A few weeks back I attended my first Shake zine fair at Rough Trade here in Bristol.
I am a massive zine fan, it's on my to do list to make a zine but I honestly just over think things! One day, maybe!
Shake Bristol put on zine fairs and events celebrating illustrators and zine makers around the country. The fairs focus on comics, t-shirts, zines and prints and encourage illustrative makers to join their colourful and creative events.
Attracted to the bright colours and fun, wobbly Spongebob meets skate artist Jim Phillips characters with more than a wink to gruesome/surf album art from bands like The Cramps, yeah, they got my attention with their poster!
@shakebristol
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| The Palentines Day Shake art fair poster |
From traditional tattoo artworks, comic book characters to Memphis style and handmade jewellery by the lovely Sophie Filomena, there were plenty of goodies to get my attention but I am always sucked in by the zines!
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| Local artist Sophie Filomena with her artworks and statement earrings at the Shake Art Fair. |
I love the shortness and straight to the point-ness of a zine, illustrated characters (that are often an alter-ego or reflection of the artist) and downright honest topics.
A zine will take you into unknown worlds and scenes, normalising everything from self doubt to mundane life moments and personal experiences, using illustrations and (in most cases) words too.
The DIY element to zines is always super inspiring and a great way to share your artwork and thoughts. Zines are good for the soul!
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| Fun at the Shake Art Fair |
I could personally of hung out at the Shake art fair all day, chatting with the artists and looking at all the artwork but sadly my teenage sons attention span and excitement for art crashed way before mine! Before they removed me from my zine fair/ record shop haven we did end up with a few goodies from the day including.....
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| The Shake haul! |
A Space Wolf comic by William Powers
A fun comic series, with the hero of the story being Space Wolf. My daughter Sylvie is keen to get her hands on more copies of Space Wolf at the next fair!
@willisokong
Boring Comics and Sorry I missed your gig zines by Emma Thacker
These are real sweet and honest zines about the difficulties of fitting in and motivating yourself to go do the things you like! Truly inspiring comics by London based illustrator Emma Thacker.
@saltandchilli_emma
Shake Bristol also have a website with lots of own brand arty products up for grabs from t-shirts, tote bags, stickers, pins and patches to comics and zines.
The Shake Mag is not to be missed as it features lots of illustrators and artists from around the world who have collaborated with Shake on a chosen theme, the most recent being The Wrestling issue. For a mere £8 you get 152 pages of illustrations by 52 artists and a free sticker and a bookmark too?? Wowsers!
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| Artwork by Sophie Filomena as featured in the Shake Mag - Wrestling issue |
@sophiefilomena
No Debutante totally recommends going along and supporting your local artists and zine fairs, there is so much happening and to explore!
Go check out Shake Bristol and all the illustrators mentioned here today and do get in touch with Shake Bristol if you are an illustrator who wants to collaborate!
Warning no dweebs.....
