Thunder Road

Hello world

First off, the title of this blog in no way relates to the post, its just the sun is out and it seems fitting to be listening to Bruce Springsteen whilst I sit in my shaded room.

Moving on swiftly, I have recently completed a few things for a new venue in Nottingham called Spanky Van Dykes. From my pitch that I sent to them they selected my hand-rendered type face as their main logo. They also picked an illustration from the batch to use for their menus, which was a bonus. Hopefully I'll be able to head back at some point to grab some photos of the joint but their opening party sounds like its going to be a riot...

Whilst you're down there I can strongly recommend the Star City exhibition at Nottingham Contemporary. The exhibition is dedicated to the art that fronted the Soviet Sphere's race to the moon and their complete fascination with sci-fi and space. The exhibition combines a nice mix of poster-art, sound and film installations, sculpture and photography, so there is something for everybody.

That leads me nicely onto my next segment; my friend and No Culture Icons head honcho Liam Henry has just uploaded a sweet new selection of photos onto his Blogspot. I'm not sure if I was aware of this as another output of Liam's great work but this blog is well worth a quick visit. Do that by clicking here.

And finally, I purchased an old camera a few weeks back and have finally gotten around to sorting out some film for it. It cost me £20 with 2 lenses, a flash, a case and some creative filters that look like they're from the '70's. All this from Leeds finest charity shop; Poverty Aid. Thank you old friend... This weekend I'm off to Knaresborough and after looking at Liam's photography, I'm feeling quite inspired. I doubt they'll turn out any good but I'm looking forward to going a bit snap happy.

Hope y'all have a good weekend!

The Wave Ballet

Hello there

For the last few months I've been doing some work for Leeds based label Leaf. They're really cool dudes and have put out records by bands who I love including Efterklang, Caribou, A Hawk and A Hacksaw to name but a few.

This year they've turned 15 years old and to celebrate their progression through adolescence they will be staging events across the year featuring bands from their roster. Here is the identity I've created to mark the occasion. Its even up on the Camden Crawl website and everything.

More things will emerge around this project across the course of the year, so stay tuned for those. I've also just acquired an album called Eggs by Oh No Ono released by Leaf and its truly amazing. Like if Emerson, Lake and Palmer got high with The Beatles and Animal Collective. Yep.

Also, I recently completed a poster for 'folktronica' legends Tunng for their show in Brighton as part of their mini UK tour before they head out for Europe. And just before I sign out I thought I'd drop a little reminder for this Sunday's No Culture Icons exhibition at Nation of Shopkeepers in Leeds. My little 'something new and exciting' thing is coming together slowly but will involve this record. Plenty of more things to come in the next week or so. Crazy busy times are good times.

Put the Needle on the Record

Hi there.

If you haven't heard, there is a record shop that is now officially open in Hyde Park (Leeds). This is obviously exciting news. Its on Hyde Park corner and looks lovely and cozy and stocked to the rafters.

I was lucky enough to be asked to do some promotional items for the shop, including this flyer. I have yet to make it along to the shop yet but intend on doing so this weekend and taking all my hard earned pennies for a bit of a spree!

In other news the fabulous No Culture Icons collective have asked me to exhibit at Nation of Shopkeepers in Leeds city centre. I will showing off my posters / wears / something new and exciting on Sunday 14th March alongside awesome dudes such as Liam Henry, Sarah Abbott, Callum Harris, Jon Stanley Austin, Clare Owen and many more. You should come, it'll be right good. This poster was done by Sarah Abbott. I told you she was an awesome dude...

So much more work to come soon...

Ta ta for now

Dead Man

Wow, having a full-time job plus doing art and keeping things updated is tougher than I imagined. Though last night I had a night off from everything and watched Dead Man's Shoes and I can safely say it's one of the most moving and powerful British films i've seen in many a year. Plus the soundtrack is totally amazing!

In other news, I no have a small artist's page on the fantastic little collective No Culture Icons, which showcases an array of photographers and artists from around the world. Pretty chuffed to have been asked to submit some bits of work and you can see my little page here.

Onto a bit of work then; here is a t-shirt design that I completed last year for the children's creative arts program We Heart Arts, for which I also completed the site's header. You can purchase them over at their Big Cartel site.

Also recently completed a little logo for a chum of mine called Andy but is probably better known for being Atlum Schema and an all round good guy. Anyways, he's started this podcast / blog thing called Sheep Dressed Up As Wolves, which is very good and probably worth a listen / read.

Wow, link heavy!! There's a weekend's worth of reading for you with all those. Hope that was OK... Also, currently loving anything by The National and the OST for 'The Straight Story' by Angelo Badalamenti and reading 'High Fidelity', which is good but I wish I'd have read when I was a touch younger.

Life, comes and goes.