A Magical Hour With Florence Balducci At Anthropologie London

Florence Balducci is an amazingly talented artist. I have admired her from afar since I first discovered her work via Anthropologie. Last week I actually got to meet her and she drew my face onto one of her beautiful animal drawings.

Can you imagine how excited I was?

What is London Craft Week?

I think it is best summed up by this quote:

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London has long had a Fashion Week and a Design Festival. Now there is London Craft Week. A magical combination of imagination, individuality, passion and skill found in the best-made of things.

Guy Salter, Chairman of London Craft Week

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London looked its traditional best as the city readied itself for the royal wedding. Union Jacks were fluttering from every surface…

Florence Balducci

Florence is a french artist, art director and illustrator, best known for her whimsical and incredibly detailed drawing of flora and fauna. She draws mainly in black and white using either ink or pencil.

Florence was at Anthropologie in Regent Street as part of the fourth London craft week. An annual event that celebrates makers and exceptional handmade craftsmanship.

Below are my two new mugs from Florence Balducci’s latest Alphabet collection for Anthropologie…

How my portrait as Cat Girl came to be:

Florence had already drawn a beautiful selection of animals on Japanese paper plates. You may have noticed in the picture above that they have no facial features. This is where us anthropologie fans came in.

This was the lady before me, having her portrait sketched, she chose a fish because she likes swimming and being by the sea.

After an initial sketch, Florence simplified the pen strokes and artfully blended our faces onto the body of a animal.

I chose this gorgeous cat and Florence agreed, she said I had a lot of feline qualities…!

Look at me I am just like Catwoman! To say I was delighted was an understatement, I could not stop grinning all day.

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Florence and I with my plate.

I will treasure my plate forever. I cannot think of a more wonderful way to spend an hour, than with someone so inspiring and so gifted like Florence.

Have you ever had your portrait or likeness drawn by an artist? If you ever get the chance embrace it with open arms!