A CONSTRUCTIVE DAY

I've had a really good, constructive day! It started off pretty slowly with a run with Bo, breakfast and a cup of tea. It took a while to get going, so I read Varoom, felt a bit of a failure and very unprofessional, so I started on my own work. Set myself a goal of nailing a story I was working on and I did it! I stayed late and did a whole set of thumbs and here's one of them... this is a rough but I love the colours....I'm really enjoying doing my own work and only having to please me, and not being so commercial is lovely. So back to it tomorrow and then to proper work next week, starting with some work with Oxford Uni Press. I'm also working with Mike Wilson, from UCF, on some dark Breton fairytales for a book he's translating from Breton into French into English. I will post some pics when I get into work. They're looking dark and mysterious at least! Bye for now.

CATCHING UP, ALBUM ART AND LIVING LIFE

Hey, I haven't been on here in ages! I'm actually living life a little and spending my weekends away from the studio and spending it in lovely company in the sunshine, which had been really rather rewarding! and long may it continue. It, however, means my blogging suffers, which isn't so good. I am desperate to post my work in progress but it's not ready and I don't want anyone to see it until it is, so watch this space. I am currently waiting for the start of my next book with LTP, and tying up a few work ends before I start. I am giving myself two days a week for my own work and it feels nice to fuel the soul.

here's a teaser from something I'm working on now...

   

I have also booked myself into the Salthouse Gallery for the 25th Oct for a week, so a solo show on the cards in St Ives later this year, with a ding dong of a private view I hope.

In other news, I've been working with Ruarri Joseph on an album cover for the past few months. I've really enjoyed the work and working with Ruarri, but not sure the work will be used, so I'll post what we've discarded here and hope something makes it past the cutting room floor.

Then I did a piece for my brother's "Speaking Volumes' Press so here that is.. spinning around the words Speaking Volumes. I've cropped one which I think I prefer. It also has to be black and white, which is a shame and goes to show that some images do and don't work in black and white.

Anyhoo, that's it for now, I may update this  later...but before I do go, my friend Julia has gone solo and her new album is really worth a listen. She sent me a copy a few weeks ago and it's been on loop since then. Her sister has been visiting and is lovely having connection with the Stones again, so if you haven't heard it yet, go and get yourself a copy of By The Horns. (I unfortunately have nothing to do with the artwork this time round, but you never know for next time? )

LOOKING AGAIN WORKSHOP

So this was my poster and a description and it pretty much ran exactly as this, which was great! 12 people booked in and 11 turned up, I really enjoyed it and the people that came really opened themselves up to what I put infront of them which was great, and wouldn't have been the same without them so thanks guys!

BIG ART

First marks!

So here is the finished piece and some actions shots!...

not my most flattering side!

'BIG DRAW' sketches for Monday

you can buy this at auction, in Truro from the 2nd April at Art in Pydar St. in the 'Anonymous' exhibition. Sealed bids I think and noone knows whose work it is.. well you do now but go see...

I went into Truro today to sort out what I am doing for the Big Draw! for Art in the City. So here's my sketches and a sketch of the actual painting I would like to do.

STUFF FAIR

I've just noticed that I have 39 followers, (thank you all for joining me) which is coincidently my age, so when I turn 40 will I get another follower? hmmmm?

So I had a busy week last week, with lots of energy spent making cards, books, prints, badges and painting for my current children's book. I was working so hard to get everything done in time, and then Wednesday was really full on with a deadline for three illustrations that would normally take a few days. I did them all in one day! On Thur I drove up to Plymouth for an evening preview of the Stuff fair I was taking part in. We set up around 3pm and opened at 5pm. It was a lovely event and I felt part of something really creative and was therefore in my element. We drove all the way back to Falmouth and back the next day, so we were all quite tired after the event, but it was worth it as we all made a couple of connections, and I made a currently virtual friend, an actual friend which was also bonus! so here are some pics that hopefully show the lovely creative bits and pieces on sale.

setting up

Phil browsing my book

BA Illustrations table

Images 35 / Illustration Stuff Fair

No Guts,  No Glory

people looking at our stuff

my stuff!

fro a different angle

my suitcase and the other guys stuff

selling my stuff!

other stuff

our little stall

the lovely organisers, Mel and Phil

Phil and the exhibition

Ro and Tom

Images 35 2012

plenty of biscuits on offer

and tea and coffee!

Ben doing his bit

Mel with an array of assorted biscuits

Andy's work

Andy and his table