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Tuesday, March 05, 2024

NEW BOOK:

 PENELOPE TREE

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL FROM THE ICONIC 1960s SUPERMODEL


MOONFLOWER BOOKS | HARDBACK | 23RD MAY |£18.99


JOHN LENNON ON PENELOPE TREE

“HOT, HOT, HOT! SMART, SMART, SMART!”

 

Vogue cover model, face of the Swinging Sixties, and David Bailey’s muse, Penelope Tree was discovered aged 16 at Truman Capote’s legendary 1966 Black and White Ball and became one of the style icons of the decade, inspiring a generation of future models including Kate Moss.

 

Now 74, Penelope has written her first novel, Piece Of My Heart, an honest and strikingly moving exploration of what it takes to make it in the fashion industry, and a coming-of-age story peopled with larger than life characters from high society, fashion, music, and film. 

 

This year’s Hideous Kinky, Penelope Tree’s autobiographical debut novel looks with brutal honesty at issues around eating disorders, drug addiction and unhealthy relationships, as well as the damaging and dizzying impact of sudden fame, and shares the inside scoop on ‘60s fashion and high society for the first time, including an intimate portrait inspired by her relationship with the photographer David Bailey, with whom she remains close to this day.

 

Fame. Money. Sex. Ari wants them all. And as the face of the 1960s they are hers for the taking. But how much is she willing to sacrifice to get them?

 

Trapped between the suffocation of English boarding school and a chaotic home dominated by her eccentric, wealthy, and politically powerful mother, Ari longs for a different kind of life – one lived in the glamour of London, with the pop stars and fashion icons she adores. It seems impossible, until she is discovered by Bill Ramsey – the notorious bad boy photographer of the Swinging Sixties.

 

Suddenly, Ari’s life is transformed into a dizzying whirlwind of drugs, photoshoots, sex, and parties and with Ramsey by her side, the hot young couple are the darlings of the media. But in the fickle world of fashion, nothing lasts forever – and Ari’s addictions, her eating disorder, and her increasingly dysfunctional relationship with Ramsey send her life spinning out of control.

 

A Vogue cover shoot in Nepal offers Ari a make-or-break chance, not just to revive her ailing career, but to win back Ramsey’s love, – the only thing that matters to her. But in the “land of the gods”, Ari finds herself wondering how much more of herself she must sacrifice to hold onto the things she thought she always wanted.

 

Daisy Jones and the Six meets Hideous Kinky, Penelope Tree’s debut is an honest and strikingly moving exploration of what we sacrifice for fame and love. It is based on Penelope’s own experiences as part of the swinging 60s set, alongside everyone from the Rolling Stones and The Beatles to Cecil Beaton and Truman Capote.

 

Penelope Tree says: Piece of My Heart is a novel about the trouble with appearances. Born into a world of great privilege, my protagonist Ari becomes a top model in the 1960’s and the lover of a well-known photographer. Several years later, extreme circumstances compel her to look for a life that doesn’t depend on wealth, image or the man she loves.” 

 

ABOUT PENELOPE TREE

 

Credit: Stuart C. WilsonBorn into great privilege in 1949, Penelope Tree was brough up in high society in New York and England as the daughter of Ronald Tree – a wealthy Conservative MP and close friend of Winston Churchill – and the American socialite Marietta Peabody.

 

Aged 16 Penelope attended Truman Capote’s 1966 Black and White Ball. There she was spotted by Cecil Beaton, Richard Avedon and Diana Vreeland, who all took credit for discovering her. The next day Penelope was commissioned by American Vogue to be photographed by Avedon, who was so taken by Penelope’s appearance he said: ‘Don’t touch her. She is perfect’.

 

Aged 18 Penelope met and fell in love with photographer David Bailey and moved from New York into his flat in London's Primrose Hill, catapulting her into the heart of ‘60s London. Six years later late-onset acne ended her modelling career and her relationship with Bailey. Penelope moved to LA & then Sydney where she married and raised a family. Now 72, Penelope lives in Sussex and continues to model for brands including Fendi and Burberry and regularly appears in the pages of fashion magazines including Vogue, Elle and Vanity Fair.

 










 


Wednesday, March 01, 2023

Inspirational art magazine, issue 71 out today

 

Welcome to issue 71, the March issue of the contemporary arts magazine Inspirational.
In this issue we have painting, collage, textiles, digital, and sculpture, with interviews with artists: Andy DeWeerdt; Dominie Nash; Muriel Massin; Rita Summers; Serpil Yildiz; Roja Sanchana. We also have a new series of features from 10dence Gallery - showcasing the work of Evelyne Dominault; Francoise Bracke; Frederique Rennuit.
As always, Inspirational art magazine is packed with the words, the voices, and full page, full colour representations of all featured artists work.
The cover artist for this issue is Roja Sanchana.
To purchase this brand new issue of Inspirational art magazine as an instant download to anywhere on the planet, just follow the link: https://payhip.com/b/7U0eg
Inspirational - supporting working artists around the world.

