Mood Board

  We visited the Ai Weiwei exhibition at The Royal Academy this week and came away thoroughly inspired. Catch it while you can.   Above: Acrylic on Han dynasty vase.   Image: BigJon

Artist Christopher Wool is best known for his paintings of large, black, stencilled letters and words on white canvases. Wool began to create word paintings in the late 1980s, reportedly after having seen graffiti on a brand new white truck. Using a system of alliteration, with the words often broken up by a grid system, or with the vowels removed (as in ‘TRBL’ above), Wool’s paintings often demand reading aloud to make sense.   I have been an admirer of his bold and graphic work for many years and can only dream...

  I'm mad for mono at the momo. Just black on white or white on black - depending what deck of the bus you're on. I think it's the ultimate in graphic sophistication. And I'm busy channeling my inner zebra as it's that time of year when new designs and ranges beckon and so it's highly likely that this timeless duo will be making an appearance. So think on and look sharp Nineteen Sixty Eight and Totally Quiche - you may be best sellers but there could be a new kid on the block who's gagging to...

  "It's in the trees! It's coming!" When I was a child: Running in the night, Afraid of what might be Hiding in the dark, Hiding in the street, And of what was following me... Now hounds of love are hunting. I've always been a coward, And I don't know what's good for me. Here I go! It's coming for me through the trees. Help me, someone! Help me, please! Take my shoes off, And throw them in the lake, And I'll be Two steps on the water. I found a fox Caught by dogs. He let me take him in my hands. His little heart, It beats so fast, And I'm ashamed of...