Teresa Murfin

Recent fancies

2011-11-14T11:56:00.006Z

Books are amazing, I can't get enough! These three books are recent gems. 'Millions of Snow' by Lerryn Korda, beautifully simple and graphic. Look out for more books in the series. Next up two books by the same publisher, minedition, 'My Red Balloon' by Kazuaki Yamada and a beautifully touching and true story, 'Sadako's Cranes' by Judith Loske. Hmmm, lovely! I urge you to check them out.

Travelling Bellamys'

2011-10-21T12:39:00.004+01:00

These little Bellamys' are all ready and waiting to be sent off to the lovely Tube Gallery in Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Don't forget you can buy these and more with 15% off in my shop. Hurry, you only have until 31st October! (Just remember to enter the discount code SUMMERSALE at the checkout)

New work

2011-09-26T10:54:00.003+01:00

Well, new-ish! This was a piece I did for the joint exhibition I had with my other half, back in May.

ALSO... don't forget the 15% off sale is still on in my shop, in fact the good news is it's been extended to the 31st October. So there's no excuse not to get over there and stock up on those all important christmas pressies! Don't forget to enter the discount code SUMMERSALE when you get to the checkout.

SHOP SALE!!!!

2011-09-05T15:51:00.004+01:00

Finally it's here... I'm having an end of summer sale in my shop for the whole of September (ends 30th Sept at midnight). Make sure you take advantage of 15% off everything, just enter the discount code SUMMERSALE when you get to the checkout.

I've added some new products too, hope you like and happy shopping!

Inspirations

2011-08-26T17:18:00.007+01:00

Had a lovely day in London yesterday. Went to Pollock's Toy Museum on Scala Street. What an amazing place, so much to look at and want for yourself! I highly recommend a visit, truly inspiring.
We couldn't not go to the Tate shop at the Tate Modern either. Always worth a trip. I stocked up on these beautiful children's books... Mr Peek and the Misunderstanding at the Zoo by Kevin Waldron (can't wait for Mr Peek 2), Monster Day at Work by Sarah Dyer, A Walk in London & A Walk in New York by Salvatore Rubbino. Now I want to start creating!
Finished off the day nicely by going to the private view of the Images 35 exhibition of which I had been selected to be part of. It was a great evening meeting some lovely people. Go and see the exhibition if you can, it's at the Bankside Gallery just next to the Tate Modern and it's free to get in! Or you can catch it when it goes on tour.

My agents Arena have kindly featured me on their blog, check it out here.

Sale and new things coming in the shop soon, sorry for the wait! :)

Projects

2011-08-19T13:02:00.001+01:00

The calm after the storm

2011-08-15T16:35:00.006+01:00

Phew, after all the rushing around for open studios (see some pics here) and a busy July, things have calmed down now. Last week we had a few hours to spare so spent a lovely afternoon wandering around the gardens of Stourhead House, a beautiful National Trust property in Wiltshire. The weather couldn't have been better either, perfect for clearing the head!

Stay tuned for some new additions in my shop plus a summer sale...

Jamaica Street Open Studios

2011-07-22T10:23:00.004+01:00

Don't miss out on this fabulous event this weekend. I will be exhibiting among the other artists housed in this fine studio. Hope to see you there!

Back to School Rules

2011-07-12T12:42:00.005+01:00

As promised, here is my latest picture book. 'Back to School Rules' is written by Laurie Friedman and published by Carolrhoda Books, it will be available to buy around September time.

Pre-order it here, or here. Hope you like it!

Woman's Weekly

2011-06-22T16:40:00.003+01:00

A couple of recent Woman's Weekly articles I've illustrated.

Perrycroft

2011-06-21T14:20:00.006+01:00

Spent a perfect Sunday wandering around the garden of Perrycroft, in the Malvern's. It's only open two days a year but it's well worth a visit. Not only does it have 10 acres of gorgeous gardens to walk around, you get to gaze at the amazingly lovely house too, and imagine yourself living there (which really isn't difficult). We also enjoyed a lovely cup of tea and the best chocolate cake I've ever tasted, I didn't want to leave!

