Cristina Petrucci Illustration

Love is the Law

2011-09-02T21:05:00.000Z

Check out this link

Work in Progress

2009-12-18T18:11:00.004Z

Christmas Illustration 2009

2009-12-02T15:05:00.000Z

work in progress....

2009-05-14T16:58:00.001Z

An Article about Me

2009-03-02T20:25:00.001Z

Please follow this link:

http://www.ameliasmagazine.com/art/art-listings-31/2009/03/02/

Happy new year and Happy scanning

2009-01-07T15:57:00.002Z

It's great finally being able to scan my illustrations at home again. Hopefully long gone are the days of posting up digital pictures that don't do much justice. This is the illustration I finished a while ago, titled 'love is symmetry.' This was the experiment of drawing in symmetry....

a 'belated' Merry Christmas

2008-12-26T20:44:00.000Z

Christmas illustration work in progress

2008-12-23T17:53:00.001Z

Christmas is nearly here!

2008-12-01T20:19:00.003Z

Life has been pretty busy lately. Busy at the day job, busy drawing and busy looking for a job. However we went to Madrid for the weekend. Great to get away from a stressful London town. It was freezing as you can see from the photo.

....And now, I'm looking forward to Christmas, anybody who knows me will tell you that I love the festive period...

2008-11-05T14:28:00.002Z

Thinking Ahead.....

2008-11-04T16:39:00.002Z

I've started my Christmas 2008 illustration, yipee, it's nearly christmas time! Sorry I've been off the radar, just busy working, looking for a job, drawing, and readjusting to life after Mojacar....

Mojacar

2008-10-25T19:45:00.002Z

I got back from Mojacar on Friday night, after a lovely week away from London. Back to work tomorrow and back to looking for a job on Monday. Wishing I could be back in Spain having lunch on the balcony over looking the sea....

update

2008-10-11T17:16:00.000Z

Starting a new piece....

2008-10-06T17:46:00.003Z

almost done

2008-10-01T16:40:00.001Z

Just a few finishing touches (birds and bees) left to do....The first image is before the finishing touches, the other two are sketching in the last details. Maybe I've been working too long, but I can't help but think more detail is needed. Perhaps I need a break to reassess. I guess the more detail I do, the more I seem to want.
I have no final title as of yet for this piece. However on the train to Kettering on Sunday I came up with what is possibly the next in the series, either that or the 'forget me not' idea....

update

2008-09-24T21:14:00.000Z

Just an update to show some work in progress. In honesty, I'm finding drawing in mirror image to be quite a challenge. My instinct is to draw without rules or guidelines and reproducing one side onto the other is quite restrictive. I am undecided as to whether this is a good or bad thing yet. I guess I will draw that conclusion when the piece is complete. Great challenge though. The working title for this illustration is 'Love is Symmetry...'

I was researching plant symbolism in art yesterday and was struck by the story behind the naming of the flower 'forget me not.' Apparently a young man was picking the flowers by a river for his lover when he fell in and died. The cogs are turning for an illustration based on this story......

today 8pm:

today 2pm:

sneak preview of mirror image illustration

2008-09-20T19:47:00.001Z

It's about time...

2008-09-15T13:41:00.003Z

...that I 'finished' an illustration and posted it on my blog. I say 'finished' but I always struggle with knowing when to stop. Unfortunately these are just a couple of digital photos, I will professionally scan the illustration at a later date. This illustration is reversible, an experiment. All the illustrations in this series are technical experiments. One down, five to go......

'A Song for Guy' 2008
(lead pencil on watercolour paper)

Susan's Wedding in Oxford

2008-09-15T13:35:00.001Z

Most of us MA illustrator's (class of 2006) and our partners went to the wedding of fellow MA illustrator Susan Burghart. Incidentally one of my favorite illustrators. Here are a few photos from Susan and Mikael's big day:

'The Fable of Mythrian' by Ross Baker

2008-09-15T13:34:00.003Z

The book that Guy's brother, Ross, wrote came out last week. He's a very talented writer and shares a lot in common with me, creatively. See below for a link to Amazon...

Click Here for Link

Ideas Update

2008-09-07T19:24:00.003Z

What am I up to?

2008-09-01T17:58:00.004Z

Well this week, I feel like I'm back on track with my illustration. I'm desperate to post up some pictures of a new break through illustration, however, I'm keeping my new project under wraps just for now. Especially from a certain someone who I know will check out my blog to foil my secret project. For now, I'm posting up a few rough sketches from my sketchbook that don't give away too much. I hope this illustration lives up to my expectations.

There are a few hectic weeks ahead for me so stay posted for further 'exciting' news and artistic developments...lets hope anyway!

2008-08-26T18:38:00.000Z

map update

2008-08-17T06:50:00.003Z

work in progress map....

2008-08-12T18:26:00.001Z

Ideas (part one)

2008-08-09T15:21:00.002Z

Ideas

2008-07-30T10:50:00.003Z

2008-07-28T19:30:00.000Z

Madrid

2008-07-22T14:35:00.010Z

I got back from a long weekend in Madrid last night...the weather was almost hitting 40 degree's everyday, and it would stay at that temperature until the evening, eventually dropping to 34 at 11 o'clock at night!!!! so HOT!

Anyway, heat aside, I had a wonderful and cultural time away in Spain. I got to explore the village of Torrelodones and the surrounding areas... One evening we went to see 'Troilus & Cressida' by William Shakespeare at the 'Matadero'in the centre of Madrid. Another day we drove up the mountains, to Avila and explored the walled city. We went for tapas in El Escorial and explored the palace there at night...On the last day we walked around the centre of Madrid, going to the Reina Sofia, Plaza Santa Anna, and stopping for lunch in a quaint Spanish restaurant....

At the theatre:

Torrelodones:

El Escorial:

Avila:

A quaint restaurant in the centre of Madrid:

Busy days...

