Glenroy Arts Group Show

This past weekend saw the opening of the outstanding new Glenroy Arts show - “Equinox”. I’m so pleased to be able to exhibit with such an amazing group of artists. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved, and especially to everyone that came and purchased work. I can’t tell you how overwhelmed and grateful I am, for the fantastic reception that my work received. For those of you that haven’t visited yet, Glenroy is an exciting new gallery and event space, in Cardiff, which is also a charmingly character-filled Airbnb. It’s a beautifully restored Victorian house, and a very unique way to see art in a relaxed, welcoming, environment.  It also gives you the opportunity to see what it is like to live with the pieces, in a real home, unlike the sterile white walls of a traditional gallery space.

The past few months have been hard for me, as they have been for a lot of artists, with social media engagement being pretty much non-existent, and AI looming, ominously, over our heads. This has shown me, clearly, that I need to stop fretting over algorithms and trends, and that real world engagement is making a come back. It’s demonstrated that there is no substitute for that physically putting your work in front of people’s eyes. Real life, is definitely the way forward! There’s nothing quite like getting to share your art with your friends, and actually interact, face to face, with the people who are taking your work home with them.

The exhibition will be running until 28th of July, with the next open evening on 28th April, 7-9pm, and more dates to be announced. Follow their Instagram for more dates, and details upcoming shows and events.

Art Is Life

I can confirm, the Devil most certainly is in Moscow. 

The Master and Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov, is one of my favourite novels. I read it quite a few years ago, and re-read it the end last year, in a different translation, with the view of illustrating it for samples for my portfolio. The project was going well... and then Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine began.

I have given a lot of thought as to whether I should post any of my illustrations or even put them in my portfolio. My partner’s grandfather was Ukrainian, and he has an extended family there (and seeing as we’ve been together for 22 years, I also consider my family), as well as friends in Ukraine. So I definitely don’t want to upset any Ukrainians or promote Russian culture in any way. On the other hand, I felt that this book has relevance to the current war. It talks about the  politics of totalitarian regimes and how they affect the behaviour of their people. 

I know that Bulgakov was born in Kyiv, and there is a museum dedicated to him in the city. I’ve read that allegedly, Putin superstitiously hates and fears the book. (I wish Behemoth and Koroviev would pay him a visit). He hates its staunchly anti-Soviet position, and its story of the Devil in Moscow, showing Muscovites their true horrible nature. 

However, I also know that Bulgakov is generally regarded as a Russian writer, and his novel The White Guard is problematic because he did not agree with Ukraine’s aspirations for independence in 1918. Might he have a different view point in 2022?

I wasn’t sure whether to see this as a Russian, Ukrainian or Soviet novel? Or none of those? 

I understand that Ukrainians have much more important concerns currently, than my worries about some book illustrations. But, I felt that I should at least get the opinions of some Ukrainians,  before even deciding to continue the project. So, my partner asked his Ukrainian Learners group. They very kindly gave me their thoughts. The general consensus being; that it’s a very well loved book in Ukraine, that Bulgakov is a little problematic, but this particular book doesn’t have any negative connotations about Ukraine. The opinions come from native Ukrainians, including Russian speaking Ukrainians, and Ukrainian diaspora. 

I still feel it’s a complicated issue, and much like this book, difficult to put your finger on. After much consideration, I still thought it worth posting, even if I do receive criticism. After all, “cowardice is the most terrible of vices”, and if Ukrainians can face bombs, and still find it in their hearts, to answer my questions, and soothe my silly worries about some artwork - then I shall fear no comment section! All comments and opinions are welcome, but please be respectful.

Illustration West 59 - The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles 59th Annual Illustration Competition

This year, I decided to enter my work into The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles 59th Annual Illustration Competition. I’m very pleased to say that both pieces I entered were accepted into the show! You can now see The Wolf & The Kid and my Winter piece on show at https://illustrationwest.org/59/

Imagine FX

I’m really excited to see my work in this months ImagineFX magazine in their article on Visual Arts Passage. I love the magazine, and have loved my time studying with Visual Arts Passage. I’m so chuffed, and honoured, to see my work on the same page as the amazing illustrators that teach their fantastic courses!

Visual Arts Passage

At the end of January 2020, I embarked on a new illustration journey to level up my skills with Visual Arts Passage. This was the first image I made on their course, Process Skill and Craft. The aim of the ‘Flat Assignment’ was to make an image of a slice of where you live. The goal was to boil down picture making to its most essential elements to improve design skills. No line allowed, only shape! It was really challenging for me to work in this way, but I’ve learned a lot about using colour, and how it relates to value structure.

New Work

‘Sanctuary’
I've been really loving all of the autumnal colours lately, but this cold snap is making me wish I could curl up in a nest and sleep until spring time! I made this image for Cruel and Curious exhibition in Cornwall where the theme was Sanctuary. Prints are available on Society6 and there are also greetings cards in my Etsy store.