alun callender's blog

Interior designer Philip Oakley creates stunning lighting pieces inspired by his time working at Blackpool Illuminations, he has a fantastic collection started when he rescued pieces from skips in the Northern town.

Moving back down South he restored one of St Leonards drinking establishments to his home and work space, where his collection and crafted pieces fill the space.

http://oakleyilluminations.co.uk/

Chris Milton creates dynamic tension in spontaneous and expressionistic works, I found him at work in his daylight filled studio overlooking the Old Town of Hastings.

The studio was once the workspace of photographer Steve Pyke, his old darkroom can still be found with trays and enlarger ready to go.

 http://www.chrismilton.talktalk.net/index.htm

Back in Hastings to continue my personal project on artists last month.

In the Old Town I met Lesley and Pea who together form Aardvark Printmongers creating inspirational posters and prints using their 1960 Vandercook Universal 3 Proofing press.

http://www.aardvarkonsea.com/index.html

Ceramic Artist Lou Rota is famous for her beautifully quirky insect inspired tableware, I went to photograph her recently for You magazine and found her in her purpose built studio at the bottom of her garden.

Feature by Fiona McCarthy

Lourota.com

Paul A Young is a master artisan of chocolate, creating with a diverse range of ingredients such as Cigar Leaf caramel, or Roquefort, Honey and Walnut Chocolate.

I visited his Soho shop for Homes and Gardens last month and came home with some splendid treats.

paulayoung.co.uk

Artist Melissa White specializes in historic Elizabethan and Tudor decoration and designs, she has just launch a range of wallpaper with Zoffany.

I went to her studio in East Sussex to photograph her for Homes and Gardens, it was inspiring to see traditional techniques employed in a beautiful way.

www.fairlyte.co.uk   (hand painted interiors)
www.fairlyteelizabethan.co.uk   (elizabethan interiors)