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Sunday 7 September 2014

Time: Tattoo Art Today

This week I visited Somerset House for the Tattoo Art exhibition, which is being held until the 5th October. 
Somerset House
The exhibition comprises of original artworks from some of the worlds most influential tattoo artists. These include Ed Hardy, Paul Booth and Chris Garver to name a few. After having a coffee in the courtyard we headed in to the exhibition. 
'Rouge' by Rose Hardy 
'Jennie' by Antonio Macko Todisco 
'Trinity' by Joe Capobianco 
'Mark of Identity' by Ami James
'Time waits for no one' by Jack Rudy 
'Waiting in the back' by Grime

'Old Friend' by George Campise 

These are just some of my favorites from the display, there are so many interesting and cool designs to be seen, I won't give it all away! The collection is a mixture of mediums including oil paintings, watercolors, paint layering on real skulls and airbrushing. Each piece of art work is completely new which has been made especially for the exhibition, making it a must see. I find there's something incredibly relaxing about wandering around an exhibit space and it always feeds my creativity.


The exhibition is completely free and there's also posters and books available to buy. For more information visit the Somerset House website. 

Friday 9 May 2014

Interview with The Tattooed Bakers


Recently I heard about the fantastic duo that are The Tattooed Bakers. Given my love of tattoos and baking (eating baked goods) I decided to check out the much talked about cake, which is described as bespoke edible art. I instantly fell in love with their unicorn cake, and after spending a while both drooling and feeling intrigued by their website gallery I thought I'd see if they would be up for an interview. The Tattooed Bakers kindly agreed to tell us a bit more about their work!

How did you come up with the idea of Tattooed Bakers?

We wanted to create a brand that deviated as much as possible from traditional pretty cakes, and to push the boundary of what can be done in cake - essentially we want to be the UK's answer to Cake Boss!!


When did you start baking? What was your first baking job?

We started baking cakes in 2011 in a bit of an unconventional way! We started a company called "Cake Doggy Dog' (www.cakedoggydog.com) that make completely bespoke cakes to look like our customers dogs! We found that it was too niche, so we started Tattooed Bakers so that we could branch out into different subject matter.

Could you tell us a little more about Cake Doggy Dog?

The idea behind Cake Doggy Dog is that we create a completely bespoke cake version of your dog! We ask our customers to send as many photos as possible, and choose the position they'd like their cake-dog to be in and any distinguishing features of their pet so that we can make them as life-like and personal as possible. It's a bit of an unusual concept! 

How would you describe your cake style?

Different, exploratory and we approach cakes from an artistic point of view rather than a "cake-maker's" - neither of us are "trained" cake-makers so we've learnt to use cake and sugarpaste in a way that works for us and our creations.  


'Hell Horse' created for Miss Cakehead's Halloween Pop Up shop "Eat Your Heart Out" 2013. It had Kraken Rum flowing out of its nose! 

What inspires you?

We approach our cakes with an attitude that anything and everything can be made into a cake - and try and do things that haven't been done before (as much as possible!) It sounds really naff, but when we create our sculpted cakes we sort of forget that its cake and concentrate on making something that will make people say "Wow" first and then "That's a cake?" second. Baking and Cake Artistry has become such a massive thing over the last few years, it's really about creating something innovative now - I think people want to see something that they can't make at home.    


Mick Jagger's 70th Birthday Party

What has been your most challenging project so far?

We've recently had a few commissions for portrait cakes - these are definitely the most challenging! Ensuring that the cake looks like person it's supposed to be, but also making sure that it has some character to it is pretty challenging! We've recently made one that we can't say too much about, for a documentary - that was pretty nerve wracking.


Favorite cake filling or flavor?

Red Velvet!! I'm completely obsessed with it at the moment. 

You recently won the ‘2013 Novelty Cake award’ Congratulations! – Could you tell us about which cake this was for and how it felt to win? 

We won this award for the life-size rainbow cake filled Unicorn we created for "Baketopia" - an edible pop-up for National Baking Week. It was a real honor to win this award actually - as relatively new cake makers it was lovely to be acknowledge by the "cake world" in this way. 


For more updates on The Tattooed Bakers check out their website below!



