Ive been so so busy recently, moving house.
Managed to pop along to Gunther von Hagens exhibition at the Natural History Museum last week though. He really is completely mad, Simon says his wife is even worse! haha

Sneaky iphone pic

Visited Simon the other day actually, he had his usual menagerie of exotic animals. Met another taxidermist from Holland aswell, he was a really really nice chap. The more time I spend there the more it tempts me away from illustration.. Im going back tomorrow as my friend is giving me a Bearded Dragon. So stoked, never stuffed a lizard before.. ANYWAY im waffling.

On an end side note, I was meant to go to Belgium this weekend to see friends but now I cant go. Absolutely gutted. Hopefully the lizard will cheer me up.. hmph

Snake birds

Jose Bort

Just wanted to share with you Jose Bort. 

I lovelovelove everything about his work

'The covers of Bort'
This is a sample of original vintage vinyl covers of the poster designer, illustrator and Spanish graphic designer Jose BORT made between 1959 and 1966. Music Tullio Gallo and His Orchestra


(im not clever enough to figure out how to insert a Vimeo clip in here so click on the link to watch)
:)

HAPPY EASTER!

Quick update

Hello! Just a quick update on what Ive been getting up to..
Still settling into my new job at the library. Apart from completely messing up some role play training and an awkward incident where I got caught foraging in the bin (dropped a tea spoon and didn't fish it out in time) its going really well. There's so much to learn which I love.
You students don't realise what goes on beneath the calm surface of a university library!

Ive also been painting the chalk boards and a small banner sign at my local pub. Its a nice excuse to mess about with type and colours.

Colour version of the pencil design

The banner ended up not quite fitting so its slightly different than my original design, bit sad that I had to lose alot of the oak branches around the edge.
Im also going to make a small collection of paper birds. Not sure if this is wise idea when I should be spending my time making illustrations that will hopefully get me a job, but I think it will be fun. I might be able to sell a few aswell. They're going to be displayed at a small exhibition/music night at St Pauls in May.
 I'll post more pics once I get started :)

The truth about drinkers...

Hallo! So I meant to do a quick editorial illustration a few days ago but then I ended up dressing in a home-made sari, going to London and having a pretty mental weekend.
I stuck to my 3 day rule and started this on Monday night. Don't really like it t'be honest, but I had a time limit to stick to.. The pencil looked really nice, then I coloured it in... then it didn't look right. I could've saved myself a whole lotta bother and done the majority on the computer and added in some pencil marks.. but hey ho, all good practice!

For some reason I'd remembered the article being about over 65 yr olds, not 45. When I came to add the picture to the article I realised my mistake. So if all the chappys look abit old, thats why. I also wanted their skin to be more orangey but they've all turned out rather pink :/

Anyway! Here it is. If you did want to read the article its HERE. (I promise it really was chosen at random) I'll do a couple more editorial pictures I think, but this week i'm sort of busy with real work! *Gasp*

x

Mind block

Got a million things on my mind atm and having abit of a creative, motivation panic brain block. So last night after several attempts at trying to think of some jobs, I gave up and watched some Jonathan Creek with the housemates. This is the doodle from the Christmas special episode (apologies for the rubbish scanning)

After work today I went and had a look at the Children's Book Ma exhibition at the Ruskin Gallery. Nothing is more motivating/heart breaking than seeing other peoples really really good work..

It didn't disappoint, there was some inspiring stuff. 

These are 3 that I particularly liked from the show

Becky Palmer

Narisa Togo

Joanne Young

So! Ive decided I'm going to make an image every 3 days.

Choose a random editorial article to illustrate and just go for it. I haven't got any editorial work up online so its about time. If I write about doing it on here, hopefully the embarrassment if it doesn't get done will motivate me :S

Wish me luck blogland!

Hello blog!

   Ive had so much good news recently! Last week I received an email from the Press and New Media Manager of 'Nineteen Seventy Three' just to say that the Marketing Director was really impressed with the pheasant I made for them. He wants to use it on their website and brochure and is also sending me a gift box of 1973 products. For some reason it made me really happy, that someone had gone out of their way to say they liked my work. You hear so much about being unappreciated and 'don't work for free', it was lovely to have some nice feedback. It also means I can make more birds!

    Then a few days later I got news that my design had been chosen for the 2012 Cambridge Folk Festival! So bloody happy. I'm not sure if I should take it offline... but I'll leave it up for the time being.

    Started my new job in the Library today. Had such a great day! Everyone I met was so so lovely and friendly. Can't wait to go back tomorrow. Ive already got my mug in the staff tea room ;D

Best put some illustration in here somewhere... 

Mark Hearld, your work is amazing

As is yours Owen Gatley!