2008-07-15T15:30:00.008Z

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm going to Madrid! Well, I'm off on Thursday! I'm only going for five days, but I'm pretty excited as I've never been to Spain before. Stay posted for some photos....

....I've been quite busy with the day job, and thinking about what to do now that my website is up and running! It's always difficult, when you have focused so hard on something to then find a new focus... Although the feedback I've had from my website has definitely helped me think about my next move. I am hoping that there will be some time in Madrid to draw up some plans. I feel artistically, I'm stuck in a bit of a rut at the moment. The come down from the high of my exhibition and new website is casting a bit of a shadow!!!

Apart from working, thinking and packing for Madrid, not much to report. Apart from on Sunday, before work, we went for a coffee and walk along Columbia Road flower market. I've heard the talk about how wonderful the coffee is in the coffee stall that is there only on a Sunday. Actually I find the whole concept that the shops that line the flower market are only open for business on a Sunday strange. Anyway, I've drunk a lot of coffee in my 26 years....most of the best coffees I've had have been in Italy, where you pay 1 euro for a pretty good cappuccino... However I have to admit that I definitely had the best coffee of my life on Sunday morning!!! I loved the atmosphere, and the quaint shops, it's like stepping back in time to the 1940's...

I was looking for a few wedding cards, to take to Madrid today....and have realised there is a big gap in the market. I am struggling to find one let alone three. It's enough to make you not want to get married, in fear of receiving a terrible card! Real market potential..... If I had more time, I would have made them myself!

Yesterday was an exhausting day, I was running around town, doing errands, met with friends and then later met with Dan to finalise a few website bits. I'll take this opportunity to plug Dan and his talent for building websites...check out his website and contact him if you need one building!!!

http://www.hammerheadrabbits.com/

Photos from Columbia Road (please excuse the quality, I took them on my phone!):

It's Here!

2008-07-08T18:19:00.002Z

My New website:
http://www.cristinapetrucci.com

catch up...

2008-07-02T16:43:00.006Z

I finished the album last week as you can see from the pictures. I have to admit to having had trouble casing the book block in, after a year away from bookbinding! The result was pretty good, taking all into consideration.

Today I've just been working on a card for a friend (picture below) of work in progress.

I've been looking after the garden for my parents, or at least attempting to. Yesterday, I tried to water the tomato and runner bean plants...it was a total disaster. I couldn't get the hose to work properly, every time I affixed the attachment and ran the water...water sprayed everywhere. So I gave up and filled buckets of water to pour over the plants. I ended up covered in mud and water and I'm pretty sure I accidentally trod on some of the little bean plants. I have managed however to maintain the watering of my mothers pride and joy, hanging baskets....The abundant crop of raspberries is however getting to me... I'm starting to get sick of the taste and every evening when I go to pick them, I get attacked by spiders and bees, or walk through a spider's web. This afternoon there was a power cut in the area. At first I thought it was just our house, I almost started fiddling with scary looking buttons under the stairs....I've been a very busy bee today, I decided to finally try a recipe for making Dolmas (stuffed vine leaves) from scratch. The stuffed vine leaves, as part of the mixed meze, were my favourite meal in Turkey. I ended up making nearly 50!!

Anyway, back to the point. Fingers crossed my website will be uploaded tomorrow!

Taking down the Exhibition, Bookbinding and other news.....

2008-06-25T14:18:00.004Z

Today, with the help of my brother, I went to take down my 'Tragic Operetta's' Exhibition, to make way for the next artist! It was sad to see the work come down, and hard to believe I put it up four months ago. However on a good note, my mum finally got the illustration I promised her as a birthday present from back in May. As you can see from the photo, it's taking pride of place in the living room. This was the illustration that proved to be the most popular in the exhibition.....

Recently, I've been suffering with a touch of artists block. I'm having the ideas, yet struggling to commit them to paper. So, in order to remain productive and creative, I've decided to bind a photo album...I think the last album I bound was last September, so it's long overdue. Anyway I hope the receiver likes it, when it's complete. I'm quite proud of my ability to make the illustrated paper mirror image.....

Other news is that I'm going to Madrid in a few weeks for a long weekend...exciting! Also my website is very very very close to being complete, I'll post a link, when it's all done....

Back from Turkey....

2008-06-10T17:27:00.013Z

I just got back today from a week long holiday in Olu Deniz on the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. A area of immense natural beauty, famous for it's Blue Lagoon. We spent our days going for walks, eating (only Turkish cuisine)and lying on the beach... It was good to get away from London and think about my next move as an artist. Here are a few pictures of the area, in particular the 'Oyster Residences' Restaurant/Hotel we discovered, that incidentally does the best food in the area:
Our Hotel

The Blue Lagoon
On our way to the 'welcome meeting'

The Oyster Residences

More pictures.....

26 years young...

2008-05-25T19:34:00.005Z

Gosh, I'm now 26....the years are flying by! I hope that my 26th year will be one of amazing artistic conquests! We'll see....Anyway, I'm jetting off to Turkey on Monday, I'm planning to dedicate a lot of time to my sketchbook and come back with lots of inspiration, amazing photo's and energy. See you on the 10th of June....

p.s. My website should be relaunched anytime between now and when I get back, so keep an eye out:

www.cristinapetrucci.com

Here are some pictures from my birthday drinks....

Simplicity is not my strong point.....

2008-05-20T15:59:00.004Z

Tomorrow I have a meeting with my web designer to hand over the below art work for the site. I have come to realise that I need to sometimes exert some self control with my drawing as I easily get carried away. I think I need to remember that at times 'less is more.' As you will see in the second photo, I have re-drawn a much simpler border illustration with the Cacti from my illustration 'Princess Ninetta emerges from a giant orange in the dessert.'If I'm not careful my borders will get in the way of the illustrations themselves.

