Episode IV : A New Shop

I've had a bit of a revamp of my shop. I've now got a selection of A3 and A4 prints for sale (along with publications and travel pass holders). Why not fill that blank space on the wall of your house/maisonette/prison cell with one of my prints? And, y'know, it's never too early to think about Christmas shopping. Click HERE to have a browse. Thank you!

"POP" - The Beatles story Part 1

Sadly, my time at the NME has come to an end. My "Pop" strip has had to make way for more advertising space so my grand plan to document the entire history of pop music has been scuppered somewhere in the early 60s. There's still 12 strips I haven't posted on this blog which have already appeared in the NME. Here's four of them. More to follow..

Archival Bongos

I've been having a sort out in my studio this week and unearthed a lot of original artwork. There's a pile of stuff that is "pre-computer" so hasn't really been seen anywhere since it was printed in either Deadline, Tank Girl or photocopied zines. Back in 98/99 I drew a few strips starring "Bongo Lewis (King of Dogs)". I can't find the second strip* but here's the first and third. The second strip was part of the (now sadly defunct) "Crisp" comics festival in London. It was blown up so that each panel filled a window above Borders (also residing in the "sadly defunct" file) - I have never seen any photographic evidence of this. I was on Oxford Street while it was up but never noticed it and no one told me about until it was over. If anyone reading this happens to have a photo of this please get in touch!

I might bring Bongo back. With "Harry Potter" finished Hollywood must be crying out for a new franchise. There's even some merchandise ready to go. Anyway, without further ado, here's Bongo....




*Mr Phoenix owns the original to "Bongo 2". I'll ask him nicely to scan it for me.

Inspector Cumulus sketch

Here's the ink and wash Inspector Cumulus sketch winging it's way to the winner of the TOYSREVIL "Drawing Cumulus" competition - Alejandro Ovalles (aka JAOC). Alejandro's brilliant winning entry is HERE. The quality of the entries to the competition was very high indeed. It was a really tough decision picking a winner. Have a look at the Flickr group to see what I mean. Thanks again to everyone who entered.

POP - Skiffle, Ottomans, etc

Some more of my weekly NME strips for your (possible) amusement. Click on them to see them bigger and appreciate their finer nuances (there aren't any).

Japan - The Headspace Monster event, Osaka

We're back from Japan. Japan was incredible (as always). It's hard to believe you can become blase about giant animatronic crabs but that's Japan for you. Sugoi desu ne. Our month in Japan was spent working towards the Headspace "Monster" event at Cafe Absinthe in Osaka. This was the art and music event that we were headlining(!). Earlier in the trip we met up with Osaka-based fashion designer, Kyoko Amano, and her team. Louise had made a doll specifically for the collaboration. I was asked to create creatures based on Osaka's iconic Sun Tower and the illustrations were then used to create a kimono fabric (designed by Tamotsu Shimada). Louise used this fabric to dress Fenella Snark (our monster catwalk model) and Kyoko dressed a real model in the same fabric.The day of the Headspace event was the first time we'd seen these photographs and we were completely blown away. Kyoko, Tamotsu, Hario (make-up artist) and Kozo (photographer) had done an amazing job. Way beyond anything we'd anticipated. Same goes for the decoration of the doors and DJ booths using my illustrations. For more pics of Louise's work for Osaka click HERE.

The event itself was hugely enjoyable. The incomparable Diane Orrett was the MC and music was provided by bands downstairs and DJs upstairs (see HERE for the full line-up) and I spent the night doing some live painting - one of my own and another smaller collaboration with Osaka artist, Hemneko. Other artists involved included Boss Hiko, Ben McDonough, David Bateman and many others exhibiting throughout the venue. What a night! Thanks to everyone involved but in particular Jamie, Aiko, Lee, Kyoko, Tamotsu, Kozo, Hario, Diane, Seth, Mariko, Nancy, Yukiyo and Noriko. That night was pretty much the highlight of our year. Domo arigato gozaimasu!

Forest Queen auction painting

My painting (Forest Queen) for the Headspace Tohoku Relief auction. Posca, acrylic, Indian ink.