Andy Council

Golden Dragon

2011-02-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

Here's a bit of painting I did with Flo recently on Jamaica Street in Bristol. There have been quite a few additions since then.

Here's the design I drew up for it...

Styracobristol

2011-01-29T11:43:00.000-08:00

Painted on a very cold day in Bristol! Based on Styracosaurus, made of spraycans, houses and Westmoreland House. On the gold yet again! Glad I wore my gloves that day.

Big Churz to Deams, Boswell and Tarks who I painted with. There's a full joiner pic of the piece with everyones work in here.

Here's the drawing it's based on with my original colour ideas. The horns are alot less wonky!

Patternasaurolophus

2011-01-21T08:10:00.000-08:00

Gold!
always believe in your soul
you've got the power to know
you're indestructible!

Except, nothing is indestructible or lasts all that long at the top of Picton Street/Ashley Road in Bristol (except maybe the rotting shell of Westmoorland House).

This was a reasonably quick hit on the practice boards. Pattern based design of Parasaurolophus. Went for a decorative look using gold and reds. Concorde for head, SS Great Britain for tail and Suspension Bridge in there. Shout out to Reeps who painted alongside me, all of the people who asked if I was Banksy and especially the dude who suggested the next piece I paint has Jesus in it.

Zombie Bristol Dinosaur

2011-01-19T13:09:00.000-08:00

Hello! First blog post of the year sees me involved in some Street Art mural work. I teamed up with artists Boswell and Deams to create a dark style mural on City Road behind Hamilton House in Bristol. It was good fun to do, I enjoyed being out on the street painting again dealing with bad weather, hedges with needles and bottles in, going up and down ladders and dealing with people asking what we were doing. It was most fun to do though as I was working with two great artists who are a good laugh to be around. Anyway here's my part of the production....

It's a kind of Zombie Bristol Dinosaur Stegosaurus. Featuring the Council house, Concorde, SS Great Britain, Suspension Bridge and Cabot Tower. It's pretty close to the sketch I did for it originally as it goes, which is good!

So, Big shout outs to Boswell and Deams and also to Chris of PRSC for ladders and sorting out the wall!

'Never Judge...?' Group Show At Stolenspace.

2010-11-29T14:49:00.000-08:00

I'm really pleased to be part of this group show at Stolenspace gallery London. The brief was to create an original artwork to the traditional format and size of a Penguin book for a novel of my choice. I of course chose Arthur Conan Doyle's 'The Lost World'. I did a neat little pencil drawing of a dinosaur made up of London's Natural History Museum.

Here's more info on the show, private view and the list of great artists involved -

StolenSpace private View Invitation - ‘Never Judge...?’
A Group Show In Association with Penguin Books - Thursday 2nd December, 6-9pm

Artists exhibiting
Alex Fakso, Alexander Korzer Robinson, Alexone, Alex Trochut, All City Media, Anders Nilsen, Andrew Council, Angela Lizon, Anthony Burril, Anthony Lister, Arth Daniels, Blek Le Rat, Brad Downey, Brian Cairns, Buff Monster, C215, Chris Stain, Chistopher Silas Neal, CUM, Cyclops, DEM, D*FACE, David Bray, David Gentleman, Dave Kinsey, David Walker, Dominique Holmes, Eelus, EINE, Elsa Mora, EMA, Evan Hecox, Faris Badwan, Filthy Luker, Gabriel Dubois, Gary Taxali, Gerald Laing, Graham Dolphin, gray318, Hanna Melin, Hellovon, Ian Stevenson, James Alexander Burbidge, Jaybo, Jeff Antebi, Jeff Fisher, Jim Houser, Jonathan Darby, Jon Burgerman, John Pound, John Slade, Julie Verhoeven, Hanna Melin, Kai & Sunny, Kate Gibb, Kathryn Macnaughton, Kid Acne, Kristian Hammerstad, KRSN, Mark Dean Veca, Mark Herald, Marta Cerda, Matt Eco, Matt Small, Methane Studios, Michael De Feo, Mike Stilkey, Mr Jago, Mysterious Al, Mudwig, Parra, Pete Fowler, Rico, Ripo, ROA, Ronzo, Roxanne Jackson, Rul/Vomitorium, Russell Maurice, Russ Mills, Ryan Bubnis, Sam Flores, SAN, Shepard Fairey, Sickboy, Skull Phone, Steff Plaetz, Sylvia Ji, Tara McPherson, The London Police, Tim Bessell, Tom J Newell, Toshikazu Nozaka, Tristan Eaton, Usugrow, Viktor Vauthier, Vinnie Nylon, Will Barras, WK Interact, Word To Mother, Zosen

The age old proverb is easier said than done, when choosing a read who can't be swayed by good cover art
the cover after all has the job of explaining thousands of words in an instant.
StolenSpace in association with Penguin Books plan to celebrate the art of the book cover
with a show entitled ' Never Judge?’
For this exhibition we will be filling the gallery with original book covers exclusively created for this show
by our favourite artists from around the world, there will also by gyclée prints available from some of the pieces
created. The show promises to be a visual feast working in conjunction with Penguin Books and their upcoming
Penguin Essentials project

For an advance preview of work available please contact Leon available at the gallery +44 207 247 2684 email: leon@stolenspace.com

Some Sketches For My Latest Paintings

2010-11-29T14:26:00.000-08:00

Thought I would put these sketches up that I did for a few of the canvases I painted for the CHG show. They have something about them that I like.

Parallel Evolutions

2010-11-20T14:28:00.000-08:00

So, here are all the paintings that I did for my loft show that opened last week along with Melissa Formans 'Keepers Of Creation' show at Corey Helford Gallery LA. All photo's are by Dunstan Baker - Big thanks to him. Also thanks and big ups etc go out to - Jan, Richard Scarry, Iain Seller, James, Rich, Tessa, Chinals and all boys dept crew, Rowdy, Everly Dark, Emily and of course Liz and Felix!

All pieces are acrylic and spray paint on canvas. Sizes are under each pic. You can get a better look at the pieces over on my flickr.

LA Dinosaur - 90cm w x 60cm h

LA Heart - 50cm w x 60cm h

Tank Heart 2 - 50cm w x 60cm h

Tank Sacred Heart - 50cm w x 60cm h

Tank Skull - 50cm w x 60cm h

Panther - 50cm w x 60cm h

Battle Bunny - 50cm w x 30cm h

Battle Bird - 50cm w x 30cm h

Carasaurolophus - 50cm w x 30cm h

Carasaurus - 50cm w x 30cm h

New Juxtapoz Interview.

2010-11-08T12:17:00.000-08:00

There's a new interview with me on Juxtapoz - check it out!

This photo of me beavering away on a canvas is by Mr.45RPM.

Loft Show At Corey Helford Gallery LA - November 13th.

2010-11-08T09:41:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since my last blog post as I have been busy preparing a new collection of paintings for my first show of significant size in the States! For further information please contact my friend and director of the gallery Richard Scarry at rscarry@gmail.com

COREY HELFORD GALLERY PROUDLY PRESENTS
UK STREET ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR
ANDY COUNCIL
"PARALLEL EVOLUTIONS"

OPENING RECEPTION: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH
Andy Council will debut ten new works for his first exhibition with Corey Helford Gallery, entitled "Parallel Evolutions". Based on his fascination with urban myths, beasts, dinosaurs and more, Council's vibrant and playful imagery will delightfully dominate the loft space. Council adds, "Mankind's creations often mirror those of natures. In my work manmade machines and cities are exaggerated and evolved further still into fantastical creatures and organic forms. This
latest body of work has natural forms made up of common place human creations of the modern world that are often destructive to ourselves and the planet."
Advance online previews are available upon request at jch@coreyhelfordgallery.com
Best, Jan Corey Helford

COREYHELFORDGALLERY.COM

8522 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
310.287.2340

More Wall Painting at Saint Annes Park Primary

2010-08-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

So, last week I went in to Saint Annes Park Primary school in Bristol and painted a big old owl in the library and today I went back and painted a dirty great Bristol Dino on the playground wall! Here it is -

I was asked to do quite a general Bristol type beastie, so fitted a few landmarks on it - Clifton Suspension Bridge, Wills Building, Cabot Tower, Tobacco Factory, SS Great Britain, coloured houses and Westmoreland House with BC graff on it. Turned out OK despite the heavy showers and having to dive under the shelter of a tree now and then. I put balloons in the piece also, even though I'm not that keen on them murals. Ah well, tis a school mural.

