I love finding quirky products from independent designers and makers and I am always happy when they get in touch with me to introduce me to their work. So I was thrilled to hear from the lovely artist and designer Jo Allen of Rare Radish who creates the most amazing digitally printed cushions, greeting cards and perspex artwork, and she will soon be adding bone china mugs to the mix. Jo’s work is nostalgic, vintage and has been described as ‘sweetness with a drop of Gothic darkness’. She says it is ‘a mixture of Downton Abbey, Gothic and Steampunk all rolled in to one.’
After licensing her art for several years she has recently launched her own brand. She says: ‘The name Rare Radish comes from the fact that radishes look pretty and pink but when you take a bite they are hot and peppery. I like using this element of surprise in my work. Rare are the treasures which have often been long forgotten and recently discovered.’
The inspiration for all her work stems from treasure hunting as a child. ‘My mother and father had a love of antiques and I grew up in a house filled with quirky, interesting objects from all different eras, all with a story to tell,’ explains Jo. ‘I love the nostalgia and romance of the past. When I find an object, I love to imagine the person that owned it and where it has been all these years.’
She says that the inspiration for each design can come from one object or ‘treasure’ as she calls it; an Edwardian key, a Victorian photo or an Art Deco locket. ‘I like the idea of capturing a moment in time. With the Beachcomber design (featured on a mug) my inspiration was of a child sitting on a beach writing a postcard after treasure hunting on the beach. The design features an old Victorian postcard from Bournemouth, a tiny key, a souvenir from Hastings and a bus ticket to find your way home. Oh and some sand from the beach too.’
Jo carries a tiny notebook with her all the time and constantly writes down words and ideas that suddenly pop into her head. ‘Collecting all the objects to put into the design can take a very long time,’ she says. ‘Once I have all my pieces collected together then I meticulously place the treasures upon the surface and photograph them. I love the use of light and shadow and use as little photo manipulation as is possible. All the treasures I use on my designs are real tangible objects which you can touch, feel and hold.
Although there is a story for each design, Jo explains that she loves for the person who buys each piece to weave their story and memories into it.
