Monday 14 December 2009

Wednesday 9 December 2009

bulletin 9/12/09

Hello People

Just want to thank everyone for coming down on Sunday to the Christmas Affair, we had a really good day and we hope you all did too! We're still looking for people for January's fair so give us a shout if you've already done it and want to again or if you're a new face send us a couple of pictures of what you do and tell us you want in. We've had a change of heart too and will be staying at £5 for stalls again until February.
email: cheap-affair@live.com

In other news (as I'm sure many already know) amelia's anthology of illustration is now on sale! The launch party was last night (Tuesday 8th) at the beasty Concrete Hermit and 10 illustrators featured in the book have taken over the space until 1st January. Grab your copy from anywhere good, review will be up next week.
www.ameliasmagazine.com

Finally we still want people for the fashion/noveau book, give us a shout:
cheap-magazine@live.com

So that's all, everyone go and watch Where The Wild Things Are on Friday or be SQUARE.

Tommy and Nikki

Wednesday 2 December 2009

Weekly bulletin 02/12/09

Hello

Sorry we've not been in touch for a while, but then again we've not really had anything to say. So, this Sunday is A Cheap Affair Christmas 12 till 5 at Islington Mill in Salford. It's free and it's going to be fun, 20+ stalls with lots of wares, food, clothes and more and more! The address:

James Street,
Salford
M3 5HW

and a map here:

http://www.islingtonmill.com/contact.php

In other things we should have the interview with Lisa Hassell up within the week so keep your eyes peeled!

Finally we want people for January's fair on Sunday 10th January, this one is £7.50 a stall so give us a shout if you're interested. Also there's the book in the works, it will be a fashion/noveau inspired book and we want new work to be premiered in the book, email with subject header "book submission":

cheap-magazine@live.com

We will speak to you next week or see you on Sunday,

Tommy and Nikki

Tuesday 17 November 2009

Anthony T W Myers Honest zine



For anyone who hasn't already heard Anthony T W Myers Honest zine is out now! It's a lovely printed little zine with some wonderful doodles and nice writings. Grab your copy (or some prints) here:

http://honest.bigcartel.com/

Sunday 15 November 2009

The list of Cheap Affair Christmas Artists

Cheap started as an independent zine run by artists Tommy Eugene Higson and Nikki Marie Jackson showcasing emerging and established talents in art, illustration, design, photography, literature and other creative and visual practices. Cheap has been involved and represented in various events and exhibitions internationally and is distributed internationally.
As artists we work and exhibit both individually and collaboratively and our work addresses various subjects and themes with several constants; accessibility, relevance and aesthetics. Cheap is a reflection of these abiding concerns and an ongoing project to describe and detail developments in regards to the broader visual and creative cultural landscape in the form of products, exhibitions and events and critical writing.

Email: cheap-magazine@live.com
Web:cheapzine.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/cheap_magazine
Mike Cullen Buy Islington Mill T-Shirts & Vests say I've visted the Mill been there & done that & I've also got the T-shirt! Buy Islington Mill T-shirts now! Before the price gets bumped up in March 10.
Liam Dobson My vector work is a very minimalist type of artwork, based on outlines and cellshaded objects, the imagery withing these pictures helps to portray many problems within our society whilst also providing comical subject matter which is appealing to the eye in a way in which may other forms of art are not.
My photography is based around what I enjoy looking at, the beauty of the world around us defines the picture rather than the photographer.

Email:liamdobson114@hotmail.co.uk
Dolly Cool Jewellery (Clare Dutton) Cool Jewels for rockin' Gals. A range of hand drawn, hand crafted tattoo and rockabilly inspired jewellery by Clare Dutton.

Web: www.dollycool.moonfruit.com
www.getinthepink.moonfruit.com

Ashley Fouguel I will be making a series of Christmas cards mainly based around pugs and wolves two of the best animals obviously! I will also be making a few fun handmade bags and purses, which would be lovely for Christmas presents! Along with some illustrative prints framed or otherwise.
Will Gisby is a freelance Illustrator and Graphic Designer who uses humor as an intergral part of his work. After being in higher education for 5 long years, Will is eager to undertake real work for real clients. Specialising in editorials for kids and adults magazines Will has also recently begun work on animation and web projects.

Email: mrmagictrousers@hotmail.com
Web: super-awesome-blog.blogspot.com
Pamela Harrop
will be showing a selection of small works that have been painted in acrylic on board, as an artist who paints small windows into her world the works are of the area she live in Rossendale, and Manchester, and some of a visit to Boston and Boston harbor, the paintings are 6" x 4" in size.