Yesterday I meet up with a friend from my degree. We lost touch for a few years after uni ended, but have reconnected via the 'wonder' of facebook. It was so interesting to catch up on 4 years worth of life. We sat in 'Neals Yard Cafe' for hours and hours. I'm surprised we didn't get chucked out!

Next Tuesday, it's my 26th birthday, hurrah! Well, hurrah for birthdays, not for getting older.....I have a weekend of birthday related events that I'm looking forward to. It all kicks off with birthday drinks this Saturday evening. I have Sunday off too to spend with family. As well as bank holiday Monday and my birthday on Tuesday...I can't believe how time is flying by!.....

...the week after I'm off to Turkey. Stay posted for some photographic blog entrys.....

...and so, heres an update....

2008-05-10T19:54:00.001Z

Hopefully these website illustrations will be completed in a couple of days, so that the website can finally come together. What else has been happening? Well, I'm going to Turkey in a few weeks, on holiday. Woohoo. That's about it really, apart from it being my birthday in 17 days. Still haven't chosen a venue for my birthday drink.....

work in progress....

2008-04-30T18:07:00.004Z

Here is the work in progress home page image, for my new website.

P.s. I went to see THE Eartha Kitt last friday at 'The Pigalle Club' in Piccadilly. It was AMAZING!!!! The club was very intimate, the perfect venue. I was also chuffed that the gig was not mobbed, the ticket numbers must have really been limited. Unfortunately some idiot spilt red wine on my new strawberry print Betsey dress. Not good!

Website

2008-04-22T18:33:00.002Z

I had a meeting with my website designer today. If all goes well, hopefully the new website will get underway in early May. I have some art work to get cracking on with before anything can happen, so I'll be busy for a couple of weeks. The new project (the playing cards) will be on hold until then. Stay posted!

I am Working.....

2008-04-16T18:57:00.001Z

.....honestly!

Comments....

2008-04-08T15:35:00.003Z

I always regretted not having a 'comments book' for my MA Illustration exhibition and this time I almost forgot again. However, a couple of days before the Private View, Charlene reminded me! I quickly put together a book for the exhibition.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, here are some of the comments left....

P.s. I had another meeting with my mentee this morning. I have to say I am so enjoying being a mentor for young artists. I never knew just how rewarding it would be.

Update....

2008-03-19T18:28:00.005Z

Well, I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I put up my exhibition...time flies. I just thought I'd post an update on my plans for the coming couple of months.

Next on the agenda is to get my website underway. I plan to add at least another 3 illustrations to launch the site with. However, the priority is to work on the design of the site (the border's, text etc.....)

The next project I have in mind will be a series of playing cards. Something friends and colleagues have been telling me to do for years. Recently, I've been intrigued by tattoo art. This is another area I am repetitively being told to explore....

In the meantime I'm trying to stick to my new year's resolutions. I'm so happy to have been able to tick of the solo exhibition from my list. Although, I'm already thinking about the next one......

In honesty....I still need to be a bit more of a 'social butterfly,' and I'm yet to 'take a risk.' On the whole though, I have very productive days, even when they are not directly focused around art. Hopefully I can keep up the momentum for the remaining 9 months of 2008!

Photos from my Opening Night

2008-02-29T20:43:00.006Z

All that remains to be said is a big 'Thank You' to everyone who came to the private view. Sorry about the large quantity of uploaded photo's but there were so many good ones, that I found it hard to select......

Exhibition Update

2008-02-17T18:59:00.002Z

Information about my forthcoming exhibition can be obtained online on the Kirk Originals Website. Under the 'Latest News' section:

http://www.kirkoriginals.com/

My News

2008-02-12T17:47:00.001Z

Here is an image from my forthcoming solo exhibition. I will be exhibiting a series of costume illustrations based on tragic obscure operetta's. The exhibition will be held in conjunction with 'Kirk Originals' in Floral Street, Covent Garden. If you are on facebook you can follow this link for more information:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=8234428955

Alternatively, you can email me on: cristina@cristinapetrucci.com
The exhibition will run for approximately three months from the 28th February.

2008-02-11T20:00:00.000Z

News....

2008-01-26T19:21:00.000Z

Where to start? Well, I've been a bit slack on updating my blog lately. This is for a couple of reasons.....1. I was staying with my grandparents for nearly a month because of a near boiler-related disaster at home. They have no internet, a blessing in disguise me thinks. 2. I've also been ill pretty much for the duration of christmas, new year and well, all of January.... along with the rest of Britain, it seems! I am still ill now, despite all my incredible holistic efforts to get myself back to full health. Life Sucks.

On a good note. I have been working loads in my sketchbook. By the way, I ended up buying a moleskine....don't judge me, there is a distinct lack of good affordable sketchbooks on the market.

My business cards have met with much praise and admiration. Which makes me very happy.

On another good note. I'm working on my website again, after a break over Christmas.

There is more VERY VERY VERY good news. BUT, I'm to suspicious to say anything until all comes together hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

Apart from this, I have enjoyed many a coffee and biscotti with friends and one very nice day trip back to Borough Market in the past few weeks.

(Photo: detail of work in progress illustration 'The Love For Three Oranges')

Sketchbook Update

2008-01-15T16:41:00.000Z

New Year's Resolutions

2008-01-01T18:40:00.000Z

I've been away from blogger for a while, what with Christmas and the New Year! I can not wait till things get back to normal. I have started a new sketchbook and have loads in the pipeline for 2008. Here is me immortalising my 2008 resolutions:

1. To be Proactive at all times
2. Focus on my Career
3. To have an Exhibition by the end of 2008
4. Take a risk.....
5. Be a 'Social Butterfly'

New Year, New Sketchbook......

2008-01-01T18:34:00.000Z

...starting the year and the sketchbook as I mean to go on....

Updates....

2007-12-08T20:02:00.000Z

Today I went with Stephanie to Portabello Road to the Hummingbird Bakery. Oh my gosh!!! The cupcakes were amazing. We had the red velvet...all I can say is 'I'll be back!' Pity the weather was so awlful and rainy....

