Siobhan Jordan

at long last! A new blog post!

2012-03-02T10:57:00.000Z

I'm back!!

It's been a while,

things have been busy.

The juggling continues but recently I've enjoyed lots of family time. Some time in the garden and lots of play time with herself. I'm enjoying the longer days, warmer (slightly!) weather, and new growth.

We have a lovely old granite wall in our garden and last year I planted some bulbs on top of it in the crevaces. Nothing came up last year - but hey presto this year we have a poppy!

Auch a heartlifting sight to see some colour and growth in the garden after the winter.

Here's our dog Rosie standing on the wall admiring the flower - or maybe just contemplating trampling it!

I don't know why I'm surprised but so much of my time is spent on non-making / non-painting endeavors! I've been doing lots of writing of proposals, business plans, cathcing up with accounts, networking that I haven't gotten to paint in a while.

My new plan is to do a plan! A realistic plan this time :-)

I'm redesigning my website! Here's my proposed new layout. Hopefully it'll give me room to grow, is a tad less busy than the one I've up at the mo and will be search engine friendly!

So now it's just a matter of getting the head down and coding it!

No rest eh?

I'm really excited to be stocked in such lovely shops as Couture, Naas and Sineads Gifts, Portarlington. Do check them out if you're in the area :-) x

New Year

2012-02-02T12:00:00.003Z

It's Spring time again!!

we're constantly talking about the weather in Ireland so an update for you! The sun is shining here, it's still cold and frosty but so beautiful. Snowdrops are out in force, some daffodils have already bloomed, fields are ploughed ready for sewing, seeds are layed out and planning for the new year has started in earnest.

2012 so far has been good to me.

I've took a booth at Showcase, Dublin with the Creative Carlow group. This was my first wholesale show and I got great feedback on my products, made wonderful connections and some fab new shops who are going to stock my goods!

So now it's all about filling out the order book, getting suppliers to ship out stock yesterday, thinking seriously about where I want to go as an artist and a designer, product maker etc. Thinking about the logistics of actually making this work for me. How I want to grow, where I want to be. It's a very exciting time filled with sheer bliss and a healthy dose of fear!

I'm doing my best to embrace true growth and existence in the now, and the future journey it will bring me on.

This little (well she's quite tall really!) darling is available on my etsy shop - link here x

2012 - bring it on :-)

2011

2012-01-03T15:30:00.000Z

2011

was

busy

exhilarating

tiring

exciting

loving

thrilling

It was about becoming again...

becoming a mama

becoming an artist

becoming myself

becoming brave

I nursed my baby, started to paint again, nested my home, established my studio, started my blog, met lots of online lovelies, worked on a product line, made lists, scrapped lists, made plans, scrapped plans, cleaned bums, wiped tears, laughed more than I can ever remember, struggled with life/work balance, tried to give up on regrets, started a journal, then abondonded it, had lots of shows, hosted a couple of parties, had lots of quiet nights in, cried, laughed, loved and dreamed.

Looking forward to more of the same.

Happy New Year Everyone!

deck the halls

2011-12-23T13:10:00.003Z

hohoho!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

The tree is sparkly and decorated

The halls are decked

Anything that stay still long enough has some kind of decoration -party hat anyone?

Lights and red noses are perched and hung everywhere

Santa's letter has been written and posted, we got a reply!!! he really is coming :-)

stockings are hung

All there is left to do is to enjoy

Happy Christmas everyone!!

Illustration Friday - Round

2011-11-28T21:25:00.001Z

Round, like a big O - for Ostrich, tenuous link? Perhaps, but indulge me!!

Whoop for Winter Shows!!

2011-11-27T21:51:00.001Z

|Just a quick post about a couple of shows I'm doing this December

The first is a group exhibition in Carlow - it's with the Blueprint Art Group and has some really great artists involved. I'm really excited about this - opening is on Friday the 9th of December and runs till the 11th. Do please come if you're in the area!!

Also the Jordan gals are having their Open Studio once more - it's on in chez Clare so pm me at info(@) siobhanjordan.com for directions. Friday the 9th and Sat the 10th of December - gifts to suit all and you are guaranteed to come home with some extra sparkle in your day(if not from the shopping, from Clare's studio - it's always awash with glitter :-) )

Oh and here's a little something to whet your appetite for the group show - some details from my entry, called 'before the rain'

meet Gloria!

