Russian dolls in progress

Here are some work in progress Russian Dolls I'm making for some shows next month. First a Knight and family of Dragons.

Then Adam and Eve, sons, the snake and the apple.

And finally a ship's crew.

More next week when they are made.

New Cards from Moo

I just received a box of cards I ordered from Moo.com.

The mini cards are printed fuzzy, the business cards are printed squint and the greetings cards, which were to be blank inside, all contain the message

"Zakary Marlowe Maxwell Andrews born March 7th 2010 at 5.17am weighing 8lbs." which is printed upside down?

Blooming useless.

Month of the Book

Just realised that Himp sketchbooks along with other pieces of my work will be on display/ sale at the following over the next wee while. There are associated launch nights and parties to them all - check out the links.

Zine Showcase 19 March - 4 April
Gin Palace 9-12 April
Welcome Home Gallery 17-25 April
GI Artist Bookfair 16-17 April

I'd better get drawing - book two is far from finished.

New competition

This doesn't officially launch until next week but for those that want a sneak peak, the new Common of Houses Competiton: Electoral Reform that I set up is now online (Though its not quite officially launched yet).  Its all about redesigning the way that voting works and we need your ideas, drawings and inventions. Have a look.

New Prints

Picked up the first print run of my Scottish Posters Prints from the Glasgow Print Studio at the end of last week. Very impressed, the quality of the prints is stunning and the paper is lovely, thick and tactile. The Sherlock Holmes Screen prints are also almost finished and I'll share images of these once I have some.

I'll put all current print orders in the post in a few days so everyone should receive their copies by the beginning of next week. Let me know what you think.

The shop site that I've been promising will be coming soon. I'm just in the middle of designing a website for the GIA at the moment and have three group shows taking place next month which I'm trying to complete work for. There is also the small matter of the new Common of Houses competition which launches next week (fingers crossed). Busy times.

Common of Houses - how a new competition is born

When I received the entries for our previous competition (Common of Houses: No Expense Spared) I noticed that most entrants were keen not just to see changes in the rules governing MPs’ expenses but also to see major changes in the way in which Government is actually formed and operates.

I started to think about other aspects of Government policy/ procedures that could do with a creative redesign. If we were to start again, what, and how could designers change the way that politics runs in this country?

With the General Election coming up in May 2010 there seemed like only one sensible place to start – the vote.

Once I had set that as the basic problem I started the real work of setting up a new competition which includes sorting out - a brief, project sponsors, a team of judges, some prizes, some PR and an exhibition.

Should keep me busy. 

Gin Palace - "Details to Follow"

I'm going to be one of a host of artist/ designers taking part in The Gin Palace's new show in April. Here's some blurb.

" `Details To Follow`, the second pop-up design event presented by The Gin Palace.We have spent quality time with lots of designers images and statements, standards were high but we got there eventually. We hope to be showing the work of close to 40 designers from across disciplines, here are images from the first group of confirmed designers. Please keep an eye on our blog and facebook page for updates on more confirmed designers. Enjoy..."  Gin Palace

The first Gin Palace that took place last year was great and I'm delighted that I've been selected to actually take part this year. I'll post details of where and when, once it known.