excess memory

Blog has now moved

2011-07-02T08:39:00.000+01:00

I haven't used this blogger account for some time but I've recently become aware that folks are still visiting from time to time. If you'd like to see what I'm upto these days please go over to my new blog home at:

http://blog.mickstatham.com

I'll see you there.

Ch,ch,ch, changes

2010-09-16T17:31:00.002+01:00

For a while now I've been using Tumblr as a host for a couple of my other blogs, Lunchtime Lens and Pickt, and I have decided that the time is right to move Excess Memory over there also.

I guess that the reason most people keep a blog is so that they can have it read by as many folks as possible. And that's my problem. I don't really think that many people, if indeed any, stop by EM. And this lack of readership makes my efforts seem pointless. Yes, I enjoy writing these posts and for the most part, I'm primarily writing them for my own entertainment. But a little encouragement would be nice.

My Tumblr blogs, on the other hand, have a healthy following which provides a great incentive to carry on with them (and a great ego boost too). Which is why, over the next couple of weeks Excess Memory will be moved over to http://excessmemory.tumblr.com where, I hope, more readers will find my work.

So, for those that do read this blog, please check over at:

http://em.mickstatham.com/

where EM will be making it's new home over the next few weeks.

Goodbye Blogger, it's been emotional.

Memento

2010-09-12T06:00:00.000+01:00

M//009

Telephone me

2010-09-10T06:00:00.001+01:00

TELEPHONEME | MK12 from MK12 on Vimeo.

Follow that mouse

2010-09-08T06:00:00.003+01:00

I'm probably the last man to the party, as usual, but having found this great little application I'm completely hooked.

IOGraphica visually records the paths and clicks of your mouse as you work creating unique results every time you use it. See for your self. These are just a few of my creations from the last couple of days.

15 and a half minutes mouse activity.

1 hour ten minutes mouse activity.

1 hour thirty minutes mouse activity.

Drum roll please...

2010-09-05T20:10:00.000+01:00

And so the revamp of my portfolio web site, http://www.mickstatham.com/, is finally finished. After what seems like an absolute age, all the pages, links, images and waffling have come together to complete a shiny new, minimal, gridy site.

I'm not an HTML coder or a professional web site designer, that's why I use Dreamweaver, a great program once owned by Macromedia but now part of the Adobe family. That said, I'd like to think that I know my way around when it comes to being able to tweak Dreamweavers code when necessary. For instance, as the art page contains rollovers which don't operate on mobile devices, I slipped in an extra line of code to allow mobile devices using iOS, Android etc. to go to a different page that doesn't use the rollover effect. I've also had the Devils own job getting the site to behave in IE8, Safari and Google Chrome. IE8 seems to interpret HTML in peculiar ways but, in the end, I managed to tame it (unless you know different).

Above all I wanted this version of the site (which I believe is now version 5.0) to be simple. This time around it's just about the art and on this version, the photography. Everything is designed around a grid layout which makes it look crisp and hopefully will give the site a longevity so that any redesign will not now be needed for some considerable time.

Lunchtime Lens Vol.1

2010-09-02T16:46:00.001+01:00

Those that follow me on this blog, on Twitter or on Tumblr will know about the Lunchtime Lens project. LtL is a small corner of the internet which showcases the photographs that I take during my lunchtime break from 'the day job'.

Through this project, photography is quickly becoming a minor passion. And, as with my print work, it's also something that I like to share. With that in mind I've compiled a small book, predictably titled 'Lunchtime Lens vol.1 - the photography of Micheal Statham' which is a collection of some of the best images from LtL so far. It's a 40 page soft cover book containing both colour and black and white samples of my work and sells for £14.95 (which is about €22 or $27) plus p&p.

If anyone is interested and would like a copy please click here to buy.

A Single Man

2010-08-30T06:00:00.034+01:00

The other night I Finally saw Tom Ford's debut movie offering 'A Single Man'. I wasn't expecting much it has to be said. It would be a couple of hours that were no more than style over content, I was sure of that. And there was style a plenty. Sharp suits, beautiful people, moody flash backs. Everything had that Mid Century Modern stamp on it. It looked good enough to watch with the sound off. But doing that would have been a tragedy.

A Single Man, based on the book of the same name by Christopher Isherwood, is set in paranoia fuelled days of the Cuban missile crisis during 1962. George Falconer (Colin Firth) is an expat English professor, now living in Los Angeles, who is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his partner. The weight of Falconers unbearable sadness permeates the entire film. I say that like it's a bad thing, but it isn't. There's no doubt from the viewers perspective that Falconer intends to end his loneliness by taking his own life. This opinion might be reached from witnessing his interaction with those around him. Perhaps it's because he appears to be getting his affairs in order. Or perhaps it's that he buys bullets for his old revolver. Yes, that would be the give away.

But his attempts to shoot himself are thwarted by his obsessive compulsiveness, a scene which adds a little light heartiness to the melancholy. As the day unfolds (the story unfolds over a 24 hour period) we see falconer's interaction with others. Carlos, a Spanish prostitute, Kenny, one of Falconers students and Charley an ex lover and confidant played by Julianne Moore. By the end of that day, you get the impression that suicide might now be the second, if not the last thing on Falconers mind. Unfortunately the fates have other plans.

Perfectly cast, perfectly paced and perfectly adapted from the source. I urge you to see this.

Oh, and Colin Firth dances only marginally better than he sings.

the All Saints preserve us

2010-08-25T06:00:00.000+01:00

AllSaints Spitalfields...need I say more?

Memento

2010-08-22T06:00:00.000+01:00

M//008

Update on the update

2010-08-18T06:00:00.001+01:00

So close now to putting the final finishing touches to my portfolio revamp. As well as my art work I have decided to use this opportunity to showcase some of my photography.

I really don't know if I'm any good when it comes to taking photographs. I just know what I like. Following on from my Lunchtime Lens project I found an instant gratification in taking 'snaps', something which I've not felt, creatively, for some time.

Oh, and I'm considering cobbling together some kind of print on demand photo book, you know, just in case...