Saturday 5 April 2014

Skull & Heart presents The Colour Series

Skull & Heart describe themselves as a small collective based in East London that direct and produce limited edition screen print series, alongside exhibitions and events within the low brow art world. Displaying the work of the best UK and international artists, designers and illustrators around, I dropped by to the latest exhibition 'The Colour Series' to take a look. 


 The gallery is showcasing both emerging and established talent from national and international artists. 


 Mr Gauky - A Yorkshire born, London based artist described as creating superbly fantastic and intricate character based pieces.  Mr Gauky Website


 Tom J Newell hails from Sheffield and has a distinctive black and white style. He creates images by hand and pen.  Tom J Newell Website


The End Of My Cigar
 David Bray is a London based artist/illustrator. His preferred medium is pen/pencil on paper but he is always up for experimenting with new mark making techniques. David Bray Website


Queen Bee
 Brian Ewing fuses his own creative explorations of perspective, colour and space with more classic, beloved imagery from rebellious American youth culture: hot punk girls, totally rad skulls and fields of colour aflame. Brian Ewing Website


Serpent Messenger
 Palehorse (Chris Parks) resides in Florida USA where he runs a gallery which he works out of. Palehorse is constantly experimenting and pushing the boundaries of his work, blurring the lines between digital illustration and fine art.  Palehorse Website


The Skull Mistress
 Iain Macarthur resides in London and creates stunningly beautiful pencil and pen work pieces using mostly pencil, water colours and pigment pens. He creates portraits of ordinary people but with emebellished patterns and watercolour effects, transforming their faces from something plain to something bizarre and wonderful at the same time. Iain Macarthur Website


 Mr Gauky  


 Iain Macarthur 



Dan Mumford is a freelance illustrator/designer/screenprinter working out of Studio 100 in central London. Dan Mumford has become one of the more prominent names in the alternative music and design scene. He has worked with many brands and clients including Nike, Adidas and Red Bull. When I arrived at the gallery I was lucky enough to see Dan completing this piece! Dan Mumford Website


The Colour Series runs until the 7th April in Brick Lane Gallery Annexe, London. Check out their website for a full list of artists and follow them on Twitter for updates in the design world. I loved the style of the work and highly recommend a trip to see the exhibition! 

Monday 31 March 2014

Gig Review - Marie GC - Killswitch Engage

It’s always such an amazing atmosphere at a show like this with my view from the photo pit. The security guards in good spirit as they engage in banter with the photographers, and pass cups of water to the thirsty front barrier clingers; which by this point looking rather red faced from Trivium’s set, but clearly not budging - for they have made it this far. The sold out venue goes pitch black, and all attention is on the stage as Killswitch Engage appear to soundtrack ‘Eye of the Tiger’ - which couldn’t be more befitting to the performance as they certainly didn’t pull any punches.


Everyone, quite frankly, goes mental as the eccentric Adam D runs across the stage in his “daisy dukes”. Clearly he will be up to his usual stage antics! As the intro fades they blast straight into ‘A Bid Farewell’, the whole of Brixton Academy is consumed with a spectacular lighting display and eruption of energy.


Jesse Leach owns the stage, his vocals - effortless, and his engaging with the crowd – humble, as he nails tracks from the Howard Jones era. It’s evident they have moved forward, and Jesse proves he is most certainly one of the most formidable frontmen in metal. From their latest album ‘Disarm the Descent’, tracks ‘New Awakening’ and ‘In Due Time’ sit perfectly in the set alongside the Killswitch classics. Adam D provides the usual comedy moments, along with the memorable riffs that are the foundation of their sound, yet his strong stage presence doesn’t detract from Jesse. Duelling guitars and fierce drumming complete the perfect package. 


Ending in perfection with an Encore ‘My Curse’, they left the hairs on the back of my neck standing – ever so slightly taller than Trivium. 


Thursday 20 March 2014

Interview with Tattoo Artist Hannah Lightspeed

Whilst browsing Twitter I discovered the amazing tattoos of Camden based artist Hannah Lightspeed. I decided to reach out to Hannah for a chat about her work. Hannah kindly agreed to take some time out and answer my burning questions! 



