I'm Frieze-ing

Yesterday I travelled up to Regents Park to go and check out this years Frieze London Art Fair that was running from 17th-20th October (the closing party is tonight!).

I had never been before so was both surprised and impressed about how much work there was on show. We looked around for over three hours and still didn't get to see everything.

My main reason for going was to see the work of family friend Eloise Hawser who was exhibiting her sculptural pieces including a 3D scan of her father.

Personal highlights from the fair for me included Ron Mueck's hyper-real lady with a baby sculpture, a giant kitten hanging in a sock by Jeff Koons and ink illustrations by the continually witty David Shrigley.

This cartoon flower print by Takashi Murakami was instantly recognisable but I was also excited to see some of his sculptural work like the gold sleeping man with his dog above. 

Jeff Koons' sculpture pieces definitely seem to be the biggest talking point of the show. I went to see his exhibition at the Brighton Royal Pavillion Museum and Gallery last month so it was good to see more of his work here too. I like how he makes solid pieces look so convincingly like inflatable toys. I'll also never forget the giant Floral Puppy he once made. 

I got my younger sister Ellie to pose in front of William Boshoff's Flag I piece comprising of a Union Jack filled with toys that, on closer inspection, included Chuckie from the Rugrats and my old favourite, E.T. 

My family and I were not expecting to see a piece from one of our favourite artists, hyper-realist Ron Mueck. We have been following his work ever since Dead Dad was exhibited at Saatchi gallery way over 10 years ago back when it was still at Boundary Road. His mother-in-law is also Paula Rego which always made sense to me as I think their work shares an odd similarity. 

The stand I probably spent the most amount of time at was that of Glasgow artist David Shrigley's, mainly because I find his illustrations amazingly funny and there were so many to see. I have also bought some of his greetings cards for my friends so it was good to see his work in real life. My favourite print was probably the one above reading 'It's good to bury things' because the illustration of the man reminds me of Worzel Gummidge. 

Unfortunately Frieze London has now finished but I would definitely recommend trying to go next year if you didn't get a chance this time. Although you'll have to be organised as tickets did sell out pretty fast this year.  

friezelondon.com

Hounds of Hollywood

January is probably my least favourite month so when I found out that I was going to Los Angeles to do a photo shoot with work last minute I was definitely excited. I had never been before and heard it's where all the famous people lived so that was enough for me. 

While celebrity spotting was on the minimum, one thing I couldn't help notice were the amount of stunning dogs this coastal city holds. I spent most of the time on Venice Beach which was filled with every type of breed imaginable. Americans love dogs even more than us Brits and the beach is the number one walking spot. I took some photos of a few of my favourites. 

Above there is Oscar, the Labradoodle puppy who had the most beautifully cut coat and looked liked a teddy bear. 

I knew I was going to like LA when I went to cast models at Vision and was greeted merrily by this stunner. 

This chubby chihuahua was being carried around by his owner in a pair of goggles to protect his sensitive eyes, he was caught on camera by our videographer Brian Kazez. 

One very friendly pair of pugs.

    

I love the shadows in this photograph - look at the tail! 

I hadn't seen a french bulldog with this colouring before, I think it might have been mixed with an English Bulldog? 

This is Gezelle, an old French Bulldog who I looked after outside Abbot Kinney's Intelligentsia cafe while her owner queued for coffee. He described her physique as compact. 

So much grace in that paw. 

This roller skater had put sunglasses on his dog, but they didn't stay on for long. 

My boss Gemma caught these two long haired Chihuahua's teamed together in their owners bicycle basket. 

There appeared to be a shortage of large dogs in the city so I was pleased to discover this sloppy St. Bernard. I was reminded of my affection for this breed after re-watching Beethoven 1 & 2 over Christmas. 

I felt a bit sorry for this little guy being left out on his own while his owners dined. 

For the best dog spotting in LA, visit Venice Beach Boardwalk, there is even a corgi being carried around in a cart wearing a bikini, but you have to pay for a photograph of that. 

Alpaca Adventures

Late last winter I headed back to the Home Counties and my very own home county Buckinghamshire to have what turned out to be one of the best days of 2012 - hanging out in an alpaca farm. 

