About Today

Ear Treats

2012-02-20T14:31:00.001-08:00

If you were only going to listen to one song for the rest of your life you could certainly do a lot worse than Heart Heart by Withered Hand. Buy the EP from Fence Records. Also the video is beautiful.

If the fictional world that is forcing you to choose one song for life relents and allows you a few more then I heartily recommend my, sickenly talented friend Sarah Tanat Jones' new band Radials.

The Secret History

2012-02-16T09:03:00.000-08:00

An image inspired by Donna Tartt's 'the Secret History'- one of my all time, top ten, desert island favourite books.

Red Cap

2012-02-15T07:31:00.000-08:00

I recently worked on a range of cards for the very lovely Red Cap card company (who've also collaborated with favourites Jon Klassen and Anke Weckmann). My cards are available to buy now. Hope you like them!

Inspiration stations!

2012-01-19T10:40:00.000-08:00

So! In the spirit of recapturing my blogging glory days I thought I'd do a wee post about whats inspiring me at the moment....

Cornelia O'Donovan has been on my list of favourites for a long while. She's done a load of really lovely stuff recently.

This exhibition at the Wellcome Collection featuring an array of strange old charms and amulets, each with its own strange significance. Its small and free and definitely worth your time if you're kicking about Euston. It also prompted a total change in direction for my master's course major project. More on that soon-ish.

Music! Over the last six months I've had a few records on constant rotation by some pretty awesome ladies. Wye Oak (above), Lia Ices and, of course, the unstoppably incredible tUnE yArDs who I'm very excited to be going to see again next month.

And finally this lovely sketchbook image from Grady McFerrin. I've had (and adored) a Stephen Malkmus poster by him years and whilst I love his more polished style there is something about this inky wonder that makes my hand itch for the paintbrush and some urgent splashing.

A sheepish return

2012-01-11T10:18:00.000-08:00

(I don't know who these people are but don't they seem to be having a nice time?)

Oh gosh. It's been a while eh? I'm sorry. I guess after I moved to London and started my course the non-internet world sort of interfered with my blogging habits. Anyway! I'm back now, you can all breath a hefty sigh of relief! Happy New Year! I hope 2012 is kind to all you and sees you having all manner of adventures, I, for one, intend to be better in every way this year, a small and totally manageable task, I think!?

For those that are interested you can follow my daily life in a scruffy drawn format here, in my illlustrated diary. Its ended up being far more popular than I anticipated, so thanks for that. I'll be releasing a zine version for every month of drawings. Thats the plan, the slightly daunting plan.

At present I'm working on new things with the intention of showing you a tonne of new stuff at the end of the month. January is always awful and I find keeping my head down and working through it tends to get the damn month done quicker! In the meantime I'm nearly out of Toskas so if you want one of those best get a move on. You can also buy stuff by me and a handful of gloriously talented people at tasty new online shop/collective Many Hands. I heartily recommend stopping by for a nose around (my stuff is here)

(I remain depressingly active on twitter. You can, if the mood takes you, follow me here)

Sale!

2011-11-15T08:00:00.001-08:00

This week you can get 15% off in my shop with the coupon code AutumnOffer. Just type it in at the checkout to receive your discount! Hurrah!

The Tigers Wife

2011-11-11T09:28:00.000-08:00

I drew this a while back after reading 'the Tiger's Wife' by Tea Obreht. I was hooked by the idea of a giant tiger wrapped up with a strange, dark haired woman. Admittedly my tiger is much happier and friendlier than your average big cat might be if you tried to hug it!

Solo

2011-11-09T15:17:00.000-08:00

I've embarked on a bit of a fun wee side project . 'Solo' is an illustrated diary (hopefully more or less daily) about my experiences in London. Its called Solo as I'm doing a lot of stuff on my own at the moment (I don't mean in a sad, lonely way but a more independent/curious way). Anyway you can follow the blog here.

Temporary Farewells

2011-11-01T14:47:00.000-07:00

This morning I saw Jez onto a train that would take him to a plane that would take him to San Francisco where he will shortly begin work for a little known social networking website. It was a strange experience to see him go but mostly a positive one! We're both really excited about our new endeavors and very much looking forward to the times that we will get to spend together in that country or this!
Over the weekend we visited St Dunstans In the East which is a fairly dreamy spot in the middle of the city, hidden from view by offices and sandwich shops. I'm working on some stuff for Uni based around this place. Hopefully I can show you that soon!

My blogging has been erratic of late. This first month of Uni has been hectic and drawing has been thin on the ground. This is changing now though so I can share stuff as it happens from now on!

Etsy Update! Long overdue.

2011-10-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

FINALLY! I've managed to add new stuff to my shop (which is now re-opened). Hurrah! Here's a quick run down of whats newly available......

My planner for Little Otsu came out recently. Its illustrated throughout and incredibly useful to have in your bag! If you're in the US i recommend you buy direct from Little Otsu, UK/Europe folk should go to my listing instead (as postage will be kind to you).

A4 giclee print of my dinner table drawing. This is a summery one to bring colour to the gloomy winter months!

