Comment: Illustrator presents her pick of the arts

Tuesday 19 June 2018

Every month on Express, Arthouse Jersey presents their 'Pick of the Arts' - put together by local artists - to help you choose exactly what you would like to go and see.

Local illustrator Abi Overland launched her dinnerware brand in 2015, hand-crafted in Stoke-on-Trent, the historic English home of fine bone china, after graduating with a BA (Hons) Illustration from the University of Brighton in 2014.

For Express, Abi listed three things to see this year: in Brighton, London and Jersey...

Pictured: Brighton Illustration Fair takes place on 21 and 22 October.

"For my first Pick of the Arts, I would have to choose something that is very close to my heart which is the Brighton Illustration Fair. It’s now in its third year running and is held at my old university campus right in the heart of Brighton. As well as there being an incredible selection of talented illustrators exhibiting there are also a number of special guests hosting talks and workshops throughout the weekend. There you will be surrounded by pure imagination and the wonderful minds of so many different individuals not to mention that Brighton itself just oozes creativity. This event would be great for an immersive creative weekend getaway. It’s on 21 and 22 October this year so make sure to get over and visit if you can!

Pictured: The Barbican Conservatory is the second largest in London.

"My next suggestion if you’re heading over to London at any point would be the Barbican Conservatory (the second largest conservatory in London), as you may know a lot of my inspiration comes from the natural world and spaces like this are rife with inspiration. There is a wonderful and slightly surreal combination of brutalist architecture blanketed with over 2,000 species of tropical plants and trees (and some very large koi fish in the ponds too) making it a really lovely way to spend an afternoon sitting with a sketchbook and escaping the real world. They also offer afternoon tea and guided tours of this incredible space although it has very limited opening hours so make sure to check before you go!

Pictured: Abi's 'Drink and Draw' event, hosted with ArtHouse Jersey, is now sold out.

"And last but not least, I had to mention the (now sold out) event I’m hosting with ArtHouse Jersey as part of Skipton Open Studios which is our very own ‘Drink and Draw’ night at Project 52! Where we are going to have a fun filled and unique evening of drinks, drawing some gorgeous humans in some gorgeous costumes which promises to be a very relaxed but unique way to start an evening for those who are always looking for something a little different to do than your standard ‘night out’. Don’t worry if you who have missed out this time, it sold out so quickly that we hope to organise more of these evenings soon so keep your eyes peeled."