In the studio working on a double page info-graphic on LGBT rights for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). On the playlist this fine day: Trombone Shorty, Al Wilson, Agnes Obel, John Grant and Ultravox (guilty pleasure) all washed down with lashings of tea.
Satellites and Rockets
A few details of the completed image I produced for Marquette University in Milwaukee.
Cube Satellite
Working with Marquette University in Milwaukee on an image for their bid to launch a 'Cube Satellite' (10 cm sq ) into space as part of a student project.
1960s GPO building
Spotted these great decorative ceramic tiles on the wall of a 1960s former GPO building in Milford Haven.
Second Image
Another image for the article on the attributes of the international business leader. Even chucked a bit of watercolour and conte stick in to this one.
Global Leaders
Latest commissioned worked for an article on the attributes of international business leaders. 'In 2013, following a period of decline in 2008 and 2009, globalization is on the up and corporations are preparing to expand their international empires. In order to do this, they need strong decisive leadership from managers that think “truly globally” and, given the cultural idiosyncrasies that must be navigated, the idea of a “truly global leader” is debatably more of a dream than a reality.' I'm tending to use a lot more hand made, 'analogue' mark making, drawing and found materials in my work of recent, which is making the process of creating the images less predictable but a lot more enjoyable.
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Binoculars, compasses and owls.
New image on the go for an article on international business leadership, desperately trying to avoiding drawing men in suits, but have fallen foul of binoculars, compasses and owls.
Balloons
Fan on. Boards Of Canada.
Tea.
Drawing Balloons.
Over and Out.
No Mess....in Greyscale
Trying out the latest image as a greyscale, think I might prefer this to the colour version.
No Mess, No Progress.
Image in response to an article on productivity and creativity and the role chaos and mess plays. A section from the article here:
| How easily you can make a mess is how truly productive you can be. Maximum freedom to generate and play around in creative chaos is the optimal condition for constructive thinking and work.
This is true on a project, in the kitchen, in your office, and at your writing table—anywhere and anytime you want to get real work done. I don't usually work in a neat fashion. Whether I'm writing an essay, arranging flowers, or making guacamole, I wind up strewing stuff all over the place. If you were to walk into my office while I was working or thinking about something, you'd likely see notes, books, and files strewn around somewhat randomly; a mind-map on my computer screen; doodles and words scrawled on my whiteboard. When I really get involved in something and my creative juices start flowing, it's likely to look like something exploded in the middle of it. I have a singular focus, but it doesn't seem orderly until it's done. My best work happens that way. Yours will too. |
Open All Hours
Aside from the usual blood, sweat and tears that all the tutors put into the final shows, this year I've contributed a 'Shop' sign for Illustration Degree Show at the amazing Stockport College . Learn more about the show here.
Hereford
Lovely start to May, I was in Hereford at the School of Art on Wednesday giving an informal presentation of working methods, influences and a sort of ‘top ten tips for illustrators thing' garnered over 25 years of freelancing. It was great to meet a range of students 1st, 2nd , 3rd year, foundation and even the odd graphic designer. There where similarities to Stockport College (where I work on a part time basis) in the ethos and smaller more intimate scale of the group sizes, the students clearly benefited from this and had great working relationships with the staff. The students also had dedicated workspaces, increasingly a rare thing. There was nice mix of analogue and digital work being produced, lovely to see lino cutting and etching going on in the studio and being incorporated into the image making process. Thanks to Neil and the students for inviting me down, I had a lovely day in a beautiful part of the country.
Saw this great locksmiths and ironmongers shop in the centre of Hereford, the cranky owner seemed to have an eye for outsider art with these amazing wooden keys and locks displayed on the outside of his shop. Beats the awful orange B&Q logo any day.
Proofs
Proofs for two spreads I was recently commissioned to illustrate by a French editorial client, Culture Services. The job was to enliven a feature on the Public Sectors use of a range of communication tools such as TV radio, and social media.
OFFSET 2013
Packing my bags ready for Offset 2013 in Dublin, 24 speakers over 3 days, intense but in a really good way. More Offset news later.
Recent Commission
Couple of new images for a French client plus a recently finished personal piece.
Cava?
Back in the studio today after a hectic but enjoyable couple of days in London. All fired up and full of inspiration to carry on with second of two images for a French client. This is what the underpainting / background is looking like so far, let me know what you think.
Will Self & the French public sector
Now in the studio listening to The Book Of Dave by Will Self and concentrating on a commission from a French client, about public sector organisations using marketing to communicate to the general public.
New Personal Work
Started working on this personal piece a few days ago.
.........and relax
Happy to be back in the studio working on an image about controlled breathing, for a Danish Men's magazine (not that sort of Danish Men's magazine! Think Borgen not Bunny Girls) Here's a snippet of the article and a peek at how the image is looking so far.
How we breathe, tells not just how we feel. Breathing can work the other way around, so we can affect how we feel, says psychologist Merete Aasborg. "Breathing is part of our autonomic nervous system and regulate themselves according to our feelings. At the same time, specific breathing rhythms evoke certain emotions, such as joy and fear. So you can use the breath actively to change one's mental state and cleanse the body of stress. "
Merete Aasborg has followed and documented the results of a study of Danish war veterans with post-traumatic stress underwent a 10 days long program with yoga exercises, various breathing techniques and meditation. In particular, a series of respiratory rhythms from old yoga tradition Sudarshan Kriya seem to have a positive effect on people with post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, violent behavior and abuse. But also people with less serious problems can benefit greatly from Sudarshan Kriya to combat stress, get better sleep, strengthen the immune system, have more energy and be more focused.
Shopping or Drawing
Should be Christmas shopping this morning but instead working on a new image.