Hello, my names Don

2010-08-17T15:59:00.011+01:00

Actually, no it's not. And if you've been hooked by Mad Men as I have you'll know that, despite the man oozing utter charm and coolness, he's still a bit of a twit. But, when all said and done, Don Draper is a man who really knows how to wear a suit.

This weekend, Helen and myself will be attending the wedding of one of her work colleagues. It'll be an all day affair of hobnobbing with folks which we don't really know that well and it will culminate with Helen dragging a reluctant moi onto the dance floor. Oh, the embarrassment. But, I digress.

Helen has been prepared for weeks, outfit ready and looking gorgeous as ever. I, on the other hand, rarely look gorgeous in anything. But the effort and intention is always there. This time I'll be sporting a medium grey suit, white shirt and dark grey, slim tie. I'll be doing all I can not to show up my beloved, at least in the couture stakes at any rate. With a bit of luck I might even give Don a run for his money.

Does anyone know where I could acquire some charm at this late stage?

Memento

2010-08-13T06:00:00.000+01:00

M//007

Logo clinic

2010-08-06T06:00:00.000+01:00

There's been a lot of logo talk here lately. Perhaps because it's a very important part of any business and it's not an easy job (I know) to create a memorable mark. My hat is off to those folks who's proffession is to come up with 'the look'.

But, for the rest of us, there is help at hand.

The Logo Clinic is a Tumblr based site run by Graham Smith of imjustcreative. Graham is a U.K. based designer who:

"is a freelance logo and identity designer with over 25 years experience in graphic design, reprographics, advertising, marketing, commercial print, typography and photography".

so Graham knows his stuff and, if you're stuggling with your design, he is willing to cast an eye over your logo and perhaps you'll just be lucky enough to be given his expert advice.

Jasper Goodall redesigns Girl Scout icon

2010-08-03T06:00:00.001+01:00

via Big Active

Logo love

2010-07-31T06:00:00.001+01:00

I'm not a logo designer. No where close to being one. Perhaps that's why, when I decided to update my portfolio site (which still isn't finished) I spent so much time agonising about the 'brand'. In my opinion (and this is through an untrained eye) a successful logo design should convey the spirit of the product without having to spell out what that product is. I wanted it to say 'Printmaker' with out it saying 'look at me I'm a printmaker'. Does that make sense? No? O.K. well here it is, you decide.

Memento

2010-07-25T06:00:00.002+01:00

M//006

Letraset

2010-07-23T06:00:00.017+01:00

All I'll say is who remembers these?

For those of you youngsters who have no idea what I'm referring to try this, this and this.

The new me

2010-07-19T12:39:00.003+01:00

For a couple of weeks I've been busily re-working my portfolio site. It's current incarnation is clunky and has a very 'I've got a copy of Dreamweaver and I'm going to use it' look about it. Time for a change. Time for a crisp, minimal, grid based design.

Here's a sneak peek. Coming soon to a computer near you.

Memento

2010-07-15T06:00:00.000+01:00

M//005

We'll see what develops.

2010-07-09T06:00:00.001+01:00

Following on from the last post I found this original advert for the Polaroid Swinger. It's an American add, of courrse, but youget the drift.

And here is a link to 'The Branding of Polaroid' from Paul Giambarda's blog. Paul was the brains behind the Polaroid branding way back in 1958. He's also a great photographer.

Right, I'm all Polaroided out.

Click here for instant results.

2010-07-06T17:27:00.009+01:00

For the past five months or so, I've been using my 30 minutes lunch break from the day job to snap a few photo's with my trusty iPhone. After a bit of messing around, accidental deletion and subsequent cursing, I post these on my photo blog, Lunchtime Lens. This is an exercise that serves two purposes; to get me out of that damn office and to help toward developing my obsessive collectors mentality.

These days (god I sound old) it is a simple matter to pursue this kind of project. Digital photography is a miracle of modern times. I doubt that there's a kid under ten who would remember those funny film cartridge thingies. But go back blah blah years and I'm just the same.

One day, some time around the beginning of the 70's, my father bought home what was then the latest in photography tech. The 'Polaroid Swinger' (that's its name, not it's lifestyle choice). This was the first affordable instant camera to hit Britain. I'm not sure of the price but from research it would appear to have been about £9 ($19) and it was actually made on home soil. Oh, and it was only black and white, which today would be great for those grainy, moody shots.

But, just like some entry level technology today, it was fiddly to use and temperamental. You couldn't leave the house with out a bag full of new film as it only shot ten or twelve pictures per pack. Walking along a sandy beach with this hanging by it's carrying strap was like having a brick swinging from your wrist. The pleasure came from the moment that you ripped the newly taken snap from the back of the 'Swinger' and waited those tantalising 30 seconds until you could peal the backing from the photo to reveal...that you'd cut of your mums head and wasted another exposure.

The 'Swinger' was in the family for years. I'm not sure where it is now though. It probably ended up on a shelf in some charity shop. In fact it's probably still there gathering dust because, lets face it, who'd want that old thing?

Actually, I'd like it, please. The photo's were flawed by the inaccuracy of the photographers aim. The memory's however, return in the time that it took those photo's to develop.

I like to think that, even if I'm not at the cutting edge of technology, at least I'm close enough to it to get a nasty nick.

David Carson talks to TED

2010-07-01T15:10:00.001+01:00

David Carson at the TED talks in 2003

Memento

2010-06-27T06:00:00.003+01:00

M//004

Noah K. Everyday

2010-06-25T06:00:00.001+01:00

Noah K. is a thirty year old photographer from Brooklyn. Since he was 19, Noah has taken a photograph of his own face every single day. I find this both fascinating and scary at the same time. Check out Noah's work here.

To Mars

2010-06-22T06:00:00.006+01:00

MARS! from Joe Bichard and Jack Cunningham on Vimeo.

Memento

2010-06-20T06:00:00.020+01:00

M//003

Oliver Jeffers part two.

