Jazz and Draw

I really love this website, Jazz and Draw.  Its a great place to discover new art, as well as new music.  When I was asked a while back to illustrate something for Jazz and Draw, the Japanese group Pizzicato Five came to mind.  I listen to them a lot when I work- I find their music is uplifting and their combination of jazzy, bossa nova influences give them a very nostalgic sound.  This is my portrait of Maki Nomiya who is the singer in the group.

New Work

A sneak peek of some portraits I am working on at the moment.....

Big Changes!

Wow- I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted on here.  Really need to make time and effort to update this more regularly!  Since the start of 2012, there have been lots of big changes (good changes) both in my personal and professional life....  After three years at an amazing school, working full-time as an art & photography teacher, I have now taken on part-time teaching work so I can spend time getting back into illustrating again.  It has been a really long time since I illustrated professionally, I miss it a lot, and I believe having the balance of teaching, (which is incredibly fun/demanding/immensely rewarding) and the creativity of illustration, is the right path to take.  Although it is a bit daunting, I believe it is the right thing to do- change is good.  I have started creating illustration digitally again, and have also taken on jewellery making which is still relatively new and exciting.  Its great to start afresh, take risks and have new challenges!  Here are a few pics of some of the things I have created these last few months...

Here are some of my illustrated pieces of jewellery- designs are painted with gouache or created digitally, then I transfer them onto brass lockets.

Dream. Simple and pretty.

This one was inspired by a summer English meadow...

Recent digital illustrations...

Portrait of Lucien Freud, one of my favourite portrait painters.

An experimental/digital piece.

SKETCHES- MCQUEEN

It's a stunning day today so I went to sit in the park for a few hours and do some sketches.  It seems a long time since I've drawn anything and I've been wanting to create a series inspired by Alexander McQueen for a while.  They are just sketches and ideas at the moment, but its lovely to just sit and doodle.  I'm far less precious when working directly in pen in my book- and less worried about making mistakes.  Here are some of the drawings I did today.

GANBARE NIPPON

Since the horrific earthquake that happened in March in North East Japan, fellow illustrators Natsuki Otani, Lea Wade and I have been involved in various activities to raise funds for the Japan appeal.

Illustration Rally (Natsuki's lovely project) has had some incredible work done by illustrators with the theme "Don't give up Japan".  It's shown the sense of community spirit that I think makes Japan such a beautiful country.  We also have an online shop here at etsy, with some beautiful illustration, art and handmade pieces.

Renato Pequito Pagoda Print, available here

Mr Yen hand cut papercut, available here

This Saturday, 25th June there is also an event at The Book Club, in Shoreditch, East London, called "Paint it, Make it, Party for Japan".  There is going to be zine making, with pages by some brilliant talent in illustration, such as Gemma Correll, Aaron Miller and Stephen Chan of Thunder Chunky, a pop up shop selling all the lovely stuff from our online shop, a signed teatowel raffle by ToDryFor, live drawing with Mister Millerchip and Kristian Jones, origami workshops, and cupcakes!  How much fun and creativity can you fit into one day?

 You can check out the official facbook event page here, and also read more about it at Illustration Rally.  It's going to be a fantastic day!  All money is being raised through Just Giving.