Here's the original design I did for the piece. I altered the final wall painting to have a different angle on the neck so that the creature could fill the wall better. Dinosaur I loosely based the creature on is Pachycephalosaurus.

St Annes Park Primary School Library Owl

2010-08-18T05:35:00.000-07:00

I went into St Annes Park Primary School in Bristol a few weeks back and had a chat to the pupils about doing a mural creature of mine for their library. They went away and drew some ideas which I went through and came up with this from -

Library book owl! The owl is made of. as you might have guessed, books, but also pencils and the words 'Learn, Share, Enjoy' which I think is the school moto. I went in yesterday and sprayed him up on the wall. I ran out of time to do the falling books and leaves but reckon he's a good un still.

Print Signing At Niche Frames, Bristol Saturday 21st August

2010-08-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

I be doing a signing of his new illustration 'Planet Bristol' at Niche Frames in Bristol on Saturday afternoon. The print is an edition of 100 and features lots of Bristol type buildings and landmarks. Who knows, maybe your house is on it?

Planet Bristol is for the Bristol Green Doors event which is about domestic green refurbishment throughout all areas of the city. All profits from the print sales go to the project.

Come along and check out the work up close, have a chin wag with me and maybe purchase a print. It will be a truly memorable occasion....

There is a facebook event page here. Below is a pic of the extra gert large version of the print that is in the window of Niche Frames at the moment and the notice about my in store signing.

Dare Devil Divas

2010-08-15T15:36:00.000-07:00

My partner Liz's production company Drastic Productions is working on an exciting new project - Dare Devil Divas! Here's a bit of info on the project - more is on the Drastic Productions blog (link above).

Dare Devil Divas is Drastic Production’s fabulously frivolous explosive new project! We are producing a fantastic show in Novemeber featuring dazzling daredevil feats of female prowess. We will be working with a group of women participants (up to 15) over 6 weeks who will learn about vaudeville, cabaret, physical theatre, burlesque & aerial performance. We have invited a team of top professionals to run specific masterclasses and to perform at the event.

Liz asked me to produce a poster/flyer design for the show that had a kind of Stunt or movie poster feel to it and features some of the performers and what they will be doing in the show. Here it is!

Drastic Productions is also on Twitter, here!

Meat Market

2010-08-15T15:22:00.000-07:00

Another thing I did a while back now was some more illustrations for Russian magazine vokrug Sveta. The last illustration I did for them was of a British pub, which was fine by me as I love pubs. This one was more tricky as it had to be of Smithfield meat market in London. Tricky because - 1. I live in Bristol and 2. I don't eat meat! Errm, I got a friend of mine to take research pics to work from...

Weapon Of Choice at Howies Bristol

2010-08-15T15:04:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks back I went along to do a spot of live drawing at the Weapon Of Choice show in the Howies store in Bristol. It's a nice big exhibition space there and loads of the old live drawings from the previous WOC club nights were up there. They all looked really good up together, the black and white colour scheme of them making a really cohesive show.

I finally managed to finish off the canvas I started painting at the WOC gig featuring the Furious Five a while back. I'm glad I did as I don't like leaving things unfinished and it turned out alright.

I then had some time left and there was a space to fill on the main wall, so came up with a kind of Bristol Triceratops head on the spot. See if you can spot it!

'Big Ups' to all who painted that night and the WOC boys. Cheers to Sylvia Meller for the pics.

Mural At The Meriton

2010-08-12T14:34:00.000-07:00

This week I have been working with a group of young women at the Meriton in Bristol to produce a mural to go outside the centre.

The Meriton is a specialist school based in Bristol focused on providing education, support, mentoring and advice to teenage girls and young parents. Working with pregnant girls and young mothers both pre and post 16 in the Bristol, Bath and the South West region the Meriton's aim is to protect the welfare of all children, including unborn children and vulnerable young adults.

I went in and worked with the group to come up with one of my 'Lots Of Stuff' designs to represent the school. We took photos, brainstormed, made lists and drew sketches. I then went away and looked through all the ideas and information and came up with this Butterfly design.

I returned with a bag full of spraypaint and had the group help me paint the piece. Everyone worked hard and here's the final painted piece which we are very happy with!

It's a shame the trees in the way, can't see the top bits. If I had time I would go back with a saw and get a better pic.

Planet Bristol

2010-08-01T01:45:00.000-07:00

This is Planet Bristol, my illustration for the Bristol Green Doors event. It's a kind of a more complicated version of the Green Globe illustration I did last year. The event is about domestic green refurbishment throughout all areas of the city, so the illustration features lots of Bristol type houses and landmarks, installation of solar panels, insulation etc and people getting together and communicating. More information on Bristol Green Doors here.

The piece was as you can imagine very complicated to do and a bit of a headache. Needless to say there was lots of swearing in its creation. I started off by sketching out the various different types of housing around Bristol based around reference pics that Stu from the project sent me.

Then it was a case of placing all these buildings into a globe along with parks and landmarks roughly positioned to be in where they would be in North, East, South and West Bristol. I did this by tracing off a globe shape with perspective lines A2 size on my lightbox. I then worked over the top of this putting in key points and roads. This took several attempts and quite a bit of guess work. this first rough looked more like the Death Star.

I had to scrap bits and start again, eventually came up with this rough which I then went on to add more detail with in pen and colour up using the limited colour scheme that I was given to work with.

All in all, its a bit of a beast! There should be Ltd edition prints available to buy of it soon. A bigger version of it where the details of it can be seen better is on my Flickr.

Battle Bunny at Glos-tonbury, Golden Lion, Bristol

2010-06-27T03:18:00.000-07:00

Battle Bunny is the latest in my war themed series of illustrations and paintings. The running rabbit is cute yet made up of tanks, helicopter gunships, tank buster planes and bombs! I was really pleased with how this design turned out so decided to paint it at the Glos-tonbury Festival yesterday. It's called the Glos-tonbury festival as it takes place on the same weekend as Glastonbury festival but is at the Golden Lion pub on the Gloucester Road in Bristol. The festival has live Skateboarding, Graffiti, Breakdancing, plus food stalls, clothing stalls, facepainting and Djs.

The painting turned out alright on a scorching day. Took me ages as usual and was last to finish as usual also. Could have done some bits better blah blah, but over all pleased with it.

Shout out to James for sorting it out. Painterz - Soker, Hemper, Nik Ill, Rich T, 45 RPM, China Mike and the Jago. 'Big Up' as it were to all who came down including Mike and Steff, Tails, Tess and Jo and Roxy and co. Special mention goes of course to my wife Liz and our little un Felix, who picked up a can of paint and tried to help Rich T on his piece.

Rowdy Rooftop Burner Fund!

2010-06-25T11:15:00.000-07:00

A little while ago fellow Farmyardy and good friend Rowdy lost everything he owned in a fire! There is now a benefit auction to help him back on his feet and I have donated an original painting to it.

Here's what Steal From Work who are organising the auctions have to say about it...

So, there are plenty of charity events, plenty of causes worth fighting for, whole countries at war.... But sometimes it’s just about helping your friends, helping those you love. And here we’re taking the opportunity to help one of our best friends.

