cara

The Spook Dance

2010-04-20T14:53:00.004+01:00

The Spook Dance is a new blog I am starting.

As you can see it is empty as yet but I will be posting some of my Swing dance photos, thoughts and recommendations on there.

I will also be trying to pay more attention to this poor blog.

So more coming soon...

This year's effort

2009-12-18T17:18:00.003Z

My sister and I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Had a good comment from a new acquaintance who is a psychoanalyst. She doesn't know my sister and asked who is older - then she said she knew before I could answer. The answer is me. Not because I am more wrinkly and haggard (which I think gives it away). But because I am the larger animal and am supporting my little sibling. Ha! I love psycho babble.

THE CURRENT SHOW

2009-11-27T14:15:00.002Z

the current show
check it out. a fabulous new art venture adventure from my lovely friend Serena.
x

Bad Blogger Lindy Hopper

2009-04-14T13:55:00.005+01:00

six months ago i started lindy hopping. before that i was already a bad/infrequent blogger, now i would say i am a bad/pathetic blogger.

have plans to upload some new work, but it all needs tweeking! the above footsteps element are from some posters i have been working on. funny that they should have a dance feel!

i seriously cannot wipe the smile off my face that lindy has put there! i am sure some would like to smack it off!

there's me dancing with some men in stripes - always a good thing!

anne and kerry in london and cc in athens (very proud my preaching has gone international) are some victims (who i can link!) of my lindy recruitment policy.

now, if you think that you might just like lindy, and things 'don't mean a thing, if they ain't got that swing' i truly urge you to SIGN UP NOW!

THE PAPER CINEMA

2009-03-10T11:27:00.007Z

Met up with Gemma the producer of 'Ode' last night - she had spotted 'The Paper Cinema' and thought of me! So glad she did. I think that the illustrations must change for different shows as the ones last night were not as good as the ones on the website. But the live aspect still makes for a nice show. Afraid I couldn't get any decent pictures. But there were two people sitting in front of a video camera which fed to a projection of the little cut outs they waved in front of it! All with live music too!

Then to The Ten Bells for a drink!

OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR!

2009-02-08T12:39:00.019Z

last night the blitz party was a blast... lots of men in uniform, nice shoes, good hair, spitfire beer, war wound comparisons, union jacks, sandbags (actually filled with balloons) lindy hopping old movies 'oldschool bbc' standard english, NICE PEOPLE!

PAUL BOWER. a man to know, admire and remember!

2009-02-04T12:52:00.002Z

my talented friends new website!
www.paulbower.co.uk

2009-01-02T20:03:00.006Z

i am pretty happy with my finnish horseshoe fortunes this year:
a fella on a horse
a dancing couple (confirming that my lindy hop infatuation is set to get stronger)
the third didn't photograph too well, but it was BIBLICAL! demons, creatures and strange figures that mean adventure in my eyes!

if you don't know the tradition it is well worth getting to know...
a real mix of magic, superstition and alchemy is the right start for new years eve, or anytime in the early new year.
i made a feeble google search and no great descriptions seem to be forthcoming. will have to document the process properly next year.

but a wee breakdown for you...

specially bought tin horseshoes (i stock up every year at the finnish christmas fair)
are melted one at a time over a fire in a pan.
once it has melted and looks like mercury you quickly pour it into a large pot of cold water.
it cools immediately so you can take it out with you hands straight away.
then you turn the lights off and hold it in front of a candle by a wall.
the rest is up to your imagination..

THE O'SULLIVAN SISTERS

2008-12-22T00:46:00.004Z

it has now become tradition for riona and i to snap a shot for christmas,
here is one of the more serene stills!

PECULIAR

2008-12-04T11:27:00.014Z

some work in progress to bridge the posting gap.
i had some fun on the stairwell with spray paint and stencils, have not used it since college - strong stuff that gets everywhere! well it did with this incompetent user. hehe!

the film is quite colourful so they will eventually be tinted accordingly..

PIE OF THE DAY

2008-11-14T00:04:00.004Z

i was an oxford day tripper today!
visiting my lovely old housemate serena and her husband marco, who have recently been lured back to this island kingdom.
picture of the day for me was the pie of the day
it was a serious pie!
i actually only took one other picture and it did not do oxford justice, perhaps some days are meant to be remembered not recorded...

stewie and gene

2008-11-08T11:37:00.003Z

the balboa was impressive dear anne,
but i watched family guy last night, and this has touched my heart!

