Thursday 26 September 2013

'The Wheel' Pop Culture

You may remember a post not too far back about 'Mutha Tucka', one of the biggest drag queens in Newcastle (6ft and fabulous). With his good friend 'Beauty Killer', together they will be hosting a new club night which launches tonight at Powerhouse! It promises to offer something entirely different with a 'pop wheel' which is spun every 30 minutes to reveal a new limited drink offer. We can promise you their outfits for the launch are utterly fantastic, and if you're lucky enough you might even spot them on Northumberland Street handing out exclusive entry and drinks passes!

Head down later for a great night and to see the amazing costumes we helped them create!




Monday 23 September 2013

Katie Chappell off to Florence

Oh no, an empty desk!




We recently bid farewell to our very lucky and very talented illustrator Katie Chappell, who yesterday jetted off to the beautiful city of Florence! We're all wishing her the best of luck and hoping she enjoys every minute of her four-month Italian adventure.

To keep up-to-date with Katie, check out her blog at:


Also find more of her work at:


Wednesday 18 September 2013

Narbi Price - Shan't Quit

Fancy seeing some hyper-realistic paintings and lithographic prints of Whitechapel, London this Wednesday evening? Then get yourself down to Vane Art Gallery tonight where we'll be at the preview of local artist Narbi Price's first solo exhibition, Shan't Quit.

http://vane.org.uk/


We caught up with Narbi earlier for a quick 5 minute exclusive interview:

F6.Studio: Hi Narbi, are you excited for your very first solo debut?

Narbi Price: Yeah I think so. I haven’t got any idea what to expect really, I’ve been very careful not to have a solo show until I felt ready for it. I don’t ever get really excited but yeah, I think I am a bit!

F6: The context and history behind your artwork is interesting, finding out what's now a car-park or a loading bay was in-fact the site of 'Jack the Ripper's' murders in 1888, it gives it an almost eerie quality. Is that juxtaposition between the the past and the present something that inspires you?

NP: Yeah I think as well as them being of historical importance for one particular reason, i.e. the Jack the Ripper thing, I’m equally interested in the innumerable other things that have happened in the sites…so that’s why there’s no indication unless you have that prior knowledge like you’ve read the press release or whatever, that that’s what they are. So as a body of work, each one of the paintings has the initials of the victims. If you had them all together you could figure it out, or as the show’s called ‘Shan’t Quit', which is a line from the really infamous 'dear boss' letter Jack the Ripper wrote to the news corporation. The full line is “I’m down on whores and I shan’t quit ripping them until I do get buckled”, so it’s taking those two words out of that context to provide a kind of framework for the work, but it doesn’t kind of rub it in your face. I think as soon as you know that they are of particular sites it kind of changes them a lot.

F6: Asides from the juxtaposition between past and present, what else do you feel inspires your work?

NP: There’s always a historical context of recent works so looking around the studio, that black door one (points to painting nearest his desk), that’s ‘Number 304, Holloway Road’ where the record producer Joe Meek lived worked and died. He was really influential in avant-garde techniques so he done Telstar and produced the Tornados, but he used to produce Tom Jones and stuff like that, so he was like a repressed, depressed guy and he was massively paranoid, and he went crazy and killed his land lady and killed himself there in that house. But now it’s just a posh flat and there’s a greengrocers next to it, and there’s no way you’d know it. The painting next to it is a place in Norwich called Lollards Pit, to look at it it’s just a beautiful little boating river that goes underneath that bridge, and you know people practice their rowing up and down there, but it’s also the site where in around the 14-1500’s there was a huge pit where they used to throw witches and Jews and burn them.

F6: There's obviously a lot of dark undertones to your work.

NP: Yeah, yeah it doesn’t all have to be dark, I mean that painting there (points to painting of alleyway) you could ruminate on the dark histories of this dark alleyway in London, everything from someone being murdered maybe, someone having a piss or whatever, but it’s actually the exact location Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues was performed, so the yellow square is where he was stood.

F6: It seems as though you're inspired strongly by locations, but say you could invite five inspirational people dead or alive to a dinner party, who would you choose and why?

