Some colour for Spelt & Rye

Earlier this year, I had the absolute joy of painting the side panels, bottom fascia and window illustrations for Spelt & Rye, a beautiful bakery tucked away in Hucknall. It was one of those jobs that felt completely aligned from the get-go. Lovely people, a strong visual idea, and a shared belief in doing things properly, but with the freedom and trust to let me play.

The job was made possible thanks to the Arts Council’s DYCP funding. (I’ve written a blog post about that if you fancy a nosy.)

We kept the signage classic: crisp, clean lettering with a soft warmth that reflects the shop. On the side panels, I added hand-painted illustrations that nod to the ingredients that go into their bread. Sunflowers, olives, tomatoes, and wheat. Everything was done by brush. The slow way. The good way.

The panels were already in place, so I gave them a fresh background coat before starting the painting. I used enamel paints for all the lettering and illustration work. They’re weather-resistant and have that beautiful depth and finish that suits traditional sign writing.

And I need to say this: the people were lovely. Hucknall gets a bad rep online for antisocial behaviour, with everyone quick to film and post the worst of humanity… but on my two days painting, I had nothing but kind, positive interactions (which isn’t always the case on every job). One woman even brought me a couple of ice lollies because it was so warm. It meant more than she probably realised.

Jobs like this make me hopeful. For high streets, for hand-painted signage, and for small businesses who believe in the magic of the details. Long live the independent shops and long live bread. I love bread.

Photos below, taken by Luke, who somehow manages to capture it all, the calm and the chaos in just the right way.