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...