Writing on walls - in Hong Kong

Recently while in Hong Kong, we stayed at the Hop Inn in Kowloon. At this guest house there was a blank wall just outside reception that actually encouraged people to write or draw on the wall! Quite a neat kinda concept.

After a night out on "the town" which included ridiculous amounts of Ahhmazing dim sum and several cans (lots!) of locally brewed beer, I felt I couldn't pass up on the opportunity and had to contribute.



Below is the result of my spontaneous efforts including shameless self promotion. (tee hee hee) 

Travel Doodles

Mid Sept through to mid Oct I was away on vacation in Honkas (Hong Kong), the States (USA) and a bit'o Toronto. I'd never been to Canada or America before, so it was a really exciting and special trip for me - AMERICA IS AWESOME!!

While away I kept a travel journal which included the odd sketch/drawing which I'd like to share. When I got home I did cheat, and chucked them into Photoshop for a bit of dirrrrrty-dirty rough colour (it certainly isn't a good colour job, but it makes my doodles a little more interesting I think).

Stop #1: Honkas (Hong Kong) to visit my friend Nelly. You can buy a large can of beer in a 7-Eleven in Hong Kong for about a dollar and then drink it in public! Insane! And a novelty that was throughly enjoyed more then once.

2. Stop #2: San Francisco. Our first night in town we met two very helpful and enthusiastic gentlemen from Vancouver, who were also on vacation - but via cruise ship. They wrote a "shopping list" of suggestions to places we should try while in San Fran. Helpful and yet overwhelming all at once! Ben's thought bubble: "Tee hee! My mouth is so dry" is a reference to the air in San Fran smelling distinctly of marijuana... and oddly; Air Freshener.

Stop #3: Portland Oregon. There are a lot of hipsters and cafes in Portland. I happen to think that Portland is truly AWESOME! Why is Portland so awesome? They have real coffee, craft breweries, great food and food trucks, lots of ahhmazing art, there are street names that inspired some of the names of characters in The Simpsons (FACT!), The Goonies, Portlandia, second hand book stores, Powells Book Store, comics, music.

Stop #5 NYC/Brooklyn. (I've skipped the 4th stop, Toronto Canada, because I didn't have a drawing for that). Williamsberg, a suburb of Brooklyn is a unique area made predominantly of two very specific and distinctive communities; Hipsters and Hasidic Jewish people.  

Stop #6: Chicago. On the way to Chicago leaving from NYC LaGuardia airport the airline, Delta, lost our luggage - and this was after we'd paid $25 per bag (so losing our luggage wasn't actually free as I wrote above). I really don't understand the purpose of airport security at LaGuardia airport, I think it's really incompetent. I went through THREE points of security for a domestic flight where my passport and BOARDING PASS was scrutinized THREE TIMES, but not once did security pick up that I was in the wrong terminal... so WTF were they looking for on my boarding pass!!! (idiots!)

We eventually got our bags back.

So as you can see from the above, it was an eventful, colourful and interesting vacation. While these illustrations are not my best/neatest pieces of work, I still really like them for the way they will forever immortalise this holiday.

Bringing "Batmania" to Melbourne (for the kids)

Open House Melbourne is a not-for-profit association that runs annual events providing the public a  free and rare opportunity to discover a hidden wealth of architectural, engineering and historic buildings nestled around the city. Earlier this month they released a creative brief inviting designers and illustrators alike  to help design their 2012 Children's Program with fresh new ideas.

I couldn't help myself. The moment I looked over the brief my imagination ran wild and inspiration punched me in the face so hard my jaw still hurts!

Below is my response to the brief:

(Potential Front Cover, A5 full colour, with space around edges to include appropriate logos)

Brief character description and explanation. 

I like the idea that the title "Batman, the Busker and Freddie Square" kinda sounds similar to a title of a Harry Potter book, ie. "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", I dunno - there's a similar ring there somewhere... 

John Batman is a super significant historical figure in Melbourne's history. Rumor has it there was a time when Melbourne was almost called Batmania! (How cool! - Regardless if it's true or not). Anyway, I figure the name 'Batman' will generate attention anyway cos it conjures up the idea of Batman the Comic Book Hero and I think having the "ghost" character makes it all more interesting for kids. 

The Busker, had to be a chick cos then the characters would be too male heavy and every little girl that potentially picks up this program (if my idea is selected) is gonna think "she's pretty, I like her". 

