Faye West Illustration

How Photoshop can save an Original

2012-02-15T14:42:00.000-08:00

Got a private commision for some fashion illustrations, and worked on this one today. Unfortunately I messed up the background, they were supposed to be surrounded in white.

So thanks to it being an original there is no 'history' button. So won't be able to use this one.

I did however, scan it in and used the colour pipette tool to match the indian ink purplish colour and block out the backround, which actually works quite well as a digital image. After hitting the TONE adjustment button to make the image really kick out I am quite happy with it. So it hasn't gone to waste. Illustrations never end up being a waste of time in the end, it's all portfolio fodder.

Meg

2012-02-12T09:02:00.000-08:00

Portrait of Meg, New York blogger. The Wild and Wily Ways of Brunette Bombshell.

THINK ACT VOTE

2012-02-08T09:29:00.000-08:00

Here she is! My Illustration to go with Katherine Hamnett's future for THINK ACT VOTE! check it HERE.

Beautiful Soul Masterpiece Prints

2012-02-08T09:19:00.000-08:00

I haven't shown you these yet as forgot all about them! These were produced as possibilities for prints, but were not used in the end. I think it is a shame as they are so vibrant and busy.

Vote!

2012-01-21T03:21:00.000-08:00

Ok kids...I have 93 followers on this humble blog...if you have a facebook or twitter account, purrlease vote for me as no longer in the top 50! This is worldwide so keep my Devon Dumplin arse in!!
VOTE VOTE VOTE

OFF SWITCH MAGAZINE

2012-01-18T16:30:00.000-08:00

The lovely editor of Off Switch mag emailed me and asked if I might illustrate an article for her US mag OFF SWITCH. It is very nice to know my illustration will be printed state side :)
Here is the piece, for a band named Lower Lights Burning.

Sketchbook Mag Original Illustration

2012-01-18T09:42:00.000-08:00

An illustration which was for a Sketchbook Mag article. Available to buy for £12.50 (inc p+p). Contact fayewestillustration@hotmail.com.

Carlotta Gherzi S/S 2012 Illustration

2012-01-18T09:28:00.000-08:00

Carlotta Gherzi S/S 2012 Original watercolour for sale £12.50 (plus p+p) Contact fayewestillustration@hotmail.com

Jason Wu Rainbow Illustration

2012-01-18T08:57:00.000-08:00

A chance for you to own an originl piece of art work!

...Jason Wu S/S 2012 in a rainbow aura.

For only £12.50 inc P+P Contact me on : fayewestillustration@homail.com

Florence

2012-01-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

Here is my design for Florence + the Machine's single 'Only if for a Night'. It is for the Secret 7s competition and to help support the Teenage Cancer Trust. Voting starts on the 20th January. Please pretty please with cherries vote for me HERE.
Don't forget to vote for these guys too ;)

Avril Kelly also did a brilliant Flo! VOTE for our Edit artist HERE.

Pretty in Pink Natasha's HERE.

And dearest Daria's perfect The Cure piece HERE

Lionheart Magazine and NYE

2012-01-03T14:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers

Happy New Year! So we are now officially in the future, saying TWENTY TWELVE and not TWO THOUSAND AND SUMMIT!

Had a typical NYE in the local town of Bideford where people come from far and wide to dress up in fancy dress and party in the streets. It's really brilliant. Pops has been growing his beard since well before November in preparation for his True Grit esque Western Sheriff. My Aunty, Mum and I did Dynasty. NYE is never a let down for me touch wood. I love the joy of the countdown with thousands of others. I don't think I would like a party or night club NYE celebrations, I would think i was missing out on something somewhere.

MUM

POPS


MEEE

This year, and hopefully very soon will see me return to London, it has been a break of 4 years. I wasn't sure if I would return to London or if I would meet someone and settle down. The latter has not happened so it has purely been time for family, artwork and paying off a bit of debt. I just hope the transition goes to plan and I get a good job and somewhere happy and nice to live, because I surely have had my fair share of living with pyschos (obviously friends being the exception).

Also my artwork will be another part of the move back to London, I barely did anything last time I was there, I was in a massive rut. But I am very keen to carry on now. So contributing to mags like Lionheart will continue! The new magazine put together solely by Helen Martin within months of her decision to branch out on her own is very inspiring, especially in a day of age when the opportunity of creativity gets squashed through lack of funding, or maybe it actually spurs it. It is a treasure of a magazine, stacked full of articles and imagery. When so many bigger magazines such as I.D and Dazed and Confused continue to be very samey, it's refreshing having these to read. I got to illustrate the crafty and creative young family of James Kicinski-Mccoy aka bleubirdvintage who has one of those sorts of blogs you get lost in and keep clicking next page, next page...

Last night Mum and I drove up to London, had a yummy cottage pie at my Auntie's, and then got dressed and went to the Royal Opera House to see La Traviata. It was a birthday present for Mum's 50th in November from me. It was absolutely wonderful. And actually it was the same Opera from Pretty Woman! I had never been to the ROH before, it did not disapoint, I could only afford cheap seats and couldn't sit with Mum but managed to get seats opposite each other so I could see Mum from the other side of the 'Slips' where you have to lean over red velvet bar and look down at the performance, which adds to the fun of it as you feel like you are spying! The massive 1850s Parisian dresses were dreamy, Violetta was beautiful and it made you cry!

SHOW YOUR FACE

2011-12-23T17:12:00.000-08:00

Very, very proud to announce that my portrait has been accepted by VV for their upcoming exhibit, 'Show Your Face' which will include paintings, photography and installations at Cultivate, Vyner Street London. My work will be shown alongside other female artists in all mediums and are all self-portraits. Am very excited. It has been a major goal of mine to exhibit. Happy :)

SHOW YOUR FACE

It's late January, hope to see you there if you are in London too!

Erm, it's me again.

2011-12-08T03:23:00.000-08:00

MEMEME

2011-12-06T14:50:00.000-08:00


Self Portrait

Song for Karen

2011-12-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

goodbye Richard - gotta go now
I'm finally on my own - but Dan's got a gig
keep the love lights glowing - little girl's got the blues
I can still hear momma say: "honey don't let it go to your head"

'Tunic' Sonic Youth

Self Portrait

2011-12-02T07:15:00.000-08:00

Just spent most of the week being ill and doing this on a canvas in acrylic. Sick of seeing it now, and I don't really like it but it is sooo hard paint yourself. And to do a pose. Its for a competition so will send myself to London soon wrapped in brown paper packaging and string.

Margaret Atwood

2011-11-30T15:13:00.000-08:00

Here is my latest offering to Amelia's Magazine! A look at Margaret Atwood's part in an exhibition for Ghosts of Gone Birds on tour. Margaret Atwood knitted a Great Auk. This put me in mind of my time living on Lundy Island. I didn't know anything about sea birds before coming here. But was wonderful to see the funny Puffins, the Guillemots perching on 80ft rocks and hearing the eerie sound of Manx Shearwaters which come out at night. The sailors used to think they could hear ghosts and witches, very strange sound indeed.

