Ben Javens' Christmas Window Display

Ben was commissioned by the lovely folk over at Struck to produce three illustrations to be used as window graphics for Salt Lake City's Grand America Hotel. The window graphics formed part of the annual Christmas window stroll, with this years theme as Christmas around the world with each window representing a different country. Ben's illustrations were based around the three countries of Austria, Germany and Russia. Ben's 2-D illustrations together with the finished window graphics are shown below:

 

Happy shiny new year!

Hello! Happy 2013 to you all.
We've had a little bit of time off on the blogging front, sorry for the silence. On a more positive note, it means we have a stack of new work produced from the later part of last year from our talented artists to post here. I assure you it will blow away the cobwebs and most certainly brighten up these dark January days. So here goes...

Andrew Groves - New patterns

 

A couple of stunning new patterns from Andrew Groves.

More of Andrew's work can be viewed here.

Matthew the horse for Origins coffee

Lovely illustration by Matthew the horse for Origins coffee packaging.
Via A-Side Studio.
More of Matthew's work can be viewed here.

Ben Javens for Real Simple Magazine

 

Ben has recently contributed work to U.S based magazine Real Simple, to accompany an article about breaking kids' bad habits. More of Ben's work can be viewed here.

Nick Deakin - New prints for sale

Gorgeous new range of prints from Nick Deakin available via his website here.
Nick's full illustration portfolio can be viewed here.

Paul Bedser - New work

 

'Spiderlins'

 

'Bat Cave'

Two new pieces of personal work by Paul Bedser. Paul has also been experimenting with animating his work recently, the result of which can be viewed here.
Paul's illustration portfolio can be viewed here.

Joe Snow - New work

Two new pieces by Joe Snow. Top illustration for Vancouver Magazine, for an article entitled 'To Tweet and Protect'. Illustration above for Wired UK Magazine, for a piece on how to use science based 'psychic' powers for party tricks. Joe has also been busy on the redesign of the original range of toys for Ridley's and has produced a range of screen prints, available to buy via his website. View more of Joe's work here.

Cat Johnston for CAWANA - promo pics

Above are a selection of photos from the CAWANA shoes promotional campaign, masks illustrated by our very own Cat Johnston. So good to see her work being used in such a fun and unique way!
You can see more of Cat's work here.

Cat Johnston for Farmfestival 2012

A little piece by Cat Johnston to promote Farmfestival this year. Full details here should you wish to buy tickets!

Cat Johnston for CAWANA

Cat produced a series of stunning drawings for Spanish shoe brand CAWANA. Her work will be seen on all the packaging, point of sale, merchandising material and also the brands website. Unfortunately the shoes will only be available to purchase in Spain but you can see more of Cat's brilliant work here.

Matthew the horse at Pick Me Up 2012

Matthew recently exhibited at the Pick Me Up graphic art event at Somerset House. He was chosen as one of the 20 international rising stars of the graphic arts world specially selected by an industry panel. Above is a selection of the work he exhibited, based on, in his own words:

"I've tried to put together a series of prints and ink paintings that are about fun and enjoying today. I'm interested in people and finding the time to enjoy the simple things - floating in a boat, patting a dog, relying on each other. There is also a series of riso prints called Peoples. My characters are jolly and enjoy what they do, again its about living in the moment and not feeling overwhelmed by cynicism and want. Mostly though, it's about being jolly.

My series of paintings are an attempt to make something handmade that I'd like to hang on my own wall. Painting with a calligraphic line, I've tried to design a series of simple compositions that talk about our day to day. Again, I'm interested in small moments of fun or contemplation. The art work is graphic and simple but drawn with a handmade, naive aesthetic."

It's a perfect opportunity to invest in a beautiful print as all his work is available to buy. Further information can be found here.

The Wrap Magazine

Beautiful new work from Ben Javens and Andrew Groves above, created for the latest issue of The Wrap magazine. The theme for this issue is 'Dark days, bright nights'. The magazine serves a dual purpose of not only being a beautifully designed magazine to read but can also be used as wrapping paper through the specially commissioned illustration. Genius. Check out their website here.

