OURWORLDMYEYE @ ART JUNKY 5th & 6th NOVEMBER  2011

That’s right, I am on the road again, this time to Sunny Brighton for the annual Art Junky fair at the Phoenix
Gallery in Brighton.

Bigger and better than ever – this year it boasts a 2 day extravaganza, occurring on both Saturday 5th &
Sunday 6th November from 11am – 5pm each day.

I will be there selling Lomo prints, Photographs, Matchbox Galleries (including 2 all new colour editions), cards and a host of other wonders.  Alongside will be m’colleague Rob Macdonald peddling his wares.  We
also guarantee to offer fine and friendly chat and mingling with the world at large.

If you are in Brighton pop in and say hello.  If you are not in Brighton – then why not make a trip to the
sunshine coast and add Art Junky to your agenda.

We can guarantee to solve all your Christmas present and card requirements!

If you do not know where the Phoenix Gallery is, here is a link to a handy map I have prepared for you (with the assistance of Google!!!):

CLICK FOR MAP TO PHOENIX GALLERY, BRIGHTON

So, let us rectify that with a brand new music mix for your delection!

This one came about because I got a new amp and speakers and a spare afternoon, decided to put a record on and, well, one thing lead to another!

Over 2 hours later I stopped.

A SHORT MEANDERING STROLL THROUGH MY RECORDS (2011)

So called a short meandering stroll through my records because that is exactly what it is!  A sort of cross section going from blues to 80′s pop to rock to soul & funk to a nice slice of Hip Hop (as requested some time back by The Brother) and off course a nice fat shot of reggae to round things off.

As ever, the winning Soundcloud has come to the rescue to host this marathon mix so you can listen online or download it from there…

Tracklist info is below…

MEANDERING STROLL TRACKLIST (2011)

Because I am endlessly giving – I have also put together a little zip package containing a better quality mp3 of the mix and the artwork for you to do what you will with.  I say small zip package, it is actually quite massive – so be warned and willing to download 160mb or so!  Click on this link to activate download.

Hope you enjoy!

Matchbox Gallery 'Street'

So as mentioned the other day, last Saturday saw me exhibiting at the 2011 Photomonth Photofair at Spitalfields market, in good old London Town.

First of all, I would like to say thank you to all those who came along.  It was a great day where I met loads of lovely people, had some very interesting conversations and learned a lot over the course of the day – and this of course goes out to the people who didn’t buy anything as well as those who did!  Doing fair’s and such like is a great way to get out there, get feedback and meet the public at large.

At the fair I was showing something new that I have been working on the past few weeks and so I would now like to unleash it on all of you – the all new Matchbox Gallery.

This went down brilliantly at the Photofair and so many people asked me if they could buy it online…well, due to popular demand, I felt I better make it so!

Therefore, I am happy to declare the newly revamped and now self-hosted OurWorldMyEye shop…OPEN.  I was going to get a big name celebrity to do the opening, but sadly – they were all busy.

However, I encourage you to check out the shop here (or by clicking the handy link at the top of the page) and having a look.  I will be updating it with various items over the next few weeks, so watch this space!

But, before I go, you know me and it isn’t all about trying to pedal my wares to you – so as a selfless act of giving, I thought I would also share with you my various musings from the day as recorded in my trust moleskin.  I often like to scribble down some musings when I am on  the move to pass the time.  Musements I like to call them (I have never called them that before, but will now!).

HASTINGS TO LONDON PHOTOFAIR…IT’S NOT SPITTING DISTANCE

1) EARLY

Sometimes I get those moments when I catch myself thinking ‘ what the shit are you doing’ and at 5.40am, slumped over an unappealing and very modest splash of a cornflake/muesli combination bowl – I had such an uttering.  Of course, when you initially agree or decide to do something, the practicalities are not the first thing that spring to mind.  With me, almost always the first thing is ‘yeah…it’ll be fine!’.
Now of course it will be fine, even fun.  YES, its true – I sad the F word. But, at some to 6am as my wooden healed, Jones the Bootmaker Desert Boots (in olive) clomped over Hastings streets – deserted all bar discarded chewing gum splats and a clutch of die hard explorers.  Dressed in too many layers and carrying too many bags whilst wheeling the largest and most undesirable shopper in the county – looking like a well to do tramp out on the daily routine of prospecting for nuggets of aluminium?  Yep, now the thoughts of doubt rained free in my generally optimistic mind.