....This week I've been working a lot at the day job and listening obsessively to the 'Rock and Roll Love Songs' album I bought on Wednesday when I was supposed to be Christmas shopping!

I admit Christmas is proving to be a distraction at the moment!

I've been working on an illustration or the opera 'The Love For Three Oranges' but I'm having issues with it and am contemplating starting over.....

Artistic (non cup cake related) news comming soon!

Count down to Christmas......

2007-11-28T16:28:00.000Z

Yesterday I picked up my 'luxury' business cards from the printers. I'm so pleased with them. On one side there is one of my illustrations and on the other is my details and an illustrated border....I feel like just handing them out on the streets of London because I'm so proud of them!

For the last two weeks i've really been affected by the season of good will but I have absolutely no idea why. I'm just hoping that it continues, as I've had a disasterous relationship with christmas in the past. I love the build up....eating mince pies, wearing mittens to keep the cold at bay, last minute christmas shopping, some more mince pies..... However I find Christmas day is always a huge anti-climax!

Anyway, today I've been packaging my illustrated Christmas cards in brightly coloured envelopes and correcting the annoying printing mistake!!!!

Now all I need to do is find the time to write them all.....

an exhibition of the work of Andrew Brandou

2007-11-23T22:00:00.000Z

Last night I went to an exhibition of the work of Andrew Brandou at the London store of 'Maharishi' in Floral Street, Covent Garden. The illustrations are very interesting and are from a series called 'After Audubon.' I would describe them as botanical meets contemporary urban illustration. There are some original watercolours and some prints also. It is an exhibition worth a visit if you are in the area!

For the artist's website
Follow this link

Thank God for the Bucks....

2007-11-16T19:44:00.000Z

Today was a random day in what was a random sort of week....I think I've decided to start writing a list of things to be grateful for each week. As it is so easy to focus on what we don't have and not what we do have...
Here's what I'm grateful for this week:

1. Watching 'Live at the Apollo' on the TV with my Dad
2. Re-runs of 'Bottom' and 'Red Dwarf' on digital TV
3. My Free cup of coffee at Starbucks today when I bought and topped up my first ever Starbucks card (incidentally, it came with a cool christmas mitten to put it in)...also grateful for that delicious biscotti I dunked in my coffee (see photo).
4. For having at least a couple of people who think I'm talented
5. At least I'm NOT a chav from Enfield.......I'm just from Enfield!
6. Stephanie telling me about the wonders of the V&A Library.... I plan to join on Monday
7. 'Whole Foods' in High Street Kensington....went a bit mad in there today, bought all sorts of health food to gorge on over the next week.
8. For proving my strength and confidence as a 'business woman' (with the help of a bit of power dressing and a Quentin Tarrantino movie soundtrack to psyche me up)....

Shipps Tearoom and a long walk in wintery central London

2007-11-10T20:10:00.000Z

Please excuse the excessive number of photo's in this blog entry...I have attempted today to take at least a morning and afternoon off work....it was a little bittersweet I have to say! I had a lovely day with Stephanie we went to Shipps Tearooms in Borough and then for a long walk into Covent Garden. Along the way we passed the 'Golden Hinde' and a beautiful statue, all pictured below. Along with a photo that captures the beauty of autumn/winter in London. Although I was not appreciating it's beauty whilst freezing in one of my highly impractical winter coats. I adored the statue (It's in the park next to Embankment)...that's me being attracted to tragedy again (a worry!?)...she looks how I feel at times!

Anyway apart from this I am experiencing problems with my printer/scanning. I hate technical problems... they're the kind of problems that stress me out to excessive levels! I hope I can sort it! Another hectic week awaits me it seems....

p.s. I'm still looking for a new sketchbook, I am so determined NOT to buy a moleskine...although having said that I did very nearly buy one the other day, it was a close call...Think even through my determination I will end up submissing on this occasion!

A New Illustration for Christmas.....

2007-11-08T20:37:00.000Z

"Amelia Gathers Magical Herbs at Night"
a scene from Giuseppe Verdi's 'Un Ballo Maschera'
Cristina Petrucci 2007
(Lead Pencil on Watercolour Paper)

This is my official Christmas image. Only 6 weeks to go....argh! This will be my first professional christmas card. I went today before work to approve the proof at the printers. I took so long over this illustration as I've been so busy over the last few weeks and those perfectionist tendencies were rearing their ugly head once more.....

'The Golden Age of Couture' at The Victoria and Albert Museum

2007-11-07T21:14:00.000Z

(Photo of Mr Christian Dior himself)
http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1486_couture/
A must see exhibition!

The end of a sketchbook era....

2007-11-04T19:02:00.000Z

....as some artist's will appreciate, your sketchbook is like your best friend. You build up a relationship with it that is built on comfort, trust, ease and familiarity. Like an old jumper that keeps you warm in the winter. I've not always been a keen sketchbook devotee, but then maybe I was always waiting for the right one to come along.

Well, I have to say, for the first time in my history as an artist, this is the sketchbook that I have bonded with the most. We first met in April 2007, a gift (men always seem to give me sketchbooks...no expensive jewellery or perfumes for me!?).

It was not until June/July that I first got fully acquainted with the new sketchbook in my life. By which time the relationship/friendship with the person who first introduced us was at an end. (I don't usually talk personal issues on the blog, but I feel that in this instance it helps to explain an artist's connection with the humble sketchbook.)

Four months later and just one page remains. Memories of trip's to the coffee house and the National Gallery, flash before my eyes. We even traveled to Italy together!

Will I ever find another sketchbook of my dreams?

P.s. If anyone knows where I can get a good sketchbook that is NOT Moleskine (I hate Moleskine's...they're so soul less!) let me know, please!

