Dundee Wasps Open Studios

Posted on July 28, 2022 by Louise

YEAH it’s happening!

We are welcoming people back to Meadow Mill for our WASPS Open Studios on the 6th and 7th August from 12 noon – 5pm. This gives the public a real insight into how the different artists and designer work here in Dundee. All the spaces are so different from colourful busy spaces, quirky spaces, practical workshops to calm retreats. I love seeing pots of brushes, messy palettes, rows of tools!

Exhibition on the 4th Floor with a range of artworks to give a flavour of the creativity in the building. And coffee and pastries from EH9 just next to my studio with a drawing table to sit and be creative!

This year I’m looking forward to seeing the studios of new tenants who have moved in over the last few years!

Studios I’m looking forward to seeing:

Cara Rooney and her award winning illustrations, I love how she captures a childlike curiosity in her work. Kate Harvey with her colourful fashion textiles. The very dramatic landscape paintings from Ellis O’Connor. The hive of activity from the fabulous Dundee Ceramics Workshop with demonstrations and raffle. And in contrast we have artists who have been creating for many years, such as Maggie Milne who graduated over 40 years ago from DJCAD.

Organised Colourful Chaos

My studio will be organised colourful chaos, with a range of things I’ve been working on from: models, design sheets, test pieces, bespoke artworks plus I will have my full range of Dundee Delights greetings cards, tea towels, magnets including some new card designs and all the one-off prints that I’ve not had a chance to put on my online shop yet!

I’ve been really enjoying developing some larger scale watercolour collages. I started creating these during lockdown inspired by the river Tay. I really enjoy the balance and rhythms of colours and playing with composition to get them to work together.

A selection of the new watercolour collages

I am also looking to clear some older works so big discounts on things too, if you’ve ever had your eye on anything – the time is now! Plus I will be doing a wee special offer with 2 tea towels for £20 (£12.50 each).

Local creative businesses are joining in too from the 1st floor – Whimsical Lush with her quirky illustrations, Kerrie Aldo and her cool handmade outerwear, Susan Doyle with amazing aprons 1874 WORKS , Maggie Duncan with Made At The Mill and vintage clothing from Nicely Eclectic and many more…..

Lift access and free parking available (ask for a ticket when you arrive on the door).

Please share this event to support lots of local creatives so we can let as many people know about our hub of creativity that we have here in our city.

I hope you enjoy your visit and come away feeling inspired!

This is the building you’re looking for, I’m on the 4th Floor in studio 404, come and say hello!

Rediscover Dundee Delights

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Louise

It’s great to see places starting to open up here in Dundee, we are so lucky to have so many cultural buildings and events on our doorstep. Here is my round up of some of my favourite places if you fancy getting out and about and rediscovering the city again. *I’ve popped links to all the places so you can check for any bookings or restrictions.

15^th August – It’s great that Dundee’s Farmers Market is set to start back up monthly, you can pick up local produce from breads, jams to veggies.

20^th August – The McManus Galleries is favourite building of mine, stashed full of interesting objects. I love the Stephen Bird ceramic piece it’s worth stopping and having a closer look at it. The David Batchelor sculpture brings a smile to my face with the brightly coloured bottles too. It’s great to see my Dundee Delights illustrated products available to buy again from their shop.

27^th August – V&A Dundee I’m so looking forward to seeing the Mary Quant exhibition – as you know I love colour and pattern and my background is in printed textiles! Can’t believe I’ve not been in the building since March, normally I would be in regularly delivering workshops for schools and families.

4^th September – Dundee Contemporary Arts It’ll be nice to see Arty the penguin again at Jute Café Bar, I’m sure Arty has been a good guard while the building has been closed. I’ve always loved the DCA for their cinema, beer garden on a sunny day and picking up cool cards and gifts from the shop. You will be able to pick up my Dundee Delights greetings cards, magnets and tea towels here . The galleries will be opening the following week.

Places already open include: Dundee Transport Museum good for a bit of nostalgia. Camperdown Zoo somewhere I like to take my son (and I like it too), check the website to book a slot. Verdant Works is a great space, remember to look up at the cool rafters. And if you like boats and history visit RRS Discovery or HMS Unicorn . You can also check out www.Dundee.com for more things happening.

If you would like to see the full Dundee Delights collections inspired by Dundee landmarks and foods you can see them here with free postage on all orders. You’ll also spot some new prints inspired by the wildflower growing during lockdown.

Thanks for reading!

Explore Dundee Guide

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Louise

Dundee’s location is the best! I love that I can be in the city, on the beach or in the countryside so quickly. I love to get out in the fresh air and be inspired by what I see! Here are some of my top places to walk and explore.

Broughty Ferry Beach is a regular spot for me and Rhubarb the dog. I’m always on the lookout for interesting colours, textures and patterns and Rhubarb is on the lookout for crabs! You can sometimes spot dolphins too if you’re lucky!