2011-11-22T15:05:00.001Z

It's been a while!

I've been to London, not to see the queen but to show at Country Living Gift Show in Islington. It was great - loads of beautiful stands, lovely support from buyers and sellers alike. Too tired to speak when I got home - immense road trip!!

So since I've been home I've been chilling with herself and himself, catching up with the new cat, old cat and dog and generally relaxing.

I've made myself an awesome christmas tree angel though - I'm beginning to get in the spirit of things (finally you may say!) I adore her - her name is Gloria and she's proper lush - hand-stitchd and made from silk fibers, silk dress, vintage buttons, antique sequins, glass glitter, found and previously unloved zips and bits, god I can't wait to get her up onto the tree!!

Let me know what you think of her!! Still time to get your own for your tree!!

e-mail me at info (@) siobhanjordan.com - prices start from €110!!!

Illustration Friday - Stripes

2011-11-04T13:48:00.000Z

Today's topic is stripes - I ADORE stripes - have image after image that I could have used for this but I decided to do a new one.

So this is my new stripe- using a series of scans from my new art pin collection.

I love this - how great a fabric would this be? Too much fun - way too much fun when deadlines are looming and Real work needs to get done. Anyho's - thanks for looking :-)

Autumn Light

2011-11-01T08:59:00.001Z

I wanted to share a quick couple of pics I took the other day - the light was the great autumn light I keep going on about, I truly adore it - it just coats everything in soft yellowed goodness.

I got to hang out with the cat for a bit - it's been a while, she's a bit wild but loves a bit of company and a play.

I've no idea of the names of any of the flowers in our garden, it's my dream that some day I'll be a competent gardener and not just buy 'shake and rake' seed sets (seriously - that was the name on the pack!) Veggies I understand, flowers I do not. It's on my list, along with seeing the northern lights, sailing the high seas, joining the circus and learning to play piano, violin, guitar and double bass.

In the meantime I hope to be offering some items for sale this week through my newletter so do sign up (link in column on right!) if you want in on it. I'm offering some great discounts and free shipping on some items! Till next time x

Artist Trading Cards

2011-10-28T16:35:00.000+01:00

I'd never heard of these until recently but I've participated in a swap with a fabulous bunch of inspirational artists recently

The theme was flying and here are my three for the swap - I can't wait to get mine back in the post :-)

IF - Fuel

2011-10-27T10:46:00.001+01:00

Illustration Friday time again - last minute... again. This weeks theme is fuel.

I automatically think trees and this is my fav pic of a tree - this is quite large and hangs over our fire place. It's an oldie but a definite favorite in our house.

Its roots are full of love - and it's from all this I think we get our fuel to grow.

Angels - who can have enough?

2011-10-25T15:30:00.000+01:00

I love angels, I love their beauty, their grace, their power. I love that their are non-denominational, non discriminatory, non judgmental.

I've worked with the angel motif for years, picking it up and dropping it - I've always come back to it and always feel comfortable and at home with it.

So this is one of my latest - I've been calling her Catherine.

I think I'm in love.

More to come! :-)

We've all gone Duck and OWL mad! :-)

2011-10-23T16:24:00.001+01:00

It feels like I've been away for ages, not posting anything on here, buried under mountains of wadding, thread, felt and printed fabrics

There is an end to the fabric mountain, it's slowly showing itself allowing me to breath again and savour a moment of quiet satisfaction. It's a satisfaction in beginning to get a handle on all that's been happening - new mama, new business, new home, new life really - it's beginning to find it's natural rhythm. It feels great!

So here's a few of my new products

These are so cute in real life with digitally printed fabric designed by moi, there are my babies!! Available for girls and boys they are weighted and stuffed they stand on their own,

They are also quite large - owls 25 cm and ducks 35cm. I've never made stuffed dolls like this before so it was certainty a learning curve but great fun and so nice to see them in all their glory!

I've also been playing with prints of my paintings - I think these are turning out really great, affordable and adorable - check this one out in it's funky frame!

I'll be selling these either with or without the frame at Country Living Fair and also at our open studio.. love love love these :-)

Illustration Friday - Scattered

2011-10-16T21:41:00.004+01:00

A scattering of magic :-)

My View today

2011-10-12T09:28:00.000+01:00

My studio today!