Happy Be-lated Halloween

2007-11-01T22:53:00.000Z

I helped out Jo last night by doing a bit of face painting for a Halloween event she was helping to organise. Having not ever face painted before I was a bit scared that I would mentally and physically scar or disturb someone. Although, it all worked out well and there seemed to be many happy halloween punters. Maybe all artists are face painters, they just don't know it yet...

....I went to my induction tonight for the creative mentoring program, I am part of. It's very hectic at the moment and I'm shattered so will talk about it in more detail at a later blogging date. Don't even know why I'm blogging this late, it's past my bed time!!

I'm Famous....!?!?

2007-10-29T17:43:00.001Z

I randomly found out today that I have been quoted on the 'Society of Antiquaries of London,' online magazine, 'SALON.'

Follow this link

"In this age of blogs, it is also gratifying to note the unsolicited observations of visitors to the exhibition, including Cristina Petrucci, illustrator and costume designer, whose website records: ‘I spent a big part of today at the Royal Academy of Arts. The “Making History: Antiquaries in Britain 1707–2007” was amazing. One of the best exhibitions I have seen in a long time.’"
Christopher Catling

Back to Bookbinding....

2007-10-26T16:12:00.000Z

I took today off work because of the overwhelming amount of art work I have to do. At the moment all I want to do is draw but today I HAD to get these bookbindings started. Think after these I'm going to quit bookbinding for a while, as I just have way too much on my plate at the moment. However, I have to say I was quite impressed with how I managed to get the paper on the top binding to be mirror image!

I probably haven't mentioned yet, but I'm going to be a creative mentor, seeing as I am now a 'professional'....I start my training next Thursday. I hope that I can make a success of this challenge...

Also, I want to say thank you to my friends for their support and artistic crits, whilst I've been developing all this new work....

....There is more to come, so stay posted!

A mid-week update!

2007-10-24T20:28:00.000Z

This is a detail of a new illustration. Just thought I'd post up an update, even though things are much the same in 'Cristina's world of costume illustration.' However stay posted for developments on the new website, launching in early 2008. At the moment, I'm spending too much time drawing, obsessing over drawing when I'm not drawing, drawing and eating biscotti at the same time, listening to the smashing pumpkins and wearing costume.....

A day off drawing and work!

2007-10-20T19:22:00.000Z

Today me and Stephanie met for brunch at Ottolenghi in Upper Street, Islington. What an lovely place the food was amazing....true works of culinary art! I loved the idea of toasting your own bread at the table that you shared with random diners! I had forgotten just how lovely North London can be, and this was a great start to the day. We had planned to then climb up Monument in the City of london, but alas it was closed for refurbishment. We walked around Tower Hill and then unsuccessfully tried to find the tea museum (we suspect that it has closed down). We then down to Borough Market....a 'foodies' heaven on earth! We then carried on walking to the Southbank....A lovely day all round and it was just what I need to take my mind off drawing for a day...I did however get in a sneaky sketch on the tube on route to Islington!

I am so busy at the moment and have a lot on my mind with my work...I never really explained the work below...It feels so good to be back doing what I love more than anything and that's trying to mix Costume and Illustration...and more importantly DRAWING! I like to think the drawings and the titles speak for themselves and so will not delve too deep.

I have completed another entitled: 'Yoyslava's Dying Breath' (a scene from the Opera 'Mlada'). It this was a hard piece and as every artist has, I have doubts of it's quality.....

I'm Back........

2007-10-16T13:51:00.000Z

"The Devil Steals the Moon and Stars Plunging the Village into Darkness"
(A Scene from the Opera 'Noch'Pered Rozhdestrom')
Cristina Petrucci 2007 (Lead Pencil on Watercolour Paper)

"An Ode to Joe" Cristina Petrucci 2007 (Lead Pencil on Watercolour Paper)

An Update

2007-10-13T18:17:00.001Z

I've been very busy lately, working and drawing, drawing and working. I have some 'exciting' new work to post up next week, but as I think I've mentioned before, I'm having the images professionally scanned.

Apart from that, and the usual drama's of life, not much else has been happening. I've been so busy that I have not yet had the time to get the two bookbindings I desperately need to get done.

Anyway, stay posted for what I hope is the anticipated unveiling of my new work.

Bring Back Summer....

2007-10-09T16:24:00.000Z

....outside 'The National Gallery,' today at midday! Please take note of my rather fabulous umbrella...

Another Sketchbook page

2007-10-09T16:22:00.000Z

sketchbook development of ideas....

2007-10-07T17:57:00.000Z

News....

2007-10-03T18:03:00.000Z

I just thought I'd post up a quick note to update on recent developments...

The sneak preview below is my first costume illustration in over a year. Since finishing the MA, I had some time developing and experimenting, but my heart lies with illustrating costumes, as I learnt with this piece...that finally got named today! I need to have it professionally scanned as it's a bit of an unusual size and so can not post up the image yet.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about the direction of my art. I'm a bit of an enigma, I think! I'm not a costume designer in the true sense of the word, but then again, I don't fall into the category of an illustrator....I think I'm some kind of cross breed! This is what I hope to exploit in my new project, it is also what I hope will make me interesting and different.

I am in the midst of a very exciting personal project, that I am researching at the moment. I was very happy to get in the post today the book I ordered from Amazon, that is part of this research. It's called 'The Opera Lover's Companion.' I planned to carry it around with me and read it before work and during lunch breaks, but it's bigger and heavier than I anticipated. I will however give it a try!

Today I had tea in Greenwich with Sarah and her neighbour. It was nice to catch up and get some feedback on my new work from my very talented illustrator friend.

There is so much to do, I also need to make two new photo ablums asap.....These are a couple of random images from the sketchbook....

a sneak preview

2007-10-02T18:56:00.000Z

This is a detail of an illustration that I've pretty much finished. It remains untitled for the moment, as I can't decide on a suitable title befitting of the sentiment and meaning behind the picture. As is usual with me, it is about tragedy and love....

