On 28 April The Lowry celebrates its 10th birthday. And what better way to celebrate and to pay homage to the art centre’s namesake by commissioning a mass installation of everyday people going about their everyday lives. The only difference is that the everyday people will all be naked.

The Lowry has commissioned New York-based photographer, Spencer Tunick to create an installation across eight locations in the two neighbouring cities on 1 and 2 May 2010. The artist is now looking for 1,000 volunteers to shed their clothing and their inhibitions and take part in the project. The resulting photographic and film work will then be shown at The Lowry from 12 June to 26 September as part of the exhibition, Everyday People.

Tunick is renowned for his naked installations and previous locations include Sydney, Montreal, Melbourne, Santiago, Barcelona and Gateshead. However, this marks a departure from his usual style and will be his first visual response to the work of another artist. In contrast to his usual, static works, Tunick will break new ground by capturing the movement of everyday people within each photograph.

Tunick explains, “Salford and Manchester presents an intriguing prospect for my latest UK installation based both on the rich industrial heritage that exists across both cities and the art of LS Lowry. LS Lowry’s paintings depicting the mass of everyday people who contributed to the industrial machine of the 20th century, also provide an interesting frame of reference in terms of the compositional possibilities of the installations.”

If you would like to get involved then go to www.thelowry.com/tunick to register your interest. You’ll be pleased to note that participants will be transported to the locations in heated buses.

So what do you think? I’m a great admirer of L S Lowry’s work and think this is a grand and ambitious tribute. I won’t be getting my kit of though. I’m far too inhibited for that. But I look forward to the exhibition with interest.

I think it was the dead rabbit that initially drew me to this event but when I read on I couldn’t help but be intrigued. The Family Event Installation explores our knowledge of ‘family’ and in particular the relationships between family members and how they change over time.

According to the artist Naomi Kendrick, ‘The work takes us on a journey in which surreal flashbacks associated with early memory are recalled; objects are unearthed through a process of seeing, opening, touching, smelling, listening; and stories are glimpsed, though fact and fiction remain blurred.’

The interactive nature of this installation appeals to me and particularly the use of the different sense.

If you’d like to go along here are the details:

What: The Family Event: An Installation by Naomi Kendrick
Where: The Middle Room, 203 Slade Lane, Levenshulme, Manchester, M19 2AE
When: Preview on Friday 12th of February 6.30 – 9pm and then ‘view by appointment’ 13th – 21st February

There’s more information on the artist’s blog at http://deadrabbit-ablog.blogspot.com

I’m dreading taking down our Christmas Tree and decorations. There’s the obvious hassle of the tree clinging to every available surface on its way out, shedding its needles with abandon. And of course the fag of trying to hoover them up and the inevitable picking them out of our socks for the next six months. But the worse part is that bare ‘January’ look you’re left with. It immediately triggers the ‘must decorate’ part of my brain.

Luckily there’s a one stop shop for all things interior. Hunkydory Home provides a great range of lampshades, clocks, cushions, kitchen accessories and home textiles. And as the slogan points out, Hunkydory Home products are ’something a bit different’. The colours are bright and funky and the patterns and icons bold. As well as their own beautifully made products they source from other talented makers from around the world.

Check out the website at www.hunkydoryhome.co.uk.

Products clockwise from top left:

1. Stag Clock
2. Pom Pom Ceramic Teapot by Hannah Turner £30
3. Graphic Green Lampshade £34.00
4. London Cushion £35
5. London Designer Dishcloth £3.75

Brrrrrr. Button up it’s cold outside. I haven’t seen this much snow in the UK since the seventies. Big snow here in Manchester today. So naturally my thoughts turn to warm things. Like hats and scarves and tea. Though to be honest my thoughts tend to turn towards tea pretty much every morning at about this time.

I’ve been admiring Sooziebee’s prints. Aren’t they pretty? Each one is created from her own illustrations and is in a limited run of ten. The illustrations have been coloured digitally and I’m loving the warm autumnal colours and the muted greens and greys. Of course Sooziebee isn’t all about the tea, her pen captures lots of subjects including birds, bird houses and intricate pattern work. In fact, take a look for your yourself. Go to www.folksy.com/shops/sooziebee.

Keep warm everyone. I’ll be heading out shortly to make the most of the snow. Yippee!

