Mr Fish Dude

Yep, this post is pretty much identical to the previous one. This is a print for 'On the Wall' and I'll post more details once it's released. I think this is a much more considered design than the self promo Ad and it was a lot of fun ironing out the creases.

Self Promotion Ad

Compass of Desire Festival 2009

This year's Compass festival theme is desire. The festival will cover the many facets of desire in a broad range of media and gets bigger and more exciting each year. The illustration above will be the front (right-hand side) and back (left-hand side) cover for the programme. I needed to make sure that the illustrations were culturally accessible because the festival looks at each theme from the perspective of other countries. The front cover conveys the positive connotations of desire whilst the back cover delves into the darker, negative side. 

Below is the original illustration for the programme which wasn't suitable because it focuses too strongly on Adam and Eve therefore implying a christian theme when the festival incorporates a vast variety of religions and cultures. I do however quite like it and thought it would be a shame for the cover to never see the light of day, so here it is for your viewing pleasure.

It will also be the first year that the new Compass logo will be used. I posted it on this blog a little while back but here it is again if you missed it.

The Bento Bestiary now on sale at Nobrow!

The Bento Bestiary is now available to buy from Nobrow as well as a new print taken from the first issue of the Nobrow 'Gods and Monsters' journal. This is my very first book and I was lucky enough to collaborate with my very good friend and writer extraordinaire, Scott James Donaldson (Scott is one of the writers for the 'Untimely' blog with fellow wordsmiths, Sam Butler and Philip Contos). Scott and Myself wanted to take the ancient Japanese Yokai and re-interpret them in a whole new light but still stay true to their origins. The result is this very sexy hand-printed book which was screen-printed in 3 colours by the very talented chaps at Nobrow and is limited to just 100 copies.

The 'Gods and Monsters' prints are actually the original images for two Yokai called Nue and Neko-mata. These prints were actually the catalyst for The Bento Bestiary and are for sale individually or as a set from Nobrow. Go on treat yourself!

Green Lantern 63 Covered

My redraw of the cover for Green Lantern 63 can now be seen (next to the original by Neal Adams) over on Covered blog. 

Bento Bestiary Pre-Order at Nobrow!

Head over to Nobrow because The Bento Bestiary is now available for pre-order and will be sold exclusively from their website. Get in there first and guarantee yourself a copy of this very limited edition, hand printed book. Huzzah!

Bento Bestiary In Progress

Hot off the press, or should I say 'wet' off the press! The Bento Bestiary is nearing completion as Sam, Al and Owen from Nobrow pour sweat, blood and tears into this hand printed limited edition book. Only 100 of these sumptuous darlings will be made featuring all the Yokai that Scott and Myself could catch or poke small twigs at.

Character Designs

Today, I drew....

...a fish...

..and some grain.

I've had a lovely day drawing lots of icons and symbols for Wonky's 'Climate Changed' project. These are two of my favourites.

Another Bento Beastie!

Meet Inugami, the dog god, featured in the soon to be released Bento Bestiary. Head over to Nobrow's new website and read more about my first limited edition, hand printed book.

New Compass Logo

This is the new logo for Compass International, who are now approaching their fourth year with the festival of Desire. 

Nobrow Magazine Presents 'Gods and Monsters'

The first Nobrow Journal is launched today and it's a steal at a mere £9 so order yours at Nobrow.net, you won't regret it. The cover is illustrated by the super awesome Stuart Kolakovic. Below is my contribution to the issue illustrating two Yokai, Nue and Neko-mata, dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller. Both of whom are featured and re-designed in the Bento Bestiary, that is due out very, very soon.

Nobrow-JaguarShoes Press Release

To celebrate the release of our first publication ‘Gods and Monsters’ we will be exhibiting the work from the edition in large scale format at Bar and exhibition space; DreamBagsJaguarShoes.

Private View: Thursday 14th May, 2009
Exhibition: 15th May – 28th June 2009
DreamBagsJaguarShoes,
32 Kingsland Road, E2.

Nobrow Issue 1: Gods & Monsters. Printed in two spot colours in a limited edition of 3000 numbered copies it gives a high quality platform to artists and illustrators both new and established. The diverse contributors were hand picked for their unique styles and all were invited to generate work based on the theme. Some are up and coming, others are plucked from unexpected places, all are talented.

Contributors are: Dave Taylor, Alex Spiro, Sam Arthur, Jordan Crane,Emiliano Ponzi, A. Richard Allen, Jens Harder, Reuben Rude,Benjamin Guedel, Eda Akaltun, Matthieu Bessudo, Caspar Williamson,Toby Leigh, Alex Bland, Ben Newman, Nick White, Stuart Kolakovic,Sarah King, Leah Hayes, Paul Blow, Bjorn Rune Lie, Brett Ryder , Carl Johanson and Blexbolex.

It will be available for the super special intro price of £9.00 in the following shops from the 15th May: Magma (Clerkenwell & Manchester branches), ICA, Gosh Comics, Beyond The Valley, Whitechapel Art Gallery, Koenig Books, Camden Arts Centre, Arnolfini Gallery, Here Gallery, Soma and many, many more.

Russian Doll For Pocko

This cheeky fella is currently winging his way to the Metropolis exhibition in Milan which starts on the 21st of May at the Pocko Gallery. Each Pocko artist has been asked to design a Russian Doll for the show so I'm really looking forward to seeing them all lined up together.

In other news, check out Sharesomecandy.com which I have been contributing to along with a whole host of talented folk from across the globe. Hit the link below to treat those peepers.
Thanks for reading!

Cinemascope Exhibition Now On!

These two prints are a limited edition of 12 and went on sale on the 8th May at the Cinemascope exhibition in Brighton. The show will run until the 31st May at the Boxbird Gallery. 

New T-Shirt From Roxbury!

Smash your piggy bank and raid your Mum's purse because Roxbury Industries have launched their new T-shirt designed by me. Click here to purchase this bad boy, you know you want to.

The Good Old Days

I was transferring some old work and general clutter from my computer to my external hard drive when I found this old video from 2006. I then remembered that I had posted it on YouTube a long time ago. These videos are from Safetyword's album launch at the The Cube Cinema in Bristol on the 2nd December, 2006. I designed a series of simple moving images for each song on the album and on the night I had to watch the show through a tiny glass window in the projection booth at the back. This was because I had to press the 'next chapter' button on the DVD remote at the end of every song and I think I accidentally press 'stop' in the middle of one of the songs and the background disappears. Whoops!

I dug around on my computer and found the poster for the night too. This was my first gig poster design. Hope you enjoy!

NIDO Magazine Launches Today

This is one of two illustrations featured in the brand new NIDO magazine based in Germany. 

More Bento News

Head over to Nobrow for some more details.

The Bronnt and Crease Album Launch Poster

A joint album launch for Bronnt Industries Kapital and Iron Crease promises to be a truly great night and with The Dagger Brothers in support, they'll be turning the 'PARTY' all the way up to 11. BOOM!

Uncertain Future

Here are two more concept images from the 'Climate Changed' project for Wonky.