Generous Sponsors included the American Intercontinental University (AIU), Dunvegan Castle in Skye, SNOG (Covent Garden) and Hummingbird Bakery. Chris Beetles kindly donated his incredible gallery for the show.

Not only did Scottish sculptor, Royal Academician and Professor of Inspiration and Discovery, David Mach speak on the topic ‘Diplomacy and Art’ he created the latest January cover for Diplomat.

■David Mach ■  Quentin Blake ■ Kai and Sunny ■ Mirko Ilic ■ Helen Friel ■ Tobias Till ■ Keira Rathbone ■  Charles Fazzino ■ David Pintor ■ Ivana Nohel ■ Chris Burke ■ Nathan Bowen ■ Rowan Newton ■ Magnus Irvin ■ Warren Holder ■ Noma Bar ■ Charlotta Janssen ■ Darren ... Read More »]]> On December 5th 2012 with the support of some fantastic sponsors, I curated and hosted a special exhibition  showcasing 26 artists who have contributed to the Diplomat covers I have commissioned spanning the past 4 years. The exhibition was held in the charming Chris Beetles gallery in Mayfair.

Generous Sponsors included the American Intercontinental University (AIU), Dunvegan Castle in Skye, SNOG (Covent Garden) and Hummingbird Bakery. Chris Beetles kindly donated his incredible gallery for the show.

Not only did Scottish sculptor, Royal Academician and Professor of Inspiration and Discovery, David Mach speak on the topic ‘Diplomacy and Art’ he created the latest January cover for Diplomat.

Artists who participated in this show

■David Mach ■  Quentin Blake ■ Kai and Sunny ■ Mirko Ilic ■ Helen Friel ■ Tobias Till
■ Keira Rathbone ■  Charles Fazzino ■ David Pintor ■ Ivana Nohel ■ Chris Burke
■ Nathan Bowen ■ Rowan Newton ■ Magnus Irvin ■ Warren Holder ■ Noma Bar
■ Charlotta Janssen ■ Darren Cullen ■  Jason Fields ■ Victo Ngai  ■ Si Scott ■ Chris Ede
■ Rose Stallard ■ Francesco Poroli ■ Isaac Cordal ■ Jesse Bray ■ Vince Ray

Round about the same time I decided one way to celebrate Diplomat’s 65th Anniversary would be to organize an exhibition with the covers commissioned over the past four years.

After securing December 5th with the Chris Beetles Gallery, I asked Karen (the wonderful woman with the key to David’s diary) if he would create the December/January issue of Diplomat to be launched the night of the exhibition.

For Diplomat’s December/January 2013 cover, David created an exclusive vase he entitled Orange Surf, made with white and orange pins. Celebrating what he does best with his sculptures, the vase is exquisite and makes something extraordinary from everyday, mundane objects. Taking his inspiration from the markings on a sea horse, the pattern reminds him of a code or a DNA ... Read More »]]> At the beginning of 2012 I visited, interviewed and asked Turner Prize nominee and Royal Academician David Mach if he would create a cover for Diplomat.

Round about the same time I decided one way to celebrate Diplomat’s 65th Anniversary would be to organize an exhibition with the covers commissioned over the past four years.

After securing December 5th with the Chris Beetles Gallery, I asked Karen (the wonderful woman with the key to David’s diary) if he would create the December/January issue of Diplomat to be launched the night of the exhibition.

For Diplomat’s December/January 2013 cover, David created an exclusive vase he entitled Orange Surf, made with white and orange pins. Celebrating what he does best with his sculptures, the vase is exquisite and makes something extraordinary from everyday, mundane objects. Taking his inspiration from the markings on a sea horse, the pattern reminds him of a code or a DNA printout. The coating on the pinheads creates a mother of pearl sheen to the vase.

The cover is one of David’s first vases, and he’s now embarked on many new pieces using these pins. ‘The pins give me endless possibilities in my search for colour, pattern and form and I find myself chasing after that.’ It takes about 250,000 pins to make one vase. David admits to loving the extravagance of the numbers and extraordinary effort required to make each piece.

I showed Andrew and Luca, the owners of Do, five artists I thought would fit with their brand and vision perfectly, combining functionality, fun and beauty. My job would be to source and commission a new piece of art each month, to promote the artist, sell their work and draw different customers to Do.

If you are interested in finding out more about this service or if you are an artist please email me.

Ivana Nohel  was my first choice of Artist for Do. Ivana is an Illustrator, Paper Artist and Creative Director, she has recently been commissioned to create window displays for independent fashion boutique, Browns and ... Read More »]]> In 2012 I pitched my favourite shop ‘Do’, in Covent Garden the idea of featuring an ‘Artist of the Month’. Do shop is a collection of exquisite functional interiors ranging from toy cars to kitchenware and design furniture.

