New Year, New Ventures!

Well, I can't say that 2011 was the most productive year i've had, but I can say that it was certainly a year of making decisions and starting new ventures. I'm happy to say that 2012 is looking a whole lot more hopeful in all aspects of my life. I have entered the year with a lot of good ideas and the drive to push them.
My colleague and I  have established a mural company called Paint Splat which focusses on transforming children's playspaces and creating an environment which fuels their imagination. It's been thoroughly enjoyable to do and we're hoping that 2012 is going to a year of 'Paint Splatting' Liverpool. Check out some of our designs and follow the link above to see our Facebook page.

Willy Russell

My Willy Russell figure has been on display in Liverpool City Centre for 8 whole weeks. I'm very proud to have been chosen to display my portrait and to also receive an email from the man himself showing his gratitude, yet concern for the positioning of his character outside McDonalds on Whitechapel, being a vegetarian of course. I agree that the location probably isn't ideal, but i'm not going to complain. Some passers-by were quite amused by me posing to have my photograph taken with a lamp post and asked why.... I had to point out the art work 6 ft above me. I just hope that the exhibition inspired people to find out more about Liverpool, and maybe take an interest in my city's wonderful contribution to the world of Arts, Sport, Politics, Science and entertainment.

Commission Time!

I'm happy to announce that I've won my first public art commission. As part of Liverpool Discovers  (an artist trail across Liverpool) showcasing Liverpool greats, I've been commissioned to create an image of Willy Russell to be part of the public exhibition. So, December proves to be a busy month of painting the portrait and getting my website up and running again in time for the exhibition in February 2011. I will keep you posted on when the exhibition is and hopefully you'll come along!

Clove Hitch Craft Fair 17th October 2010

Well, it's been a while since I last posted on my Blog, as I have been quite busy lately doing bits and bobs of freelance work.  I've also turned my hand to textiles lately too. I began to make a little things from recycled materials, just to see what they would look like. I was happy with the result. I then thought..'Hmmmm, other people might like to buy these'. So I've been building up a stock of plushies, xmas decorations and purses. I've got a few other little ideas to develop also.

My good friend Becka Griffin is a veteran craft fairer, and persuaded me to get involved in the clove hitch craft fair. So I said 'Yes' and began a production line in my house. Sewing and sewing and getting various members of the family involved in cutting out and stuffing etc. I even taught my mum to sew so she could help out.

Above are some of the decorations I made to sell at the craft fair. I was aiming to make at least 2 an hour but at first it was more like 1 an hour. Once I got into the perpetual sewing motion, I was a lot faster at producing them. 

I've learnt a lot about doing craft fairs from seeing how professional the other stalls were, and how slap dash mine was. I still managed to make £30 profit, which I'm told is ok for a first fair. I know now what i'd do differently. Presentation is everything! You could have the most fantastic product, but if it's displayed in a crappy way, no-one will want to buy it. I'm a lot more prepared for the next fair which will be on 4th of December in a local school. I'll update the blog with details if anyone's interested in coming along. 

RESULT!

Well, my academic hurdle has come to a close, and I can happily say I am now the proud owner of a 2:1 BA Hons in Graphic Arts (Animation). What a relief after the months prior to hand in, when the house was burgled and all of my hard work was taken with my Macbook.

The degree show went very smoothly, and resulted in taking advantage of the extremely cheap wine. It was call for celebration and that is exactly what I did. Now is the next chapter of my life as a struggling Illustrator/Animator haha. I'm not quite at the Withnail & I poverish stage yet. Here's to making it!