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July 14th, 2009
10:00 am - Decorative Plate / Feminism / Vote for me!
Apologies for the radio silence, my poor neglected livejournal! I promise I will lavish you with all manner of attention and new work soon. But for now I have a favour to ask of you.
This is a new picture I made inspired by 'The Awakening'* by Kate Chopin, which I just entered (fashionably/foolishly late) to the Don't Panic poster competition. Please vote for it here if you would be so kind!
I originally intended on this being quite a different beast. To start with I wanted to enter something to said poster comp because the theme was feminism and I felt like I could actually make something good for that. Of course then I couldn't think of anything at all, and ended up talking to my mum about this book. We both agreed that we thought the image of a woman underwater somehow worked well, without being overbearing. I had a good idea of what to do, it was going to really emphasise the themes of the book, and be made up of big brushy lines and bold textures & huge swathes of ink wash; it being a poster after all. Then while reading the intro to the book and seeing Aubrey Beardsley mentioned I started thinking about all sorts of other things and ended up scribbling this out, then felt completely compelled to make it. I ended up taking influence from all manner of stuff as well as Beardsley; decorative plates, Samuel Palmer, Jillian Tamaki, George Barbier, manga art and even the Moomins. Also I finally got round to using my Deleter pens properly and realising I can actually, like, draw with them! That's the first time that's ever happened with that sort of pen and am v pleased.
So yeah, this may have become something quite different along the way. A print rather than a poster perhaps, and maybe more fanciful than at first thought. But, y'know, this is what I have. So I may as well enter it anyway! However, I'll probably try and make some nice prints of this regardless because I do think that's actually how it will work best.
Plus I like it.
* Which, when I checked the Wikipedia entry on it for this post told me it was 'one of the most boring books ever written. It has little value to people who are under the age of 35, who aren't married, and are not female'.... Aw, bless! So naive you can tell precisely who and why they might be writing such a thing.
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May 2nd, 2009
10:35 am - Flux Alternate! Screening!
One of the things I love about screen printing is how the constraining factors of the process force you to see what you can come up with within those parameters. Well, I love it and it drives me mad, but it's always satisfying if you can come up with creative solutions that move you away from simply relying on your stock moves. Sometimes afterwards working in full colour seems a bit too much, "Well, I could just go and do anything now, couldnt I?".
The other good thing about this is because of the minimal amount of colours its really easy to change them round and you can come up with all manner of different variations on the same picture. There were loads of different colour combinations for my flux tee design; this is probably my personal favourite as of right now. It's sunny, ain't it?
Current Music: Sonic Youth - Thunderclap (For Bobby Pyn) | Powered by Last.fm
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10:35 am - Side B! Arrived! Looking fancy!
 
The book arrived last week, looks awesome, I am in it (hi!) and so are others. Yes!
Current Music: Sonic Youth - Malibu Gas Station | Powered by Last.fm
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10:35 am - Check out my new lunchbox! Oh, um.
Words cannot really convey the awesomeness of the worlds only Joe Louis-as-superhero lunchbox, so I will let pictures do my talking. I should mention however, that it arrived full of monstrously chocolate-y cookies, and say thank you to ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) _bedhead!
Current Music: Sonic Youth - Poison Arrow | Powered by Last.fm
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April 21st, 2009
09:37 am - Fluxblog Shirt Design
If you're in the market for a cute t-shirt that says Fluxblog on it, well you're in a shitload of luck, because Fluxtees are here for you!
My shirt design for the mighty and venerable musical public service that is Fluxblog is available for pre-order now! Right now! Sporting this chirruping couple of musical lovelies on a backdrop of American Apparel natural, one might say it was adorbs, because that's what it is. So you should probably buy one or something.
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April 12th, 2009
05:08 pm - She Thinks She's A Placemat
The patterns are from the Olga Hirsch collection of decorated papers, taken from scans of postcards I bought at the British Library last year.
Really must remember to find time to make more of my own patterns sometime...