Email: pamelaharrop@yahoo.com
Hussaindeyn are an artistic duo from Manchester who dabble in everything from fashion to conceptual art, currently based in New York and Manchester Hussaindeyn continue to work transatlantically currently focusing on a new t-shirt range as well as new photography work. On the day we will be selling Handmade and recycled vintage fashion items and jewellery, also prints and drawings.
Helen Littler After a successful career in fashion Helen found that her mis-spent childhood involving far too much fuzzy felt caught up with her. Appliqued tea-cosies that straddle the gap between Alice Coopers domestic arrangements and The Little House on the Prairie, lavender bags and hankies that Holly Hobbie would kill for and a 'Disco Nativity' range of fuzzy felts that prove Helen really should get out more. Completely useless products, but strangely desirable...
ILK Collective Lora Avedian, Laura Gee, and Alexandra Humphreys are three members from the collective ‘ILK’. ILK is a group of people who work in multiple disciplines across Manchester. We aim to support and encourage creativity amongst emerging artists and designers. Previously successful events we have organised include gigs for a broad range of music, with screenings of experimental films and animations. Alongside this we sold handmade merchandise. We work individually and collaborate to create design based products in 2D, textiles, 3D-tactile, illustration and animation. As a collective we would like this stall to be a platform for us to sell hand printed t-shirts, bags, one off prints, tapes, badges and zines.

Jeny and Amber we like....avant garde fashion, creativity, making a mess (or so our parents tell us), making clothes, customising stuff, re making old garments into lovely treasure, newspaper and its recycling ... our bags! re cycling cardboard to make 3d shapes, shiny things, photographs, sequins, singing, dancing ,drawing, pop ups, painting, fairy lights.

Kate Alexandra Mcleish is a Manchester based illustrator/artist/designer that specialises in portraiture. She also draws vintage sewing notions and objects that are found visually beautiful. She loves fashion illustration and doing drawing studies from old photographs and is inspired by the past and present. Kate will have bright handmade jewelry- with paper, glass, porcelain & wooden beads, fimo brooches, illustrations, postcards, screen- prints and handmade cards also. Some of the stock will be Christmas themed merchandise. Kate will be sharing a stall with Freyia Lilian Porteous who will be making handmade cards, illustrations & pretty accessories for the stall.

Web: http://katealexandramcleish.blogspot.com/
http://fancyregalia.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/KateAlexandraMc
Moon monsters (Felicity Langthorne) come in all shapes and sizes! Each monster is unique and is named according to their style and personality. As an artist I make costumes and these little creatures appeared as a side product to help me realise the shape and form of my garments. However they are works of art in their own right and make delightful gifts.

Web:www.moonmonsters.co.uk

Not For Ponies (Beckie Andrews) Not For Ponies sells recycled, re-worked vintage and hand made clothes at affordable prices. Visit our ebay shop to find gorgeous dresses, tops, t shirts and handbags that will be sure to get you noticed.

Web: ebay.co.uk/not-for-ponies-boutique

facebook.com/notforponies
ONE MANS TRASH (Nel Boxall) Vintage, recycled and Handmade clothing and textiles.

Web: Facebook group: one mans trash

Lauren Ball and Andrew Orton have been busy making some Christmas treats such as handmade cards, salt dough decorations and are also working on some collaborative limited edition festive prints down at the studio. Andrew has a wide range of canvases in different sizes and subject matter that he wishes to sell in both oils and acrylic. He also has a variety of life drawings which will available framed or unframed. After recently being commissioned for Channel M’s Zeitgeist, Andrew has lots of work to clear out of the studio so there is room to film so prices will be competitive and there will be lots to choose from. Lauren has been working on some handmade jewellery pieces. she has a variety glass and vintage bead bracelets in a wide range of colours. Some are extra special with semi precious stones or handmade beads. She will also have some charm bracelets and necklaces handmade from vintage charms, brooches and old fashioned keys.
David Procter Working in pen and ink and colouring digitally David explores the humorous but darker side of life and he states his influences as the likes of Ralph Steadman, David Hughes and Tim Burton to name but a few. With a broad subject range he is able to adapt to many projects whilst consistently maintaining a fresh perspective with his own personal stamp firmly rooted within his work. He will be around for the day selling his inky treats for you all.


Email: hello@david-procter.co.uk

Web: David-Procter.co.uk

Rag Thug Crafts (Fay Scott-Farrington) provides a selection of things that you never knew you needed, rude words, cute faces and dinosaurs abound under the guise of affordable handmade gifts, jewelry and lino prints.


Email: Faz_@hotmail.com

Web: ineffectualretardantprints.blogspot.com

Raw (Nick Greenwood) A tightly wound coil of creativity, working as a dynamic force in the rejuvenated heart of old, industrial Manchester. As a collective we generate ambitious and effective ideas that are used to connect with people and communicate our client's message. Good design - we believe - is born from the process of observation, understanding, expression and iteration: and these principles lie at the heart of all our projects. Understanding our client's target audience is crucial - make sense of the audience and we can begin to connect with and influence them.

Web: www.rawdesignstudio.co.uk

www.christmasbycolour.co.uk

Tonie rigby

Nicola Rowlands I am an illustrator/graphic designer/creative person based in Didsbury, Manchester. I shall be selling greeting cards, christmas fishes (and wishes) and decorative bird pillows at A Cheap Affair, and will most likely be found drawing dogs or fish or something on the day as well!