2010-06-17T06:00:00.000+01:00

More Oliver Jeffers goodness, this time words from the man himself.

Are you Lost?

2010-06-16T11:40:00.006+01:00

For those of you that are missing Lost, and I include myself in that group, you might find some solace here. This is Jonah M. Adkins's Tumblr blog dedicated to the cartography of the Lost island.

Hey, man, where's the fire?

2010-06-14T06:00:00.001+01:00

Thursday, last week, a fire broke out in a house just up the street from ours. The fire brigade arrived quick sharp and within half an hour the flames were out, as were the windows and the front door. The boys with the shiny yellow helmets bought the blaze under control, although not before the flames had propagated to the house next door. Fortunately no one was hurt.

On Saturday the letter box rattled and this booklet dropped on the welcome mat. Every house in the vicinity of ground zero had been given a little bedtime reading. Although this handy dandy guide on how not to have a fire and, if you must have a fire, how not to die in one, didn't have much of a plot. However the pictures were actually quite pretty. Primary colours and big bold typography were employed to rather nice effect in order to get the safety message across.

O.K. so it's not the Feltron report but this is safety guidance for the masses, what do you expect.

Oliver Jeffers

2010-06-13T08:00:00.002+01:00

Oliver Jeffers creates children's books that are unique and entertaining. I love his work and, even though I don't have any kids of my own, I still had to buy The Great Paper Caper when I saw it offered for two quid in a shop yesterday.

Usual suspects, anyone? I can see Kevin Spacey in a bear costume.

Memento

2010-06-11T06:00:00.008+01:00

M//002

Synthetica, a New Continent of Plastics.

2010-06-09T08:00:00.000+01:00

Every wonder where your plastic originates from. This map, which was printed in Fortune magazine in 1940, depicted "a continent of fictional lands each symbolising different aspects of the then still new and exciting world of plastics is shown, floating on a sea of glass".

via Strange maps.

Evan Hecox

2010-06-07T12:00:00.002+01:00

I've been an admirer of Evan Hecox for years. This all too brief film from Vimeo allows us a peek into Mr. Hecox's process.

what, no iPad review?

2010-06-05T16:01:00.011+01:00

I'm just letting everyone know that I won't be posting a review of the iPad. If you'd like to see some though, try these nice people.

Esquire // Engadget // Channel 4 // the Guardian // It's Nice That // Creative Review //

oh bugger, just Google it, O.K.

If, after reading those reviews, you still want one go to Apple and they will gladly take your money from you.

And for those of you that guessed correctly that I don't have one but desperately, desperately want one, you can just wipe that smug smiles of your faces ;-P

Memento

2010-06-03T10:00:00.011+01:00

M//001

For a while now I've been keeping another blog over at Tumblr (sorry Blogger, you're still my first) so, just in case you don't visit there, here are few random images. For more try my tumblr blog pickt.

House Industries

2010-06-01T08:00:00.002+01:00

My House Industries free Eames catalog arrived this morning. A nice little freebie showcasing what House is best at: font design. There are some very pretty faces here and, if you don't already have it, go order it now.

Work...just not too hard.

2010-05-31T08:00:00.003+01:00

I'm not at my best on Monday mornings, a fact to which my wife can attest.

This is not intentional. My initial aim on these days is to be bright and breezy but, unfortunately, with in thirty minutes of arriving at work, some one will always do or say something stupid. Something which will tip me over the edge into the Monday morning pit of despair.

As the week wears on, my mood lifts until, on Saturday morning, I'm back to my cheerfully, fun loving self.

Generally, I think that we could all sum up our working lives as 'a means to a an end'. I could probably count on a clenched fist the number friends that 'love' their work. But then thinking about it, it's not the work that gets me down as much as the...and here I have to stop in fear of a law suit with my name on it.

As if to illustrate my point, I stumbled across Michael Rianda's animated gem on Vimeo.

Jasper Goodall

2010-05-29T12:00:00.001+01:00

Jasper Goodall speecking at Semi-Permanent 2010.

Happy birthday Swiss Miss

2010-05-26T14:32:00.005+01:00

A little something for Swiss Miss. See other birthday wishes on the Flickr group Swissmiss=5.

Stationary zombies

2010-05-22T12:00:00.024+01:00

Found this here. It's totally awesome and I have to have it. Unfortunately no one knows where it came from.

2010-05-20T12:00:00.001+01:00

Kiss, kiss, bang, bang. Another Saul Bass inspired movie title sequence.

Created in Birmingham

2010-05-18T12:00:00.005+01:00

The Created in Birmingham shop stocks photography, illustration, tees, tote bags, jewellery, books and all sorts of other things that have been made locally. But time is running out for the shop. The Bullring want their retail unit back so the shop will only be open until 23rd May. Hurry, hurry, hurry.

This is you.

2010-05-16T12:00:00.011+01:00

This is You from Fairly Painless Advertising on Vimeo.

Design your own note book

2010-05-14T12:00:00.000+01:00

Design your own cool note books at Scout Books.

2010-05-11T22:28:00.003+01:00

Life lessons from ad man Rory Sutherland via TED.com

Fontana Modrn Masters

2010-05-11T12:00:00.002+01:00

Fontana produces some wonderfully graphic covers to their Modern masters series during the 70's. A potted history can be found here.

Say hello to your little friend

2010-05-09T22:47:00.000+01:00

So simple, The Movie Peg. Really got to have one of these.

Daleks:Victory through Extermination

2010-05-05T10:00:00.016+01:00

Francesco Francavilla knows a dictator when he see's one.

Francis Ford Coppola scores again

2010-05-03T15:34:00.001+01:00

Tetro is Francis Ford Coppola's black and white tale of the reunion of two brothers, Bennie and Tetro. Set in Argentina, the story follows the rivalries born out of creative differences passed down through generations of an artistic Italian immigrant family.

Dick Bruna, more than Miffy

2010-05-02T14:14:00.010+01:00

Dick Bruna is the genius behind 'Miffy', the enigmatic Dutch bunny from my childhood. And while this is a legacy to be more that proud of it would be a crime if we were to forget the body of work Bruna has produced, which includes over 2000 book covers.