Freddie Square, obviously named after Melbourne's Landmark Federation Square. He is the "new" to balance Batman's "old". He's small and and cute like Danger Mouse's side-kick Penfold, but not nearly as annoying and stupid, in fact he is to the contrary.   

Regardless of whether my idea gets picked up or not, I think this concept, illustration and execution is mighty fine and I'm damn proud. Defo (totes, fur shiz) a work for the folio.

D'oh! 2012 Paul Guest Drawing Prize... fail.

Below are the two unsuccessful entries I submitted into the 2012 Paul Guest Drawing Prize.

(to see illustrations larger, just click on the image)

Today I got "the letter", you know, the "form" letter that says "Thank you for your entry"... (blah blah blah)... "We had lots of entries this year"... (blah blah blah)... "all of a high quality"...(blah blah blah)... "Unfortunately this year you were unsuccessful in being selected"... oooouch! (that's the sound of being metaphorically punched in the guts. It's the sound of rejection.)

But hey, rejection happens and when you think about it, it's kinda nice that the competition judges sent a letter as courtesy. It's an answer and I have closure. I can appreciate that.....(there's no denying that the rejection still kinda stinks though.)

So back to my sad and unloved entries for 2012. Let's be honest. They're not great. They're not amazing. However I do think they're quirky and original concepts. Sadly these pieces just aren't screaming wicked mad talent! This girl Lucy is ammmaaaaaaazing! ... and that's cool. That's fair. (Ha! Just wait until I am famous!)

The last entry I did for Paul Guest  in 2010, I worked my arse off on that piece. I put my heart, soul and failing eye sight into that piece of work. Hours upon hours of meticulous pencil work... Tragically also unsuccessful in being selected *sigh*. So I guess I kinda decided to go complete 'opposite' in terms of effort this year. Instead, this year I submitted two blue biro pen illustrations I'd conceived subconsciously while talking on the phone! Yay Joe effort!

I'll enter the Paul Guest Drawing Prize again, and next time my entry will be selected, I'm feeling pretty confident on that.

Just a last wee footnote though, the piece I slaved over for the 2010 competition was eventually acquired by the Bendigo Historical Society annnnnnd is currently the most viewed illustration in my flickr account. So not all bad. Not bad at all.

Woot!

Lateness ain't funny.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, a.k.a. MICF, is one of my most FAVorit-est festivals in the whole wide world! (And I know there’s no such word as “favoritest”, but I don’t care. So there!)

I love MICF so much that when I was at uni I even approached them to do an internship… which didn’t work out (cos they don’t take interns, hence the high quality of the Festival). Few years later MICF offered me a ticketing gig at the main box office and various satellite venues about Melbourne, this year will mark my fifth year working for the Festival.

One of the many reasons why I love the Festival is the people: the customers, the comedians and of course the Festival staff. However…. One of my BIGGEST Festival “bug-bears” is…. Latecomers.

People who come late to shows get under my skin. A latecomer disrupts or delays a show. This in turn irritates other patrons. It irritates and distracts the comedian on stage (and probably hurts their feeling, as they work really hard on their material!)

I get why lateness happens, ie. Problems with transport or another show went overtime (probably cos it was delayed by a latecomer!) or a last minute ticket purchase followed by mad dash across town to get to the show’s venue on time etc, etc. There are many many reasons why people arrive at shows late. Though I still think that patrons should be mindful and a little more organised, I mean you wouldn’t be late to the Opera or the Cinema… so why should stand-up or a comedy show be any different? 

I’m thinking, perhaps the MICF could do with an ad campaign, like the ones you see in drive-ins or retro cinemas ie. “Turn off your phone” etc. But this campaign would illustrate the benefit of getting to a show on time. Sure, we already know the benefit, but sometimes it’s nice to actually read/see them to be reminded.

So I approched the very talented Mark Campbell of “Folding for Air”, “Running Away With The Circus” and “Souls on Board”, a talented songwriter and gifted Copywriter. Together we came up with several concepts, two of which are below.

(click on images to view them larger)

The two executions, one a full-page print ad and the other a half page print ad. I’d envisage them to potentially be in the Festival guide or maybe a poster at a MICF venue. If a campaign with this SMP (Single Minded Proposition) was picked up, I think a small animation on the Festival’s website would also be great! And if money was no object…. A cartoon TV commercial! It’d serve both as a “Community Service Announcement” ad and the Festival’s own current campaign.   