Web: niclolarowlands.co.uk
Kyle Saxton. Photography is my main area of interest, long exposure in particular,i like to capture sides of Manchester in a different way. Working with light graffiti to produce prints that challenge the norms of conventional graffiti and photography, also i work with animation and film.


Email: kylemint@hotmail.com
Web: www.raggaphoto.co.uk
www.myspace.com/raggaphoto
Robert Shadbolt and Salford Illustration Salford Illustration Presents The Floating World of Salford Xmas Special. A collection of drawn and printed ephemera which explores the contemporary graphic language of Xmas .





Shesgotmedals (Emily Richards)
sells handmade, unique dress brooches and apparel pins made from vintage and reclaimed fabrics. Pretty things for your favourite outfits, lovingly created with Liberty prints, silks and florals. All pieces are original designs with custom creations on request. A selection of exclusive bows and fancies from Noeud Papillon will also be available to buy.


Web: www.facebook.com/shesgotmedals

www.noeudpapillon.com
Starvinartist I have always been driven by a will to create and explore my individualism rather than joining a popular clique or working towards someone else's profit and loss account. Taken together with my passion for the arts and visual culture, I'm not surprised that i ended up working as a full-time artist under my alter ego ‘starvinartist’. Developing a service that was built around my own abilities and personality, I have fashioned a refreshing taste to education, illustration, graphic-design,live-art and graffiti.

Email: martyn@starvinartist.co.uk
Web: www.starvinartist.co.uk

Super Doodles - Artists and Illustrators Laura Skilbeck, Amy Pennington, Maria Dada, Matthew Walkerdine, Craig John Barr and Mike Dunbabin will be selling lots of top quality illustrated things like t-shirts, zines, christmas cards, mugs and screen prints, as well as possibly poems written there and then on the spot, fortunes told, kisses sold, and many other one off special things!
Tears and Memory We do T-Shirts - Original Designs on Eco-Friendly, Organic, Fairtrade Cotton T-Shirts reflecting my passion for music & we do Record Art - the (almost) lost beauty of LP cover art framed ready for your wall and you get the original record included.

Web: www.tearsandmemory.co.uk

Relovedathome and Dollwithbigeyes (Rebecca Willmott ) is a mother and daughter textile partnership, combining recycled fabric and experimental knitting to promote eco friendly fashion fun and stylishly! Dollwithbigeyes creates fun, crazy mostly felt plush toys in patchwork designs.

Web: etsy.com/shop/Relovedathome

flickr.com/dollwithbigeyes

dollwithbigeyes.blogspot.com/

Hannah Young Photography will be selling unique handmade cards and gifts taken from her photographic artwork. Prints will also be on sale and I am hoping to have a variety of bags and T-shirts available for purchase.

Web: hannahyoungphotography.co.uk
folksy.com.shops.hannahyoungphotography

Saturday 14 November 2009

Weekly bulletin 14/11/09

Hello
Sorry for the late bulletin this week, we wanted the new issue out before we did it but the printer has been playing us up so it looks like a Wednesday release now but it’s a good one, if you didn’t already know the line-up is as follows:
Mario Kolaric (Part two!), B.A. Barnes, Brett Manning, Sakura, Laura Skilbeck, David Pocter, Claudio, Parentela, Ashley Fauguel, George Mitchell and the first part of a two-parter from Steve Tillotson!
So we’ve kept mentioning that Cheap zine is going to change so here is a little more info on that. Firstly the zine will not be changing as we had previously considered, it will continue to run as it has been doing as a lo-fi bi-monthly publication with some alterations, which will be announced at a later date.
What we are going to start doing is releasing books periodically and we are looking for contributors for the first one now! We want our books to be a little more than displaying new work; we have the zine and the flickr gallery for that. We are introducing themes, but quite specific ones so that the development of certain practices and critical theory can be examined and brought to wider audiences. We want creatives for each book both familiar and representative of the theme addressed as well as creatives who wouldn’t normally work a certain way or with certain themes to really expand the subject. We also want work to be made specifically to be premiered in the books to make them that bit more special. The first theme we are going to address is: Fashion, Beauty and Art Nouveau. Submissions should be A5, black and white, portrait, 300dpi (deadline to be set). We ask for 1-4 submissions and you can email us at:
cheap-magazine@live.com
In other news if you’re in Machester today get down to Retro Bar, One Mans Trash are running their first fair Another Mans Treasure! Fashion, food, drink and art! A fun day!
Also if you’re an artist, designer or any other creative and are not already on Platform 58 you are missing out! It’s a great network for meeting new people, finding out about opportunities, talking and posting your shows and projects. They also have a great online magazine and printed publications, sign up for free here:
http://platform58.ning.com/
Finally our good friend Gary Daly has just announced his coming exhibition at The Firestation in Windsor: How to live and love your life. That’s running from 23rd of this month until 9th January. If you’re there pop in and you will not be disappointed! Poster will be up in our calendar in the next few days.
So, that’s all folks!
Tommy and Nikki