Check out also, my dear friend and favorite illustrator Daria Hlazatova's Owl. Its a beaut.

Ballad of Petra Doe.

2011-11-25T14:12:00.000-08:00

It ARRIVED! here is the most exciting example of having my work published yet. Mainly because submitting work to a magazine like Ballad of is basically like having your work housed in the most perfectly decorated bed chamber or drawing room full of wonderful books, and artwork and objects that you admire.


Paulina Otylie Surys

The magazine opens to the romantic and eerie photography of Pauline Otylie Surys, with women flailing and and draping themselves in poses which echo Pre-Raphaelites artists such as Waterhouse and Millais.


Paulina Otylie Surys


Paulina' s second story in Petra Doe, gracing their front cover.

I also love the below shoot, It reminded me of this creepy docu about the most haunting stories in England. It was hosted by that ginger bloke off Eastenders, not Max, the other one who flrited with Pammy. It showed this 70s footage of a girl who was posessed and kept talking with an old mans voice and there were photographs of her leaping out of her bed, in mid air. Really scary, I cry a bit when I get ghost-story scared.


Michal Pudelka

How cool is that name?! Pudelka. Sounds like Rumpelstiltskin's surname.

Also in there, were some brilliant examples of illustration (I will leave you to buy a copy to see them, and plus my blackberry is rubbish at taking photographs). Edit Collective's very own Joana Faria's spindly, cross-hatched four piece reminded me of Edward Gorey's inkwork.

Right now, and for the BEST bit, not only did I have a massive two page feature including interview, introduction, my submission and the Editors page showing my portraits of Lindsey and Claire, BUT I just noticed that my name is on the front cover! That to me is like having your name in bright lights!

"a Faye" (!!)

How cool, I have one of those highlighted quotation bits!!

This is one of my favourite illustrations to date. It was a labour of love and it's in a direction I want to continue with, I am using pencil, then watercolour, then acrylic highlights and indian ink backgrounds and lowlights. The VV collective of female artists I have recently joined have launched a competition to do a self portrait for an exhibit so have been trying to take a photograph of myself that doesn't look fat and splodgy, but not too poserish. Really tricky.
Portraiture is fascinating to me and it's why I lean towards fashion illustration. But one day when I feel confident enough I would very much like to enter a portrait into the National Portrait Prize.

Now. Also on reading the Editors note in Petra Doe I was enjoying the explanation as to how the issue turned into the 'embodiment of outcast females of times gone by'. Well that is just right up my dark, creepy, cat inhabited, glistening, neon/moon lit-up street that is. I think you need to go and buy a copy to see and read for yourself, I dare you not to pull out one of the images to adorn your walls.

London Ballad

2011-11-21T09:15:00.000-08:00

After six very boring night shifts, last Thursday finally arrived! I met Jules, the lady also known as Muddleduck over on Twitter and who is behind Doodlers Corner, (a place to go to discover a bit of drawing talent) along the way so we had a really good natter up to Waterloo. Dear Martin (super writer) met me at the Station and off we went to meet Indira (super snapper) and her chap, Matt. Soho Chinese and drinks and then off to the Prince Charles to watch Melancholia.

Sat frozen-still during the opening scene. Set in slow motion to the weeping thunder of Wagner's Tristan and Isolde which I have always loved thanks to my Pops. It is basically one of the most realistic Sci-fi films and portrayals of depression I have ever seen. Having not seen her act before, I thought Charlotte Gainsbourg was incredible and Kirsten Dunst's depiction of her character was heavy-hearted, lethargic, distant, and at times not likeable and frustrating as she trudged through her illness. A brilliant film. Was also unable to keep my eyes off of Kirsten's Tulle Wedding dress.

So the main reason I came up, not just to fit in all my favorite people but because it was Ballad Of's new issue launch party. Which means I can also reveal my submissions. The theme was a Little Book of Horrors and the piece I chose to do was from a Hammer horror film still.

I also got interviewed for the mag which was rather exciting and made me feel special like cherries on top. I also drew Lindsey (also my middle name) and Claire (fellow spice of the Ginger variety) Meeting the girls again and having a dance was such a giggle, and am now really jell of their accents.

The party was in full swing when I finally got there. Had been walking around London from 8am -7pm and was exhausted. But a few vodka sodas and the Blackcurrent Vodka shots soon revived me! I didn't get to spend as much time there as I hoped as we had some birthday celebrations to go to also. Cue my party shoes which 'I treated myself to' (I use this line all the time - when you are single, someone has to)

I wrecked them a bit. And fell over in front of two smug girls.

We had such lovely good bags, thanks to Boudoir Prive, I Love..bubbles and lip balm and face masks, tonnes of postcards from illustrators such as lovely Harriet Gray, Gareth Hopkins (who I caught leaving just as I arrived sadly) and David Litchfield. A white eyeliner by Illamasqua, some cool portable mouth freshener which I got a bit too excited about, W7 nail varnish in wonderful jade and so much more! I finished my weekend off by being restful and hungover with Dan at the Barbican, being spoiled rotten in their cosy flat by Erin and Stu, a Sunday foggy walk around Alexandra Palace and a lovely lunch and Bitter Shandy, an epic Sunday Roast at my Aunts and Uncles in St Albans with some bubbly and cat cuddles and Apple Pie.

goodies!!

AMAZING fine eyeliner from Studio Make Up.

My birthday present from Dan and it's first proper outing at the Wake of Petra Doe.


My belated present form my favorite couple, Erin and Stu

now, why not buy your very own copy of Ballad of Petra Doe so they can continue promoting artists/photographers/stylists/music etc x

Ball Room Scenes

2011-11-01T05:04:00.000-07:00

I am a MASSIVE girly girl. Having just watched Florence + the Machine's Shake It Out video, it just reminded me how much I loved watching Ball room scenes. The scene in Labyrinth, and then Annie Lennox's Walking on Broken Glass. The DRESSES, the HAIR, the slightly sinister, creepy chap they dance with. I bloody love it.


Disney's Haunted House Halloween Ball


Labyrinth


Marie Antoinette


Shake it Out / Florence + the Machine

Tallulah

2011-11-01T03:23:00.000-07:00

I was commissioned the other day to draw Tallulah, she had recently departed to kitty heaven at the grand old age of 18 and her owner wanted something to remember her by. Was nice to get an animal portrait, I love their little furry chins.

Edit First Artist Profile

2011-11-01T03:14:00.000-07:00

Come see Antonia Makes, super cute and cool illustrations, AND she's a fellow red head. The first of our Q+As artist profiles over at EDIT: The Illustrated Word.


Antonia by Antonia Makes

October Fest

2011-10-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

Have been quite naughty and been out three weekends in a row, but also quit my old job and started a new one the next day so not had much time for Illustration type stuff sadly.


Always the Bridesmaid Never the Bride

And so...Happy Halloween my little pumpkins. I went out as a dead bridesmaid. I may go as a Gingerbread man tomorrow whilst taking out my God Daughter with her Mum for her first Trick or Treat,s o will need some ginger/tan coloured Snazzaroo facepaint.

