Stephen Fowler

First in an occasional series of things I like that are in my attic/studio, this screen-printed poster by illustrator Stephen Fowler (sometimes "Nervous" Stephen Fowler) for a club night at The Horse Hospital in London. I met him briefly and bought this at Leeds Artist's Book fair about a year ago and I really like his work. I have some of his badges that depict seafood too!
Catch his work if you can! When I find a link to his work I will post it.

Liam Derbyshire

UCLAN Summer 2009 graduate Liam Derbyshire has landed his first editorial commission for Times Higher Education supplement for an article about the General Teaching Council spying on Teachers. The Illustration also wound up on the cover much to everyone's surprise!
Click on the title link to have a look at his website.

D&AD New Blood

Well done to UCLAN Summer 2009 graduate Jen Mc Evoy who was commended for her animation for the Science Museum brief at D&AD Student Design Awards in July. See below.

What is a Black Hole? from Jenny McEvoy on Vimeo.

Here is a picture of the joint UCLAN Graphics and Illustration stand at Olympia.

Jim Flora (1914-1998)

Another book I bought a year or two ago that has been jumping off the shelves recently is

" The Mischievous Art of Jim Flora" - Flora (1914-1998) was an American illustrator and artist responsible for dozens of jazz sleeves in the 40's and 50's. Such as "Mambo for Cats":

And this "Collaboration" piece that uses conjoined twins - there are just not enough conjoined twin illustrations out there? His work was clearly a big influence on U.S. illustrators Gary Baseman and Tim Biskup, I don't know if Benoit Jacques knew of him but this cutaway ship one of Flora's later works from the 80's really reminds me of Benoit Jacques', whose work I love - I do like cutaway images for some reason? I have added a link to the Jim Flora website through the title. Have a look?

IMAGES: The Best of British Contemporary Illustration

Click the title link to find out how to enter your work for this prestigious Annual and Exhibition!

Salt's Mill

On the subject of Salt's Mill if you would like a cultural day out you could do a lot worse than visit Salt's - click the title link for all the info you need.

Tales From Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan

I have not bought many books recently but this one caught my eye on a recent trip to Salt's Mill in Saltaire Bradford. It's a series of illustrated short stories by Australian author / illustrator Shaun Tan. If you don't know his work (and you really should) then look at the Red Tree, or The Lost Thing?
It's quite an unusual book neither a children's or adult's book, and was supported by Australia's Arts Council. If only our council was so enlightened?
Have a look at his website he has a very interesting view on the role of illustration.

Sketchbooks: The Hidden Art of designers Illustrators & Creatives

I recommend this book as an interesting introduction to the variety of sketchbook practice out there. I got a review copy from the publishers and have found myself dipping into it from time to time? I had read an illustrated article in Graphic 08 by Richard Brereton recently on which this book was based. As the blurb says;" a revealing glimpse into the inner workings and private inspiration from the world of advertising, design, graphic-design, fashion design, art, street art, and illustrations."

Tom Eckersley Archive (1914 - 1996)

I cannot recommend highly enough that you go and have a look at the poster work of Tom Eckersley(from Bolton) in the Eckersley Archive. I had heard of Eckersley's poster work as a foundation student and I looked up the design work he did with Eric Lombers as Eckersley-Lombers when I was a student.
I think I probably dismissed it at the time as a bit old fashioned and simplistic - now however...




























So many beautifully designed images, often advertising pretty mundane subjects with absolute clarity - its a joy! And I do even remember seeing some of those Post Office posters as a kid.
Click on the title link and have a look!

Jon Klassen

I recently discovered the work of this Canadian illustrator / animator through some of his concept work on the film of Coraline.
This image is called Next Door...






I really love his RBC Advert. Here is a still but you can watch it on his site - really restrained palette and design.
http://burstofbeaden.com/

Something Wild at the Walker

Former UCLAN graduate of BA(Hons) Illustration and MA Childrens Book Illustration course at Preston, not to mention erstwhile part time lecturer on the course, Kate Pankhurst was recently commissioned to produce an illustrated guide for primary children and families to the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.

Jenny Dunn

Recent UCLAN graduates spotted - Jenny Dunn who graduated with a first in 2008 recently published this piece in the Sunday Times Travel Magazine.
She is now represented by Inkshed (click title link)
See her website link on the right.

Magma Boards

In a nice piece of self promotion 2008 UCLAN graduates Mark Penman and Dave Parkinson recently painted the boards outside Magma Book store in Manchester.
You can find links to their blogs on the right.

Grafik 175

This month's Grafik magazine has a special report on illustration, and includes an interesting article about" High Street" by artist and illustrator Eric Ravilious. High Street was first published in 1938 by the influential Ravilious whose life was tragically cut short in 1942 whilst working as a war artist.
The article commemorates publication of a special edition of " High Street" by Mainstone Press, at £160 a copy for the limited edition you might not be buying one but Grafik coming in at £9 is a little more in your price range?

The book is available through Mainstone Press and St Judes where you can find lots of Ravilious' work and other beautiful prints and reprints by UK based artists.

http://www.stjudesgallery.co.uk/artists/e_ravilious/index.htm