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.

Maam Alien: The lost pages (part iv of iv)

Only one week left until the opening of my up coming solo show (yay!) so I present the last of three old comic strip cartoons I wrote and illustrated cos they're (kinda/sorta) complimentary to the subject matter of the show. 

                     Opens 6 Jul at 6pm and runs to 26 Jul 2012 @ Brunswick Street Gallery

322 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. (Cnr Argyle St) 

Hrs Tue to Sun 10am-10pm 

0419 390 478 

mark@bsgart.com.au 

www.brunswickstreetgallery.com.au

If you missed the last two comic strips in the series, and you're kinda curious, click here for one and here for two

Hot! Hot! Hot!

OMG! Am officially a published children's book illustrator! Pretty damn proud.  Woot!

Media Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A DRAGON CALLED WILBUR:

HOW A FIRE-BREATHING DRAGON MADE FRIENDS

Long ago in a land far away, in an age when people believed in magic, there lived A Dragon Called Wilbur. Now Wilbur was a very lonely dragon, because everyone was afraid of him. What could Wilbur possibly do to make friends? This lonely dragon believes that if he can alter his behaviour and convince his neighbours that he is not dangerous, he can become a valued part of the village. By doing this, Wilbur can make a big difference in his community. Hopefully, he will also make friends and will no longer be lonely. Can Wilbur convince everyone that dragons are not so scary after all? This uplifting children’s book sends a positive message about outsiders wanting to belong.

About the Author:

Bronwyn Heeney lives in Cranbourne North, Victoria, Australia, and is working on future books.

A DRAGON CALLED WILBUR: HOW A FIRE-BREATHING DRAGON MADE FRIENDS

(ISBN: 978-1-61204-803-1) is now available for $20 and can be ordered from Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com.

If you'd like to see more of the book's inside illustrations, click here

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.

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)

Conundrum In Deed : Band logo design

Conundrum In Deed is an exceptionally talented band based in the UK. Their (beautiful, insightful and exceptionally clever) lyrics are expressed in a musical styling that is a fusion of folk, progressive and psychedelia. So they approached me to design a logo that could concisely represent their music.

Initially I was inspired on the idea of an "impossible object" (cos that to me says "conundrum" right?). So I pitched the impossible cube shape - which they liked. Though their brief needed to include "psychedelia" with amorphous organic intertwining patterns (ie. vines, tentacles and bit o' paisley.)

Bandmate Greg Shields, inspired by the concept of an impossible object then suggested "An impossible cube rusting away in the middle of a psychedelic forest, with bare ground and in the middle of the cube a single 'Holy Flower'* wilting in the middle". *('Holy Flower' being the name of one of their songs).

Following that suggestion is a quick step by step look into how I came up with their final logo design...

Basic outline...

...followed by rough colour...

...FINAL LOGO!!

The band love the logo (WOOT and a pat on the back to moi!) 

Already a fan has commented on their new logo as being:

"The love child of Escher and a tripper at Woodstock" (Tee hee, awesome!) 

To hear some of their music, click here 

(My personal favorite song of theirs is "Laughing Man")

Meet Wilber the Dragon

Beginning at the end of 2010 I was approached to illustrate a children's book, which is something I'd never been asked to do before. However it has  always been something that I've been interested in pursuing - so to have this opportunity just 'drop into my lap'...

well I didn't need to be asked twice.

Over the following months I submitted one illustration a fortnight, and in recent weeks that changed to two a week. Today, this very afternoon, I handed over the final illustration (so excitement!) Now it will be sent away to be professionally published and I'm really looking forward to seeing the completed result.

I've included a couple of sample illustrations below to "whet the appetite"

The book will be officially launched some time in early 2012 and from what I've been told by the author, Bronwyn Heeney, will be toured at book expos globally. Next year will also be the Year of the Dragon, so fingers crossed this book gets a noice bit o interest and publicity.

Eydie's made me do it!

Last night I happened upon this rad (yes that's right, I'm using the word "RAD") wee bar in East Brunswick, situated on the tail end of Lygon Street.

Named Eydie's after 1950's singer Eydie Gormé, it was peculiar to me that this bar had that "clean and brand new" look, yet also managed to have a whole lota personality. The 1950's inspired furnishings were unpretentious and remained stylish, and the music selection was retro without being cliche. The entire bar atmosphere was warm and welcoming which I think was mostly credited to the really friendly bar staff.

I guess I must have really enjoyed my experience at this bar that I felt compelled and inspired to whip up my own little logo to mark the evening. In case you're curious to check it for yourself :

86 Lygon Street

East Brunswick

VIC 3057

Open from

Mon - Wed 5pm - 12am

Thu - Sun 4pm - 1am

(Ha! And maybe if you fall this bar the way I have, you can always join the Facebook group!)

My favorite caricatures (and commissions)

Eureka!!.... oops not quite.

Image property of the Bendigo Historical Society

Margaret Kennedy and Julia Farrell start The Rush

Earlier this year the Bendigo Art Gallery announced The Paul Guest Prize for drawing.