After what seems like an age product is finally beginning to come together. Today I've been mainly putting together these super dooper cute original art pins - each is hand painted and embellished with sequins for some added omphh :-)

Each is it's own character - we've got arty farty, fashionista, funny guy, flyer, dreamer and more. Can't wait to get them packaged and proper shots taken. I think you'll be as smitten as I am with them!

I've also gotten some of my door stop doll / art doll collection ready to go. I've got so many more designs I want to play with.

I love the way the digital prints turned out and can't wait to get proper pics taken. Herself very kindly gave me her room to take some pics in and the play door stop didn't make it back out - it just looked too darn cute in there.

Girl duck and owls to follow... three sizes too - you should see the cuteness of the tinsy small ones. ;-)

BEst Laid Plans

2011-10-10T18:59:00.000+01:00

I was talking about picking blackberries, making pies, getting into the autumn spirit, chilling in front of the fire, drinking hot whiskey, planning the garden for spring, crafting christmas presents, making halloween costumes etc. So many plans! So many good intentions.

Myself and herself had a lovely walk, picked loads of blackberries, ate even more, had stained fingers and mouths, came home, washed them and was ready to go

Then things got busy, herself got some new teeth and we got no sleep, deadlines took precedent over relaxing. I found our little bag yesterday - the blackberries had gone moldy

Today I learned... you can't do it all

Brave Girls Club

2011-10-01T16:40:00.000+01:00

Huge thanks to The Brave Girls Club who featured my little birdie in their daily e-mails

- chuffed I am :-)

I love their daily truths and urge to sign up if you haven't already - a truly beautiful way to start your day.

In other news, my eyes are almost crossed from all the time I've been spending on the computer doing up new fabric designs - they're totally fabulous and can't wait to get them printed and made into beautiful dolls and soft toys :-) I am looking forward to getting back to some old school painting tomorrow though - there's just nothing like it.

My exhibition is nearly over - Thanks so much to all who made it in to see it and thank you for all your fab comments and well wishes. It's such a great feeling to get your work out of the studio and into a public space for all to enjoy. Thank you! xx

Illustration Friday - Ferocious

2011-09-23T16:13:00.000+01:00

Even the ferocious owl with blood on her claws didn't leave the nest without her crown.

Pencil, pan and ink.

Love Every Day!

2011-09-22T19:41:00.000+01:00

It's all hustle and bustle here in the countryside at the moment! I'm in my studio putting together a product line, the last of the veggies are being saved and stored, the last of the pickles and preserves are being made and there's even talk of some apple cider!!!

It's Autumn, getting colder and the days are getting shorter and the harvest is just about over. There's a super felling of freshness in the air - I adore this time of year, there's so much to look forward to: low lying sun and stunning light, open fires, seed catalogues, wooly socks, red cheeks and guilt free lounging. I'm so busy in the studio I can't even tell you - my new line of products are so close to launch I can taste it!

Be sure to sign up to my newsletter for fist dibs on purchase! I'll be sending our details early October so be sure not to miss out! In the mean time have a peek of work in progress!

Here's a sneak peek at some lovely fabrics that arrived yesterday - still waiting to be cut up.

And here's a sneak peek at a prototype doll I've been working on - am totally loving these!

I'm still hoping to get out and pick some blackberries and make an autumn pie, it has become a tradition now I think - will post when I do. And I might even share my secret recipe! ;-)

In the mean time I'm trying in the midst of the chaos and business to Love Every Day, savour the small stuff, enjoy the giggles, taste the air, breath deep and take small steps.

Illustration Friday: Boundaries

2011-09-16T13:41:00.000+01:00

Here's my entry for this weeks topic - Boundaries

What are your boundaries? Do you push them?

Pencil, pen and ink with glitter target on watercolor paper.

My View today - Day & Night

2011-09-12T21:24:00.000+01:00

Windy and blustery today and my studio desk was way too tossed to take a picture

so I took a view of the window instead. Ship print I made for a nautical theme hen night, and then framed because it was just too pretty, a broken clock which the lady in the shop promised would work - it doesn't (though it was in Austria and my German is very rusty - she could have been saying anything), my love doll experiment, and then of course the hills and sheep in the background. Oh and the village pump - no longer working but painted in the local GAA team colours! A great view

Then tonight is was even more stunning - fantastic sunset, so glad I didn't miss this show - super!

