«Illustrators come together at Blume Illustration Festival»

Blue Mountains Gazette @bmgazette

«Faye Wilson’s commute to work at the Design Centre Enmore for the past 30 years has provided plenty of time and incentive for the professional illustrator to dream big.

»Next month the Blue Mountains will begin to see those dreams come to life.

»Ms Wilson’s new Blume Illustrated Magazine, and the inaugural Blume Illustration Festival will leave no doubt about the Blue Mountains credentials as the creative capital of NSW.

»“So many of the nation’s eminent illustrators and designers are here. The Blume Illustrated project is marshaling this creative and economic force in the Blue Mountains,” said Ms Wilson, Blume Illustrated’s Creative Director and Co-ordinator.

»So many of the nation’s eminent illustrators and designers are here.- Faye Wilson

»“You see their work every day – on posters, in newspapers and magazines, in books and flyers, online, in galleries and laneways, on and clothes and furnishings. Well the artists behind these works are stepping out of their studios and into the limelight.”

»The Blume illustrated (not-for-profit) project is designed to position the Blue Mountains as a recognised centre for creative excellence in illustration.

»The biannual magazine will showcase Blue Mountains illustrators and writers, with 5000 free copies available through businesses, creative industry and tourism outlets.

»It will be launched at the Carrington Hotel on March 30 from 6pm (public welcome – ticketed event).

»The first annual Blume Illustrated Festival, will take place at venues throughout Katoomba in May.

»“Illustrators can be reclusive, but they are usually working at the cutting edge of culture and ideas within society,” said Ms Wilson, in her Katoomba studio. “It takes an intriguing opportunity to bring them together to share their work and expertise, and their ideas. But we’ve done it.”

»The festival will bring together local, national and international illustrators.

»“Illustration is a word that literally means to shed light on – illuminate – ideas. Illustrators are people who work in the arena of ideas,” said Ms Wilson.

»“This is fresh, edgy material and there will be unique opportunities for Blue Mountains residents to hear and engage with these working artists.”

»The Blume Illustrated Festival from May 26-28 will feature workshops, masterclasses, discussions and exhibitions. See www.blumeillustrated.com.au.»

Blume Illustrated Magazine & Illustration Festival, Katoomba, NSW, May 2017