Final Major Project

I will be creating a series of books on the theme of animals. My illustrative interests have always surrounded the theme of animals, and aspiring to reach a young audience so this collection of books will reflect those factors.
When I say 'collection', It does not dictate that these books will be similar in size, shape or form but thier similarities will lie in thier contents; my illustrations surrounding the theme of animals and wildlife.


I have recently become fascinated with bears and came across a book in Oxfam from which I have been drawing from:



My main sources of material for drawing come from secondary sources, such as books. Then I used textured/ patterned papers that I have collected from old books, envelopes, recycled paper, and wallpaper, and use this to take the on the main shape of my ilustration before adding more layers of paper, then ink and pen on top of the image. Then I use photoshop to get rid of any imperfections, that is about as far as my computer use goes, as I am very much a tactile artist with incompetent computer skills.

I mocked up the order of the book by using a few sides of folded A4, although the final one will be a lot smaller. I will be attempting to finish this book within the next couple of days, all according to how quick I can pick up indesign, here are a few images from it:

Sophie Calle

I recently purchased Sophie Calle's M'as-tu vue? from Amazon. The book is a collection of images, writings and memoirs from her life as a conceptual artist. I found it's contents so intimate and profound, reading it felt like getting to know a person rather than reading a book. Her work appeals to me as its importance is in the journey of creating the piece, and the meaning behind it, rather than focusing the attention to its outcome. One of my favourite (and well-known) pieces of her work is 'Suite vénitienne' (Please follow me), in which Calle took on the roll of a detective and chose to follow strangers on the street 'for the pleasure of following them, not because they particularly intrested me', making notes of there actions, taking photos of them and listening to thier conversations. Her subjects become involved in her work unknowingly and possibly unwillingly. Aside from the fascinating and intimate stories it contains, it is also a rather beautiful publication, printed on a mixture of size/colour/textured papers and encased in a padded cover. Best 30 dogs I've spent in a long while.

A Sufi and a Killer

Shoebox bedrooms

Shoebox art is an unique and charming idea from Kids company, a charity that supports vunerable children. The charity asked a total of 42 contemporary artists to recreate one of thier childhoold bedrooms within the confines of a shoebox. The final pieces are currently bieng exhibited and auctioned in order to raise money for the Kids Company's worthwhile cause.
These are a few of my favourites;



Paul Fryer: Attic room, 36 Hovingham Grove




Alastair Mackie: Untitled




Grayson Perry: One of these days I will just throw a match in




Jamie Shovlin: Wreckroom




Damien Hirst: Mibedroom




Stella Vine: 67 Recreation Road



Read more about the project here: http://www.eyestorm.com/kidsco/

My ears are excited

Paperboy

Came across this on a style blog..Paperboy are a interiors company who have created these new wallpapers for children's bedrooms. I think the ideas are really original and fun, especially 'handmade' which is a print based on the idea of hand shadow animals.

Egon Schiele

Egon Schiele is one of my heroes when it comes to fine art. The fluidity and expression within his work is so inspirational for a tactile artist like myself.