If you don’t know, here’s the introduction. Rowdy is one of the longest standing players in UK graffiti, supporting the scene and playing his part in what has now turned into a global phenomenon. He has painted with the best of them, in fact is one of the best of them, always sticking true to his vision, rocking his own style, never selling out his ideas. Recently he walked out of his house, which also served as his studio and when he returned a half hour later, everything had been burned to the ground. EVERYTHING! ID, money, clothes, personal possessions, art, the ability to make art, everything gone!

So, we’re taking this as an opportunity to support someone who has so readily supported us as a scene by auctioning some art to help him get back to a position where he can do what he does best, making art.

It’s a testament to his popularity and reputation that so many artists have donated work to this auction. All work has been personally donated by the artists and the galleries that represent them: Banksy, Paul Insect, Swoon, Sickboy, Hush, Espo, the whole Burning Candy crew and a whole bunch more... So, it’s your chance to buy something beautiful and at the same time help out someone who has helped in his way to make graffiti and street art what it is today.

There is information on all the auctions and pieces available on their site. My piece is part of auction 2 which starts Friday 25th June and ends Monday 5th July.

Steal from works ebay profile where the auction is taking place is here.

My piece up for auction is the rather fine 'Styracasubway'. Acrylic on canvas, 61 x 51cm, Signed by the artist. Happy bidding!

PS-There's also a Banksy print in the auction too in case any of you are interested in that.

Secret Wars - Bristol Vs Malmo

2010-06-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

Another round of Secret Wars went down at Start The Bus in Bristol a couple of weeks ago. I was determined to put in a better performance than I did when up against Glasgow a while back. I met up with Sepr and we came up with the idea of Ciderzilla versus a little Viking dude as what we would do to battle the Swedish team from Malmo. Dylan Shipley got called into action on our team at the last minute and decided on doing a warrior farmer character.

When it came round to the night I managed to hold it down on the drinks a fair bit and we went into action. I find it a bit nerve wracking being up on stage drawing with loads of people looking at you. It's also difficult as one of the rules of Secret Wars is that you can't work from a sketch. Needless to say, Bristol beat Malmo 2-1. Sepr and Dylan worked very quickly and added a comedy cock that must have helped swing the vote. I added value by doing crap drunken dancing. Well, what d'ya expect - I was drunk on a stage in Corn Street with loads of people watching me.

Photos by Sylvia Meller.

Pub Illustrations for Vokrug Sveta Magazine

2010-06-21T13:01:00.000-07:00

A while back I was asked to produce illustrations for yet another Russian magazine - Zokrug Sveta. It's similar to National Geographic and one of the features is on places around the world that Russian people may not be familiar with. One such place is a typical British pub and they chose me to illustrate and write the double page feature! An ideal subject for me as I enjoy frequenting such establishments very much. I chose to base the illustrations on my local - Inn On The Green. It was an ideal pub to choose as there are loads of different beers on tap, different rooms, beer mats on the wall and a garden. I wrote a bit about me and my wife's favourite crisps that we buy there to go with our alcholic beverages also.

Collaboration with Acerone at Upfest 2010

2010-06-21T04:53:00.001-07:00

I was really pleased to get an email from top Bristol artist Acerone asking if I wanted to do a collaboration piece at Upfest this year. I really like his work so of course replied that I would. Acer is a top notch Graffiti writer and photographer. In recent years he has been producing murals based around his photos of Bristol scenes at night.

We met for a couple of beers and agreed that if he got a shot with a recognisable Bristol landmark in it I could then get one of my dinosaurs made of things in there.

Acer got a good shot of the Portway in Bristol which has the Clifton Suspension Bridge in the background. I drew up this car dinosaur rushing forward to fit in the scene.

We photoshopped the dinosaur in and decided that it could do with something to the left of the scene, so I added in a little one made of engines and exhausts! We made a mock up of how it would look on the wall/boards.

When it came to painting the piece I was really interested to see how Acer works. We went down to the Tobacco Factory the night before Upfest and painted the wall off black. When it got dark Acer projected the piece onto the wall and painted out the areas that would be filled in colour with white emulsion. After that was done, still using the projector, we marked out areas of detail.

We returned the next day and worked really hard painting the piece alongside all the other artists painting that day. We used a combination of acrylic and brush with spraypaints. It was a real mash up of styles and working techniques and we think it worked out really well. Stay tuned for further collabs with Mr Acer!

All photos in this post are by Acerone.

Sailor Jerry Dino

2010-06-21T04:36:00.000-07:00

Last month I took a train down to Southampton to do a spot of live drawing at a Sailor Jerry art event at Pulcinella's bar. I got the design together on the train down due to lack of time and it came together nicely in the end. I sort of managed to fuse my artwork style with that of Sailor Jerrys tattoo flash. I got this Triceratops made up of Rum bottles and a Sailor Jerry style cow girl riding on its back! This drawing was of course fuelled by Rum. I enjoyed having a few cheeky swigs on the train home too.

Big thankyou to Lloyd for sorting this out.

Reject Designs

2010-06-21T04:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple of designs that got rejected as potential T Shirt designs. I rather like them and think they could perhaps be used elsewhere or developed. They are of a great outdoors type theme and feature lots of mountains, fields, trees and streams. The one of a man is another move into human forms. Looks a bit like Bigfoot which is pretty cool.

Tank Girl 1

2010-06-21T04:17:00.000-07:00

Tank Girl 1 is my latest Acrylic on canvas piece and represents a slight change in direction for me. I have decided to move away from dinosaurs for a bit and have a go at human forms made out of lots of smaller objects. Tank Girl 1 is kind of based on a cross between a Bomber pin up and Snow White. The helicopter is a bit like a little bird perched on her finger.

I'm quite pleased with how this came out. I think the face could have done with a bit more work, will be trying to get that right on future pieces that I have planned.

I would have spent a bit longer getting the face and other elements looking just right, but I ran out of time due to it needing to be boxed up and shipped over to Bold Hype Gallery in New York for the Strangers group show!

STRANGERS is a group show featuring new and exciting works by twelve contemporary artists and illustrators from across the country and around the globe: Adam Alaniz, Chinamike, Andy Council, Heisuke Kitazawa (pcp), kozyndan, Travis Lampe, Sean Morris, Sidney pink, Skinner, Deth P. Sun, Aiyana Udesen, and Kirsty Whiten. STRANGERS explores, challenges, and celebrates modern culture, and our ever changing place in it through vibrant imagery brimming with fantasy, wit, and absurdity…

It is brilliant that me and studio buddy China Mike got to have some work in this show alongside some awesome artists!

T Shirts!

2010-06-21T04:04:00.000-07:00

There are now 2 different T shirt designs available of mine on sale in Bristol!

First up is this Yardasaur, junk yard dinosaur design which is available from My Yard clothing, 34 Park Street, Bristol, City of Bristol BS15JG‎ - 0117 316 9438‎

Also available is this junk dino T Shirt from Mild West Heroes. They have a stall in Bristol - its open 6 days a week Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, in The South Arcade of St Nicholas Market, Bristol, opposite The Rummer Hotel on All Saints Lane. They also have a stall every Friday on Wine St.

Mild West Heroes have a stall at Glastonbury Festival this year in the market area close to The Bandstand and central Meeting Point, just look out for the banner!

The design is available in mens and womens sizes and can be bought online also.

Triscudatops - Print now available from Art-El

2010-06-19T15:05:00.000-07:00

Triscudatops is now available as a very snazzy limited edition print from Art-El!

Signed and numbered edition of just 25
One colour print. Gold on Black Astralux Gloss paper which comes mounted ready for framing.
Print size - 21 x 29cm
Mounted size is 33 x 32cm, Mount width is 5.5cm

Only £37.50!

Get it here.

Secret Wars in Glasgow, April 2010

2010-06-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

Continuing the run of live drawing bad luck as it were was my performance at Secret Wars up in Glasgow back in April. Me and Cheo left Bristol at a hideous time in the morning and were totally shattered by the time we met up with Inkie in Glasgow. We started drinking and it all gets a bit hazy from there....