Thanks to the wonderful Tinsmiths' blog for letting us know about it :)

Naughty Toes

2011-06-09T16:17:00.006+01:00

It's been a long time coming but I can announce that Naughty Toes, a book that I illustrated back in 2009, is now available in all good bookshops (Well, it was available a couple of months ago now, I'm a little late!) Written by Ann Bonwill and published by Oxford University Press.

Buy it here from Amazon

Stay tuned for news of my latest picture book coming soon...

A brief interlude

2011-05-27T16:33:00.002+01:00

With the exhibition preparation all done and successfully put up we took ourselves away with some friends for a blustery week in the Isle of Skye. It was absolutely amazing and am now feeling refreshed to get back on with things and keep this blog updated!! I have a backlog of things I need to post.

If you haven't already, make sure you go and check out our exhibition Full Steam Ahead at the Here Gallery, Bristol. It's on until the 4th June. A big thanks to those of you who came to the private view it was a lovely evening, I shall try and get hold of some pictures of it.

Here are some pics that have been taken by the Here Gallery of our work

Feature in the Bristol magazine, Venue, of the exhibition

Do come along

2011-04-18T11:46:00.003+01:00

Tom and myself are hard at work at the moment getting things together for our first joint exhibition starting on the 12th May at the Here Gallery. I'm quite nervous about it all but I'm sure it will all work out just beautifully when the time comes. Hope you will be able to come along. Preview night will be 12th May, it would be great to see you there!

Happy Spring!

2011-04-06T16:54:00.003+01:00

Hello lovely people! It's feeling beautifully springy today. Hope everyone has sunshine to enjoy.

Coming up shortly some exciting news about a joint exhibition I'm having with the delightful Tom Frost. (If you've not already read about it on Tom's blog ;))

Falmouth Illustration: The Retrospective

2011-02-10T14:25:00.005Z

Don't miss out on this exhibition currently on at the Illustration Cupboard in London featuring work by former students of the Falmouth College of Arts Illustration course, myself included. It was lovely to meet up with the other graduates at the opening night last Thursday, see some pics here.

Shop update

2011-01-27T15:21:00.004Z

More things in the shop! First up another little lady made with a lovely, soft jersey fabric. Also added, an archival print of my Llama artwork. Get them while they're hot!

Inside Out at the RWA

2011-01-25T18:38:00.003Z

Our studio has a fantastic exhibition currently showing at the RWA in Bristol. It features work from all of the artists at Jamaica Street studios and is well worth a visit. It's on until the 8th February so make sure you don't miss out, plus you'll also get to see a wonderful exhibition by the late Matisse!
Above are some pics from the private view, it was a great evening, a big thanks to all those that came along. The top picture shows my little section. Sorry the pictures aren't great but I'm hoping to pay another visit soon and I'll try and get some better ones!

2010 catch-up

2011-01-17T16:48:00.005Z

Happy New Year everyone and a very belated merry christmas! Sorry I've not been around, here's a catch up of what's been going on.We had an extremely busy work fuelled end to 2010 so after the hustle and bustle of christmas we enjoyed a New Year's Eve staying in cooking some yummy food and supping wine. It was lovely, the first new years we've spent just the two of us. Very very relaxing and just what we needed (think the cats enjoyed our company too!)
I didn't have a lot of time to prepare for christmas but I had a little help to get my christmas card done. I came up with the design and Tom very nicely screenprinted them for me. Even tho I sold a few as christmas cards in the Jamaica Street christmas shop (see below) I think they would work as non-christmas cards, don't you think? So I'm going to do them in a couple more colours and sell them in my shop as a set. Keep your eyes peeled.
I was very privileged to be a part of Jamaica Street artists christmas shop, the ArtBox. It was a pop up shop here in Bristol that ran throughout the month of December, selling Jamaica Street artists' artworks, prints, cards, and all manner of handmade products. It was a huge success, I hope some of you managed to get there. For those who missed out, fingers crossed, we might be there again at the end of the year.

