So, this new year has been pretty fucking mental really. I was just about to list all of the shit that went down for me/RP/Encore in 2010, when I realized what a bragging douche-like move that would be.
Suffice to say, I have been extremely lucky this past year, and have been really fucking blessed to have such an amazing network of friends and helpers in my life! Thanks dudes! You know who you are!
Now looking ahead: here are some goals I hope to achieve this year:
- Get a USA stockist for my jewellery collection
- Expand my artistic practice
- More art, less e-mails
- More sleep, less all nighters
- Exercise (walking 2 min from home to studio doesn't count, neither does skinning a large mammal! time to get some regular cardio kicks in there before I die of bad posture and high blood pressure at the age of 24!)
- Clarify the difference between "Reid Peppard" and "RP/Encore" (Reid Peppard = artist, RP/Encore = jewellery / products designed from the offcuts of the artistic practice)--- this still often confuses me!
Here are some more images of my studio taken by my friend Viktor Vauthier:
These were all taken when I had just moved into my studio, and everything was still relatively nice and clean/tidy... I'll have to have him come round and take some more photos to chart the space's development!
Here's a little pic the kids at Holiday Bizaar sent over...
This is how they're displaying some of the RP/Encore Stock they're selling. Holiday Bizaar are currently my only US stockist, so if you're still looking for a unique gift for someone... hop on over to 82 Oak St, Brooklyn, NY 11222 (map HERE) and scoop up something special!
Hot shit RP/Encore Look Book by the disgustingly talented Tom Houser (is there a limit to his skills? Urgh...Tom, damn you!)
L O V E it!
For more images/detail shots check out his blog HERE. And while you're there, go ahead and leave Tom a comment telling him how hot shit he is ok? Thanks.
And to have a peek at his inspiration, click HERE.
Jesus Christ it's been an entire month since I last posted!
L A M E
Even my mum called me up from Cali to bust my balls! Ha.
It's just I've been so fucking busy alright?
Whatevs... so here are some amazing clippings from the New York Times Magazine showcasing a variety of contraband shit people tried to sneak through Kennedy International Airport:
oh wait... whats that???
Oh yes, just a little bird of prey in a softsend envelope... WTF?!
Unfortunately the little mouse shown has since been broken by a careless guest, but hopefully in the new year I'll have a chance to forge his replacement.
Just sent this bad boy off via courier yesterday, check out it's sweet ass custom made box!
Not one to ruin an X-Mas surprise, I'm afraid I can't say what's inside, but I can say it was bought by the beautiful Miss Sienna Miller. Her assistant got in touch because she was in the market for some taxidermy artwork. They were so positive and enthusiastic about my work, I even sent along a little special something (crow leg bracelet) for Miss Miller.
Some photos by Tom Houser from The Wapping Project's masked ball a couple weeks ago to celebrate Wapping's 10 year aniversary.
The night was incredible... Ten of us attended, all of us wearing "Zoro Masks" and decked out in my taxidermy creations. I created two new pieces specially for the night, one of which can be seen on Billie bellow. All in all, it was a really fab night... great costumes, phenominal food and an excellent time all round.
FOX STOLE: Found in Homerton London This is a rather large fox that sits around your shoulders, with it's face/teeth pressing into your neck/face. His teeth are hand cast in pewter with silver, with a latex flesh like tongue and large pear cut faceted London Blue Topaz eyes set in 18ct gold settings.
FOX HANDBAG: Found in the Essex Countryside This much smaller fox has been fashioned into a black velvet lined, and metal clasped handbag. He also has pewter and silver teeth, with large pear cut faceted Swiss Blue Topaz eyes set in 18ct gold settings. This work can be held either by it's conjoined feet/legs or by the heavy weight double sterling silver chain straps attached to it's middle. His mouth also acts as a "secret pocket" and can be pressed shut, or remain open as pictured.
All photography by the ever talented and wonderful TOM HOUSER.
Though I'm not on BLOW's books as one of their "BLOW PRESENTS" designers (this might change, but they would be taking on my jewellery only), this is a great opportunity to get some constructive criticism off press and buyers, and to see if BLOW is the right PR company for my rather unique precious metal jewellery.