“I would love to be able to draw like a child, so spontaneous, so open-minded on those big sheets. As an adult you start to draw and then hope that you make something good, something beautiful. A child is not like that, they start and see what happens... I draw things you will see close to home, things that I also like. Maybe I still think a bit like a child, I have a childish mind, I think. There are a lot of things I don’t understand.”

- Dick Bruna

Wait, there's more...

2010-04-26T16:16:00.005+01:00

No sooner do I start my Tumblr photo blog, Lunch Time Lens, than I start another one. This time called Pickt. This is simply somewhere to deposit all of those images that I come across in my day to day surfing. I can never remembe where I've been and what I've seen so this is where I leave all those images of the things that float my boat.

I've also had a bit of an early days revamp of Lunch Time Lens. You know the type of thing, new logo, new template etc.

I've known about Tumblr for a while but I've never used the dervice. Having done so I can sayt that It's so easy to use (a little slow sometimes) and I can post straight from my iPhone.

I'll never get any work done now.

The big guy designs better than anyone

2010-04-24T13:09:00.001+01:00

Twenty years ago the Space Shuttle Discovery blasted off from Kennedy Space Centre carrying the Hubble telescope.

This is one of the latest shots from Hubble, proving that no one does design better than the big guy himself.

Busy doing nothing

2010-04-22T19:41:00.003+01:00

Well, that's not strictly true.

This is my first week back on the job (oo, er, mrs) and to be frank I'm knackered. But on the bright side I was off today for another blood test (being off is the bright bit). So, after that task was completed early doors, I came back home to start a new project.

Yes, as well as my new typography blog InAnyCase, I've started a photography blog over at Tumblr.

This week, during my lunch 1/2 hour I've been popping out of the office to stretch my weary legs. It's been such a beautiful week, weather wise, that I thought I'd take a few snaps with the old iPhone. Originally I was goint to post them here via my phone but the Tumbler option is so much more convenient.

I'm aiming to take at least a couple of shots a day so if any one is interested, you can see them here. Tumblr will also instantaneously post them to my twitter feed so those that are following will get instant updates. There's also a direct link over in the menu to the right, 'LTL' which stands for LunchTimeLens.

At last...

2010-04-16T16:49:00.008+01:00

After a couple of weeks rredesigning this thing I think I'm just about comfortable with the way it looks and functions. My trouble is that I never know when to stop tinkering. I've also launched InAnyCase today.

InAnyCase is my typography blog. There wont be many words (no pun intended) but there will be regular postings on fonts, typographic design and awsome images. If you'd like to drop by the link in the menu is now active.

Jonathan Ross on Turf

2010-04-16T12:21:00.027+01:00

I've posted alot of video on here lately but I saw this last night and had to share it.

I was totally unaware of Mr Ross's ambitions as a comic book writter. I knew of his passion for the medium and of his ledgendary comics collection which boasts, reportedly, Detective Comics number twenty seven, Action Comics number one and a vast amount of original art. It's clear from this interview on Comic Book Resources that Jonathan is passionate about not just this new endevour of his but about the comic book industry as a whole. I imagine that he could probably answer any question you'd care to throw at him about comics, their history and their creators.

Turf spins a tale of gangsters, vampires and aliens set against a back drop of prohibition era New York. The characterisation is good, considering that this is his first writting endevour. It's gritty, entertaining, irreverent and doesn't take itself too seriously...just like Jonathan himself.

His cohort on this new project is Tommy Lee Edwards, himself somewhat of a veteran of the medium. His style suites the story perfectly. Any time that Edwards draws a gangster, I'm on board.

Logorama part one and two

2010-04-13T10:17:00.007+01:00

Part one

and part two.

By these guys.

Take that, sucka...

2010-04-06T21:53:00.003+01:00

In 1969, according to Printmag, Salvador Dali designed the logo for Chupa Chups lollies (as we call them in Britain).

That guy would do anything for a quick buck...I like his style.

Everyone starts somewhere

2010-04-04T23:02:00.006+01:00

From D&AD.

Introducing...

2010-03-29T23:07:00.003+01:00

The new improved excess memory. God, this gave me some trouble but, finally, the site is stable (unless you know otherwise). I'll be adding a few pages, tarting up the image posts etc. and generally trying to keep on top of everything. I also have a couple of ideas for new sites, specifically one which focus’ on typography. This is a work in progress.

On the health front, my thyroid is still over active. I say still, but this is now a permanent thing. I'm off to the Doc's again tomorrow to check out my levels. Hopefully he won’t send me back to work; I've got too much to do here ;-)

Spring clean

2010-03-26T12:47:00.013Z

Just been going through my hard drive, spring cleaning I guess, and came across this image. It's a piece that I did for my wife back in 2006. She was at collage at the time on a beauty therapy course. The hair department (or what ever it was called) was next door and Helen had heard that they were having an offer in the salon. It was something to do with using the students as guinea pigs, or something. They wanted posters to put around the collage to attract trade and Helen mentioned that I dabbled in graphic design to the head of the department who said o.k. So this was the result. Unfortunately I had to use the salons logo which wasn't the best design in the world, but you work with what you have.

Why they couldn't get their art department to come up with something is beyond me. They did like this though and it was up all over campus for a couple of weeks.

See it full size here.

Today's lesson is screen printing practical

2010-03-24T08:48:00.004Z

And this is what I do if I get the time (although with not so many people around and with not such fancy equipment).

How to Screenprint from Print Club London on Vimeo.

Matt Pyke, genius

2010-03-21T15:59:00.014Z

I want to be this guy when I grow up.

D&AD Presidents Lecture / Matt Pyke from Universal Everything on Vimeo.

This was from an address to design students at the Art and Design Academy at the Liverpool John Moore's University last August. I discovered this on the D&AD (Design and Art Direction) blog.

Matt Pyke is Universal Everything.

If only I were twenty five years younger. Does anyone have a Delorian?