Please pop along and see a nice write up on me as an Illustrator over at FUSSED MAGAZINE. Feels so lovely being asked to share your work on platforms such as Fussed.
Another favourite of mine ofcourse is Ballad of... Have a look at the Tote I desigend exclusively for their Little Shop of Horrors Magazine Launch which I shall be going to in November...ahh London, can't wait to see you.


Ballad Of...

Lana

2011-10-23T04:07:00.000-07:00

My friend Dan introduced Lana Del Rey to me a couple of months ago as she started gathering momentum. We tried getting tickets to her Scala show but sadly they sold out in minutes. I listened and watched this video and had weepy bits in my eyes.

Obviously I want to illustrate her, I love her schtick.

Ballad Ballad Ballad

2011-10-19T12:56:00.000-07:00

I love Ballad Of. Not only do they introduce wonders of the photographical, illustrative, fashionable sort. But give the likes of us a platform to show off our work and have lucky entries published in their gawgess magazine Which is rare, and so they are my favourite printed magazine. They did a terribly lovely post on my work again, so thank you girls and doggies xx

BALLAD OF... < click link to seeee the post x

Alex Box

2011-10-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

Hope I don't sound like a wally saying this, but I happened to be at a party a few years ago and met Alex Box, the outstanding make-up artist behind Illamasqua and she did make an impression on me as a frumpy, awkward girl who preffered snakebite and metal clubs to anything fancy when I met her, she told my friend and I how she was producing a range of cosmetics for girls who were a bit like me, I guess she was referring to my massively eyeliner'd up eyes, raspberry lippy and short fringe. She wanted to produce make up in theatrical and seductive colours, 'bit like this?' I asked holiding up a gurt lush vermillion macaroon. I completely envy her job. And sometimes wish I thought of illustrating peoples faces for a living. She has succeeded in her range and has just launched FREAK, a perfume which I have happily illustrated for Amelia's Magazine. And here tis!

Edit has Blog

2011-10-11T14:14:00.000-07:00

Edit Collective what I am organizing now has a BLOG, please go follow and make us feel POPULAR :)

More I like...

2011-10-08T16:08:00.000-07:00


I WANT THOSE SHOES


I WANT HER TIARA

I like..

2011-10-08T15:47:00.000-07:00


McQueen

McQueen


Marisa, beautiful Marisa Berenson


The Dolly I adore, I put this on a tee x


Galliano <3


Valentino


Tacky Catholicism Gold Lushness


Moirer Shearer


Moirer

A Dream

2011-10-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

This is just wonderful, It's like a little girls dream.

Asger Juel Larsen Vs t.lipop

2011-10-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

London Fashion Week S/S 2012 Menswear Catwalk Review: Asger Juel Larsen Vs t.lipop

NEW WEBSITE

2011-10-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

Not really finished, but it's live, and it's been a long time coming. I did it all by myself :)

WWW.FAYEWEST.COM

OLD PAIR

2011-10-03T12:51:00.000-07:00

A very lovely friend of mine, 'Lashes' commissioned me to draw her something for her house. And she asked for an old couple sat with blankets on a beach. And this is what I did for her. It will be off in the post tomorrow. Bye Old Dears!

A-Z

2011-09-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

My favorite lady-what-blogs is Shelly at D U S T B U N N I E S and she included me in this A-Z Q+A..

SO HERE WE BE...

A-Age:

27, and never been in <3. How sad is that!

B-Bed size:

Double, so I can sleep diagonally.

C-Chore that you hate:

Hoovering because Henry pisses me off, his head and neck which sucks up the dust always dismembers and its just an effort. I love dusting and furniture polish and quite like cleaning bathrooms. I have never had my own home rented or otherwise, and when I do I will take much joy in keeping it ship shape.

D-Dogs:

My first dog was Tanya, a Boxer whilst I was aged 5-16. Now Amber, a cross between a Manchester Terrier and Staffy who we got from the Dogs Trust last year, she was skin and bone and found on Bodmin. She is basically my baby, and I even tuck her in with a blanket every night. LOOK AT HER.

E-Essential start to your day:

I go to bed with my hair wet after its been washed, so when I wake up it is crazy and molded around my head in swirls and tufts. So I blow dry my fringe into position.

F-Favourite Colour:

Raspberry pink, preferably in velvet.

G-Gold or silver:

Gold dresses, silver shoes.

H-Height:

I think maybe 5,6? really not quite sure.

I-Instruments you play:

My music teacher at school asked me if I was dyslexic or something as didn't understand notes and pages of music. So never bothered, I did have a Casio keyboard as a kid though.

J-Job title:

Receptionist. It is making me fat. Have never had a job sat on my bottom all day before now.

K-Kids:

I would like a boy and girl, Peter and Freida. It looks like hard work and I always see myself as a single mother for some reason.

L-Live:

North Devon it's pretty but boring.

M-Mother's name:

Tracey, she was named after Grace Kelly's character in High Society apparently, but Mum hates it all the same.

N- Nickname

Fayeski, Fayeble.

O-Overnight hospital stays:

None, spent a few fair hours in A+E the summer I graduated having boils continually lanced on my arms and legs. Random, unexplained and horrid.

P-Pet peeves:

Girls that love boy drama. Or any Jeremy Kyle style drama, noisy eaters, The Government, People who lack compassion.

Q-Quote from a film:

You have to hear the timing and tone of Bette Davis in this scene, but it is one of my favourite lines of hers.

Jezebel (1938)

Aunt Belle: Pres has always loved you in white... If he isn't simply bowled over by it, I won't know what to think.

Julie: [speaking to an assistant who carries off a red dress] Wait a minute. Bring that over here...

...Saucy, isn't it?'

Aunt Belle: And vulgar.

Julie (smiling): Yes ...isn't it?!

R-Right or left handed:

Right

S-Siblings:

My brother, two years younger but taller than me, wiser, smarter, kinder and a lot more sensible. He is my BEST FRIEND.

T-Time you wake up:

Set my alarm for 6.30, then again at 7. Get up at 7 walk or cycle or bus or get a lift to town, then get another bus to work. Effort

U-Underwear:

Marks and Spencer just do the best pants and tights.

V-Vegetable you hate:

I don't like it when runner beans feel a bit furry and fuzzy. I hate Fungi though and Olives.

W-What makes you run late:

Buses normally. I hate being late.

X-X rays you've had:

Work in a dentist so viewed my own teeth, they looked so cute and I loved them, back teeth look like little octopus or ghosts with their funny roots. Sweet.

Y-Yummy food that you make:

I roast a butternut squash and fill it with vegetable rice and goats cheese and it was yum. Am also good at Roast Potatoes. And have just been told a fail safe cake mix which has turned me from a bakerfailure to a cakemaker.

Z-Zoo animal:

Monkeys and Penguins.

Would love to see if Julia and Natasha Thompson fancies sharing.

more...LFW SS 12

2011-09-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

Florian Jayet artwork for Amelia's Magazine.

Isabella Falkirk Illo for Amelia's Magazine

Sofi Svensson Illo for Amelia's Magazine.