By the time we reached the club to do the drawing I was pissed, tired and not really in the mood for it. I did this dino/crane thing that wasn't my best really. I spent quite a bit of time writing swear words into areas where shading was going to go. The other guys on our team did alright I thought.

Bristol lost 3-0, but I guess that's always going to be the way with this when judges are from the city. I wasn't really that bothered, I enjoyed being up in Glasgow and going on the rampage for a few days. It's a great city and well worth a visit!

Here's a pic of the two finished pieces by Mateusz Sleczka. Bristols piece is on the right. He has a flickr set of the event that features some pics of me gurning here.

Live Drawing at Furious Five

2010-06-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

I think it was way back in March I did a spot of live drawing at the Furious Five gig at The Tunnels in Bristol. Was a bit of a funny old night. I wasn't really on form and wasn't really feeling it. I got part way through drawing this kind of hip hop inspired sloth beast when the Five came on and everyone went through to watch them. I ended up going also, so as a result it never got finished....

Seem to remember being told by someone that night that I was copying Andy Councils style which was quite funny.

Photo by Tim Jones.

Hotwells Mural complete!

2010-06-19T12:53:00.000-07:00

I'm finally back on ye olde blog. I've been so busy working on various different projects of late that I just couldn't be bothered to report on them all on here. So, now that I have a bit of time on my hands will report on all the things I have been doing. There is a fair backlog to get through and not sure I will be able to keep it in chronological order. I will kick off with some pics from the finished mural at Hotwells School...

The Hotwells Mural was on a beast of a wall and I was glad to have the help of FLX on one of my days working on it. Here's the main animals in the mural. There are other smaller ones in there also, but didn\t manage to get pics of them all or a joiner of the whole piece.

First up is the Chameleon...

Then the Croc...

And finally the Cormorant...

There was a lovely party arranged to celebrate the mural with orange coloured drinks and food. I had to cut a ribbon! The Evening Post did a feature on it that was pretty good I thought and the photo of me wasnt all that bad either. I don't really like having my photo taken.

Twitter

2010-06-19T12:36:00.001-07:00

As you may have noticed, I haven't bothered updating this blog for sometime now. I will try and get it sorted out soon, but the best way to keep up with what I am up to at the moment and other ramblings is to follow me on twitter....

http://twitter.com/AndyCouncil

Mural at Hotwells School WIP

2010-04-10T04:30:00.000-07:00

Some months back I was asked to produce a mural for a large wall out the back of Hotwells School in Bristol. I went in on a few occasions to meet up with the children and take their ideas and feedback to come up with a final design. The creatures in piece are all made up of buildings and places of interest in the surrounding area of the school. Here's what I came up with....

The wall is very long, so the creatures stretch out across it. there will be hills and clouds in some of the spaces. First creature is a Chameleon -

It is made up of Ashton Court, where the balloon festival is held and the Create Centre building. Clifton Suspension bridge goes from it's back onto....

A huge Crocodile! Rather like a Rowdy Croc, but made up of the coloured houses of Hotwells and Clifton Wood. It has boats for feet and the SS Great Britain for a mouth!

Lastly, swooping down is a Cormorant made up of the school building.

The wall is huge and hopefully all will work out well with getting it done. I have made a start on it and have marked it out and added some areas of colour. I want to make the rest of the colours all quite warm in feel. Things have been a bit held up on this due to bad weather and me having a cold, but will be launching into it next week with help from FLX. Pics will be up when it's done!

Triscudatops - LA Exhibition and Live Drawing Edinbugh

2010-04-10T04:09:00.000-07:00

My latest Dino beastie 'Triscudatops' links together quite a few events and places around the globe. Due to my slack blog keeping, most of the events have been and gone...

First off, I drew him up to do a version of at the Terror club night in Edinburgh.

I thought a dinosaur made up of Scud missile launchers and that kind of thing would suit a terror theme. This drawing is also going to be made into a Ltd Ed print - more news on that soon.

I set off to Edinburgh end of March to do the live drawing. It was a good night with decent tunes, breakdancers other talented artists and sound people to hang out with. Working on the board with me was Edinburgh artist Mech, who came up with this wicked Gorilla battling my dino.

I downed a few Red Stripes that night and thought I would keep it quite a loose piece and used a bit of charcoal along with paint pens. It looks like alot of it came off later when it went on display in an exhibition! Must fix with hairspray next time...

I enjoyed being up in Scotland, eating Vege Haggis and drinking Irn Bru. I'm looking forward to returning to that part of the world when I take part in Secret Wars in Glasgow end of April.

I have also produced a canvas painting of Triscudatops for a group show at Thinkspace Gallery, LA. The exhibition is to celebrate the launch of the book Hunt & Gather in which my work features.

The Hunt and Gather group exhibition opened on April 9th.It features original artworks from a great selection of artists featured in Hunt and Gather. There are new works from artists Chelsea Lewyta, Jshea9, El Gato Chimney, Madsteez, Emilio Subira, Carrie Ann Baade, Plastic God, Dave Pressler, Victor Castillo, Andy Council, Tessar Lo, Elizabeth Mcgrath, Scott C., Tiffany Liu, Mr. Gauky, Charles Wish, Tina Imel, Deseo One, Aaron Kraten and Scott Radke.

It's great to have the book at last. It has been on the cards now for a few years. It was a shame that I lunched out the London launch of it a few weeks ago. Ah well.

Piece Of Cake

2010-04-10T04:04:00.000-07:00

This is my poster design for Play It By Ear club's 2nd birthday and possibly my last poster for them (maybe).

Similar in style to the Fab lolly poster I have done before and features some of the same ants again.

I think this one is back on form with the posters, I wasn't feeling the last couple I did much. I like cakes and think I might explore this theme further...Research trips to my local bakery ahoy!

Illustrations For Secret Firmy Magazine

2010-04-10T03:55:00.001-07:00

I have recently worked on a couple of illustrations for Russian magazine Secret Firmy. I like the pieces I produce for Russian publications, seems to take my work into other unusual directions.

The first one shows the process involved in the production of milk based product Kefir.

The weirdest part is when apparently the milk goes to a fermentation lab which only three employees have access to. They turn out kefiric ferment from skimmed milk at its interaction with kefiric fungi. These are live organisms, which react to weather change and even the mood of the specialists on fermentation. If employees are in bad mood, kefir can have slightly bitter taste!

The second one is for a feature on learning languages and communicating with people. It is a modern tower of Babel type thing. It goes from the bottom level where there is a language gene that people share with Chickens, Crocodiles and Cats to the top where people are able to communicate by reading each others thoughts! There is a slightly bigger version of this pic where the details can be seen better on my Flickr.

Junk Dino T Shirt Design Coming Soon!

2010-04-10T03:49:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneaky peak at a T Shirt design of mine that will be coming out soon from Bristol based clothing company Mild West Heroes. There will be a range of sizes and colours to suit all! More news on this soon...

Brisuanadon at Bristol Museum

2010-04-10T03:40:00.000-07:00

Hello, I have finally got myself in gear to do this blog again and have a backlog of stuff to get through. I have had a fair bit on at the moment, so may have missed a few things....

First off, some of you may remember the model dinosaur me and my mate Matt Pugh made for the Crimes Of Passion Street Art show at the RWA Bristol this time last year, well it is now on display in Bristol Museum! It has been on the cards for some time now and think it took so long partly because getting hold of a display case for it was apparently quite a problem.

It's great that it's there, although it would have been nice to have been informed of when it was going to be going on show rather than a friend of mine coming across it by accident and then telling me. Anyway, it looks quite at home sat between the Dinosaur exhibit and the stuffed birds.

Rayolatops in Color Ink Book Volume Six

2010-03-06T03:06:00.000-08:00

I have several pages of my work in the latest volume of Color Ink Book. One of my works featured is a version of Color Ink Books mascot 'Rayola' character. Rayola is based on a Crayola crayon and different artists have done their own versions. Mine is obviously a dinosaur version 'rayolatops'. I like dealing with the guys at Color Ink Book. When I asked if it was OK to do Rayola as a Triceratops they were like, 'When isn't a triceratops ok? (That is way awesome!!!)'

