Observations of an Illustrator...
inspired by the simple things in life such as good food, plants and the places & spaces we call home.
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Introducing the Brown Bear Cafe in Ripley, Derbyshire...the latest Stockist of my Art Prints and Greetings Cards  I think it's fair to say, that the Brown Bear Cafe and Gift shop run by Mother and Daughter team, Wendy and Hazel are very much looking forward to fully opening up again later this month - Boris permitting of course! After a year of Uber Eats and takeaway orders they are excited to be able to receive customers indoors once again.  When I took my artwork into the Cafe the sunlight hit the wooden floorboards, as I reached the top of the stairs, and it was easy to imagine this light and airy space above Hurst's Chemist on Oxford Street, filled with chatter, the smell of coffee and freshly cooked food wafting through the air....ooh how we've missed these little pleasures.  The cafe and gift shop which was established in 2015 stocks and supports the work of around 20 makers from around Derbyshire, and I'm proud to say that I am now one of them! So if you are in the Ripley area, why not check them out... I can vouch for the Brownies! I had intended to photograph them, but ahem well I couldn't resist! All photo's courtesy of The Brown Bear Cafe
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Inspired by the watercolour artist Ohn Mar Win, as a way to develop my food illustrations I decided to look to the kitchen cupboard and see what delights I could try to illustrate. It goes without saying the item that jumped out at me was the bottle of Henderson's Relish - I love it!  If you are not from Sheffield or the North of England you may not have heard of Henderson's Relish...let me tell you you are missing out. As the daughter of a Yorkshire man, I think it's fair to say that this condiment has been a cupboard staple for most of my life, it's great in food or on food such as cheese on toast.
Let me give you a little introduction to this spicy sauce which has been blended and manufactured in Sheffield to a closely guarded secret recipe from around 1885. The recipe known only to a few family members is not the same as Worcestershire Sauce. Henderson's or Hendo's as it is affectionately known to some is gluten free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans - no anchovies here! It has to be said that Henderson's Relish is something of a Sheffield Icon, however having gained SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval), it has been able to extend it's reach and can now be found on tables around the country. As well as the taste of the product, I like how the company source the glass for their bottles, which are made from 30% recycled glass from a local supplier just seven miles away from the factory . The orange coloured label design hasn't changed a great deal in all the years that I have known it, however it was updated in 2018, retaining a Mid- century modern look that is familiar to all it's fans...who include Richard Hawley, The Arctic Monkeys, and the actor Sean Bean to name just a few...So go on why not give it a try...whilst listening to a little upbeat number by the Arctic Monkeys...be sure to let me know what you think.. Did you know that March the 6th is National Oreo Cookie Day...perhaps celebrated more in the US than here in the UK. This famous cookie which is sold in over 100 countries and is said to be one of the best selling in the US has it's own National Food Day! Having been first introduced on March 6th 1912 by the then National Biscuit Company, the Oreo biscuit or cookie has certainly stood the test of time with very few changes to it's original appearance the latest made in 1952. The two chocolate disks and cream recipe may have been adjusted a little but the overall look remains very similar...  So in celebration of the day and after seeing a delicious looking Oreo cake on the menu at the Birdcage coffee shop on Derby Road in Chesterfield, I couldn't help but be inspired to create an illustration to mark the day! Thanks to the lovely Zoe @ who kindly gave me permission to use their photo as inspiration... Fancy treating yourself to a slice of cake and a coffee check out what Birdcage have to offer here...
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Hello!In this space which has no ceilings, walls or doors... I would like to invite you in, and share with you, personal work, current trends and inspiration from every day life...
AuthorCatherine Hoggins 
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