Some of my old work!

I have decided to display some of my previous work, I hope you like!

These two pieces were for a book cover. The book was entitled 'Nights at the Circus' by Angela Carter.

I used a mixture of collage, photocopy and print making. I made these in my first year at college four years ago!

Above is the title page.

Another college project (at ND level): to reinvent 'Old Spice'. We were asked to design three posters that linked, and made 'Old Spice' appealing again! I decided to link mine with words that tell a very short story. All the type and imagery I hand-cut using a scalpel, the background is ink.

This project was to design a poster for an arts festival in Liverpool. I researched Liverpool, I visited it and found it very industrialised hence my choice of medium, (lead pencil) the bursts of colour represent the hope for Liverpool as things improve with all the redevelopments that seemed to be taking place.

For 'Counter' project we had to design a magazine cover with contents page and editorial, it had to be in the style of a guest editor..I chose Luke Best. 

The front cover below displays the ends of colouring pencils. It's fun and playful. 

I really struggled with type at this stage and I had just started  studying ND Graphic design at college when I made these pieces, so it was all new to me. I have learnt a lot and my style has progressed now. I have more old work to upload which I will do very soon.

Gawsworth Hall Craft Fair

I recently visited Gawsworth Hall to browse the craft fair, it was good fun! We took part in some archery and done a spot of wine tasting!!! 

There was one particular stall that I loved, it caught my eye and I just wanted to buy everything!! The lady was selling hand made cups, plates, bowls and other cute little pieces that she had made. Her name is Karin Findell.

Too cute!

I really want to experiment with pottery myself, I've been interested for a long time now..watch this space!!

The outside of Gawsworth Hall is beautiful, the pink and red roses in the small pretty garden reminded me of 'Alice in Wonderland'. I appreciated looking at the outside of the house with it's tudor beams, and little details on the doors and windows. I peeked in the back window and I just couldn't help myself, I had to go in!

Inside was many beautiful rooms, so luxurious, so much detail. I stood looking at the huge chandelier in the hallway just amazed! The rooms were so pretty with delicate fabrics and ornate furniture. One room had a dressing table displayed with antique hair brushes and hand-held mirrors. It was lovely, I was in my element! 

I did take pictures, however the lady told me I was not allowed as they had to protect the fabric designs so unfortunately I can not display on here, but I think you need to go there to really appreciate it anyway.

LOVE THIS!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57NTCRz0jHs&feature=related

I found this, I think its brilliant!! 

The Birds (Alfred Hitchcock) - Alternate Ending - Paper Poster

It ties in with what I like and my own style of work I can appreciate the effort that would have gone into this it must of took ages!

Marie O'Connor

Marie O'Connor is part of Peepshow Collective, I have always been a fan of them, they are just fantastic! Great mix of styles.

I'm fond of these pieces by Marie O'Connor, I like their simplicity. I like the collective nature of them...it just makes me want to collect more bits and bobs!!

I LOVE hanging things!!! 

I like the depth created in this piece, it reminds me of the scenes I try to create regarding layers.

I need to carry on collecting!!

Hello!

I am back after a long break!!........

Summer holidays have been a busy time, being a working mum, and I've not had much time for design work.  I am itching to get started with creating!

I am currently researching for inspiration and things that may spark off ideas for my major project that I will be completing in my third and final year at university. Although I know what I want to do I just need subject matter.

I have started reading a book called 'Murderers I Have Known' written by Marina Warner for more ideas. 

I will let you know what I think of the book when I've finished reading it!

Contact with Kate Slater

I recently contacted illustrator Kate Slater for some advice, and to gain an insight into her working method. Below are some examples of Kate's work, and the questions I asked with her responses.

1. I really like the hand crafted nature of your work. I can appreciate how much time, patience and effort goes into each piece. How long does it take to create a piece? Do you work quite quickly? 

Publishers used to ask me this when I went to see them after I graduated and I used to say something ridiculous like 1 day (they would look rather incredulous). It depends... I have come to appreciate the value of a good rough! I used to make things up a bit as I went along but now I find I work much more quickly if I plan. Perhaps a couple of days to make the image and a day to photograph/photoshop? Obviously completely depends on the work and also the deadline.