I have to admit that I find it very difficult to say that an illustration is completed. This can lead to overworking a piece of art, which is no good....!

The Traveller's Companion....

2007-10-01T15:06:00.000Z

....these are a few photo's I took of the illustrations inside the 80 year old book I bought for Stephanie. I've developed a real love for antique books lately....

a double birthday bash....

2007-09-30T11:26:00.000Z

....last night I celebrated the birthdays of Charlene and Stephanie. I made Charlene a photo album and found an amazing 80 year old book that I had letter blocked for Stephanie. I haven't posted any photo's of it up yet but I will now that I have given it to her, as it is a gem of a find....

Happy Birthday to the lovely Charlene and Stephanie!

Winter's well and truly on it's way!

2007-09-28T17:53:00.000Z

Today I met up with Stephanie and we went to the cute 'Postcard Teas' in New Bond Street. I had an amazing cup of cinnamon tea and had a very interesting conversation with the owner about teas and spices. He gave me a stick of Sri Lankan Cinnamon that made my day. I definitely recommend a visit if you're in the area. Before this I popped into 'Liberty' to see the 'Trash Luxe' exhibition on the fourth floor. I believe it has got quite a lot of press, but I wasn't impressed at all.

We walked by the Francesca Lowe and Alastair Gray Exhibition at the Riflemaker in Beak Street.

Later on, I must have spent hours going in and out of the second hand and antique book shops on the Charing Cross Road. I was on a mission to find another gem of a book, as a gift for someone. Alas, I was unsucessful on this occasion!

Winter is definitely on it's way....what miserable weather. It was only a 6 weeks ago I was baking in Italy.

sketches....of rooms......again!

2007-09-26T18:52:00.000Z

.....I'm still trying to find the perfect home page image!
Man, I'm updating this blog way too much!-)

more interiors....

2007-09-25T18:57:00.000Z

website planning

2007-09-23T19:41:00.000Z

I spent this morning in Cafe Nero doing a bit of planning for the website. I am about to start work on the home page image and so dug out the interiors I did for 'Bluebeard.' I'm going to base it on the same idea as my website and the image that already exists.
This is image 1/24, the memories of drawing day and night to meet the deadline are coming back! This is one of my favourite of the 24 images. I hope I can capture the same sense of atmosphere and impending doom in my new drawings.

My first 'masterpiece'

2007-09-22T19:15:00.000Z

(at approximately 2 years old)

'Way To Go' - now released

2007-09-21T18:48:00.000Z

Just helping my fabulous 'modern day renaissance man' Uncle M promote the album that he co-wrote with Nyjon Eccles and Gareth Young:

"Against the current backdrop of the music scene, Way To Go shines with maturity, meaning and topicality. Its inventive blend of pop, funk and R&B carries a powerful and enduring message, spanning themes from responsibility and honesty in love to ecology and social reality.

There are soaring love anthems, dance numbers of irresistible energy and a rhythmic drive rarely found in British R&B. Add to that an uncanny knack for catchy and unforgettable melodies, and Way To Go delivers a unique combination that's hard to match."

You can download tracks or purchase the CD from:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/nyjon

For further information, biography, video clips, track excerpts and downloads, see:

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/drnyjon
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/DrNyjonEccles

Another day, another gallery.....

2007-09-21T18:05:00.000Z

Today I was in town 'on business'....I got into Covent Garden early and so went to 'Monmouth Coffee.' I've been meaning to try it for ages and have to say it was no disappointment. I'm feeling slightly guilty about the croissant that I had with that coffee though.

Later in the day I met up with Stephanie in Covent Garden where we went to Neals Yard for lunch. I had this amazing cornmeal bread and apple and carrot juice. I was so impressed that I've decided to try and make cornmeal bread at the weekend....we then went to the 'Serpentine Gallery.' I have to confess that I had never been before! There was the work of Matthew Barney currently being exhibited...I have to say that it was all very bizarre and slightly disturbing. That is all I will say on the matter!

I am very proud to say that I have seen a total of 5 exhibitions this week.

Another page from the sketchbook....

2007-09-20T19:42:00.000Z

A day at the 'Royal Academy of Arts'

2007-09-19T15:37:00.000Z

I spent a big part of today at the 'Royal Academy of Arts.' As I am a member I decided to go and see the three exhibitions that they have on at the moment. The 'Making History: Antiquaries in Britain 1707-2007' was amazing. One of the best exhibitions I have seen in a long time. I was very eclectic and had illustrations by George Cruickshank to a 'Diptych of Old St. Pauls' by John Gipkyn to a lock of hair removed from the tomb of Edward IV to a female skeleton found at St Brides lower Churchyard, Farrington Street.

I also saw the 'Georg Baselitz' exhibition. It wasn't really my cup of tea but there were a couple of etchings that were interesting in the 3rd room.

I then saw the 'Impressionists bt the Sea' exhibition that is in it's final weeks. Unfortunately, it was the busiest of the three exhibitions and so impossible to get a good view of any of the paintings. There were some beautiful paintings by Monet and Renoir. I did however notice that everyone in this exhibition was significantly older than me and I felt like I was being looking at as if I were a young flousie....This is neither paranoia nor age-ism!

After this I went to Covent Garden for wonder around. I went into the 'Neals Yard Dairy' shop where they sell the most amazing cheeses ever. Whenever you go in, you get accosted to try out all the different cheese. Today I must have tried at least 6 varieties...I have to say I was briefly falling for the American cheese expert, whom I bizarrely remember from the Covent Garden Food Market last month. A good knowledge of cheese is always a bonus!-)

Finished...

2007-09-19T15:30:00.000Z

"My Biography" by Cristina Petrucci

2007-09-18T14:43:00.001Z

I'm starting to get slightly bogged down with constantly writing and filling in forms at the moment. So, I decided to take a break from it and write a short biography... I will probably edit it later and use it when I redo my website!-). I found it quite therapeutic and fun to write.....

