for such a long time now

Oh folks, my technology issues continue. But, as bored and frustrated as I am with it all, I'm not letting it get me down. No.

It's giving me more time to draw, create and make some new products ('citing!).

Still haven't got around to cleaning though, as you can see.

So yeah, I'm coping.

Missing you guys though.

try an' find myself again

Last night I found myself wasting too much time on Twitter, for no apparent reason - well, apart from the fact that I just cannot go to bed. I was jumping from one profile to the next, as you do. It wasn't one of those totally aimless bits of time wasting (although, late at night, I can be found doing that too), I was looking at graphic novel bok publishers and the like.

On my late night Twitter stroll, the profile Scriveners Books was thrown up, so to speak. In a strange twist of fate - well, not really, we all know there's nothing coincidental about social networking - it turns out that Scriveners is not a small publishing house but a second hand book shop in my local town.

I recognised the photo. I've driven past it a thousand times or more, but in over a decade of living here, I've never been inside. I've never even stopped or taken any interest. That's rubbish isn't it? So today, I was in Buxton and put it top of my things to do list.

And, am I glad that I did? Wow. It's amazing. I can't believe this gem has been under my nose for so long and I didn't even know. Four storeys full of books. Gorgeous, gorgeous, old books. Old armchairs dotted around the place so you can sit and immerse yourself in their pages. Or, where you can sit and sketch.

I'll be back. And, if you live in or around Buxton, and have never paid it a visit, you should go too.

put your lights on

I'm back. Circus life was not for me. No, I have too much baggage (well, boxes) to lug around.
Not much to say about this drawing, really, except that throughout it I had this song playing in my mind;

Hey now, all you sinners
Put your lights on,
put your lights on

'Cause there's a monster,
living under my bed,
whispering in my ear
And there's an angel,
with a hand on my head
She say I got nothing to fear

There's a darkness,
living deep in my soul
it still got a purpose to serve               
So let your lights shine,
deep into my home
God don't let me lose my nerve,
don't let me lose my nerve

From Supernatural by Santana.
'Put Your Lights On' lyrics by Everlast.

for the roses

I can always tell when a new term has started from the amount of mail I get from students who have decided to study my work (I never fail to be astounded by that). If you are one of those students, I am very sorry but I just do not have the time to answer all of your questions. But, just for you, here's a little post that may make your research a little easier.

Here are a couple of previous posts on how I might go about creating one of my drawings, in this case a shoe;
How to draw the Adidas Gazelle (as seen above) HERE
How to draw a Converse boot HERE.

Here's a few interviews too. One for the excellent Empty Kingdom, Funky 44 and you can find a three-parter by searching the charming Make Do and Mend.

If that's not enough you could always purchase my zines. They contain a whole load of info (how I create the stuff I do, pen reviews, etc, etc). I hope that helps. Plus, of course, this is a whole blog that'll tell you everything you need to know (and everything that I want people to know). Go, do your research!

You can also follow me on Twitter, for all updates of new drawings and blog posts, HERE. Cheers, my dears.

you can still hear sweet mysteries calling you

You know, I do this every single year; I think 'hmmm, I'm sure it's my blog's birthday soon' and then find out it was last week some time. Yep, six years of blogging. It's been an amazing six years for me. I've got nothing but love my blog but I often wonder whether blogging is still relevant. Do you know what I mean? With the rise and rise of social networking, and so many places to post ones work, I sometimes wonder whether blogging is a thing of the past. Anyway, while people still continue to visit, I'll keep on going.

I also always intend to do some birthday related drawing but that never happens either. Here is a new drawing, though. Like the last post, this one is also from my graphic novel idea. I'm really getting into (obsessing over) this idea, and story, again. It's hard to give time to these projects, with everything else going on, so I long for the day that a publisher agrees that this book needs to go to print and I get to give it the time it really deserves.

If you'd like to read the letter to Edward then click on the drawing.

And, if you'd like to see the rest of the book (so far) click HERE.

Finally, Happy belated sixth Birthday to my blog. I loves ya.

wish i knew you well

A big thanks, guys, for the response to my last post. It's been a difficult couple of weeks - which I will blog about, shortly. I've been struggling with desperately wanting to draw but not being able to pick up a pen. I'm not sure that I'm out of the drawing funk wilderness quite yet but earlier in the week I sat down with my sketchbook to put something down on paper. I wanted to draw something without thinking too much. Something from deep down. And this is what happened! Actually, I don' think it's anywhere near finished yet but I just wanted to post something.

You may know that I have many sketchbooks on the go at one time. At a rough guess, I reckon I currently have about ten that I dip in and out of. And, I theme them. Yes, yes, I know it's sad. For this drawing I reached for a Moleskine sketchbook that holds the idea for a graphic novel I'm working on. I think it's an amazing idea. My next step is to find a publisher who feels the same. So, if you should know of any publishers just waiting for a graphic novel crammed with obsessively detailed drawings, as well as joy, pain, beauty, rage, sadness, courage and love then please send them THIS LINK. Ta!

so lift off love

Finally, finally my new zine is up for sale. But, hold your horses. This time I made sure I was ready to go. I've waited until I had the zine, the envelopes and the other bits and pieces in my hands before listing it. In the past, you may recall, I jumped in head first, not prepared and I vowed to myself that I'd never do that again. It was soooo stressful.

However, in waiting until I had all the components ready for the off I have missed the 'rest of the world' Christmas deadline. So, I am only going to be putting this little zine up for sale to the UK this side of Crimbo. Sorry, about that rest of the world. Don't forget to keep some of your Christmas money to get your copy after the holiday.

I'm absolutely chuffed to bits with 'How to Draw Like A Loon'. It's the best yet. I hope you will be just as chuffed.

Some actual photos to come.

So, get your copy HERE.
UK order this NOW to get your Loon before Christmas!

hoppin' and a-boppin'

I'm in one of those frustrating periods where everything I touch (drawing wise) turns to crap. It's kind like the opposite to the Midas touch. But hey, it'll pass.

So, while I'm getting all annoyed with myself I thought I'd do a little shameless self promotion. I'm not actually a prolific Twitterer. It's mainly drawing related tweeting and alerts to new blog posts. If you are interested you can follow me HERE.

Cheers, my dears.