March Meet the Maker

March Meet the Maker is an initiative started by Joanne Hawker for small businesses. It's a creative way of telling a story about the maker, their process, team, techniques, inspiration... all through a series of posts on Instagram through the month of March.

Every day there is a unique prompt or 'topic for the day' and independent creatives from all over the world share their pictures on the topic. It's a great way to explore and discover new makers, see their ways of working and routine through the hashtag #marchmeetthemaker on Instagram.

This year I decided to take part in this, and though it looked easy initially it was pretty hard to come up with ideas every day! I'm an introvert by nature and this prompted me to open up a bit about myself, my family, and how Eye for London Prints started.

You can follow my journey on Instagram through March on www.instagram.com/eyeforlondonprints

Some screen grabs from my Meet the Maker Project Instagram

Who are You.

Where you're from

How You Started

Workspace

How it's made

Branding

Feedback and customers

Inspiration

Lists

Tools

Books

#marchmeetthemaker

Giving back...

December and January have been a crazy month for me, but 'good' crazy... I'm not complaining.

With the new year kicking in, I thought it was about time I gave back a little something to the city and community, the reason for Eye for London's existence.

Needless to say, Bowie and Brixton have played a big part in my artworks. Bowie because he is 'GOD'... and Brixton because of it's spirit. A neighbourhood that is inclusive, a melting pot of people from all over the world. Here, I have felt so much at home, and less like an 'immigrant'... than in any other part of London.

I designed the Brixton x Bowie, featuring the brilliant Bowie artwork in a wall opposite the famous Electric Avenue. What was just another piece of street art, has become a sort of a shrine for David Bowie, with heart warming messages scribbled in by fans from the corners of the planet. There was nothing better I could think of for a fitting tribute to the area.

The Brixton Design Trail 2017, is when I first came across the good folk at the Brixton Soup Kitchen. Not only do they provide hot meals for the homeless, they also lend also a space for the community to get together, helping the most vulnerable and lonely in the city. Run entirely by volunteers, every little penny going towards a little something to someone who is not as privileged as us.

Starting this year, I will be donating all proceeds from the Brixton x Bowie Print, and also the Southwyck House Print (where the Soup Kitchen is located), to the Brixton Soup Kitchen.

Thanks to you awesome people, I have already made my first donation of £15 for the sale of the Brixton x Bowie print ordered all the way from Australia.

Brixton x Bowie Art Print

​Southwyck House Brixton Art Print

#davidbowieprints #BrixtonArtPrints #BrixtonBowieMemorial #BrixtonSoupKitchen #SouthwyckHouseBrixtonPrint

Kickstarting a Screen Printing hub in Peckham

Over the years South London is steadily attracting the artists and creative entrepreneurs in the city. And creatives need a place to work! What better than an under-utilised derelict parking lot in Peckham, that can be injected with a healthy dose of young artists who are in dire need of affordable studio spaces!

Peckham Levels is taking over this parking lot for a period of six years, turning it into a creative workshop and cultural destination. It also intends to make the this space a hub for the community, small businesses helping out each other, and growing together.

The Kickstarter Campaign:

As you can imagine, rebuilding this ‘concrete shell’ comes as a cost. The team at 3rd Rail, a screen printing studio in Bermondsey South London, have just launched a KickStarter campaign, to help fund the 3rd Rail Print Space at the Peckham Levels refurbishment.

They are aiming to provide a 4000sqft open access screen printing facility, and will set up studio in one of the levels. A modern and inclusive place for anyone who loves printing, from complete beginners to professionals and support creatives in making a living out of their screen printed products.

3rd Rail have been operating as a commercial screen printing studio for over 10 years. “Over the years we’ve perfected some pretty experimental techniques" says co-director Rob. “We’re really excited about the possibility of exchanging ideas with people who are just as passionate and curious as us”

The intention is to build a comprehensive print hub and modern learning environment that will make screen printing accessible to a new audience whilst providing a wealth of equipment for those already working in the medium.

“As a small business trying to fund this project has been really challenging” says co-director Ian. After raising enough for rent and bills 3rd Rail experienced a shortfall in trying to cover refurbishment costs. With the launch fast approaching they’ve decided run a Kickstarter to raise the additional £10,000 towards this project.

This is the prefect time to back this project. If you wanted to treat yourself or gift someone a limited edition screen printed T-Shirt or an Art Print. All backers will also receive an invitation to the launch party, a free drink…. and print their own tote bag! That is a LOT in return for a tiny contribution of just £25, but will go such a long way in turning this print dream into reality!

Supporters can take advantage of discounted memberships, workshops, studio and desk spaces as well.

Back the Kickstarter Campaign. Here are some of the rewards up for grabs!

I am backing this project. Having gone through the frustration screen printing my designs, but having no affordable studio or professional equipment, I ended up turning my house into a giant mess of papers and paint and was quick to abandon the project. I always wished for a studio that was open to anyone and not just professionals, to try out and feel the joy of getting hands dirty, and diving into a classic printing technique, so uncommon today’s digital era.

This is the real spirit of ‘London is Open’- enterprising people finding creative ways of bringing communities together, and more importantly encouraging the younger generation into getting into creative careers by providing support, workshops, mentoring and vital networking opportunities.

And also, the last thing this city needs is an empty multilevel car park!

#3rdrailprintingkickstarter #ScreenPrintinginPeckham #PeckhamLevelsCreativeHub