ODE to OBAMA

2008-11-05T15:42:00.004Z

democracy is delightful, Nov 4th made History!
and i made these posters for that film.

BOO! a happy halloween...

2008-11-01T23:55:00.018Z

ODE

2008-09-23T12:38:00.013+01:00

My second go at film titles!
I have my eye on an 'aftereffects and title animation' course that starts in January. Alas my attempt as self learning the moving image trade just aint gonna cut the mustard!

ON MY WALLS

2008-09-22T23:00:00.005+01:00

anne has tagged me for 'on my walls'
i think i have been and bad blogger and she is giving me an easy way back in!

so... the first pic...
shows a bit of my pin board which includes lots of wires, postcards, a rob ryan invite and one of my favorite photos of my grandmother giving me a piggy back many moons ago.

the second...
has a conviniently cropped photograph that shows my nice and huge, danish plate (that has a rather large chunk missing ) saved from the bin at alfies antiques. also my 'piquot' tea and coffee pot collection. I got these from a car boot super cheap, but they have led me to spot the most gorgeous 'kettle' that brand new sells for £180.00 but again at alfies a vintage one sells for about £100, but i think i will keep my eyes peeled at the fairs for the 'next to nothing' priced ones.

i will be updating on a project i am working on imminently!

Bagnoles De L'Orne

2008-08-21T21:23:00.014+01:00

2 dogs and 2 cats at this house of Scots
as you can see from the storm clouds and sunshine it was pretty much London weather, ie. schizo.

sweet bonny using emotional blackmail to aquire some extra eats (no begging allowed however!)

tourist information sent us an hour's walk in the wrong direction when we asked for the horse racing.
they sent us to a riding school with a very nice parrot.

we did get to the races however - everyone attends..

Bagnoles De L'Orne is basically a Disneyland for retired folk, but we did venture out at night to amusements other than eating and eating some more. Friday was a national holiday and along with a serious fireworks display was great live music from these boys.

paris
rendez-vous with paul
we pass some nice curtains, the plaques on the side say estate agents, but i reckon that ain't quite right!

visit to his small but perfectly formed appartment.
he had already put the bowie card up i gave him for his birthday :)

THE PRIME MINISTER'S HARICUT

2008-07-10T15:00:00.006+01:00

i am really loving the whole GREAT britain malarky at the moment (aestheically speaking).
which is probably why i got a little carried away with a little test set up for some upcoming film titles - 'The Prime Minister's Haircut' (working title).
the lovely people at 'the room' - matt and gemma saw the titles i did for 'Forgive me my Sins' at the cannes film festival and got in touch - how nice is that!

but when i was cutting these little fellas out i realised that the queen does not generally share her guards with the PM :(
but the prime minister's policemen do wear the very best head wear available :)
i shall be animating the cut-outs too this time. the film is a comedy which i am making into an excuse to watch british comedies from the 50's to the 80's.

establishment V anarchy - love it!

last curtsey and some jive

2008-07-06T17:15:00.006+01:00

a friend of a friend works at kensington palace and organised 'rock around the palace'

the palace is also celebrating 50 years since the last debutante was presented to the queen.
(the exhibition is definitely worth a look see) i volunteered to be a helpful debutante for the day

the above pictures are the only ones i took on the day
and they do not represent it at all, the event was outside on the lawn in front of the palace
after doing my time clicking the numbers onto the dance floor for ballroom classes, i got my chance to take to the dance floor for some afternoon jiving!

for this more rockin' part of the day i took off the little hat* i made,
and put on my plimsols - the debutante look can make you want to do something bad! i joined the dance class instead.

well all i can say is that i want to jive again, too much fun

*pictured below: my little tear drop hat, on top of the skirt i made. i couldn't help add the evil eye, i also put my lucky 4 aces brooch at the other end. the hats feathers are sadly bedraggled after i stuffed it into my bag :(
oh and apologies for contrived placement of her majesty in the background! (my teabag tin)

you lookin' at me?

