Dog Ear

It was great to see an old piece of work that I entered had made it onto the Dog Ear website. Dog Ear is a free magazine/bookmark that can be found in libraries and London's independent bookshops. Dog Ear is all about free press and publishes an array of literature and art. 

Issue 01 is currently available, but will keep my eyes peeled in the hope that my work makes it to press. In the meantime it can be viewed on the Dog Ear website.

Pick Me Up

-Illustration by Jim Spencer

-Illustration by Michael Kirkham

-Illustration by Paul X Johnson

-Illustration by Paul X Johnson

Each Spring (since 2010), Somerset House in London opens up its doors to the contemporary graphic art fair that is 'Pick Me Up'. The fair showcases an eclectic mix of graphic artists and illustrators, providing visitors with not just the opportunity to peruse the latest offerings of the graphic art scene but also with the possibility of purchasing artwork. 

The layout this year varied slightly from the last with the the introduction of Pick Me Up Selects, 20 artists from across the globe chosen to exhibit their artwork. This is the first space to greet you upon entering the fair, whilst upstairs, throughout a collection of rooms, collectives and galleries showcase their work in typical Pick Me Up fashion.

2012 sees the art lean more so towards illustration rather than graphics and it was particularly pleasing to see the inclusion of draughtsmanship as naive illustrations have tended to dominate in recent years. There was plenty on offer to excite and stimulate, but those which caught my eye in particular were the beautiful muted tones of Paul X Johnson, the bold shapes and subdued colours of Michael Kirkham and the brilliant, realistic portraits of Jim Spencer, a friend from my university days.

Pick Me Up runs until April 1st.

Chef Portraits for Toronto Life Magazine

This is a recent commission I completed for Toronto Life magazine. I was briefed to produce a set of chef portraits for their Best Restaurants guide book. The entire set can be viewed on my website.

It was great to receive interest from abroad, and so I had to ask the art director how they'd heard of me:

Me: 'Can I ask how you came to know of me and my work?'

Art Director: 'I found you when I was messing around on Pinterest.'

This not only illustrates the power and importance of social networking, but I owe a big thank you and kudos to whomever it was that pinned me. Thank you.