'Self' illustration project

Experimenting with illustration

Skirt project

Mama Cass Elliot on repeat

If it wasn't for watching skate videos when I was younger, I wouldn't have got in to artists like Elliot Smith, Bowie, LMNO, Smokey Robinson, Bob Dylan, so young. This particular song reminds me so much of skateboarding around London with friends, and returning on the train with fresh bruises all over us and new stories to tell. I first heard Cass Elliot on Blueprint's 'Waiting for the World' video - I'm looking forward to watching their newest edition, 'Make Friends with the colour Blue'.

Mum is decorating...

walking around the house with her ipod on, dancing, singing out of key to Michael Jackson songs, and shouting when mum addresses us. Brilliant.

Portrait of Mum // Acrylic on A3 card







Whenever I get some spare time, I always try to allocate time towards drawing and painting. I've always enjoyed the challenge of portraiture, but first and foremost, using an image that represents the subject's character. For me, this represents my mum. I'm hoping I can visit my Great Uncle soon to get some tips, and learn to paint better, and when I can afford a set, learn how to use oil paints.

My Great Uncles name is Mel Grant, and his talents are jaw-dropping.

Here is his website:

www.melgrant.com

Commemorations

For about tenth time I've just watched 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly', directed by artist, Julian Schnabel. Having reading the book previously, I can't come away and say one is better than the other... You can't help but be moved by the story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, and the potential power of the human spirit, along with Julien's personal motivation to create a piece to give him closure from his own Father's death, adding extra sentiment.

For me, the story always reminds me of when I worked at a residential nursing home with young adults battling diseases like Juvenile Battens Disease, Peterson's disease, Lissencephaly, down's syndrome, and various other conditions and learning difficulties. The people there taught me so much, and I still continue to learn as a result of that experience. Watching or reading films books like 'The Diving and the Butterfly' puts things into perspective and continues to inspire me. Most of all, it makes me realise how lucky I am to have experienced working with these amazing people.

Here are some of the memories we shared:

Modifying 'the disco jacket'

I thought the jumper I made originally suited better as a jacket. So I cut it down the middle, added a lining and zip, and hey presto...














Sadomasochism takes on a whole new meaning...