Unmovable

Unmovable is the deadline for our fast approaching exhibition. Just two weeks tonight it opens. Lots to be done.

Atmosphere

Further to yesterday's post and image about space and our place in the universe is this little drawing showing the layers of atmosphere which act as a shield and make our Earth a Goldilocks planet on which life can thrive - not too hot and not too cold, its just right. Though its at that the point in the story that the bears turn up and everything goes pear shaped so hopefully not a very accurate analogy.

The Planets

Work continues a pace on our new exhibition at the Arches.

Thinking about religion, the Gods, fate etc always makes me think about a series of lectures I went to at the Science Centre Planetarium in Glasgow. Five weeks of two levtures conducted under the amazing planetarium dome where all the stars of the universe were hanging above our heads. At the end of the lecture series the tutor got us all to close our eyes. Dutifully we did so only to reopen them to see - the exact same starry night we'd been looking at just a few seconds before?

After allowing us a couple of seconds of disapointment the lecturer said we didn't look very impressed. He then said that we just taken the biggest trip any of us would ever take. The planetarium projector had just been reconfigured, instead of showing us the nights sky as it looks from Earth it had switched to showing the universe from several hundred light years to one side. Using his laser indicator he pointed out the four stars of a consteallation he had previously explained to us 1, 2, 3, 4 . . . . and now 5.

This new fifth star which had joined the end of the consteallation was actually our own sun viewed from outside our solar system. All of human history, all our great works and all our failures, all the dreams, hopes, achievements, sorrow and joy of our race's existance was encompassed on just one tiny little dot of light on the domed roof. Makes you feel pretty small.

Hole in my Pocket @ The Arches 2010

We (Hole in my Pocket) have been asked to design a new exhibition for the Arches, opening night 10 September. We weren't sure what the theme of our show would be, but a couple of ideas we didn't develop the last time, coupled with the Pope's visit to Glasgow in September has given us a direction to set off in and our new show will now be exploring Religion. Its a dangerous and large subject to have fun with but we shall try our best to play with some ideas, invoke some humour and try very, very hard not to offend anyone. Fingers crossed.


HOLE IN MY POCKET: THE SECOND COMING 10 SEPTEMBER 2010
"Bringing their thoughts on faith, belief and belonging to the Arches, Hole in my Pocket form their own religion and ask you to become a true believer."

As part of the show we will also be holding an event called The Sunday Service every Sunday.

THE SUNDAY SERVICE
"Hole in my Pocket invite you to join them for the Himp Sunday Service, an alternative to Sunday School for creative types. Come along and hear a series of sermons from top artists, designers and performers about their chosen fields, find out what inspires them and celebrate the Church of Creativity in style with some group karaoke, readings from Moby Dick and a nice cup of tea. Sundays 19 September and 3, 10 October 1 -2.30pm."

WE NEED YOU
That's where we need the creative world of Glasgow to get involved. We have a few people already pencilled in to give a sermon (talk about their work) but we are looking for more. We are open to all ideas from any creative fields - artists, musicans, dancers, designers, sculptures, performers and would like a mix of people talking about their own work and the work of others who inspire them, or really on any other related topic. Talks will be with a slide show presentation of your images and will last around 5 mins. We'll keep things short and snappy in a kind of Pecha Kucha style so it will be a really fun, lighthearted and relaxed way to tell people about your work. There will be tea and scones served once its all done which will allow everyone to mingle and chat about all things creative.
As well as sermon givers are also looking for readers and suggestions for interesting passages from books, poems and other things that could make interesting readings and if anyone is in/ or knows a choir who would be interested in leading the singing through some pop hits then that would be ace.

If any of the above sounds interesting then please give us an email with your suggestions and a link to your work at info@holeinmypocket.com.

Affected - Trailer

Here's a short trailer I edited for London based theatre company Spid. The trailer is for a film they wrote and directed entitled 'Affected' and which is about:

"Natural resources are running out, and a mysterious man known as the Tempter is goading people to fight for the luxuries they want. Teenage documentary maker Jacob and his girlfriend Laura take their camera to the scene of his last crime on the violent Eden Estate. But as people start to turn ‘affected,’ possessed by greed and empty of empathy - how will our heroes ever survive?"