A4 grid 'Evening' drawing print. Wintery and dusky in greys and pinks.

Pack of three 'Bookish Girl' blank greetings cards. For the literate lady in your life!

A motivational message for someone you believe in in the form of a blank greetings card. Yay!

Plus all the prints and things that were in my shop before. I'm out of zines at present but I'm hoping to add some more again soon.

Also- if cards are your thing I did another six for Betty & Dupree recently. On sale now.

2011-10-07T06:12:00.000-07:00

I've been in London just over two weeks now and have managed to stumble through my first week at university unscathed! Now that things are beginning to settle down hopefully I can get into the swing of things with blogging again (although we still dont have an internet connection so it depends when my local coffee shop gets fed up of me!).

Next week my shop will open for business once again so be on the lookout for that!

Above is me and Jez at the beach in South Devon last weekend. So glad we got to take advantage of the brief indian summer we got in the UK. He's got an exciting announcement over on his site. Its all change for us at the moment!

Auld Reekie I'm yours....

2011-09-22T08:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I left Edinburgh, after six years of living there, with a heavy heart (and heavier bags). Whilst it must be said that I am incredibly excited for what London holds for me, going back to University and the prospect of spending more time with a couple of my favourite people I feel a few words need to be said about the city that I have loved and left. Apologies. This could get heartfelt and gross...

Beyond the beautiful architecture (and it is beautiful), the cold weather (and it is bloody cold) and the fringe festival is a city full of hidden gems. The things Edinburgh is famed for don't fail to disappoint but down quiet alleyways, in unassuming church halls and nestled behind hills are myriad treats unique to Embra. We discovered music that takes you out of the city to windswept northern islands, played by the friendliest people in wooden halls across the city. We found a secret wild west town a street away from our house, a wonderful garden woodland behind Blackford Hill, we climbed mountains, walked along rivers, published books, rowed boats, ate well, and bought more books and prints than we knew what to do with!
I love Edinburgh the way I love no other place I've ever been. Even through the cold, dark winters and a time when I was very sad there were things in Edinburgh that never failed to pull me through (predominantly coffee and a vanilla fruit bun from Peter's Yard.) There is something in the air perhaps, or a way of being in the people that live there, that propels you forward. The right yellow-y autumn light on a tall Edinburgh building and your heart soars. Its a fact.

Finally, and this is dull for most of you but in case the relevant people are reading, I shall miss my friends. The people who put up with me being socially useless, who joined the silly book club I set up and revealed themselves to be wonderful opinionated and eloquent, who accompanied me on trips to the coffee shop on a weekly basis and who dressed up 1960s style to quench my need for a Mad Men birthday party. Its hard not to sound smug but the people that I've met over the past few years are some of the warmest, funniest, wisest and most talented people I could ever have dreamt of calling my friends. Having never really been a person with hundreds of friends, I have been happy to have found a tidy handful to spend my time with. In them I have found a way to be more myself (urgh, this is getting schmaltzy) and have been constantly amazed by their creativity, noble endeavours, bravery and baking skills! Leaving them behind has been the biggest wrench and one that will pull me back to Edinburgh again and again. Here's to you gang! You're all splendid.

So now to the future! I start my masters soon, and I have one or two schemes in the offing that should be revealed soon. I hope you folk continue to follow this blog whilst I settle into life here. Hopefully there'll be lots of posts in the future as I get to grips with big city life!

Last Day of Drawings

2011-09-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day to buy drawings from my shop. This bear fella (who you may recognise from my giant bear in a tiny village print) is one of the works in need of a new place to live!

Desk Job

2011-09-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

There are a handful of new pieces in the editorial and bookcover sections of my website. Packing to move is draining me of all joy so I'm paying flagrant disregard to responsibility and drawing instead.

By the by my etsy shop is now closed till next month but the my drawing pop-up shop is still open for a little while. There are some drawings left and a few t-shirts (sold out everywhere else) all in need of a new home!

Drawing Shop

2011-08-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

So as not to clog up my blog with drawings, i've thrown together a Big Cartel to sell some drawings that are in need of a new home. I'm attempting to raise some money for my move to London and this seems like a good way of doing so! There are drawings to suite every budget and I'll be adding a few more soon.

While I'm here I should say that my etsy shop is due to close for a month in the next couple of days- time to get your order in!

Zine Update

2011-08-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

There are healthy handful of new & reprinted zines in my shop as of right now! Above is 'Thursday' a zine about finding a way out of yourself (you'll have to buy it to see what i mean by that) which I did in a day and a half a couple of weeks back.

And this is 'In an Art Gallery' which is a zine version of this comic type thing I did a while ago (in b&w i'm afraid).

ALSO! This is a zine I threw together this afternoon as part of a one and a half hour zine challenge. Its not great but I finished it so I should get points for that!

I've Zine You

2011-08-26T05:52:00.000-07:00

This Sunday & Monday I'm going to be at this with some zines and books and other printed things for sale. It all takes place at the Book Trust, 55 High Street, Edinburgh between 10am-6pm. As well as myself you'll also be able to pick up treats by the incomparable Eleni Kalorkoti, the unstoppable Robbie Porter and the unmatched Louise Smurthwaite- all good folk deserving of your hard-earned pennies. I promise.

