I've been doing some work on a gallery of lesser-known-mythical creatures. The Japanese Takka-onna are particularly freaky methinks.
Animation premiere
If you happen to be passing through Galway at the weekend you might stumble upon the 20th annual Galway Film Fleadh. The festival promotes and screens some of the very best in new and classic Irish and world cinema. Including the premiere of an animation called A Wonderful Story we did a while ago which is finally seeing the light of day now.
It started life as a book written by our good friend and client, John Mooney. I did the illustration and design for it and John loved it so he asked me turn it into an animation. The books and dvds have just been released into schools as part of the NI curriculum.
The great thing is that the project donates all profits towards the prevention of suicide in Ireland.
I have to admit that I can't go to the screening because I'll just cringe so much at everyone looking at my work. Is that bad? My toes curl thinking about it. EEK! Its all very very exciting though and I'm so glad all the hard work is worth it. If you ask me very nicely I'll send you link to watch it online ;-)
Dekko Monsters
Not so long ago our friends at Mammoth commissioned me to create a set of monster characters to promote Dekko's big summer sale. This was a FUN job. The media buy was huge and Martin, Emma and Barry appeared on billboards around every corner in Belfast which is all very exciting if you're me. Here's a few snaps of the Dekko monster team.
Meet the monsters
The not-so-fierce but slightly bemused and very friendly Dekko monsters.
Yannick
I was doing some monster characters for a billboard campaign today and this friendly chap was part of my sketches but he didn't make the final cut. I love him though, I think he's my fave. He looks like a Yannick.
Mustachioed Fromage
Cheese + tache = glee
This is a snippet of what I've been working on recently. Its part of the healthy living stuff that I'm working on for our classroom resource site which we'll hopefully be launching soon. I'm having the best time doodling all day. Will post with a big fat link once the site is up and running ...
We Can Fly
Have I told you about WeCanFly? There's a story behind the name I might tell some time. We got a super fancy new camera and I think it may be the best thing ever (this hour).
Special things
I've been working on a book project for a while now. It's pretty exciting. Here's a little glimpse of things to come ...
Toot!
Another commission from Usborne. These were for a children's music book. Unfortunately they weren't used.
Funday
Our friend Jenni is a primary school teacher. She needed to cheer up her classroom so I got to do a quick and fun wall display for her. I like Wednesday the best I think.
Childrens' art book
I got a commission from Usborne Publishing. This was a recreated scene from Paulo Uccello's painting Saint George and the Dragon.
Crescent Arts Auction
I was recently asked to take in an art auction alongside other local artists to raise funds for the Crescents Arts Centre. A place where I spent a lot of time learning how to draw. A bunch of art chums and I used to hop on the train after school, go to Botanic, eat cheesey chips in Maggie May's and then head to the Crescent for our life drawing classes. Fun times. Although bizarrely this seems to be frowned upon now.
I jumped at the chance to be a part of the Crescent's refurbishment. Until I got the sweats about the fact that this was an auction and there was a fair chance that my painting could be a complete flop alongside other proper artists. Yeeek!
I was so nervous during the bidding. Sweaty palms and everything. Thankfully my wee painting did well, and it raised a good few handy pounds for the mighty Crescent. I was so relieved. It was a big pride thing I know and I'm glad I made it with dignity intact and even a few proud pats on the back. Phew!
This was the official blurb btw "The painting tells a story about a melancholy character who is followed by a rain cloud. Despite the flourish of life he leaves in his wake, he can only see the desert in front of him"
Evan & Petra's Big Day Out Pt2
It's finished! I had a panic getting it framed in time. Who'd have thought that the framers would be busy coming up to Chrim! Thankfully George at the Townhouse Gallery did me a huge favour and pulled out all the stops for me. My photo of it doesn't look great so I've added the scans too. Janine loved it thankfully and I'm a happy girl.
Evan & Petra's Big Day Out
During the summer I got a commission from a lovely lady called Janine Walker. She asked me for something to celebrate the 1st birthday of her son, Evan. I love jobs like this. She gave me free rein to do as I please. What trust! I decided on a triptych that would tell a simple story of a day of discovery with Evan as the star and their dog Petra as his sidekick. This is the sketch I showed to Janine to explain the idea.
She loved the idea so I went ahead and started creating. I wanted to do something more physical and textural than I usually do. Most of my work is finished off on screen and I wanted Evan to have something that was a bit more than a flat image so he could see how it was made. These are the bits and pieces I painted, found, cut-out, stuck together ...
The Prof
Alistair, a university lecturer on innovation within engineering, approached me to create a character to describe his approach - a kind of mini-brand for himself. He wanted something that could be used on his business cards, powerpoints etc. that was a bit more fun than the usual university logo. These were the ones that didn't make the cut ...
Book Cover
I got contacted recently by Usborne publishing to create a cover to pitch a book at Frankfurt bookfair. Hope it does well :)
Hairy
Some illustration work for Cleland McKnight, a local image consultancy that we're doing some brand work for. Visit www.clelandmcknight.com to check them out. I'm redrawing all their diagram type people which is interesting. I'm so used to drawing out of proportion and making stuff cute but this has tested me (in a good way).