Here's the press release blurb and a pic of one of the covers by Ron English with link to buy the mag!

Color Ink Book Volume Six!!!!
The wait is over volume six is here! Featuring three show stopping covers the street cover artwork is by Ron English and two semi secret covers done by El Gato Chimney and Jeff Lamm. This volume features El Gato Chimney, Andrew Council, Project Detonate, Ron English, Vassilis Gogtzilas, Chuck Harrison, Jeff Lamm, Pat Moriarity, Kool Skull, McFaul Studio, Jon Vermilyea and Ben Walker.
Yet another Brothers Washburn Production!!!!!
The six volume of the color optional, DIY art periodical.
Color Ink Book is a black and white art periodical, which is published in limited quantities quarterly; showcasing the both, established artists as well as fresh faces. The volumes are printed on 60 lb Endurance Vellum Offset Book paper, to offer the reader the option to color the work showcased within: thus bringing the art enthusiasts and artist together.
8.5 X 11
Full Color Cover
Black & White interior
100+ pages
Color Ink Book: The Fo-Realest Art Periodical

Latest posters for Play It By Ear Club

2010-02-22T04:04:00.000-08:00

I'm finding it a bit of a struggle at the moment to keep on top of all my projects and making time for my family, so blog posts are going to be few and far between and short and to the point. There are quite a few things I need to post about right now, but priority is family and actually doing artwork. I hope to be able to get out and paint on a wall soon and make a start on all the canvases I need to get done!

Anyway, here are the two latest poster designs I have done for Play It By Ear club, Camden, London. As always, the imagery is kind of inspired by the band names. Both posters have a space theme. I think the Rocket is the stronger of the two. I'm not keen on the colourways on the buggy.

Mega City Fauna and Juxtapoz interview

2010-02-15T10:52:00.000-08:00

It's been a while now since I have posted anything on the blog and in that time my Mega City Fauna exhibition has come and gone. The show has been a great success and I have been meaning to put up some pictures for it for some time now. Part of the reason i haven't is that it took alot of me doing the show and then had to work on a load of illustration projects straight after.

I was going to post some WIP of the show and some pics of the opening night, but there are already quite a few good ones up on flickr and Lokeys blog.

The show was hard work getting together and I was working all over the festive period non stop. I was really worried that I would be able to pull off an art show all on cardboard and make it look good. I was lucky to have lots of help from friends along the way. Here's some shout outs...

Liz and felix for having me work non stop over Xmas and for all their love and support.
Dunstan for great photo work on the huge one and a lovely print.
Josh for his help assembling and hanging the Ultra Bristol Dinosaur.
Leigh for last minute quality framing.
Rowdy for his help in making the Triceratops head.
Cheba, Lokey and Sam at WoC gallery.
Jody for words of support when freaking out about getting the show together.
Boys Dept Crew.
Roxy and the library staff.
Tails for the dino biscuits.
Everyone who made it along to the opening.
Last but not least, Ted and Chris who helped me get the huge piece there during the snow chaos. Their van was stuck on the side road by my studio for over an hour and it took the Police and neighbours to get it out of there in the end!

As a result of the show I had an interview on the Juxtapoz blog!

Here's a run down of all the Bristol beasts from the show in order. I was going for a kind of Pokemon 'Gotta catch em all' thing, numbering them and making them collectable.

No.1 - STEGAMEGACITYSAURUS. The flyer for the exhibition. Stegosaurus type beast made of tower blocks similar to those in Barton Hill.

No.2 - PLESESSGREATBRITAIN. Plesiosaur aquatic monster featuring Brunels SS Great Britain.

No.3 - DOWNSARGASAURUS. Based on the Downs in Bristol and the dinosaur Amargasaurus.

No.4 - SPENSHUNBRIDGEADOCUS. Diplodocus Clifton Suspension Bridge!

No.5 - SHOTUSAURUS. Based on the old brewery by the river and the shot tower. The dinosaur is a bit like Limusaurus inextricabilis.

No.6 - PARKAEOPTERYX, Based on the early bird Archaeopteryx and Park Street/College Green. Features the Council building, Wills memorial and Bristol Museum. It looks a bit like a Flamingo!

No.7 - DIPLOMEADS. Temple Meads train station Diplodocus.

No.8 - LOCKERLOPHUS. This is alot like the view from our livingroom. It is of Lockleaze, Purdown and the telecom tower there. The dinosaur is based on Parasaurolophus.

No.9 - BRACHASOUTHVILLE. Brachiosaurus Southville. Features the Tobacco Factory building.

No.10 - THERIZWINDHILL. This weird bum grabbing dinosaur is based on Windmill Hill and one of my fave odd dinosaurs, Therizinosaurus.

No.11 - TRIDEANERTOPS. Dean Lane skate park and graffiti hall of fame crossed with Triceratops.

No.12 - CABOTCIRCUS REX. T Rex based on the Cabot Circus hall of rampant consumerism.

No.13 - TOTTERDON. Totterdown Iguanadon.

No.14 - BARTONADON. Barton Hill Dimetrodon.

No.15 - SAINTPRAPTOR. Saint Pauls Velociraptor.

No.16 - STEGACHELTSAURUS. Cheltenham Road featuring Polish church and boom box! Based on Stegosaurus.

No.17 - KNOWLEKYLOSAURUS. Knowle and the water tower. Dinosaur - Ankylosaurus.

No.18 - BARTHAEDSAURUS. Bartholomews Square in North Horfield. Armoured dinosaur...can't remember what one it was based on.

No.19 - CONCORPHODON. Concords and Balloons in a Dimorphodon flying dino shape. Looks a bit like Zippy.

No.20 - WERBATOPS. Saint Werburghs Triceratops.

No.21 - ULTRA BRISTOL DINOSAUR. Couldn't think of a better name for this 12ft x 8ft monster which includes most of Bristol! Photo by Dunstan Baker.

Andy Council Solo Show - Mega City Fauna

2009-12-28T11:28:00.000-08:00

Opening preview 15th January 2010, 6-10pm. Drinks provided
Show runs until the 14th February.

Bristol’s most unique find since they dug up the ‘Bristol Dinosaur’ ANDY COUNCIL returns with his solo show at Weapon of Choice Gallery, 14 St Michel’s Hill, Bristol BS2 8DT.

Mega City Fauna combines the artist’s celebrated style with some new departures and will be unmissable for fans old and new.
Expect to see some new takes on the Bristol cityscape from this internationally acclaimed artist and illustrator. Andy brings us his beasts on a large and small scale and the result is a menagerie of the Bristol creatures rendered in a collectable and affordable way. Original artwork from as low as £30!

Weapon of Choice Gallery, 14 St Michael's Hill, Bristol, BS2 8DT

Facebook event page here.

Weapon Of Choice Issue 2

2009-12-28T11:21:00.000-08:00

Issue 2 of Weapon Of Choice Magazine which features, amongst other things, the recent collab I did with China Mike on the cover and an interview with me! Well worth getting your hands on if you can - it is free afterall. You can also download it here.

Contact Magazine, Wired Italy and Secret Wars

2009-12-28T10:53:00.001-08:00

Ho Ho Ho and Merry Xmas! I have found a bit of time between doing bits of art and eating Quality Street to add a few bits to this here blog. There are quite a few bits and bobs that I have forgotten to put up before, so will put them up now.....

First up is this rather odd illustration I did for the Royal Mail magazine, Contact. It's about the brand King Of Shaves, thus there is a playing card king having a shave...

Next up is this illustration I did for the Italian version of Wired magazine. It is for a feature on the weird festivals where certain days are celebrated such as Star Wars day, Talk like a pirate day and Groundhog day...