I showed Andrew and Luca, the owners of Do, five artists I thought would fit with their brand and vision perfectly, combining functionality, fun and beauty. My job would be to source and commission a new piece of art each month, to promote the artist, sell their work and draw different customers to Do.

If you are interested in finding out more about this service or if you are an artist please email me.

Ivana Nohel in Do

Ivana Nohel  was my first choice of Artist for Do. Ivana is an Illustrator, Paper Artist and Creative Director, she has recently been commissioned to create window displays for independent fashion boutique, Browns and British multinational retailer, TopShop. Ivana has been a designer for luxury women’s labels Jean Muir andJanet Reger and a toy designer for Sindy dolls and Walt Disney.

Charles Fazzino in Do

American 3D pop artist, Charles Fazzino who was in London during the 2012 Olympics was Do‘s second featured artist of the month.

Originally from Bogotá, Columbia, Stinkfish is intrigued by photographing people unawares. He breaths new life into these unknown faces by creating stencils and using spray paint.

Stinkfish sent me in this beautiful rough of a stenciled woman, the final breathtaking image was created on an abandoned wall in Bogotá.

Sasha is a master of observation, capturing the quirkiest moments that usually go unmissed, as can be seen throughout Diplomat‘s 2013 Yearbook.

Sasha’s work is also on display in Do shop in Shorts garden.

My aim this year is to work on many other projects with Sasha, not only is he one of the best photographers I know he is my friend and I adore working with friends.

I ask how he first met Milton and Mirko in his thick Croatian accent replies, ‘I knocked on his door, what else would you do if you want to meet someone… you knock on their door or sneak through their bedroom window and I didn’t want to do that to Milton!’

I ask about Mirko’s favorite projects and he shows me one of his many published books. He tells me he doesn’t design or read any of these books, ‘I don’t get involved. I check to see the captions are correct on the pdf’s and everyone gets a credit, that’s it. It’s embarrassing, it’s almost like people are lying over your ... Read More »]]> Mirko Ilic’s studio is in the same building as Milton Glaser and I had briefly met Mirko earlier as he popped into Milton’s studio to say hello as he does every day.

I ask how he first met Milton and Mirko in his thick Croatian accent replies, ‘I knocked on his door, what else would you do if you want to meet someone… you knock on their door or sneak through their bedroom window and I didn’t want to do that to Milton!’

I ask about Mirko’s favorite projects and he shows me one of his many published books. He tells me he doesn’t design or read any of these books, ‘I don’t get involved. I check to see the captions are correct on the pdf’s and everyone gets a credit, that’s it. It’s embarrassing, it’s almost like people are lying over your grave.’ In his career Mirko has designed over 500 posters, 4-5000 illustrations, 500-2,000 magazine covers and 100’s of record covers. I am curious to find out how he remains excited about working, he simply tells me that he keeps changing what he does, from 3D animation, hotels and restaurant to pro bono work, he also invents his own projects.

Mirko is a huge advocate for mentoring and during my interview two Croatian students turn up and sit behind me waiting for Mirko to critique their work. I ask if Mirko would consider critiquing Diplomat magazine, he asks, ‘are you a student or professional?’ I look at him as he knows I am alas 15 years past being a student, he explains ‘I don’t know your reality… a student’s work he continues is purely their work the only thing stopping them is imagination and lack of experience. A professional can design one magazine beautifully and be mediocre on another. It all depends on what the people around you allow you to do, because of this it is very hard for me to judge professionals. I can only talk about your work if I had your editor sitting here with you then you can say he/she told me to do this, then I can go after him.’

Mirko recently lectured at the New York Times art department. He tells me that he did not comment on their work but went after the editors who he believes do not give their designers enough freedom to make decisions over visuals. ‘Usually I do not like commenting on other professionals work, I would not like any of my clients doing this to me.’

Mirko has worked all over the world and has collected business cards from countless Ambassadors and Diplomats, he tells me, ‘I try and do nice things for little countries. When it come to causes I care about I am their voice and I am bull dog. I believe I am able to bring the right attention to the cause whether it be for a gay issue, minority issue or students that need new facilities, I am actually quite good at this.’

Mirko will without a doubt say no to projects if he does not believe in the politics of the job and has been known for firing clients. He points to two small building blocks on his table an N and an O, he says he uses these words often. Mirko is blunt and straightforward and with that comes a feeling of safety. There is no beating around the bush with Mirko, if he likes you you’re very lucky if he doesn’t you should run and keep running!

