Paris

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I was very lucky to have the opportunity to go to Paris recently. Despite the cold and wet it was wonderful to explore by foot and with the help of the ‘Batobus’ which was a great place to see the city from, and to do some sketches as things passed by above us. We stayed in a very traditional (miniature!) Parisian apartment so really felt like locals for a few days, and had a go at some French cooking Rachel Koo style. Heres a few pics from my French adventure. More can be seen by following hayley_potter on Instagram.

EP cover

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I was recently approached by the singer Laura White. She asked if I would have a go at creating some ideas for her first EP under the new name ‘Martha’. One of these designs (and one that we have now ruled out) is below. This project is a work in progress – other designs will be posted later.

Researching Magic

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Alongside commissions and a book, I am currently working on a research project for Arts University Bournemouth. This project links to and is a continuation of my interest in magic and it’s connection to childhood and the visual arts. Most specifically, on this occasion I am researching image making as a form of magic and illusion.

“Magic is determined by the viewer and is commonly informed by that viewers social and cultural experiences – which, when considering the subject of magic are often linked to childhood.”

“Conjuring tricks and sleights of hand may seem far removed from religious cults of miraculous transformation and healing – yet the two are historically linked, sometimes in opposition – as the church’s persecution of witchcraft and sorcery illustrates”

(Both quotes from ‘The Magic Show’ Jonathan Allen, 2009.)

This research project began in January this year. Currently I am researching the visual language and stories that are associated with witchcraft within the United Kingdom. The image below is from my sketchbook, drawn when reading about King James VI and the beginning of his concern about witches when caught in a storm in 1590. The King believed his ship was being attacked by the storm differently to the rest of the vessels he was traveling with. He believed witchcraft could be responsible, and so began the witch hunts and trials. Considered to be one of the greatest injustices in British history.

Into the woods! A forest sketchbook…

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I’ve been away for the past two weeks, and some of that time I stayed in a log cabin in the woods in the middle of nowhere in North Devon, England. It was such a unique place to take some time out for a week, and to explore what North Devon has to offer in all it’s splendid wild, Christmassy winterness! It was wonderful waking up to squirrels and deer outside the cabin. It would be quite amazing to have a studio in the woods! (Maybe one day.)

Heres some of the drawings from my sketchbook that week…

Drawing on trains sketchbook

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I’ve found myself traveling a lot recently, so I’ve set myself a project to draw in sketchbooks whilst on the train. As ever I’m not just interested in what is around me but how I can make it that little bit more interesting with a twist of the imagination. Heres a few examples of how the sketchbooks have been developing…to see more you can follow me on Instragram, my username is hayleypotter.

Commission for Notre Dame Magazine

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I did a commission for the Autumn issue of Notre Dame Magazine (USA) in August. They asked for a reproduction of a painting I had created for a charity exhibition/auction a few years ago that they could use for their article “Life As We Know It” – a piece of writing about the human fascination with space and our search for signs of the meaning of our existence written by Michael J. Crowe and Christopher M. Graney.

This is the reproduction of the original painting, the format and medium was changed to make it suitable for their publication.



and this is it in the magazine that was published early October 2012

I was also asked for a spot illustration to tie the opening page to the double page spread, as there was no fixed size for the spot illustration I created a few different options for Notre Dame based on the rough layout, guidelines and content of the magazine I had been sent.

Heres my work in progress and the options I offered …

Notre Dame decided to go for the simple Earth illustration.

This project was art directed and commissioned by Kerry at Notre Dame Magazine, thanks Kerry!