Barnhill Rock Garden always looks great with an abundance of textures of plants and flowers. Visocchis is a must for an ice cream and Jessies Kitchen for lunch or coffee and I highly recommend their strawberry tarts! Pretty Fly is great for gifts or treating yourself. You can pick up some of my Dundee Delights products there – prints, tea towels, cards, pins, bags and notepads!

7 Arches walk is part of the Monifieth Path and is great for exploring along the banks of the Dighty. On my walks I’ve spotted deer and love the wildflowers plus listening the the songbirds early in the morning.

Somewhere I’m going to check out is the Spaces for Places in Union Street as it’s now pedestrianised with planters and outdoor seating just next to the penguin sculptures. You can explore some of the streets you don’t normally go down part of the Open Close Trail in the city centre, and you can do it in Stobswell too. I love that this project brings colour and art to the city! My favourite doors are Jen Collins next to Forte cafe on Dura Street and Lindsay Brown owl on a wee lane behind Albert Square.

There are some new murals down near the V&A Dundee of the whales and check out the amazing artwork of Fraser Gray and Martin McGuinnes on the legs of the Tay road bridge. You can read more about it here.

On a clear day The Law is great for 360 degree views of the city, and going uphill really gets those leg muscles going but I do admit I’ve driven up to the top too! Balgay Hill walk up to the observatory (not currently open) is nice and you can go over the blue bridge to the graveyard. I love seeing the highland cows and great views over the river Tay on the Riverside Nature Trail.

As a student I used to spend lots of time drawing the cacti in the glass houses at the Botanical Garden and its a lovely place to wander amongst the range of trees and plants in their outdoor space.

Further afield Crombie County Park is a perfect length of walk amongst the trees around the loch. For me it’s really inspiring and I have lots of photos of things that inspire me from here! Monikie Country Park is great for feeding the ducks (they like peas and seeds instead of bread) and you can pick up an ice cream or coffee from Byzantium Cafe.

Kinshaldy Beach has the great combination of the beach and the woodland area, and check out the Crepe Shack if it’s there too. East Haven beach past Carnoustie has such a picturesque feeling.

For those of you who like the water I’ve seen some really cool pics from people going on the Outdoor Explore trips on the river Tay and Clunie loch.

I’ve always got my camera capturing some inspiration for my designs everything from wildflowers, textures to patterns in the sand. My designs bring into focus the positives to capture a sense of place so it connects people to the local area. You can read more about my design work here.

Recently I’ve been inspired by the wildflowers growing during lockdown and started to add this into my Dundee Cityscape. You can see the full Dundee Delights collections here with free postage on all orders.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LouiseKirbyShop

Hogmanay Scottish First Foot Tradition

Posted on December 28, 2019 by Louise

Here in Scotland its tradition on Hogmanay (New Years Eve) to give a first foot gift after midnight. Traditionally gifts would be whisky to represent financial prosperity and good cheer, a lump of coal to represent warmth and to keep the fire burning, or a black bun or shortbread to symbolise that the receiving family would not go hungry during the forthcoming year.

Or a Dundee tradition I’ve been hearing about through Lynne Campbell (local folk singer) is the Dundee tradition of dressed herring in paper bonnets and skirts, which is meant to be a good luck charm (not for eating). Never seen it but sounds pretty unusual and cool!
A couple of alternative Scottish First Foot Gifts in Dundee would be a Dundee Cake Tea Towel from my Dundee Delights collection of illustrated gift products or some Char Coal cheese from The Cheesery (Broughty Ferry or Exchange Street), which the first all black delicious vintage cheddar cheese with charcoal. Message me on social media or by email of what you like to be gifted as a first foot?

At the bells a Robert Burns song of Auld Lang Syne is often sung (or belted out!) or the bag pipes or some cheesy tunes.

All round Scotland on New Years Day some brave people take part in The Dook, where you go in the freezing water whatever the weather. You’ve got no chance of me doing that but I’ll will be watching The Dook in Broughty Ferry, with all the fun costumes and brave people. More info on it here.

What will you be doing for Hogmanay? Tucked up cosy in bed before the bells of partying the night away. What ever you’re doing enjoy and all the best for 2020!

Photo credit: David Band Photography

Wasps Open Studios Dundee

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Louise

If you want to feel inspired come along to Wasps Open Studios in Dundee on the 26th & 27th October, home of the artists and designer of Dundee. It’s a sneak peek into the studios were you will see a real variety of creative practices.

I will have my full range of illustrated products called Dundee Delights plus one-off prints, new Christmas card designs and of course a bargain box. If you’ve never been to my studio before you’ll see my love of pattern and it’s a bit chaotic! My Dundee Delights collection is highlighting the great things here in Dundee, everything from the V&A Dundee to Dundee Cakes.

Come along and see designers, makers and artists in their own creative spaces, where you will have a chance to enjoy a chat and even the chance to purchase some items right from where its made!

