How I spent my summer (and spring... and early autumn)

Even a cursory glance at the dates on these posts should lead one to the conclusion that I don't blog much. It's a pretty accurate conclusion. I'm simply not one of cyberspace's prolific ramblers; I tend to only write about my work, or other subjects that I've deemed pertinent that afternoon, and I'm eminently distractable. When there's lots to do, writing about how there's lots to do tends to hit the bottom of the list. Still, February to October is a fairly long gap and I thought it would be odd not to draw attention to the fact that I'm aware of this - not to apologise for my absence of course, I'm sure no apology is needed. Let's face it, there isn't a single person out there who will now happily unbait their breath, safe in the knowledge that this post has finally arrived. Rather to simply say that it has been a long, hot, draining summer and the artwork has taken a back seat to a rather more-drawn-out-than-planned project that I've been labouring away at. There'll be more on that as it happens but also, now that the cool, fresh winds of autumn are once again whistling about my eaves, and night has been let out to stretch her legs, I find that I'm more inclined to wax lyrical on matters not so directly related to my own output. I have some ideas. You lucky people, you.

In the meantime, the year's not been a complete washout and I'd just like to share one or two pieces that have made it through the net. The first is a family portrait that my friend, and sometime collaborator, Chris commissioned. Portraiture isn't my favourite discipline, but the style of the piece appealed and everyone involved was pleased with the outcome, so I count that as a win. I worked in pencil on board for the figures and then completed the image digitally.

Next up, a piece that I'd originally envisioned as a triptych image and that I was hopefully going to use to help raise awareness and donations for a charity mountain walk that I took part in this September. Grand ideas of laser etching the images into folding wooden boards were bandied about until I faced up to the fact that the first and third panels simply weren't working. The second panel though is a good, strong image and I'm very happy with it, though even I can see that it would benefit from the odd splash of colour. One to come back to then, this is straight pencil and ink on board.











Another portrait, of a sort, I was commissioned last month by some friends to produce an illustration of the pub they've just bought (the Queen's Head in Belton, Leicestershire, which should be open for business at the end of October folks) for use on stationery and menus. It's a fine looking building, with an air of the old inn about it, which married nicely with my style to capture something of a woodcut feel. Pencil and ink on bristol board with digital clean ups.

I was also very pleased to have my artwork appear on the cover of the BSFA's Focus Magazine #60 this month. It's a piece that I drew a few years ago for author Kim Lakin-Smith, who guest edited this issue, based on her excellent novel 'Tourniquet'. Quite put a smile on my face, this one.

Finally, on that long drawn out project - while I'm not ready to give too much away, it is related to the fact that my study wall is now covered in antique maps of Northampton. Make of that what you will...

Back soon...