Carlotta Gherzi for Sado Illo for Amelia's Magazine

Teatum Jones SS 12

2011-09-18T06:27:00.000-07:00

Beautiful sky like fabrics, drapes and folds and voluminous bits. Amelia's Magazine review a presentaton for Teatum Jones at London Fashion Week.

Live Sketch

2011-09-15T05:22:00.000-07:00

Found out via illustrator Gilly Rochester there was a call out for submitting a video example of a line drawing for an Imogen Heap music video production, I was too late for the deadline but submitted anyway! Here is my quick drawing in 2 minutes of an old chap in a garden. Hard to draw much in that time!

A La Disposition

2011-09-12T14:48:00.000-07:00

A La Disposition preview over at Amelia's Magazine.

A sneak peak at my illustration before it is crappily scanned and enhanced on Photoshop.

Kaspian's Dream

2011-09-03T14:57:00.000-07:00

A new dream illustrated for the magnificent artist Kaspian Shore over at Lupine Osmunda.

Vivian Vile

2011-09-03T04:09:00.000-07:00

Happy to announce that I am now officially a member of Vivian Vile, a group supporting emerging female fine artists. Please do go and visit their website and facebook page to find out more. You will find my profile in their members lounge, amongst some brilliant photographers and artists. So feel very proud to be amongst them. Thank you girls.

VV is founded by Bex Massey and Ellie Green

Gaultier

2011-09-03T03:20:00.000-07:00

The Mermaid I drew for Amelia's Magazine article below.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts – The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk

Native

2011-08-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

I dressed up as a Native American for NYE, I love them. They seem like such a wonderful people who got majorly shat on.
Amelia Gregory went to Canada and saw all of this CANADA STUFF!...lucky her:)
Here is the piece I did for the article.

Old Love

2011-08-04T14:25:00.000-07:00

She is back again, you have seen her countless times...she is available as a PRINT to buy on Etsy...Maybe some of you girls might like her in your bathroom to GRRR at while brushing your teeth? Maybe in your boudoir to let the boys know you aren't some kind of push-over? Maybe you're a boy who loves make up? SHE IS HERE

Makeup Mirrors

2011-08-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

I have added two of my mirrors to my Etsy. I have more designs,but they are stuck in a Post Office Depo. Thanks Royal Mail! CLICK HERE TO PURRRR CHASE!


Rosy Cheek

Elizabeth Taylor

Shit Day New Shoes

2011-08-03T14:14:00.001-07:00

Crap day, week, month, year.

But just treated myself to an Ebay £5 splurge. YEY I WON!

Hello Silver John Rocha Bow dancing shoes. I have lots of outfits who will love you very much.

Picture Size:

FRINGE BENEFITS

2011-07-31T06:21:00.000-07:00

I got my fringe put back in, and feel like FAYE AGAIN.

Here is me with Amber I LOVEEEE HER xxx

We Miss Rufus

2011-07-30T04:54:00.000-07:00

Rufus went missing and has not been home. I like to think he ran away with a lady cat. He always had the air of Oliver Reed about him.

Pink Bedroom

2011-07-30T04:47:00.000-07:00

The Lady in Pink was jealous fo the Lady in White who was blatently in a Bridal Flemenco dress. White lady took Pink Lady's man.

Perfect girls dressing table


I love Nans Mirrored musical jewellery box with a black and white picutre of Paris on top.

My favourite bedroom in the world is Nan's Pink room, still has the flamenco dolls I used to play with on the dressing table and cutesy pictures of white kittens and ribbons and flowers....

..and pink flannel sheets.


Pink Snug Bug

DUSTBUNNY

2011-07-30T04:30:00.000-07:00

A labour of Love recently was being commisioned to illustrate Courtney for Shelly over at Dustbunnies blog. I absolutely love her blog, it's something of a kindred spirit and always appealing and inspiring. Wish the lady behind it didn't live so far away, would love to go for a cocktail or two! SHE'S LOVELY!

The Courtney in question was for her friends birthday. So haven't shown it before so as not to give away the surprise!

I loved painting it, so thank you for the commision, it was a pleasure!

Another Dream

2011-07-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

Another set of two dreams over at Lupine Osmunda...go see, go see!

Mechanical Bride

2011-07-22T14:28:00.000-07:00

Here is the piece I put together to illustrate Mechanical Bride over at Amelia's Magazine. Very stylish lady singer who seems to have a penchant for pattern, so I thought I'd embellish this somewhat.

EDIT: The Illustrated Word

2011-07-17T01:12:00.000-07:00

The other day I was approaching shops and galleries in North Devon trying to see if any of my originals could be sold anywhere. I also made lots of cards. I got rejection and 'Good but not our cup of tea'. Yeah, well their cup of tea was Cath Kidston overkill and Banksy prints. Oh, obviously the art work by local artists is often lovely, but basically soley landscapes or sea views.
I have so much artwork sat in my portfolio and would really like to frame it and possibly sell it! At least show it off!
Anyway I tweeted something along the lines of, can't we have have an Amelia's Magazine contibutors exhibition? Amelia is rather busy with all the millions of pies she keeps her fingers in! So she suggested I organise one. Well ok! I will! So we have the lovely backing of Amelia's Magazine and Ballad of magazine and around 30 artists interested!

The lovely Gemma Milly has kindly agreed to be partner and currently seeks a space in London.
The Edit collective will be showcasing editorial works from the past year which they have contributed to various magazines and project.

I am very excited and just hope that it can happen this year! Please go and Like our facebook page!

My Illustrated Journey so far..

2011-07-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

Amelia Gregory has put together a lovely illustrated feature on the collection I collaborated on earlier this year. Felt very special!
This is the biggest commision I have had in my journey illustrating. I managed to get it all done on time and am very proud of the result. Seeing your doodles on beautiful dresses has been a definite high light and joy to see.
It was bloody hard work getting this done around a full time job and in the aftermath of my Mum's partner passing away unexpectedly. But I got it done and look forward to further possibilites in producing illustrations on fabric. I am exploring avenues of doing print myself until some brand or company fancies commisioning me!

I have been contributing to Amelia's Magazine for over a year now, and produced a lot of work. Its hard to author your own briefs and this pushes you to try out new styles and techniques within the deadline. I have illustrated everything from exploding Mooncups to Elizabeth Taylor and socks.

I graduated in 2005 and had a massive illustrative lull, this was due to being ill, having to concentrate on full time job and basically not having any kind of network or similar peers to bounce ideas and infomation off of. This period angers me a bit as I see it as such wasted time. Thankfully getting an agent in London rejuvinated my ambition. How did I get an agent? I went to the bar my friend worked part time in for a few freebies before a night dancing in Camden (needed to forget about a heartbreak) One of her fashion contacts happened to be there, and complimented my tattooed legs (seams and bows on back of legs am forever forgetting them) My friend gave me an introduction, I thought nothing of it and strode off the The Electric Ballroom. Few weeks later and I had a lovely agent with her own bespoke agency. And she got me a sale! A Courtney Love image I had idled away over watching telly on the sofa went off to be a tshirt at Topshop Boutique.
Another lull ( or meltdown!), a year on a 3 mile long Island off the Devon coast and a competition to feature in Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration set me back on the straight and narrow. Twitter has meant I can stay in Devon and keep in the loop. I have also made some very wonderful and talented friends. And a project with Daria all the way over in Ukraine, our Lupine Osmunda Dream project.