Out with the old

2010-03-19T17:38:00.003Z

Those of you that visit here from time to time will notice that a bit of tiding up has been going on.

The blog was getting a little cluttered looking. Over time I've changed the blog mast head...

But these were always too 'busy'. So now my motto os 'keep it simple'. Some times less really is more, eh?

I'm also going to be adding a couple more pages to the blog. The first is an easy place to shop for some new T's that I'm developing. There might be other pages too. Just got to figure out what to put on them.

Can somebody call a doctor?

2010-03-16T20:54:00.005Z

Yesterday I was diagnosed as having an over active thyroid.

For the last six weeks or so I've felt pretty awful. Tired, constantly hungry, my heart tried it's best to leap from my chest and probably the worst symptom of all was the constant shaking of my body. I even found my cognitive functions failing me at times. You’re probably asking why did I leave it six weeks before seeking medical advice.

The answer to that is fear.

I've never felt so unwell in my any of my forty five years. The possibility of something really serious crossed my mind every time I picked up a glass and tried to stop my hand from shaking. But a week ago I bit the bullet and saw the Dr. He initially diagnosed over production of adrenalin due to stress but the result of my first blood test (I've had more blood tests than I am comfortable with and there will no doubt be more to come) showed that my thyroid gland was up the creek.

I'm on Beta Blockers to stop the shakes and something else to help reduce my thyroid hormone levels. I'm also signed off from work for at least two weeks.

That's the best bit of news I've had for ages.

Happy Birthday to...

2010-03-09T20:53:00.011Z

Finished this invitation for my other half’s aunt Dorothy. She's 80 hence the date on the Champaign cork.

You bought what!?

2010-03-04T21:16:00.013Z

while ago I designed some t-shirts and posted them on Zazzle in an effort to make some cash. I spent many hours slaving over a hot Photoshop putting together these characters which, in my humble opinion, are the dog’s bol**cks...

So why the hell is it that this simple design that took me all of ten minutes to complete is my best seller?

I just don't get it.

Who's a lucky boy...

2010-02-25T21:25:00.016Z

It's been 18 days since my last post. Why? Because I'm still stuck in a creative wastland. However, five days ago I became the proud owner of one of these baby's...

With this awsome gadget I hope to be able to research projects any where, any time, specifically when I'm at work ('cos, let's face it, there's fu#k all going on there). I've downloaded the Brushes app as this seems to be the best drawing program that I can find. I can now sketch on the go.

A couple of weeks ago I had an email from Illustration Friday, the subject of which was 'Muddy'. I had intended to submit a coloured version of the Swamp Thing/Man Thing sketch from a few months ago. As always, I was late, but the result is below. To tell the truth, this is only one af a few attempts at using my P.C. for colouring an image (yes that is a photo in the back ground).

It could have come out worse. See the result here.

Tips for better ideas.

2010-02-07T11:54:00.003Z

Just found this. Perhaps it'll help my unproductive moods.

Tips for Better Ideas from Andrew 'Big Show' Blodgett on Vimeo.

2010-02-03T16:14:00.015Z

I've been off work since last Wednesday. My intention was to give my finger a rest (see previous post) and to at least think about new ideas and try to figure out in what direction I should take my work.

The finger's certainly had plenty of rest because I’ve done sweet f.a. (apart from grow a beard) these last eight days. Unfortunately the inspiration has eluded me. It's as though my brain has shut down and I appear to me unable to think in creative terms. The more I dwell on this issue, the more frustrated I become. I hope that this is a temporary state as I am slowly losing my mind (which might not be a bad thing). The only thing I could come up with was this rip off of a poster that my brother-in-law asked me to do for him. He'd seen this on the Pedlars web site and as he's too tight to buy an original he asked me if I could put something together. Still, I'm always glad to steal ideas, especially as it seems that I am unable to come up with original ideas of my own.

I’m back at the day job tomorrow and when I tell folks that I’ve done nothing with my time off I will at least know that I am not lying.

2010-01-29T17:51:00.009Z

Has it been almost a month since my last post?

Yes, it bloody well has. Adding to issues mentioned in previous posts I now find myself suffering from a trapped nerve in the index finger of my right hand. Needless to say this is making most things necessitating the use of that hand quite difficult. Everything from holding a fork to using this damn computer is now a major issue. I blame the job. 20 years of using a computer for eight hours a day can do that to you. I should have seen the signs, after all, I spent five years risk assessing my colleague's workstations to help them avoid these problems. But I guess it's a case of do as I say, not as I do, eh?

I'm using some voice recognition software to help with the computer work. This, along with my Wacom tablet is helping (don't get to excited, it's just an old A5 Wacom, nothing special).

The images below are the last three Dr.Who sketches that I recently finished (see the earlier post below for details). Ever tried drawing when you cant hold your tools properly? There not so good. I feel like I'm learning how to draw all over again.

2010-01-02T16:43:00.001Z

A quick Hapy New Year to everyone.

2010 is going to be awesome...

fingers crossed.

2009-12-24T13:27:00.005Z

It's my birthday today and it would appear that, against all the odds, I've reached the ripe old age of 45...

f%&k!

I'm guessing most folk reflect back on the last twelve months at new years. I get to do it a few days early, what with my birthday being on Christmas Eve an' all. 45... 45... no matter how many times I say it, it just doesn't seem... I don't know what I'm trying to say here. I never had a problem with turning 40 so why the issue with 45? Perhaps it's because the year started out with so much promise. I'd discovered Green Door and I'd begun to produce work that I was actually proud to put my name to. I even sold a few pieces early on. I was to be included in a book that was to be sent out to agency's around the country. There were communications with someone who wanted to sell by work through their new web site. My work was to be on permanent display as part of an ongoing show.

But mid year, everything started to go tit's up. My office announced that it was moving so my visits to the studio were looking in doubt (it's still ify on that front). There has been no news or further developments on either the book or the new web site. The Café Zen exhibit folded early because of problems with the owner. And, probably worst of all, I feel like all the drive that I'd had at the beginning of the year has deserted me.

