prints and badges.

Sam's been drawing and making things enthusiastically since whenever. Favourite thing is to spend the day drawing - preferably lovely looking girls - drinking cups of tea and listening to music. She thinks she's a bit of a closet hermit! So here's the questions Sam .........

Why do you do what you do?

I've always enjoyed making and creating! I've worked in many different mediums, oils, clay, decoupage e.t.c. but I always come back to drawing. I think I like the absolute control you get with a pencil in your hand! I also find the actually process both rewarding and very relaxing.

Do you work in silence or music blasting or ......?

When I'm initially nutting out an idea, silence. If I've got the basics down and am doing the final bits then a bit of music never goes astray!

What's your routine before you create ?

My routine is I don't have one - it's all a bit in the lap of the gods!

Who's your favourite designer / artist / musician or song at the moment?

I'm very inspired by Mad Men actually at the moment. I'm watching season 4 episode by episode on I-tunes and it's just the best thing since sliced bread in my opinion!

Chocolate or cheese?

Cheese most definitely! Preferably brie, camembert, jarlsberg or blue castello!

What is your PLAN B?..

I teach English as a second language to students from overseas.

What have you learned about being a creative?

I've learned that you must above all be patient and persevere.

Who do you think Ziggy should interview next?

Golly! I think it's interesting reading about anyone who's creating!

Any advice for him ...

Stay cute!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions and I wish Sam lots of success and happiness in everything he does! I'm jealous - Australia is beckoning me too - maybe next year!!!

My Etsy Shop

My Blog

My Website

Kirsty Cat Christmas Card

noreply@blogger.com (jay anderson) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:32:00 +0000

New square format Christmas Card featuring the naughty Kirsty Cat - 5 x 5 inches with sparkling star and fabric tartan bow! Ziggy's shop

Rob Dunlavey

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 04:48:00 +0000

Ziggy's absolutely delighted that talented artists, designers and makers like Rob have taken the time to answer some questions.

This week Ziggy's pleased to introduce you to a wonderful American illustrator and he wants to thank him so much for taking the time to answer these questions and wishes Rob lots of success and happiness in everything he does!

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started?

I've drawn pictures my whole life. Sure, I wanted to be a veterinarian and a zookeeper but those were youthful fantasies. I made illustrations for my mother, teachers, friends and school newspapers. It was just a matter of time before I tried to make a living at it. I've always believed that drawing and making pictures is a rare and exacting skill that people will pay something for.

I didn't start illustration seriously though until I'd completed a masters degree in Sculpture. Other odd stops along the way included work as an archaeologist and scientific illustrator, cartographer and art teacher. After graduate school (that sculpture degree) I moved to Boston and found free-lance assignments with the local newspapers and local educational textbook publishers. I also did work for computer game and educational software companies. I've been working exclusively for print media since 1995 or so. And then the Internet happened and pretty much everything changed.

What item could you absolutely not live without as far as your work goes?

In the largest sense of the word "work", I absolutely could not live for long with out my sketchbooks and art supplies.

Are you an early bird or a night owl worker?

I am an incorrigible early bird and sometimes a night owl

This might be difficult to answer but, right now, who is that one particular person who inspires you?

Right now? Today? At this moment? Only one? There are so many inspirations out there:

André François, Sophie Grandville-Justice, Saul Steinberg, Vincent Mathy, Benjamin Chaud, Serge Bloch, John Hersey, Morris Graves, Andrew Wyeth, William Hogarth, Delphine Durand, Aurelie Guillery, Thomas Baas, Leo Espinosa, Alain Lachartre, Steven Guarnaccia, Jon Klassen, Akinori Oishi, Kazumasa Nagai, Seymour Chwast… sorry! too many I know.

What do you love most about what you do?

Delighting myself and others, making art and the freedom it implies

If you didn't do what you do what else would you be?

Maybe play music and cook food

3 wise words to help new talent out there?

Listen, Persevere, Pay yourself first.

Last question - Any advice for Ziggy?

Does Ziggy have a problem? I don't really know what to tell him: The time goes by too quickly!

Good luck with everything. Best regards to Ziggy. -- Rob

Rob Dunlavey, Illustration

8 Front St.

South Natick, MA 01760 USA

phone: (508) 651-7503

cell: (508) 562-0055

Portfolio
Flickr
Blog
Pointy People

Bertie Bear badges

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 20:56:00 +0000

New range of Bertie Bear and, in a week or two, Kirsty Cat and Ziggy Bunny badges. I'm selling them individually or in party packs of six and twelve! Ziggy's shop

magpie market edinburgh

noreply@blogger.com (red road studio) — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 14:54:00 +0000

'Ziggy and Friends' illustrations, artworks, greetings cards and new badges will be at his first Magpie Market on the 14th November and then on the 12th December - so put the dates in your diary!

