A day trip to ... London

We thought that as we have been to a fair few cities across the country and the globe over the years, it might be great to share with you some places and things we love to do while travelling around and you may even have been to them all, never been there or think, now why would I go there!  Now, not all of these will be quick one day stops, there may be 24 hour versions, a quick hop over the water versions and of course home grown, things to do with your day off in your nearest city versions.  But isn't that the beauty of adventures, they can be as long or short and as near or far as you like.

Check this out: Art inspiration at Tate Modern

Last week I went for a cheeky trip to Tate Modern when I was in London.  As you know, I work in a Museum and Art Gallery and so sometimes going to see more Art can get put on the back burner.  But when I do go, I realise how much I miss it.

I love seeing what other museums have and being able to be anonymous within the artworks.  There was a new hang of the main collection to see this time called Making Traces, which I loved.

I am a fan of Abstract art and I know that it is not to everyone's taste, but I could sit and look at some of the pictures for hours.  I like to sit and look and see what I can see within the picture.  It might not be something realistic, but seeing the colours, lines and shapes made really resonates with me.

A few of my favourites are above in the pictures, which are referenced below.

Top left - Avis Newman - The Wing of the Wind of Madness 1982

Top right - Gerhard Richter - Cage (1) - (6) 2006

Bottom left - Jacqueline Humphries - Untitled 2014

Bottom right - Sam Francis - Around the Blues 1957/62

I particular liked the Ritcher Cage paintings as it was a room of similar pictures, with different colours.  If there had of been seating in the room, I would have sat for hours in there.

I am a big fan of abstract paintings particularly and whenever I see it, I just want to get a studio somewhere and paint.  Make a mess, get paint all over the floor and myself and feel the texture of paint in my fingers.  Maybe it comes from being little and wanting to feel the paint on your hands.  I see it all the time with the children we see at the museum, paint everywhere, eating it, paint in there fingers and in their hair!  Just how paint should be enjoyed.

It may be a little early for resolutions around here, but I want to make more time for inspiration trips like this next year and for doing creative stuff, for well, just because.  Maybe I will start one of those sketchbook ideas, where I do something experimental and fun in a sketchbook just to see what comes.

What gets you inspired?  Do you have a favourite place to remind yourself of what you love?

H, xxx

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Love it: Craft Fairs coming up

With so many Craft fairs coming up between now and Christmas, we thought it would be a good time to show you some of our favourites and some we want to go and see for the first time.

Of course this weekend is a definite favourite of Renegade over in East London!  We have been going to this one for some time now and it is a firm favourite with us, so many great designer/makers in one place and we get to see some of our friends too!

Then on the 22nd November is the famed Bust Craftacular which is also in East London, another favourite of ours, so much so that H has been saving up the pennies to get some treats at both of these!  It will be lovely to see all the winter stock out and see what's different from the Spring versions of both of these fairs.

Picture from www.timeout.com

Christmas fairs of course pop up all over the place from the end of November, H visited the Christmas market outside the Tate Modern and all along the Southbank last year, which was so pretty and had her favourite things ever at Christmas Fairs, no not mulled wine, but Churros!  It even managed to get her in the Christmas spirit!

Picture from www.cockpitarts.com

Last but by no means least is Cockpit arts Open Studios which we would love to go to.  Seeing all the artists work in their own space is always such a great way to buy artwork.  There are so many open studios all over the country so maybe there is one near you to take a look at.

We also found this handy guide of London Craft Fairs if you are down this way anytime soon, mentions the Crafty Fox Markets too which is great.

Are you going to any of these fairs, or any other near you?  Do let us know if you have a firm favourite as we may be able to go check it out too.

H & Sammy

Note: All photographs belong to Live it. Love it. Make it, unless otherwise stated.

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