Roll on 2010. Perhaps I'll get my mojo back then.

2009-12-23T16:35:00.005Z

It's Christmas time once again and my favourite festive event is imminent. That's right, the Doctor Who Christmas special will air in two days...well, what else did you think I was talking about?

I've been a fan of the Dr. since I was old enough to be able to turn on the family black and white T.V. and to mark such an auspicious event as the ushering in of a new Dr. I thought I'd sketch a few of his previous incarnations.

Even though I was too young to remember William Hartnells portrayal (63-66), I did catch up with these episodes many, many years later. His Dr. was foreboding, mysterious and down right scary. A great place to start.

Patric Troughton (66-69) just made it into my child hood memory. It was his last episode which was actually my first Dr. experience. Which instantly confused me as, just as we had met, he changed into John Pertwee. Go figure. But from there I was hooked and spent every Saturday evening watching the Dr.'s amazing adventures. Troughton to Pertwee to Baker.

Then I 'grew up' and the Dr. and I parted company. It would not be until years later that Paul McGann took up the mantle in a mid-nineties T.V. movie. An event that was integral in Helen an I getting together. It actually wasn't bad. A little too Hollywood perhaps, but a good attempt at relaunching the franchise.

2005 rolled around and the Dr. was back for good in the form of Chris Eccleston. Not only was the Dr. back but so was I, back on the sofa, just waiting for the inevitable Dalek appearance.

Then came David Tennant, without 'who' the show might have become just another remake (I'm thinking about V, has anyone seen that?). But Dave's moving on and handing the keys to the Tardis to a would be time lord, Matt Smith.

As the Dr. knows only too well, time marches on. This could be where the series takes a serious nose dive but I've my fingers crossed that that wont happen.

Don't let me down, Matt.

2009-12-08T21:34:00.010Z

So, we are now rushing headlong into the madness that is known as Christmas.

I've never been 'into' Christmas, despite having my birthday on Christmas Eve (that's right, another few hours and I might have been called Noel). My family are not what you'd call 'close knit' and we don't live in each others pockets. It's a case of knowing that each of us is just on the other end of a 'phone should we need each other. In day's gone by, on the odd occasion that you'd find us all occupying the same space at the same time, it'd be at our folk's house. Now that they are no longer around though, we only ever get together for a brief few hours one day before Christmas to exchange gifts. So that's what is going on at the moment. The logistics of this annual event is currently being orchestrated by one of my sisters. She 'phones back and forth, checking and cross checking available dates with us until we all fit into place on the right one. It's kind of like waiting for the stars to be in the correct alignment.

The other major event in my life, the office move, is casting an ominous shadow over any festive cheer that I might have. Most of my work colleges are really troubled by the thought of this move. Some are in denial, some are depressed, most are just miserable.

Because of this upheaval I'm still trying to sort out how my studio visits will fit into the working week. I could really do with a big Lottery win or finding a generous benefactor to fund my dreams. Neither are looking too imminent. Perhaps father Christmas will pay me a visit with a big, fat cheque.

So I'm doodling when I can but, to be honest, the wind has kind of gone out of my sails. This was the last thing I drew, a sketch of Sir Ian Mckellan which I posted on Skineart last week.

2009-11-28T14:17:00.004Z

After my sorry episode of defeatist outpourings yesterday, here is something that really made me laugh. Thank God for the Muppets.

2009-11-27T21:36:00.006Z

It's been a little over a year since I began to take my print making seriously, due in no small part to the discovery of Green Door print making studio. If I can I'll spend a day a week there executing work that I've spent the intervening days working on. It was a case of being in the right lace at the right time, although it had taken me years to stumble upon this great space. Now, it seems, things are starting to unravel.

All the work that I've put into these short months might have been for nought. The organisation that I work for is moving office in January, and although this is just a few miles away, the combination of my current work pattern and having to rely on public transport might mean that I have to give up my mid week day off.

I'm gutted. I'm doing everything in my power to avoid giving up on my dream of being able to support myself from my art. I'm forty five, for fucks sake...time's running out.

I could get another job, but let's face it, who's going to employ a guy who's just pushed buttons for the last twenty years?

I have a small studio at home but it's nowhere big enough to print in.

I don't know what I'll do If I lose this...this last chance.

2009-11-22T17:02:00.010Z

Friday the 14th of November saw the opening of the new Nottingham Contemporary gallery and as mentioned in my last post, Helen and I went to see what all the fuss was about.

The 20th was our tenth wedding anniversary and, as we had met some thirteen years earlier during a life drawing class, it was only appropriate that we should celebrate this land mark occasion in an 'artsy' kind of way.

The inaugural exhibition was a show of David Hockney's work from 1960-1968. Only being familiar with his later work it was great to see some of his stuff from his formative years, which was a selection of his drawing, etchings, screen prints and some early paintings. If later shows are as good as this then Nottingham can be really proud of its new exhibition space.

The gallery building itself is not in the league of some of the grander structures, which in my opinion, often overshadow the work that they showcase. The N.C. is an understated concrete and metal building which tips it's hat to the heritage of Nottingham in the lace impressions of its facade. And the inside is as architecturaly neutral as the outside, offering no distraction from the reason that you are there, which is to admire good art.

If you are in Nottingham, go and pay the gallery a visit. The Hockney show is on until 24th Jan 2010.

2009-11-18T20:58:00.008Z

It's not safe out there...

in cyber-space that is. All manner of nasty things floating around in the digital aether. Like this 'Advanced Virus Removal'. Christ knows where this came from but it caused hell in my box of tricks. It's some sort of trojan and hijacks everything. Your browser, task manager, run command line, system restore, reg edit. Man, what a nightmare. Until I found those nice people at Bleeping Computer who pointed me to this wonderful little program by Malwarebytes. This beauty cleaned everything up and put everything back to normal. Hurrah, panic over...till next time.

