Anglesey

In our new to us caravan that we have recently bought there was a large picture with a very boring photo of the sea in it. I have now replaced it with this illustration that I have just completed. Our caravan is sited on a lovely spot overlooking the sea at Red Wharf Bay Anglesey, so I was really excited when I found this old map of the Menia Straits and Anglesey. We often go up to South Stack to see the lighthouse and the sea birds, so I thought I must incorporate the lighthouse. The texture on the jug was taken from the photograph below which I took on the beach after a very bad storm. The starfish are called brittle star fish and they live in colonies of about 200 and are usually sub - tidal but the bad weather and high spring tide had brought them in.

The Ocean

Yes I've been having more fun with my Duck Family. I'm dreaming of sunnier times which I hope are coming this year!

The First Cut

Enjoyed a lovely day at Manchester Art Gallery at the First Cut Exhibition
The work was very inspirational and made me want to get out my craft knives.
All the flock of birds were hand cut out of old maps. The trees were made of recyled paper and organic material. They were hung so they didn't quite touch the floor so they slightly moved in any drafts.

Modern Vintage Illustration by Martin Dawber

This new book has just been published by Batsford and I have been lucky enough to have two images in it. The book is full of beautiful illustrations with a write up on how the images created have been influenced by various art movements.
My copy has just arrived and I am really excited about reading all the wonderful illustrations.

Exhibition at Vernon Mill Stockport

I am opening my studio and joining in with the exhibition tonight. I decided to put "Bert" up outside my studio and hopefully he will entice (or possibly scare) a few people to look around.

The exhibition is linked to the unveiling of the Queen's portrait. BBC article

Bus Shelter

I suppose this does follow my discarded objects....
I passed this at 7.30 this morning and it made me smile I hope it is there tonight and people add to it. In fact I've got a couple of items I would like to add. It could become a piece of Public Art!

More Discarded Objects

No illustration work at the moment so its time for creative play.

Been back in the studio again today. Plaster of paris now dried and I've covered the whole thing in PVA. This is all experimental so I am trying not  to be too precious.

 This is another discarded object...I think its some sort of ventilation flue. I picked it up from a scrap yard but had to pay for it (the bird **** that it was covered in came free!)
This has now been covered with a layer of PVA so I'm ready to go with this object as soon as the ideas come to me.

I seem to have accumulated so much junk in my studio. The problem is I have difficulty in throwing things away just in case I might find a use for them in the future.