This is going to be my last Edinburgh event for a long time so please come by and say hello!

Swim Poster

2011-08-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

There's now a poster print version of my 'swim' comic in my etsy store- a bargain at £6!

My shop will be closing at the end of August whilst I re-locate to London. Hopefully it'll reopen in October!

The National Museum of Scotland

2011-08-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh re-opened recently after a lengthy refurbishment and it was more than worth the wait. The main hall has been beautifully updated whilst retaining the Victorian charm that makes it one of the most beautiful public spaces I've been in. I heartily recommend a visit (and not just to the showstopping natural history room that seems to be getting all the attention, the ancient egypt room is great too!). Below are some (very basic) wee sketches I did on a visit a couple of weeks back.

Festival frivolities

2011-08-12T16:35:00.000-07:00

I have been horrifically neglectful on the blog front this past week. I had grand plans. I should have known I couldn't live up to them! Here in Edinburgh we're a week into the festival (the biggest arts festival in the world for those that don't know) and I'm already shattered. I've been to eleven shows so far (top three being Thom Tuck, David O' Doherty and Tim Key, oh wait and Josie Long, and Humphrey Kerr, thats five. I've become a stand-up comedy addict.) and have a load more to come over the next three weeks. This being my last full month in Edinburgh it feels good to be cramming it full of fun activities.

Above is an illustration for the Eastwing blog about living in Edinburgh during the festivals. Every spare square inch of space is turned into a venue or exhibition space and many locals rent out their flats to tourists and performers for the month. As a result you can find yourself living next door to an experimental theatre group, a gaggle of student comedians or perhaps a dance troupe keen on late night rehearsals! (see it up close on flickr)

Next week the goal is do some posts on my favourite Edinburgh things. I'm sorry that this might be quite dull but I don't have time for much drawing at the moment so it's all i've got! Sorry!

The sea, the sea

2011-07-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

My sister and I had an amazing time camping in Cornwall a week ago. We even managed to find some sunshine! I felt all rejuvenated after a couple of days by the sea (there's nothing like plunging your feet into fresh, clear water to jolt you back into being) and grateful to have had even the tiniest of summer holidays (even if the mist did set in on our last evening).

(this is my sister, Jess)

On the horizon.....

2011-07-28T10:13:00.000-07:00

Time for some news of the rather big variety! I've been sitting on this for a while but its time to share that, come September, I'll no longer be an Edinburgh resident. Eeek! I'm moving to London town to do a Masters course at Central St Martins which means that, after six wonderful years, I'll be saying goodbye to my beloved Auld Reekie (for the time being). Its not a decision I've come to lightly, I love Edinburgh and have made some wonderful friends here who I'll miss very much but after six years it seems like time for a change (I'm only twenty-four after all!). I'm really excited about the prospect of studying again and looking forward to spending a couple of years experimenting with my work and seeing where it takes me. I have grand plans! I'll still be doing commissioned work at the same time and keeping the shop going too, so hopefully this blog won't suffer too much.

(I'm aware that London doesn't really look like this anymore but its such a great photo!)

Over the next month I'll be clearing out my stuff, hopefully getting rid of lots of the things that have accumulated during my time here and getting my act together. Its also the Edinburgh Festival so I'll be making the most of that too- out with a bang and all that! In September my Etsy shop will close for a month so if you have orders that need making now is the time! During August I'm going to try and post some of my favourite things about Edinburgh, a blog based love letter to my favourite city, if you will!

home-time

2011-07-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

I'm off home to Plymouth for a few days as of tomorrow. I'm hoping that the weather manages a degree of goodness and my sister and I can head out for an adventure! At the very least I'm looking forward to books on the train and catching up with the family. In the meantime....

Jez did a great wee map of nice green spaces in London for lovely map makers Herb Lester. You can get one in his shop.

If etsy could cough up a gift for me this week I'd like it to be this super simple necklace from Elephantine.

I'll be back next week with big news to share!

Something or Nothing

2011-07-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

I'm currently trying to get my head around a project I dreamt up a couple of years ago (do you have those? the things that sit on your list that you really want to do but want to get 'right' so badly that they get shelved? I have loads). Its maybe complicated but maybe not complicated at all. I can't decide. Anyway this is an image for that. Or, at least, it would have been. I was happy with it for a day and now I've decided its totally wrong. This is the prerogative of the fickle artist i'm afraid! Anyway I thought I should share something as there's been a bit of a radio silence around here work-wise!

Advice To Sink In Slowly

2011-07-10T04:13:00.000-07:00

You can now get my 'Find some place..' poster as an A2 litho print from Advice to Sink in Slowly. The poster will hopefully raise some money to go towards distributing advice posters to university students across the uk.

You can also get a t-shirt version of the poster from Howies who are kindly sponsoring the Advice To Sink in Slowly project- Womens / Mens