You’ll find a wide variety of work including textiles, fashion, illustration, printmaking, jewellery, drawing, painting, sculpture and ceramics.

Also, a great way to find out more about our exciting range of events, workshops, and learning opportunities! more info on the Facebook event page

Free shipping on my Online shop

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Louise

If you would like to browse my shop I can offer you FREE SHIPPING until the end of May to the UK on orders over £10 with the code LOVEDUNDEE. You will see the full range of Dundee Delights greetings cards collection, Dundee Cake + Dundee Marmalade tea towels and the Dundee cake enamel pin on my Etsy online shop

LouiseKirbyShop

There is FREE SHIPPING until the 31st May 2018 with the code LOVEDUNDEE (on orders over £10 to the UK)

X Marks the Spot for Dundee Delights

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Louise

TREASURE HUNT
On Tuesday 3rd April, I will be leaving visual clues on my social media, for people to find my Dundee Delights greetings cards around the city, if you would like to take part keep an eye on my Instagram, Twitter or my business Facebook page. I would love to see where my cards end up and who finds them, so please let me know via social media or drop me an email hello@louisekirby.com

Kirbyrecipes
Kirbyrecipes
LouiseKirbyDesign

Louise Kirby Dundee Delights greetings cards celebrate some of the delicious delicacies and iconic places in and around Dundee. Her designs have a fresh approach to the city whilst retaining the hand drawn qualities. The new collection will include Dundee Marmalade, The Wellgate Clock, V&A Dundee from the Tay Bridge, Magdalen Green Bandstand and Sunny Dundee image. Previous designs include Broughty Ferry Beach + Castle, The Dundee Penguins, Dundee cakes, Frank Gehry’s Maggies Centre, Dundee Contemporary Arts and The McManus. This collection is in the World Favourite Colour of Marrs Green and sunshine yellow to capture the positive direction the city is heading.

WASPS Open Studios 28th & 29th October

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Louise

WASPS Open Studios 2017

When: 28th & 29th October, 12noon—5pm on both days
Where: 2nd, 3rd & 4th floors Meadow Mill, West Hendersons Wynd, Dundee, DD1 5BY

I will have my new Dundee Delights cards, enamel pins and tea towels available (and hopefully some screen prints)

Continue reading →

Launch of new Dundee Delights collection by Louise Kirby

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Louise

Dundee Delights is a new illustrated greeting cards collection by designer and illustrator Louise Kirby. Launching on Friday 13^th October by giving a fresh and positive image of the city. Louise will place free cards around the city hoping that the finders will send them to friends and family locally and to the far corners of the globe. Louise would love to hear of where they end up be it an Aunty in Australia who loved days at the ferry beach as a child, an old school or university friend in another city that you want to hello to, or invite your granny in Lochee for a coffee and cake. To share where they end up either email Louise Kirby on hello@louisekirby.com or #DundeeDelights on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Louise Kirby Dundee Delights greetings cards celebrate some of the delicious delicacies and iconic places in and around Dundee. Her designs have a fresh approach to the city whilst retaining the hand drawn qualities. Designs include Broughty Ferry Beach + Castle, The Dundee Penguins, Dundee cakes, Frank Gehry’s Maggies Centre, Dundee Contemporary Arts and The McManus. This collection is in the World Favourite Colour of Marrs Green and sunshine yellow to capture the positive direction the city is heading. Dundee, the UK’s only UNESCO City of Design.

The Dundee Delights collection is available to buy from her Etsy online shop, the Dundee Contemporary Art shop, Pretty Fly in Broughty Ferry and coming soon to Visit Scotland (located in the city square) and directly from Louise Kirby at the WASPS Open Studios on 28^th & 29^th October 2017, Makers for Maggies on 2^nd December 2017.

Designs include:

Broughty Ferry Beach + Castle

Patterned sand looking over to Broughty Ferry castle with a happy sun shiny Dundee cake sky, evoking memories of days at the beach.

The Dundee Penguins

The characterful 5 bronze penguins by sculptor Angela Hunter that make people smile as they walk past and sometimes they have been known to adorn clothes and hats.

9 Dundee Cakes in the Bakers Shop – available in sunshine yellow + marrs green

Local delicacy of the Dundee Cake, with the lovely pattern of the almonds on top.

Frank Gehry’s Maggies Centre

Maggies Centre designed by world renowned architect Frank Gehry here in the city which I believe is evidence of 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.

Dundee Contemporary Arts

Creative and cultural hub in Dundee with the curved face of different surfaces which is invites you in to the space which houses 2 cinemas, print studio, galleries and a bar and a restaurant.

The McManus

Dundee’s art gallery and museum in the fantastic gothic revival architecture, I love dramatic staircase and the detail in the architecture. So many stories lye within this building I particularly love the ceramics, Dundee and the World exhibitions and the Tay whale.

Louise Kirby

creative process and projects of Louise Kirby

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