Meh.
Current Music: The New Pornographers - Sing Me Spanish Techno | Powered by Last.fm
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04:55 pm - Is that what my voice really sounds like?
Short interview I did for the Creative Choices website a while back. The music on this totally kills me! I can't quite describe it, but it makes me feel like a cartoon of a slightly bumbling and wildly ineffectual boozy artist from the 50s, it's totally awesome. I wish I had some newer art and stuff to highlight in this, seeing all this old stuff makes me cringe a bit.
Also shout out to piratecore - there is a good shot of your postcards in here! Slightly worried that the way its shot in the film it almost makes it seem like I made them, but I do assure you I was explaining which bits and pieces on the board among all the postcards were actually my work!
ps. Don't be coming round here with your fishy paintings, ya hear!
Current Music: The New Pornographers - The Bleeding Heart Show | Powered by Last.fm
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March 5th, 2009
05:54 pm - Side B / The Moth I Never Knew preview
Here is a preview of my forthcoming short strip which will be appearing in the music inspired Side B anthology, alongside the work of all manner of (other) luminaries, and which is out in June. Looks good, no? Just wait until you can read it! I am excited. I should make more of these infernal things.
Ok, so I know that merely dangling a tantalising page of comic that cant really be read properly yet isnt all that appealing (although it does look quite pretty, doesnt it?), so I shall also provide a preparatory song! This is the excellent song that features throughout my strip -
Scott Walker - The Me I Never Knew
Current Music: Wu-Tang Clan - Campfire | Powered by Last.fm
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05:37 pm - Isaac Hayes / Plan B
Illustration to accompany the reviews of a couple of Isaac Hayes albums - Juicy Fruit & Black Moses - in Plan B. Click through for the illustration proper!
Current Music: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Hysteric | Powered by Last.fm
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05:21 pm - Another Soda...
The second anthology of music inspired 'lyrics you cant get out of your head' style illustrated songs and comics from the Sound of Drowning. Featuring excellent folks such as Nelson Evergreen (whose contribution is awesome and understated), Dan White, Paul O'Connell and assorted other folks.
Have a flick through! This is a publishing model I wholeheartedly approve of. Hard copies are available here if you fancy.
Current Music: Jenny Wilson - Clattering Hooves | Powered by Last.fm
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February 3rd, 2009
02:43 pm - Snow and that
Yeah, I took pictures of the snow like everyone else! It was hard not to, being as it was so pretty. It's fucking magical and so forth. Although really, that's enough snow for now. I need to walk to work, y'know? Also, it appears Christian Bale officially has a bit of a temper. And a techno remix of the same.
Current Music: Junior Boys are fuckin' awesome
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January 15th, 2009
05:59 pm - Stuff, things, comics, what?
Woo! I got some t-shirts from WPRB the other day with my design on! They came out really well and I think I am in love with spot colours because they are the best. I am pleased.
Uh, and that's a picture of Roy Keane when he sported his excellent submarine captain beard. It was lovely, seriously.
Also just a heads up on the comics front - I haven't made any. I know, right! Shocker. I think it's mainly due to the fact I've been enjoying drawing pictures so much I just haven't felt inclined to write anything. I'm sure that will change, but for now I'm good. I don't think I'm going to be making anymore for a while though, not until I think I'll be able to enjoy it properly.
I do have a new strip coming out this year though - its a whole two pages* - and it should be in Side B. I did it in October or something. I've been meaning to post a preview or something but I obviously haven't. I might do that. At some point. Or you could just buy it. You know, when it's out...
*Big pages! Technically it's like 4/5 regular pages. In terms of the size I made it at.
And these socks make me piss.
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January 7th, 2009
01:44 pm - LUKE DANES: HERO
Truly a man for our times. I just feel this bears repeating.
Also: I have a tumblr and a last.fm account now, so get involved. Because I'm jumping this sinking ship, obviously.
Give me a shout if you've got an account so I can FOLLOW YOU.