2) SICKENED BY LOVE

Just witnessed a lady embark the train as her North Face clad South Faced partner barked last minute orders on how she should alight.  He watched, slightly to an uncomfortable atmosphere as she sat and bedded herself in for the journey.  His face peering through the window next to her seat – spliced in two by the frame that distinguishes the less than generous opening segment.  She adjusted her scarf arrangements and foraged in her bag.  QUICK…the train is pulling off.  Like a flash – she makes a heart shape from her hands and presses them against the glaze – chilled by the early morning air.  Here, she retains her position until the awaiting partner is out of sight.
Oh dear, does it relate badly on my that things like this make me wince and not coo?

3) SILVER LININGS

No doubt dawn was invented to make sure anyone up early enough to witness it, is rich in visual satisfaction.  It is the one thing I never fail to look forward to when I venture out at times in the morning, that as a child sounded like they never could exist.  What starts at regret is soon overcome and battled into submission by joy.  Some people protest at the daily worship with the suns first and last stretches – some people like my brother Dave.
Dave can be right, but never in such matters where we disagree and I am clearly correct (based on 100% fact and 100% intuition). Dave would argue that it happens every day, so whats the big deal? BANG WRONG I would often cry (in my head, to myself) as I sat glancing at the sunlight on that evenings carefully selected perch, with a young and always enthusiastic Gosling as my partner in visual crime.
Dave likes a sunset or rise, don’t get me wrong – he isn’t a yellow dwarf star Nazi or anything, but a silver lining to an early AM it would not be.
But as I sit here, my body starting to twitch to life sporadically as lashings of thick reviving caffeine penetrate my extremities – I am again basking in the delights of a new dawn.
Even on a grey day like today, the events are exciting.  It seems at first like nothing much will happen & the tones of the world will – shift from very dark blue to rather dark grey.  But sure enough, a deep hue begins to enrich everything under its throw.  The details of now defunct silhouettes start to shout, soon shadows to appear.
Then after busily looking around the first glimpse of sunlight is glimpsed.  Seeping over the horizon like a new spectacle and darting the richest and warmest pantones over the deep blue wash of the sky.  From here each second throws up a new light, colour or perspective…until…at some point you cannot quite pin down – normal daylight is achieved. No fuss is made – the epoch ancient ritual is again complete, never to be seen again, only aware to those who saw it and were given a unique experience. This is the dawns gift – it happens every day without fail, but like a game of chess, it can never be the same twice.
Of course, what Dave doesn’t know is on this morning, I choose my sunrise soundtrack to be a mix he did called Submerged.  It’s basically House & Techno lullabies (his words, not mine).  It seemed suitably appropriate for the circumstances and warmed my belly to know I was getting one over on him, from hundreds of miles away, while he sleeps and doesn’t even know it is taking place.  One over on him because I have forced him to provide the soundtrack to a little daily miracle that he can take or leave!

4) GRAFFITI

Funny daubings of Graf tags spotted on route so far:

Wino, Laterz, Bagz, Gosh, Asbo, Hoover, Freelord

Also saw one crossed out too – in the same paint.  So the writer must have been so miffed with his effort he scribbled it .  Ironic given how shit all of his other tags were anyway!

5) BE NICE

Smile and greet. Smile and greet. So goes the day at an art fair – full of optimism and full of trepidation – it is all about the first sale.  Until that point, the ongoing fear that you are a total looser weights heavy on the brow.
Breaking even on costs seems to be my usual lot at such events.  Coming away rich in interest and contacts, but not so rich in wealth!  this is fine however as I never enter the frey expecting more – and find the experience reward enough. BUT, the real bain in this case, is what if I sell none of the heavy stuff and have to get the trolley of doom back across the drink enriched streets & travel systems of the capital!