Friday, February 10, 2023

NEW BOOK: Hook Prod Punch Tuft.

 



From tradition to contemporary, this is a book that encourages you to discover or rediscover the traditions of the craft of rag rugs. This most eco-friendly of crafts uses and reuses a range of resources, and in Lynne Stein's book, the leading textile artist shows 20 step-by-step practical guides on how to produce anything from rugs to bags, from cushions to hanging artwork.
A great book for those who need a project, need a creative outlet, and yet want to make as little impact on the environment as possible. Another great and practical title from Herbert Press.

Thursday, February 09, 2023

NEW BOOK: Hand Painted Textiles

 



Excellent new publication from the internationally renowned textile designer Sarah Campbell, who with her late sister Susan Collier, produced some of the most iconic design work for more than five decades.

This is a book that is perfect for students, as well as for those who want to expand their repertoire. Easy to follow chapters - give straightforward and liberally illustrated directions, in a whole range of hand painting techniques.

It's a beautifully designed book, one that doesn't scare you when you open it. It is friendly and infinitely approachable and well worth buying. Sarah Campbell and Herbert Press Books have done a great job, and should be proud of the result. Highly recommended!

Sunday, February 05, 2023

INSPIRATIONAL art magazine - the artists.

 


Welcome to issue 70, the February issue of the contemporary arts magazine Inspirational.
In this issue we have an exclusive feature with the artist Carol Cooke.
To see Carol's work, along with all the other featured artists in this brand new issue, just follow the link: https://payhip.com/b/ckM0A
Inspirational art magazine - supporting working artists across the world.

Wednesday, February 01, 2023

Inspirational art magazine, issue 70

 

Welcome to issue 70, the February issue of the contemporary arts magazine Inspirational.
In this issue we have interviews with contemporary artists: Cierra G Rowe; Mark Eanes; and Massimiliano Esposito; as well as featuring artwork by: SubhaDip Sanyal; Carol Cooke; and Wayne Flint.
As always, Inspirational is packed with the words, the voices, and full page, full colour representations of all featured artists work.
Feature artist for this issue is Cierra G Rowe.
The brand new issue can be purchased for instant download to anywhere on the planet. Just follow the link: https://payhip.com/b/ckM0A
Inspirational - supporting working artists around the world.

Inspirational art magazine @ 70:

 


Inspirational art magazine has just released its 70th issue, having featured 560 artists over 9 years. The spectrum of Inspirational art magazine is broad, purposely so. The magazine strives for inclusivity, not exclusivity - to include, not exclude, not only in mediums and disciplines, but just as importantly in diverse genders, personal perspectives, age, geography, and much much more.
Inspirational art magazine is open to the world of contemporary creative art, and is both supportive and a flag waver to working artists across the planet.
Please help to support the magazine by taking a look at the 70 issues available. Just follow the link: https://payhip.com/johnhopper

Tuesday, January 03, 2023

DESIGN HISTORY BOOKS: Art Nouveau, Modernism, Arts & Crafts.

 


Three of the 9 books that I have written and published on design history.
All 9 books - dealing with aspects of 19th and early 20th century design, decoration and ornament, are available for instant download from the following link: https://payhip.com/johnhopper

Sunday, January 01, 2023

NEW YEAR, NEW INSPIRATIONAL.

 


Welcome to issue 69, the January issue of the contemporary arts magazine Inspirational.
In this issue we have interviews with contemporary artists: Francesca Giuliano; Satadru Sovan; Apia Art; Laura Atria; Abdul Salam Khan; as well as featuring artwork by: Nilay Akbayturk; and the recent exhibition of People Like Us, featuring the work of Bea Kilduff, Charlotte Curtis, and The Boy Melancholy.
As always, Inspirational is packed with the words, the voices, and full page, full colour representations of all featured artists work.
The cover artist for this issue is Laura Atria.
Inspirational - supporting working artists around the world.
The brand new issue of Inspirational art magazine can be purchased for instant download from the following link: https://payhip.com/b/Liqeu

Friday, December 16, 2022

INSPIRATIONAL art magazine: submissions.

 


The monthly art magazine is now taking submissions for 2023. The magazine features artists either through an interview or feature.
The magazine gives over 100 pages of full page, full colour artwork as well as the written voice of the artist, there is also definitely no fee. With 68 issues and 550 featured artists so far, Inspirational knows what it is doing, and does it well.
If you want a chance to be featured in 2023, just contact me at: d.johnhopper@gmail.com with examples of your work. Space is limited, so do get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.
Inspirational - supporting working artists across the world.