Been busy designing fabrics and doing 'product development' all day - can't WAIT to share what's in the pipeline - it's just so God damn pretty!!

Inspiration Avenue - Patterns!

2011-09-09T13:19:00.001+01:00

As a textile gal how could I resist this challenge!! Love pattern, love repeats, love this challenge!

Illustration Friday - Mysterious

2011-09-09T12:25:00.002+01:00

Here's my last minute entry for this weeks illustration Friday

Mysterious Marching Band doodle

lovely little opening

2011-09-08T22:59:00.000+01:00

Super late with this post - it's been one of those weeks of tail chasing and backward peddling!

A huge big shout out to all who turned out for our lovely little opening at Meubles, on Friday night! There was a lot of love in the room, and it was great to share my work with new people and all who've helped get the collection together (LOVE my family!)

We had some beautiful wine, great catch ups and chin wags, lovely nibbles and a few nice sales :-)

Got to catch up with Úna from Charles Newhaven - beautiful interiors shop in Castledermot and also Wallpaper Emporium, Kilkenny (that girl is busy!) Super impressed with her work and love the wallpapers they carry in the shop - I may just need to change a room or two in my house... hmmmm

As always it was fab to see Mary and her mam who drove down from Offaly (Lynn arrived complete with her art handlers gloves and coat - love that lady!) both are such talented artists it was so affirming to get such positive feedback from them both - thank you!

I did however loose some of the crowd to the sofa section in Meubles though - my sister Clare has picked out a new sofa to go with her Siobhan Jordan original she has hanging in her living room - I'm totally with that kind of accessorizing!

I've done quite a bit of promo for this show and it's surreal to see press articles about yourself - I also had my first radio interview this week - n.e.r.v.e.r.a.c.k.i.n.g.!!!! Sooooo I'm actually doing this for real and making it into my full time job - nothing to fall back on this - this is it!!

eek scary, yet hugely exciting stuff!!

My View Today

2011-09-06T12:10:00.004+01:00

This is actually tidy!

New Feature! - Subscribe to newsletter

2011-09-05T15:42:00.000+01:00

Ohh - just a reminder - I've added a new feature to my blog - Subscribe to my monthly newsletter by clicking on the link in the right side bar. I'll be sending out monthly newsletters with updates on exhibitions, new works, sales etc.

There are loads of very exciting works and happenings in the pipe line so be sure to sign up, tell your friends and be the first to know!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to my opening last Friday night - full blog post about this to follow. I was delighted with how it all turned out and all the positive vibes and love there was in the air :-) More anon!

Sneak Peak!

2011-08-30T23:05:00.009+01:00

There's a real autumn air around at the moment - heating oil has been delivered, wood burning stoves are being set up, chutneys and preserves are being made with the last of the harvest and we're bracing ourselves for another cold winter! I love it - the low sun and it's special light, unique to Ireland. I've so much planned for the Winter, but first....

.....here's a quick sneak peak of a new piece for the show in Meubles Kilkenny! Am loving these - have two ready to roll and hoping to get a few more done in time :-) Only a few days to go eek! Don't forget the opening reception is at 6pm - (Wine from the Wine Centre, Kilkenny - Thank You!) Exhibition runs for the month of September.

I've added a button on the right sidebar so you can sign up to my monthly newsletter - lots of news in the pipeline so be sure to sign up if you want first dibs on all the happenings! Sales, new work, exhibitions, shows, etc. So much going on you won't want to miss out!

Exhibition for September!

2011-08-24T21:22:00.002+01:00

I've been offered an exhibition for the month of September at the beautiful Meubles Cafe in Kilkenny! I'm very excited about this as they stock great furniture, have funky wallpaper AND lovely coffee! Ohh lala!

I'm excited about sharing some of my new work, making new and lovely connections and offering it all up to be viewed and enjoyed At the mo I'm up to my eyes in frames, press releases (God I hate doing that!) invites and paint (last minute.com!) IT's a busy time but great - it's all affirming and positive

Thank you to all who've liked my likey page on Facebook - In case you haven't yet the url is https://www.facebook.com/SiobhanJordanArtist -

Oh and I nearly forgot! - Exhibition runs from 1st SEpt - 30th Sept 2011 - Meubles Cafe, Kilkenny, Ireland - link to their site with contact details here
xxx

I heart notebooks!!

