posted: February 28, 2010

This is a piece I really enjoyed, worked up in a cross stich/tapestry style for today's WEEKEND magazine cover for the UK's Daily Mail. I work regularly with A.D's Chris and Andy at the Mail having two regular weekly slots in the paper and they often call with extra jobs outside of the slots. This was a nice one, not a style i've worked in before and a lot of fun working out the technique.
The feature is on Jean Baggott and her cross stitch work focussing on a beautiful, intricate tapestry she has worked up of her life to date. I didn't have the copy to work from and sadly as i live in Italy i don't have the magazine either yet but having seen some low-res images of  the tapestry it looks pretty amazing and i was able to understand that this really is an incredible piece of work. I had one day from briefing to delivery so tried to absorb as much as i could of the  cross stitch working process in order to produce something as faithful as i could by adapting my digial style. I approached the style as simply as i could and after building a series of cross stich brushes in photoshop i literally cross stitched the whole ilustration stitch by stitch.This drawing process has it's limitations as the freedom of both line and rendering are determined by the grid format of the calico/mesh upon which the stitches are applied. A kind of analogue pixel art if you will.
The technique was not as restrictive a style as i initially thought it might be. Working within the grid and learing to allow the grid to act as guide and lead the way was strangely comforting and there was a slight sense of security knowing that wherever i go with the subject matter the style will remain constant. I love being lead in different directions by those left of filed commissions, really enjoyed this one. I doubt whether this working style will be commisioned again but it was fun while it lasted.

posted: February 22, 2010

The Lonely Firefly solo show opened in Milan earlier in the month  - a big thanks to everyone who turned out for the opening, it was a fun night. A special thanks too to everyone who worked hard to get the show up and running including Mauro, Giusy, Piero, Raquel, Roberta and all at Atom Plastic and Mutado. My printer here in Bassano, Renato, gets a grazie mille for his great work producing the lonely firefly figure series. Print technology has moved on so much since i did my last show in London seven or eight years ago and the possibilites are seemingly endless nowadays. As well as the forex/pvc laser cut and heat moulded firefly figures that Renato produced i was also able to produce small runs of badges, posters, laminated large format posters, and the large format forex mounted photographic prints of the work itself. Tookata People were also kind enough to lend a series of printed leather accessories for the show, I love the digital era! love it!
Artwork from the show is now available through Atom Pastic's online store

posted: January 28, 2010

Atom Plastic, milan will be hosting a solo show of my work from the 04th Feb thru 04th March entitled  ‘The Lonely Firefly’.
The pioneering art toy shop and gallery space was launched towards the end of last year and I was invited to be the first artist to show there - Grazie Ragazzi! It’s a great venue in the centre of town run by the supremely talented Italian design supremo Mauro Gatti of Mutado his wife the equally supreme Giusy (who’s blog is always worth checking), and the just as supreme Piero Degasperi who owns and runs Atom Plastic here in Bassano and to whom i still owe a pizza.
Atom has been pioneering the art toys, comic books, and all round good art market in Italy for several years now and the new site in Milan is testament to the Italians impeccable taste ;)
The show features a selection of some of my favourite pieces i’ve made for the fashion industry over the last 5 years and the images are accompanied by a selection of the garments and accessories made from the designs. The show will also feature the unveiling of the limited  edition figure ‘The Lonely Firefly’ commissioned for the show and produced in an edition of 25. A selection of leather accessories i collaborated on with Cailfornia label Tookata People will also be available at the show.  Atom were kind enough to interview me earlier in the week.
 Be great to see you if you’re in the area - Atom Plastic Milano, Thursday 04th Feb. at 18:00h.

exhibitions, fashion

posted: September 30, 2009

This is a Portrait of human rights activist Nnimmo Bassey for Time magazine's ‘Heroes of The  Environment 2009’.  Bassey is head of Environmental Rights Action in his home country of Nigeria and  has been recognised for his continuing fight for a safe environment for the people of the oil producing Niger Delta. Namely a fight against the oil companies, namely Shell.

Oil flares are dotted around the delta area, used to burn off the oils’ natural flammable gasses and along
with the oil come the added bonusses of explosions, leaks, and general environmental devastation.
I mixed up a few techniques for the piece, hand painting and airbrushing most of the background for a
dirtier, scummy graffiti feel and rendered Nnimmo in a more rounded, cleaner digital finish. I also wanted to show Nnimmo’s
pride in his culture through his delicately embroidered and printed traditional shirt.

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