2008-06-26T16:47:00.002+01:00

GIANTS

2008-06-03T22:11:00.012+01:00

rudolf steiner

elias lönnrot

jean sibelius

this evening i went to a lecture at 'rudolf steiner house'
'The Human Being and the Elemental World. Finland and the Kalevala'
by Virginia Gilmer (who happens to be my sisters childhood lyre teacher!)

it's been too long since i last went to 'rudolf steiner house'.
its an unusual and beautiful building. so i plan on becoming more esoterically inclined and attending more lectures and performances.

i went to the 'kings langley steiner school' which hopefully explains my inclinations!

the lecture renewed my interest in the kalevala - finlands national epic poem.
elias lönnrot travelled all around finland collecting folk tales that had been passed down generations aurally and formed it into the kalevala.
i won't go into it - just take my word for it - its epic and trippy!

his work inspired my final studio project at college..
i went to finland visiting as much of my mothers family as possible and collected family stories and propaganda.
which i re-wrote and recorded as spoken word onto a 12''white vinyl record.

the lecture also focused on sibelius.
who was inspired by the kalevala for one of his symphonies.
virginia who was giving the lecture, spent many moments emphasizing how much his head was like a piece of finnish granite!!
very true virginia!

so, i realize i have not really gone into the whole steiner thing, but i plan on covering it more, a little now and in the future!
rudolf covered almost every aspect of life in such amazing detail, i don't agree with it all but my positive experience of the education system always makes me fascinated with his take on the big and small things. for example he sees the trochaic rhythm (short long short long ...) of the verses as the best route into the spirit world {with which he said the ancient finns were very connected with}. Although this is an aural experience - my take is to make this visual within some form of illustration.
but anyho blah blah blah! i am inspired laterally and literally!

steiner and finland will be back
(would also have liked to have found a decent size image of sibelius with a moustache as that's how i really think of him!)

update!!
miss maud kindly sent numerous links with appropriate images. so here you see a youthful sibelius with the tash!

Hey Cowboy! Where'd you get that crazy walk?

2008-05-23T22:34:00.013+01:00

Thanks to a happy misinterpretation of some of the lovely Annes work.
I got to thinking about Lee Hazlewood, which got me to thinking about times gone by. So back in the good ol' days when the adventures I had with the Larsson sisters were a little more on the peculiar side..
Well, here is a bit of writing I did for our screen-printed magazine way back in 2002.
Its actually a little cringe worthy for me to read - I never have declared myself as a writer, but I do like for things to be recorded.

LAREDO KENT UK
-I met the Larsson sisters at Denmark Hill station. The day was cold and windy but the sun was shining, a good day for a trip out West. On arriving at Longfield town our first point of call was the towns off-licence. Maud purchased a small bottle of ‘Grants’ whiskey to help shake off the cold.
-I am able to identify J.T the founder of Laredo, by his baseball cap that has J.T LAREDO across the front. He tells us to go on up to the place.
-Past the horses, we jump over the barbed wire fence and head across the field. We meet our first fully kitted Westerner - Horse. He is carrying building supplies to the town, and in this working mode he is a good introduction to Laredo.
-Laredo has one main street, with the town built on either side, this classic layout really helps to envelope you in the New World. The howling wind was causing the wood built town to creek. It was almost deserted, save a few members working on construction. It was a Saturday and Members day is Sunday.
-We made our base in the hotel bar. Being a mannequin the bartender did not have much to say. I think Anne got along nicely with him however – being the strong silent type.
-Wandering around the town, peeking through windows into shadow cast rooms, glimpsing a stage coach through the livery doors and discovering abandoned cowboy boots, a hangman’s rope and a hidden encampment.
-Hardworking on a new building: the print-house, Fay and Terry took time out to tell us how Laredo can come to life..
-..When darkness falls, every window lights up with flickering oil lamps. You can knock on any door and most likely there will be coffee on the stove and some good company to while away some time with. In the saloons the bars are three people deep and the nights entertainments become livelier.
-The previous week Laredo has been host to fellas from as far out of town as Belgium and Germany.
-We retreated to the grocery store form the cold. The clouds were now blotting out the blue. Fay kindly put the kettle on to boil for tea.
-Everything is done with as much authenticity as possible in this town. Knowledge is continually sought and passed on. Fay was currently learning how soap was made in the 1880s. One of her pleasures of spending time in town is being treated like a lady.
-J.T’s daughter Joleene and her son Morgan arrives. Joleene is wearing a beautiful blue western period dress. Morgan who, no higher than the waist looked perfectly at home, there’s no novelty in Laredo for him. ‘you’re not in western wear’ he notices. We are the ones out of place here. Joleene takes us around the town, inside everything from the marshals’ office to the preachers abode.
-Then it snowed. The town looked beautiful. The snow bleached out the surrounding world. We were standing in a 1880s frontier town.
-Back in the grocery store Les joins us. He was in full kit and looked mighty fine. Water was on the boil again for tea. Fay, Terry, Joleene, Les and Morgan were getting down to the nittty gritty; town gossip and the essentials of fetching fire-wood and sleeping arrangements for the cold night ahead.
-‘Whose apple is that?’ Morgan asks shyly, then munches happily when we tell him that it is his if he wants it.
-Farewells said, we make our way back across the field over the barbed wire fence and past the horses in the direction of reality.