2011-08-18T18:36:00.000+01:00

In 2009 I treated myself to a concertina notebook, and challenged myself to fill it. Each page spilled onto the next so no picture actually finished and none started.

I found at the time that I couldn't work with colour - i wanted to concentrate on line, concept and focus on draftsmanship, so I limited myself to graphite, pen and ink. I completed it and the entire notebook stretched to around 12ft long. I always wanted to do the other side in a coloured story - it may be my next project!

Inside this notebook was one of the first drawings I did of my lady - Inspired by a good friends heartache..... she turned out to be a keeper!! Below is a larger piece based on the drawing.

Home Angels

2011-08-16T09:50:00.001+01:00

I made these a little while ago based on the characters in my paintings. They are hand carved and hand painted angels, embellished with vintage buttons (I've a slight button fetish!) and vintage papers - These were so much fun to make, playing with hearts and shapes on the body. I'm thrilled to say that most have sold! Only two left.

\

This week I'm making some fabric dolls - beginning to really enjoy these ladies and the inspiration, strength and possibilities they hold :-)

IF - Imperfect

2011-08-10T09:18:00.000+01:00

Imperfect Love, imperfect painting, imperfect life. Such a great theme this week. This painting was based on a lyric 'no more dreaming like a girl so in love with the wrong one' Florence and the Machine

Love!

2011-08-09T13:22:00.001+01:00

It was himself's birthday recently and to celebrate I painted him a picture. It's been a big year with lots of changes, new house, new baby, new dog et all. When we got married we had Kahlil Gibran's readings at the ceremony - I adore his writings and incorporated his piece on marriage in this picture, along with two love birds and the wings are made from 70's fashion illustrations (the men are sporting some awesome looking tashes!!) . The centre of the heart has three flowers representing our family unit, all together now... ahhhhhh

prospects are good - update!

2011-08-03T22:25:00.000+01:00

Never did give an update on our veggie delights - most of the veg is beginning to come in and thanks to some shrewd swapsies with a fisher man, along with the hens still producing, we've been pretty much eating for free the past while. It's been a dream to be self sufficient and a meal you've produced yourself tastes soooo good!

Here's a quick pic of an earlier crop - we've got around 20/30 tomatoes a day now so we've to come up with some creative ways of preserving and storing. Himself made some ketchup last night - mmmmmm :-)

uncluttered and clean

2011-07-15T23:41:00.001+01:00

wowwa, got my studio all clean and tidy, and all my pens are finally unpacked and colour-coded... Just like they should be.....

loVE sTORage, love colour coding, love a clean workspace!

graffiti yo!

2011-07-11T09:22:00.001+01:00

I got my hands on a power washer and cleaned our front wall. I couldn't resist making some pictures in the old paint.... love this

some yummy prints

2011-07-08T10:52:00.001+01:00

I haven't had a chance to work in my studio much this week so have been working on the computer
here's some yummy new prints I've been have fun with.

feel aLIVE

2011-07-05T18:48:00.000+01:00

Today I feel......
aLIVE

0.........

to do list

2011-07-05T10:45:00.000+01:00

this weeks to do list - I make one every week, not sure I've ever completed everything on one.... ever but here's for dreaming!

SuNRiSe & SUn SEt

2011-07-05T09:55:00.002+01:00

Sunsets & SunRises

Beautiful lights floods into our house every morning and evening. I always think of a sunset as a reminder that though the day is at it's end it will be back with another light show in the morning. It's fast becoming my fav. show in town!

yeah - website is up!

2011-06-25T12:59:00.000+01:00

Finally I've gotten my website past a holding page and actually have some information up! IT's still not as good as I'd like it but it's ok for the time being. Getting something up there has been my Everest for the past year or so!! So yeah..

Éigse, cArlow

2011-06-20T19:25:00.000+01:00

Éigse has wrapped up for another year. Thanks to much to everyone who came, looked, encouraged and bought! It was a great week (despite the weather) The town was abuzz and it felt great to be back out there and getting my work out of the studio
I was blown away with all the positive feedback and great comments about the work - thank you!!