NP: Ooh that’s tough. Erm…R. D. Laing, he’s an existential psychiatrist because he looks like he was great fun, he was a bit of a character. Ken Dodd, you know you’ve got to hang out with Ken Dodd don’t you? Tony Hancock, Ray Galton who wrote 'Steptoe and Son' and Alan Simpson, is that five? That would be great should we get them round?

F6: I think we should, we should invite them tonight! Well it's been a pleasure speaking to you and good luck with the exhibition later, we look forward to seeing it!


'Shan't Quit' previews Wednesday 18th September at 6.00pm, Vane (Floor 1), Commercial Union House, and the exhibition is on until Saturday 26th October.

To see more of Narbi's work check out his website at http://www.narbiprice.co.uk, and if you're interested in keeping up-to-date with his most recent work give his Facebook page a like (https://www.facebook.com/NarbiPriceArt) and follow him on Twitter (https://twitter.com/NarbiPrice). 

Tuesday 17 September 2013

review of URBAN ART & STREET REVOLUTION




Street Revolution 


Before checking out the main event at the Art Gallery (and before it started to rain) we deeked around the outside events.

The street performances consisted of a free-runner space and a couple of lads breakdancing (and one 2year old trying to copy; too cute!!) It wasn't quite the awe striking range it was billed as but still good to watch none the less. 

Yarn Bombing at Church Square; we now know that this is the work of Hartlepool based community artist King Crumpet.
www.facebook.com/KingCrumpet
KingCrumpet.blogspot.com  




Live Spray Art by Graphic Designer & Illustrator Robert Page of Tubbyphunk Studio
http://www.tubbyphunk.com/     















The street food again not the 'food theatre' promised; a Mexican stall; the obligatory 'hog roast'; a Rosti stall (which smelled divine) and an american waffle/dessert van. It was a small selection but the food we had (burrito from Mexican stall and a ham&cheese rosti) was delicious. 

There were local designer makers in little wooden huts, great for the sellers as it kept them warm and dry but not so good for buyers as the huts were a bit dark and a tad unwelcoming. Maybe would of been better and quite possibly cheaper to get a marquee which could of housed the sellers and created additional 'gallery' space on the outside. Our pick of the makers were:


                  KAYLEIGH FALCUS: Jewellery Designer


See our previous post with Kayleigh & the CCAD Gradution Shows and check out more designs from this talented lady at; 



                     Jessica Langford & Lucy Addison Contemporary Appplied Artists

JESS LANGFORD                                         LUCY ADDISON
jesslangford.blogspot.com                          Lucypurple.blogspot.com             
twitter: @jessicajewelery                            Lucyaddo@hotmail.om
instagram: langfordd

The main event:- 
IN FROM THE OUTSIDE – URBAN ART EXHIBITION

(Now Urban Art isn't my area, I have no idea what I'm talking about; so this isn't a review!)



The exhibition includes work by Banksy, Urban photography, interpretation of Freud’s ” Head of a woman” by New York artists Logan Hicks, and works by global artists supplied by Unit44 – including work by Faile, Kid Acne, Herakut, Hush and Invader.
NEUA provided a lot of work for this exhibition with new pieces by some of NEUA’s artists (Karl Striker, Sam Wood, Oltad, Miss Dev and TEOS).











 'Collabor 8' by Mark Archer; Bobzilla; Joshua Doherty

 







'God Damn Scary Kids'  by Bobzilla

 


'Censored Beauty: despair'  by IrvingArt                                       






                     'In This Area' by Karl Stricker   
            


'Everything Has Beauty' by MissDev 
    

'Paint Spun Acrylic' by Bobzilla and The Kid Frankie
Firstly apologies for the photo quality of this one.
Secondly, I over heard several people saying this is a 'Hirst rip off', 'Hirst did this first' etc.  Well I remember doing this in primary school 20plus years ago so I'm not sure Hirst can claim copyright!







Ok this blogpost is taking ages and is longer than expected so i'll post the rest later



Monday 16 September 2013

Elevon - Newcastle's Newest Fashion Event

Fancy seeing some of the best up-and-coming fashion talent from around the world??

Then get down to The Vermont Hotel Saturday 18th October 8pm for ELEVON.