Located in the picturesque village of Aston Abbotts just outside Aylesbury is Abbotts View Farm, home to 28 alpacas and 4 miniature Shetland Ponies. The farm is run by Jo and her family who are in the process of turning it into the ultimate alpaca experience. While it is yet to open to the general public, my mum made a call and Jo kindly let us head down for our very own personal tour. 

I have been alpaca mad for some time, I once even tried to make my dad pull over on a dual carriageway when I spotted a field of them. So getting to meet them, feed them and find out all about them for a whole afternoon was a dream come true. 

The alpacas were split into three fields - one for the girls and babies, one for the boys and one for the men. We were lucky enough to get to meet two new babies (see above) who were just about the cutest thing ever. 

We were introduced to every alpaca by name and farm owner Jo had no trouble differentiating one from the other. This seemed surprising at first but the more time we spent with them, the more we noticed their individual characteristics and the more we fell in love. 

This year Aston Abbotts Farm plans to open up its gates to the general public so if you live in Bucks or are passing through I would definitely recommend paying a visit and giving them a hug from me. 

The the biggest character on the farm was Paris the miniature Shetland Pony who showed the alpaca men who's boss on her afternoon run. 

Abbotts View Farm, Off Moat Lane, Aston Abbotts, Bucks HP22 4NF. 

www.abbottsviewalpacas.co.uk

www.facebook.com/AbbottsViewAlpacas

Found Love in a Graveyard

I have wanted to do a photo shoot in Stoke Newington's Abney Cemetery since I first visited it last winter. So when the idea of shooting Halloween for Lazy Oaf came up, there was no question in my mind about the location.

Dating back to 1840, Abney Park Cemetery is both a memorial park and woodland nature reserve with an ornate Chapel in the centre. This is currently under destruction and wasn't available to photograph in without pre-booking which was a shame as it is incredible looking.

I teamed up with friends and work colleagues Zoe Jade and Dee Monti to do this shoot. We wanted to give the normally bright, colourful Lazy Oaf collections more of a dark twist referencing one of our favourite classic teen films The Craft.

Zoe Jade, of Ladybird Likes, was our photographer shooting in both film and digital mixing black and white and colour. I like working with Zoe as we seem to have a similar vision and she has a great eye for composition. Dee was our model - she's fun to work with as she loves getting dressed up and is always up doing everything, and wearing anything.

With help from the girls, I put together the outfits mixing our personal clothing collections with key Lazy Oaf pieces. I work with Lazy Oaf designs everyday so it was good to get to take them out of context. The best thing about styling with your own clothes is that you instantly have five new outfit options, I've already tried to replicate two of these looks.

Abney Cemetery, Stoke Newington High Street, London N16 OLH, nearest station: Stoke Newington Overground. Open daily until 17:00pm. 


www.abney-park.org.uk

Dogs as People, People as Dogs

The other day I saw a tramp in Islington who had dressed his dog in a children's puffer jacket. It looked so good that my friend Lisa gave him a whole £5 note. Bear in mind we were on a on a night out and this was valuable drinking money. 

This made me realise that while there might be multiple brands selling customised dog outfits, we're far better dressing our four legged friends in our own hand me downs. They're a man's best friend after all and what best friends don't share clothes? 

I have collected some examples to show you what I mean, starting with the two above from the Pooch Parade in Dallas. 

No person could look quite as cool as these Shar-Pei's do in matching stripes and baseball caps. 

Think twice before binning that Hawaiian shirt from yesteryear. 

OK I'm cheating here as I think these might be personalised dogs puffer coats but you can achieve something similar with your own nineties cast-offs. Anyone remember Eisenegger?

Dogs look so good in our clothes that we've even started asking them to model to sell designs to humans like this guy above posing in a hoody for band The Midnight Beast. The 1,662 Facebook likes says it all. 

But the fun doesn't stop there. Not only can your dog wear your clothes but you can wear your dog thanks to these photo realist T-shirts from The Mountain T-shirt Store. 

It's my birthday in July everyone...

Alternatively you can go all out and cover yourself in every breed going like this proud looking man. 

Or simply settle for a rucksack like this tapestry one I bought on Amazon. I'm contemplating buying the matching suitcase but it might be taking it too far.