One thing I find amazing is those with familes and partners working full time jobs and squeezing in the artwork in their spare time. Its so admirable and keeps you focused to do the same.

I have found that no amount of tutoring or lessons at University can prepare you for the experiences you will endeavor as a freelance illustrator.

With so much talent out there willing to work for free as well, its almost expected. We all knew this is something we must accept as we start out. But when you still live with your parents or have crippling student debt (and we don't mean the Student Loans do we?! Its the credit cards and overdrafts handed out to us willy nilly knowing full well thats what we will have to live off of) we have to keep reminding ourselves that this is what we want to do. There have been lots of great blogs recently discussing these factors from recent graduates. Networking and sharing our experiences through blogs is a very positive way to form your own values and ethos as an illustrator.

There is a fine line bewteen thinking that the world owes you a paid commision or an instant career and then being used as a free artworker. You really need to get the balance right.

Nanny Barbara Betty

2011-07-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

My Nan got rushed into hospital last week, turns out she has a blood clot on her heart and a leaking valve so will need surgery. I cannot believe how brave and positive she is, and the humour she maintains. She is such a strong lady.
I am going to be house sitting and cat sitting over next week and have had to put illustration on hold, I don't feel like drawing at the moment , not sure why am just in a lull. And also I dont have internet access there or any of my things. Will see what I can get done in the week though so as to not let anyone down.

I have finally added my cards to my Etsy though. So please have a butchers...

Doll Parts Cards

2011-07-09T16:09:00.000-07:00

Just added to my ETSY store, my Doll Parts Collection of cards. Unique and Original artwork.

Original Artwork for sale

2011-07-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

I have reopened my Etsy store for you to have the chance to purchase origina illustrations. I have priced them as reasonably as I can. I love them and put a lot of time into them so it is hard to sell them. But I am trying to get some money together to frame and mount my project which I hope to exhibit.

You can buy the original Courtney Love watercolour, or Lady Gaga. And there are smaller sketches which make ideal gifts or pieces for your home.

Please go and have a look, and feel free to window shop!

SHOP!

A Dream for Harriet

2011-06-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

Please do go and see the new dreams illustrated by Daria and I over at Lupine Osmunda...

Stylus Boy

2011-06-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

Here is an illustration of Stylusboy, who is a musician chappy Amelia interviews over at Amelia's Magazine. Go and see the other Illos and interview here.

Faye West Tees

2011-06-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

Faye West Tees will be available soon! I shall be printing a limited edition of my illustrations onto Tees and shopping bags soon my dears. Youc an also request your favourite illustration. I hope to sell these for £12.00
Which will mean I shall re-open my Etsy store soon!

My Dresses in Motion

2011-06-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

Halfway through this video you will see some freezing cold models wearing the dresses I painted prints for.

Lupine Osmunda

2011-06-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

A month or so back, Daria and I were twittering about dreams, as we seem to remember and convey ours quite frequently. We then decided to swap a dream story and illustrate each others. This has turned into a project in which we encourage you, dear reader to tell us your stories. You can post or scan and email us a handwritten story of a dream that you have remembered. We will then turn it into a piece of artwork, alternating between me and Daria.

Here is Lupine Osmunda.

Shut your Mouth with my Dress

2011-05-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

My biggest influence. I think Katie Jane Garside of Daisy Chainsaw and Queen Adreena is my ultimate idol. This infatuation was whilst I was in London in my early twenties. I liked her shoes, her hair, her music, her slips and torn dresses, her madness, her make up.

Here is one of my pictures inspired by the above photograph of Katie Jane.

Crimson Petal and The White by Michel Faber

2011-05-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

I read this a few years back now, and I think it was because I just find the underbelly of latter centuries fascinating. I love Emile Zola's Nana for instance which was written in the 1800s depicting the hand to mouth existance of a courtesan. The detail of their everyday lives not all-together glamourous is evident in both books.
I was really excited to see there was a television adaptation by the BBC and was not disapointed at all. I recommend anyone to watch it. Despite the usual visual interest a 'period drama' provides, its also the direction and acting that makes this magnificent. Gillian Anderson as Mrs Castaway leaves you wanting to see more of her, and the gentle use of background bird song in certian scenes gives it so much life.
I dont tend to buy TV programmes on DVD,a part from Darling Buds of Maya nd Black Books. But I shall definitely set about owning this when it is released.

If you like a bit of female empowerment and a look into the psyche of women from different backgrounds trapped in the same society, this is also a brilliant drama and book to experience.

Sketchbook Mag

2011-05-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

I was asked to contribute to Sketchbook Mag's blog for their interview with designer Tahir Sultan and it was one of those commisions you just really enjoy working on due to the subject being so visually rich and interesting. Was a pleasure contributing and got a lovely email to say thank you. Makes it more worthwhile when you get such appreciation.

Pet My Ballad

2011-05-22T09:45:00.000-07:00

I love Ballad of magazine, it shows off so many amazing artists and photographers. A weekly look on their blog and Brand New Art We Heart always invigorates me to go off and Illustrate. So was very happy to submit a piece for their new issue, Lola Bacon. And got picked! It's all about the pets we love in our lives.
I drew a girl with her rat, a very underated lovable pet to have indeed! My darling Godfrey even got his fluffliness onto their blog!

Go order your copy of Ballad of... here. Whoever is going to the Ballad Of launch, you may just win this original watercolour fo Rat Girl too!

Morris Dancing

2011-05-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

I love Morris Dancers. Long may they reign. They keep folk music and traditions alive! I keep getting tempted to join the local guys but I kind of need a car around these parts to get to all the cider fests they have,

Anyway, here is Amelia's article with some brilliant and striking photography and some merry illustrations!

Oh and here's mine...

My Sleeping Project

2011-05-10T13:29:00.000-07:00

Here is The Six States of Intoxication. I spent a few years on this, and I think it's going to be a struggle getting it exhibited as I had hoped. It includes an anecdote bestowed on me by the late Sebastian Horlsey who I portrayed as the state of Confusion.

However, just submitted it to a competition called Art Takes London. Please vote for me here.
Thank you dearies x

Calendar

2011-05-07T14:48:00.000-07:00

A piece that I may use for January. I am hoping to put together a calendar to sell, and to stock at No Guts No Glory.

She Went Wrong

2011-05-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

Drawing this girl in a furry hood for a calendar project am working on. She went terribly wrong...this is what happened to her. I tried to paint over her mouth with acrylic. Not helping. So she is now scary.

Sarah Jayne and her Nan

2011-05-07T07:15:00.000-07:00

Portrait commision for my friend Sarah Jayne.

Kisstch

2011-05-07T03:49:00.000-07:00

Despite the politics involved, during the Royal Wedding I was a little girl again, and it was a simple fairytale day. Here is my kitsch take on it. Some tin foil a la Courtney Love/Nirvana/Heart Shaped Box.