So that was the end of 2010, phew, wish I could show you all the work I was up to but you'll just have to wait a while! Already this year there is some very exciting things happening, one thing is happening right now and I'll tell you about it in my next post and another thing is going to be happening in May (I'll keep you posted ;))

Time to wrap up

2010-11-19T12:28:00.002Z

On my lunch break the other day I happened upon these two fellows. Someone was kind enough to think of their comfort!

Make sure if you're in the Brislington area of Bristol you check out new shop Tenderfoot which opened last weekend. Run by the amazing Lori and Helen this is a great place to pick up some beautiful christmas presents and they have some great workshops. They have been kind enough to stock some of my things too! (Also don't forget to gaze wondrously at their fabulous sign, done by my talented other)

Stocking up

2010-10-26T13:00:00.003+01:00

Another colour added to the shop. Hope you like them!! Perfect little stocking fillers!

Shop update!!

2010-10-22T17:36:00.004+01:00

Little ladies in the shop now!! More fabric variations on the way....

Also, there have been some reductions on my crochet toys; Bellamy is now £18, Bellamy no.2 is £20 and Dog Dog is now £30. Happy shopping!!

Little person

2010-10-08T14:23:00.004+01:00

Look out for some little people in the shop soon. I've just got to do a few tweaks and they'll be ready to go. They are made with vintage fabric and stuffed with fibrefill, some will have lavender in them, and finished off with a couple of vintage buttons. Hope you like!

Autumnal wanderings

2010-10-07T20:08:00.009+01:00

Well, this didn't seem like it was over two weeks ago now but I guess time has rushed past me again! These pics are from a rather lovely day spent in Woodchester Park for my birthday. It's such a beautiful place and we sat and had a rather nice picnic by one of the many lakes. Perfect!

Busy times ahead

2010-09-21T14:19:00.003+01:00

Sorry for the distinct lack of posts recently! I'm busy working on the artworks for a new picture book featuring Percy (the little guy below) from Thanksgiving Rules. My desk is such a mess with bits of paper flying around all over the place. I don't know how I manage to find a space to work!
This is Percy Isaac Gifford. I recently did a little image of him to be used on Lerner's website. Go check it out here, roll over his face and see what happens! :)

I will try and keep up with my posts, promise!

Red

2010-08-25T16:28:00.006+01:00

Just finished this picture, which I'll be exhibiting along with other Jamaica Street illustrators at St George's in Bristol. It's a three part exhibition spread over the course of a year entitled 'Red, Yellow, Blue'. It will be exhibiting from friday 27th August. Also the private view is the 8th September so do come along! Here's the flyer and a bit of blurb about it...
The JSA's eclectic group of illustrators return to St George's with the exhibition 'Red, Yellow, Blue'. This year-long revolving show evolves with St George's tri-annual programme, presenting a unique twist on each colour throughout the year.

Traditionally illustration is associated with the act of distinction; therefore each period the exhibiting illustrators interpret a new primary colour, in their own distinct style, paying homage to this formidable triptych. Starting with 'Red', the thematic simplicity of this minimalist colour palette creates an exciting platform for creativity and diversity, following in the historic footsteps of artistic giants Mondrian, Richter and Newman.

This inventive exhibition highlights a wealth of emerging talent, whilst also promising familiar faces: with Emma Dibben's mouth-watering morsels and Rose Sanderson's weird and wonderful creations; fantastical flights of fancy from children's illustrators Serena Curmi and Teresa Murfin; humorous outings from Leah Heming and Bjorn Rune Lie; horticultural heritage from Hannah McVicar; luminous vistas from Abigail McDougall; and the dark and surreal from newcomer Tom Mead.

The three-part nature of this exhibition guarantees an unravelling year of surprises for new and returning visitors to St George's, creating a dynamic yet harmonious visual treat inspired by the grandeur of this atmospheric venue.

