I now have a profile on Creative Times, check it out...
http://www.creativetimes.co.uk/directory/lilygreenwood

Also, I forgot to mention on here that some work I did for Granada TV is now on the box, on 'Britannia High'. It's, er, not my kind of programme, so I won't be mad if you don't watch it. If you do however, look out for Amy Winehouse and Anthony Hopkins in the school corridors (it's a musical drama set in a British drama school) - also two murals in Mrs Troys kitchen - a crazy butterfly one on the chimmney breast, and a leafy Rousseau style number up the wall by the stairs.

Following on from Emily Gravett, I couldn't resist drawing attention to one of my other favourite picture books of recent times - Beegu, by Alexis Deacon.

picture books

I recorded the first two in the series of documentaries about the picture book on BBC4, and finally got round to watching the first one last night. The way it was made seemed to me a bit like documentary by numbers (such as showing a bit of stock footage from the 60s and playing a hippyish tune to show they had moved on to talking about that era) but the books they discussed were undeniably classics, and it was great to hear the authors and illustrators themselves, such as Allan Alberg and Shirley Hughes. Watching it confirmed to me that I have a real urge to get into a new children's book project. When I look back at the picture book work I did on my degree 3/4 years ago, I really don't think it was actually that good, and I'm eager to try and improve myself.

Two different things are daunting me though. The first is that as such a strong admirer of certain books, writers and illustrators, a nagging voice which I'm sure many people hear keeps making me think it would be impossible to ever reach that standard. I suppose I have to use that admiration and self-awareness to continually improve, but it's hard to swing it round from a defeatist attitude. The second daunting thing is allocating the time. I have in my head that after Christmas I would like to try devoting a day a week to it, but during a recession a day a week devoted to work for which I may never be paid (or if I do then many years down the line) - is a daunting prospect indeed.

Perhaps I'm thinking about it all too much and should just get started!

This is a book which I love at the moment, by Emily Gravett. It's very simple (as the best things often are) and beautifully drawn.

christmas events

I've been a busy bee for the past couple of weeks in the studio in preparation for Christmas. I'm drawing to a close my exhibition and commission activities for 2008 so as to be able to concentrate on Crimbo stock, in particular prints, cards, postcards, cotton bags, decoupage bowls, and small-medium canvases. We're having a late night shopping event on Thursday 27th November at the Craft Centre which looks like it will be amazing, and launching our Sunday openings on the 30th. There'll be food, drink, music, and all manner of good things.

november already

I'm in the studio today, not too cold, but perhaps this is because I'm wearing two jumpers. Actually, it's quite a bright late autumn day, and I can see blue skies and wintry sunshine through the glass roof, which from inside my two jumpers looks quite nice.

On the to-do list today are a couple of commissions which still need some work, and I'll probably get going on some more little'uns...Christmas present sized canvases. The other week I delivered some more work to Blossom in Chorlton, and Alison from Heart Gallery will be visiting soon to pick up some work. Canvases from Chester are arriving back at the studio on Monday, so if you spotted something you liked there it's not too late to drop me a line.

worky work

High time for a little update on my activities, time is flying past and I didn't realise quite so much had flown since my last post. I've been busy in the studio this week working on a few commissions, which will probably carry on into the next couple of weeks too. What with commissioned pieces and keeping the studio well stocked for Christmas I've decided not to arrange a new exhibition for a little while, although new work will soon be heading to both Blossom in Chorlton and Heart Gallery in Hebden Bridge. I'll also be collecting work from Chester, where the exhibition in Telford's Warehouse is ending on Saturday. (Last chance to grab something there!). In the studio, the fair trade bags are now available, and I'll be ordering more 10" x 8" prints soon as I see my stocks have become quite depleted - perhaps a few new designs. Ooh, and a new supply of hand-knitted flower brooches by Hazel Fenton will be arriving this afternoon!

packs on sale

My packs of snowman Christmas cards are now on sale in the shop, in lovely non-plastic packaging. 5 for £6.50! I'll also be doing packs in a second design (reindeer) in the near future.

In other news, if you are going to the Buy Art Fair at Urbis this week, I'll be represented under the umbrella of Manchester Craft & Design Centre, so look out for the stall.

mr snowman

This year I'm going to be selling small packs of Snowman Christmas cards. There are already plenty of festive items to be seen in the shops, which makes me realise that not everybody is as last minute as me when it comes to Christmas shopping, so I've set cogs in motion and the cards should be in my shop in the next few weeks.

Tonight is 'badge-making in front of the football' night...

the art group

I realise this is my third post today, but never mind! I've had some good news this afternoon...perhaps more than a year ago, I sent some images of work to The Art Group. They used one of my designs in a presentation to Next, who unfortunately didn't go for it. I had an email today from them saying they have been keeping an eye on my website and would like to use an image in a presentation to Laura Ashley. There's no way to know if Laura Ashley will like the work, but it's great to be remembered and involved!

fair trade a go go

I'm really pleased to have discovered a suitable supplier of fair trade cotton bags, so before too long the printed bags available in my studio will all come with fair trade assurance. The shipment is due to arrive in about a week so expect an array of lovely fair trade bags coming your way soon!

jingle bells

It's less than 100 days until Christmas, how did that happen! At the moment, along with the odd commission and top-up work for exhibitions, I'm trying to concentrate on adding to my stock of little paintings, with the run up to Christmas in mind. This is a 12" square one I have just finished.

telford's warehouse, chester

Some pics from my ongoing exhibition in Chester...

blossom

I had an email from Becky at Blossom florists in Chorlton a couple of days ago. Paintings and cards are continuing to sell well there since I began the exhibition to tie in with Chorlton Arts Festival, and Becky has invited me to continue selling work there which is great news. Look out for new paintings and greetings cards there soon!

little mention

I'm very pleased to have had a small mention in the Guardian's guide to England's Cityscapes, in an article about the Northern Quarter a couple of Saturdays ago. I was on my jollies at the time so didn't get to stumble across it myself, but luckily about five people saved it for me to see. Yippee!

'...beautiful nature-inspired paintings from Lily Greenwood...'

hello

Welcome to my new blog! Tune in for snippets of all things Lily Greenwood...