VINE by Gillian Blease
T
his tile design has come from a pastime that competes
Gillian Blease | Born 1970 in Congleton, Cheshire, Gillian
with illustration for my attention—gardening. I have
studied Fine Art at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
recently begun studying horticulture to try and satisfy my
After graduating she was employed by the Whitworth Art
curiosity and have the utmost respect and fascination for
Gallery in Manchester and continued her art practice at local
plant life both from botanical and aesthetic perspectives.
studios until she was awarded an artist’s ‘work/live’ residency
My studies have allowed me to research shape and form in
in London in 1997. When a piece of work was featured in a
detail, literally through a microscope!
current affairs magazine in 2001 she recognised a medium
Having lived in Japan, when young, and since travelled there
with which she felt instantly comfortable.
I am very drawn to motifs and icons and as a result my work
Having taught herself creative software she set herself up
is often pared down to the simplest form. Conversely, a key
as a digital illustrator and never looked back. Chiefly
inspiration is the late Joseph Frank of the Stockholm design
an editorial illustrator Gillian’s clients include The Guardian
company Svenkst Tenn who really did justice to the drama and
newspaper, the Economist, Wired Magazine and the Trade
diversity of flora in his exuberant fabric and wallpaper designs.
Union Congress.
I imagine the tiles as a fluid rippling expanse on a tall wall, the
As an antidote to current affairs and having always been
‘vine’ along the lines of Jack and the Beanstalk disappearing be-
influenced by applied and surface pattern design she
yond reach.
began developing her own patterns in 2006 which have since found their way onto book covers, table mats and now concrete tiles!
Tile elements: 2 different forms Recommended colours: Moon Garden | Nexto Everything | Reliable Shaman | Tea Time
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