Thursday 5 November 2009

Weekly bulletin 05/11/09

Hello

Not lots this week. First A Cheap Affair Christmas, the deadline for proposals is this Sunday so anyone who is interested should get on to us quick! email:

cheap-magazine@live.com

For anyone on flickr we have now made the Cheap social uploading network platform group to act as an online gallery open to anyone and everyone (as not everyone can fit into one bi-monthly zine!!) Go here to join or browse:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/cheap-zine/

In other news our good and very talented friend Anthony T W Myers has just released his first zine Honest which you can get a copy of here:

http://honest.bigcartel.com/

There's a fair few things going on/releasing this week too, tomorrow (Friday 6th) Bazar Tremulo 4: Nowhere comes out and you can view this online here (for any English-only speakers you may be better searching Bazar Tremulo on google and pressing the translate button!):

http://www.bazartremulo.com/

Saturday this week is a big day, firstly Dario Molinaro's first solo exhibition is opening which will be amazing!! If you're in Benevento, Italy pop in and say hi from us! Also on Saturday is Manchester Artists' Book Fair which will be a good, fun, interesting day. One person who will just happen to be there is Abi Whitehouse and her wonderful new issue of Doodlezine which will include... Nikki Marie Jackson!! You can also grab a copy here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Doodlezine

Good times, good times,

Speak to you next week people!

Tommy and Nikki

ps. we've just found it's real funny if you copy and paste the bulletin into a word document and make your computer read it to you :)

Thursday 29 October 2009

Weekly bulletin 29/10/09

Hello

Good week? Us too. So first things first, there's only one copy left of Michel Dhillon's The Cuckoo Parchment and the Dyke to giveaway so first come, first served.

Right on to business, We're still looking for people to be involved in our fair this Christmas at Islington Mill in Salford, it's on Sunday 6th December and it's going to be great, we already have about 20 stalls so get on it! Give us an email for more details or just tell us what you make/sell if you want to get involved:

cheap-magazine@live.com

As we've mentioned Cheap will be changing and expanding in the next few months so we can now let you know there's an interview with inkygoodness in the pipeworks so watch out!!

Also Cheap zine is going to go through drastic changes, we can't let you know yet but we can give you the line-up for issue 9 which will be released on the 11th November:

Mario Kolaric (part two!!)
George Mitchell
Brett Manning
Ashley Fauguel
Billy Anderson Barnes
Laura Skilbeck
Sakura
David Procter
Claudio Parentela
and the first of a two parter from Steve Tillotson!!

In other news our Tommy Eugene Higson has had his first set of bags approved and are now on sale on envelop so check out:

http://www.envelop.eu/shop/designers/p/detail/tommy-eugene-higson

We have also recently met and befriended Zine Friendly so head on over here for all your latest zine news and events info:

http://zinefriendly.wordpress.com/news/

We'd also like to mention a couple of issue 9 artists, first Brett Manning who has just expanded her already beautiful range of tees on etsy and Red Bubble and secondly Billy Anderson Barnes who has a very cool range of prints available from his online shop, head to their respective sites to shop:

http://brettisagirl.com/

and

http://sumocloud.com/

Aaand finally! if you're in Manchester this Saturday pop down to Islington Mill in Salford, there's and exhibition opening of new work from Rob Treen, Liam Harrion, Polly Steiner and Nelson Ferryman 6-9 and a live drawing and sound performance collaboration between Rachel Goodyear and Lee Paterson 7.30-9.30!! For more info:

http://www.concretehermitnetwork.com/events/event/show?id=1376432%3AEvent%3A61883

and

http://www.islingtonmill.com/events.php

And that's all for this week, thanks for listening!!

Tommy and Nikki

Wednesday 21 October 2009

Weekly bulletin 21/10/09

Hello all,

Hope everyone's had a good week, so, straight into it. If you've not already read or don't already know the inkygoodness 3: Wonderland review is now up on our myspace blog as is our review for Michael Dhillon's The Cuckoo Parchment and the Dyke (there's still a couple of copies up for grabs so get on it!)

Also if you check out our various sites and myspace things are pretty up-to-date, there's preview images of all the issues for sale on the shop at concrete hermit as well as in our images folder on myspace. Also from the myspace blogs links to the artists sites are working so you can check them out a bit more. Link buttons to a history of Cheap and our blog are now also up and running which can also be found here:

http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569256/0/1/asc

and here:

http://cheapzine.blogspot.com/

and next week we shall be announcing issues 9's creatives.

We are also still after proposals for our next creative fair at Islington Mill in Salford on Sunday 6th December so if your interested check out more info on the myspace blog or blog and give us a shout.

In other news Cut-Click issue 13: Text is out now for free download and features work from our Tommy Eugene Higson and Simon Corry amongst others (Oliver 'mon53' Smith I think is pretty cool) so check it out:

http://www.cut-click.co.uk/

And finally our friend Dario Molinaro has finally announced his first solo show info in Italy from 7th of November till 5th December, check out our myspace photos for the flyer and more info.

