Super Heroes....

Aren't just for comic books! French photographer Sacha Goldberger takes heart warming and humorous photos of his 91 year old Grandmother dressed as a superhero, in an attempt to break her out of a bout of depression. Frederika, was born in Budapest 20 years before World War II. During the war, she courageously saved the lives of ten people. What a lovely story. Check out more pictures and the full story here.

I Wish

I could be as good as this! Jeff Lemire has fast become one of my favourite comic book artists/writers. A lovely man in the comic book shop suggested 'Sweet Tooth' to me, and I can't thank him enough. Here's a little blurb so you can get the drift before I babble on too much:

"After being raised in total isolation, Gus – a boy born with deer-like antlers – is left to survive in an American landscape devastated a decade earlier by an inexplicable pandemic.
Enter Jepperd, a violent, hulking drifter who soon takes in Gus and promises to lead him to "The Preserve," a fabled safe-haven for hybrid children."


The artwork really is a bit great.... love the sketchy lines and sweet shop colours. But it's the story and characters that win me over. The story line so far seems very much like that of Cormac McCarthys 'The Road'. But it's not as depressing; Gus- or 'Sweet Tooth' has a brilliant naivety about him that brings a little bit of gentle comedy into the harsh post apocalyptic world. I have definitely been left waiting on the edge of my seat for the next issue!

This Weekend

I went to the London Tattoo Convention. I could weep all day and night at how talented some artists' work was.

Its getting dark

'Violent Cases' Neil Gaimen and Dave Mckean

'The Light' Nathan Edmondson and Brett Wedele

'Elektra Assasin and Daredevil: Love and War' Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz

'X-Force Sex and Violence' Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost and Gabriele Dellotto

So I've changed my mind about my latest project. Im going to do something I really like...and its going to be dark. So much for me trying out something soppy/happy, like the subject of love and relationships eh.

Thought I'd do something useful with my student loan, so I have ordered the four graphic novels/comics shown above. I havn't bought a new comic in a while so I'm really excited to get my paws on these ones. Also, they will be very helpful resources for my new project! More information about that soon.....

A nasty visit

Like some unwanted mother in-law, the Pope came, handed out bad advice, ate our food, likened us to Nazis, and then left.

The end.

INSPIRE

I have realised I'm still in the habit of only posting my own work which is very self indulgent! I did this mainly for the tutors at uni to see my work progress. As its the holidays I no longer need to do this, and as I spend 90% of my time trawling through some lovely blogs I thought it was about time I start posting the things that inspire me in the hope of inspiring others! Hopefully I'll make this INSPIRE section a weekly part of my posts.

This weekend I went to a party on a boat in our town, that usually does day trips to a little Island a few miles away. It was pirate themed and it was brilliant. It seems to be about the only time our fighting, rumour hungry townspeople get along. I'm quite relieved really, I didn't want to be stuck miles out to sea on a tiny boat with an actual bunch of murderous pirates!

All that sea-air in mind, the theme for this post is Boats. Check out the talent.

Jenny Smith

Evan B. Harris

APAK

Charmaine Olivia

THE PALE BLUE DOT

This is one of my favourite quotes/speeches of all time. By American Astronomer Carl Sagan, talking about this picture, which was taken of our planet at a record distance away, by Voyager 1 in 1990. We show up as a tiny pale blue dot, in the vastness of space. You can just about spot us.

(click to enlarge)

When I read this and think a bit too much I get kind of annoyed that religions like christianity promote the idea that something as amazing as our planet could have possibly been created in seven days and is only thousands of years old. Thats just silly.

Will probably do something from this, maybe an animation.

Also heres a peek at something I'm working on inspired by a Charles Dawkins quote, and also the invisible pink unicorn.

More soon :)

Animate

I have been learning some basic animation. Its fun!

Inspired by the Carphone Warehouse advert. This is a rough for my 'Day in the life' project.

I would like to develop it some more , maybe using stop motion and doing some actual half decent drawings. At least the story is there.

Sorry about the quality, I havnt got this uploading thing up to scratch yet.

Below is a film by David O'Reilly called Please say something. It was originally 23 episodes lasting 25 seconds each, but here it is in one long video.

This film alone makes me wish i'd chosen animation instead of illustration.