UPDATE: Knitting in Nottingham...

Here's a glance at the finished knit machine commission.  It's a terrible photo as I snapped it using a battered hand-me-down phone in a dark room after I'd already wrapped it in camera-repellent-shiny-reflective-clear-plasticky-stuff.  But it's an original not for reproduction.  And the recipients were "over the moon" with it in the flesh :) 
So yay and phew!

Recovery exhibition...

A collage and watercolour enhanced version of the below illustration is currently on display at the Institute of Mental Health in Nottingham.  It forms a teeny part of a fascinatingly eclectic exhibition organised by City Arts, on the theme of recovery.  This is a topical subject for me, especially in view of my current placement within a CMHT.
In keeping with my love of drawing things that have inherent connotations, the toolbox both represents the idea of needing assistance to facilitate the process or reach the destination, whilst also recognising that one size does not fit all - Our support mechanisms are entirely individual.  

The exhibition brochure can be found/downloaded etc. here. 

Appreciated publicity...

Just a quick post to share that one of my lace machine drawings has popped up in the October edition of 'Choice' magazine.. with big thanks to Debbie Bryan :) See the image for a screenshot of the very page, which features work from the lovely Katie Almond too... 

Knitting in Nottingham...

Spent a delightful afternoon last weekend at Ruddington Framework Knitters Museum, collecting photos and sketches as reference material for a recent commission.  See below for a selection of the snaps, and for a sneaky peek at the rough sketch.  Planning to incorporate a row of original windows into the illustration as these were a vital element in production, to allow as much light into the workshop as possible.  I'm also hoping to add in a glass globe (as can be seen in the sepia factory photo), which were part-filled with water and hung from the machines to diffuse the limited available light... a bit like a pre-electricity spotlight - Genius! 

Time of life...

It seems summer has moved on, so I thought this was a somewhat appropriate autumnal image to share...

It was designed as a background for a poster, used in a presentation, which provided information on the biological, psychological and sociological impacts on health for a case study on George - a 62 year old farm machinery driver.  The field landscape suited his current work role and held connotations of harvest, symbolising the time of his life, nearing retirement.  The setting sun and horizon line also linked in with ideas of forward planning and looking to the future, whilst the setting sun, representing the end of the daily cycle, created a visual metaphor for growing old and end of life.    

From ground to grub...

 

Recipe book cover for a recent pitch... featuring a fork shaped plant to link in with the two-concept-title... a rustic line and offset print-making-esque colours for an earthy/one-off effect... and assembled digital collage to draw on the collective nature of the project.

Shiny Precious Mirrors...

These protectively-packaged, portable and practical yet pretty pocket mirrors are now available to buy here for only 3 little pounds!

Choose between a birthday appropriate cupcake, a blooming lovely flowery pattern, an up-to-date Aztec inspired design, an always beautiful butterfly or a perfect-for-your-pencil-case stationery design... 

In memory of...

Managed to draw a picture of my Grandma for her funeral service booklet, which I think catches a little bit of her playfulness... 

Legs are out...

Well the sun is encouraging otherwise hidden body parts to be revealed.  And so to celebrate, I'd thought I'd share some simple life drawing from last year...

Fabulous ridiculous-ness...

I spent 7 of the last 12 days road tripping through Yosemite, Napa, San Francisco and Los Angeles.  Somewhat less respectably, 5 entire days were squandered in Vegas - My entire being is still sore from the sensory overloading...

The power of Sylvanian Families...

Went rummaging for childhood at maison mothership and accidentally (on purpose) stumbled across an old shoe box containing these little critters.  There was no escape from their little faces.  Doodles had to occur...

Dia de los Muertos Tattoo Design

I was recently asked to design a tattoo based on a day of the dead skull, incorporating stars and a butterfly into the illustration to compliment existing tattoos.  

Even though I'm somewhat averse to needles, I thought I'd have a go...  Especially considering the client would have to really like the result to consider etching it permanently onto their skin!  So this is the chosen version..

And here's another, played with to add some colour...

If I see the finished result (on skin) I'll upload that too...

My sticky notes need you...

It's been a happy illustration day today!  I discovered my office sticky note set, designed for Parragon last year, has been selected as a finalist in the 'Trendys' stationary awards.  If you could have a looksee here to vote, that would be muchos appreciated.  Pretty-please-with-a-cherry-on-top.  And thank you :)

Heads, shoulders, knees and toes...

Have seen a lot of knees and hips lately so am trying to learn all the associated boney bits. Decided doing a couple of simplified doodles might help the names stick in my brain a little more easily... even if they're not the most anatomically correct.

For some fantastical and rather more accurate medical illustration have a looksee here at work by degree compadre Arran Lewis.

My metronome is a bit stuck...

As a diversion from assignment (otherwise known as necessary procrastination), I decided to doodle a visual metaphor for occupational balance.  
Rather than scales which need even weight between two opposites, I figured a metronome was appropriate for the concept as it's grounded, swaying between activities, which has a feeling of serendipity...  Plus like life, it's constant, but can speed up or slow down to suit individuality.  I'm currently stuck on mental work, challenge and self-imposed solitude. 
Credit to AOTA (2008) and Finlay (2004) for some of the terms... not that I'm still in assignment mode or anything...

Bad day at the office?

These rough little illustrations were ideas created as starting points toward a final illustration and website layout for Louise Evans of My Life Genie, who offers a transformative, bespoke, business coaching service.  If you recognise yourself, banish those January blues, and get in touch with Louise to launch some new business resolutions...