I was excited by this news for a number of reasons, I'd visited Bendigo the previous year to view the touring 2009 Archibald exhibition and I had throughly enjoyed the weekend away indulging in the history of this once famous gold rush city. I was also keen to rise to the challenge of breaking out the old watercolour pencils giving myself a break from painting...

but if I'm really honest, the real selling clincher was the $10,000 prize money - Ha! I mean why not give it a go right?

There was no appointed theme for the competition which suited me. I'd already been inspired by a small slice of Bendigo history; allegedly in 1851 two women, Margaret Kennedy and Julia Farrell found gold which was picked up by a newspaper journalist which was how the gold rush got started in Bendigo. There is not much documentation on this story but I found it quite interesting all the same.

Painstakingly drawn - seriously, it took ages - on A1 drawing board with layer upon layer of watercolour pencil I illustrated my interpretation of Kennedy and Farrell finding gold. Surrounding them are ghost or shadow images of a number of future iconic structures to Bendigo, ie. Bendigo's talking tram, the Town Hall and the entrance to the Chinese Museum.

Below: Bendigo fountain on Pall Mall and the Chinese Museum entrance,

Bendigo's talking tram, lookout tower, the Town Hall

Images property of the Bendigo Historical Society

Click on any of the photos to view larger

My entry was unsuccessful. Am I disappointed? Totally!

I put a lot of care and thought into this work - as I do with all my work. Though I had really tailored my concept for Bendigo specifically thinking that it would appeal to the judging panel at the Bendigo Art Gallery. Obviously it didn't work, and maybe that's even the reason why it wasn't selected because it was TOO "Bendigo".

In all honesty, the images I have don't really do the work justice.The pencil work is so fine and there is so much small detail that it was actually a very difficult work to photograph. To see this work in the "flesh" is quite vibrant and impressive. I'm proud of this work.

Image property of the Bendigo Historical Society

click on photo to view larger

Moore painting publicity.

After not getting into the Archibald earlier this year, my entry of Richard Moore WAS in actual fact selected by the Salon de Refusés, aka Hidden Faces of the Archibald. But for personal reasons I refused the Refusés.

I'd posted the painting on my blog, and shortly there after I was contacted by someone who wanted to do a profile piece on me and my entry of Richard Moore for the RMIT Alumni online newsletter. I was very flattered and accepted the opportunity to share my painting to a wider audience.

(click here to read profile)

Poster Concept: Adelaide Fringe 2010

For a bit o fun I entered the Adelaide Fringe 2010 poster competition in September last year.

Having attended the Fringe before, I felt it to be a Festival that offered a lot in terms of fun, entertainment and atmosphere. Thus my concept was based upon the idea of “Adventure and Fun for the Senses”.

The outcome? Well I didn’t win… this time.

I realise I missed a very important detail – it was the Fringe’s 50th year. A very important milestone and very important marketing angle for the Festival. Silly Lucy. So I appreciate the relevance of the winning entry.

(I still feel my poster is pretty cute though)

One commission, two commission, three commission MORE!

Below is a selection of past painting or portrait commissions I've had in the last two years.

Click on any photos to view larger

Some are wedding presents, some are birthday presents and some are just personal and special gifts.

Flirty Fleur

A lot of my work is inspired by my friends and people I know. Fleur is someone I've known seemingly forever. However, unlike most of my subjects, Fleur actually asked me to paint her - "when are you going to paint me?" .... so I did:

Click on the photo to view larger

This piece is called "Flirty Fleur" as I intended it to capture her very social personality. Is she toasting the viewer or accepting a free beer that happens to be coming her way?

Mum

This is a very personal piece. It’s a tribute to my mother who passed away from bowel and liver cancer in 2002. She was a strong and beautiful woman whose love was unconditional and everlasting.

Click on the photo to view larger

In this painting her spirit is represented in the form of a Ghost Gum with strong branches that support the family she made for herself – My dad, my sister and myself.

Represented on the ground below is the unfortunate “family politics” that occurred as a result of her passing.

We still mourn her and miss her everyday.

Comics and "Drawing Jams" and Astérix

Something that I would like to do more of is comic book/strip art.

It's an art form I really enjoy and admire. I learnt to read as a child with comic books and magazines - which is how I became a big fan of Astérix and Mad Magazine, two publications that I feel have influenced my drawing style.

It's a dream of mine to one day have enough really good work that I could publish my very own graphic novel *sigh*.

This fantasy is further fueled by, what I call, "Drawing Jams" with talented cartoonists such as Ben "Hutcho" Hutchings, and David Blumenstine. Two comic book artists with very different and distinctive styles, but both very focused.

They're very inspiring really *double sigh*

The strip I did below was essentially an exercise to test my "line work". I wanted to do something that was fine lined and looked finished. I'm pretty pleased with the result (and I think you can also see the Uderzo influence)

A dark piece and yes a bit gross, I call this strip DIY Heartbreak and I dedicate it to anyone who's ever had their heart broken.

For me though, this strip was more about wanting something so badly but feeling I have no control on its outcome: "Fine! I'll save myself the wait of disappointment and stomp on my heart right now! That'll save us all a lot of time! That'll show 'em!! So there!!" (etc. etc.)

*triple sigh*