I drew my first masterpiece at the age of 2.

7 years on, I loved being naughty and blaming it on my little brother or cousins. Every Sunday at my grandparents’ house, someone would always end up crying....but it was never me!

For ages I escaped blame but then one day, my nan said to my dad: 'Cristina, she's no angel'...oops, I was only 9!

My convent school girl days, I'd rather not talk about.....

But at the age of 15, I dreamed of running away to be in the American Army. I wrote to them which started an influx of 'top secret' confidential letters from their office in Virginia. This awoke a great concern in my mother.

This dream was short lived and was swiftly followed by an ambition to be an actress.

... At 17 I realised I couldn't live without art and stormed into an A level Art lesson to declare this love.

At 22 and after A Distinction from Central Saint Martins and a First Class degree in Costume from the London College of Fashion, I fell out of love with art.

We were not on speaking on terms for a year, but after much relationship counselling we rediscovered each other and our love was stronger than ever. This was also the age I got my first pair of cowboy boots.

At 23 I was is artistic despair, but like an angel in the dark, I had the bright idea to do an MA in Illustration.

By 24 I had finished my MA and had fallen in love with the American boy who drew pictures just like me!
I loved him like I loved drawing....

At 24 and a half I was a Libertarian and making art about being broken hearted.

By 24 and three quarters I thought I had fallen in love for a third time. But it was just a case of mistaken identity!

At 25 I lost my Liberty

Here I am at 25 and one third, facing a quarter life crisis....

To be continued.....

'The Library'

2007-09-18T12:32:00.000Z

This is an initial sketch of my favourite building in Roma... I literally stumbled across it and thought it had tremendous illustrative potential!

My day as a 'tourist'

2007-09-17T17:34:00.000Z

I spent the day with some family that are visiting from Italy. We went to see 'The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army' Exhibition at The British Museum . I definitely recommend it...but suggest leaving it a while until the crowds die down, as it was really busy today.

I managed to find a book to buy in the gift shop, that incidentally had nothing to do with the exhibition. It's called 'Royalty's Strangest Characters' by Geoff Tibballs.....I love books and it's the one thing (apart from coffee and art materials) that I don't feel guilty spending money on.

A Productive weekend....

2007-09-16T19:02:00.000Z

I feel like I've had a very productive weekend...Yesterday, I drew and started a bookbinding. Today I woke up early to bake and decorate cupcakes for my twin cousins who turned 5 on Friday. I then met Stephanie for tea at The Troubadour cafe in West Brompton. I love the decor in the cafe...there were musical instruments and gardening tools hanging from the ceiling and kettles and teapots in the window. Me and stephanie sat in what looked like a confessional, with this amazing light above!

After tea we went to view an exhibition space that I'm thinking of hiring for an exhibition next spring/summer. I then went all the way back to East Finchley to see my family, and some family that are visiting from Italy. I'm getting dizzy just thinking about it all! Needless to say when I arrived at my grandparents house I was greeted with a lot of food and three desserts! Argh....

Another bookbinding in progress...

2007-09-15T17:59:00.000Z

More Townscapes.....

2007-09-15T14:10:00.001Z

...this time, from Sant'Elia Fiumerapido!

A page from my sketchbook

2007-09-14T12:03:00.000Z

My sketchbook is my best friend...

2007-09-13T12:11:00.001Z

At the moment I'm really enjoying the artistic freedom of my sketchbook. The work that I do in my sketchbook is so messy in comparison to the precision and detail of my finished pieces...it is very liberating. I love the fearless feeling of working in my sketchbook and playing with ideas. I think that this only happens when you get comfortable with the sketchbook (like when they get old and have character).

Here is a page from my fabulous sketchbook...a different view from a cafe nero window. Here are some pictures of the interesting building of the day....'The Kings Head' in the Market, Enfield.

"Febbraietto, corto e maledetto"

2007-09-13T12:09:00.000Z

Last night I was researching some proverbs and quotes...not entirely sure why, but sometimes it's best not to question these things! When I found an italian proverb: "Febbraietto, corto e maledetto" meaning "Little February short and cursed.' I couldn't help but think that this would make a great illustration idea. I then went off on an tangent and starting researching the month of February. Here are some links, if you're interested:

Wikipedia: February
Facts about February
February 14th

A view from a (Cafe Nero) Window......

2007-09-12T11:51:00.000Z

....Unfortunately not quite the same view as the film. However, I was sitting in Cafe Nero in Enfield Town today and it suddenly dawned on me that if you eliminate all the chav's, yummy mummys and monstrous new development buildings, Enfield isn't actually that bad! There are loads of beautiful buildings to draw and lots of history. Please excuse the photo but I didn't have my camera and had to use my phone, and so the picture (taken through the window) is a little doggy. I spent some time just sketching this view, very roughly.

I do seem to have a 'thing' about drawing buildings and interior scene's in a distorted manner....I remember the work I did for LCF, on the production of 'Bluebeard.' One of the 24 interior images, I use as my homepage on my website.

A random sort of day...

2007-09-10T19:54:00.000Z

Today I had a random sort of day....I woke up to a nightmare...I'm going to do a bit of dream analysis in the minute...but it was of those dreams that was so vivid and I woke up thinking I was chasing someone....it was a little distressing!

....Maybe the trauma of the grass fight I had with my little cousins on Sunday (3 against 1). I stood no chance and ended up picking bits of grass out of my hair all Sunday evening.

Anyway, today I gave in and decided that I had to cut my hair (for me, going to the hairdressers is worse than going to the dentist...!)

With a new bouncy curly hairdo, I ended up hanging out with Stephanie for a while. There was a power cut at 'Liberty,' and so the poor staff were at a lose end for most of the day.