Tickets are selling really fast so get some while you can......With drinks on arrival, goodie bags and an after-party at Livello's, how could one refuse?  

http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Newcastle-on-Tyne/Vermont-Hotel/ELEVON/11960992/?skcampaign=fbe

If you would like to apply to showcase your latest collection or are interested in backstage and PR opportunities then drop them an email elevon.1@live.co.uk 

Find them on Facebook ELEVON and Twitter @1elevon 

........and coming soon read our exclusive interviews with Elevon featured designers

Saturday 14 September 2013

URBAN ART & STREET REVOLUTION

picture of  Street Revolution So this morning we got the train to Hartlepool to see this.........

Street Revolution 2013 is a fresh and exciting event brought to you by Hartlepool Borough Council. 
A four day event running from Friday 13th to Monday 16th September 2013, and will run between 11am and 5pm each day.

The event is focuses and celebrates street culture, showcasing all things ‘street’. There will be three main aspects to the event which are;

Street Art - Hartlepool Art Gallery located in Church Square will Host and Urban Art exhibition 'In from the Outside', running from Saturday 7th September to Saturday 9th November. The exhibition will give an overview and celebrate all art forms that come under the street art banner. It will contain local, regional, national and international leaders in this field incorporating everything from graffiti to stencil street art.

Street Performances - Visitors to the event will be awe struck by an exciting range of street performances. These will vary from street theatre, street dancing, buskers, skateboarding, free runners and more.

Street Food - The 'street food scene' is taking the world by storm and we want to bring that scene to Hartlepool. There are a new breed of chefs appearing who create a cultural mix of food from all over the world and deliver it in a unique way that can only be described as ‘food theatre’.





Sunday 8 September 2013

Get us.....
Feature blog at Jupiter India Blog Awards

              Just thought I'd write that extra large in case anyone didn't hear! 



Newcastle Quayside Market

The market runs along the banks of the Newcastle side of the Tyne, and features a whole load of fabulous local creative talents. Heres a selection of the best stalls from today.

                 *********************************************************************************

The Northumbrian Fudge Parlour - Deliciously Handcrafted with local ingredients 

Our fav is the Caramel.....and the peanut butter!


Contact Debbie on 079719132334
Find them on Facebook /TheFudgeParlour or Twitter @TheFudgeParlour

*************************************************************

Supremily Jewellery - aka Emily Jane Adam - Polymer Clay Artist and Jewellery Designer


Our favourite item on todays stall was these super cute crochet hooks. 

Shop online at www.supremilyjewellery.etsy.com 
Visit website at www.supremilyjewellry.com
 Facebook /supremilyjewellery or Twitter @Supremily1

*******************************************************************

NO BONES - Quality Canine Confectionery


       


Love your dog.......then treat it to some fancy yummy doggy treats 

www.no-bones.co.uk   or Facebook /No Bones Quality Canine Confectionery

                    *************************************************************************

Top Hat Teacakes - Devine Handmade Teacakes 



Meet the stunning Casey Lam owner and creator of Top Hat Teacakes....  
Here at F6.Studios, we're not a big fan of that well known vastly produced commercial variety but could gobble up several of these TopHat beauties...and indeed we do!! 

Find Casey on Twitter @TopHatTeacakes  on Facebook /TopHat Teacakes
 or check out her website www.tophatteacakes.co.uk

               ********************************************************************************

The *TeaShed - A Design led Tea and Homeware company

                 

Fresh from a stint in Fenwicks Food Department. The *TeaShed uses quality whole tea leaves wrapped in silky pyramid bags, which are imported from Sri Lanka and then packaged with some cool designs for you to enjoy. 

They also help promote young designers (which is always good in our book) Using their designs to produce limited edition homewares.    

Check them out at www.the-teashed.co.uk  or   Twitter @The_TeaShed

.........they also have a fabulous blog - theteashed.wordpress.com       

                 *************************************************************************************

Quotation Candles - Handmade as always



Meet Shirley Cable who creates colourful cocktails of candles..... 
Our favourites are the inspirational quote candles...(which i failed to get a photo of..sorry!)
     you can reach her on 07538073845 or find her on the Quayside market every Sunday


                         ***********************************************************************************

Paris & Angels  - Art & Angelics



You know the stalls you find in Paris along the banks of the Seine at Quai St Michel - yeah those ones:  Well we have our very own along the banks of the Tyne. 