That's all for another week folks, have fun, stay safe,

Tommy and Nikki

Friday 16 October 2009

Michael Dhillon's The Cuckoo Parchment and the Dyke review



The Cuckoo Parchment and the Dyke paints a fictitious reality lived by thousands of artists, the romantic; drinking, whoring, seclusion and strife to change the world. Very real current issues are raised pertaining to the purpose and functionality of art and its omnipotence, the importance of artist popularity and misinterpretation, the brutality of sensationalism and the violence of revolution via extremes akin to that of Watchmen or V for Vendetta. Michael Dhillon's adventure excites and grips as it unfolds and tangles you in its complexity of issues, what should an artist be? what will someone do to be remembered? how complicated is morality? -Tommy Eugene Higson

Monday 12 October 2009

Cheap Weekly Update 12/10/09

Hello all,

Today we put up the inkygoodness 3: Wonderland review to the blog and the blog space on myspace so check it out if you haven't already! Review of Michael Dhillon's The Cuckoo Parchment and the Dyke will be up on Wednesday, an addictive read and we still have a few copies left to giveaway with issue 8 of Cheap Zine so get yours whilst you can!!

http://cheapzine.bigcartel.com/

Also Tommy Eugene Higson's first zine is now on sale:

http://tommyeugenehigson.bigcartel.com/

In more news A Cheap Affair our creative fair at Islington Mill in Salford is to be a monthly event, taking place on the first Sunday of every month (apart from January which will be the second) times tbc.

So we are looking for people to be involved for the first new event (6th December). We ask for proposals no more than one side of a4 and a few images or a web link so we can see your work. We don't want intense essays we just want to know what you do. We want designers, illustrators, artists, clothes makers etc. we want a wide variety! We will let you know if you are successful either way. The deadline is 8th November and if you are successful you will be alloted a 2m x 2m space for your stall, you must bring you own table (we simply do not have supply) and will have to pay £5 for use of your space (you keep all your profits). For more info see the blog or blog space on myspace or give us a shout!


And finally, as always, we want your work to show the world :) We're after doodles, paintings, writings or any other images/visuals. black and white a5 portrait please and send us at least two images, you get two pages but we like choice (and there is still space in November's issue so if you send us something by Friday 16th October you may well be in the next issue!!)

Email: cheap-magazine@live.com

Also if you want anything promoting, anything you are involved in or doing or making give us a shout and we will do our very best to help.

So until next weekish,

Have fun!

Tommy and Nikki

inkygoodness 3: Wonderland Review



Felt Mistress & Jonathan Edwards
. Courtesy: inkygoodness.



David Shillinglaw
. Courtesy: inkygoodness.


Vaad Gallery, Birmingham
12 - 27 September 2009
Reviewed by: Tommy Eugene Higson

So I enter the gallery and my senses overload, I spot a tree with multicoloured leaves crushing a poor bird superhero/villain, spilling his Wonderland pills (Rainbow Drops) over the floor, the DJ's instrumental beats sound out across the room, I turn around and people are chalking away at one of the walls; characters, pattern and words encompass everything whilst one of the artists Moot is painting and doodling a board installation nearby, not until I am almost on top of it do I notice the goodies stall with books, prints, posters, t-shirts, zines and toys, my mind must be elsewhere, maybe it's the film crew, or maybe it's the drawings, inks, prints, and paintings of animals, people, cartoons and creatures that cluster around, and down every wall, and the space is huge, this is going to be fun.

Wonderland is the third exhibition staged by inkygoodness (illustrators Lisa Hassell and Michelle Turton) who work to provide a platform for emerging and established illustrators, artists, designers and crafters to exhibit together creating networking and professional development opportunities. It also thus works as an instrument to chronicle a fairly new movement of contemporary image makers; showing new work and innovations from new people, how established makers are developing and their influence on new practices.

One of the things that first hits you looking around the show is the familiarity you feel, the sense that you've seen people like George Mitchell and Rainbow Donkeys somewhere before, and you probably have; on flyers and posters, in magazine and comics, in shops, the list goes on. The self promotion of these makers is key to their renown and takes many forms from obvious influences like Keith Haring, Takashi Murakami and David Shrigley. What is important is how few of these practitioners seem to draw any kind of differentiation between their illustrative and design practices and their gallery work. It is not something which develops with their practice it is a given, why should a design for someone dictate not working like yourself and so why therefore should working with global brands be a bad thing?

The show is filled with such a wide variety of gems and jewels that there is something to entertain and enthrall everyone. Felt Mistress contributes some crazy half-bred animal characters with Jonathan Edwards' painting accompaniments. Steve Rack's characters represent something of a more fruity yet somehow more human set of Mr Men and Women. A giant wall painting from David Shillinglaw covers half the end wall and combines illustrational and graffiti techniques to create a large fellow filled and surrounded with pattern and obscure cultural references from cLOUDDEAD and Sole to Milk and Big Foot, a great analogy for this movement.

