Monday 22 December 2014

The Master and Margarita - New Commission

Recently, I was commissioned to create a sculpture from the classic Russian novel by Mikhail Bulgakov, 'The Master and Margarita'.
A fluid and magical read, this novel is a satire about the Soviet Union at the peak of its oppression in the 1930’s.
It was commissioned by a young man from Holland for his fiancée, as a token of his love. 
The Master and Margarita is her favourite novel.

   'The Master and Margarita' in wooden display box, with lights. 410mm W x 280mm H x 255mm D
 
The Master and Margarita


The Book Cover


Friday 5 December 2014

Special Offer on Books


'The Fairytale Princess' and 'Su Blackwell Monograph' both signed by the artist, 
including a signed postcard.
£30.00
Available from http://www.sublackwell.co.uk/online-store/#!/Set-of-2-Books/p/45034343/category=6828002

Tuesday 2 December 2014

Illustration for Intelligent Life Magazine

Game of Thrones - The Wall
In "Game of Thrones", a wall is a moral presence - and the writer Robert Macfarlane's favourite character.
(Illustration to accompany Robert Macfarlane's feature in Intelligent Life Magazine, Jan/Feb 2015 Edition)

Monday 24 November 2014

Matilda

Matilda is a recent commission, cut from the pages of Roald Dahl's book, illustrated by Quentin Blake.
I'd like to thank Quentin Blake for being so gracious as to let me incorporate his illustration of 'Matilda' in this work.   

27cm h x 36cm w x 25cm d

http://www.sublackwell.co.uk/portfolio-book-cut-sculpture/

 

Work-in-progress shot of the books for 'Matilda'.



Saturday 22 November 2014

Worldbuilders Charity

Su Blackwell Supports Worldbuilders
Set up by American Writer 'Patrick Ruthfuss'.

 http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/
Worldbuilders is a Charity Organisation that raises money through the sale of donated books, and all things literary.

I think it's a brilliant idea, and I have donated copies of 'The Fairytale Princess' book. To visit the auction site, and make a bid go to
http://www.ebay.com/sch/worldbuilders/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3686 
For more information, go to http://www.worldbuilders.org   

Sunday 9 November 2014

Friday 7 November 2014

Thursday 6 November 2014

The Shell-Seekers


Commissioned by Hodder & Stoughton Publisher.  

The Shell Seekers is a novel by Rosamunde Pilcher. It was first published by Hodder & Stoughton in 1988. 

It was 'Hodder and Stoughton' who commissioned me to create this sculpture from the novel, as a surprise 90th birthday gift to their author, the brilliant 'Rosamunde Pilcher'.

 Day

 Twilight
Night

Tuesday 4 November 2014

'Winter is on it's Way' - Limited-Edition Seasonal Greeting Cards


A set of 5 quality smooth-matte finish greeting cards with gold foil, incorporating 'From Out of Narnia' design.
Blank Inside for your Personal Message. Sold in a pack of 5.
Available until Stock lasts.
For every pack sold, Su Blackwell Studio will donate £1.00 to the RNIB Library Services Campaign. http://www.rnib.org.uk/services-we-offer-reading-services/rnib-national-library-service 

Sunday 26 October 2014

Celebrating the Publication of 'The Fairytale Princess'


Celebrating the 2nd Anniversary of 'The Fairytale Princess: Seven Classic Stories from the Enchanted Forest'. 

Thames and Hudson approached me back in 2010 with the idea of 'illustrating a compilation book of favourite fairy-tales'. It turned out to be a labour of love for me. Seven stories, with over 60 illustrations, the whole project taking around 18 months to produce.
  
opening pages
Sleeping Beauty
 


Thames and Hudson are now working behind the scenes on a special commerative pop-up edition of 'The Fairytale Princess'. In the meantime, I share with you some of the praise that the book has received since it's publication in November 2012.  
 
‘Original and exceptional … remarkable for its photographic illustrations of Su Blackwell’s extraordinary paper sculptures’ – The Sunday Times

‘While the tales are faithfully retold, the illustrations invite the reader to step into a paper kingdom where princesses inhabit an enchanting world made from the very books that created them’ – The Telegraph Magazine

This book made me gasp aloud. This is the first time that I’ve learned of Su Blackwell’s book art and I am absolutely riveted.
What makes this a fascinating read is Blackwell’s detailed artistry. I spent hours just poring over the design, marveling at the craftsmanship, and even reading some of the markings found in the artwork. Nothing is accidental. I read through some of the discernible phrases and snippets of sentences found in the artwork, and they are connected to the stories or some other fairy tale found in the collection.
See how amazingly detailed it is.
I would have loved an Artist’s Note at the end of the book that would give the reader an idea of how these book sculptures were created and how long it took Blackwell to complete them. This book is simply exquisite, and shows Blackwell’s exacting eye, deft fingers and creative vision. Truly a marvel’.

A perfect gift! A compendium of seven classic fairytales, illustrated by dramatically lit photographs of intricate paper-cut sculptures. – Thames & Hudson
It's a lovely accolade to see all of the art-work in one special edition, and I am very excited about the prospect of there being an interactive pop-up edition. ~ Su

The Fairytale Princess:
Seven Classic Stories from the Enchanted Forest
Artwork by: Su Blackwell Retellings By: Wendy Jones Photographs by: Tim Clinch Published by: Thames & Hudson, 2012. 
The Fairytale Princess Copyright 2012 Thames and Hudson http://www.thamesandhudson.com/contactaddresses.html
£14.95
Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Frog Prince, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Princess and the Pea, Snow White, Rapunzel
 
  • 28.70 x 23.50 cm
  • Quarter bound/PLC (no jacket)
  • 96pp
  • llustrated in colour throughout
Orders are posted same day. 

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Currently Reading



 
The Child that Books Built by Francis Spufford
What would you find if you went back and reread your favourite books from childhood? Francis Spufford discovers both delight and sadness in a beautifully written memoir of a boy who, faced with tragedy in his family, retreats into books.

Dwelling in Possibilty by Howard Mansfield
What qualities are missung in our homes? How can we regain them? We know within seconds upon entering a house if we feel at home. We know when a place makes us feel more alive. This is the mystery that interests Howard Mansfield - some houses have life, are home, are dwellings, and others don't. Dwelling, he says, is an old-fashioned word that we have misplaced.