Its run by Paul Bruce and stocks a wonderful mix of authentic artisan Parisian products.

    email him at parisangels@hotmail.com or 
                           find him on the Quayside market every Sunday (unless its raining)

           ***********************************************************************************************

Bria Organics - 100% Natural 



This is Lee Heads owner of Bria Organics. Unable to find a natural treatment for her son's ecezma, she trained in natural skincare and devised her own unique recipes.

We already use her chapped skin balm which, comes in very handy after a day using nasty drying inks & chemicals in the print room- it soon gets our little mitts feeling normal again.

Today one of our Directors- Helen (who has psoriasis) tried the Eczema & dry skin balm.
 ' Within minutes my red, flaky skin was soothed and calmed, and remained so for hours. 
     no need to re-apply every five minutes like some creams and a little goes a long way'

It is also now widely used by Doctors and Nurses and recommended by some hospitals

check out her website for outstanding reviews and testimonials www.briaorganics.co.uk   

           find her on Twitter @BriaOrganics  or  Facebook /BriaOrganics

                *********************************************************************************

Geordie Banger Co - Handcrafted Sausages


What can we say, quality delicious handcrafted sausages from a 3rd generation butchering family.  Always a firm favourite for F6.Studios barbecues and communal meals.

Check out their Facebook page if only for the Geordie Banger Tyne Bridge photo from this mornings market....

                      Facebook /GeordieBangerCo     or     Twitter @GeordieBanger

             ***************************************************************************************

Fruit and Veg Man


This is really bad but i don't know the name of Fruit and Veg man, even though i'm there every week buying his cucumbers. All grown in his allotment, they may not be the prettiest looking but they are by far the tastiest....and cheaper than the supermarkets!! 

Last week we paid 2 whole pounds for a huge (and we mean huge) bag of greenhouse tomatoes, all different kinds, we made roasted tomatoes and garlic soup. Far nicer than any shop bought one and way cheaper!

Today our Director Helen bought a huge (and again yes we mean HUGE) cucumber (yes she is obsessed with them!?) for 50p..... 50p dont even buy a half of a one in most supermarkets these days.

  Find him down the Quayside every Sunday, comes rain, hail, or sunshine!

         ******************************************************************************************
David Nash - Leather Goods



This guy has some serious banter, hilarious, we could listen to his craic all day! 
Along with the banter he sells his handmade leather goods from purses to pouches to ipod cases....all with their own humorous signage.

    Find him in his usual spot at the far end of the Quayside market and as the sign says                   in London, Paris, New York, Tokyo, Rome and Blyth (but mainly Blyth)

             *******************************************************************************

Prince of Pies - Proper Pies




This is another of our firm favourites, indeed as i write this blog post, I am scoffing one of their Steak and Stilton pies I bought today! Aswel as being at the Quayside market they were at Wolsingham show...they get around!

  check out where they will be next on Twitter @PrinceOfPie_s

             ***************************************************************

The Smoking Barbecue Company 



 This little stall always has a queue, always gives off that smell which instantly makes your mouth water and is always sold out early. We can highly recommend  the Hickory Slow Smoked Baby Back Ribs and the Pulled Pork, ah who are we kidding  we recommend it all....... 

      www.smokinbarbecue.co.uk   or   Twitter @SmokinBbqNE

                   ***********************************************************************************

Poppy Likes Dresses - Vintage Clothing


Probably not the best photos i've ever taken, they just don't show the fabulousness (yes it's a word) of the skirts, dresses, trousers, jumpers, blouses and coats.  
The best selection of vintage Levis Jeans and Jackets in town without the 'vintage' prices...

        Twitter @poppydresses   or Facebook / poppy likes dresses

             ************************************************************************************************


..............and that concludes our review of this weeks Newcastle Quayside Market

For more info about Newcastle Markets go to 

www.newcastle.gov.uk/business/markets   or   Twitter @Nclmarkets  


         ************************************************************************************************