Llamas

2010-08-12T13:34:00.006+01:00

Just playing around with a few things. Found some lovely aged board and cardboard in the backs of some old picture frames. They make great surfaces to work on.

THE SHOP IS OPEN!!!

2010-08-11T13:57:00.003+01:00

Yes my shop is indeed now open! I'm selling prints at the moment but if anyone is interested in buying the original artworks just let me know. Fingers crossed it's all functioning as it should be, happy shopping!!

It's coming!

2010-08-09T13:25:00.005+01:00

So I managed to get everything photographed for my online shop. It's gonna be up real soon, just adding a few more bits of info then I can go live! Eeeek!

Hide & Seek

2010-08-04T12:31:00.004+01:00

Canvas number 2! I really enjoyed doing the mini canvas for the Jamaica Street Open Studios auction so thought why not do another one, plus it was this man's birthday. I've been getting more into collage recently, it's extremely satisfying and finding odd scraps of really beautiful old paper is a big highlight!

Keep your eye out soon for my shop. Hopefully I'll be photographing bits and bobs for it tomorrow, fingers crossed it won't be grey and ominous like today!

Little white health lies

2010-07-27T11:16:00.007+01:00

A spread for Woman's Weekly I did a couple of months ago.

The Bear Went Over the Mountain...

2010-07-12T11:28:00.003+01:00

...to see what he could see! These are a couple of artworks I exhibited at the Jamaica Street open studios, and, I'm pleased to say, have now gone on to pastures new. I hope they enjoy their new homes :)

Open Studios

2010-06-16T16:47:00.011+01:00

Photos Hågen Landsem

Well that was a whirlwind of a weekend! Jamaica Street Open Studios is over for another year. It was a great success with lots of people coming through the doors. It was amazing to see our studio so clean and tidy! That's me above on the right with two very talented people, my boyfriend Tom and our lovely friend Maria.

I got a few snaps of my work. I was a little stuck for frames for all of my artworks, but a car boot sale the Sunday before came up trumps. We came away with about 20 frames, all about a quid each. They worked perfectly with the style of my artworks. Bargain!

Above is the mini canvas I did for the auction. Every artist produced one (you can see Serena Curmi's beautiful piece here) and they all went up for auction on the sunday with all proceeds going to Jamaica Street Studios. Mine is now in the wonderful hands of Miss Hannah McVicar, a resident artist at Jamaica Street (thanks, Hannah!)

Busy busy busy!

2010-06-08T22:49:00.004+01:00

Well, it's been an extremely busy couple of weeks in the lead up to the Jamaica Street Open Studios, there's still a bit more to do but I think me and my talented studio buddy Serena are almost there to get our studio looking spangly and lovely. If you find yourself in Bristol this weekend please do come along, there is a whole plethora of amazing artists, it'll be well worth the visit!

Seaside

2010-05-13T13:58:00.005+01:00

Had a really lovely trip to Brighton last week to go to the preview of the A to B exhibition at the wonderful Boxbird gallery. Make sure you check out the very nice limited edition prints and original artworks for sale from the show (including Tom's) on Boxbird's website. Or go see the artwork up close, the exhibition is on until 27th May.

Hello!

2010-04-28T17:31:00.003+01:00

Well, it's about time I posted something! Here's an image I did recently for Community Care magazine. Be back soon with more posts, promise!

Dog-Dog

2010-03-10T16:56:00.005Z

For my, super talented, friend Serena's birthday, I made a crocheted version of her character, Dog-Dog. It was a complete experiment, but I think it worked out quite well!

2010-02-26T17:10:00.006Z

Preparation

2010-02-26T16:57:00.006Z

Making more of these little creatures to sell at the wonderful Snap gallery. They'll be packaged up with a rather fine screenprint by Tom Frost. Stay tuned for the final product!

Woodland dancers

2010-02-04T16:17:00.005Z

See some of my sketchbook pages here. (Thanks Nikalas!)