Still working on those little pieces that I mentioned in the post from the beginning of November. A couple of weeks should have this licked. I'm also working on some concept ideas for a graphic novel that I'm trying to put together. I mentioned it way back in August last year and so far that's all I've done (procrastination is my middle name). Well, I'm thinking of maybe putting it online instead, as a web strip. It's called Lupe...that's all I'm saying, the Internet has ears, you know. I'll put some images up once I'm comfortable with the designs.

One last and very important thing. Friday is Helen and mine's TENTH wedding anniversary, woo-hoo!! It's been an awesome the years, not without it's up's and down's but that's what marriage is about, yes. Anyway, because we are absolutely brasic there is no big celebration on the cards, just a low key day together. We'll spend the day strolling around Nottingham and intend to pay a visit to the new Nottingham Contemporary gallery, which opened last Friday. There is an awesome David Hockney exhibition on, can't wait.

2009-11-09T18:18:00.002Z

A couple more pieces from the Moleskine. Iggy Pop and Vincent Price, both scary dudes.

2009-11-04T16:23:00.004Z

Quick post. The Silver Surfer image that I posted about on Sept 28th is up over at the Kirby Museum, how cool is that.

Really cool, I think.

2009-11-03T20:33:00.008Z

As Halloween has just been and gone here are a few monster sketches that I put up on the Comic Geek Speak forum. First the one and only Cookie Monster. Next up is Ro-Man from the B movie Robot Monster. Then we have the Mole-Man's monster from Fantastic Four number 1 and finally the creepiest monster of 'em all, H R Gigers Alien.

I'll be getting back to some 'real' work just as soon as I can. I have a few ideas that are currently fermenting in my tiny brain. I'd like to do some original, one off images. I'm thinking small, six inches square perhaps. Maybe multimedia. Definitely involving an element of screen printing. I might offer them for sale here so watch this space.

2009-10-27T18:53:00.007Z

Been a while since my last post. Not much to report. No new print work as I'm awaiting a new delivery of ink. In the meantime though, my Moleskine has been getting a bit of a work out.

Here is Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie (from the early 70's when he had a dodgy perm) and Orson Wells, which I think looks more like Lee Majors. Oh, well. I'll post some more later.

2009-10-12T22:12:00.012+01:00

A few months ago I mentioned that my studio, Green Door, was hosting an international print exchange. Well, I've just received my prints from those who submitted and I have to say that I'm really chuffed with what I got in return. Here are just a couple.

The first is by Norman McBeath from Scotland and the second by Li Yong Chen from California.

I hope whoever has mine likes it.

I also managed to, finally, get a print down of 'Weight of the World'. What with my printer issues etc. I was beginning to think this would never happen. Well, here it is. Not perfect by any means. I found that a print of this size really needs to be executed on as big a screen as possible. I split each layer over two screens, which lead to some problems with registration. But hey, we learn from these mistakes, right?

2009-10-07T21:45:00.005+01:00

Still not got any new print work to show, however this should be rectified tomorrow.

The problems that I'd had with the printer are now all taken care of. It would appear that full price Epson ink is just shit, yet cheap as chips compatibles work like a charm. Who knew?

In the mean time here is a sketch that I posted on Comic Geek Speak forum. This is Swamp Thing and Man Thing passing the time of day (did this at work tonight, don't tell the boss).

2009-09-28T22:48:00.006+01:00

One of the places that I visit regularly on the net is a site called Covered.

The brief is for artists to submit a reinterpretation of their favourite comic book covers. There is some really nice work from very talented folks. Thought that I'd have a go. Always been a Silver Surfer fan, one of Stan and Jacks greatest creations. So, here is the befor and after:

Unfortunatly it was rejected.

Pants.

2009-09-24T13:23:00.014+01:00

I'm officially open for business.

About three minutes ago my online shop went live. You can now buy copies of my print work. These are screen print pulled by my own hands (oops, that sounds a bit dirty, sorry). There are currently eight prints available and I'll be adding to the roster soon so go have a look to see if anything takes your fancy. Paypal is the best (actually only) way to pay, even though it was a bit of a bugger to intigrate into the HTML of the pages.

I've also been out and about checking out the competition. The Wirksworth Arts festival is, in their own words "a wealth of great art in unexpected places. Sixteen days of contemporary visual art and performance with two unmissable highlight weekends". Sound good, eh? It finishes this weekend so if your in the vicinity go take a look. The art is displayed in folk's homes so, even if the work is bad, which this year certainly hasn't been the case, you can still snoop around other peoples houses. If I can get my act together for next year I might just take part myself.

2009-09-12T18:29:00.006+01:00

At the risk of boring everyone to death I'm still having problems with that damn printer, sigh! So that means no new print, again. In the interim I'm trying to get my shop up and running, hopefully this week some time.

I'm also working on a few promo type images that I can post on a few other places that are on my radar. Things to get folks coming here and to my portfolio site. I'll post those here once they are there, if that makes any sense.

At work today, during my lunch break, I did a little sketch of a classic Universal Monster, The Creature from the Black Lagoon.

2009-09-01T17:36:00.014+01:00

I discovered that the printing problem that I'd encountered a couple of weeks ago (God, was it that long ago) was being caused by the damn printer itself. The paper/transparency's feed underneath a retaining bar just before the printer spits out the hard copy. This bar is fitted with small sprockets to, I presume, help the paper feed through the machine. Because the ink on the transparency does not dry instantly, like it does on paper, these sprockets were dragging the ink from its surface leaving a dozen neat rows of small dots on the image. I had to take a screw driver to the thing and remove it. I think that it still works OK but I have been unable to test this as I ran out of ink farting around with the damn thing. Ink arrives tomorrow so testing will ensue.

In the mean time I've done a little sketching in my trusty Moleskine.

2009-08-20T00:30:00.007+01:00

This is what I'm working on for tomorrow. It's called 'The weight of the world'. And for those in the know, yes the figure is a homage to the Jim Steranko cover from Giant Size Incredible Hulk number 1, published in the early 70's. Problem is, I have a new Epson printer that is refusing to print my acetates correctly.

Really, really pissed off.