Check out what Amelia had to say over at Amelia's Magazine.

FARENESS

2011-04-22T04:48:00.000-07:00

Hannah Bullivant did a proper good job with her Amelia's Magazine article showing the good work protestors are doing against the disgraceful rise in rail fares. When you dont have the option to drive, and indeed would rather travel in a way thats not adding extra exhaust fumes to our breathing spaces there isn't much choice but to fork out an astronomic amount for a few hours journeying. I live in North Devon. In the sixties they ripped up the wonderful network of trains linking Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Torrington, Instow up with South Devon. You could also travel directly to Taunton in Somerset to get a London train, instead of travelling for an hour south in the wrong direction. All we have now is a train that runs infrequently to Exeter. Two carriages, but the inside of them look like a bus, so you are sat uncomfortably staring at each other. In the winter it is awfully cold. On bank holiday one year they crammed so many passengers in a little toddler was seperated from her Mother and had to travel on her own next to kind strangers for the hour.
Not quite sure what would happen to these poor people if the train crashed.

For a month I had to commute on this line to Exeter for around £250 a month. I was knackered from working in a busy bookshop and on the journey home I would try and give myself some privacy from the general public by putting on music and reading my book. I was hit on the head with a stack of leaflets as the fat ticket collector wanted my attention for my ticket inspection. I was so surprised I barely said anything, It really hurt as it slapped onto my plastic headphones and gave me a headache. I was also mortified as everyone saw what happened, I felt like naughty school child being scolded. Two women shook their head in disgust. Obviously I wrote a letter to First Great Western demanding an apology as I failed to get one off the rude man. I was so angry he felt he could do this, am sure if I was man or an older woman he wouldn't have dared.
My response from the company was that they spent nearly £4 million on customer service. I dont see how that amount helps someone learn not to physically whack someone in public. But there you go.

I dont like ticket inspectors, was spoken to like a criminal the other week when apparently I didn't have the right ticket. I went as a group of 4 but one could not make it so I called the company a week or so before I travelled to change my ticket, no need I was told, thats fine, get a refund on the fouth ticket by sending it to this address. The ticket man had none of it and charged us £70 there and then.

This weekend am going by coach. £9 there and £10 back.

Lovely Natasha Thompson did some lovely illustrative treats for this article too, you can see more of her work here ...

The Secret Tea Party

SKY WEST AND CROOKED

2011-04-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

My Mum and I love Hayley Mills, and of course her Father's films. And the fact they holidayed in North Devon makes them even more lovable!

We love the rural simpleness and innocence of Whistle Down the Wind where Mills and the village children think they have found Jesus hiding in a barn, who is infact an escaped convict.

This film, in colour is quite similar, directed by John Mills it follows a young girl of 17, Brydie White who seems to be quite simple and wild. She lives with her childlike, widowed mother who's always out of it on Gin.

The most charming scenes (which made us sob as we really are quite soppy) where when the children of the village, lead by Brydie decide to bury all the 'Deadders', all the animals they have found that have died or have been slaughtered for sunday lunch. These include Brydie's hamsters, a mole, and some bumble bees or Buzzers as they call them. They bury them in the village grave yard, with little crosses and epitaphs. They are soon punished and scolded by the adults that they can not be buried there as it is concecrated ground, for those with souls. A wonderful series of questions and a rendition of All Creatures Great and Small at church proves them quite wrong!

There is an underlying sad story of how Brydie accidentally killed her childhood friend as a little girl and this becomes the turning point in the film.

Unwanted Gypsies (proper ones with painted caravans and outfits) camp nearby and a young, handsome Ian Mcshane falls in love with her and soon becomes her only ally and family.

It's a wonderful story, you can feel the sunshine on your skin and the prickling sun dried grass.

And it has a happy ending. And thats how I like them.

This was based on a story called Bats with Baby Faces, and was also titled Gypsy Girl.

Birthday Treats

2011-04-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

Oh had such a lovely birthday yesterday, despite working! Had a cupcake with sparkler at work from my friend Sarah Jayne, and Mum put together a lovely spread for a tea party. Havent doen anything special for a few years now, so it has been the best one in years! Thank you for all my wishes and messages, presents and cards.

And then, unawares due to going to bed quite early! V Magazine announced 15 finalists for the Lady Gaga Drawn This Way competition....and I was one! The chosen image will be used in their magazine next month. How exciting!

NEW GAGA

2011-04-03T13:32:00.000-07:00

My submission to DRAWN THIS WAY for V MAGAZINE

Gaga

2011-04-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

3

2011-03-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

3

The lovely Daria, who you know is my favouritist illustrator has sent me this meme!

So here you are!

Three names I go by: Faye, sister, daughter

Three places I’ve lived in: Devon, London and Lundy Island

Three places I’ve worked: (drawn) My Bed, The Tavern on Lundy, and on sofas where I have left spillages of indian ink (Sorry Dan, sorry Mum)

Three things I love to watch: People putting on make up, people sleeping and dances/dancing

Three places I’ve been and loved: New York, Alsace and my friend's grandparents farm, Westpark in Iddesliegh, Devon.

Three people who email me regularly: Sophie, Amelias Magazine and Nathan from No Guts No Glory

Three things I love to eat: Roast Potatoes, Peas and Raspberries

Three things I’m looking forward to: drawing tomorrow, London Birthday trip, falling in love.

The three people I would like to tag and continue this meme are Dustbunnies, Two Two Oh Four and Stellabombella

xxx

Menswear AGI & SAM

2011-03-27T11:06:00.000-07:00

Amelia's Magazine review by Matt Bramf. Click HERE to read full article.

Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

Was so glad to have contributed to Matt Bramf's tribute to the late Elizabeth Taylor over at Amelia's Magazine. Click HERE for full article.

Vogue Green Style Blog

2011-03-17T12:37:00.000-07:00

A review of the Painting By Numbers collection, with a little mention of moi! So it's my second feature on the VOGUE online magazine. Would be a dream come true if my work made it into the Vogue pages! We can daydream!

Designers Remix by Charlotte Eskildsen

2011-03-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

Amelia Gregory reviews the Designers Remix collection and I attempted to illustrate one of the striking photographs. Read the article HERE.

Snaps Shots of the Beautiful Soul Collection

2011-03-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

Check out this blog, Bunnipunch. This PR girl has done a lovely piece on the Painting By Numbers collection for Beautiful Soul. These photographs show the detail really well. Am so pleased with how the illustrations have turned out and Nicola Woods the designer did a wonderful job turning her vision into beautiful dresses and gowns. Never dreamt of seeing my work quite like this! Go to the blog to see more of the collection!

Photo from Bunnipunch Blog

Georgia Hardinge

2011-03-11T13:43:00.000-08:00

Georgia Hardinge for Amelia's Magazine LFW coverage.

Socks.

2011-03-08T10:58:00.000-08:00

Here are some socks I drew for Hannah Bullivant's article on Eco Luxe at London Fashion Week for Amelia's Magazine. Some really cool illustrations by Fritha Strickland and Andrea Kearny too.