Other stand-outs include Lisa Hassell and Kate Hindley and their intricate, colour filled, patternful worlds. Simon Wild and Mark Wilkinson and their new art historical Cubist, Mexican, African, graffiti, design, illustration works. Moot's incorporation of graffiti into a more traditional painting practice and it actually working and coffee stain painted portraits from Adi Gilbert carried out with fantastic execution. Not to mention Gemma Correll who is always entertaining and Juan Salas' ink drawings and one particular work depicting a frog and young girl playing leapfrog.

It is unfortunate that the show is plagued by some nagging annoyances. One thing that stands out is some over-reliance on tired source material such as Super Mario backdrops, clouds, arrows, buildings and cities. Like Micropop the work is still the same quirky, vivid, electric work that excited you in the first place but in places it seems a little stale. There is still life in these icons and symbols however as Simon David Mills demonstrates, but innovation is required.

It is also a shame how some work imitates others work, Jon Burgerman and David Shrigley being the main victims of this. Showing influence is one thing but replication does not continue any kind of critical debate and therefore does not develop a movement or continue and allow for new conversation.

Other problems are minor, it would have been nice to see text and installation have a bit more presence and an animation or two wouldn't have gone a miss. I also feel the range of subjects could have poked somewhere a bit more beyond the aesthetic. The other minor problem is the lack of professional presentation of some work, crumpled paper and colour print outs on poor quality paper is not of a professional standard but understandably for some practitioners this is a first time exhibiting and like I said, these problems are minor.

Overall this is a great, great show, there is some fantastic and important work from some established and new makers and this movement is still in its early days so there is more to come, I don't think I will be disappointed and I can't see how anyone could leave this exhibition without a smile on their face.

Artists: Tixe Art / Dave Bain / Louise Boulter / Gemma Correll / Simon Corry / Pascal Cuttoli / Rainbow Donkeys / Camelia Dobrin / Chris Dorning / Jennifer Dubet / Adi Gilbert / Adam Hancher / Lisa Hassell / Kate Hindley / I heart Joan / Yee Ting Kuit / Simon David Mills / Felt Mistress & Jonathan Edwards / George Mitchell / Vicky Newman / Steve Rack / Sarah Ray / Karoline Rerrie / Juan Salas / Mike O’ Shea / David Shillinglaw / Steven Silverwood / Diggy Smerdon / Amy Timms / Michelle Turton / Simon Wild / Mark Wilkinson / DocVek /

Sunday 11 October 2009

Cheap Affair every first Sunday of the month at Islington mill

Call for proposals... "A Cheap Affair"

Cheap are putting on an art/craft/illustration/design/fashion/anything else creative fair at Islington Mill in Salford on Sunday 6th December and are looking for proposals for stalls now!

We are not looking for massive intense essays, one side of a4 should suffice and half a dozen images to give an idea of what you (want to) do. We like things that look nice, we are all about aesthetics, accessibility and relevance. We also like people who have things to sell, we like products and we like consuming! These are not a must but it is up to you.

Don't let it be a daunting task, we just want to get an idea of what you do and what you would do with your stall/space so all applications will be considered.

Each successful applicant will be asked to pay £5 for use of their space (and no commissions will be taken) which is to be payed on the day of the event and all applicants will be notified if they are or aren't successful. Each space will be approximately 2m x 2m (give or take), or the size of a regular sized market stall fold-up table with room behind enough for a chair, for stock and to eat your lunch. No equipment, tables or chairs will be supplied so come well prepared, also their is only approximately 30 spaces so get back to us soon!!

Please send your proposals and any queries to: cheap-magazine@live.com
Deadline: Sunday 8th November

If you have any queries don't hesitate to ask and please feel free to pass word around. So that's all, good luck and we look forward to reading all of your proposals soon!!

Wednesday 7 October 2009

Cheap Weekly Update 7/10/09

Hey Everyone

Welcome to this weeks bulletin!!

As promised Cheap Zine issue 8 is now on sale and the first 6 people to buy their copy will receive a free copy of Michael Dhillon's fantastic new book about dada, art and revolution The Cuckoo Parchment and the Dyke (review to come on Friday!). Contributors to the new issue are:

Hannah Rowlands, Kef, Solen Last, Elle Teague, Meeshle, Rose Greenfield, Alistair McInnes, Abe Honest, Jack Edwards and Daniel Bird and the first part of a two-parter from Mario Kolaric!

Head on over here for your copy:
http://cheapzine.bigcartel.com/

Also to be released this Friday is Tommy Eugene Higson's review of the awesome show which was inkygoodness 3: Wonderland, keep your eyes on them!

Information about our future fair at the lovely and very cool Islington Mill in Salford will be announced this weekend/early next week so keep listening to find out how to get involved.

And finally, as always, we want your work to show the world :) We're after doodles, paintings, writings or any other images/visuals. black and white a5 portrait please and send us at least two images, you get two pages but we like choice.

Email: cheap-magazine@live.com

Also if you want anything promoting, anything you are involved in or doing or making give us a shout and we will do our very best to help.

So until next weekish,

Have fun!

