Stray ponies and puffins

Decorative Plate / Feminism / Vote for me!

2009-07-14T09:02:13Z

Could do with a vote or several!
Little sequence up on my flickr

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.

Flux Alternate! Screening!

2009-05-02T09:51:58Z

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?

Side B! Arrived! Looking fancy!

2009-05-02T09:45:24Z

The book arrived last week, looks awesome, I am in it (hi!) and so are others. Yes!

Check out my new lunchbox! Oh, um.

2009-05-02T09:41:16Z

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 _bedhead!

Fluxblog Shirt Design

2009-04-21T16:37:54Z

Fluxblog Shirt Design
Originally uploaded by shotformeat

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.

She Thinks She's A Placemat

2009-04-12T16:16:57Z

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.

Is that what my voice really sounds like?

2009-04-12T16:07:32Z

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!

Side B / The Moth I Never Knew preview

2009-03-05T18:24:16Z

Side B Moth 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

Isaac Hayes / Plan B

2009-03-05T17:50:26Z

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!

Another Soda...

2009-03-05T17:37:21Z

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.

Snow and that

2009-02-03T14:58:51Z

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.

Do you like my boot?

Stuff, things, comics, what?

2009-01-15T18:01:28Z

WPRB t-shirt
Sexy, non?

Roy's Keen

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.

LUKE DANES: HERO

2009-01-07T13:50:02Z

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.

Happy New Year! / On the Farm / Plan B Albums Spread

2009-01-05T12:46:31Z

On the farm

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!

Plan B Albums Double Spread

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.

Twee Effort

2009-01-02T10:46:45Z

Twee Effort
Originally uploaded by shotformeat

MERRY THINGS AND HAPPY WHATEVERS

2008-12-18T13:56:56Z

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.

Colour scribbles

2008-12-09T14:04:19Z

Hahaha. I really should have added even more animals to notch this up to ridiculous levels.

Albums Spread / Wallpapers

2008-12-04T14:12:38Z

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.

Comixtravaganza!

2008-11-13T12:39:44Z

Thought Bubbles
Originally uploaded by shotformeat

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!

I'm cold.

2008-10-29T15:44:42Z

Brrr.
Originally uploaded by shotformeat

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.

Bye Bye Buffalo, Hello Again

2008-09-15T11:33:34Z

Buffalo Roots - Full Cover
Originally uploaded by shotformeat

Seeing as I've now sold out - finally and forever - of my old comic Buffalo Roots, I thought now might be a good time to chuck the whole thing up on flickr. There's been a .pdf of it on my website forever but that's going to be gone soon too, and this is better.

If you're so inclined please feel free to link to it so that others who might not have had the chance to see it can do so. It's a bit old, a little scrappy and slightly rough around the edges (although some of them are meant to be rough, so). But you know what? It's not bad either. I'm still fond of it and still especially like some of the layouts.

If by any chance it completely passed you by, let me know what you think! And also - big thank yous to everyone who bought a copy. I'm busy working on new comics at the moment, although I might be some time because I'm using my patented "stare at the pages intensely for around two weeks to a month until I can make the lines appear using only the power of my mind, then release my brush with a dangerous pelvic thrust and following up by inking it all in a creepy jazz trance wearing only a blindfold made from penny sweets and the flesh of my enemies" technique. But they'll be along soon, I'm sure.

Anyway, the whole lot is under the cut. The set on flickr is here.

Bye Buffalo!

Indie Atlas and the Weight of Global Musical Influence

2008-09-12T14:34:24Z

Pic for a feature in Plan B about how the internet, MP3 blogs, podcasts, labels, specialist record shops and the like have contributed to the spread of ethnic and non-Western music; the influence of global music on modern pop. And stuff.

This strutting world music peacock wants to mate with you! (Thank you for that one, Phoebe).

I made a set on flickr composed of a little working sequence on the pic; featuring contributions by such luminaries as the magnificent cadwell who helped with the colours and... well, ok, that's it. But you know, if you're interested in that sort of thing.

It's a bit of a haphazard one, things kept breaking and getting in the way, but it turned out kinda fun in the end! Let's get fucking tropical, eh?

RZA / Plan B

2008-09-10T10:03:36Z

RZA: "...you can see how all the male energy turns a woman off because of all the aggression in the past of the woman... I can see how a woman would go for the softer side. Because of the unempathetic heart of man."

You seem pretty empathetic describing it.

RZA:"I'm empathetic, because I'm an artist. The world don't have a lot of artists in it."

You're my hero, RZA! I know it's a bit general (not always nec. the softer side etc etc), but I really liked him utilising his powers of empathy. This from the new Plan B, which also just happens to feature this excellent picture...

WPRB Design / Spidey Tin

2008-08-28T13:54:01Z

theoreticalgirl asked me to do a design for WPRB to use in their Membership Drive the other week. So I did! I think it came out well. I want it on a tote bag.

And I just have to share this awesome purchase I made on ebay the other day.

Oh yeah. I'm a load that shit up with all kinds of pitta bread. Or put pens in it. Although I'm sort of scared to use it, even though I am certain to be the envy of all my colleagues. Or made fun of. In the street.

Maybe I'll just put it on the mantelpiece. And look at it.

LET'S SMASH, TOGETHER / Wii Numbers

2008-08-15T11:49:56Z

Ok, let me try this again. I got Smash Bros t'other day. Here is us playing it -

Wii number - 2405-6211-2822-4899
Friend code - 2535-5633-8434

Come on friends list, don't let me down! Don't you want to beat people up with pokey mans? It's just ginchy!

And not one to be left out - here is my creepy lookin' manga alter ego.

AAAAAAAAA