My lil visit to ELCAF

So yesterday me and my friend, Dave went to visit ELCAF. 

ELCAF is a yearly comic & art festival here in East London. They host such a variety of things - workshops, installations, exhibitions, open studios, music talks, screenings and so on! But the main reason why I went was for the comics and the prints. The sellers were all in The Laundry, a large venue just by London Fields. It was a great space, but sadly a lil too dimly lit at times for a place to sell comics and artwork (obviously because it was in a basement!)

There were so many of my favourite artists in one place, and everybody was so friendly!

This is Nick White's stall, it's the first time I've come across his work. I love his ceramic pieces, especially the blue ghost like character sat the table (which was sold out within 1 hour !) I ended up buying one of his temporary tattoos. You can see more of Nick White's work here - http://www.thisisnickwhite.com/

Andre Da Loba was so friendly! He really had a cheeky and humorous style with his work. He explained to us that his illustrated animals were actually inspired by a mix of English and Portuguese literal sayings. I don't know if you can see from my photograph, but he has drawn a bat hanging off a clothes hanger. So obviously that's from the English saying - closet bat! I bought a silkscreen print of the balloon turtle, and he wrote a lil message on the back. How nice! Make sure you visit his website here -

http://www.andredaloba.com/

I've been wanting to get this Ben Javens print in so long, and now I have one! Yay! I love his style, and his choice of colours. This giclee print is called The Outsider. I just love how creepy the dude looks. It kind of reminds me of a creepy Lemongrab from Adventure Time. You can see more of Ben Javens work here -

http://benjavens.co.uk/

The other two prints were from the same stall, and are Risograph prints made by Jason Sturgill. I love Narwhal cat! You can see more of his art here -

http://jasonsturgill.com/

I also came across Laura Callaghan's stall. I've always been a big fan of her ladies. You can tell she has a great passion for prints and a great eye for detail. I bought her comic 'Fancy 4' (which is amazzzingg!!!) and also one of her prints, featuring a Frida Kahlo poster and an excellent cactus shirt. I do envy her gift for drawing the female anatomy. Most of my ladies have heads bigger than their bodies or arms that are way too short.You can see more of Laura's work here -http://www.lauracallaghanillustration.com/

Kristyna Baczynski is one of my favourite artists, I love her work so much! She's got such a lovely style, and her stories flow so well. I've bought from her Etsy shop before, and she always adds little hand drawn illustrations to her envelopes and comic books, its such a lovely and person touch! I ended up restricting myself and only buying a print and two of her books, Hand Me Down and Vessel. Hand Me Down had such a great story that went in a full circle, I'll never look at a Egyptian artefact the same way ever again!It also turns out we share the same hometown ! Take a look at her website here -

http://www.kristyna.co.uk/

I've bought Benjamin Wright's hand painted badges before, they are so awesome! Sadly I have lost two already (I stupidly wore my ninja turtle on a roller coaster and lost my Bill Murray badge while I was running for the bus). Luckily Benjamin was at the festival so I could purchase these bad boys! I'll be wearing my Wookie for the Secret Cinema event next Saturday, I cant wait! I really hope I don't loose him..Make sure you check out Benjami's work here -

http://www.benjaminography.com/

Here's my haul!

There was also an exhibition by Steven Guarnaccia called Fatherland in the sister venue, Space. Guarnaccia's relationship with his father, his childhood and family history was the theme of his exhibition. He Emblazon's these objects associated with his father with patterns, illustrations and puns based around his childhood. I really liked how he used the space and the objects to create a narrative. 

Sadly I ran out of time and couldn't stick around for the talks and workshops (I had a Blur concert to got to!) I really can't wait for next years festival. Maybe I'll be part of it? Who knows!

An Education

I love this film. Its beautifully shot and has a great cast list - Carey Muligan, Alfred Molina, Rosamund Pike, Emma Thompson.. the list goes on! The screenplay is by Nick Hornby, but its actually based on a memoir by Lynn Barber.

So the story is based around a very intelligent school girl in 1960's suburban London, and how her life changes after having a love interest who is nearly twice her age. Obviously, its set in the 60's, so the costume design is amazing! As soon as she gets whisked into the world of her older lover and his friends, her dress sense becomes more and more elegant. I love it.

Her new friend, Helen (played by Rosamund Pike) lets her borrow her entire wardrobe and takes her to parties, constantly feeding her cocktails and cigarettes. She looks so sophisticated, I love her style.

The set designs look amazing too, I really wanted those 60's kitchens!

I have a dress just like the one below in my wardrobe!

And then he takes her to Paris, what a lucky sod. She looks just like Audrey Hepbern in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Oh yes, Sally Hawkins makes a lil appearance too!

This scene made me well up a bit. Custard Creams, you are the best..

I loved this scene of her singing her heart out and dreaming of Paris.

And the winner of the best roof terrace goes to..

"I'm not losing my virginity to a piece of fruit!"

Here's a lil illustration I did inspired by Carey's character.