Christmas troll

It was nice to do some design work for the Arts Team at Gateshead Council again. We've been to previous Winter Festival events and they are the perfect build up to Christmas, will definitely be going this year.

Dome of Memories finishes

The best thing about the HODS event at the Dome this year is that loads of people came back especially to see our exhibition because it was so packed last year! Picked up more interesting stories for the second edition of the Dome of Memories book(!). Pics to follow, even though they'll look a lot like last years, but with fewer people.

Dome Exhibition deja vu

Just doing the final touches to the Spanish City Dome Exhibition (as part of Heritage Open Day). Really glad we got the opportunity to do it again, last year's exhibition was the best attended in the UK - over 16 000 visitors :)

Weekend in bonny Scotland

Edinburgh - we love it! Saw this great exhibition, we've followed his work for years. Really made us want to get drawing/painting again.

http://www.openeyegallery.co.uk/Open+Eye/John+Byrne/

The Whitley Bay Film Festival is almost here (19 –28 August) and tickets are selling fast! Here's some of the publicity we've been working on.

‘Dome of Memories’ returns

We’ve been asked by North Tyneside Council to reinstall our exhibition about the Whitley Bay Dome and Spanish City for this year’s Heritage Open Days, 8–11 September. This was originally part of last year’s centenary celebrations - the best-attended HODS event in the country.

It could be your last chance to see inside the famous Dome before regeneration work starts on it next year. You could also buy a copy of ‘The Dome of Memories’ - the book of the exhibition!

See you there!

Whitley Bay Film Festival

We're currently working on the design of this year’s WBFF publicity material. A great programme is being planned - looks like it’s going to be another exciting celluloid year here in Whitley Bay!

Go here for more information:
www.whitleybayfilmfestival.co.uk

Robert Stewart and Lucienne Day

Mick did a couple of talks at the Newcastle Arts Centre (yesterday) on some of our old favorites - Lucienne Day and Robert Stewart. Wish I could have gone but here's some nice pics anyway . . .

So and So Hairdressing

This is the website we've just finished for Whitley Bay hair salon So and So Hairdressing:

http://www.soandsohairdressing.co.uk

Creative Partnerships article

Creative Partnerships have published an article about our Seaton Burn project :)

http://www.creative-partnerships.com/in-your-area/customs-house/news/pupils-learn-of-hometown-pride,496,ART.html

Strong coffee

It's that time of year. We're designing Medical Journals and Abstract Supplements for the British Association of Day Surgery. The office is very quiet and there's lots of strong coffee on the go - much concentration needed.

Training

Off to a Masterclass in Presentation Skills tomorrow. Looking forward to it as long as there's no role play and I would actually have to present something!

http://www.design-event.co.uk/masterclasses.php

Final Manga Display boards

We finally got a minute to take some photos of the Manga display boards we've been working on with Seaton Burn College. Nice to see them 'in situ'.

The Little Cleaning Company

We got these postcards back from from the printers last week. First use of The Little Cleaning Company's new identity - just like the company, clean and fresh!

Dome of Memories article

http://www.joylandbooks.com/themagiceye/articles/dome-of-memories.htm

‘The Dome of Memories’ now available online

http://www.joylandbooks.com/books_new/dome-of-memories.htm

Manga display boards finally off to print

Our Manga display boards go to print tomorrow! It’s the tragic love story of Ralph (a miner) and Maggie (a servant) who lived and worked in Seaton Burn in 1908. The story is written by Year 8 pupils of Seaton Burn College and is based on real people who lived in Seaton Burn at the turn of the twentieth century. This was a Creative Partnership project aiming to improve pupils’ knowledge and sense of pride in their surrounding area and increase their story telling and creative skills. We’ve loved every minute.

Geared 4 Life logo

We've just had our logo and branding approved for Geared 4 Life, a Depaul UK initiative providing training and employment for young people as qualified cycle mechanics. Hopefully you'll see vans zipping around with the logo on soon . . .

The Dome of Memories in the local press

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2011/02/22/treasured-memories-of-spanish-city-dome-72703-28212286/

Manga!

This week we will mainly be working on Manga. We're doing a set of eight display panels in a Manga comic strip style. This involves using new software - Manga Studio which is great, loads of great textures, backgrounds and brush styles to play with. Steep learning curve for us!

Photo shoot on the roof of the Dome

Mick had an early (well, for us) appointment with the Mayor on the roof of the Dome this morning. Photos to publicise the newly published Dome of Memories book. Hopefully articles will appear in the Evening Chronicle, News Guardian and Journal. No photos to add to the blog yet so here's one we took earlier (when the weather was nice). He's just done an interview with Radio Newcastle too, it'll be on tonight about 5.15pm (just hope they didn't record our son screaming in the background!).

Hearts and flowers

Everything's hearts and flowers at Black Dog this week. We've been working with all ages (from 16 - 83) creating romance inspired collages, bunting and flower garlands as part of Gateshead Council’s Arts Development Team's Soul Soup project
http://www.generationstogether-gateshead.org/home/soul-soup
The Garden of My Heart event took place on Monday with guest appearance by The Suggestibles, the North’s top comedy group. Delicious Passionate Pizza Soup and sweet Whoopie Pies were served in a fabulously romantic setting . . .

Book on sale!

The Dome of Memories is on sale, £12.99, at:

• Goodies, Whitley Road, Whitley Bay
• Keel Row Books, Preston Road, North Shields
• Harry Smith & Co., Nile Street, North Shields

Hopefully, next week, available at Whitley, Shields, Tynemouth and Cullercoats libraries/TICs. Maybe Waterstones and Fenwicks!

Or, by contacting Chris Bishop, at North Tyneside Council: 0191 643 7413 or email chris.bishop@northtyneside.gov.uk

They’re here!

The first ten copies of ‘The Dome of Memories’ book arrived at our house last Friday. It was a nervy moment – had we missed an obvious spelling mistake or committed some ridiculous design error. We won’t say. But we think it looks very good. And informative.

Available soon in libraries, shops, tourist information centres, and hopefully on the brilliant Joylandbooks.com website.

Or you can contact Chris Bishop at North Tyneside Council: Chris.Bishop@northtyneside.gov.uk

‎The Dome of Memories - the book!

Will be available from next week. £12.99. Available initially from Chris Bishop at North Tyneside Council (email below), it will work its way into local libraries, tourist information centres and shops over the next few weeks. A big slice of local history - and, if we say so ourselves, nicely presented!

Email: Chris.Bishop@northtyneside.gov.uk