6) KIND

Random acts of kindness.  I think it is those unexpected acts by people which are all about supporting or doing something for another that really make the difference and stick with you, if you are the lucky receiver.
Today, I was the recipient of one of those acts.  My Dad, having read news of my exhibiting at Spitalfields on the blog, drove up and into London and made a complete surprise guest appearance at the stall to say hello and check out what I was doing.  It made my day.
However, the same chap (Dad to me) has trumped most for random acts of kindness.  When my graduation clashed with his holiday in Greece – he traveled back to Brighton overnight – by train, plain and automobile – stayed for the ceremony and dinner and then returned to Greece the same day by automobile, plain and train.
That is true kindness.

7) SMART

I should get me into this high falutin world of smart phones.  That is some clever shit & too many times recently I have known the value I would have received if only my phone were smart enough to get me out of a travel pickle or provide valuable info on the hop.
Yet my phone is, in reality about as intelligent as a massively stupid buffoon, perhaps even stupider than that – who knows?  All we can say for sure is that it is more a thick phone than smart phone.  Here is a chart:

HOW SMART IS A PHONE

I fear I have strayed from the topic here.  The reason for my tale was to express my distress for how much the modern man/woman is plugged into things.  On the train & tube all faces now stare down into the void of iPointlessness – cramming in every extra second of some naff game or one more nose into someone else’s Facebible.
When not a phone they are reviewing their still fresh memories on the back screen of their digital imaging device.  Perhaps they are watching or working via the curse of free wi-fi on a laptop.  Technology no doubt enriches us – I love it, but by becoming an iUser, does one have to stop looking at the non-iWorld around them?
What happened to window watching, playing cards with a travel companion, or simply enjoying the rare chance to sit for an hour, doing nothing, watching nothing & just being?
Just looked up from pen & pad and glanced at the scroll-board of destiny.  Still got 8 stops to go – Christ I’m bored.  If only I had a smart phone!!!

Photomonth

Just to quick note to say I am excited to be participating in the Photomonth Photofair 2011 at Spitalfields Market in London Town this coming Saturday:

Saturday, 8th October
Photomonth Photofair @
Spitalfields Market, London E1 6AA
Open to public: 10am – 6pm

I am sharing a stall with fellow photographer Rob MacDonald and if you are in the area, it would be good to see you there (whether you are looking to buy, browse or just chat!)

The fair has 100 stalls and stands with photographers selling prints, galleries representing photographers, books, magazines, products, services, talks and walks. It’s an ideal opportunity to see new work, buy prints, commission photographers and select images for exhibition.

As for me – I will be selling a range of my block mounted Lomo prints, hand printed digital and darkroom photographs, cards, badges and maybe a few new surprises!

Photomonth is an international photography festival focused on East London. Founded in 2001 and taking place in October & November each year the festival aims to demonstrate the diversity of contemporary photography and reach the widest possible audience.

Well hello there strangers.

Prior to starting my latest scribble, I was tempted to cast an eye back on when I last posted, but fear got the better of me so I have decided to plunge back into things, whilst maintaining an ignorant bliss as to when I last set fingers to keyboard.

Wonky Lamp - Wonky Plant (2011)

EXCUSES EXCUSES…

I know what you are thinking and what can I say – it has been a rather busy few months.  So busy in fact that I hung up my Internet shoes and have hardly ventured into the murky waters of the websphere for the lions share of the summer.  In fact, I wish I was a large wild cat and could have bitten off a large slice of the summer months and skulked off under the shade of a tree with them to slowly gnaw on their goodness.

Instead, following a summer of manic busy chaos thus blog neglect, I sit here now penning this to you as the wind and rain batter my new studio window in not-so-sunny Hastings.

WHAT?

That is right, you did hear correct.  The major event of the summer that stunted my Internet web trickery was moving from Brighton to Hastings.  A short jaunt down the coast when looked at on a map, but a whole sea of change (sea of change…that is a deliberate and clever pun. I thank you very much).

