Junky Styling

I've become aware that it has been an uncharacteristic 2 weeks since I last made a post.  "Busy" is no excuse but I have had some exciting things happening; some of which I can share now.

I supplied the two illustrations shown here to accompany a catwalk review of Junky Styling's A/W 2011 offering, covered by Amelia Gregory at Amelia's Magazine.  Click here to see the report.

The clothes are gorgeous, and a ton of fun as they all existed as 'normal' clothes in a previous incarnation.  It's incredible just how hot Junky Styling can make a suit (or three) look on a chick: as you can witness below.  And I believe the red strips used to be a tie.  Genius!

I have also been scribbling away, creating another record sleeve for Untold and Hemlock Recordings.  It's just about ready for print; and though I can't show it off yet, I will say it's got a spot of neon on it that I am print-geek-ish-ly excited about!

Bateman will be so jealous...

If Patrick Bateman saw my new business cards he'd probably go out and brutally murder two dozen prostitutes.  Or maybe he'd just fantasise about it?  I never was too sure...

I just received my bumper order of promotional goodies from Moo.com, in preparation for my imminent website launch.  I went all out and got business cards, web cards, postcards and stickers.  I even got a lovely case to stash and carry some of my cards at all times.  So next time you see me; ask for a card!

web cards

 postcards

 postcards

 stickers!

Sketchbook: Nights at the Circus #1

I am currently reading 'Nights at the Circus' by Angela Carter.  I have just finished section one; in which Fevvers (a cockney trapeze artiste who was allegedly born with wings) recounts her life story thus far to an American journalist called Jack Walser (who was hoping to prove she's a phoney, but may have become obsessed with her instead).

I was inspired to draw Fevvers and her abnormally large proportions, and the picture was going quite well until I tipped mauve ink down it.  I finished it anyway, after all it's only a sketchbook page.

Sketchbook: The Centaur

I was lucky enough to see Buck 65 play the Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen last week.  Buck (aka Rich Tefry) was most entertaining and charming; a consummate performer.  He has a track called 'The Centaur' which is funny and sweet, and it got me thinking: why haven't I painted a Centaur yet?

So here is take one of 'The Centaur' inspired by Buck 65.  (It has his face, obviously)

The Rose-Elf

Even though the Rose-elf himself didn't feature in the end; this is my illustration for the climax of Hans Andersen's short story 'The Rose-Elf'.

Image Hoard: Kaleidoscopic

Here it is: your start-of-the-week visual boost.  I've found 4 images that are high in kaleidoscopic detail, with areas of intense patterning.

1- Various Pediastum from"Kunstformen der Natur" by Ernst Haeckel

This is a plate illustrating various different forms of green algae.  Who knew green slime could be so pretty?

2- Illustrated fashion editorial by Good Wives & Warriors for I <3 FAKE

GWAW is an illustration duo consisting of Becky Bolton and Louise Chappell.  They collaborate to create these very intense and dense decorative images.  They cover everything, from magazines to chairs, and even a car.

3- Vintage Armani, photographed by Stephen Shore for Amica 

via Pocko

4- Illustrative book detail by Harry Clarke

from "Tales of Mystery and Imagination" by E. A. Poe, 1923

via Journey Around My Skull's Flickr

Clarke was a stained-glass-window-maker-turned-illustrator.  He created a large series of illustrations for Poe's work; some full colour, some monochrome and some extra page bits like this writhing, flourishing monster.

A is for Antlers

This is a repeat pattern I made yesterday.  It is inspired by a small hunting room stuffed with trophies at Schloss Buckeburg; a German palace that I visited last year.  

The motto reads "HIC VERO - NUNC VERO".  It's meant to be a rough translation of "Right here, right now": a modern 'Carpe diem' and a phrase that's tattooed (in English) on my husband's wrist.  I used google translate (+ my powers of logic) to translate it into Latin so I wouldn't be sure that it would make sense to a Latin speaker.  Good job there aren't too many around.