Sing for your Supper

These guys are absolutely amazing. They have disregarded modern conveniences, to immerse themselves in a project which entails embarking on a journey of epic scale. Walking from Canterbury to Wales (and if they make it this far the journey continues) they are singing for their supper. They provide you with a tuneful melody, you provide them with supper which in turn fuels their next day of walking and exploring. A simple exchange of skills. Gathering local history, traditional wisdom, tales of the land which they are inhabiting. Travelling on foot and living outside they describe it as a modern attempt to merge the tenets of historical sustainability, with the possibilities afforded by our present world's state of development. I suggest you check out their website.

A series of postcards visually representing 'talvi's' interpretation of winter. What a cheery way to reflect on an otherwise dreary season.

Sophie Dahl's literary skills

I have never found the way that Sophie Dahl executes herself in her fictional writing to be particularly comprehensive. Sadly I don't feel that she inherited the literacy skill of her late Grandfather, but although lacking in dexterity there is just a certain air of nostalgia and charm about her subject content that still allows for the reading of her work to be a pleasurable experience. Working predominantely as an author of books aimed at the childrens market she wrote an article in a high end glossy a few months ago retelling a favourite childhood game. A mass amalgamation of fantasy, a flurry of excitement and make believe, I am as equally enamored by her ability to remember tales of her youth with such a level of clarity as I am jealous of the seemingly endless endeavours she had.

Bookbinding workshop

I was involved in a book binding workshop with Lucy May Schofield last week. Aside from a quick induction in the second year this is something which I have never had the opportunity to engage in. I had no intention of utilizing the skills for any present or ongoing project but entered into the workshop feeling that it could only aid my personal development and add to my skills list. Providing me with something that I would be able to revert back to in the future should it be necessary. During the 4 hour session I learnt the basics and made a concertina book. There is something quite relaxing about learning a process that involves not having to use your brain. It was quite nice to disconnect with the outside world for a little. (images to arrive shortly)

Long live casio

This is my casio. A trusty and handy companion, as well as unfortunately labeling me as an art student, it also manages to provide me with the opportunity to arrive on time to the occasional engagement. It was a present from my Father offered due to its practical usage. As one of the most unostentatious men I know it is his watch of choice (he however has little awareness of its growing popularity amongst previously mentioned art students) and he purchased it quite simply as it 'does everything you need a watch to do.' Having worn his for so long, one day the battery simply gave up meaning that it was sent to the watch shop for a replacement. As children we were unaware as to why one would send a watch to be repaired when the bill would outway the cost of a new watch. My Father was equally puzzled by our bafflement and could not quite get his head around the idea of purchasing a new watch when he already had a perfectly functioning one (albeit minus a battery.) It is only recently that I am starting to understand. And so, to this day I sport my £9.99 casio with its necessary functions with a level of pride unmatched by any other superior or more expensive watch. 

I bumped into an old lady struggling to manage her shopping today. After offering to lend a hand she kindly refused my help but did not refuse my conversation and we chatted all the way home. After proclaiming that at 82 her favoured mode of transport is her trusty bicycle she wiled me into conversation with tales of her father who at 11 left school to embark on his chosen trade. I learnt all about her close family and was bestowed with stories of her son and his construction business. As warming as the experience was it almost left me quite saddened. One day this precious generation will be lost and all forms of unexpected social interaction will no doubt die with them.

Conquering Photoshop

I am starting to realise how much my lack of capabilities regarding Adobe Creative suite has been affecting my creative development. With some very kind early morning tuition from the guys in the Mac Suite I have started to master (and I use that word in the most loosest of terms) Photoshop. The last one on my list, but unfortunately, it seems the one most useful. I am currently working on my sustainability project and am tackling the promotion of seasonal veggies. I don't know where this is going (sometimes that is a joy) but here's today's Photoshop progress so far.  Not great, but maybe a step in the right direction...at least I hope.

Joe McLaren

I absolutely love the illustrative style of Joe McLaren a recent graduate from Brighton University. 

Stig Lindberg

I love the work of Stig Lindberg. Another Swedish designer.

White's Books

White's Book covers are beautiful, featured in this months Grafik Magazine.

The key to....?

A few others from the series that never quite made the cut.

I never quite came to a conclusion that I was entirely happy with on this project (as with all.) Sometimes it takes a step back for any creative flame to reignite. Have been playing around with laying the illustration over a photograph. Lets see if it goes anywhere.... 

I recently finished a wedding package for some friends. What was intended to be a short project lasting only a few days ended up spanning around three weeks, but alas, they are completed and I can finally move on with my life. It may not be one of the most intellectually stimulating of projects but if anything it gave me a little practice in fine tuning the art of screen printing what with my silly attempt to integrate 12 colours. Oh well, lessons can only be learnt by making mistakes! 

hello bird.

These illustrations by Cristiana Couceiro are absolutely beautiful. The juxtaposition of vintage photographs and vectored shapes makes this so I believe. Quite relevant to my current project. (Click on each image to enlarge and view in full) 

I am afraid that I cannot take the credit for this discovery as I found it through a fellow bloggers website. These photographs from varying sources are gathered and collated by 'superbomba' and displayed on her flickr site. I love their sheer honesty. They present a dewy idyllic snippet of life in a past era. Click here to have a look at the full collection.    

My Grandfather is dieing. A once strong and valiant man, it is as painful to view the undignified slip towards his tragic demise as it is to embrace the reality of being stripped of my last remaining grandparent at the tender age of 24. Having spent the majority of his adult life inhabiting the same crumbling cottage situated atop a grassy hill overlooking the Tywi valley it seems that this has allowed for quite a collection of acquired treasures (of low monetary value may i add!) A recent trip to Wales to rifle through his heaving cupboards brought many delights for a grandaughter interested in cherished objects. One of my many finds was a package of obsolete keys that despite lack of function have been residing in his drawer for many years. The envelope in which they nestled was as soft as butter having being fingered and tabbed by many. This little package is a testiment to the frugality of the lost war time generation. A generation who cherished and respected time honored traditions and spent their life really appreciating the value of things.