So I sit here now in my studio…

Chess Heads (2011)

WHAT?

That is right, you did hear correct.  The move meant me and the good lady Hannah could get more bang for our buck.  And by bang I mean room and by buck I mean rent. Hence I can now carry out my world takeover from the dedicated space of a studio.

But you don’t care about that, you care about the neglect, the lack of love and my complete abandonment of you all.

SHOW US SOME PICTURES THEN

To that, all I can do is apologise and assure you that I now have a new town to explore, photograph and waffle about on these here pages – not to mention the backlog of a few months worth of new fun and frolics to sort, sift, report on and enjoy!

So without further a do I will keep you no more, it would seem rude after such an absence.  Rest assured that my eye is now firmly gazing once more upon your world and to prove it, here are a few snaps I took during the chaotic first few days of the new abode.

Love to all

J

x

Get the Important Things Sorted First (2011)

Baby New Potatoes (2011)

Following a rather boring (but long overdue and most useful) house cleaning exercise, I finally got all the images that have featured in posts on this here humble blog, into one folder on the Mac! Previously – they had been scattered in all 4 corners of my 3 hard drives! So, for reasons I will not bother to explain, the time came to get thing ship shape.

After doing such a monumentally boring task (remember gang – it involved going through each post one by one, locating the images on my computer, naming them correctly and then saving into one new folder),  I needed something to make me feel like it had all been worth while!

So there I sat, fuming and bored at my previous slackness resulting in my current frustration and it came to me! What all readers want is a film depicting…

Every Image from Every Post from OurWorldMyEye set to a reggae soundtrack and arranged in a time lapse video format (of just about 3 minutes).

So…what more is there to say?  Nothing, that is what. Therefore, sit back, grab your cup of tea and enjoy the spectacle!

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

THE PICTURE MEDLEY (2010)

Well well well.  What an exciting week.  I am sure you are all still recovering from the most exciting news of the new millennium – that there will be a royal wedding.  The shock waves are running deep through the nation as we all leaf through the pages of the Sunday supplements, searching out the best piece of bone china memorabilia that every tacky manufacturer worth their salt has started to produce.

Or perhaps, just perhaps – you couldn’t give a crap.  Instead, your life is feeling empty and dry and you are desperate for at least THREE pieces of great news to lift your spirits, put a smile back on the face and enable you to hold your head high once again.

If so – then I am here to help.  OurWorldMyEye is your therapist and our three way action packed exciting news bulletin is just what you have been waiting for.

Now, I can’t promise that any of this will make the main headlines on the news – after all, there are far more important topics for them to discuss, such as who is Kate Middleton?  Where will Wills and Kate get married?  AND WHEN?  Prey tell when will the event take place?

All I care about is that we all get a day off.

I am waffling again and keep banging on about the royal wedding, despite saying I care not for it.  Sorry.

Here is the news…

NEWS ONE – OURWORLDMYEYE @ ART JUNKY

Like Art?  Like Junk?  Like OurWorldMyEye? Hate Sundays and want some something to do?

Art Junky

Art Junky has been running for several years now and is an Art Fair / market that happens at the Phoenix Gallery in Brighton.

Art Junky brings you an indoor market that combines our love for quirky jumble sale culture with local artistic talent, showcasing over 50 stalls of unique and affordable paintings, books, illustrations, music, fashion, collectibles… and much more!

Find some original gifts for Christmas or pick up a beautiful bargain for yourself- there is something for everyone at our eclectic one day bazaar!

Art Junky is a great day for all ages- kids under 10 get in free- we have face painting, glitter tattoos and henna by the fantastic funky faces and special live DJs will be providing tunes throughout the day.

The Art Junky Cafe and Bar will be serving plenty of homemade goodies and winter warmers to keep your energy levels up for more rummaging!

OurWorldMyEye will be having our FIRST EVER sale of images there, this Sunday 21st November from 11am – 5pm.  On sale will be – Block mounted Lomo prints, Digital C-Type prints, badges, greetings cards and a box of shockingly cheap test prints.