And finally, here's a photo from the Secret Wars event I painted at recently in Bristol. Bristol won with my monster taking down Lorenzo’s St Stephen’s Tower, whilst the London lot took the piss out of Bristol as a place obsessed with Banksy and taking photos of graf....

Collaboration with China Mike For Art Basel

2009-11-27T16:10:00.000-08:00

Collaborative painting with China Mike. Acrylic and some Spraypaint on canvas.

60.6cmw x 75.8cmh

Junk monster based on the prehistoric giant ground Sloth, Megatherium.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megatherium

The piece is going on show at the Bold Hype exhibition booth at Art Basel, Miami USA, December 3 - 6th 2009.

Pond Illustration

2009-11-27T16:06:00.000-08:00

Thought I would stick up this pond illustration I have done for North Somerset Council. It's for a nature reserve information board at a place called Locking Castle. It's quite a straight up illustration job, but I am pleased with the end result. Nice Carp!

And You Will Know Us By The Trail OF Avant Pop

2009-11-27T15:58:00.001-08:00

This is my rather strange album cover artwork for the Compilation album 'And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Avant Pop' by People In The Sky Records. It is out now!

The Unholy Grail, Southampton

2009-11-27T15:30:00.000-08:00

I have a few bits of work in this groupshow at Goblets Gallery, Southampton. Address is 180 Above Bar Street, Southampton, SO14 7DW. Opening party, 4th Dec. Show runs from 5th Dec - January 14th.

Mayfair Pop Up Show By Inkie

2009-11-27T15:16:00.000-08:00

I have some work in this Pop up show (they seem to be all the rage right now) in London coming up soon. It has been sorted out by Inkie and it’s running in Mayfair for a short time only, 8th to 12th of December, and the line up includes;

Goldie, Shoe, Inkie, Eine, She One, Mysterious Al, Sickboy, Insa, Zeus, Hush, MauMau, Kid Acne, Steff Plaetz, Shazer, Chu, Shok1, Xenz, RYCA, David Walker, China Mike, Part2ism, Ben Allen, Andy Council, Pure Evil, George Morton Clark, Milk, Dora and Don.

Terminator Toyby Hooded Top - Clandestine Industries

2009-11-27T15:03:00.000-08:00

My latest design for clandestine Industries is a variation on the poster design I did a few months back. Split down the middle for a zipper hoodie. Check it out here!

Play It By Ear Xmas Poster

2009-11-27T13:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas special poster for London club nite Play It By Ear. Noticed that there were a couple of bands in the line up with the words 'Kill' and 'Killer' as part of the names, so thought that I would draw a kind of tree of death.

I replaced baubles with grenades and stars with Ninja Stars. All the presents around the tree are lethal weapons.

I was hoping to capture the gaudy feeling of decorations at Christmas time. I quite like the tacky visual overload of it all. Especially after a glass of Port or two.

www.playitbyearclub.co.uk

Secret Wars

2009-11-27T13:38:00.000-08:00

Hmmm, I wonder who they have got in to help represent Bristol then????

Shantysaur

2009-11-12T14:07:00.000-08:00

This piece is, as you might have guessed, on cardboard. I used a combination of spraypaint, chalks and acrylics.

Shantysaur is based around shanty towns and Favelas. It is my submission for this years Cardboard Shelter exhibition.

Bubo The Owl!

2009-11-08T07:45:00.000-08:00

My latest poster for London club night Play It By Ear is a turbo charged, pimped out version of Bubo the Mechanical Owl from Clash Of The Titans!

In the film Zeus commands Athena to give Perseus her owl, she instead orders Hephaestus to build the mechanical owl Bubo as an aid for Perseus. I really enjoyed Clash Of The Titans as a kid. Harryhausens animated monsters were great and I loved Bubo. I have heard that he is not going to be in the remake, which is a shame.

Here's an interview with Harryhausen about the creatures in Clash Of The Titans, including Bubo.

Bartonhillasaur

2009-10-29T14:48:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I painted this beast with the help of some of the local yout at Netham Park, Barton Hill, Bristol. The dino has flats and houses on similar to those in the area. The wall wasn't as tall as I thought, so the beastie looks a bit less like a Stegosaur or Dimetrodon and more like a bloody big Newt!

Still needs some work doing on background bits - took this pic before the sun went down.

It was quite a chilled spot to paint in a way - nice chip shop round the corner!

Shouts out to Rowdy who was in charge of this project and Cheo who painted also. Also hello to Cheo's brother and everyone else who showed support.

Here's the original design drawing I did of the piece...

Drunk Drawing For Weapon Of Choice Magazine Party!

2009-10-26T07:51:00.000-07:00

This is the piece I did live at the Weapon Of Choice Magazine launch party on Friday. Wobbly, sketchy style and wonky photo......I was very very drunk!!!!! I like the piece though mind, little tanks, cars and diggers amongst the junk. It was good to use a bit of charcoal as well as just paint markers like I would normally.

The magazine is available as a hard copy around Bristol, but can also be downloaded.

There are more pics of the night up on Lokey's Blog. Some of the pics might be of me looking in a bad way....laying off the booze for a bit.

Council Is Doing A Talk!

2009-10-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be doing a talk at The Watershed, Bristol UK on November 5th as part of SweetTalk 38.

Nevermind that it clashes with the fireworks - Council will have a slideshow of work and will no doubt be talking about his detailed drawings of dinosaurs, his involvement with the Bristol Street Art scene and maybe the beast of Bodmin!

The other speakers at the event are -

Gabriel Solomons / Designer / Editor / Decode Publishing

Maria Mochnacz / Photographer / Video Maker

Ian Anderson / The Designers Republic (!!!!!!!!)

Tickets are £10/£8 student
Available from Watershed Box Office
0117 927 5100 www.watershed.co.uk

Mega City Fauna

2009-10-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

Coming to Weapon Of Choice Gallery, Bristol UK 15th January 2010....

Megacity - A city and/or metropolitan area with a very high population or average density.

Megafauna - Large or relatively large animals of a particular place or time period. Saber-toothed tigers and mastodons belong to the extinct megafauna of the Oligocene and Pleistocene Epochs.

Design map of Britain for Computer Arts Projects

2009-10-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

This map is in the latest issue of Computer Arts Projects magazine for a feature on the top design studios in Britain. I had to fill the British isles with landmarks...I only had so much time, so unfortunately had tio miss out alot of cities. I haven't travelled to many places in the UK either so had to rely alot on what pics I could find online for research.

Ireland wasn't in the article, so didn't really put much detail in there I'm afraid!

Glyptodon!

2009-10-05T01:09:00.000-07:00

For my latest Play It By Ear club nite poster I have decided to go for a giant prehistoric mammal rather than a dinosaur. The beastie is based around a Glyptodon that was a bit like a huge Armadillo. It has a bit of a Pokemon feel to it and is very seasonal with its autumnal/fall/halloween colour scheme!

Animal House Exhibition, Ipswich

2009-10-05T00:49:00.000-07:00

I have some work coming up in an illustration group show in Ipswich, Suffolk. The private view is on 9th October and it runs until 18th October 2009.

Really good line up of artists in this show including my mate China Mike and fellow Boys Who Draw collective members Simon Corry, Simon Wild, Steve Rack and Mister Millerchip.

An Alternative Portrait Of Edward Colston

2009-09-25T04:18:00.000-07:00

Invada Record's label boss and Portishead member Geoff Barrow is to curate a days worth of music, film and art at Bristol's legendary Colston Hall venue, which has recently been extended, adding a brand new 30 million pound building onto the existing structure. The 'Invada Invasion' takes place on Saturday 26th September...

As part of the days events there is to be an exhibition entitled 'An Alternative Portrait Of Edward Colston'.

This is my take on the man who, amongst other things, became extremely wealthy, mainly from slavery...

I have to say that I was quite stuck on this one and in the end did this pretty weird looking piece where his wig is made of skulls and cables and his head of speakers.

I quite like the colours!