Current Music: Clipse - Intro | Powered by Last.fm
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January 5th, 2009
12:42 pm - Happy New Year! / On the Farm / Plan B Albums Spread
I went away for new year and spent it on this here farm in the land of Kent, enjoying a fine peaceful combination of board games and farm animals. And also, Mario Kart Wii! (My friend code is 3781-3065-5041, btw. I love the fact that I've had so many versions of Mario Kart before, but now it's on the Wii the whole family gets involved).
Although I posted before while I was actually at the farm, I didn't have time to get anything more than a little twee picture off before being set upon by animals and food. So yeah, a belated happy new year and all that!
I heartily recommend a New Years spent in the countryside, anyway. Phoebe has a set of fine photos up here, where you can see all the sheep an that. They've got little sheepy helmets!
By the time I arrived home the new Plan B had snuck through the letterbox like an exciting bonus treat. I'd been looking forward to this one seeing as I had a whole two pages all to my lonesome. Just about anyway, there's obviously a review on there too. It's a fine one too, I especially enjoy the pull quote "funk-lubed saunter" and only hope my picture can live up to that.
I like to think my Archduke Sea Captain has a funk-lubed saber.
Current Music: The ending music of Chrono Trigger (this game is amazing)
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January 2nd, 2009
12:00 pm - Twee Effort
Current Music: On a farm.
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December 18th, 2008
01:51 pm - MERRY THINGS AND HAPPY WHATEVERS
I sent this little card out to special people the other day. If you didnt get one, it probably just means I dont have your email address. What up?
Anyway, if that's just a bit too twee for you, I think this is good for at least one more use.
Current Music: Barbara Morgenstern - Alles Was Lebt Bewegt Sich
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December 9th, 2008
02:00 pm - Colour scribbles
Hahaha. I really should have added even more animals to notch this up to ridiculous levels.
Current Music: Something twee, right? If Lil' Wayne is twee, yes.
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December 4th, 2008
02:12 pm - Albums Spread / Wallpapers
This is a picture I did last week for the main albums spread in Plan B, which will feature a review of Franz Ferdinand's new album (which I haven't heard) on the right.
The only real song I could find to listen from it was called Ulysses; so here's Archduke Franz Ferdinand (with a beard) looking like Ulysses (from the 31st century) sporting a Douglas tartan scarf, on an epic journey hailing from Scotland (although the castle behind is actually - very simply - based on one from Sandy Cove in Dublin which is featured in Ulysses by James Joyce), searching for a new way, going further afield in influence (apparently), posturing as if making a fine and triumphant return/departure. It's not all completely random. Onward! Etc!
I was going to draw the band but they messed up my composition.
Because it's spread across two pages I really wanted something bold and simple to pop off the page, so I kept it all really minimal. So minimal I actually went over it a few times on my lightbox (a window) taking stuff out, and leaving more space to let the paint do the work.
This is actually the first time I've been (almost) completely pleased with a picture in ages, so much so I might even use it for postcards and tat - but we'll see how long that resolve lasts.
But in the meantime I've rustled up some wallpapers if you're so inclined; 1680 x 1050, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 1024, 1024 x 768.
Current Music: The compelling theme tune to Ulysses 31
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November 13th, 2008
12:37 pm - Comixtravaganza!
Follwing on from jabberworks previous post about the "Comixtravaganza!" happening at the SCBWI conference, I thought it such a nice idea that I couldn't help but want to get involved and make a silly strip to put on the board.
I had a lot of fun with this actually. The pleasing thing about this sort of work is that, in setting out to do something simple, I found it quite satisfying to actually be able to achieve exactly what I'd set out to...
I should do this sort of thing more often!
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October 29th, 2008
08:44 am - I'm cold.
Well, it did snow the other day right? Right?
I don't know why, but I drew this in August for some reason. I don't like drawing on A4, it gives me a headache!
More comics about falling over soon! Well, maybe.
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