ROAR!

2010-01-18T13:14:00.006Z

This artwork is by my very talented other half, and I've been saying for ages that I would like to make the cute little creature in it. Finally I got round to it last week.....

Don't think it's too bad for a first attempt! Hope you agree?! The plan is soon to set up a shop so I can make more things like this and sell prints and artworks and whatnot...

Evolution

2010-01-11T12:35:00.005Z

A couple of test pieces I did for Maestro last year. Unfortunately the job didn't come about, but it's definitely been worthwhile doing them.

Looking forward to seeing more of this collaboration!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2010-01-04T14:26:00.003Z

Didn't manage to get this post out before christmas, but I hope a very merry christmas was had by all!

I had my first foray into screenprinting before the end of the year and printed some christmas cards. I think it was a successful first attempt! Thanks ever so to the other half for the knowhow! Looking forward to doing more.

Here's to a prosperous 2010!

Heads & Hats

2009-11-26T14:36:00.002Z

Change is good

2009-11-26T14:20:00.004Z

I have just recently moved from my home studio into the fabulous Jamaica Street Studios. I feel very privileged and it has already given me a new lease of life and new opportunities. Such as being able to be a part of the Jamaica Street & Friends auction and exhibition which is currently on view at the Bristol Museum, so go check it out quick before all pieces are auctioned on the 3rd December. For more details check out the website.

2009-11-20T12:56:00.003Z

Another one for the series, and a little something else too!

My blog's looking very yellow! Maybe I'll change the header...

About time!

2009-11-11T15:28:00.005Z

Wow, it's been too long since I last put something up here! Time to get back on track. Here are some personal images I've been working on recently. Thinking of doing another one to make it a series. It's been quite rewarding to work on my own stuff.

Delicate Heart

2009-10-05T14:55:00.003+01:00

Finally got round to making up my Amy Earle doll. Check out her etsy shop for more lovely dolls. There's an eerie fairytale quality to them that I really love.

Inspirations

2009-09-14T17:03:00.004+01:00

Andrew Gordon, fantastic paintings! (via Booooooom!)

...

2009-08-28T17:03:00.003+01:00

A recent colour sample, unfortunately nothing came of the job :-( First time I've mixed painting with digital. I'm undecided whether it works or not. A bit more playing around methinks.

The Santa Trap

2009-08-15T16:27:00.007+01:00

Was sorting out some files the other day and came across this sample I did a couple of years ago. So thought I'd pop it up.

Artisancam, an interesting look into how illustrator Sarah Dyer works.

Goldilocks

2009-08-01T14:51:00.007+01:00

This is an image I did recently for Polka Theatre, London. Below is the image in their brochure, it's a bit of a shame the colour's haven't come out so well though.

Taking a stroll

2009-08-01T13:09:00.006+01:00

I'm playing catch up with posts, so here are some pics from London a couple of months back. Strolling around Spitalfields, Brick Lane and Columbia Road. Haven't spent much time in these areas before now, so it was great to have a good look around. There's so much to see!

We all scream for ice-cream

2009-05-29T16:42:00.004+01:00

Busy, busy busy, but enough time to have a sneaky break for some ice-cream! Luckily we have an award winning ice-cream shop at the end of our road :) I'm really liking their pots.

Exciting packages

2009-05-09T16:30:00.007+01:00

Came home the other day to find a nice big package containing copies of my recent picture book to be published around September time I think by Carolrhoda Books. It's so strange to see it as a complete book, I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out.

You can pre-order it here.

Finally!

2009-05-09T15:24:00.006+01:00

These are a couple of my artworks that were part of The Art of Picture Books exhibition back in March. I've been meaning to put up some pics for ages but haven't been able to get very good photos of them so these two are the only ones out of the six worth showing!

The images are from a picture book I did for Carolrhoda Books published in 2005, I'm Not Afraid of This Haunted House by Laurie Friedman.