I can solve all your Christmas gifts in one swoop!!!

If your in or around Brighton with nothing to do – come on down!  Click here to see where the sale is happening on Google maps.

NEWS TWO – FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

If you haven’t already been invited, then please visit the new OurWorldMyEye Facebook page and click LIKE.  Its new, its exciting – its the best way to be informed of new posts and other exciting things!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT

NEWS THREE – ONLINE SHOP

So, Art Junky has meant I have been heavily in production of all the wares I am going to peddle!  As such, I thought I would combine the fun by setting up an online shop – where you will be able to purchase all manner of fun photographic images and items.

Given that this production has taken over my life for weeks…I haven’t had time to blog very much, let alone set up the shop!  So watch this space and in a week or two…the grand launch will be announced!!!

Thanks for listening.  Over and out.

P.S – See you Sunday

I recently received an email from my friend and peer Murray Ballard about a book he has produced with his partner Gabriella Rizzello.

Murray was in my year on the Photography degree at the University of Brighton as I was, and Gabriella also studied on this course.  Both are amazing photographers (check out their websites for yourself) who produce really beautiful and thought provoking images.

They are producing a self-published book to raise money for the charity Diabetes UK and are trying to get 150 people to pre-order it at a bargain price of £15.  If they meet this target, that will cover the production costs for a run of 500 copies of the book.  All the money from the sale of the other 350 books will then be donated to the charity.  To give a bit of background to this book, Murray says:

“My girlfriend, Gabriella Rizzello and I are self-publishing a photography book, One Week In Moscow, to raise money for the charity Diabetes UK.  The motivation for this project stems from the loss of Gabriella’s mother earlier this year due to complications of diabetes.
The book is now available to pre-order.  Purchase a copy before the 23rd August and you’ll receive a signed copy with your name printed in the back with special thanks.”

This is a great cause and also an amazing opportunity because it will mean:

1) You get to own a very exclusive book of amazing images, produced by two highly talented, and emerging talents in on the Photography Scene.
2) You will help raise money for this good cause.
3) You will own a signed copy of one of 500 of these books.  Given that Murray and Gabriella and destined to become renowned Photographers one day – it is basically an investment for your future as who knows what it will be worth one day!

What more reason do you need?

Please visit their site and support them:  www.oneweekinmoscow.com/

Well, it seems that quite a few people each week are stumbling accross this blog via a google search, trying to find some information about Brighton’s car boot sale a.k.a Sunday Market.  I think they find there way here due to my previous post ‘Brighton’s Sunday Market is Moving’.

That post contains no relevant information – so I thought I would do a new post which will actually tell you what you need and want to know!

BUT…before we proceed with the juicy details you have been searching for, I feel this should be a two way street.  I give you this information, which is essentially a rather boring blog post – so you should give me something in return.  Therefore, the charge for my services is that you must click the link below, which will take you to a random post on this blog.  Read, enjoy or hate that post and consider your debt paid.  Now that really is a bargain!

CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO YOUR RANDOM POST…(it will open in a new window so this information will not be lost).

Of course, I can’t stop you just gleening the information you require from the post below without a bye or leave and then never looking at my blog – but that would just make you a free loader…and you don’t want that, do you?

Brighton Sunday Market 1 (2008)

A (VERY VERY) BRIEF HISTORY

The Sunday Market first started around 27 years ago and was always held at Brighton Train Station car park.  However, recently, the organisers were forced to move location because they were only getting to open once a month.  This was apparantly due to engineering works on the railway lines, but most of us suspect its more to do with the new hotel opposite not wanting to be woken up at 5am on a Sunday morning.

LOCATION:

So the boot sale is now held at Brighton marina – on the top floor of the multistory car park.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A MAP OF THE LOCATION ON MULTIMAP

OPENING TIMES:

It is open from about 7am until midday.  However, traders usually arrive very early and so keen buyers are there any time from about 6am.