2009-08-17T20:07:00.004+01:00

When I was a kid I could not stand Jack Kirbys art. I just didn't get it. Which was a bit of a problem as most of Marvel's output in the early days was drawn by Jack. Now though, I just can't get enough Kirby (the old F.F. stuff is pure genious).

I found these two video's on you tube that gives a small insight into the man and his talent.

The King is dead, long live the King.

2009-08-07T22:08:00.008+01:00

I read comics.

Yes, I'm in my 40's but don't hold that against me. It's a visual thing I guess. The words and pictures just fit, you know? I've been reading them since I was a kid. In fact it's where I get my 'talents' from. I used to copy the characters, over and over, until I could do it blind folded. These were American Super Hero comics, not the Beano and Dandy types that we had in the UK (or Great Britain, as it was in those days, before the E.U. but don't get me started). Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, John Romita, Neil Adams, George Perez and more. Legends in their own lunch time. My heroes. The people that I wanted to be like.

That didn't happen but I kept on reading. And my tastes these days are many and varied. I have a particular fancy for web comics. Easy to get hold of, great reads and cheap if not free, which is always a bonus. In particular I visit these guys regularly.

I stumbled upon Transmission X a while back and I'm an avid fan of Cameron Stewarts Sin Titulo. Michael Cho's paper cuts is also worth a look. He has a nice retro style to his work that I realy like.

Why do I bring this up? Well, I'm working on a couple of things myself and I'm hoping to post a few samples here sometime. We'll see.

2009-07-27T21:04:00.018+01:00

On Sunday, as a break from the rigours of D.I.Y Helen and I went to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. It's a great place to unwind, very tranquil (except for the screaming kids). The grounds are beautiful and the new annex houses some great contemporary sculpture, although you can't use your camera in there, which is pants, so here are some shots of outside.

2009-07-22T22:43:00.012+01:00

Here are some shots to show that I have been working hard over the past two weeks. And this is just the down stairs. I built those shelves by the way, cool eh? And that green in the kitchen is only on one wall, the rest are white.

In between battles with a dieing PC, I managed to redecorate the whole house. Phew! Now I'm configuring my new Dell PC. So far so good. Except that a couple of programs that I use wont load, no matter what I try. Photoshop and Dreamweaver just wont play ball. Bugger. Which means it will probably be a couple more weeks until I can get back to work at Green Door.

2009-07-15T20:57:00.008+01:00

Looks like I'll be out of action for a couple of weeks.

No blogging for me. My PC has decided that it's had enough. Once I can get it to boot up, which is once in every third or fourth attempt, it operates really erratically. It over heats and I have to run it with the side panel off the base unit in order to keep it cool. In light of these problems I have ordered myself a brand new all singing, all dancing Dell base unit. It's about three or four years since I upgraded the old box of tricks. I usually build my own (which is why I know that mine has had it - memory problems) but to be honest it is just as cheap these days to buy one ready built.

This also means that, what with my two weeks off decorating, I'll have had no time to prepare new work for my studio visits. Argh! Once the new box arrives it'll be at least a week until it is set up to my liking. But I'll try to do some sketching and post to Skine Art.

I'm back at work on Monday and I have had a text today from a friend which reported that Swine Floo is in the office.

Great.

2009-07-01T21:14:00.002+01:00

Today is the start of two weeks and two days of annual leave.

I'd like to say that it'll be two weeks and two days of rest and relaxation, of sketching and working up some new ideas for pictures, of doing whatever I damn well please. I'd like to say that but in actual fact I'm going to spend two weeks and two days fixing up the old home stead.

It's been about five years since Helen and I refurbished the place and now it's starting to get a bit tired. It's now or never and never is not an option.

So, I'll post when I can and work IF I can. But mostly I'll be building and painting and hammering and plastering and...

the list goes on.

2009-06-27T10:48:00.005+01:00

I've just signed up for Twitter and have absolutely no idea how to use it.

This was mainly to follow Tom Wild's updates on the Lucidity book, although I'm having trouble finding him. Think I'll try following Barack Obama, see what he's up to.

I'm also going to try a little experiment. I have noticed from my stats that the most frequent hits are from folks searching for Carl Malden references. I mentioned him in a really early post here. I'm going to post a list of ten items that folks might be using Google to find today to see what happens. Here goes:

Michael Jackson (obviously).
Barack Obama.
Armed police.
McDonalds.
Mobile phone ring tones.
Epson printers.
Water rationing.
Eye surgery.
Cat litter.
New red shoes.

I'll post the results here in a week.

2009-06-25T22:09:00.003+01:00

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Green Door were hosting an International Print exchange. I had planned to submit a design based around one of my Lucha Libré characters. Unfortunately this just wasn't working out. I think that the size constraint of the print, 10cm x 10cm was just too fine for the image. I agonised long and hard over this (for a bit anyway) and decided to do this instead. I have recently re-vamped my web site and this is part of the new logo that I designed for it. Worked out really well.

2009-06-21T13:29:00.006+01:00

Boy, was that hard work?

Setting up the exhibition on Friday was a bit of a task. The room that we had, top floor of Cafe Zen, was, well, a bit grubby. So before Anna, Pan, Nat, Chris and myself could even start to hang the work there was a bit of cleaning and tarting up to be done. To be honest, I didn't think that we would be done in time but, as usual, everything came together at the end. Man, was I knackered? I found out that we actually have the space for a whole year so the pieces should change periodically. There are some pics here on Flickr.

2009-06-17T22:32:00.016+01:00

Had two pieces of news today.

Firstly the show at Café Zen is being set up on Friday. There's a private viewing on Saturday, from which I should have some photo's, and it's set to run from the 22nd for public viewing. If you're in the local vicinity, go check it out.

The next item of news is that my work will be included in a book. How cool is that? The book is called Lucidity and it's been put together by a guy called Tom Wild and showcases the work of artists from all over the world. Tom has had numerous requests for copies of the book from design agencies so you never know...

I'm doubly excited about this because one of the artists included along with yours truly is Tommy Kane. I've followed this guy for a while and really dig his work.