Commission for The Wine Press

The Wine Press 3

The Wine Press commissioned me to create artwork for their wine bar in Dundee.  I was delighted to create not one but four bespoke pieces for their interior space that would lead the eye round and add as an accent colour, imagery and joy.The Wine Press

The process involved an informal meeting with owner Patrick Rhode to discuss the brief.  This helped me to drill down exactly what he wanted.  The brief was to have a celebratory feel, be colourful, to include the colour gold and to have the latin phrase ‘in vino veritas’ which mean in wine their is truth.  We talked about where wine came from and his love for gnarly grape vines.  He send me some photos of vineyards from his business trips which I included some of the imagery in the final images.

The Wine Press drawingFrom our meeting I did lots of sketches of different compositions and imagery ideas.  I love drawing, markmaking and patterns so I created some interesting relevant images and marks and movement that would compliment the design.  Then I exposed the images onto screen.  I did colour tests, then started hand screen printing onto the wood panels.The Wine Press 1

I chose to hand screen print as I love the flatness of the colour and clear lines and textures it has without loosing the quality of the drawing.  I am very experimental and playful with the way that I screen print using lots of stencils and overprints.  I do love getting my hands dirty in the studio!

The Wine Press 2I work well to a deadlines and it was tight as I had to have it completed so it could be installed before their 1st Birthday celebrations.  And I did it !

Patrick knew of my work so trusted me to come up with something.  And he was delighted when I dropped it off – phew!

Patrick Rhode says ” Louise did a fantastic job and more than delivered on her remit.  Her work is beautiful and has brightened up the bar which is exactly what I’d expected and hoped it would do.  Oh, and she delivered on time!!!  Very professional.”

I think The Wine Press is a lovely space for an afternoon coffee, or a glass of wine or bubbly with friends and the platters are delicious!

Thanks for reading, let me know what you think when you see them.  You can follow me on Facebook or TwitterThe Wine Press 6

The Wine Press 5

 

Dundee Design Festival

West Ward Works
I would like to invite you to the Dundee Design Festival, from Thursday 26th – 28th May in West Ward Works.  I was commissioned to create a series of surface patterns to tell a contemporary Dundee design story.  All my designs are hand screen printed on wood and dispersed through gallery, can you spot them all?

Dundee, the UK’s only UNESCO City of Design is hosting the first Dundee Design Festival from the 25th – 28th May 2016.  The theme for the first Dundee Design Festival is “Place. Work. Folk. Design.” through it explores the potential of design to connect the city’s communities and improve our everyday lives.  This exhibition weaves together some of the great design stories currently emerging from the city, including new innovations in textiles, games design and design for health and wellbeing.

The event is FREE but you need to book ticketshttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dundee-design-festival-tickets-24394298002

There is a real mix of things in the exhibition so it allowed to use my design skills to create images that brought it all together to tell the story, things included: eeGeo 3d mapping, sonic pills, bullet proof vests, fashion + textiles, Hand of X, tools of makers, the changing landscape of the V&A coming.

Frank Gehry Maggies Centre Dundee

I have used the CMYK colour palette to make references to printing methods.  In the image above of Frank Gehry Maggies Centre.  Chosen not only as it represents a building designed by world renowned architect but because I believe it evidences how good design changes peoples’ lives providing a place of calm, support, nurture and tranquility created within a purposeful space. Externally, I enjoy the shape and movement of the roof which I feel echoes the local landscape.

Within the imagery and patterns there are deeper meanings, for instance the colourful pattern is cancer cells, the teacups and books to show support and lavender to give a sense of calm, the sky is a positive sunny yellow patten to show the positivity of space and support.

“It’s very difficult for people to go through experiences like this, and I wanted to create a building that would be calming and accommodating, and one that would be a fitting tribute to Maggie. I think it’s an inviting building, I think people will want to come inside and spend time there, and I really hope that in some small way it might contribute to a sense of rejuvenated vigour for moving forward and living life.”  Frank Gehry, (October,2003)

Let me know what you think of the designs in the show – can you find all 12 of them?

Pieces are for sale, please contact me directly for a price list.

You can keep up to date with my work on

Instagram – kirbyrecipes  https://www.instagram.com/kirbyrecipes/

Twitter – Kirbyrecipes https://twitter.com/KirbyRecipes

Facebook – LouiseKirbyDesign https://www.facebook.com/LouiseKirbyDesign/

Drawing Dundee by illustrator Louise Kirby

Dundee PehToday I’m starting a new project called Drawing Dundee.  I am going to draw local products and places in the city and around the city and post every Wednesday on my social networks –  so keep your eyes peeled. (starting Wednesday 2nd March) Continue reading

Vote for the Oak

I am delighted to be commissioned by The Woodlands Trust Scotland to help draw attention to an oak tree in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park to help it win European Tree of the Year. Continue reading

It’s dreich outside but these will brighten up your day

red pudding Louise KirbyHere is some of my festive designs on cards –  tasty Christmas Pudding, well fed Robin and Winter in Dundee. Continue reading

Festive Forbes of Kingennie

festive brochure web I’m always inspired in the great outdoors so being asked to create an illustration for Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort Festive Brochure was perfect match for me and my work. 

They wanted to do something different and part of my job is to capture the essence of the place and to bring their vision into reality.
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Peek at the V&A Dundee Hoarding

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Just back back from my holiday so I missed the reveal of the winner of the V&A Dundee Hoarding Design, I was itching to find out as I was in competition against them for the tender.  I drove past to get a peek.  Here’s a few snapshots.

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Well done to  comic illustrator Will Morris and graphic designer David Mackenzie for their ‘adventures in design’ comic idea.  I may not have won but I see it as a positive experience being able to showcase my work to both V&A Dundee and V&A London panel.
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I was delighted to be put forward by a panel, as one of ten designers chosen to tender to design the V&A Dundee hoardings.

With a clear brief, prestigious project, large scale, Dundee links and tight deadline it really got my creative juices flowing. Continue reading