Jill Calder - The 'Amazing Dream' Series

Jungle Bus by Jill Calder

You may recall a few months ago, I did a Q&A with the lovely Jill Calder.  Well, the artist has been keeping very busy since then and I just wanted to take this opportunity to highlight one of her fabulous collections - all in aid of a great cause! She's now showing prints from her 'Amazing Dream' series for the Children's Sleep and Ventilation Unit at The Royal Brompton Hospital in London. Isn't 'Jungle Bus' fabulous? It was inspired by a little boy in the Unit who had Cystic Fibrosis and dreamed of going on a night adventure with his toy monkey, Freddie!  You can find out more about this wonderful project and the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital Charity over at Jill's blog.

Also, you can see Jill's work here at the Funky Scottish boutique.

Read our Q&A with Jill at our post, A Day In The Life Of....Jill Calder.

View more of illustrator Jill Calder's work at her website - www.jillcalder.com.

Stunning New Jewellery - In Store!

We've just brought a gorgeous new collection of jewellery into the Funky Scottish boutique!  The cute-meets-cool 'buttons' necklace is an example of what's in store.  Visit us on the High Street in Pittenweem to see the full range, shown alongside my own collections -  Karen Edward @ Funky Scottish - including hand-painted ceramics, cards, crockery, tiles and more. Take a peek at my website and online shop -  www.funkyscottish.com.

Bring Home The Art Of The Festival....

It's the busiest week of the year!  Well, at least that's true for those of us living in Pittenweem.  As many of of my fellow resident artists would agree, we are lucky be based in this beautiful, east coast fishing village.  The wonderful seaside setting is an inspiration to hundreds of non-resident artists too and at this time every year, we join together for The Pittenweem Arts Festival.  Thousands of visitors flock to the village for this celebration of art at unique venues including water front homes and studios tucked away amidst the wee lanes and wynds! 

I hope that if you haven't already joined us, you'll one day be able to take part in the bustling atmosphere of this special event.  Meanwhile, here are 3 ways to bring the 'art' of the festival home to you....

See - Seraphine

This beautiful film about a struggling, female artist in France is an inspiration. It was featured in the festival cinema at this year's Pittenweem Arts Festival. You can take home your own copy here. 

Do - A Creative Coastal Trip   

Fancy yourself as an artist?  Dip your toes in the water with a coastal day trip or weekend - there's no better place to get your creative inspiration flowing! Go beach combing for sea glass or driftwood and you are bound to find a way to turn it into a pretty ornament for your home or garden ....

Buy - A Piece Of Unique Art

I've been inundated with requests for commissions this week from visitors who want to take home a special momento from their stay.  Commissioning an artist to create a special piece for you is a great way to share in the creative process!   You can find out more about my own commissions at www.funkyscottish.com

Meanwhile, you can also start planning your trip to next year's festival....

Hope to see you soon !!!

Karen x

Festival Fever hits Pittenweem...AND The Torrance Gallery, Edinburgh...

It's all happening!  Across Pittenweem, artists are setting up their exhibitions in anticipation of the much celebrated Pittenweem Arts Festival!  As an artist and venue owner, I'm very busy with all the fun of the fair...

However, I'm also VERY excited to be taking part in another internationally acclaimed festival at a highly respected gallery over in Edinburgh.  The Torrance Gallery are hosting their Edinburgh Festival Exhibition from 27th July to 24th August and it's an honour to have been invited to take part! If you're in Edinburgh during the festival, do drop by to view the exhibition.  Meanwhile, you can take a quick look at my pictures of the gorgeous space, including some of the pieces I'm featuring alongside the work of the artists Sheana Stephen, Ronnie Ford, Dugland Findlay, Tom Watt, George Birrell and Elizabeth Reid...

...it's well worth a visit! Of course, this isn't my only encounter with the Torrance Gallery.  You may recall that I was commissioned by the lovely lady owner of the gallery to create a celebratory plate a while back, for her husband Brian.  He's pictured below with the finished piece - I think I captured that lovely smile?!  You can find out more about commissioning your own hand-painted ceramics at www.funkyscottish.com

...and don't forget -  if you're in Pittenweem - visit me in person at Funky Scottish on the High Street for the festival preview this Friday 2nd August from 7pm - and every day during the main event...

"I'm With The Artists"....Your Exclusive Invite To Festival's Sneak Preview!

We're counting down the last few days to this year's Pittenweem Arts Festival! I very much hope to see you on the now legendary preview night!  Wander round the village, in and out of venues, perhaps sip a glass or two of complimentary wine and enjoy a peek at some of the wonderful art...all before the official launch of the festival.  Funky Scottish will be opening its doors on the high street so do drop by!

Karen xx

The Magic of Mull - A Coincidental Commission....

Isn't it a wonderful experience when serendipity drops by to surprise us!?  This is what happened recently when I was commissioned by a woman living in Canada to create a bespoke, hand painted plate, commemorating her friend's retirement. As it transpired, the person retiring has been running a B&B in Tobermory, on my beloved Isle of Mull.  In fact, the woman who commissioned the piece - like me - once lived their too. Curiouser and curiouser! We even have lots of aquaintances and friends in common - including my own son!! We learned all of this after the commission was requested and of course this discovery helped to add a special something to the project. That's the magic of Mull...

You can view my earlier post about the island at I Love, Isle of Mull.

Find out more about collections and bespoke designs by Karen Edward @ Funky Scottish over at my main website - www.funkyscottish.com.  You can also visit my Funky Scottish studio-gallery-boutique on the High Street in Pittenweem!

The Art of Award-Winning Fish & Chips...

If you haven't already sampled the multi-award winning fish & chips from the world famous Anstruther Fish Bar, please don't miss the chance!  Year after year, the team at this lovely shop and restaurant have been perfecting the art of truly great fish & chips.  The awards and visitors are a testament to their success. In summer, hundreds of people will happily queue out the door and round the corner, right on the harbour in Anstruther, for just a whiff of salt & vinegar!  So, it was an honour to be commissioned by the team at the Anstruther Fish Bar to create a range of themed dinnerware - including big, colourful plates  - now on display in their window and for sale in their shop...

While you won't be able to recreate one of their outstanding, classic seaside meals at home, these chunky plates are a great momento from an unforgettable fish & chips experience...

You can find out how to commission my work by contacting me - Karen Edward @ Funky Scottish - I'd love to hear from you...