Tommy and Nikki

Tuesday 29 September 2009

Cheap Weekly Update 28/9/09

Issue 8 will be out soon! This issue will have work from Hannah Rowlands, Elle Teague and the first works of a two-parter from Mario Kolaric!!

Also we have a give away to the first half dozen customers of issue 8 who will win a copy of the new book from Michael Dhillon: The Cuckoo Parchment and the Dyke to promote his new nano fiction project, more on that soon along with a review of the book online.

In other news Cheap tote bags will be on sale soon from the store. Also we will have a review of inkygoodness 3: Wonderland up next week. AAAnd we're looking for people's work for the next issue so drop us an email and show us what you're doing:-

cheap-magazine@live.com

We're after doodles, paintings, writings or any other images/visuals. black and white a5 please and send us at least two images.

Happy scribbling

Tommy and Nikki

Monday 28 September 2009

Photos from our first Cheap Affair

Kyle Saxton

Hannah Young


Sunday Girl Accessories and Penny and Daisy's Handmade World

Kate Woodfield

Hannah Joy Raeside

Gary Daly

Thanks to everyone for taking part and coming along, we had a great day and are hopefully going to be putting on another event closer to Christmas! For more photos please visit our myspace www.myspace.com/cheap_magazine

Tuesday 1 September 2009

A Cheap Affair artists

Beth Barlow
Beautiful Things is an art piece which aims to look at the value of objects and ask questions like whether they gain more value if selected and artistically treated by an artist. A collection of boxed pieces will be available to look at and, maybe, secretly bid on. Bids will be successful not just on their monetary value but also on what the buyers intention for the work is. As an artist Beth Barlow's work focuses as much on process as it does on product and the exhibiting of the work at this event asks the viewer to become part of the valuation process.

Web: bethbarlow.com/

Cheap

Cheap started as an independent zine run by artists Tommy Eugene Higson and Nikki Marie Jackson showcasing emerging and established talents in art, illustration, design, photography, literature and other creative and visual practices. Cheap has been involved and represented in various events and exhibitions internationally and is distributed internationally.

As artists we work and exhibit both individually and collaboratively and our work addresses various subjects and themes with several constants; accessibility, relevance and aesthetics. Cheap is a reflection of these abiding concerns and an ongoing project to describe and detail developments in regards to the broader visual and creative cultural landscape in the form of products, exhibitions and events and critical writing.

Email: cheap-magazine@live.com
Web:cheapzine.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/cheap_magazine

Josie Clinton
I am a painter and I generally use watercolour and concentrate on the urban landscape as my subject matter. I also produce large canvases which expore process painting. My most recent work is mainly figurative and I use pencil, pen and ink, watercolour and gouache.

Email: josieclinton@hotmail.com
Web: www.josephineclinton.co.uk
rogueartistsstudios.co.uk

Gary Daly
Mostly i am a singist with the once great and recently quite good again China Crisis and also i am a drawist.

Web: www.myspace.com/thevisionarymindsetexperience

Dolly Cool Jewellery (Clare Dutton)
Dolly Cool Jewellery
Cool Jewels for rockin' Gals
A range of hand drawn, hand crafted tattoo and rockabilly inspired jewellery by Clare Dutton.

Web: www.dollycool.moonfruit.com
www.getinthepink.moonfruit.com

Will Gisby
Will Gisby is a freelance Illustrator and Graphic Designer who uses humor as an intergral part of his work. After being in higher education for 5 long years, Will is eager to undertake real work for real clients. Specialising in editorials for kids and adults magazines Will has also recently begun work on animation and web projects.

Email: mrmagictrousers@hotmail.com
Web: super-awesome-blog.blogspot.com

Hard As Candy (Lauren Bonzer)
Hard As Candy is influenced from the "old school" designing of tattoos, pin up girls and the 1950's era.
Hard As Candy is a contrast between a rockabilly and vintage theme, ranging from jewellery, accessories and hand made clothing.

Email: laurenbonzer@hotmail.com

Denise Lawn
"Wedding Day Silver offers a very unique service to brides, bridesmaids and wedding guests. Jewellery designer Denise Lawn preserves leaves and petals from bouquets and posies and transforms them into bespoke pieces of fine silver jewellery to keep forever. The ideal keepsake and the perfect gift."

Email: denise_lawn@yahoo.co.uk
Web: www.weddingdaysilver.co.uk
www.clarisejewellery.co.uk

ONE MANS TRASH (Nel Boxall)
Vintage, recycled and Handmade clothing and textiles by ONE MANS TRASH.

Web: Facebook group: one mans trash

Raeside
"Raeside" - stitch /// craft /// fabric design /// poor excuse for a haircut Hannah Joy Raeside is a textile designer and works with fabric and embroidery to create useful objects and lovely wearables, as well as cards and framed works of art. she also combines fabric with resin to make pretty jewellery and is currently working a lot with paper cutting and collage. so...yes. she has her fingers dipped in a lot of pies! yum yum yum.

