Abs.

A few episodes of Downton Abbey later ... =)

Lion Sleeps Tonight

What's he been doing for the last few months?! I hear you ask.. Well I'm excited to now be able to share some art from a book that has recently been released with Scholastic Publishing called 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'. It's based on the original song by Solomon Linda and comes with a brilliant CD performed by the incredibly talented Jay Laga'aia. When I first heard the recording I had it on repeat for a day or two while working on this project - it's terribly fun and bound to get the kids dancing along. 

The Lion Sleeps tonight was released on November 1st and is available online and in stores.

Hugest thanks to Andrew, Angie and the lovely people at Scholastic for letting me do this book with you =)

I'm also working on a few exciting animation projects at the moment and look forward to sharing some work once it has reached release date.

Drawings!

Exhibition at TVH

A huge thank you again to Trevor and the brilliant team at TVH Gallery in Sydney for the incredible show last month. It was also so nice to meet you all and to chat and get to know your thoughts and stories about the pieces.

Also, I had a great time last weekend visiting Linda Catchlove's exhibition at Carrick Hill. She's an unbelievably talented artist who paints some eye-wateringly detailed and beautiful watercolours. If you're in South Australia and looking for a place to spend a sunny afternoon - it's the perfect place to head!
Have a great Monday! =)

Exhibition time!

I'm excited to announce this piece and quite a few more will be exhibiting  at the TVH Gallery in New South Wales this July. If you're in Manly at any point next month, make sure you drop in and have a look. There will also be ten commissioned pieces exhibiting for sale from a recent book I worked on called 'Never Smile at a Crocodile'.  See you then =)

'From the Woods
Oil on canvas
180cm x 140cm

Exhibition starts 7pm
Friday July 22nd
TVH Gallery
515 Sydney Road, Seaforth
www.tvhgallery.com.au

Don't smile!

'Never Smile at a Crocodile' is fun piece of commissioned work that I completed at the beginning of last year. It's a book that illustrates the original song from the 1953 Peter Pan movie in a whimsical way and do it in my own style. Inventing all the different crocs and landscapes was utter freedom.
The entire series will be exhibiting for purchase later in July at the TVH Gallery in Sydney. I'm looking forward to sharing dates and more deets later!

All images are property of Scholastic Australia!

Sometimes the stars

About a year ago I was honoured to be involved in the early concept stages of a video clip for The Audreys. It's a beautiful animation that was directed by Luke Jurevicius and scripted and brought to life by the amazingly talented Ari Gibson and Jason Pamment... the story of a girl who's searching for a little light in a starry but distant world. Their beautiful work has received accolades all over including the official selection at Annecy Animation film festival in France. So this post is a direct shout out to their work and talent and I cant wait to see where their next creation takes us.

While we're on the subject of beautiful animation, I've been meaning to share my discovery of the incredible student work at GOBELINS l'ecole de l'image. Their animation is always left of centre and truly artistic.

Sometimes the stars Clip
Ari Gibson
Jason Pamment
GOBELINS l'ecole de l'image.

Drawings

These are some drawings from last year, and a few characters that I have a definite soft spot for at the moment - Have a good Monday!

Mox on ox!

Wow...a huge thanks to those who participated in the 'Artist Help Japan' effort - make sure you get a chance to check out the blog site to see if there are any local gallery events near you attend. There's some pretty awesome things happening and I wish I could go to a few.

Well things are underway for an upcoming exhibition in Sydney in July this year. This is a new concept sketch and I'm already so excited about how it is all going to look. The theme will follow on from last years 'Uncommon Ancestors' and takes a further look at some bizarre characters and the world they inhabit. I look forward to sharing more soon.
Have a great Tuesday =)

Artist Help Japan

After seeing a hearing about the tragic earthquake that has affected Japan, we are now thinking and praying for the families and loved ones who are suffering loss and trying to rebuild their lives. Pixar artist Dice Tsutsumi has created an emergency fund with Give2Asia called 'Artists Help Japan'.

Artists Help Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Fund is responding to the immediate needs of survivors as well as short-term to long-term recovery projects undertaken by the affected communities.
Give2Asia has a local team based in Tokyo to assess the current situation and to obtain more information on the needs of survivors. Give2Asia helped Totoro Forest Project by efficiently sending funds to Japan and has a great reputation when it comes to humanitarian efforts in Asia as a part of Asian Foundation.

To assist, 10 signed prints have been made available for 'Awkward Trio' with all proceeds going to the Artists Help Japan fund. 

Awkward Trio

(60cm x 40cm. Giclee on 310gsm Acid-free Art Paper) 

Order Print Here

Monday Sketch!

'The routines of tourism are even more monotonous than those of daily life.'

This is a snap and a sketch from Siem Reap. For those who have perhaps visited, you'll recognise the incredible nine hundred year old temples that are being trampled daily. It felt like a cattle drive!

Fish

'Furry Fish'
Oil on Canvas
30cm x 30cm

Practice, practice, practice!

Been clearing the ol' brain cobwebs with some more sketching recently. It's been great fun.. and there's been a lot said for practice.

  'The more consummate his technique, the easier the artist will find it to free himself from all dependence upon a subject. What he uses to fill his canvas with is not so vital. What is vital is how he does it. It is sad if an artist becomes a slave to the object he seeks to portray. The portrayed object must serve as nothing more than an excuse to fill a canvas. Only when the subject passes through the filter of his creative faculty does his work acquire value for an artist...'

Nicolai Fechin "Notes on Art"

Speaking of practice and technique.. Here's a link to a clip of David Leffel teaching at LAAFA commenting on how to make brush strokes, and how to hold a brush... each stroke carefully thought out and 'finite'. I think it's great advice as I admire traditional method, however it's not for everyone.  Enjoy =)

David Leffel
LAAFA
Nicolai Fechin

The Resting Place

'The Resting Place'
Oil on Canvas
70cm x 60cm

From 'Uncommon Ancestors'

Spectrum 17

Spectrum 17 has recently hit book stores. It's a thumper this year and I'm thrilled that 'Oops!' has been included in the publication. Here's a few sketches that led to the idea. It was also embossed in pig skin on the cover of the exhibition book last year.

Into the woods

Here's another piece from the recent show, 'Uncommon Ancestors'.

"Into the woods"
Oil on Canvas
90cm x 70cm

Happy holidays!

A few snaps

 

A few photos from 'Uncommon Ancestors' opening courtesy of Geoff Catchlove and Dan Ryan. Thanks guys!