We also went day tripping to another Western Town called 'Deadwood'. Will try and get around to digitising that day too. I am due a little cowboy inspiration, or maybe pirate, hmmm both! watch this space.

now, this is going to hurt!

2008-05-19T22:00:00.004+01:00

the print is about the size of one of those stickers you get from the dentist when you (we) were little.
i printed this one straight into my diary so not sure if it qualifies as propaganda
but i did make it into a badge , and printed on toilet paper and and handwash!! those prints didn't come out so well!

they are in the oven as i write this

2008-05-12T20:54:00.000+01:00

MAY DAY

2008-05-01T23:23:00.004+01:00

i do love my polling station/community hall.
i couldn't capture its cuteness -
it makes me feel nostalgic about a time i never knew up close.
i think its 30's or 40's and its full of little old gents and ladies who may have known it back when they and it were young.

thought today was suitable for a little home-made propaganda for the flat!

MONSTER MASH

2008-04-23T19:43:00.001+01:00

DOMESTIC PROPAGANDA

2008-04-21T22:32:00.000+01:00

RIDICULOUS BROWNIES

2008-04-20T20:19:00.004+01:00

elena came around tonight to make dinner

i thought i would begin a project that i thought about a while ago...
...making propaganda on a domestic scale

however these posters didn't end up working as propaganda
i kinda ran out of time
and they were only just ready at the same time as dinner!
so mementos!
i want to promote upcomming events such as trips to the dentist, doctor,
cleaning reminders, shopping lists - you get the idea.

WINDY CITY

2008-04-20T14:13:00.012+01:00

to mark another great London Book Fair..
here is a lovely piece of self-promotion propaganda
all the way from the USofA
it is also all the way from 1936

27 chicago designers collaborated in a beautiful way to make it.
they each got 2 spreads and each is printed using
different techniques and papers.
love it!

also love the champagne that anne cracked open to mark
the book fest occasion too!
what a lark!

OUCH! RESURRECTION

2008-04-11T22:08:00.006+01:00

my ouch is back!
but in the form of 'work in progress'
want to get that 40s film credits look...
going to try satin melodramatics next!

one of my favorites is MILDRED PIERCE..
life ain't easy...

LONDON CALLING!

2008-04-10T19:40:00.002+01:00

MAMAS PAPITOS

2008-04-10T19:06:00.003+01:00

OMG! my sister makes the best cakes in the WORLD!
the picture makes it look like chopped fruit,
but no! underneath the fruit and behind the paper cups is
chocolate and orange heaven
i had the honor of baptising them when she first made them with her friend..
''Oh Mama!'' is the first thing one says on the first (and every) tasting
during the serious naming discussion the friend was playing manu chao and the song was about papas!
so..
mamas papitos

GHOST HUG

2008-04-06T12:55:00.005+01:00

the scary ghost at the top turned out to be not so scary!
i found him all curled up and vulnerable the next day.

DONE TO DO

2008-04-06T12:44:00.007+01:00

going to the London Book Fair soon so am working most images
into potential new cover directions...
john cage is uploading a little peculiar - colour wise, will try to sort that out..

THAT'S JUST PEACHY

2008-04-02T19:24:00.009+01:00

60's ORIGINAL

2008-04-02T19:02:00.006+01:00

new bag!
have been looking for one for a while
and this actually does not fit the bill
as it cannot hold my laptop
but i am not going to hold that against it!
love this vision in raffia!

bought at 'alfies'
a place of vintage and antique enlightenments..
one of my favorite london secrets!
am working on a poster for it and some of its dealers.
i urge everyone to go to this Art Deco Labyrinth
of crazy characters and beautiful relics from the past!

BLOOD FACTORY

2008-03-30T19:31:00.006+01:00

may do some more factories... hmmm
have always thought that in my last life i was a factory worker
totally love mass production set ups!
have pencilled in 'BONY BLOOD MAKERS' for now,
was going to print the words on, but i quite like writing on 'dem bones.
think i will make some bony stationary too.