Folk Tales: Rapunzel

I never got this story.

After using Rapunzel's hair to climb up how does prince resuce her. The situation is still the same - unless the prince has brough a big pair of scissors there is no way for Rapunzel to climb down her own hair.

EDIT: Having done some research (Googled the name Rapunzel) - it would appear the Prince came up with the clever plan of sneaking up the tower everynight with a bit of silk which Rapunzel was to spin into a ladder. Why he didn't just bring a ladder is a bit of a mystery but there you are.

Cowboy Spacegun

This is the gun for Cowboy spaceman, from a series of paintings of robots and futuristic items.

Brassband

Little brassband inspired by the fantastic drawings on the previously mentioned http://colonelwindpipe.blogspot.com/. Well worth a look through.

To see the individual characters at higher res then click here.

Double

A nice coincidence word today, given that I'm in the middle of making a second edition (double) of my George and the Dragon russian dolls. The brass band set is now complete and the varnish is drying and images of them will be uploaded over the weekend.

Got Milk?

I like milk - its usually my drink of choice with meals and I prefer it to yoghurt on my breakfast cereal.

One thing that really annoys me about milk though is the campaign of billboard posters with various B list celebrities drinking milk and ending up with milk moustaches. The campaign has been going on for long time and is just accepted as normal but when you actually stop and think about it, its a really strange concept. How come none of these people learned to drink properly and why don't they wipe their faces.

I'm not sure why the milk board think that seeing someone with milk on their face will encourage us to buy their product but I think someone should point out its kinda disgusting. At best, getting milk on your face is an unfortunete and unwanted side affect of drinking milk. Its not its most desireable quality by a long way.

Imagine they used the same concept with other products, using their unwanted side effects as the hook for an advert. For example an advert for Campbell's tomato soup with a grinning child with big orange stains all over his face, or a bottle of red wine with a pretty woman smiling and showing off her wine blackened teeth or think what you could do with Heinz baked beans!!

I wonder how much the milk board pays for these people to be in their adverts? And I wonder what the stars say to their agents when they find out they've been booked for the gig - there are not many people who can manage to have milk on their face and still look good. I mean is anyone looking at these guys and going "hey, they've got milk on their face, I need to get me some of that."

In preperation of this post I did a google search for some of the UK adverts, only to discover that the milk moustache is not just a UK advertising strategy. Here the campaign is known by its slogan "the right stuff" but in the US by the slogan "Got milk". In both the concept is the same, a celebrity face covered in milk, the difference between the two is the calabre of the people advertising the milk - here while we currently have Gordon Ramsey and Pixie Lott, the americans have got Batman, Glen Close and Andre Agassi's mum. Check the link and see if you think anyone doesn't look like a plonker.

Other countries are tackling it in different ways, some more successful than others - Brazil, Canada, South Africa and Angola.

Weirdest advert I saw is this one from Singapore. When I first saw the image I thought we'd found an even odder way to advertise milk than the milkface concept but having done a bit of research its actually a photo company called milk and not drink that is being advertised. (Still pretty weird though.)

Anyway, the whole milkface thing has just annoyed me today as I saw another of the billboards as I was walking along the road. I haven't even really got a suggestion for an alternative, its just annoyed me. Not sure what I'd prefer, I quite enjoy the bonkers adverts with the cow, cyclist and pirate by Cravendale and their simple poster series, they are a heck of a weird set but quite good fun.

From my quick google search online it seems there is quite a depth of adverts from around the world to draw upon. Would make an interesting little article/ docu for someone.

Scottish Greetings Cards

My Scottish Post prints are now availible in handy gift card size for sending lots of nice greetings to friends and family or, if you prefer, you can keep them for yourself and use the envelopes for storing small items like paper clips, rubber bands or plastic moustaches.

Folksy / Etsy

Russian Dolls - Brassband

The talk of a brassband the other day inspired me to attempt a russian doll set. Here are the sketch ideas. I'll take photos of the finished articles tonight and put on a post tomorrow.

Colonel Windpipe's Musical Brigade.