COST:

I believe the cost is £12 per pitch for traders.  Buyers and browsers are free.

WHAT WILL I BE ABLE TO BUY?:

You can expect to find a whole host of brilliant things for sale – ranging from clothes, vintage items, bric a brac, house clearance items, books, records, furniture, fruit & veg…the list goes on.

I would say it is more of a professional traders market these days – much more of a market than a classic boot sale.  As such, prices are not really cheap – generally, traders are aware of what things are worth, so whilst not unheard of, its rare to get super cheap bargains.

There are always a number of private sellers doing the tadtional boot sale thing of selling all their old tat they no longer want, but the majority of stalls are traders who are there everyweek.

I would certainly recommend attending if you haven’t done so before.  The new location is a bit smaller than where it used to be held and a bit further out of the centre of Brighton – but it looks out over the sea and the marina – so the views are great!

Yarn & thread

Dolls House

Brighton Sunday Market 4 (2008)

WILL I MAKE FRIENDS?:

All sorts of people go to the market, which is one of its great appeals for me.  Its quite inclusive, always busy and has a great atmosphere about it.

It can take some time to get round the whole thing (if you want to properly rummage for hidden treasures) – so make sure you go early enough to get a few hours browsing time.

Of course – Brighton is not the only car boot sale in the local area – there are plenty of others to choose from.

Boot Sale Entrails (2009)

OTHER BOOT SALE OPTIONS – OUT OF TOWN SALES:

Perhaps my favourate of all the local sales is run by Mega Car Boot Sales – visit their website here at http://www.megacarbootsale.co.uk/.

They run one every Sunday during the hotter months at either Poyningsor Sayers Common.  They are now shut for 2009 and will start again in 2010.

Their website contains the dates, times and maps on how to get there.

These sales are more in the country outside Brighton and as such you get the added delight of seeing some Sussex senery, with all it has to offer, including an impressive array of animal entrails!

The benefit of these sales is they are much more traditional – almost entirely private sellers and real bargains to be had.  Most things seems to be 50p – £5, haggling is mroe than accepted and you can come away with bag fulls of joyous bargains.

Boot Sale Hot Dogs (2009)

WHAT IF I WANT A BURGER?:

Not a problem.

The food is perhaps a bit more questionable – not so much fruit and veg stalls or olive’s – but more greasy burgers and hot dogs.

This food van always makes me laugh whenever I go there.  Why one earth would anyone thing that having a 8ft tall hot dog man pouring sources over himself ready to be eaten would make anyone actually desire a hot dog is beyond me.  If I was a child I would be disturbed at the prospect that I was about to chomp down on a friendly hot dog man.

The illustration is pure genius!

Giant Car Boots are what they say – giant.  I mean massive.  Big fields with rows upon rows of sellers.  They take a good 3 hours to properly look round – but its more than worth investing the time as you can get virtually anything and at prices you would never get offered in brighton.

ANYTHING ELSE?:

So…that’s about all you need to know.  For a full list of the boot sales and jumble sales happening each week, visit this link for the Friday Ad as most of the ones that are definately happening each week are listed there.

I emplore you to embrace the joy of the boot sale – go seek bargains and they fill find you.

HOW CAN I REPAY THE HUGE DEBT TO YOU FOR HAVING PROVIDED ME WITH SO MUCH GREAT INFORMATION?:

Good question, thanks for asking.

Remember…if you haven’t done so already, why not return the favour I have done you above by visiting another post on this blog.  CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO A RANDOMLY SELECTED POST.

Today I am officially introducing a new regular feature of ourworldmyeye – a regular and fascinating fact!

I delved into the world of the Twit the other day and you can view the facts on the ourworldmyeye Twitter account, and in the little feature in the menu to the right.

I also intend to do some amazing drawings to illustrate these facts.  And when I say amazing – I MEAN amazing!

So…without further a do…lets get on with the first of many!

THE COST OF THE QUEEN (2009)

FACT:

The cost of the monarchy to the UK taxpayer in 2008 was the equivalent of 66p per person.