If I were going to do these executions again, I’d probably go for a more “vintage” “retro” look ie. Drive-in theatre ads. Or perhaps even a “Leunig-esque” style/influence? (Michael Luenig’s illustrations are used every year by the MICF).  Still, this exercise was designed mainly to communicate the idea of encouraging Festival patrons to be more mindful of showing up on time to shows. 

Hmmm, I wonder if these would work?

Coloured caricature commission

CHECK-ME-OUT! Feelin a bit proud. Feelin a bit "I'm totes awesome". Feeling just too damn cocky to be honest. Yay me!

Below is a full colour commission I've just recently completed. Please bare in mind I'm still very VERY new to the world of digital illustration, so my skills are like that of a young child compared to the masters who do this professionally.

Still... I think what I've been able to achieve is still pretty great, and I can only go up from here. Go me! (Am now grinning like an idiot)

Just doodling around

These are me "doodles"  (a selection of them anyway). You know, the kind of doodles you do when waiting on the phone or while sitting in a waiting room..... or when you should be working etc. etc.

(click on images to see larger)

Squeaky clean?

Señor Manuel Miguel Ratón, or "Squeaky" as he is more fondly referred to by his mistress, is the head butler and number one confidant to Lady Aileana McInnes (aka. Lady Viper, a Pin-up Girl of the Sideshow). He is one of thirty-six siblings born on the outskirts of Barcelona to the Ratón family and comes from a long proud line of Butlers and Housekeepers. His father, Manny Marcos Ratón, worked for the late Lord and Lady McInnes (Lady Viper's dear mother and father) for many years until his untimely and most tragic death alongside his employers where he was succeeded by Squeaky. 


This terrible accident is one that is not too often spoken about, but it's all too intriguing and suspect. Let's just say "there is a lot more to the story" on how Aileana McInnes became sole heir to the McInnes family fortune and name... but you'd have to come  to the Sideshow exhibition @ For Walls Gallery opening Aug 3rd 2011 to find out the full details. (Hosted by beinArt Surrealist Collective)


("Squeaky" Above and Lady Viper Right. 
Click on images to see larger)

Progress of Crab Girl

The step by step under painting of Crab Girl.
Please note, the below images are strictly STRICTLY under painted images only. To see this painting finished... well, you'd just have to come along to the The Sideshow exhibition promoted by BeInArt Surrealist Collective @ For Walls Gallery Aug 3rd 2011

The Sideshow opening 3rd Aug @ For Walls Gallery 

Miss Libertine, 34 Franklin Street, Melbourne, Australia

Eureka!!

Image property of the Bendigo Historical Society

Today I am both proud and pleased to announce that m

y 2010 illustration of "Margaret Kennedy and Julia Farrell start The Rush" was officially acquired by the Bendigo Historical Society. Of all the potential homes this work could have, the Bendigo Historical Society was the most fortunate, and I feel best and happiest place for it to go.

Bon Voyage my dearest-largest-to-date-watercolour-illustration-depicting-Margaret-Kennedy-and-Julia-Farrell-panning-for-gold-at-the-rocks-where-what-is-now-known-as-the-city-of-Bendigo.

You will be missed... but I will come visit.

My favorite caricatures (and commissions)

696INK: Erotic Grotesque

The painting above (painted by moi) will appear in the upcoming Erotic Grotesque exhibition at gallery 696INK. I call it "I Love Crabby Women"

Artists participating in 'Erotic Grotesque': Ashlee Duggan, Rev "Blood Painter" Mayers, Mark Powell, Dale Keogh, Beau White, Curran James, Jason Jacenko, Elspeth McIntosh, Matthew Turner, Sally Hanreck, Meg Woodsworth, Wendy Olsen and more

Archibald Portrait Prize Submission – Mark One!

2009 was my first attempt at submitting a piece into the coveted and highly respected Archibald Portrait Prize run by the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Having left it too late to find an appropriate candidate ("An Australian citizen renowned in the Arts, Sciences or Letters"), I chose to use myself as the subject. This unfortunately was an inappropriate choice as I am not yet a "renowned" person within the Australian Arts community… yet.

Although unsuccessful in being short-listed this time, it was a fantastic exercise to paint to a large scale and hit a tight deadline. I'm really pleased with the final result - I think the way I've painted my hands is beautiful.

Inspired by 2008 Archibald Prize winner Del Kathryn Barton, I chose to paint what I was personally most passionate about.: drawing, painting, my friends and my family.