 Hannah Lightspeed Tattoo Artist
How long have u been tattooing?
I think its about 2 years. I got into tattooing as I loved getting tattooed myself. I have a masters in animation but decided to get into fashion. I designed jewellery for Topman for 3 years, but it was too corporate! I'm not good with authority.... So I got an apprenticeship in a studio in Essex and quit everything, moved back home, and worked my ass off!

Where do you find inspiration?
In anything and everything!  I have an MA in 2d animation so drawing has been in my life in a major way. Music is a great inspiration also.


What music do you like listening to while tattooing?
I like cheesy pop punk, or chick rock like crucified Barbara :)


What is your favorite part of the job?
Making people happy? (Cheesy i know) When you put a permanent piece of artwork on someone and they love  it, or its someones first tattoo? ? They will remember you always. That's a good feeling!  :)


Do you have a favorite/most memorable tattoo? 
I tattooed the inside of both of some guys ears, acupuncture spots... to help his drug and alcohol addiction,  it felt like I made a difference :)

Are you going to be tattooing at any upcoming events?
Yes ill be at The Great British tattoo show in May. Further details of the event can be found below. 


Hannah can be found on Instagram here and works from Believe In Ink Studio, 86 Camden High St, NW1. (Tel - 02074821311)

Saturday 22 February 2014

Stolen Space Gallery, Whitechapel London

This weekend I visited the Stolen Space Gallery in Whitechapel, London. Based just off Whitechapel High Street, Stolen Space is a gallery showcasing artists which have been labelled as 'Underground Art', 'Street Art and 'Urban Art'. 

I love discovering new artists and galleries and this certainly didn't disappoint. The current exhibition entitled 'Back to Black' by Christian Guemy, aka street artist C215, who has been described as 'France's answer to Banksy, has drawn inspiration from his travels and the work he has produced seeks to reflect upon the experiences he has been met with on his excursions.

There was also exclusive signed copies of The Art of D-Face book 'One Man and his dog' and merchandise in the gallery.

The Gallery.




'Revenge'
 'Sarah'
 'Vanity'
 'Marlen'
'Purple Rain'
'Mask'

For more information visit the website here and on Twitter. It's definitely worth a visit!

Thursday 20 February 2014

Introducing Marie GC Photography/Trivium Gig

Back in the heydey of Myspace I connected with a lovely lady named Marie who had some pretty cool gig pictures. I've followed her work ever since and it's been amazing seeing her work evolve. 

Over the past few years Marie has photographed countless shows, including being an accredited photographer for Guns 'N Roses, Iron Maiden, Alice in Chains, Mötley Crüe, Rammstein, Kiss, Slipknot, and ZZ Top to name a few.

Music is a big influence for me and Rock 'n' Needle and through designing the mens range (which will be going live on the Rock 'n' Needle website very soon) I thought it only a natural fit to ask Marie to be the Rock 'n' Needle music photographer for the blog. Marie will be posting from gigs she's covered along with her awesome pictures! 

Where best to kick things off than with a review of the Trivium and Killswitch Engage sold out gig in London.

Live: Trivium, London, UK. 

After some awful rainy weather (even by London’s usual standards) I went along to the Brixton Academy on a very sunny, yet icy cold day to shoot possibly the biggest co-headliner show in recent metal history - Trivium and Killswitch Engage.


A sold-out show for this four band bill, and the venue was buzzing despite the early doors. Following on from openers Battlecross, and Miss May I, the stage transformed into a polar-ice setting complete with CO2 blasting cannons. And the lighting? Incredible.


Trivium opened with ‘Brave this Storm’, the first of their twelve song set, taken from their latest album ‘Vengeance Falls’. Hard-core fans down the front were a little rowdy from the get-go, while further back they seemed to find the show a little lacklustre, maybe it was the awful sound mix that people had to get over? Old favourites like ‘Gunshot’ and anthemic set closer ‘Pull Harder’ united everyone in a sing-along, but for me, the stand out song was the beautifully inspiring ‘Shogun’, during which artificial snow fell making it like a winter wonderland.




Trivium can in no way be faulted on their musicianship or vocal abilities. In all a very good performance, one of the most enjoyable shows I've been to recently.


More of Maries work can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Keep an eye out for the next Killswitch Engage gig on here soon!