Email: hannahjoyraeside@hotmail.co.uk
Web: raeside.bigcartel.com
www.spoonflower.com/profiles/raeside
www.flickr.com/hannahraeside

Victoria Rangayah
I was always `drawn` to art but only gained courage to paint during my studies as a fashion designer. I took my knowledge of fashion and textiles and applied it to my artistic projects. Which included garments made out of paper and the use of interesting textures and mediums in my art.

Living in Africa, enabled me to see the world from a different perspective and in different colours. I admired the African landscape, which is kept alive in my memory, and from which I draw my inspiration. The experience to live in such an inspiring country broadened my horizons and developed me, creatively, as an artist. My work often portrays memories of my life there and the emotions that I have experienced...

Email: victoria@bonbonblue.co.uk
Web: www.zigmante.vpweb.co.uk
www.artgallery.co.uk/artist/zigmante_rangayah
www.bonbonblue.co.uk

Kyle Saxton
Photography is my main area of interest, long exposure in particular,i like to capture sides of Manchester in a different way. Working with light graffiti to produce prints that challenge the norms of conventional graffiti and photography, also i work with animation and film.

Email: kylemint@hotmail.com- e-mail
Web: www.raggaphoto.co.uk- website
www.myspace.com/raggaphoto- myspace

Tricia Seddon and Tracey Aspin
handmade and recycled greeting cards, gift tags and gift bags, homeware and gifts all designed and made by independant artists in the north west.
unusual and one off pieces with great prices. vintage fabrics and reclaimed materials feature when ever possible. great for gifts or treats for yourself.

Web: www.hollybluecardcompany.com

Sunday Girl Accessories and Penny & Daisy's handmade world
Sunday Girl Accessories sell colourful acrylic jewellery and accessories, from cute animal brooches, to chunky collar necklaces, and lots more!

Penny & Daisy's handmade world are ordinary girls with a love for buttons and a love for life, aiming to spread a little bit of colour into these grey times.

Web: www.sundaygirlaccessories.co.uk
www.pennyanddaisy.co.uk

Elle Teague
Elle is an illustrator based in Leeds. Her Interests lie in arts, crafts, creatures and nature. She takes inspiration from her everyday life, television and snippets of overheard conversations. Her work focuses mainly on capturing brief moments in time and her humorous, intriguing view on the world creates interesting and unique illustrations.

Elle will be transforming herself into a human vending machine, where you can choose from a party hat, custom illustrated badge of your choice or you can take a risk and choose a surprise. She will also be running a stall containing lots of curious goodies such as hand screen printed illustrations, soft toys, cushions and ceramics all incorporating her unique playful style. Come down and glimpse her world.

Email: hello@elleteague.com
Web: www.elleteague.blogspot.com/

Kate Woodfield
Kate builds lights and lampshades from all sorts of recycled materials in an attempt to make old unwanted things into beautiful treasured pieces to decorate our homes.

Email: kate.woodfield@hotmail.co.uk
Web: www.katewoodfield.com

Hannah Young
Hannah Young Photography will be selling unique handmade cards and gifts taken from her photographic artwork. Prints will also be on sale and I am hoping to have a variety of bags and T-shirts available for purchase.

Web: www.hannahyoungphotography.co.uk
www.folksy.com.shops.hannahyoungphotography


Inky Goodness



Some of our friends from Cheap will be in this exhibition which we are most looking forward too! check it out. http://inkygoodness.com/

Wednesday 26 August 2009

Tuesday 4 August 2009

A cheap affair

Call for proposals... "A Cheap Affair"

Cheap are putting on an art/craft/illustration/design/fashion/anything else creative fair at Islington Mill in Salford on Saturday 26th September and are looking for proposals for stalls now!

We are not looking for massive intense essays, one side of a4 should suffice and half a dozen images to give an idea of what you (want to) do.

As always, as with everyone else, we are looking for creative, original ideas, but we will let you know that we like things that look nice, we are all about aesthetics, accessibility and relevance. We also like people who have things to sell, we like products and we like consuming! These are not a must but it is up to you.

Don't let it be a daunting task, we just want to get an idea of what you do and what you would do with your stall/space so all applications will be considered.

Each successful applicant will be asked to pay £5 for use of their space (and no commissions will be taken) which is to be payed on the day of the event and all applicants will be notified asap if they are or aren't successful. Each space will be approximately 2.5m x 2.5m (give or take), or the size of a regular sized market stall fold-up table with room behind enough for a chair, for stock and to eat your lunch. No equipment, tables or chairs will be supplied so come well prepared, also their is only approximately 20 spaces so get back to us soon!!

Please send your proposals and any queries to: cheap-magazine@live.com
Deadline: Monday 24th August

If you have any queries don't hesitate to ask and please feel free to pass word around. So that's all, good luck and we look forward to reading all of your proposals soon!!

Zine submissions

Antifreeze






We were involved in an art car boot sale called Antifreeze, set up by Contents May Vary. We were one of the lucky stalls that didn't blow away.

Shop Stop



We were invited by Yvonne Klasen to sell our zine at an event she was organising called Shop Stop, all the way in the Nertherlands.