sumo soup

I submitted a recipe for Chanko Nabe (a soup eaten daily by sumo wrestlers) to They Draw and Cook - a website run by brother and sister team Nate Padavick and Salli Swindell, which collects illustrated recipes from contributors from around the world. It's such a great idea - two of my favourite things in one website! You can see the complete illustration here. They also run They Draw and Travel featuring unique, illustrated maps, which is on my list of things to do!

kate hindley

I bought a card for a friend's birthday this week and I love it so much I want to keep it. It's illustrated by Kate Hindley whose work is an absolute delight. These are one or two of my favorite ...and don't worry Sharon, you will get your birthday card!!

And I love this reimagined Paddington Bear...

the last stand

The BBC News website published an article today about a project by photographer Marc Wilson. The Last Stand documents the coastal defences constructed during World War II, before they crumble into oblivion thanks to the constant assault of the waves and the weather. The images project a beautifully silent calm, a stark contrast to the original purpose of the buildings, and a wonderful sense of mystery. I strongly suggest taking a look at more from the series on his website.

camilla engman

I came across Uppercase's book Camilla Engman, the suitcase series: Vol 1 while on a trip to London last weekend. I flicked through the pages and was instantly in love with it so I stopped looking - I desperately want it and to save the pleasure of discovering all the hidden surprises until I have it (... it's my birthday soon...and while we're on that subject I'd also like a copy of Uppercase magazine please).

I checked out Camilla's website. She's got a fantastic breadth of work including paintings, illustration and mixed media.

albertine

For Christmas I got a lovely book called Sky High by Germano Zullo, illustrated with delicate and intricate line drawings by Swiss artist Albertine. It's about two gentleman living next to each other who compete to build the tallest, most extravagant house they possibly can.

I also found these quirky characters on her website

 

brave new world

Christmas and New Year are well and truly behind us now and I realise I haven't been very diligent with blogging. So, I'll kick off 2013 with these illustrations I did for the House of Illustration and Folio Society's Brave New World competition, which I've been working on over the last couple of weeks or so. I had fun working on these images and playing with pattern/ repetition.

 

I've been spotting lots of fantastic stuff to blog about, so more to posts very soon...

brighton & hove's artist open houses

I haven't posted much lately - I've been so busy getting prepared for Brighton & Hove's Artists Open Houses next month. Designer Martha Mitchell and milliner Lizzie Lock very kindly asked me to exhibit at their Albert Mews studio along with some other exciting artists & designers including ceramics by Anna Collette Hunt, lighting by Curiosa & Curiosa and knitwear by Gabrielle Vary.

It all kicks off with a preview night this Friday and then the studio is open to the public for the next 3 weekends. I'm very excited to be showing my work like this for the first time. I'll be selling Christmas cards, wrapping paper, tote bags, notebooks and an A-Z poster of gangsters. Here's a sneak preview of Jesse James and The Krays ...

haunted houses

These haunted houses are part of a series by Spanish artist Valero Doval.  He makes use of vintage imagery to make his collages. I particularly like his addition of hand drawn lines & colour - especially the geometric sprirograph shapes in the Zeppelin series.

mr racoon

I came across James Ward's illustrated plates and cups a while back and I've started to see them around and about in shops and magazines.  My favourite was the Sandwich Defender until I spotted Mr Racoon the other day - he's the absolute best! While I hate to mention the 'C' word before Halloween is over, Mr Racoon will definitely be on my Christmas wish list!

melissa castrillon

The latest issue of my absolute favourite magazine, Oh Comely, features a little interview with illustrator Melissa Castrillon and some examples of pages from her sketch book. Her work is fun and quirky and full of lovely textures. I checked out her website and here are some lovely things I found...