Hogwarts textbook cover design

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection cover design (2011). Pencil drawing and Photoshop.

Photoshop brushes by MonkWanderer, NamelessPL and nomuh on deviant art.

So I didn't want to say much about this when I first posted it, but now I will explain a little. I made this as part of an application to work as an artist/graphic designer on a new Harry Potter-themed website being put together, called MyHogwarts. It will be sort of like a virtual game/social network, where you can effectively go to Hogwarts. At least, in your imagination. But you can actually take courses in Charms, Transfiguration, Defence Against the Dark Arts etc. and get graded. You'll be able to download (for free) pdf textbooks and get set actual homework. In short, you can become a fully qualified witch or wizard. I KNOW, RIGHT?!

It will be ridiculously geeky and ridiculously awesome. But it will also work in conjunction with the International Quidditch Association, which is gloriously real, and the Harry Potter Alliance, which is an amazing charity working for literacy, equality, human rights and media reform among many other things.

Anyway, though this design was put together in somewhat of a rush around my university work, I've managed to be recruited as part of a team of designers to work on webpage layouts, email headers, textbook covers and any other art/design projects for MyHogwarts. I can't tell you how excited I am about this. Both as a total Potter geek and an art student whose future career prospects rely almost completely on experience and a healthy portfolio, this is a really exciting opportunity.

To find out more about MyHogwarts, click on this PORTKEY!

Some collages

At the moment I'm looking at our perception of reality and how that changes, or is supposed to change, as we grow up. Jesus I'm starting to sound like that arty bollocks generator. At the beginning, I was really interested in the idea that children are somehow more prone to paranormal phenomena - demonic possession, seeing ghosts, being in league with the Devil etc. which was inspired by Susan Hiller's 'Wild Talents', crazy Evangelists and my own obsession with the paranormal throughout my childhood. Anyway, I'm shit at updating this blog so I've moved on a bit from these pieces now but I still sort of like them, even though they're more than a little derivative of Heather Gabel's work. What can I say? I love that woman, and these are just some experiments playing around with imagery really.

Ectoplasm/possession (2011). Ink, collage, acrylic.

Ducking Stool (2011). Collage, pen.

Crucible (2011). Collage, pen.

Cottingley (2011). Acrylic paint, collage.