The Art of Reassurance

The period that Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance owned my artwork "Growth" ended recently (hence why I am now selling this image as part of a set of greetings cards!) They had the rights to my artwork for a year because I was a national finalist in The Art of Nurture illustration competition in 2008. My work is still in their online gallery, but for how long?!

I collected my original, framed illustration from one of their offices today and found a little surprise in the form of a miniature calendar mounted on a miniature easel! I think Lloyds TSB CF must have used this design as a corporate freebie, so I'm well chuffed to see they used my work as the feature illustration!

To see the other time Lloyds TSB CF used my illustration see this old post, The Art of Navigation.

Artists & Illustrators magazine feature

Check out the August issue of A&I magazine, I'm on pg 9!

The Raven - working drawings

I've started a self-initiated project to illustrate the Edgar Allen Poe poem, The Raven. To begin I've been drawing from reference, you guessed it, ravens! The last of my three sketches I have tried to work in some of my surreal, twisted forms to create the "fiery eyes" of the Raven.

I've been using my lovely fountain pen again - it flows so much better than my usual fine liner pens! Also, the paper I've used is thinner than usual and off-white; I think making a bit of a change was needed.

Don't Panic poster entry - Feminism

Another entry to Don't Panic to stop summer laziness kicking in. It's a bit of an experiment, compared to how I normally work. I've used collage to make some of the composition, and my own photographs to make the texture and background. The image started with the central figure and I developed it by adding more and more layers to create interesting blends, and a more intense image.

I was inspired by the vibrancy and glow of stained glass windows and Art Nouveau posters of women. Read the description of my poster related to the theme, and vote for it too by following this link, or by clicking on the image above.

new Etsy item for sale!

Nature, Growth and Adaption - set of 3 nature inspired greetings cards (blank inside)

Artists & Illustrators portfolio

I've just set up a portfolio through the Artists & Illustrators website. Work can be sold through this site, but I'm testing the waters a bit here.

Thank you Jess, for the beautiful drawing! :) and goodbye Uni :(

Jess Watson, a fellow illustrator from BIAD, made this masterpiece as a lovely goodbye present for our group at uni. I think this really captures what we were all like. Thanks Jess :) and goodbye uni :( I'm sure we will all stay in touch!

Have a look at more of Jess' work:
Monsters need love.

my Facebook page

Why not become a fan of my page on good old facebook? I can share updates of any new work, events that I'm involved in and other random stuff to do with my tentative steps after graduation!

BIAD Viscom Graduates 2009 website up and running!

My graduate profile.

Fellow illustrators from BA (Hons) Visual Communication at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design.

BIAD gradshow opening night for BA (Hons) Visual Communication - Trevor Awards 2009

The opening night of our gradshow was a great success! The cabaret theme made it a bit more tongue in cheek than exhibitions I've been to before...

Our SIG (Special Interest Group) set up an illustration stall to sell mini books and badges, etc. This went down really well and we almost cleared it on the night.

I didn't win the New Directions in Illustration Award in the end, but my good friend Johan did so I'm happy ;)

Overall, a nice ending to my time at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design!

Student of the Month feature in Spaghetti Junction

Check out the June issue of Spaghetti Junction (BCU's student union mag), I'm student of the month!

Fragile Worlds - my final project

Merging ghostly material, delicate hybrid forms and melancholy flowers with monochrome colours, layered fabrics and hand rendered prints. Taking inspiration from the 17th century Vanitas, Fragile Worlds is a limited series of fashion items that adorn the wearer with a visual reminder of our mortality and the fragility of life.

See the full set on Flickr.