Mirko’s image for the September 2011 Diplomat cover on Kosovo caused a stir in diplomatic community, especially when the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia congratulated Diplomat on a magnificent cover using such a prominent Serbian artist. Mirko used an image of a chick between two army helmets symbolizing a new nation born out of conflict. When I asked him why he said yes to creating the cover for Diplomat, he said, ‘I had no bad background with you, if I had known you had messed up or you were a right wing narrow minded group I would not do it for you, simple as that! I wanted to show my support for Kosovo.’

At least 30% of Mirko’s jobs are pro bono, ‘if I like the job and the person I will do it for an extremely small amount of money, if I don’t like the person I will charge more, maybe, he says with a smile. I need to work with people I don’t like, it will make me rich.’

I have never met anyone quiet like Mirko, his honest, realistic and simple approach to design is invigorating. ‘It is important to take the work seriously not myself’ he adds.

Our time has come to an end and I start to say my thank you’s and good-bye’s and Mirko stands up and orders me to follow him. I desperately try to remember all the questions I asked, were some disrespectful or even worse too generic? I follow him through closed beige curtains and we are in what looks like a warehouse with shelves upon shelves of posters and packages covered with brown paper. Mirko then informs me that ALL of Milton Glaser’s original artwork is stored here. He points to Milton’s famous Bob Dylan with the kaleidoscope hair poster and makes a joke about eBay, I chuckle and then ask about where Mirko keeps his work? He takes me to a dusty draw and pulls out a huge poster he created with Daniel Young to highlight the atrocities of Darfur and hands it to me, I cheekily mention eBay to him and without hesitation he states, ‘you won’t get much for it!’

Taking into account Mirko’s endless talent, generosity and charisma I suspect I would do rather well!

I had met Noma a few weeks previously at the Design Museum where he was nominated for Designs of the Year in the Graphics category for his Cut It Out interactive exhibition featuring a giant dog-shaped art-making machine. Noma’s images are clever, slick, minimal and humorous, his trademark style is a unique combination of caricature and pictograms.

I went to drop off magazines that he had created for Diplomat’s first split run cover on the subject of defence for the February issue. The two images I choose use a single color and it was Noma’s idea and excitement that persuaded me to use Pantone 805 for both the covers. It reproduces as an orange/peachy highlight. The pictures do not in ... Read More »]]> Today, whilst tucked away in a corner of Le Pain Quotidien in Covent Garden I was lucky enough to spend two hours chatting with the very sought after and award winning Noma Bar.

I had met Noma a few weeks previously at the Design Museum where he was nominated for Designs of the Year in the Graphics category for his Cut It Out interactive exhibition featuring a giant dog-shaped art-making machine. Noma’s images are clever, slick, minimal and humorous, his trademark style is a unique combination of caricature and pictograms.

I went to drop off magazines that he had created for Diplomat’s first split run cover on the subject of defence for the February issue. The two images I choose use a single color and it was Noma’s idea and excitement that persuaded me to use Pantone 805 for both the covers. It reproduces as an orange/peachy highlight. The pictures do not in any way do the color justice.

My first questions to the Israeli genius is how he views the world, is he always looking for the visual story in shapes and colours or is he able to just be and let his mind rest? My question is soon answered when a part of the brick wall we are sitting by unexpectedly falls off. Picking up the brownish concrete, Noma looks at the sugar bowl in front of us and places the fragment on top of the sugar. The piece of wall looks exactly like the brown sugar and if we had left it no one would ever have known the difference!

This is an example of how Noma’s mind works and shows the beginning of how an image is created. The onlooker MUST pay attention as there is always more than one message in his work. Sometimes his images are political and at other times there is a sexual undertone but always the images are subtle and clever.

Noma places the rogue piece of wall on the floor and I continue with my interview.

Noma likens himself to an athlete; he lives what he does and is utterly committed to his work. He tells how his “Pointed Sense” print, featuring two dogs saying hello (the only way they know how), came to life. Whilst walking in the woods he saw the two dogs, one black and one white, and faster than Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan could say ‘Sssstt’ their greeting was immortalized in graphic art.

Noma has been working incessantly for the past 12 years. “If you want to last more than a year in this business you have to be committed and organize your time”. Just like graphic design legend Milton Glaser, Noma draws every day (read my Milton Glaser interview here). Noma also has the same reaction to computers as Milton does… “the computer is a tool that is all, it is not a brain! Knowing what you want from the computer is the only way of getting the best results.”

Noma proceeds to let me have a sneaky peak at his latest commission… eight limited-edition covers for April 2012 issue of Wallpaper magazine. Each cover image takes on a different country to fit the theme of Global Design.