Acrylic on paper, 297 × 420 mm

Art Nouveau Magazine Interview

2009-09-24T02:59:00.000-07:00

There is an interview with me over on Art Nouveau Magazine's website. Check it out!

Dino Head At Bristol Festival

2009-09-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

I popped down to Bristol Festival today with baby Felix and saw that my dino head I had painted for it had been carefully cut out and installed. Is that you in the photo?! Sorry if the pic is not flattering!

We also noticed that there were Andy Council Bristol Fest Tshirts available also. I hope they manage to flog a few!

Ammo Magazine

2009-09-19T02:24:00.000-07:00

I have some pics of my work and an interview in the 1st issue of independent illustration magzine Ammo.

The magazine has work in it by lots of other rad illustrators including fellow Boys Who Draw member, Mr Millerchip.

There is more info and pics on the Ammo site where it is available to buy too!

Clandestiraptor T Shirt now available!

2009-09-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

Front design.

Back design.

My Clandestiraptor design featuring loads of pop culture toys of the 80's is now availble from Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy's Clandestine Industries. The design is available on a T shirt and Sweater. Both also have a back print that I designed also.

Furby Terminator

2009-09-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

My latest poster for Play It By Ear is a Furby Terminator. The night has a 90's pop theme, so thought Furby would be good for this being a toy of the late 90's. I saw lots of pics while researching Furby of 'Furbinators' where people had taken off the fur to expose it's workings. I thought that these were pretty cool, so thought I would take it one stage further and make the endoskeleton look more like a T800 Terminator.

Emporium@Emporium 14th-19th Sept!

2009-09-17T05:21:00.000-07:00

Due to working alot recently I have only just had a chance to write about this art show that I am part of in Bristol right now. There is only one day left now!

Emporium @ the Emporium
14th – 19th of September 2009

Doors open 12-7pm daily
37 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3PY
FREE

Here's what it's all about...

It’s a year since the Emporium collective opened and began running this reclaimed space. Having sat derelict for over 25 years it is now a not-for-profit community gallery.

To celebrate this and as part of Bristol Co-Mutiny, the instigators are now putting on their own show, alongside guest artists, including: Andy Council, Tim Floyd, Reginald Falcon, Studio Amour, Sam Marsh, Lulu, Wendy Wainwright, Gary Powell, Mike Powell, Lucy Cavendish, Sven Zimviction, Rowdy, Tom Groves and Billy Macrae.

People for Places – the squat estate agency – have also promised a team of super-friendly housing advisors whose installation will display just some of their extensive Bristolian portfolio of empty buildings.

Expect a multi-medium show, with paint, sculpture, video, photography and print.

More info and pics are on the Emporium blog.

Painting at Kingswood Foundation and Bristol Fest

2009-09-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

I did a day of Graffiti workshop work up at the Kingswood Foundation in Bristol with my mate Adam yesterday. It was pretty intense work with lots of different groups of young people. We did talks on what we do and how things are if you choose to have a career in the arts and then worked with them to produce a mural piece.

The piece came out looking pretty good I think considering that we only made very loose plans as to what it was going to look like. We went for a look which was a combination of countryside (like on the frontpage of our Farmyardeez website) and city skyscrapers. It was over several areas which was fun as added different layers. Was a bit fumey in that enclosed space though so was a bit off my head!

I also decided to do a Triceratops head made out of skyscraper type buildings. I was worried as to whether it looked any good as it wasn't sketched out beforehand. Adam gave me some good advice which was to 'just paint'. I did this and it was great just to go with the flow and see what happened.

Seeing as this piece turned out quite well I thought I would do something similar again the next day on a board that will be part of the decoration for the Bristol Festival site.

I was hoping to do something bigger really, a whole dinosaur, but realised that it was a bit ambitious on this occasion. I had sketched out this beastie which may make an appearance at some point...

This dino is roughly based on Kentrosaurus and would feature skyscrapers and scenery similar to in Bladerunner. Maybe.

Computer Arts Projects Magazine

2009-09-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

I have some of my work featured in the new 'Freelance survival' issue of Computer Arts Projects Magazine. The mag has work in it from alot of other talented freelancers including McFaul Studio, Pete Harrison, Sarah Coleman, Jam Factory and my mate Rich T!

Zombie Mannequin

2009-08-28T13:23:00.000-07:00

This is my customised mannequin done for the Wonderland Collective show 'Nothing To Display' in Woburn, Saturday 29th August.

I decided to just doodle out on it using the trusty Posca and go with the flow of the dummy. I am really pleased with how it has turned out in a freaky Zombie kind of way. I added a few layers of spray on gloss finish lacquer to stop the pen paint from scratching off and to give it a nice shine.

I think most of the folk at my studio were pleased to see the back of it as it was freaking them out a bit.

Raptor!!!

2009-08-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

Coming soon to Clandestine Industries!

Stegosubway For Get Dring Mobile Auction

2009-08-28T12:58:00.000-07:00

Similar to my recent Styracasubway painting is Stegosubway, my latest acrylic on canvas effort. He is a Stegosaurus made up of paint and trains. Also features a modified vehicle for a head.

This piece is going into the Get Dring Mobile auction at Paintworks in Bristol on 15th October.

The auction is part of a charity fundraising drive going on at the moment called ‘Get Dring Mobile’, which is aiming to raise enough money to sort the legendary Mike Dring of Art-el fame out with a a modified vehicle he can drive himself.

More info here.

I Sometimes Draw People And Not Just Dinos

2009-08-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

Some of you might have read my blog post back in July on Boys Who Draw about how I draw characters and things that aren't Dinosaurs sometimes. Well, thought I would put a sneaky peak of another one up that I have done recently for a client. This guy is a web designer dude.

Colston Yard

2009-08-28T12:45:00.001-07:00

I noticed the other day that the Colston Yard pub in Bristol now has it's new outside seating area. Here's the artists impression sketch I did a while back that went in with the planning application for it...

Badge Design

2009-08-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

This is one of a few badge designs I have done recently as part of the Every Child Matters campaign in North Somerset.....

Paper City Illustration For Blueprint Magazine

2009-08-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

Blueprint, one of the leading magazines for Architecture and Design invited me to produce an illustration as part of their Paper City feature where the most creative people around are invited to put forward their personal ideas about cities.

I did the piece a few months ago now and I am really pleased that it has now been published in the current issue. It also coincides with the opening of Blueprint’s exhibition Paper City: Urban Utopias at the Royal Academy from the 31 July-27 October.

My illustration is of a city dinosaur that has been built to regenerate urban areas after an apocalyptic event.

It is based on a Dilophosaurus, which in Jurassic Park, had a frill on its neck and spat acid. These city beasties have a frill round their necks that have solar panels on and also wind turbines for power. They spit bio acid at old buildings to break them down and then eat them! The old buildings are crunched up and pooed out of the back along with water and other liquids and rapid growing trees and seeds are planted from the tail and feet.

I'm really happy with how this illustration turned out and honoured to be in the magazine and exhibition.

Finished Styracasubway painting

2009-08-16T02:22:00.001-07:00

This is the finished Styracasubway painting. As is the case with all my painted pieces, my initial worry that it wouldn't turn out how I wanted wasn't needed as got there in the end. I like how the paint looks like a cross between water and fur.

The inspiration for the piece came from spending alot of time looking back through the Subway Art book and also watching a few clips of Style Wars. I have it on the painting that the subway cars are sort of swept up in a sea of paint and colour. This is kind of representing the Writers pieces adding colour to the trains. I guess the fact that the piece is a huge unstoppable monstrous beast represents Graff....

"To some it's art. To most people it's a plague that never ends."

"When you first against a train, it's like everything seems so big, like, wow! It's like you're in a yard of like metal giant, like I mean everything is like so hard and so steel like you're just there. You're like a little dude like in the midst of these metals and like you're here to produce something, well, like you're here to try to produce something." - Dondi

A big thankyou for the comments, advice and encouragement on creating this beastie. Infact, thanks loads to all who have commented on my stuff on here before - really appreciate it.

