The Christmas card range is here!

My Christmas cards are now ready to purchase from my online shop and wonderful stockists! This year I've added a jolly pheasant to the proceedings, which has already proven popular with the organised among you! 

All cards are original designs illustrated by me and printed on quality 100% recycled matte card in the UK. They come with a kraft coloured envelope and are sold singularly or in packs of six, with blank insides for your own tidings of joy, peace & love! Hope you like them, S x

Penguin Island

The music playing in here makes me feel a bit like I'm in a spa, except I'm crossing my legs all day up the scaffolding (running water anyone?) and I now smell like a penguin.

A video posted by Stephanie Cole design (@stephaniecole_design) on Sep 30, 2015 at 11:20am PDT

A couple of weeks ago I had an amazing, dream-like time painting with Longleat Safari Park's gorgeous penguins! My mural illustrates where penguins live on the globe, some size info on the species and a little about the park's Humboldts, and will help the keepers in telling visitors about the little monochrome characters...dream job!

I can't wait to visit out of my 'office hours', the house, grounds and animals are really incredible. The Festival of Light coming up for the winter months is going to be a must see I think...

I'm straight back to reality and in the studio manically prepping for Christmas and my next painting endeavors. I'm also going to have to squeeze in another house move before Christmas and have a string of people looking around our rented place this week...there's no rest for the wicked it seems. I dream of the day we can just stay put!!

S x

BBQ HQ spruce up

I spent some time at Weber painting my designs onto the walls on their new Hammersmith showroom. It was great to work with the BBQ gurus, we've had loads of fun get-togethers with their pizza oven bbq attachment with friends and family- recommended! 

This week I'm working away on a personal commission and have more big plans for mural works, I'm thankful everyday to be busy doing what I love!

S x

A royal visitor.

I can't believe it's been a month since, it's been a busy one- but I had the pleasure of meeting (and painting with) HRH The Prince of Wales at the official opening of Gloucester Services. What an experience, I'll be telling the grand kids about this one! 

The first jar of honey from the site's beehives was presented to the Prince, and the plaque I designed now sits happily on the honey mural I painted for the occasion on the southbound services situated on the M5. It has been nothing but adventures since the Westmorland lot came into my life! 

All work and a lot of play...

The play area at Gloucester Service's new south bound site is now open- kids (and adults) GO WILD! I had so much fun painting my illustrations onto the walls of this amazing creative play area. Children's play spaces usually ensue raging headaches for the design conscious among us, but hopefully we've provided both children and adults with a space both can enjoy in harmony. Parents can soak up environmental stats and site info that may surprise them whilst sipping (a very good) coffee and watching the little ones play. The kids are treated to a host of my local wildlife illustrations and the best play ground I've seen anywhere, let alone a motorway services- by Flights of Fantasy. You simply must drop in!

There's still more to come here! I'll keep you posted... 
S x

Cream Teas & Good Causes

A date for your diary! I'll be bringing my art & wares to the Cotswold Farm Gardens near Cirencester, Saturday 11th July for National Star's Summer Cream Tea & Crafts Fair, 11-4pm. It'll be lovely to see you there in this beautiful spot, for a very worthwhile cause. 

All money raised will allow National Star to continue working with people with disabilities, enabling them to live their lives independently and to the full.

Advance Tickets – £7 (includes entrance & cream tea)
Tickets on the day – £8 (includes entrance & cream tea)

(You can also buy your tickets in store at Cheltenham Tourist Information Centre)

http://www.nationalstar.org/event/cream-tea-and-craft-fayre/

Hope to see you there, S x

A little treat!

South Bound

I've been back at Gloucester Services, (part of the Westmorland Family) once again painting the walls of the stunning eco-build - this time for the opening of their South Bound farmshop and kitchen on the M5 between J11a & 12. It's so great to be back! Here's a little of so far...

(Mark Lord Photography)

All previous photos and content ©Stephanie Cole, 2015. (It is not ok to reproduce my designs. If you like them please just get in touch and we can discuss what I can do for you!)

New work showing...

You are cordially invited! Catch new multidisciplinary pieces I've been working on lately in the New Brewery Arts, Cirencester, through May...

S x

New textiles!

I've just launched a collection of hand screen printed textiles, introducing new 'Allotment' aprons & tea towels! 

Inspired by outdoor living and printed in a mid-century inspired aqua blue and zingy orange this combo should be just the thing to cheer up your kitchen as we migrate into a (hopefully!) more al fresco lifestyle, Pimms & BBQ anyone? They come wrapped beautifully, so will also make perfect gifts for foodie or garden fanatic friends. They're in the shop now, hope you like them!

S x

Oh, hi Spring

Goodness, where has the year been going to!? I've been busy in and out of the studio and enjoying life in Surrey...though feel like I've been heading back to Gloucestershire quite a bit too for bits and pieces, I can't keep away.

Recently...

Photos courtesy of Hobbs House Bakery

I spent a lovely few days working on some hand-scripted chalk boards to dress the counters in legendary Hobbs House Bakery. You can spot the work in full glory at their Chipping Sodbury and Tetbury shops in Gloucestershire. As expected, I'm now paying for a wonderful indulgent week- everything is just exquisite and a little too hard to resist...!

~

I've also been busy working on some new cards to add to the range, which have been very well received and selling with my lovely stockists and in my online shop already. 

I find it refreshing creatively to work on different projects and spend time working on site out of the studio. I'm very lucky most days are pretty different. I always wonder whether my graphic work and more painterly bits sit alongside each other well enough, then the thought goes and I find myself doing both anyway because it comes naturally. I suppose some things just lend themselves better to certain mediums...and some days I feel like painting in ink, sometimes in paint. Does that make sense? I'm working on a big mural project at the moment I can tell you about soon, and spending the rest of my time trying to get some new work of my own out- watch this space! S x

Some Valentine Inspiration...

Available in my online shop, these illustrated bits will last a lot longer than flowers + chocolate, though paired with a homemade cake, you're sure to be kept around! 

S x