bespoke wall hanging design commission

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Louise

I wanted to share a bespoke wall hanging I did a while ago that I forgot to share.

A private client asked me to create a wall hanging for the stairs area in her home that would brighten it up. She’d seen my work at Wasps Open Studios in Dundee and liked my style. We discussed what she liked about it for me to create a clear brief for the project. In particular she liked circular shapes, movement, curves, mark making and feathery grasses with a natural flow of patterns merging into each other (nothing sharp, or dense). We then talked about colours, type of fabric and finishings. I visited her home so I could get a feel for the space and to measured up.

I did some sketches that include different composition, colours and imagery (probably more than I needed to as I really got involved in this project – wee problem when you enjoy what you do!) Continue reading →

Delicious Dundee Designs

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Louise

Dundee Cake 1 web
Here’s my new illustrated greetings cards featuring the local Dundee Cake. Continue reading →

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

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Louise

Here is some of my festive designs on cards – tasty Christmas Pudding, well fed Robin and Winter in Dundee. Continue reading →

Peek at the V&A Dundee Hoarding

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Louise

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.

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.

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 →

Cards – Winter in Dundee

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Louise

It’s that season again…….. I’m going to mention the Christmas word! I’ve created an artwork called Winter in Dundee and made it into some cards which would make perfect Christmas cards!

They are A5, locally printed and blank inside for your own message. Available to buy directly from me, please email me on hello@louisekirby.com or pop into the DCA shop in Dundee to get them. They are priced £2.45 each.

I will be taking part in the Wasps Artists Christmas Sale on 30th November if you want to get some there, where I will be offering a special offer of 3 for £5.00. For more info on the Artist Christmas Sale please click here.

They artwork has my signature style using rhythmic mark making and merging patterns to represent the creativity happening in Dundee.

Pecha Kucha Flyer

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Louise

Final Flyer for the upcoming Pecha Kucha in Dundee! Thanks to Lyall for the graphics!

A sample below of an earlier edition.I’ve designed the latest flyer for the Pecha Kucha Vol 7. In my illustration I really wanted to capture the creativity going on in Dundee using my signature style. Using pattern to represent the different creatives, cultural organisations and events happening in Dundee that blend and merge together to create such a rich tapestry of the city, using the iconic silhouette of The Law as a backdrop. This event also links into the revealing of which city is to be crowned City of Culture 2017.

I’m a huge fan of Pecha Kucha nights organised by Creative Dundee, they are so inspiring! They’ve always have a great mix of creatives on the line up from people I know to things that I didn’t realise was happening in Dundee and surrounding areas. it’s a great concept, 20 slides and 20 seconds – it’s gives a fast snapshot! I did one back in May 2012, a bit scary standing up in front of 200 people! You can see my one here.

Pecha Kucha Volume 7 will take place on Thursday 21st November at the Bonar Hall in Dundee from 7pm – 10pm. This is a ticketed event and tickets are available from Eventbright please click here.

If you like my artwork is available for licence or I can create something bespoke for you.

Vision for V&A Dundee

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Louise

I’ve created some Patterned Artworks for my vision of what Dundee will look like when the V&A Dundee is built on the River Tay. In my illustration I really wanted to capture the creativity going on in Dundee using my signature style. Using pattern as a metaphor to show the energy and creativity that weaves, blends and merges together with all the different creative people, cultural organisations and events happening in Dundee.

My Patterned Artworks have a natural flow that echo natures organic ability to sit in harmony to its surroundings and I see the V&A Dundee fitting into Dundees’ changing landscape very well.

This image is digitally printed on wool to create a wall hanging. The Patterned Artworks could be printed on a multitude of products from tea towels, ceramics, cushions, scarves, prints, mugs, notepads… the list is endless! I would love to be commissioned to create Patterned Artworks for the V&A Dundee.

My wall hanging will be on show at the Wasps Artists Open Weekend on the 19th & 20th October outside my studio on level 4, studio 404. You can find out more about the Open Studio weekend on my previous blog.

Lets go on a journey together…

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Louise

I was lucky to be selected to take part in the coaching with Cultural Enterprise Office with Lynn O’Neill. I really enjoyed the bespoke personal service and allowing myself the time to develop. I was encourage to think BIG, so I wanted to showcase my patterned artworks on a product that would dispel the myth that my artwork was only for scarves. So I started an self initiated project, for my all time favourite car the Land Rover Defender.

I think the brand really matched the essence of what I’m about and my love of the great outdoors. I wanted to use my patterned artwork and signature style of delicious colours, patterns, and expressive mark making with a rhythmic flow capturing the essence wilderness of the landscape to create sophisticated, natural and beautiful designs suitable for Land Rover Defender.

land rover section by louise kirby

So I set about creating some hand painted paper designs using imagery of the landscape, fields of pattern and animals. My visualisation was that I see the Land Rover Defenders as something that can go anywhere with no obstacle and I wanted to capture this in my artworks by merging and blending a variety of terrains into one another to give the feeling that Land Rovers can go anywhere, with spontaneous marks the emphasise the thrill, and adventure of the Land Rover Experience through the rugged British countryside.

I could imagine my patterned artworks on – exterior bodywork, spare wheel covers, interior upholstery, promotional leaflets, collectable toys, and water bottles to hoods.

From there I needed to visualise the artwork on a product, so without getting my hands on the real thing I tried putting my designs on simple line drawings. Here are some of my samples.

I searched for the biggest model I could afford and got this lovely toy and set about applying my design idea on the product. I also made a hand printed silk wheel cover too! I loved the little model so took it to the park to do a wee photo shoot. Here are some of the photos from that day.

I hope you like my creation; do you imagine driving about with my design on it?

I’d love to go on an adventure with Land Rover where I bring the creativity and they bring the wheels!

wheel commission louise kirby web

Louise Kirby

creative process and projects of Louise Kirby

Tag Archives: patterned artwork