Twelve Dancing Princesses

2011-02-27T07:42:00.000-08:00

A month or so ago I recieved these wonderful commisions from the Ukraine in the post. I asked Daria Hlazatova to render me some pieces based on The Twelve Dancing Princesses. I had a small hardbook ladybird copy of the fairytale and used to stare at the illustrations for hours as a little girl, it fascinated me no end. The rug scattered with 12 pairs of worn and ruined slippers, the magical woods and branches of gold, silver. The twelve different dresses, the beautiful boats which the princesses travelled in to the ball. I haven't seen the book for years now, but they are etched into my memory. As all good illustrations should be. They make a mark on children and I think the visual power of them are very underestimated. I think they sometimes are remembered more so than the stories, and shape an individuals taste and vision, and sparks their imagination. I think it would be a good thing for adult books to have more illustrated plates in them. Especially considering how expensive they are, and with these awful Kindles taking away how precious a book is. Your book is a little friend for the time you are reading them.

Anyway. I have finally gotten these beauties framed and mounted and up on my walls. Daria captured the story for me beautifully. I think this artist needs to be snapped up by a publisher as soon as possible because there is something fascinating in her work that is sometimes lacking in the more minimal, cutesy art work you can find in the Children's Book Department (I ran a Kids section at Waterstones and used to idle away the boring days looking through the picture books!) Everytime I look at Daria's work, I am a daydreaming child again. And it feels very comforting and happy.


Colour in my tiny, pokey bedroom/workroom

Thank you Daria x

Introducing... Mabel. And Fabrice.

2011-02-25T14:11:00.000-08:00

As I had a booklet of postcards ready to draw on which I hadn't even touched yet, save a wobbely drawing from my train journey back from London. I decided it might be nice to do some and do a giveaway on Twitter. The girl I drew looked a bit saucy, but sweet. So did another one, and gave her a cat. Which have named Fabrice. She found him in France when she moved there from England. He is terribly grumpy and hates being touched. But she loves him all the same. Mabel loves black ribbons, and false eyelashes and frills. She's nuts actually.

Pot Bound the Third

2011-02-25T08:52:00.000-08:00

This one does not work either. But wanted to finish it all the same,

Pot Bound Again

2011-02-24T14:32:00.000-08:00

Here is an idea for No Guts No Glory. Unfortunately we can't translate this one to a tee as it's too tonal. So back to drawing board!

ACOFI Party and London Trip

2011-02-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

Couple of weekends ago I escaped the small town I live in to get myself an injection of culture, fun and to a very important party.
Leaving North Devon at 5 something in the morning for the usual coach-of-death, I had quite a pleasent journey, managed to snooze, ate my packed lunch that Pops made me, so all good stuff. The coach is always painfully slow as soon as it hits London, and crawls to Victoria. I just want to get off and start walking really fast with everyone else. And smell London. First stop was to see my old flatmate Soph and her baby, Harry for lunch. He thought it was a fun game dipping his chips, in anything. We then had a mooch around the charity shops of Pimlico, where I first lived on moving to London. Cornucopia was gone. Which was the best treasure trove of vintage dresses just cramming floor to ceiling. I then legged it over to Oxford Street to buy last minute accessories. I hit Selfridges (no sign of a recession in there! Girl in front thought nothing of spending £300 on two bra and knicker sets CHING CHING) I spoilt myself with some Tabio pale pink tights, although I wanted pale blue. And the Chanel Rouge Noir lipstick I have had my eye on. The dress I was going to wear cost me all of £8 in charity shop. YES!

Poser

Then rushed to see my date, Dan who I used to live and party with back in 2008. We got back to his flat in East and got ready in minutes! Off to ACOFI we go!

Got to the party and it was in full swing, we secured some drinks and started having fun from then on! Brilliant music from The Pipette's dj'ing skills and 6DayRiot, and got to meet all of the Amelia's Mag editors including Amelia herself and a very dapper Matt Bramford in bow tie.


Amelia Shoulder Rockin some Beautiful Soul.

I was a bit shy and so didn't introduce myself to all of the other illustrators I wanted to meet, but did get to meet Abby and Avril and June gave me a lovely pack of her postcards. Felt a bit strange going up to people you have never met, thinking you recognise them from their twitter pictures and saying hello! I'm Faye West! Managed to introduce myself to Nicola Woods of Beautiful Soul finally and the girls from Ballad Of Magazine. I also had so much fun dancing I missed out on the amazing pink cake! Doh! Oh well. The fact that after the party finished we went on to an old friend, Ellie's Birthday party and then ate curry in a Dalston Bagel shop at 4am meant that this was probably a good thing! (Also a food fight ensued and a trip to a huge Pool hall happened at some point)


Dancing apparently. Courtesy of Matt Bramf

So I manged to not be too hungover in the morning, and after 24 hrs of being on the go, felt all refreshed and lovely once I had a shower and got dressed to see some of what my favourite place in London had to offer. The National Portrait Gallery. It is my favourite place. I miss spending days off on my own in there. We saw the amazing Isabella Blow piece by Tim Noble and Sue Webster.

Am very lucky to have been in the same room as Isabella Blow once. I was at a gallery event which my friend was 'working' at a few years ago, and there she was stalking the gallery space in one of her hats. It was fantastic seeing a woman of her brilliance whom you pick up on as a teenage fashion student in magazines in your home towns, a world away from hers.

We had a lovely time walking around, Ashlee, Dan, Ol and me. I even bought myself a fabulous multicoloured metallic jacket in a vintage shop. We had fish and chips in Soho and then went back East to get ready to head over to Holloway Road to see some of my other old London Town friends. I was an hour late, such a bumpkin had lost all TFL savvy. Must remember to actually look at a tube map next time.

I am amazed how much I fitted in to two days! I even got a pancake breakfast and a mad dash around Cass Art before missing my coach and having to spend £40 on a train home! It was worth it! I spent a luxurious and contented journey back reading the Amelia's Magazine and playing with my other ACOFI gifts that came in my goody bag. And just when I start to imagine moving back to London, I get met with a golden, hazy landscape of rolling hills and remember how happy I am back in Devon.

BEAUTIFUL SOUL Painting By Numbers

2011-02-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

Just before Christmas I was asked to collaborate with Beautiful Soul on their next collection for A/W 11. They already worked on something beautiful with fellow ACOFI artist Zarina Liew and it really is all down to Amelia's Magazine that these projects take place. I never really imagined seeing my illustrations in this way whe I started as a Fashion Illustration student, it's been a wonderful highlight to my year so far.

And here are some examples from the collection, printed on Organic silk...

The Irrepressables

2011-02-04T12:33:00.000-08:00

Here is my ink/watercolour of Nicole Robson, cellist and band member of The Irrepressables. Another great opportunity to do a music piece for Amelias Magazine.

Anna and her Portrait

2011-01-21T11:54:00.000-08:00


Anna

The very pretty Anna Bronsted of Our Broken Garden really liked the illustration I did for Amelia's Magaazine and emailed me to see if she could buy it! Unfortunately, as it was finished using Photoshop, there was no original of that image. So I offered to do her a new one. And here it is.

