Kat Jones

A secret garden in the centre of Bangkok?

kat — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:21:03 +0000

The Secret Garden bookstore, and gallery cafe is open for business!

A mere ten minute walk from the Prom Phong BTS station and you’ll find yourself in a unique and unexpected sanctuary, situated in a private two-storey house with a lush green garden.
The Secret Garden, named for the book as well as the little secret garden on site, is a bookstore, gallery and coffee shop designed to be completely uncommercial and more like a home. We wanted to create a place that embodied a certain magic and warmth. A place that people could lose track of time in. A place that shunned all that big city cynicism and embraced a little romance.

On our Coffee List are a selection of delicious, espresso based coffees by illy. The bookstore carries a large selection of secondhand fiction and non-fiction books at great prices, and we produce a beautiful range of handmade products from natural and recycled materials; including greeting cards, home decor and gifts.

We hope that our vision translates to all our visitors and that every moment you spend in The SG is a good one.

We are open everyday but Monday, 9am – 4pm. We ask you to please refrain from driving your cars as there is limited to no parking. We will, however, be able to accomodate motorbikes, scooters, and bicycles quite happily.

For a map of our location and other daily updates, please visit and “Like” our Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/SecretGardenBkk

Success!

kat — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 05:50:08 +0000

My exhibition opening went wonderfully! People were fascinated with my drawings and what they represented so I was answering questions all evening which is usually pretty difficult for me, as I tend to fumble over my words. But I surprised myself and managed to refrain from jabbering nonsense, I think.

The weather held up and it didn’t rain. The food and wine flowed and people mingled and minced about till it was time to pack up and go. And to top it all off, I sold three pieces during the night!

I have to thank all those who attended and supported. Thank you to all my gorgeous friends who never fail to cheer me on. And thank you to my buyers who I adore to little pieces for their ultimate support. And most importantly thank you to my fiance for without him none of this would have been possible! Love you! xo

Ready and Waiting! Eeek

kat — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:21:17 +0000

Everything is sorted for my “Warrior” exhibition. I ended up with seven pieces which fit very nicely in the Neilson Hays Garden Gallery. Anymore and I think I would have had to have surgery! The detail on the work actually caused me physical pain; in my hand, my neck and my back!

The opening reception is the day after tomorrow. Excited and nervous. I don’t have any idea, what-so-ever, how this collection is going to be perceived. Its daunting to say the least.

Personally, I have to admit I’m quite proud of them. They are unique and took a lot of sweat and patience to produce. I think I tested myself for this show, and hopefully it will be apparent in the work. Its a subject matter that defines me and I really care about it, which makes the anticipation even worse!

Here’s a sneak peak at one of the images that I have not yet released:

"Portrait of a Lady" - pen & ink on paper

Warrior

kat — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 18:32:33 +0000

The work for this exhibition is unlike anything I have ever shown before, but it is a style I have been playing with for many years. It began as a protest against computer generated images and developed from there. Each piece is, therefore, entirely hand produced.

“Warrior” is a tribute to the strength and endurance of womankind. The pieces depict women in our past, present and future who are forced to face adversity. Whether it is through tradition, religion, the work place or society’s boundaries, women in the 21^st Century continue to suffer for their sex.

I believe that as a woman, it is my responsibility to honour them and never belittle the battles that women have fought, and continue to fight, to allow many of us to stand where we do today. Those women are my warriors…

Home Studio Inspiration

kat — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 06:11:10 +0000

My humble home studio is expanding all the time and I’m finding that organisation is getting harder with the amount of stuff I continue to collect. I’m running out of space and need to expand. I’ve found some of the most gorgeous pictures of home studios online and compiled them together on my Pinterest site. The storage ideas are just divine!

The photos below are pockets of chaos from my own little artsy space, in the spare bedroom.

Fighting Distraction

kat — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:00:52 +0000

I’m currently working on my newest exhibition to be held at The Neilson Hays Library on Suriwong Road, in August. I find I am constantly distracted by people, pets and other projects. My mind seems a tad scattered. I am getting there…slowly but surely.