I’ve been smitten with Miso Funky for a while now. Ever since seeing their ‘In Case of Emergency Breakdance’ embroidery I’ve been hooked. They’re widely know for their humorous and sometimes subversive samplers which brandish messages such as ‘Make Tea Not War’, ‘Live Slow Die Old’ and my personal favourite, ‘Home Sweet Fucking Home’.

Miso fans will be pleased to note that the samplers are now available in kits. There are three to choose from:- ‘Sniff Glue Worship Satan’, ‘Scurvy Pirate Icons’ and ‘In Case Of Emergency Breakdance’. If you’ve always fancied giving cross stitch a go but have been put off by old-fashioned, twee patterns then this could be for you. Each kit contains everything you need to get started including instructions, charts, needle and thread and an embroidery hoop.

Check out the Miso Funky website for the full range and while you’re there take a peak at their Christmas Gift Guide.

Elaine Hughes describes her collages as ‘visual stories’. They depict scenes from her imaginary, topsy turvy world, Oh Golly Gosh. In this world the windows of her houses are higgledy-piggledy and her skies at night are always pink.

Elaine produces a wide variety of work from large framed pieces to brooches and greeting cards. Every piece is unique.

If you are interested in making a purchase, get in touch via her website.

And for anyone in or around Manchester next month, Elaine will be exhibiting at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair.

Have you noticed that some products are so beloved by their owners that they achieve a sort of cult status? The Moleskine lies firmly in this camp and has become legendary among its followers. Famously used by world renowned artists and thinkers including Van Gogh, Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and Bruce Chatwin, it is a firm favourite with scribblers, doodlers, artists, writers, crafters and students worldwide.

Above and below are a few of my favourite altered Moleskine journals.

Jane Austen Journal by Yardia - This large size Moleskine cahier is hand screen printed in midnight blue ink using a Japanese Print Gocco machine. The cover image is taken from Yardia’s original drawing of a 19th century gown accompanied by a handwritten quotation from Jane Austen’s early novel ‘Love and Friendship’. “Run mad as often as you choose, but do not faint’. Good advice indeed.

Blackbird Letterpress Moleskine cahier by Blackbird Letterpress - The blackbird is letterpress printed in black ink, using a hand carved linoleum cut. Simple and elegant.

Golden Girl Journal by Cutie Pie Company - Deep red Moleskine cahier with a gold screen printed silhouette. Beautiful colours.

Paris Love Moleskine Journal by Art Shark Designs - A Gocco printed journal in black ink from an original illustration of a couple gazing at the Eiffel Tower over the Seine River. The red umbrellas are painted in watercolour. Great for travelling notes and keepsakes such as ticket stubs and pics.

And more . . . .

Rapunzel - Illustrated Moleskine Cahier Journal with Window by Heidi Burton - A unique ink-illustrated Moleskine cahier journal. Heid’s altered journals are all hand drawn and cut, making each one unique. Heidi also takes part in the international Moleskine sketchbook exchange, Moly_X.

Printed Moleskine Cahier Journal by Studio Fosforo - The cover print was hand carved in linoleum and printed on a Moleskine cahier, using artist quality eco-friendly ink.

Cuppa Jo Journal by Zoe Tropa - pocket size cahier journal with indigo, turquoise and brown stampings. The designs are created from Zoe’s own illustrations which have been carved onto stamp blocks.

Knitter Notes - Puuuuuuurl Moleskine by Ouou - Ouou designs are created with pen and ink after playing around with pencil sketches. This cute design has been Gocco printed onto a Moleskine cahier. Ideal for all you knitters and crafters.

And have you hear about Travelling Moleskines? The Culture Vulture and The Big Draw have joined forces and unleashed a number of these iconic sketch books to return to them by the end of September. Each Moleskine has an individual theme located in the inner cover. The recipient is invited to make their creative interpretation of the theme within the pages – draw, doodle, sketch, stitch, prick pin holes, etch the cover, make pop ups, compose poetry, whatever you like . . . . They are then passed to another creative type and the process begins again.

The project culminates in a fabulous arty party and exhibition in October to help raise funds for the Campaign for Real Drawing. To see how the project is progressing go to www.flickr.com/groups/travelingmoleskine.

Anna Wadham is an illustrator. She illustrates children’s books and sells prints and accessories via her Etsy shop. Her work has a distinctive storybook style which would be just perfect for a nursery or child’s bedroom.

Or to add a little colour to a ‘grown up’ office?

Shop at www.AnnaWadham.etsy.com.