Mail Me Art book is now available to pre-order

Early this year, I sent an image designed on an envelope to the folks at mail me art. 

Mail me art was about designing/ decorating/doodling on to any form of packaging material and then posting it to the folks in charge of mail me art, then they would select the subs that would be featured in a compilation book of the same name and shortly after, an exhibition of the artworks. I was really interested in this when i heard about it. initially, it was not what was going on the envelope but what types materials would survive going through the postal service. 

I guess that is why I decided to cut out a design in lino and also mix it up with a graphics pen for my submission. I think that they got well over 600 submissions which had to be dwindled down into a selection for the book, I got word that my sub was going to be featured in the book but hadn't anything since, until now.

The book (pictured above) is available for pre-orders at amazon. (here. this is the uk amazon store, i think it might be on the us one as well) the book will be released in march 2009 and the exhibition will be at the Red Gate Gallery in London from the 3rd of April to the 9th of April where all pieces of artwork are going to be up for sale.

The book includes posted submissions from Jon Burgerman, Catalina Estrada, Dan May, Jeff Miracola, Michael Slack, Kristian Olson, and many more. 

New Logo design

I can't believe that another month has past since my last post, wow, though i have been busy making images for the science council among other things. 

above is my new logo that i've just finished for myself. This is now sort of becoming a tradition with me in which i create a new logo for myself though i think this time this ones a keeper. 

in designing this logo, i wanted to show the soft playfulness of my work while also having a clean friendly design which gives the impression of being approachable, this is the reason why he's tilting his hat as a sort of acknowledgment or friendly gesture.

the lettering was done by  using a fairly thick paint brush and not really thinking about making the letters fancy looking, its quite simple, naive in some respects but it adds to the simple friendly design that i was after. 

i have been planning to change the main image on this blog to something different which could be soon depending on time (maybe this weekend not sure)

Malta, YCN Live and the Biker Poster

As part of YCN Live, (I think it was around the end of this worldwide event.) I was asked if i wanted to be involved in having my work along with other illustrators/designers displayed around Malta via bus shelters.

when i first got the email there was one image which i had in mind as since it was going to be on a bus shelter, involving at least an element of travel would give over the message. So the biker was chosen for that reason alone with its slogan of 'ride to live & live to ride' being something that travelers would see getting on and off the bus seemed too good an opportunity to miss.

I'd like to thank the folks at the YCN for sending me these photos to mark the occasion, they seem to have come out well and look fantastic in situ. 

Again Thank to all at YCN, this was much appreciated. 

The Enigma Machine

Hi all, here is a new image that i have just finished which was inspired by the old 'Game & Watch' lcd games made by nintendo in the 80's.

I actually had a couple of the game & watch games in the past and have always the simple and very basic method of movement from these types of games, i guess that is the main reason way the the characters always had more animated stances to help give the illusion of movement.

Because of the 1 frame movement in these types of games nintendo actually came up with some clever parts of more complicated elements such as arms being used to move levers or other objects.  

I think that whatever type of work that you do, try adding a limiting factor to it, it could be anything such as working with only a few colours to making images without any lines, above all experiment and find a creative way to overcome the set limit, that is the only way to push the boundaries further.

the amazing hilda

another one, i might actually use this as part of my promotional work. just keeping it simple with the two colours based on more of an impulse idea.

ride to live & live to ride

A new image that i made today, I've had this idea in my head for a while now, so since i have some time for my own personal work now was the time to create this piece.

more to come hopefully soon.

New Business Cards

Going on a promotional slant here with the introduction of my new business cards which will be part of the promotional material that I will be sending to potential clients. there are other things that are part of this samples pack which i am going to put up here once they're out of the door but for now, I thought it would be great to show these cards for now.

I bought these cards from the new service that moo.com are now offering, so now instead of just going for the mini cards, there is now the option of full blown business cards. Like the mini cards, you can have as many designs as you want on your cards (which is something that i like about moo.com) so no more of just staying with one design on the set of business cards.

I like these kind of services that allow this as it gives you a bit more freedom than just aiming for one design to represent you.

Above all make it fun and playful.