Andrew Groves for Google

Commissioned by DHM London, Andrew Groves has created this striking image for inclusion in a booklet promoting Google's Display Network. The theme to the booklet was the number four and Andrew was given a fact to base the illustration on - 'Glossy magazines cause four times more accidents than chainsaws'. He was also restricted to using the Google 'colours'.
See more of Andrew's work here.

Cat Johnston - Poundshop for London Design Week

It's been an industrious few weeks for Cat Johnston - she has created over 350 tiny medals and rossetes which are being sold via the pop up 'Poundshop' in conjunction with London Design Week. For full info on the event and details of how to buy click here.

Artist spotlight : Matthew the horse

A selection of Matthew's sketchbook work.

For all you horse fans out there, Matthew has kindly taken time out from his busy schedule to answer our questions below. He's also treated us to a sneaky peek of his workspace, photo above. Who would have guessed his studio companion would be a rather fine fox who Matthew likes to keep perched on the wardrobe so he can keep a beedy eye on guests...

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How would you describe your work?

I'd like it to be seen as friendly, jolly and fun whilst maintaining some sort of voice beyond just cute. It's constricted heavily by the calligraphic line I draw in. This can make some lovely images but can also restrict my drawing. I'm trying find a balance between loose naive line work with a bold, inventive, graphic sensibility. Maybe a good way to describe it is an illustrative version of a child dancing around in the nude to the music in its head.

What is your process for coming up with new ideas?

I've always got a notebook on the go. I use it for little ideas, playful drawing, drawing for fun, exploring mark making and line, figuring out how to make something look interesting, that sort of stuff. I find that if you have an on going dialogue with yourself, there's more chance of arriving at new visual devices that you can really take ownership of and help shape your own voice. It's important to draw all sorts of things in all sorts of ways. Feelings are good and of course cool stuff like dudes.

Please describe a typical day:

Emails and admin. Say something deep on Twitter. Hate myself and question everything until lunch. Have lunch. Make a decision about the direction of the piece. Draw that idea at least 50 times. Change idea. Draw it another 50 times. Choose the first one I drew. Think about it. Scan it in. Photoshop it. Blog it. Repeat.

What is your working environment like?

I've got a nice space in the flat for working. I only have a couple of days a week to draw as I teach at the art school, so I can cope with working from home. I've got a desk with a Mac on it. Some big shelves full of comics and monographs and unread textbooks. Then my materials live in boxes and hung off nails at arms length. I've always had my desk space in the living room so I can crack on with work in the evening without having to shut myself away from the lady friend.


What are your top 5 influences / inspiration?

In terms of other art, I can fall in love with anything if it's got a bit of assurance, human nature, humour, skill and beauty. That's my goal, but it's not easy. I'm mostly inspired by meeting really amazing people who are doing it right.

What are your top 5 albums / soundtracks to a working day?

I try to draw without music or I get distracted. But if it's photoshop time I've currently been enjoying Robbie Basho, the new Bill Calahan album and (since I fixed my old drive drive) a shed load of grime from 2005.

What are your top 3 favourite websites / blogs?

There so much good stuff online it's mind blowing. It's like an ocean of boats and I get sea sick. I keep going back to haw-lin for the beautiful pictures. I've watched a lot of Adventure Time on youtube if thats not too much of an easy option and finally... www.redkites.co.uk

And finally, what is your favourite tea time biscuit?

We had some KitKats in the other day which went fast. I discovered you can make a nice bracelet and a fancy ring with the wrapper.

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Thanks Matthew!
To view more of Matthew's work click here.

Ben Javens for Real Simple Magazine

Ben Javens was recently commissioned to illustrate an article about unusual holidays for American magazine, Real Simple. Here's a few of the illustrations but you can see the work in its entirety on Ben's website, HERE.