HAPPY 50

It doesn't sound like a lot, but when you have to balance updating a blog alongside a full time Fashion Design degree, freelance Illustration, and generally staying alive... 50 posts of work in two months feels like an achievement! I will be celebrating by having a nice breakfast, and then head into the studio to finish sewing up my Corpse Bride costume!

New Vulnerability.

I found out this morning that a giant red stag was shot dead by a licensed deer hunter. He was named the Exmoor Emporer and stood at 9ft tall. Though poaching deer is a historic tradition, I was upset to hear such a huge, proud creature would now end up as another trophy above a mantle-piece. I am sure this happens frequently, but you should see the size and majesty of this animal! I live very near a deer reserve in Kingston where they roam as free as the dog walkers, so maybe this is why I was moved by this news story. The illustration pictured is actually of one of our local Kingston stag, definitely smaller than Emporer, but it is here to tribute his life all the same.

Style Like U

These were inspired by the fashion muses of stylelikeu.com. Look out for them appearing on the new blog section of this wonderful site!

Sartorial Inspired

This is a series of illustrations (some are a couple of months old, you may have already seen them) which were inspired by the subjects originally captured by Scott Schuman. There's also a few fresh ones to balance old with new!

Tob.

I originally planned to put these sketches under the previous title (due to being drawn around the same time) but I realized this would wrong because I wasn't actually bored when I drew them. Reason being I was lucky enough to be in the company of Tobias! I sometimes feel bad that he has to put up with me sketching in his company all the time, but in return I listen to him sing, or 'vocalise' nearly every waking minute too. We are a strange pair, but I am glad we are as strange as each other.

I Can't Sit Still.

I'm not a feet-tapper or a fidget, but if I ever have to wait for anything I HAVE to do something! So when I've finished pretending to text on my phone the pen and paper comes out again. Here are a few drawings done in this forever returning situation of waaaaaaiiiiiting.

Pastel

ANIMAL LOVE

I am more than happy to celebrate the revival of furry friends cropping up as accessories! Almost as if paying homage to the late 90's appearance Sean the Sheep, knitwear designers are putting the fun back into the way we dress with lovable creatures we can wrap around our bodies. My personal faves are those designed by Donna Wilson who offers an animal-friendly, knitted alternative to using real taxidermy as cushions or a moth-eaten fox tails around your neck. I also love Yang Du's incredible knitwear pieces which I have illustrated here. It is time to bin the beige and welcome the Year of Eccentricity with open arms.

Hanging Around

This week's theme is waiting... we've had about 6 fire drills in 2 days, unconditional evacuation, sitting on the kurb while the fire engines pour in. Angry faces and bleeding ears are peppered over Knight's Park. At least the smokers can have a fag break and I can do some trend-unrelated drawing. Generally speaking productivity rate has been slowed down which upsets me... I also need to admit defeat to flu.

Art Against Knives is a charity which tackles the root of why knife crime occurs, and offers youthled art initiatives as an alternative to violent gang culture. It was born because CSM art student, Oliver Hemsley was victim to an unprovoked stabbing which left him in a wheel chair in 2008. I received an email from the charity asking if I could illustrate my interpretation of their existing logo, which is pictured here! I hope it is used because I was genuinely moved when I heard that after an incident so harrowing, a positive reaction can be used to change lives in the future to come.

I'm Always Prone to Lara Stone

It was nice to see Lara Stone's face on the cover of Vogue this month. Even more so to have a quintessential fashion story in Brighton, depicting Stone's new lifestyle and the celebration of her marriage to David Walliams! How much more fun to be married to a man 70% straight.

John Moysen

John Moysen is a man I met on the tube. I think it's nice if you're lucky enough to get a conversation going in an anonymous environment like the London Underground.

Brixton Style

My Trend Team and I decided to commence our day of style-spotting in Brixton. We were greeted with a vast array of innovative dressers... only they didn't realise it themselves. A lot of the time our requests for photos were rejected... I think the locals generally had more of a suspicion about fashion students than the usual hipster in London almost expecting camera attention. Luckily, having a sketch book worked to my advantage because it doesn't seem to attract hostile vibes... and I always get to make a few friends, some more sober than others!