Karen Grenfell aka MimiLove Forever

noreply@blogger.com (jay anderson) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:41:00 +0000

Ziggy's been out and about again scouting for creative people as he wants to find out all about who's behind the great work he's been looking about. He's also delighted that these talented artists, designers and makers have taken the time to answer some questions.

This week Ziggy's pleased to introduce you to Karen and he wants to thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions and wishes you lots of success and happiness in all your ventures and adventures!

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started?

I'm Karen Grenfell aka MimiLove Forever... at your service!

I have been painting and messing about with art since I was knee high to a spacehopper. After a spell at uni, various jobs and the advent of internet Mimilove was born! I had always provided a portrait service but it was mainly word of mouth etc that I gained clients so the internet opened up a whole new world for me and I started selling on ebay with a range of paintings mainly large portraits and abstracts for both individual and commercial clients.

In 2004 and 05 a selection of my work appeared at the Birmingham Nec as part of the Memorabilia UK show, it was here that several paintings were signed by celebrities including David Carridine and Britt Ekland. The sporting heroes World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst MBE and boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper OBE also signed pieces and the Henry Cooper painting was eventually sold at Sotheby's later that year!

Since then I have been involved with providing illustrations and artworks for various companies including Blast Recording Studio's in Newcastle and Surrey based Brand New Films.

A collaboration with promoter Steve Wraith and former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock helped to raise funds for children's charity The Bubble Foundation UK. I have also worked with former Scorpions keyboard player and prog rock musician John Young and grafitti/street artists Id iom

Over the past 2 years I have moved away from the large scale "pop art" pieces and have combined my love of embroidery with painting to produce mixed media works including a range of Cockney Sparrows and Budgie Stufferies and a unique pet portrait service which can be found around the globe from Alaska to Australia!

What item could you absolutely not live without as far as your work goes?

Apart from endless supply of tea and cake? My paint brushes...I've had some of them since I was 14...(they've aged better than I have) and I have a few fave colours on the paint front that I'd be lost without, but on the whole I'm pretty casual and will use whatever comes to hand, although I'm constantly losing things like rubbers, pencil sharpeners, general bit's of kit, so some sort of locator beacon would be useful.

Are you an early bird or a night owl worker?

Well I'm always up at the crack of sparrows but really just tend to getting cracking when the moods strikes, but once I'm in my stride I'll be at it 'til kitty and Mr.Mimi start muttering about feeding, sleeping etc!

This might be difficult to answer but, right now, who, at this very moment, is the one particular person who inspires you?

Oh now that's a toughy! It's so hard to say one particular person. This will probably sound soooo corny but I'd have to say my folks, they died quite young but they're in my thoughts every day and a constant source of inspiration in my work from their advice, humour and drawing on their experiences and memories. But I've met some fantastically talented folks out there from all fields, painting, textiles/stitching, street art/grafitti and so on, who are not only an inspiration but great friends too!

What do you love most about what you do?

All of it! I love the painting, it's where I'm most comfortable and you can't whack sloshing a bit of paint about! The stitching is the bit where I can sit quietly and really go for it on the details, it's the most time consuming part of the process, although that is partly because it takes me so long to thread a needle :)

And I've said it before but I do love the commission pieces; I cannot explain how much I enjoy working on these, gathering as much info as I can and then incorporating it all to make it extra special for the recipient.

If you didn't do what you do what else would you be?

Gawd knows! I've never really been a career gal; I've had loads of different jobs in the past from window dresser to art/craft tutor for adults with learning difficulties to graphic designer and even a shampooist in hair salon... (I've washed the hair of both Caprice and Justin Haywood..him out of the Moody Blues...bit of Mimilove trivia there! ;D ) So I guess i'd just go with whatever is thrown in my path but I'll always paint, it's just in the old ticker to do it

3 wise words to help new talent out there?

Tea! Cake! Nap!

I know people think I'm probably just a big lazy lump who spends most of her time shovelling down copious amounts of darjeeling and Mr.Kipling's in between snoozes...and they'd be right...but! Point I'm grasping to make is don't fret or panic if sales are slow in coming or beat yourself up if you're not spending every waking hour strapped to sewing machine/canvas etc. Sit back, relax and enjoy/love what you're doing and if it's starting to become a chore and you're losing heart step away from the stressiness and have a drop or two of something yummy....mind you I'm 2 slices away from a muumuu so don't take too much notice of my advice!

Any advice for Ziggy??

So advice for Ziggy... hmm? Well maybe he should think about knocking the thumb sucking on the loaf cos he'll cream cracker his Hampstead Heath (let me know if you should need translation) x ;)

Links to Karen :-

Web - MimiLove

Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/mimilove4ever/

Blog - http://mimiloveforever.blogspot.com/

Etsy Shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/mimilove