SUGARHILL GANG

2008-03-25T00:02:00.003Z

me and my crew back in da 80s!
golden boy in the front is my brother cian
who last week was scanning in some old family super8 films for a college project...

really must dust off my camera and invest in some more film soon
create some future sentimental journeys

BLOOD FACTORY

2008-03-24T20:57:00.006Z

this used to be a factory making some sort of medical blood refining machines
its set in a nice mostly deco 'light industrial' area in manor house.
i tagged along today when the boys were making plans to turn it into their home and studio
when they are all done with the hard work i will have a little piece of it too!
new studio!
yay!

OUCH!

2008-03-21T17:35:00.004Z

HAPPY CAMPERS :)

2008-03-21T13:45:00.006Z

or perhaps unhappy :(

regarding emoticons. when i first saw them being used
i thought it was pretty naff!
but i now confess that i am converted.
i love type and all its ornaments and this evolution
of its' common usage is pretty elegant sometimes.
and cute of course!

20p

2008-03-20T14:15:00.005Z

another cold, rainy day - my kind of day
except when i'm feeling poorly
but my day has been brightened up with tulips
popped into my local, favorite supermarket,
looking seriously bedraggled
a friendly fella at work in the flower section said:
'' 'ere take these for 20p!''
he placed the discount sticker over the barcode and gave them to me
''if they question the price at the till, just tell them tim gave you them!''
there is something nicely old school about him,
like he works in his fathers store and knows all the customers.

of course a couple of the stems were broken, but it still made my miserable day!

ohh and the lamp in the picture is my current favorite,
i think i am starting to develop a certain penchant for lamps,
have definitely got the beginnings of a collection...hmmm

BONES

2008-03-17T20:12:00.003Z

check these puppies out!
finally got a box to cheer myself up after a day of forgetting that most shops are closed on sundays and finding things are not quite what they always should be on rainy london days.
don't get me wrong i love rain and i love london, but sunday just wasn't working.
but magma was open! yay!

NEW SCREENS

2008-03-17T17:37:00.008Z

new screens!
had a play
but playing produced a bigger shopping list than body of work.

need to get:
lots more colours
more mixing medium
nice thick paper
and must go to poundland to get mucho semi-disposable mixing pots

not used to printing on paper with acrylics - all the rage at LCC according to my brother
but for me good ol' fashioned printing inks are better and best
alas not at college anymore so cannot indulge in the freebie inks
boo hoo!

CLEO

2008-03-15T15:09:00.003Z

i used to be a project assistant for the 'heatherwick studio'
lots of weird and wonderful jigs
after working 24hours and doing your 1000th piece
you start seeing things...

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

2008-03-15T12:37:00.009Z

ok so three months is a bit of a extended hiatus
so thought i would promote 'food for thought'
the best eats in the west-end
covent garden to be precise
my brother and sister here demonstrate its slightly 'unusual' affects!

have just bought two new splendid screens to use at home
so very soon will produce photographic proof of purchase and use!

REAR WINDOW

2007-12-30T20:45:00.001Z

popped out into the back garden
nice and creepy

the result of using the round bits left over from a hole punch
stuck them onto some acetate..

it was quite tricky to photograph on my own
torch in mouth
camera in one hand
artwork in t'other..

Hmmm, will figure it out for next time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2007-12-25T20:03:00.000Z

...have yourself a merry little christmas...

FORGIVE ME MY SINS

2007-11-10T00:15:00.001Z

'Forgive Me My Sins' a short film about a mortician who finds that his latest corpse (a suicide) has some things to discuss!
For the credits I hand cut everyones names - took a while, but I am getting faster.
Volunteers for feet and hands cast shadows onto my stage. My stage being my embroidery frame with paper taped to it, and my cut-out names taped to that. Then I just experimented with the shadows and added the rest of the titles in photoshop.
I am starting to really like this technique!

NEW PICCADILLY CAFE

2007-09-30T18:29:00.000+01:00

the evil deed has been done
the new piccadilly is no more
its last night was heart breaking
i gave lorenzo my favorite london postcard

on monday
i passed by while men ripped it apart
my heart is broken

NEW PICCADILLY CAFE

2007-09-04T15:21:00.000+01:00

Events have taken a real bad turn.
The Piccadilly Cafe, Denman Street, Soho, London will
be taking its last orders on Saturday 22nd September 2007.
Oh Piccadilly! You charmed me from day one!
Cx

COMING SOON!

2007-09-04T15:00:00.001+01:00

masterplans for caraosullivan.co.uk

this is where it begins.
i asked myself 'to blog or not to blog'
i have chosen to 'blog'
i have also chosen to 'website'
hence 'coming soon'
welcome one and all!