The work I am producing is like nothing I have ever exhibited before: detailed pen and ink drawings. Very illustrative. They have always been the kind of work I do solely for myself. But I think its time to let them out for some air.

Watch this space for further information as to the opening reception date etc.

If you’re bored check out this site that a friend introduced me to – a site of virtual pin boards! Of course I had to sign up and start my own boards as soon as I saw it. Great place to find inspiration! I’m a bit of a collector of…well… anything I can get my hands on, really. Virtual or otherwise ;o) so this particular site suits me down to the ground. Enjoy.

European Commission Exhibition

kat — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:20:18 +0000

I spent the afternoon talking at the opening of my exhibition at the European Commission. The cozy event was presided over by the Head of the EU Delegation and was held solely for the staff members who will be looking at my work everyday, to give them a little insight into my art.

I have to admit I was a little nervous. I have never been one for public speaking but I thought it went pretty well. I got a few questions thrown my way and everyone was listening intently so…phew. Below are a few photos of my work on the walls.

KIS Charity Art Competition

kat — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 08:54:37 +0000

On Thursday 31st March I was invited to Kesinee International School (KIS) to judge a charity art competition. All contestants were students from various schools around Bangkok, ranging from ages 8 to 19. The contest topic was “moving forward” and there were many impressive entries. It was a pleasure to see what the kids had come up with and how they realised their ideas. All the entered art was auctioned for charity including pieces donated by students.

Dear All,

I would like to thank everyone for their participation in and support for our first Charity Art Competition. We are very pleased to say that we raised almost Bt 30,000 for the charity ‘The Hub’. For more information on them have a look at their website: www.thehub.childlinethailand.org . We will be making the donation to them after the Songkran School vacation.

I would also like to give special thanks to our three judges for taking the time out of their busy schedules to assist us in judging: Katherine Jones (Attic Studios), Aey Panachet (Tongson Gallery) and Peta Basset (Journalist and Photographer).

A big congratulations to the Runners Up and Winners! They were as follows:

Age 8-11

Ruby De Vries (KIS International School) – Winner

Age 12-15

Rattanaporn Thomtha (Modern International School) – Runner Up

Thitaporn Arpornsri (Global Indian School) – Winner

Age 16-19

Sandy Buanmathong (KIS International School) – Runner Up

Beam Changsangavej (KIS International School) – Runner Up

Time Chotivilaivanich (KIS International School) – Winner

We do hope that you will be entering the competition next year! Have a safe and relaxing Songkran holiday.

Best regards,

Kim Meaden-Kendrick
Business Development and Communications Manager

Etsy.com

kat — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 06:31:21 +0000

I’m often surprised to find that most people I speak to haven’t heard of Etsy.com. If you’re an online shopper, Etsy is virtual heaven. Everything sold on this fabulous site has to be handmade, vintage, antique or considered craft materials. Most of the shop owners are the creators of their own products – craftspeople, artisans and artists of all kinds.

Although the company is based in the States, shop owners hail from all over the globe. Including myself. If you don’t like the idea of getting stuff sent from half way across the world, check out shop owners based in Thailand.

Some people have the notion in their heads that “handmade” limits the diversity of products available. You would be so, so wrong. I am continually amazed with what one can procure through Etsy. It is a melting pot of beauty, ingenuity and wonderful vintage finds. Click on the images below to see more from those shops.

The Paintings Are Going Up

kat — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:40:11 +0000

I have received confirmation that my paintings will be going up this month in the main office of the European Commission/Delegation, in Bangkok, on Wireless Road.

The two collections that will be exhibited are ‘Soul’ and ‘Monsoon’.

The European Commission regularly fills their offices with art by local painters to convey their support for the arts in Thailand. Many visiting and local delegates pass through these offices daily and the art lends a little colour to an otherwise stark work space as well.

This is not a public exhibition and is purely for the pleasure of those that visit or work at the European Commission’s offices.

Can’t wait to see what all my work will look like hanging up together. It could be madness unless I get a nice flow going. Exciting!