New Project: CIRCLE FACES

Recently I have started a project which uses a couple of circle pieces of pulp wood, ranging in sizes which I have sourced in different places. The largest I found on the side of the road and it is about 1.5meters, the medium I found in a thrift shop for $4 and the smaller one I have had lying around my studio which I cut out of a wall mural last year.

The idea is that I will paint strange faces on the circles using the spirit mountain patterning technique which I used for two exhibitions I did last year. It was an effective technique which the audience seemed to really respond well to.

The faces are styled off a few pictures I drew for some friends of mine while i was on holiday in the country. They asked me for a picture of anything so I drew their future loves. I really likes using multiple pairs of eyes as a way to fill up the space of the drawing. It gives a slight puzzle like quality which is quite abstract.

I am onto my third layer of patterning and I plan to post the process images as I go. So, in a day or two, I will show you how I am going.

Much love.xx

                                           SPIRIT MOUNTAIN PATTERN TECHNIQUE

Illustration: the ultimate form of creativity

I personally do not believe in a spiritual world so what I can see is reality for me. This is why I love illustration so very much. It is a way for me to go into my mind and search out wonderful, outrageous universes which are so far removed from this reality. The places which I conjure have different rules, strange foreign creatures and magical things which present themselves to me as I wonder through my dreams.

The characters which I create all have different personalities, some devious and cruel, some kind and helpful. The one thing they do have in common though is that they are all creatures which I remember forever.

If you are bored and restless, maybe try something I like to do which helps me immensely get back to my normal happy self. Try creating a strange being which you can make friends with. Give drawing the body a go and then write a couple of personality traits by its side. This way, at least you know you made a new friend today.

Here are some of my favourite creatures which a handful of illustrators have made for us all to enjoy.

                                                          Charles Burns
                                                         

                                                        Anton Marrast

                                                        Nick Sheehy

                                            Daniel Clowes

                                                  Chad Vaangalen

                                                      Joh Hee Taek