Us Ballad Girls are spending far too much time hanging out over at Jimmy & Alfie’s when we should be “don’t forget to write” – ing, shame on us! But once you take a wander over there you won’t blame us…

Jimmy the fox spent his youth roaming the countryside. Over field and folly he developed a love for all things handmade. After a stint on Skye playing his fiddle, he hitched a ride to York and erected his tent, darned a quilt of disused clothes and set up camp with Alfie; a gypsy loving mutt with a Dickensian swagger. Alfie had spent his last years roaming the cemeteries of Europe collecting vintage fabrics and fashioning pieces all of his own. Over the campfire Jimmy and Alfie cooked up a plan to join forces. They would undertake this next leg of their journeys together and share all of their findings.

The far – too – enchanting – for – words creations, and dreamy posts will get you lost for hours in this Yorkshire forest, so lets don our wellies and join the rasclas! Images above by Ballad fave India Hobson, and below, the one we are lusting after. Jimmy, Alfie, we want to collaborate MAJORLY!!

x

Nostalgia for summer already! The beautiful photography of Louisa Rose has got us all missing the British sunshine on our face as we enjoy tea and scones!

Every now and again you stumble upon something that really takes your breath away. Thats how we felt when we found photographer Paul Phung. Keep your eyes peeled, great things will come from this fella, and to top it all of, one of the nicest guys you are ever likely to meet, enjoy…

x

Abi Daker  Specialises in fashion and music illustration, but at the moment she is having a dabble with Victorian themes…and boy do we reckon she should carry on with doing what she is! The historial feel to her images are just perfect and we would very much want to see those on Ballad HQ’s wall!

We are having a bit of a love affair with the work of Jaymie O’Callaghan from All That Glitters we heart her outfit illustrations, but so much more is waiting for for you over on her blog… vintage bows, pandas and Russian dolls, mmm

x

Sketchy, Dreamy, and ultra feminine. Linnea Mesko shows us what she’s good at. And we mean VERY good. We love her file detail and shading and oh how we enjoy a good illustrator at Ballad Of. Make sure you check out her Flickr Ladies and Gentlemen. 

Ceclia Austin has took our hearts a fair few times this week..and heres one of the reasons why. We love her modern with a vintage twist inspired shoots and think this little lady will be one to watch.

Model ~ Ginny (Ford SF)

Hair/Makeup/Wardrobe ~ Michelle Tan

When you read you begin with A,B,C when you sing you begin with Do-Ray-me…

Jenny  Robins is pretty much a genius!! Her Facebook Project of illustrating each and everyone of her Facebook Friends is one of the best projects we have heard in a long time. A huge amount of time and effort and not to mention dedication put in by Jenny has really paid off. And of course she started with the letter ‘A’ check out some here and more on her Facebook Page.

Jenny can we be your friend? hehe.

Barny

Alys

Abi

Episode Eleven: Aubrey Beardsley

One of the most controversial and stunning artists of the Art Nouveau movement, illustrator Beardsley’s work was preoccupied with erotica & legend, and he was a significant figure in the movement. He produced images which were dark, perverse and grotesque – much of which was circulated privately amongst his group of friends, London’s infamous ‘sexual deviant’ crew, of which his mentor was Oscar Wilde ♥ Although he was published extensively, rumour has it that many of his images weren’t.

Aubrey Beardsley’s work was of the Aesthetic movement, the British counterpart to Decadence and Symbolism (both predominantly French) and he used black ink to create his highly recognisable Japanese Woodcuts – Inspired illustrations. We love the Nouveau movement at Ballad, Ballad Of Mary Maud was “the Nouveau issue” intricate and highly stylised we cannot get enough.

Beardsley died at 25…25! such an influential and extensive body of work to die so young. As with his entire set, controversy and scandal surrounded him during his life and after his death. The question of his sexuality, or lack thereof, and incestuous rumours still surround this fascinating figure…

“I have one aim – the grotesque. If I am not grotescque I am nothing” – Aubs

x

We welcome the lovely Blaubushka back with open arms, we will have to see what tales of wonderment she has in store for us.

‘Alone in the dark, with only four corners for company. Sweet silence serenades a sleeping damsel. Ever sleep, never lie, ever sleep, never cry. Time watches over you as the world spins round. Time watches over you as you ,never speak, never make a sound.’

Image via WeHeartIt