These incredible 3D covers are part painted in a studio and part actual products which are used to create scenes which are then photographed. These covers are beautifully thought out and if you’re not looking twice Noma isn’t happy.

I struggled to see the second image in the Italian cover but instead of getting frustrated Noma was excited that I needed more time to uncover what was hidden.

Eventually there is a huge “ahhhhh” from me as I see the two men on the scooter. This is the normal reaction to Noma’s images, they make you work but they are definitely worth the effort.

Noma obviously enjoys seeing people react to his work, he smiles and enthusiastically goes on to show me the next image.

His ideas are endless, new books in the pipeline and  fantastic ideas for up and coming exhibitions. I have been sworn to secrecy so alas can not say anything else apart from how excited I am to see what Noma will do to surprise us all in the coming months!

Francesco’s masculine and graphic style works to portray Africa as an exciting investment destination. I contacted Francesco just before the Olympics and I believe his idea for the cover was born from watching the African countries being represented in all their glory at the opening Olympic Ceremony.

His cover and style is amazing, this was the first and last draft he sent in. Perfection!

I’m preparing for a series of workshops I am going to run in 2012 and went specifically to NY to interview Charles Fazzino, Milton Glaser and Mirko Illic.

Back in October I had asked Charles to create a cover for Diplomat magazine celebrating Taiwan’s 100th year. I first met Charles in 2009 at the Affordable Art fair in London, loved his style and his warmth from our very first meeting. After two years of asking Charles and his wonderful Director of Business Affairs, Julie Maner for a cover they finally relented and Charles created the most fantastic cover for us on Taiwan. The Taiwanese were thrilled with the cover, wanting posters for the Taipei Representative Office in the U.K.

Charles said he was proud to have been ... Read More »]]> Last week I met with the incredibly talented and renowned artist Charles Fazzino in New Rochelle, New York.

I’m preparing for a series of workshops I am going to run in 2012 and went specifically to NY to interview Charles Fazzino, Milton Glaser and Mirko Illic.

Back in October I had asked Charles to create a cover for Diplomat magazine celebrating Taiwan’s 100th year. I first met Charles in 2009 at the Affordable Art fair in London, loved his style and his warmth from our very first meeting. After two years of asking Charles and his wonderful Director of Business Affairs, Julie Maner for a cover they finally relented and Charles created the most fantastic cover for us on Taiwan. The Taiwanese were thrilled with the cover, wanting posters for the Taipei Representative Office in the U.K.

Charles said he was proud to have been asked to create the cover and particularly excited about doing the cover for the Taiwan issue as Taiwan was the first Asian country he ever visited.

Charles is one of the most popular and highly-collected pop artists of all time. During his more-than-thirty years as a pop artist, he has inserted his unique, detailed, vibrant, and three-dimensional style of artwork into the very fabric of popular culture. Fazzino’s artworks are exhibited in 600 fine pop art galleries in more than twenty different countries.

Charles’s studio is a 30 minute train ride from New York’s Grand Central Station, two police men and a ten minute walk later I was greeted by the fabulous Julie Maner.

I was fortunate to have my own personal tour of all the different departments, I saw rough concept sketches of Charles’s new London Olympic print and examples of new exquisite Fazzino heart Christmas decorations, that will be in production next year.

Julie introduced me to the fabulous team of roughly 10 people around Charles, most of whom have been with him for years. I had no idea about the amount of patience, effort and skill that goes into the process of a Fazzino creation. After Charles creates a new piece of art there is the whole process of coloring and printing, cutting out the different sections, gluing and packaging and posting the 3D masterpieces.

Julie asked if I would like to try using the infamous industrial strength glue, which helps create the 3D effect on Charles’s art (Charles and his team use 30 thousand tubes per year.) I chose a pre-cut ace of hearts playing card segment and gently squeezed a 2 inch ice-cream cone shape glob of glue onto the flat masterpiece, then very very gently placed the ace of hearts onto the glue… my very own 3D Fazzino creation! The amount of glue applied effects the height of the pre-cut segments which in turn effects the movement and 3Dness of the work.

With a constant stream of never ending ideas, from hand painted guitars to custom made luggage, Charles and his fantastic team are kept very very busy. His schedule is also packed with touring and Charles is a huge advocate for promoting art education in schools and teaches a few master class workshops a year, one of his favorite classes being the The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Summer Camp for children which Charles has run 4 times.

Before I departed New Rochelle, Julie presented me with Now Playing on Broadway, Charles signed it, ‘to my dear friend from London’ and without asking he proceeded to create me my very own personalized Fazzino masterpiece in his trademark style.

Many thanks to Charles Fazzino and Julie Maner for letting me glimpse inside their wonderful world.