Work in progress, on the theme of water. Drawing and collage. 

Recent life drawings using monoprint. Nov '13 

Playing about

Part of an abstracted Caslon question mark. 

Back to School!! After a long summer working in a gallery, a very nice gallery none the less, but I was itching to get back to the studio. For a while Ive been obsessed with type, and hand lettering... which is somewhat of an intimidating field if you don't know much about it. I've been studious, however. My work seems to situate itself somewhere between graphic design and illustration/art; I certainly don't have the precision of a graphic designer, but my practice circulate around this domain.
 The pieces above are drawn directly from Caslon typeface found in the case room at GSA. Then broken down and abstracted further. Experiments so far- to be made into colourful screen prints tomorrow ... where I think I may strip them further away from their classical origins. 

Drawings and prints

had assessments this week so not much time to post, been doing lots of drawings as per usual in me caff. quite liked this bird man..I didn't mean to make him bird like, been drawing too many birds I think...and he was quite an inquisitive fellow who really couldn't focus on the one reason he was there- to study. A hilarious observational drawing of procrastination. I love the procrastinating students :) 

JON WILLIAMS

March 2013

Jon Williams- Branding/Identity and the association and appropriation of music

Jon’s talk was interesting and connected a lot with the branding/Identity module I studied whilst on exchange. He talked a lot about the Synergy between music and branding, but also, and of particular interest to me; the divide or two sides of the musician; as both creative individual and commercial enterprise.

This is something which plays on my mind immensely as a creative individual and finding a balance between these two elements will be a life long challenge for me, and perhaps many artists. I’ve realised recently however, that it comes down to being in touch with your inner voice, and your inner creativity: what do you like making? Sometimes when factors such as money/criticism and pleasing other people/colleagues/classmates/tutors/industry it is hard to sort out from all that what you really feel and what you really want to make.  You could simplify it into heart and head…but I think it is more complex than that- especially when factors such as money and artistic integrity come into play.

Jon also talked about the power of music to persuade and endorse products- this is something which interests me and is something I may think about bringing into my work. I went to the David Bowie exhibition this weekend which filled me with awe of a man with so many creativity releases. However, he was also a clever man, and like Andy Warhol worked in advertising- enabling both artists to have a shrewd understanding of the masses and their needs. Utilizing their tools as artists to persuade and cause cult movements.

These companies are utilizing the senses in similar ways (through music and imagery) to persuade through emotional factors. Branding companies realised the power that both imagery and music have on the consumer to make him feel, need, want and desire- that girl/boy/perfume/product.

So really the marrying of product and music was not rocket science, but common sense; playing on the emotions of the consumer and elevating him into a world where these products supplied him with happy feelings and emotions and products, however vacuous they may seem. The exhilarated high we all feel when purchasing a product quickly dies, only then to be replaced by some new sensationalized branding which again makes us feel we want, need, desire….all over again.

Clever stuff- although as I said not rocket science, but basic human biology when you analyze it. But maybe useful in the creation of imagery/animation/video in my future work. 

GOVAN

February 2013

Govan

Having just arrived back from Copenhagen- I have arrived in the midst of the Govan project. The group have decided the concept for the piece, therefore I have offered my help making and sewing the piece. Which is to be a flag representing different parts of Govan.

The flag is however, the external perception of the place from the perspective of the group of students. This concerns me somewhat- and I’m worried that the piece may come across as either a juvenile or from an elitist perspective.  But it is not my place to offer my perspective having only just arrived.

I look through photos with Olivia, who having returned a month previously from exchange, has visited Govan with her camera. This gives me a visual reference point for Govan; from the pictures it looks somewhat bleak in places, but also imbued with a lot of character- Gharish yellow signs catch my attention, and ‘Gold’ advertisements a plenty.  I like the tension created between these two aesthetics, and from speaking to the group this seems largely how they themselves perceive Govan; Bleak and depressing in places, but with the glitter and gold tainted hopes of another future.

I decide to illustrate this through the colours I choose in my addition to the flag: choosing a brown back ground with luminous orange/yellow lettering. I carefully draw the 1970’s playful type and cut and stick it together. Olivia simultaneously sews a ‘sale’ sign for gold and Irn Bru together in luminescent colours.  I’m worried they seem atypical impressions of a working class Glasgow from middle class perspectives. But maybe I’m overthinking it, and maybe they are an illustration of the reality of the place and its people… 

Screenprinted Collographs

The last two weeks I've been working on more experimental approaches to my bird story- using more free drawing, hand lettering as well as playing with analogue printing techniques. Here I have combined Collography and screenprinting- playing on the contrast between the two techniques; one which showcases texture, whilst the other, line and block colour. 

Bird- boy

Story boards for a story I have written about a boy who turns into a bird. To be presented tomorrow as part of a workshop series with Brave director Mark Andrews. Scared much ;) 

Sketchbook images from this week 

Recent sketches done in my caff. 

Men + Women illustrated

A Book I made whilst on exchange in Copenhagen about relationships between men and women and the various misunderstandings and resulting horror and humour caused. 

Images from my sketch book of a personal project I have written about a boy who wants to fly. more images (including moving image!) soooooon :) 

Sketchbook image- part of an ongoing project exploring female and male relationships. More images from a book I wrote on my portfolio site; www.cargocollective.com/passionforprint 

I had some photos developed today from Copenhagen- so lovely as I took some of these months ago. The top two are at Louisiana Museum of art and design, and the bottom two at the deer park- both just 10 minutes outside Copenhagen on the way to Klampenborg.  

I watched Buffalo 66 this evening with some friends- such a beautiful beautiful film- the first half is quite uncomfortable- but aptly communicates the main protagonist's feelings. Christina Ricci is a delight also, but the narrative and cinematography are creative and surprizing. A visual treat.

Collography

Back at GSA- which is very different to the Danish design school- but both equally positive experiences. I am very glad to get back into analogue printing processes at GSA however, this morning I learnt a new one; Collography, a very simple and fast process with beautiful results. This is a print I made about a story I have written about a boy who wants to fly. 

Below are two much better  2 colour collographs by artist Charles Shearer. we were taught all this by Illustrator Oliver Pitt, a graduate of GSA 2011. check him here: http://cargocollective.com/oliverpitt