I've never participated in one of these things before, so it will be interesting seeing what comes out of it.
Something that has already reached me via twitter is an excellent post from the Style Crusader blogger/tweeter which you can read HERE. I think Style Crusader does an excellent job of expressing her impression of my work, and how her opinions developed from her initial "put off" moving gradually into intrigue. She also has some excellent images from the showroom. Worth a click for sure.
On September 28th I was asked by Vanessa Carlos and Susie Allan-Huxley to have people wear my work as part of a performance for the Royal Academy's Contemporary Circle Fundraising event.
As most of you know, my taxidermy works are part sculpture, part performance piece. To wear one of my taxidermy creations is to take part in a performance. To be the performer. No small task, but one that my gallant models: Rob Storey, Sean Heart, Ryan Strong and Dominic Parczuk carried out with perfect ease.
It was a spectacular night with three other performance artists taking part, and a spectacular arrangement of creatively displayed canapes and drinks to be had. All of the guests seemed to enjoy interacting with the models/performers and we had many very interesting conversations with many different people, which is the whole point of my work really!
Any case, looks like our work that night left it's impression on Jacosta Jones over at the Independent Magazine because look what we found on page 7 in Saturday's Art Magazine:
I've had better reviews, but eh...
To see more photos from the night, check out Dafydd Jones' website HERE.
Finally the cat's out of the bag, and I can share the exciting news!
Bill (of Bill and Flick at TOBL) approached me about making an engagement ring out of one of the fox molars I use for my jewellery a few months ago. After lots of hard work, and back and forth, I finally finnished it off, and Bill gave it to her the other night!
Unfortunately I couldn't seem to really capture all of it's details successfully in my photos, so here's the breakdown:
- 18K Rich Colour Red Gold hand finished ring base with a cast fox's molar.
- One brilliant cut half carat diamond set into the crevice of the fox's tooth.
- Two small emeralds set on the inside of the ring. (why the extra stones? because Flick is a synesthete and for her 3 = green! pretty fucking cool right? Bill's idea of course...)
- "The Owl and the Pussycat" is hand engraved around the emeralds on the inside of the ring. Now, Bill hasn't shared the meaning of this with me, but you can just about make out the engraving in this photo below --- doesn't it look great?!
As you can see, I also thinned out the shank of the ring by hand to give it a more elegant line, and make it extra comfortable for everyday wear.
Below is another image of it in it's little velvet box that I think is a bit clearer. But if you want to see it up close and personal, head on over to Taste of Bitter Love Cafe, have one of the best coffees in London and ask for Flick!
If you think you might be interested in a one-of-a-kind hand made engagement ring, please feel free to e-mail me at info@rpencore.com. Prices start at £2,500 depending on the style etc.
Please get in touch if you have experience working with jewellery ie: filing and finishing silver, and would like to gain first hand experience in a very small studio working directly under me!
Unfortunately I still can't pay, but lunch will be provided as well as copious amounts of tea/coffee and biscuits!
Applicants will be eager to learn, good with their hands, and adapt well to a variety of roles and tasks.
Please e-mail info@rpencore.com with a CV and Cover Letter!
Please note: I do not teach taxidermy as part of my internship program.
I am accepting CVs up until the end of October, and will be conducting interviews the first week of November.
OK, so between getting horrifically ill this past month, and trying to finish off a collection of orders and commissions this month, I totally forgot to post this interview with Phillipa Snow (my fave blogger!) for Art Wednesday.
Panasonic is one funny cat... whenever she's in the house she's this fat purring ball of love, but the second she steps outside? She turns into a wild huntress!
Unfortunately I never seem to be with camera to capture her as she climbs through the back window from the yard into the house with an unfortunate victim in her little mouth, but here she is after dropping it in the front room for us! Isn't this guy massive??
Last night I made the trek down to Brixton, to meet up with my good friend Tom Houser. Despite having worked non-stop from 5am until my arrival at 6pm, Tom had found time to whip up a marvelous homemade chowder for us to nibble on while we went over his designs for the official RP/Encore lookbook/poster. The perfect remedy for all this wet weather we've been having in London!
Here are some images of posters he took inspiration from:
Growing up I collected those DK Eyewitness books etc... I fucking love the layout etc!
