Doodles Revisited No.1

So the other day I came across a box of old doodles, cartoons, random drawings and sketches – basically a combination of old sketch pads and scraps of scribbled on paper. I figured it was kind of sad that they were just stuffed in a box only to be remembered every few years, so now thanks to the awesomeness of blogs I can begin the mammoth task of compiling them all online giving them a new audience and a new home.

Essentially it’s a gradual compilation of random thoughts and pieces of work, most that never amounted to anything other than amusing me for 5 minutes …I guess if nothing else it will interesting trip down memory lane.

Clown: Jan/Feb 2004

This was from a sketch pad I used when travelling in Australia – Thinking about it I’ve been working with the idea of clowns since 2002!

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Cartoon: Early 2007

Part of the prize for winning Young Cartoonist of the Year in 2006 was providing a commissioned piece for an Insurance company who sponsored the competition. This was an initial idea which wasn’t used as it turned out it needed to be much more specific. I still like this, I don’t often sit down and try to think of things, I like to put pen to paper and see what happens but this one was thought up to a brief and I was quite chuffed with myself (although I am a sucker for a good pun!)

Click to see my winning entry for Young Cartoonist of the Year

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Random Drawing:2003

Just a random sketch. Most of the stuff in these little sketch books were done on train journeys or when I was bored. This is an example of the putting pen to paper and see what happens as mentioned above. No idea why I drew this but I really like the aesthetic – and drawing in Biro is always good.

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Harry Potter: 2003

I have loads of pieces like this – ideas that came to mind and were scribbled down. A lot of this stuff was used for a mini comic series I started back then called ‘Doodle-O-Rama’. I think I planned to use this one in No.4 which never got made, I also toyed with the Idea of a ‘Doodle-0-Rama Compedium’ a few years later but never got round to it… maybe I should finally do it?

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Dead Clown: 2002

Clowns again! I used to work in a restaurant and at the end of the night I’d get bored and doodle in note pads. ‘Dead Clown’ became a thing I kept going back to, there are quite a lot of these, and quite a lot of ways to kill a clown (not that I endorse clown murder).

I’ll put another one from this series next time.

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Commissioned Wall Piece …Ooooo it’s pretty!

Last weekend I was commissioned to create some wall art for Durham’s City of Culture bid launch which took place at Empty Shop, an art space in Durham (which I also happen to run!).

I was asked to interpret their logo in a way which was accessible to all – so I did!

I also threw in a few references in to what I think the culture bid means to me, like the awesome independent music scenes that are happening and also a reference to the old Robin’s Cinema building which is sitting empty and could be an amazing venue for something, well, in the right hands!

Since these small scale pockets of creativity don’t really get a shout out too often I figure I’ll give a few of them a plug…

Empty Shop – An independent art space in Durham with a unique approach to the otherwise monotonous art world

Discount Horse – A group of boys and girls from Durham who are pretty much a self sufficient musical tour de force

Jam Jah – A monthly music night held in Allington House giving us a great alternative to the soul destroying clubs of Durham

Sex Deaths of Karen Novotny- These two guys are not frightened of putting riffs alongside washes of noise. Better than wtaching 2 mediocre breakdancers do the same thing every week!

That’s it for now folks – NOW LOOK AT MY PICTURES!!!

I am available for commissions so if you would like some wall pieces done get in touch…

Email: stufflooksgood@ratpasty.com

J£SUS

Acrylic paint, ink and pencil on canvas

Fountagain: A recent piece of art based on the Duchamp masterpiece

This is bit of work from a few years ago…

An obvious take on Duchamp’s ‘Fountain’ this work clearly mimics the piece and makes some modern day puns.

Although easy to look down upon as only a ‘punned rip off’,  it is making some very strong statements about the current state of the art world and it also marks a very clear moment in time when the direction of my work became very clear for me.

These comments and puns have similarities with Duchamp’s original and in some cases echo his intentions for the piece… oh, and it is a bloody good pun!

I like clowns, and a great opportunity for artists

This is a piece of work I did which will be featuring in the next issue of Mail Art.

Mail Art is an amazing hand made art zine produced by artist Susan Mortimer.

She is keen for people to submit work for future issues so if you want to get involved go to her blog…

Mail Art Blog

You can pick up a free copy of Mail Art from Empty Shop amongst other places.