Still Awake

Now in colour. Not sure if I've got the best result possible?

Made

I've been clearing my room out in preparation for moving to Norwich this coming weekend. I found this little collection of origami Lotus Flowers under my bed that I made years ago to be handed out at a Falun Gong parade/event. I never got around to giving them to anyone to use until now.
Thought I'd take a snap before I post them off.

I've got moving nerves.

Awake

Latest piece for the Epoch Times Art & Culture page.
To accompany a poetry analysis of 'To Sleep' by William Wordsworth, which is all about not being able to nod off.
Something I am glad to say I don't have too much trouble with.

I wanted the picture of the little sheep in the corner to have a Chris Wormell print look. A poor quality print out of a Deer, by him ,looks over me from the wall next to my desk. You can see it in the background here. Mr Wormells Artwork has had quite an influence on me over recent years.

Next on the to do list: Kittens, More Owls, Musicians and Allegories (maybe).

Caps

I work in a Bookshop at present. I get a little bored sometimes when it's quiet, as you can see.

1984

I've finally finished this portrait commission which I've been harping on about to friends for quite a while now.



The moment I was given the photo to draw from I was rather excited by the 80s look of it. Being a child of the 80s myself, that era for me is full of memories of cartoons, toys and play. The recent retro trend in the fashion world hasn't sat too comfortably with me as I feel I don't connect with it in that way. I've never thought of the 80's as being a particularly attractive era either.



Strangely, now I'm presented with it as something to work from, I feel rather warm and fuzzy in response. There is something awfully comfortable looking about it all, and I think that's what I'm liking.



I got pretty nervous about handing this one over to the commissioner as it's their parents depicted. I wasn't present when they came over to collect it, but I'm told they were very pleased. Relief!

Heds

Rough bits and bobs.

Jasp

Sketchbook page.


Pencils for latest personal piece which will take a while to complete as paying jobs must be given priority these days.

I'm going to be 27 next Tuesday and I'm not sure what to make of that.

TwentyFive

Birthday Commish for a man whose drops-ins are the stuff of legend, whose curly locks are a thing of beauty, and who does a very good impression of Morgan Freeman.



Saw Jeffrey Lewis at the weekend, was Rad.

Chips

Rockit

The friend I've painted standing on the right of the page was nowhere near this grumpy looking in the original photo, it just came out that way.

Bills

A rather swiftly commissioned piece for the parents. Made in exchange for a chip off some MOT induced debt.

Smilers

This week Mum, next week Bill Callahan.

Norwich Arts Centre is Golden.

Talking

I call this a 'Sketch Blog' yet rarely do I post much from the pages of my sketch books. So I'll do a little run of such pages over coming weeks.

This is a rough from the 'Julia's Voice' piece from a few months ago.
Shades are fun.

Bubba Fee

Birthday Portrait for this little Gem's Smashing Dad.

I've had lots of work recently, which means lots of time spent at my laptop and lots of Spotify. Camera Obscura, Belle and Sebastian, Grizzly Bear and Jens Lekman are my most frequented bands of late. I'm also liking Monsters of Folk, they've only just come to my attention thanks to Radcliffe and Maconie on Radio 2.

Showy - Smash Doors fini

The Smash Skates fitting room doors are now finished, and everyone seems chuffed with them. They can be seen quite clearly from the pavement through the shop window too, so many will spot the work on passing (and hopefully go into the shop).



Another piece that I've been working on for while has also reached completion, but unfortunaltey won't be published until end of September, so I can't really show it yet. Although I think another little teaser won't hurt.



I've plenty of work on the go to keep me busy and happy for a while. Above is some rough work for a current commission.
80's comic style is the order of the day.