Chicky Pig

2011-01-16T14:21:00.000-08:00

In North Devon we call woodlice Chicky Pigs. Here is an idea for something for NGNG, who are based down in South Devon where they say Chuggy Pigs. Either way, its better than woodlice. Ew.

Anna

2011-01-16T04:59:00.000-08:00


Watercolours and Acrylic

A snippet of my painting for Anna of Our Broken Garden.
Hope she like's it.

Am posting it to Denmark tomorrow!

Amelia's Magazine - First piece for the new year, new decade.

2011-01-10T12:07:00.000-08:00

Beautiful lady to illustrate Anna Bronsted from Our Broken Garden for Amelia's personal top albums of the year. Please go have a listen, so very lovely and calming.

I chose a magical photograph of Anna to draw, she wears an electric blue satin jumpsuit which reminds me of an early evening sky with black tree silhouettes. I love white blonde hair, and I like to try and make it glow. And a little deer comes to meet her. Would have liked more time for such enjoyable subject matter but as you know I spent all weekend working on my The Outsider competition entry.

Some wonderful illustrations for this article. Including one from my favourite illustrator, Daria. Am not afraid to gush, but am so in love with her artwork. It taps into some kind of nostalgic feeling I have, not sure if they remind me of something I was fascinated by as a child, but I love everything about them. Am just waiting for her to produce some prints for me to buy to adorn my bare white walls with.

Daria Hlazatova .

Happy Monday all, Nunite x

Getting Inside The Outsider

2011-01-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, perhaps in 2006. I had befriended some top chaps. We were the Team. We ate Percy Pigs to keep us going till our 12.45-8pm Saturday shift came to an end at Waterstone's, King's Road branch and laughed till our bellies hurt. We were three, Martin, Indira and me. These two were probably the most intelligently cultured friends I had ever had, they kept talking about Nietzsche and stuff. One day we were loitering in the C section of fiction, and they told me to read some Albert Camus, in particular The Outsider. I liked it alot.


Indira, Me and Martin

Years have passed and I don't get to see them much now, the team is no longer as we knew it, we all escaped the corporate monster that is Waterstones. But I soon told them when I heard that the Folio Society and House of Illustration had put together a competition to illustrate scenes and a cover for The Outsider. I only noticed the competition last week, and wasn't sure I would get anything done in time, let alone find my old copy of the book and read it again.


Quentin, will you be my Grandad?

But I have, and it has been one of the most enjoyable projects I have done. Be amazing to think Quentin Blake will be judging! I loved his crocodile in the Enormous Crocodile. Also didn't realise how cute he looks.

So here we are.
First off, is of Meursault at his mother's funeral. The sun is beating down.

And then here is a depiction of Maria, Meursault's lover.

"I was still in the water and she was already lying flat on the bouy. She turned round towards me. She had her hair in her eyes..."

And lastly, Raymond gets it from the Arab, with a knife.

Wish me Luck!
x

2010 Round Up

2011-01-03T13:50:00.000-08:00

I can safely say in my adult life, every year has been totally different to the one before. In 2010 I have come such a long way when it comes to my work as an illustrator. This time last year, I was stuck on an Island I was tired of being on, fed up with the 25 other islanders and knew I had to wait until the 8th of March to leave. I couldn't wait. Just the idea of a Supermarket was exciting! It had been a wonderful, magical summer experience but I was more than ready to leave in the grey light of January. There weren't many good, honest islanders, and by the end of it I had experienced a lot of individuals who were quite honestly socially inept, and probably had to live on an island for a reason!


View when at work on Lundy :)

The 7 minute helicopter flight back to Hartland, Devon could not have got me off Lundy any quicker! And seeing my Mum waiting for me was wonderful. Shortly after I went on a lovely break to Paris with my good friend Martin. It was a bit of a daze to be in London then Paris so soon after limited civilisation, and was very headachey, but it was marvellous all the same.

Versaille

The Summer brought me a new job and much focus on my fashion illustration. I started to contribute to Amelia's Magazine after my agent Mehala noticed they had a competition to be in Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration. I set up my blog, joined twitter and eventually built my website, all down to Amelia's advice. I was actually doing lunges of excitement when I got her email at work to say I could be in the book. I have always set myself little targets and goals for illustration, and being published in a proper book with a proper ISBN was a dream come true!

Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration

I have had a year which has been dedicated to settling back into Devon life, spending time with family and friends. I saw my best friend have her first baby, Tilly. And get engaged, and these were such happy moments, she makes such a lovely Mummy, but we all knew that!

Ellena and Tilly Rose Tricker

My Brother, Mum and I also brought home with us Amber from The Dog's Trust. I absolutely adore her, and have never known a more affectionate and lovable dog! She was found on Bodmin Moor, skinny and with a bad skin condition. She is only two years old and very puppy like still, her back leg has grown shorter than the other, so she does little ballet dancer stretches! I love her so much! Rufus the cat has finally started to accept her, but his brother Godfrey isn't so impressed and cat-growls at Amber all the time. He is a grumpy cat though.

Amber, Godfrey and Rufus (all rescued!)

Most exciting part to my year was receiving the finished Compendium through the post, and seeing the friends who I have built friendships with featured in it too. I find facebook such a boring little world compared to Twitterland and all the lovely creatives I follow! Looking forward to meeting them all at the book launch!

It was lovely to show it to my Nan, because I don't think she really understood why I studied illustration and moved away. I went up to hers on Christmas Eve and she sat and read it with such a smile on her face!

I have also been involved with a very exciting collaboration which you shall hear more of in a few months time. This was thanks to my involvement with Amelia's Magazine.

I only wish the end of the year had not ended with the loss of my Mum's boyfriend. It has been terrible for her, but am so proud of how strong she has been.

Today we had a little Tea Party. Mum didn't celebrate NYE, and she doesn't drink so thought it would be nice for us to do some baking and have an afternoon of finger sandwiches and tea!

It was a lovely afternoon so maybe it can be a new New Year's tradition.

My only realistic resolution this year is to blog more, now I have a website I can use this for ramblings and photographs and inspiration. I have 50 followers now, and have even reached far flung lands such as India. So am looking forward to another productive year hopefully full of collaborations, projects and commissions!

Song lyrics my friend Martin just left me on my facebook page which sums things up quite nicely I think :

The sun on the meadow is summery warm.
The stag in the forest runs free.
But gather together to greet the storm.
Tomorrow belongs to me.

Happy New Year x

Green

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Lilac

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Monkey.

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A few weeks ago my Mum lost someone very special in her life. Mark who we nicknamed Monkey on account of him having the same name as my brother and being very fond of the cheeky animals sadly passed away very unexpectedly. He had been Mums partner in so many ways over the last few years and very much like an Uncle to me and my brother. He was a very kind hearted, generous soul and was lovely to have around. We will all miss him terribly. I just wanted to pay a little tribute to him on my blog with this recent photograph of him with our new dog Amber. We won't ever forget you, rest in peace x