David Shillinglaw

2009-04-24T12:49:00.006+01:00

Saw a fantastic exhibition by artist David Shillinglaw at the Here Gallery, Bristol. If you're in the area it's definitely worth a look. Think it's only on until Sat 25th so you better hurry!

Also make sure you check out the next exhibition on at the Here Gallery by the very talented Bjorn Lie and Lindsey Stainer.

Happy Easter...

2009-04-09T16:07:00.002+01:00

Little Beauties

2009-03-25T12:35:00.006Z

Found these fantastic finger puppets whilst rooting around in a little shed selling bric-a-brac in Scotland. Perfect!

2009-03-25T00:36:00.002Z

This is a really cool little video, found on three potato four's blog.

Small Faces

2009-03-23T16:00:00.006Z

Oh my! I have been slack, can't believe it's been so long since I last posted anything. Whoops, better get on with it...

It's been crazy busy lately. I'm currently working on a picture book which I had to finish a couple of final spreads for so the publisher can take it to the Bologna book fair. The faces above are a sneeky peek. They look a bit scary with empty eyes! Might be some time before I can show anything else from it.

Also had the Art of Picture Books private view, which went really well. The show finishes on Friday 27th so make sure you go take a look. Hoping to put up some pictures from it soon.

...and I squeezed in a rather lovely break in Scotland. Sweet!

2009-02-11T12:09:00.004Z

Going to be participating in The Art of Picture Books exhibition at The Nails Gallery, Bristol, from 20th February along with many talented illustrators. Come check it out!

Let it snow

2009-02-02T19:08:00.008Z

The top photograph is one of my favourites from my childhood. Walking back from the shops with my mum and brother, me holding mum's hand. We haven't quite got that much snow here today, although that's not the case in some places at the moment. It was nice to see so many people on the hill in the park near us taking advantage of the wintry weather...should have joined them! The photo reminded me of one of Bruegel's artworks (above), I'm sure my parents used to have it on the wall at home. I really love his winter landscapes.

This is a beautiful russian animation (via Camilla Engman), check out this other one too.

2009-01-30T12:11:00.003Z

Some Friday entertainment. Oh, to be able to dance like that!!

Je voudrais bien voir une collection de modes d'été

2009-01-28T23:44:00.003Z

Monday's finds.

A little bit of folk...

2009-01-23T17:05:00.010Z

A couple of amazing artists, Evan B. Harris (above) and Katy Horan (below). I just love the folk element in their artwork.

Take a look at this animation by FashionBuddha using Evan's illustrations (found via About Today) and this video using Katy's (found via Booooooom). Beautiful!

Presents

2009-01-13T12:58:00.006Z

Got some really lovely gifts for christmas. This bar of chocolate has some great packaging (and yummy contents, of which has disappeared unfortunately, ooops!) and a fantastic package from T (thankyou!) of many, many matchbox labels. Here are some of my favourites...

Man eating tiger

2009-01-12T13:09:00.008Z

Another image I did for Pearson education.

Brrrrr...

2009-01-06T17:03:00.010Z

Trying to keep warm today...not very easy with these two little devils crowding the heater!

Beautiful view from the studio this evening.

Amazing papercuts by artist Elsa Mora (found via Camilla Engman)

Happy New Year

2009-01-05T13:32:00.006Z

I hope everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable christmas and New Years eve. What an exhausting 2008! I'm not quite sure where it went but it ended very nicely indeed. It was our first christmas at our house with my mum, dad and brother staying. I think it went really well, not as stressful as I thought it would be!! Lots of food and drink and a nice country walk, ending with a hot cider in the pub. Perfect!

Now's the time to look forward to the year ahead. Hopefully this will be a year to remember with lots of creativity and productiveness!

Workbook series

2008-12-09T09:57:00.007Z

These illustrations are part of a series I did recently for an educational workbook for Pearson.

One giant leap...

2008-12-05T11:50:00.002Z

Wow, this is a little scary, but here goes...