I ended up finding a perfect birthday present for one of my friends and on a whim decided to have it letter blocked at 'Shepherds'....I'll post up a picture of this marvel when I get it back from the 'special letter blocking people.....'

Too much excitement for one day, I think. This week at the 'Royal Academy of Arts,' starts a new exhibition called 'Making History: Antiquaries in Britain, 1707-2007.' It opens to the public on the 15th, but the 'friends' previews start on the 12th.

For information, follow this link:
'Making History: Antiquaries in Britain, 1707-2007'

Another Royal Tea...

2007-09-08T17:54:00.001Z

Today I met the fabulous Sarah in Greenwich for a famous Royal Tea...despite the DLR not being in operation, I managed to get there and was greeted with a 'French and Continental Market' day, near the Cutty Sark. Strange, as only that morning I was discussing with my mum how my outfit looked very french revolution-ary!?!?

I'm seriously thinking about starting a 'piggy bank fund' so I can move to Greenwich and feel happiness everyday...all donations greatly recieved!-)

Picture Problem Solving.....

2007-09-07T11:39:00.000Z

.....this morning I woke up with that desperation to be artistic. After a light breakfast, I read through one of my art books and decided to pop into Enfield Town for a coffee (surprise, surprise!). I took my illustrations with me on what was there first outting (anyone who is a fellow artist will understand this strange phenomenon that is treating your art as though they are you children). In fact, maybe that's just me!

Anyway I set up camp in 'Starbucks' (and what a sight for sore eyes I was, amoungst all the mother's, prams and their children!).

At the moment I've got 4 illustrations on the go and perhaps another 4 or 5 in the pipe line. However with the 4 that are progress there are a few problems that I have come across. This is a common symptom of my particular way of working...which is to plan in my skechbook, disregard the plan and just start drawing...and before I know it I've spent 8 hours on a drawing and I've come across a perspective problem (not that I adhere to the laws of perspective anyway). So, this morning's task was to address each drawing in my sketchbook and technically solve the problems.

Did it work? Well I'm not sure!

Some very, very old work.....

2007-09-06T13:46:00.001Z

...now and then I like to look through my old portfolio. Usually, it makes me cringe...and I end up thinking 'great idea, shame about the drawing.' I thought I'd post up some of my costume designs from my degree, just for old times sake (bare in mind some of these drawings are 4-5 years old)....It's always interesting to view an artists progression. There are a few images from this portfolio that I'm planning to re-work!

...detail of 'a failed experiment'

2007-09-05T19:05:00.001Z

I am not too proud to admit defeat... I was working on this piece a couple of weeks ago. I decided to watercolour the paper first and then draw. However, the colour was way too heavy for the delicateness of the drawing. Also the watercolour had made the paper very hard to work on (I think I went a bit crazy with the washes). It felt like I was engraving onto the paper. Anyway, it's all a learning experience and on a good note, I've found the best watercolour paper ever.

Please note, that I'm deliberately not posting up my lastest work (the final illustrations, that is)...it's me being way too superstitious!

Theatre Rocks!

2007-09-04T12:41:00.000Z

I've been thinking a lot about theatre recently, for a couple of reasons. The first, that I'm working on an illustration inspired, quite visibly by theatre. The second reason, that I'm working on an application, where one of the requirements is to have an 'interest' in theatre. I found myself in Starbucks getting really aggitated by the fact I was trying to prove my love for theatre. Anyone who knows me, will know that theatre is my first and enduring love. Anyway, I remembered the dissertation I wrote for my MA. Here's me introducing my argument: 'Is Theatre Art the ultimate and most supreme art form.'

"Theatre is an art that has the potential to extend beyond the conventions and restrictions of the artist who works on canvas or the sculptor who builds his art. It offers so much room for creative expression to its practitioners and escapism to its devotees, that no other art can match. Theatre can create a vortex of enchanting power that through time artists such as Picasso, Dali and David Hockney have all been seduced by. The art world has regularly succumbed to the theatre’s creative potential, suggesting to me that the theatre offers something to the artist that no other art does. Perhaps it is the appeal of the theatre as a blank canvas for their ambitious and exploratory creations that entices these artists. The theatre, however, is no ordinary canvas, it is one that seduces its master with the thought of seeing its characters and worlds brought to life, in flesh and blood.
I propose to examine The Ballets Russes, arguably theatrical performances that most embodied all the qualities of an ultimate art form. I will introduce Richard Wagner’s theory of Gesamtkunstwerk....."

Petrucci, C (2006)

Fearing for my Sanity.....

2007-09-03T13:20:00.000Z

.....Today my dad had the Cherry tree in our garden cut down. It's been there for as long as I remember, and I have many fond memories of gorging on the cherries that it produced. I feel really sad about it, bizarrely. I don't know if it's because I'm turning into the environmentalist or if it's because I'm getting increasingly sensitive in my old age. (I have to admit to going goo-eyed when I see mothers with their babies in Starbucks and cute animals, like squirrels, in the park)...Anyone who knows me, will find this hard to believe.

Anyway, here are some more sketches. Very rough ideas. To be honest I think that the concepts and drawings are only ledgible to me. I guess this defeats the purpose of posting up the scan. But this is all in my bid to make this blog slightly less photographic. I have to admit to being slightly worryingly attached to by camera.

Well, I'm going to face the empty void where the enormous cherry tree once stood and then carry on with some work!

The end of another week....

2007-09-02T18:25:00.000Z

....sometimes it feels like time is flying by and this week has been testimony to that! Today I went to 'Royal Teas' with Stephanie, Charlene and Ola...I was going to post up some photo's but decided against it as this blog is starting to look way too photographic and giving the impression that I'm a bit of a party animal....which couldn't be further from the truth! I've had a hectic and productive week, which is exactly as I like it... as the saying goes: 'the devil makes work for idle hands!'

Anyway, here is a page from my sketchbook, an idea I had while I was waiting for the girls to finish work!