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.

Birthday present for my brother

Batman and Red Hood (2011). Pencil, fineliner, ink and watercolour.

'Art Against Apathy' Final Piece

At the Exeter College Summer Show, Centre for the Creative Industries (CCI), 22nd - 30th June 2011.

Do Not Look at the Flash (2011). Eco-washable Artmix paint, bleach, black acrylic, white emulsion, Letraset, collage, black ink, charcoal, chalk, felt-tip pen. 

You Will Not Be Protected Until They Have Been Blocked Up (2011). Eco-washable Artmix paint, bleach, wrapping paper, Letraset, collage, black ink, charcoal, chalk, felt-tip pen.

Guard Against Flying Glass (2011). Eco-washable Artmix paint, bleach, black ink, charcoal, chalk, collage, Letraset.

Off-season

I've found a renewed love for my home town this week, so I thought I'd put up these photos I took back in November. I live in a seaside town that hasn't progressed much since Victorian times. It's pretty boring, there's virtually nothing to do if you're a teenager except get drunk under the pier and the biggest news story on an average week is controversy over pasties. That said, I've lived here all my life and I kind of love it. These were all taken with a manual camera which says "Made in the USSR" on it, cuz I'm all retro and indie like that.

Some drawings I've done recently

'Storm in a teacup' pencil sketch.

Tattoo design for Adam.

Possible tattoo design for Matt. A little rough.

Ruth sketch.

My (Instant) Artist Statement

My work explores the relationship between new class identities and skateboard ethics.
With influences as diverse as Kierkegaard and Roy Lichtenstein, new tensions are generated from both simple and complex layers.
Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by the theoretical limits of the human condition. What starts out as vision soon becomes corrupted into a tragedy of power, leaving only a sense of decadence and the chance of a new reality.
As spatial forms become transformed through diligent and critical practice, the viewer is left with a glimpse of the possibilities of our condition.

I really mean it.


Arty Bollocks Generator: http://10k.aneventapart.com/Uploads/262/#