Really like the new project by Uberkraaft and Lesley Barnes to create a musical band called Colonel Windpipe's Musical Brigade. They are asking illustrators around the world to submit their own characters for a special joint charity print. Have a look at some of the cool band members who have signed up so far.

3D is rubbish

Can't quite decide what to do with this idea. I think it makes a pretty cool card or print but then would I want it on my wall?

Ice to see you

The many hours I spent on the roof over the coldest winter for years paid off as my ice letters have been selected to appear in a book about 3D lettering.

I might post some info about the process behind making these ice letters as it was extremely laborious and required me to solve the problem of what to do when the thaw arrived and I was only as far as H.

"Almost two years in the making FL@33 are now happy to present The 3D Type Book – a handbook, source of inspiration and the most comprehensive showcase ever published that focuses 100 per cent on three-dimensional experimental letterforms, sculptural shape-shifting letters, tactile experiences and surprising and inventive ways to interpret the alphabet, ranging from beautiful and humorous to poetic, witty and conceptual.

On 240 pages The 3D Type Book features over 1300 pictures illustrating over 300 projects by over 160 selected contributors from around the world. Like no other publication before does The 3D Type Book also feature pioneering milestone work from the last century going back as far as the 1940s. The overall focus however is on recent and brand new typographic projects and experiments – imaginative, playful work with sculptural and three-dimensional letterforms.

The 3D Type Book showcases cutting-edge work by emerging talents and established studios and individuals alike – including Sagmeister Inc, Vaughan Oliver, Milton Glaser, Alvin Lustig, Louis Danziger, Roger Excoffon, Paul Elliman, Marian Bantjes, Geoff Kaplan Clotilde Olyff, Antoine+Manuel, Frost*Design, Italo Lupi, Mervyn Kurlansky, Marion Bataille, Non-Format, Oded Ezer, Post Typography, Rowland Scherman, Rinzen and Underware's Type Workshop, J. Kyle Daeve, Ji Lee, Pleaseletmedesign and Strange Attractors Design, to name but a few.

The icing on the cake is an insightful foreword for The 3D Type Book that was written by innovative 3D type

specialist Andrew Byrom – who is also featured in this book with some of his inspirational projects.

Conceived, compiled, written and designed by FL@33, Agathe Jacquillat and Tomi Vollauschek, www.flat33.com"

See previous post for more image of the letters.

Enchanted Wood - Character Sketches

Some initial character sketches [click image above] as I try to work out a tone for my illustrations of The Enchanted Wood.

The Enchanted Wood - Book Plate

Not worked out the style I'll go for yet - quite fancy a very simple retro flat colour palette.

As per the real Picture Book Report I'll start off with a book plate. Above is a very quick first attempt - will try out a few other techniques tonight.

I also, somewhere in the cupboards at home, have a set of clay figures I made of some of the main characters when I was a wee boy. I'll dig them out and if not to embarresssing will upload here too.

Picture Book Report

I'm a big fan of this great project set up by Meg Hunt.

"Picture Book Report is an extended love-song to books. Fifteen illustrators will reach out to their favorite books and create wonderful pieces of art in response to the text that has moved them, shaped them, or excited them. From sci-fi to children’s books to fantasy to serious novels, we’ll cover them all. For three weeks out of every month there will be a new illustration every day from one of us along with our thoughts, process, anything we can come up with. Together we will try to excite readers both new and old and capture some of that magic of storytelling."

Its a great concept and has inspired me to have stab at a similar attempt myself.  I sat down in front of our large bookcases at the weekend, scanning the book spines and had a good think about what story would be fun to illustrate. It was a difficult job, there are so many great tales I'd love to draw. In the end I went for "The Enchanted Wood" by Enid Blyton. Not only because it was one of my favourite books when I was a child but also because it lends itself very well to a good mix of different images. Not quite sure of the style I'll go for or if they will be hand drawn or digital but I'm looking forward to the challenge.

As per the official Picture Book Report I'll try to stick to a monthly routine, though I've noticed that unfortunetly due to other commitments a few people have fallen behind and a couple of people have had to drop out early.

Good work to Meg for keeping it all running and for coming up with such a great idea in the first place.