Much love xx

Éigse Carlow

2011-06-08T21:27:00.000+01:00

Éigse Carlow is next! OPening on Friday I am showing work alongside my mam - a great painter who has a great eye for colour. I seem mysteriously calm about the whole thing - not sure if this is good or bad, it's just the way it is!!

I have finished some new drawings for it - here's a sneek preview!!

Bloom, Phoenix Park, Dublin

2011-06-08T21:22:00.000+01:00

Thanks to all who popped in, thanks for all the fabulous feedback, the great coffees and the insightful chats! - a few pics even found fab new homes where they'll be loved and adored. We didn't get to see a shrub but all of the above equals a happy artist!

yay found a home for this one x

2011-05-23T19:57:00.003+01:00

This very pretty little picture will be gracing the walls of a very lucky little girl soon Love it when a much loved picture goes to a good home xx

new notebook drawing

2011-05-23T19:53:00.001+01:00

Some new work coming from the studio these days

A page from my notebook -I try to draw or write something every day, some days it's a full detailed worked out drawing, others it's a shopping or to do list. This day it was a cute little roe dear - shy and bashful
Love bambi, love patterns, love fine lines.......
yummy

New Work Station

2011-05-06T14:17:00.000+01:00

I've finally got a room to work in!!Our guests will have to sleep on the ground.... but we do provide a breakfast and lots of fun!!!

I've posted up my new mantra on the wall so that I can't hide from it. It takes time to serttle into a new studio but this is working really well so far Yeah!!!

Prospects are Good

2011-05-06T13:39:00.000+01:00

yeah - I got a new keyboard! It's been busy on the homestead with the pollytunnel going up and lots and lots of planting being done. We've gotten most of the veg down and are now busy fighting the rooks and magpies!
Here's a pic of the tunnel before the plastic went on - with Rosie of course!

alphabet animals

2011-04-06T22:28:00.000+01:00

i bought an old book on zoo's recently, it's an account of a trip around London zoo - loved the aged pages and wanted to draw an illustration of the relevant animal on each page - i've settled on doing the alphabet - i'm planning on doing the entire series in a week ...... wish me luck!!!

new year!

2011-03-30T11:54:00.001+01:00

S0 ! had a b!g B!rthday - my fabul0us fr!end Mary - Mary made th!s great card f0r me. Ma£es be!ng 30 alm0st 0k! Than£s t0 every0ne wh0 came 0ut t0 help me celebrate xx

Japan

2011-03-21T15:48:00.000Z

With all the hardship and destruction they've had to cope with one can't help but thinK of all our Japanese friends. i adore japanese art and here are some images form my ultimate fav -
Makiko Kudo
xxx our thoughts are with you all xxx

images curtsey http://www.marcfoxx.com

butterfly babe

2011-03-21T15:22:00.001Z

Butterfly babe - m!xed med!a

cha!rs, cha!rs, cha!rs!!!!

2011-03-15T22:11:00.002Z

Bef0re

After

Deta!l

We g0t a g!ft 0f my grandm0thers 0ld d!n!ng cha!rs when we m0ved !nt0 0ur new h0me - !'m w0r£!ng my way thr0ugh uph0lster!ng them - here's n0 1!!

xx

L0ve Bunch

2011-02-24T18:24:00.004Z

Cl0se up 0f a recent pic - !'m minus a proper studio and have a small baby t0 look after at the m0 so am doing more small scale work. I'm f!nd!ng the restr!ctions are surpr!s!ngly reward!ng

"The m0re c0nstra!nts 0ne !mp0ses ,the m0re 0ne frees 0neself 0f the cha!ns that shackle the sp!r!t" !gor Stravinsky

New £eyb0ard !s c0m!ng s00n.... xx
xx

Mail Me Art Submission - 2010

2011-02-06T11:29:00.001Z

Mail Me Art Submission - 2010. Exhibited as part of the Mail Me Art Submission - this was a great mail art project which culminated in an exhibition in London and book Mail Me Art: Medium Without a Message

Illustration Friday - Chicken

2011-01-22T14:55:00.003Z

Egg Hunt - F0r !llustrat!0n Fr!day

repeat repeat repeat

2010-02-09T10:48:00.000Z

I have some repeat patterns which have been sitting in my computer for a while now - Enjoy!