HOME FOR LIFE - ART OF THE DOG Nov 22 to Jan 4th.

Home For Life^® is a new kind of animal shelter, the long-term animal sanctuary. They provide life-time care for the special needs animal, the cat or dog that, while still able to lead a quality life, is unable to find a home due to age, chronic treatable disorder, handicap or similar reason. The Art of the Dog exhibit is designed to help raise money for the charity. Artist have been asked to paint either a dog house or an animal statue for display at the Mall Of America. The pieces will then be auctioned off at the end if the run.

My dog house "The Doghouse of cards" is a homage to the classic dogs playing poker picture and famous dogs from cartoon, stage and screen. You don't have to be a "dog person" to have a favorite dog.

The Art of the Dog will be on exhibit at Nordstrom's Plaza from November 22, 2009–January 4, 2010.



OUT NOW!

FALSE WITNESS, The Michele Bachmann story - Issue 2

If you’re not from Minnesota, you may or may not know Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. If you do know her its probably as a rightwing politician who says something crazy every time she appears on television, usually on Fox News, the propaganda arm of the Republican Party.

Now, Minnesota writer and artist Bill Prendergast (a journalist who’s part of the Dump Bachmann movement) has put together a comic book called “False Witness” that uses Michelle’s own extremist and dangerous quotes. Issue 2 is out now and issue 1 is still available (online) I was lucky enough to join the assortment of talented artists including Dan Olson, Danno Klownowski and Lupi Loops and Ryan Dow on the 2nd issue.

Just a quick update with new work....well, new-ish. the first i actually completed  wile ago. it is a larger version on canvas of the devil and angel painting I have in my gallery.

Secondly, my new Munny design is currently on show at the Tomodachi store in Rosedale Mall, MN (156 Rosedale Center Unit #655 Roseville MN 55113 ).......and yes, that is real rice and it took bloody ages.

It is the end of the school holidays here now so I decided to join the kids who left all of their homework and projects to the last minute and leave nearly two months of updates to this week end and do it all at once. Rubbish!

Most importantly I wanted to mention a project I was involved with back in July with Free Arts Minnesota and the Saint Paul Saints baseball team.

In 1997, Free Arts Minnesota began serving children in residential treatment centers, battered women's shelters, and therapeutic pre-schools. They work around theory that art and positive adult relationships are not a luxury for abused children, but a necessity. 

Free Arts programs seek to interrupt the cycle of violence. Through painting, drawing, music, writing, drama and other creative outlets, the program serves as a catalyst to help children communicate and express themselves in new - and positive - ways.

Wouldn't it be great if people were reliable enough to call you when they said they would....or write...or e-mail....or keep a website up to date? Yes, it would. They don't though. No, most people will let you down...sucks to be you. Don't worry though! You'll still be remembered on that oh so personal group e-mail with an update too long to read when you open it up at work so you just end up deleting it when your inbox becomes too full. Or maybe the person who should keep a website up to date just posts a collection of stuff for that month....um...nearly two months....because they realise how they have neglected it.

Sorry.

Here is a quick bulk posting until I can get down to writing this fully.

Really...sorry.

A bit of a busy month hence the late update. This month I have been working on some work for www.coveredblog.blogspot.com which has artists take existing comic book covers and re-create them or "cover them"...y'see? Like an artist covering a song. I have agreed not to post anything here until it is used on the coveredblog first so maybe keep an eye out later.

Not usually a comic book creater as such (or not in a long, long while) I have put together a little something for “Independent Variables: Contemporary Zine Publications”, an interactive celebration of independent voices and democratic art which will be on view in the Open Book Lobby gallery in Minneapolis from June 26 to September 6, 2009 in the Open Book Lobby Gallery.

The work on display is presented in conjunction with Book Art Biennial, a daylong exploration of arts power as a tool of social change, hosted by Minnesota Center for Book Arts on July 25, 2009. Visit www.mnbookarts.org  for more information.

Basically it is a collection of comic books and graphic novels from artists new and experienced in the field. As is always a good idea with a story it is best to go with what you know. My contribution, Little British Monkey is the short story of a four foot high, fully dressed monkey with a British accent getting a speeding ticket. I tried to steer away from the "KABOOM" type action and kept it to more of a conversation about racism, xenophobia and homophobia.......yeah, simple non offensive topics.

Ah, and for some reason I can't upload photos at the moment...perfect for a site about artwork....pictures to come!!

This one is a little belated (sorry about that. I've been a little busy with the move) but I received the photos of the mural I did for the online cool gifts and gadgets company Firebox.com before I left the UK.

 The Firebox offices are currently situated in Streatham Hill (London) but may be moving next year. Due to this three large (and movable) boards were put up so they can be taken with them when they do decide to relocate. The colours and style was kept very simple for this one (for both time and ease if damaged in a move) and the computer screens on the left are to have actual computer screens mounted on the top of them to be used as interchangeable frames for media and design pages.

Another mention on the Youdoodoll website (www.youdoodoll.com) of the "Paint Off" last June and of the work I did for it. Sarah Lou of Youdoo also posted the artwork of all those involved that I did for her too. All good!

Also, and probably in bigger news is MY MOVE TO THE STATES! I am now going to be based in Minnesota but don't worry, any work needed will still be available either digitally or sent direct. We still have the internet and postal service. I'll still be sending stuff over seas to be shown in England. All the information will be here as always.

A little bit of an update about the book I wrote and the illustrations for it. I have been reminded of it and am looking into maybe getting a couple of prints made.....thats if the person I wrote it for will let me of course. I'll keep updates on here so keep a look out.

Don't Panic the London based whats on magazine are having a character design competition with Playstation 3's new game LITTLE BIG PLANET. I did a few example designs for the brief. Good Luck to all those who enter!

The London International Gallery of Children's Art (LIGCA - www.ligca.org) is devoted to encouraging the creativity of children and to promoting international understanding through cultural exchange. Their aim is to open the eyes of visitors to the integrity and power of children's art. They do some excellent work and will be hosting a fund raising even in Camden with music and art for all. Working on the posters now and will give updates shortly.

As I'm sure you all know Monkey day is every 14th of December - a day to celebrate all things simian. Hope everyone had a Happy 2008 Monkey Day. The official Monkey Day Charity Art Auction apparently went very well over in Michigan and they were able to raise a little money for Chimps Inc., and listen to some great music. Unfortunately I am based in the UK and wasn't able to go but I sent a picture of "Ten Monkeys I know" for the auction.......it was hung next to a fine, fine piece of work by an artist.....who is a chimp. An actual chimp. I wish I could have been there!!

For more information on Monkey day and for any answers then check out the frequently asked  questions page on their site: http://www.monkeyday.com/faq/

Kid Robot have released a new four inch Mini Munny and to celebrate have asked artist to create some designs based around various topics. I've put together a little homage to ALIEN under the "movies" category.

 YouDooDoll Paint Off!:

 You may remember seeing the YouDooDoll on BBC's DRAGON'S DEN back in 2007, well the company is now well on its way and to promote the start/launch they have teamed up with Pepe Jeans for a little party. The Pepe Jeans shop on Portobello road gave up their wall for an artist "paint off" between myself, Jacobs and Giulio Bigazzi to try and get the wall covered by the end of the day. Thanks to all Youdoodoll creater Sarah Lou, Cass Stainton, Pepe Jeans'  Douglas Cordeaux and his staff, all those that helped out, to the BBC crew and of course Debrah Meaden for the whole thing. It was a great day for everyone.