Check out the site for all the great images. Below are a few of my favourites so far.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - P Murphy

The Hobbit - Sam Bosma

The Never Ending Story - Chuck Groenink

Papa Stour

A few weeks ago I was approched by Papa Stour, purveyor of all things nicely designed and Scottish, as they were interested in stocking my designs. They have just uploaded a selection of my work onto their site which you can see here or see the work of all the amazing artists that they stock here.

http://www.papastour.com/

"In a world of mass produced products, Papa Stour choose to relish in the opposite and embrace art, craftsmanship and design in its purest form. Each piece is considered as something which you will love in your own home, or to gift to someone special.

Our artists and designers are involved in different disciplines but they all have talent, flair and in some cases pure eccentricity! The essence of the collection is a contemporary mix of ceramics, silver, leather and textiles from all over Scotland.

The pieces we offer are not "off the shelf" objects that can be delivered next day because they are hand made in Scotland, with care."

Pig on a Bird Hunt

I think its going to be Mr. Hunter who is in for a big surprise.

Hmm for some reason Illustration Friday wouldn't let me add a thumbnail so hope people still find the image without one.

I love them, I hate them

New voting system on Common of Houses.

The "I LOVE THEM, I HATE THEM" voting system is an attempt to erradicate the horrible feeling we all get on election day when we have to decide if we will vote with our hearts for the party we want to get into power or if we vote with our heads and vote tactically to keep someone we dislike out. Our system uses the tried and tested gold ticket, silver ticket system spearheaded on 90's gameshow extravaganza The Crystal Maze.

Everyone gets two votes. One is a vote FOR the party who you want to get into power and the second is a vote AGAINST the party who you really don’t want to get into power. Like in the Crystal Maze every gold "for" vote counts towards that party entering No 10 while the silver "against" tickets are minus votes taken off the plus total.

This vote will more accurately represent not only peoples aspriations but also their fears. No more will people feel they have to use their positive vote tactically to keep another party out. Instead they can vote for the party whom they truelly love whilst at the same time striking a blow against someone who they truelly hate. Vote for a more balaned power, vote for I LOVE THEM, I HATE THEM.

Tenement

New print from a pen and ink water colour I made a few years ago. Was very popular at the Art in the Park exhibition. I'm in the middle of working up the rest of this series and will upload those to here once complete.

Scottish brands

Common of Houses - Choose a prize

The Common of Houses: Electoral Reform vote comes to a close this weekend. Click the link and vote for your favourite prize - http://goo.gl/4a9G

Art in the Park

Had a lot of fun at the Art in the Park exhibition at Glasgow's Southside Festival and met lots of nice people. Quite a few people were asking about my work and were asked about commissioning new work. If there was a piece you were interested in getting new work made or in one of my pieces that you so on display then please drop me an email.

info@holeinmypocket.com

Art in the Park 22 - 23 May

This weekend is the Art in the Park exhibition that Ann has organised as part of the Southside Festival. Looks like it will be really cool, there's lots of interesting artists taking part and a new introduction this year - Print for a Pony (Artist prints for £25). Definetly a nice way to spend a sunny weekend with music on the Saturday from the Ballachulish Hellhounds and live Jazz on the Sunday.

Business Bird

Another in the series of prints I made about different professions and the equipment they need to do their jobs. Little less exciting equipment than the spy from yesterday though no less important.

Spy Bird

[Click image to enlarge]

A print from a series of illustrations I made which showed different professions and the equipment associated with that job. One of a series that I've just uploaded to my Etsy and Folksy. I'm just new to the Etsy and Folksy world so still learning the ropes but everyone seems very friendly so far.

Greetings

Here is the full range of greetings cards that I recently made. These were all made from images I already had. Now that I've started thinking about making greetings cards I've got tons of ideas, think they could be a lot of fun to draw.

They will be added to my folksy and etsy shops soon though will probably have to be in sets of 5 to make it worth peoples postage.

Gin Palace

Just spotted this image by Ross_McLean on Central Station of the Gin Palace event I was involved with last month. It was a lot of fun with some really interesting work by a whole range of artists and designers.