Lonely Hearts by Lee Ford

I just wanted to showcase the work of another former lecturer at Preston - Mr Lee Ford for his Lonely Hearts illustrations - click the title link to have a look at them all. I just think they are fantastic! Lee is now teaching at Sheffield Hallam. The Kiss illustration takes me back to being 16 ha ha!

Wrestling With Angels by Chris Harper

Many of you will remember Mr Chris Harper former illustration tutor of this parish. Chris has been selected for Images 34 (see previous posts), and he has kindly sent through a copy of said excellent image. Chris is now teaching illustration at Huddersfield University.

The circle is complete...nearly

Andy Bainbridge completes his circle 28th September about 5pm...
Well nearly completes it.

Vote for Andy Thomson on Threadless

Andy's T Shirt design is up for voting on Threadless' website follow the title link and vote for his design.

Kayleigh O'Mara

Kayleigh O' Mara is featured with the second issue of Oh Comely magazine, her cat and rabbit badges are being given away with the magazine. Oh Comely is a magazine "that inspires people to be creative, talk to their neighbours and explore new things, rather than buy stuff or lose weight."It says here.

Images 34

Hearty well dones, firm handshakes and slaps on the back for Rob Gill and Alex Barrett recent graduates who have both been selected for Images 34 the Association of Illustrators Annual.

Rob for this piece of work from a University project for an anti litter campaign.

Alex Barretts selected piece was "Unleashed" that was used as publicity for the University Summer Shows a year ago. Both Alex and Rob are currently employed working within design studios. Rob's  website and blog are already linked off this blog, whilst more of Alex's work can be seen here: http://www.alexanderbarratt.com/

In addition former Uclan lecturers Kevin Hauff and Chris Harper have been selected (I will endeavour to get some images to blog soon!) and quite a few of our recent visiting speakers - well done to Chris Vine, and to Jill Calder who won a silver award for design illustration, and David Hughes who won the critics award.

Jill Calder http://www.jillcalder.com/

David Hughes won the critics award for this piece " Walking the Dog"

Mr Hughes' highly entertaining blog can be found here http://wdavidhughes.blogspot.com/

Also one of my former students from ye olden days at Bradford College Jonathan Burton who went on to MA study at Kingston (I can't really take any credit, as he never showed up at Bradford...) won the silver award for book illustration with this:

See more of his excellent work here: http://www.jonathanburton.net

Katie Hanratty in Anorak

Anorak the happy magazine for kids has used ex Preston student Katie Hanratty for their Happy Activity Book for Kids. Out now the mag was published last month. She is represented by illustration agents Eastwing http://www.eastwing.co.uk/artist/katiehanratty/

How to Create a Portfolio and Get Hired by Fig Taylor

A good friend of the course here in Preston, Fig Taylor has lectured a number of times to Preston illustrators has a new book out. If it summarises, and I haven't read it yet, even a small amount of her extensive knowledge and no nonsense approach to illustration it will be well worth purchasing. Fig has many years experience as an agent, lecturer and a portfolio consultant for the AOI. I intend to get a copy as soon as possible, and I advise any recent graduates to get one too. I shall ask our library to get it pronto.

And look at this spread about self promotion that features former Preston student Jay Taylor and one of last year's visiting speakers Gemma Correll finger on pulse as always (ahem).

As the blurb at Laurence King says: "This is a must read for any student wishing to progress into further or higher education or employment. How to Create a Portfolio shows the many different types of portfolio needed for a broad range of art and design careers.  Practical advise is given on how to put together a portfolio both traditional and electronic, this book also provides a great resource list for further research.

'How to Create a Portfolio and Get Hired by Fig Taylor is priced at £19.95 from Laurence King.

For Just One Day - Marc Boutavant

The other book that I really like at the moment is "For Just One Day" by the French illustrator Marc Boutavant, the book has been out for a year or so in the states and came out here in February published by Tate publishing. To be honest I didn't realise the Tate published children's books? But as these things do on the net this has led me to another blog - the apple and the egg - which discussed the book a while ago and you can look through all the spreads for this book by clicking the title link!

Chris Haughton - A Bit Lost

I decided to kill a few hours in Liverpool the other day and visit Waterstone's children's book department. A few books caught my eye but I really like this "A Bit Lost" by Chris Haughton published by Walker. You can visit his site by clicking the title link.

This book really stood out among some fairly conservative offerings, although Walker Books do seem to be publishing some really nice things at the moment. It was first published in Korea however. It's a beautifully designed book, witty and amusing illustrations by this Irish illustrator who has worked for The Guardian and many others. He is probably best known for his work with People Tree the Fair Trade fashion company. There is link on his site to a talk by him at Offset 2009 too.
The People Tree company has its website here:
http://www.peopletree.co.uk/