Liverpool, John Moores University

  'Hand rendered type, Michael O'Shaughnessy'

Last week I left London to spend my days residing at Liverpool's John Moores University.  The Art & Design Academy is located slap bang next to the Metropolitan Cathedral, inspiration in itself housing John Piper's design for the largest stained glass window in the world.  Architecturally, the cathedral was designed by Frederick Gibberd.  Having won a global competition, construction commenced in 1962.  Gibberd was a presbyterian who took a simplistic, non-conformist approach.  On a sunny day around 3.30 - 4 o'clock, the central altar is illuminated by colour from fluorescent pinks through to deep purples.
Academically, my visit was curated by senior lecturer Mike O'Shaugnessey.  Teaming up with Stussy as our client, the second year students were set a bespoke print campaign project. With the students hammering out their ideas, I took the opportunity to have free reign of their rather fantastic print studio.  Next week I return for the students final presentations & to add the final few colours to my print.

Keeping an eye..

 

Reflecting on & re-photographing past Artworks seems a cathartic way to avoid feeling so snow bound as well as providing content for my new site.  Seeing previous commissions in a new light  feels  invigorating, especially when reminded of how little time I had to play / go off-piste with these images once signed off and delivered to the client.  Consumed by the next part of the job, they were rarely re-addressed.  I'm thinking now might be that time.

'Mr Chen'

'December 25th'

The best thing about Christmas.. the kids, ; - )  My eldest niece refers to her toys collectively as 'the kids'!  Never failing to put a smile on my face, here she is sporting one of her festive outfits.. lovingly designed by fellow silkscreen-ers and friends, Marcus & Hayley.  Available here.

Last job of the Year..

My last job of 2012.. well the rejects for it.  The client & I decided to work in reverse and opted for a black ground.  Would've been a shame for these to go un-acknowledged though.  Happy Holidays, ; - )

It's really nearly here ..

.. today my website has gone to be built.  I'm not entirely sure what this entails so i'll leave the techy bits to the techy people & look forward to its glamorous return.  It'll give me something to show orf' about in that hibernatory month of January.

Variations of variations..

James & Ross from Creative Agency Two Times Elliott, approached me with their design for an attractive graphic two colour silkscreen.  Rather than having 2o prints the same colour way, I decided to laboriously print one colour at a time, gradually building to a collection of 4o.  Therefore each print would remain unique.  Problems with screen 'snap' (I thought) leant in my favour.. the ink almost blotting itself against the screen mesh, leaving a textured half tone imprint as a kind of random third colour.  Never wanting to print anything perfectly, these chance hiccups embellished their artwork along the way.  Available to purchase any moment now from here..

Seasonally affected.. ?

It's that time of year again, heavy skies and a lot of grey.  I wondered if my meteorological obsessions had in some way inspired me as I set about these fluorescent fades this afternoon.  I certainly felt uplifted when the screen retracted to reveal these lovely luminescent shapes, glowing from the surface.