Happy Holidays!

City Dragon...

Tasty!

The new issue of Taste Magazine is now out - featuring an illustrated map that I did of the upper South Island of New Zealand. A pleasure to contribute again to this magazine that is as usual packed with beautiful and tasty things! (The blueberry poppy seed loaf looks particularly good). Thanks to AD Mike Watson.

Tough Talk

I recently completed an illustration for Employment Today Magazine. The article is called 'Tough Talking' and is about resolving conflict in the workplace and how to improve communication. There was a reference in the article to taking 'bee stings' out of your conversations which is the reason for the bees buzzing around!

Mini Comics....

The 'Troubled Souls Wild West Show' illustration exhibition opens tonight - and I will be selling these mini comics as well as my Giclee prints, all based on the life of John Wesley Hardin. The comic is a 16pp Concertina booklet that will be on sale for $3. Lots of other amazing work by some very talented folks also.

Troubled Souls Wild West Show!

some more Taste...

Here are some more of my illustrations from the current issue of Taste magazine, in context.

Taste Magazine

The August issue of Taste Magazine is now on the shelves!

I had the pleasure of contributing 6 illustrations to this issue - a full page and several smaller ones for the Farmers Markets Awards.

I was asked to do an illustration for each category as well as the overall winner. It was an interesting and enjoyable range of subjects to tackle! A big thank you to AD Mike Watson.

thank you!

I recently did an illustration for a 'Thank You' greeting card.

Furniture...

From today's sketchbook doodles...

Artstation Exhibition for Storylines Festival...

I have the pleasure of being included in 'Pictures Without Words' - an exhibition soon to be open at the Artstation Gallery in Auckland. The show is an illustration showcase of picture book artists, and is running as part of the Storylines Festival. Some wonderful NZ artists are featuring their work, so make sure you get along if you happen to be in the area. Exhibition opens on the 6th August at 5pm.

Ukulele...

This guy isn't related to any actual projects but I thought I would share him anyway.

3x3 Proshow Win!

I am proud to announce that I am included in the winners of this year's 3x3 illustration proshow annual! It is a real thrill to be included with so many illustrators that I respect and admire. Thanks to the judges and congratulations to all the other winners. My entry is in the Editorial (food) category.

You can see the complete list of winners here. The annual will be out later this year.

Stagecoach

From a little project that I'm working on at the moment...

Urban Graphic's Big Draw Charity Postcard Lotto!

I have contributed an illustrated postcard to Urban Graphic's upcoming Big Draw Charity Postcard Lotto - which is being held to coincide with the opening of their new shop in Bristol.

Here is some more info from Urban Graphic:

We have asked the artists we've worked with on our Toasted range, as well as some surprise guests, to draw/print/stamp/scribble/paint on an A6 postcard and send it back to us. On the night, at our newly launched shop and screen print studio in central Bristol, we will be hosting a blind lottery where people can donate and take home a postcard-sized piece of art! Alongside Toasted artists such as Gemma Correll, Jean Jullien and Fred Benaglia, we also have artwork from Vic Reeves, Axel Scheffler (of Gruffalo frame), and the team at Aardman animation.

 The Big Draw is an amazing charity that works with schools, museums, heritage sites and in the wider community to promote the act of drawing as a tool for thought, creativity, social and cultural engagement. It is a fitting charity for us as we have championed many up and coming designers, illustrators and artists over the past 3 years with our 'Toasted' range of cards and wrap, providing a commercial platform for contemporary image makers. The campaign's work will finish when the words 'I can't draw' are dropped from our vocabulary!

It is a real treat to be involved and included amongst such fine illustrators, and for such a worthy cause! Big thanks to Urban Graphic and The Big Draw. Support them if you can!


Here is a little peek at my contribution:

Making Connections...

Here is an illustration that I did recently for Unlimited Magazine - all about making the most of LinkedIn for businesses. Always fun to get to do a robot!

Toasted in the mail...

I was very excited the other day to receive in the mail a pack of greeting cards from Urban Graphic, featuring my illustration 'Lovesongs'.

They have been available for a while now but it is great to see them in the flesh. The printing quality and packaging is beautiful! Thanks to the guys at Urban Graphic, it is a pleasure to be included in their amazing range of contemporary greeting cards.

Employment Today Magazine...

I recently produced an illustration for Employment Today Magazine, for the current issue which is now available - based on the theme of change in the workplace.

I did one last year based on a similar concept that was also 'playground' themed, but I think this one works a bit better as an overall image.

Ben gets a mention....

My recent picture book 'Ben and the Icky Ooky Sticky Smick' got a mention and was reviewed on ABC Victoria's 'Morning' show with Fiona Parker a few days ago.

The book was one of 4 new picture books to be featured on the show and was reviewed very positively by Sarah Mayor Cox - and you can listen to her review via the show's podcast here:

http://blogs.abc.net.au/victoria/2013/03/some-books-to-peruse.html

(scroll down to where it says Sarah and Fiona 15.3).

The Book Illustration Competition - Top 25!

Over the weekend I was thrilled to be informed that I made it into the Top 25 Shortlist in the Book Illustration Competition, which is an annual competition run by the House of Illustration and the Folio Society - publisher of many beautiful books.

Each year the publishers select a novel which is to be illustrated, and entrants are required to provide three illustrations and a sample binding. The winner then gets to illustrate the book which is published by The Folio Society.

The book this year was Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, an interesting challenge to visualise!

The Top 25 gallery can now be seen here. (My entries start 4th down on the left). There are lots of really great illustrations in this Shortlist as you will see, apparently the standard of work was very high this year.

Big thanks to the House of Illustration and The Folio Society for the recognition and for publishing so many beautiful illustrated books. It was an honour to make the Shortlist.

Here is a look at a couple of my entries:

Music & Things

I have a brand new art print available in my Society6 Store - have a look!

Ben, Bugs and Books...

My first picture book as illustrator was released this week and is now available! The book was published by Walker Books Australia.

It is called 'Ben and the Icky-Ooky Sticky-Smick' and was written by the wonderful NZ children's author Sally Sutton. It is a beautifully written story about a boy who collects strange and wonderfully named bugs, and his search to find his favourite bug which has gone missing.

Here is a link to the book on the Walker Books website.

Here is a peek at the cover and a couple of spreads from the book:

Toasted!

I am proud to report that one of my illustrations has been added to the 'Toasted' line of  greeting cards produced by Urban Graphic in the UK. They are a super cool contemporary greeting card company and have an amazing range of artists. Check them out now if you haven't heard of them. It is a real thrill to be a part of it and to be featured with so many illustrators that I admire. Thanks Urban Graphic!

Here is the link to see the image and the other card designs.

And here is mine:

a few places....

Now that the 'Places and Chases' exhibition is all over and finished I thought I would share a few more of my works from the show. Some of these are still available to purchase ( as framed Giclee prints) so if you are interested then drop me a line.

last days of the show!

It is the final few days of my current exhibition with my illustrator friend Angela Keoghan - so navigate yourself over there before the end of this week if you want to catch it before the works come down! Many thanks to all the kind folks who have dropped in and/or purchased prints.

Design Juices...

I have the pleasure of having some of my work and a short interview featured on Design Juices - a great blog showcasing designers, illustrators and photographers.

Click here to see to have a look.

Thanks to Jared and blog for featuring me and work, I recommend having a look around the rest of the blog, there is some great inspiration on there!

doodles...

some holiday doodles from my sketchbook... oh and happy new year!