2. What do you do to prepare? Do you sketch out your designs? 

Probably some crossover on the last question! Yes, I do for the above reason and also because clients always want roughs. It's a bit strange sending them something that looks completely different from how the finished result will look, but I think they usually understand this! I draw in pencil, scan and colour in photoshop.

3.I find it hard when you have specific size requirements for an image and you work in this method, it's sometimes hard to get the right layout and can sometimes feel as if I am guessing a little. I know if I am working within a certain shape to stick within that shape but sometimes it doesn't always result in what I had hoped for! Do you have the same problem and if so how do you personally resolve it? 

Yes ALWAYS! I think it's basically because it's really difficult to square the camera up with the illustration so it's usually slightly wonky. I try to leave extra bleed and I almost always work larger than the finished image has to be (normally about x 1.5) so there's a bit more leeway. If all else fails I fill in missing gaps down the side on Photoshop. (I feel like I'm mentioning Photoshop a lot but I'm terrible at it and don't like using it much!)

4. Do you use a specific type of paper/card? Or just any scraps you can get your hands on?! ..maybe both? Also do you use any other medium with your cut outs such as paint? How much digital work is done on your pieces after they are photographed?

Any scraps I can get my hands on! Loads of magazines, especially Gardener's World and also home/country ones because they have lots of lovely colours and patterns. Also insides of envelopes, I have an enormous stash. If I need a really specific flat colour I'll buy any kind of paper which is that colour rather than a particular kind. I've also recently started painting some paper to collage with.

5. While I am at university I make good use of the photographic studio, however when I leave I worry my work will suffer without such facilities. How did you made the transition yourself after you graduated?

Ahh, these problems sound so familiar! This is exactly what happened to me. I have struggled a lot with photography and still do to be honest - I'm always asking for advice! For about my 4th ever commission I was asked to create posters for a chocolate shop, one of which had to be FIVE feet high. They dropped that size in the end because I just couldn't do it and I think they realised! I'd ask for all the advice you can get from your photography dept while you're still at uni - what kind of camera you need and lighting etc. Crucially, which I find most difficult, how to take a photo which will print at a big size at 300 dpi!

6. I can see from your website you have been commissioned for illustration jobs. How popular is your work with clients? Do they like the style? 

I think so, it obviously depends on what they're looking for. Sometimes I get commissions where they're particularly looking for a collage artist, but other times it's just because they like my work in general. I think it can be quite decorative which works well for book covers and some editorial work, children's books are more difficult because publishers generally think that collage can be too still and harsh, but hopefully when they see mine they realise that's not always the case! Andersen Press were really helpful - we spent a good 6 months reworking the sample illustrations I'd done for Magpie's Treasure at uni.

7. Lastly I would like to know who or what inspires you? 

Reading, writing, theatre, countryside, other illustrators - Nathalie Choux, Brecht Evans, Lizzy Stewart, Isabelle Arsenault...

I'm so glad Kate replied to me as I found her responses very helpful!

8x8 Project Final Outcomes

I nearly lost the will to live today!!..after previously losing my images for this project (due to a faulty pen drive), I then dropped the box containing all my cut outs this morning, on the way to the studio for re-shooting, and nearly cried as I watched them floating in the biggest puddle of doom!!!!

So I sat in my car sulking as I dried them all using my car heaters!!..which took forever! Then I ran a quick iron over them in the print room, and they were as good as new! 

It took me a good three hours to set up my scene and shoot, but finally, I have my images!! 

Above is my full page illustration.

I wanted to depict an African scene with the natives rejoicing as they do at the end of the story. It seems after all their hardship they are still very happy people, the cut out hearts represent this. There are serious issues raised in the story but I wanted my image to be quite light hearted and focus on the people and not the issues.

I chose a certain colour palette relating to descriptions in the story, such as the red dust. I wanted to keep basic shapes and a naivety about my piece, my influences came from the African flags, and other African books which gave me a sense of place. 

Above is my spot image.

In the story there is a little boy who's mother has passed away and his father is suffering from AIDS. The head teacher from his school is making a home visit and takes one of the British helpers along. It is very sad to read how poorly his father is and the conditions which they are living in. The boy makes Red Bush Tea which is what i decided to display in my image along with shoes which are also talked about quite a bit in the story. The tea represents home, warmth and caring. The shoes represent the people.

I continued with the same colour palette.

I hope you like!