Styracasubway Painting WIP

2009-08-08T00:39:00.000-07:00

This is a work in progress pic of a new canvas I am working on - 'Styracasubway'. I have been working really hard on commission works recently, all drawn in pen and coloured on computer so it feels good to let loose with the paints. I do however get a bit edgy and doubtful when working in paints as it is going outside my comfort zone of using a pen and line work. I have to really fight the temptation to get a posca out and stick a black outline around everything.

This piece so far is of a Triceratops type beastie made up of splashes of paint and spraycans. The gold bits are going to be subway trains. I might put a little person painting the tail train that is going between the legs.

At the moment the piece has a softness to it that makes a change from hard lines, which I like. I also like the expressiveness and movement in this piece so far, but not sure if it will work out. I should really be more confident with my paintings and only show the finished works, but I would be grateful of any comments on this to help me move in the right direction.

Godzilla and Trains

2009-08-03T09:32:00.001-07:00

This is my latest poster for the Play It By Ear club nite in London. This months night has a Hip Hop flavour, so when coming up with ideas, first thought of doing a Ghetto Blaster, then Graffed up NY subway trains. In the end I thought that it would be ace to have Godzilla carrying a pile of subway cars and with one in his mouth!

There is a shot of Zilla eating a train which I used for reference along with a good look through the classic Subway Art book. I hope the writing looks OK - Graff lettering is not my strong point at all so I tried to keep it pretty straight forward.

Bristol Green Companion

2009-07-28T03:23:00.000-07:00

This is the cover illustration I have done for this years Bristol Green Companion. The last couple of years I have provided cover illustrations for the Bath Green Companion which have been dinosaur shaped. This time I have gone for a miniature world, a green globe featuring wind turbines, solar panels and electric cars.

Styracodermic

2009-07-26T15:02:00.000-07:00

This is my illustration for edition 2 of Biteproof magazine - ''cybernetics, dianetics, and a hypodermic of mutant genetics''. Available early September.

The pic is best viewed large over on my Flickr.

Boy Who Draws Dinosaurs

2009-07-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

This is my new piece around the theme of 'Boys Who Draw' for the Boys Who Draw illustration collective. It features myself drawing a couple of dinosaurs for my baby boy Felix to play with. The dinos are made up of lettering, pattern, symbols and pencils. The bottom one is based on Styracosaurus and the top one surfing on top of it is a Theropod type beastie. It is carrying baby Felix in his travel seat. Baby Felix is saying 'Hey! Heay!' as thats what he says alot at the moment along with 'E E EE'.

I did the piece using pencil, pen and paints. It's nice to get away from computers.

Ants And Ice Lollies

2009-07-16T11:26:00.000-07:00

This is my latest poster design for the Play It By Ear club night in London. I decided to go for an ice lolly (based on a Fab) melting in the sun for this one as one of the bands is called Sugar Crisis and is a summer gig. The lolly stick doesn't have a joke on it but the clubs website address. The ants are carrying off bits of the lolly that form the lettering of the poster. I hope it looks like chocolate with hundreds and thousands on it and not poo!

Bristol Festival

2009-07-05T02:11:00.000-07:00

The Bristol Festival poster is now out and about featuring my illustration.

The Bristol Festival; a volunteer built celebration of Bristol culture, inspiring passion and creativity. This exciting community festival is a showcase of talent from the Southwest region, from music and dance, to cabaret and art. Following last year's success, with the Bristol Festival winning Venue magazine’s Top Event of 2008, this year’s festival is planned for the weekend of September 18th, 19th & 20th.

The festival is made up of two parts, Brizzolfest and Rave on Avon, which include multiple indoor venues and an outdoor hub of activity in Lloyd's Amphitheatre, Bristol’s central Harbourside area. Performances across 7 outdoor stages and 10 nightclubs will encompass a huge range of the region’s arts, theatre, comedy and music, in an engaging weekend of action packed, highly interactive entertainment.

My poster illustration is a Triceratops head type of affair made up of the various locations where Brizzolfest and Rave on Avon take place. The Lloyds Amphitheatre is the eye and the Thekla boat is one of the horns. I have also managed to sneak in Westmoreland House with Before Chrome graff on it.

I went round to the various venues taking photos and drawing sketches of them to work from. Some of the venues ended up not taking part in the Fest and the nightclub Chesters is now no longer open! Here's the sketch pages, I quite like them.

More info about the festival here.

Gotharaptor (The Beast Of Oddmin)

2009-06-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

This is Gotharaptor - my latest Acrylic and Spraypaint on canvas piece and probably my last cathedral type dino for the time being. It evolved from my Tyrannogothus beast and is also a Theropod type dinosaur. It has claws more like a Raptor and is in a crouching, ready to pounce position. My first sketch had it looking alot like Tyrannogothus.

I decided to develop it further by adding a row of spikes in a kind of fin going along it's spine. In this way it looks alot more like a Spinosaurus as seen in Jurassic Park 3.

I thought I would go for a night time feel to this canvas - spooky and a bit like Hammer Horror or Scooby Doo even. It has a reakl feel of the British countryside to it and does make me think of stories of monsters and beasts on the moors.

Here's a few close ups...

The head and dark hill behind with a tower and lights of a house. The dorrway for a eye has a light shining in it also.

The spiky Gothic Cathedral tower back.

The back leg cloaked in mist and lightning in the sky behind.

I almost wish that I added a shocked policeman on a bike coming down a hill in the foregound!

The painting is due to go on display at the Cerasoli Gallery LA, USA as part of the Urban Myth group exhibition curated by Inkie which opens on Saturday July 11th.

Off The Record

2009-06-22T14:47:00.000-07:00

This is my piece for Off The Record - a charity auction selling records painted by Bristol artists to raise money for the Mind charity in conjunction with "Ear Watt, it's for charity, Mind" - a charity event that has been hosted at the Golden Lion pub on 2 previous occassions.

The first Off the Record event is planned for Sunday 28th June at the Golden Lion pub, Horfield, Bristol.

My piece is of a dino made up of speakers and done in silver white and black on a purple background. The colours remind me a bit of Milk Tray... I have also added a few speakers to the B side and to the sleeve also. Couldn't be bothered to stick photos up of those bits - go to the Lion if you want to see all of it!

Facebook Group for Off The Record.

Flaming Triceratops Head

2009-06-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

I went out and did a bit of painting today with Doodledubz as a way to end my weekk. This is what we came up with! Painted down in Colson yard is this weirdo piece.

The wall belongs to the Ethical Housing association (or something like that) and they wanted something ethical in the piece....Doodledubz started off with his clown riding a bike which is all aternative transport and that, but changed his mind and got rid of the bike. I didn't really have anything sketched out so decided to do a variation on the last street piece I painted - a Gothic Cathedral Triceratops head.

I thought that I would make it ethical, eco friendly or whatever by sticking a few solar panels into the frill and adding some trees/foliage growing in certain areas. Due to the colour scheme I chose and the way I was painting the plant life it looks more like fire! The disembodied Triceratops head looks more like a weird space station or something. Looks a bit Guy Fawkes also, as if the houses of parliament are on fire. Sometimes I don't know where I am going with all this...

Big shout out to Doodledubz who was up all the way from Devon and also to Flo, who I hope managed to fit a few bits in on this piece after I left.

Also, just to say RIP Iz The Wiz - legend.

Milke Float Monster Truck

2009-06-17T00:29:00.000-07:00

this is my latest Flyer design for the Play It By Ear club nite, Camden, London!

Amelia's Magazine Interview

2009-06-12T01:19:00.000-07:00

I don't think I got around to blogging this at the time this went up back in May....you can read me rambling on about stuff in an interview with Amelia's Magazine here!

Rivals

2009-06-12T00:34:00.000-07:00

This is my illustration for the Rivals club night in London which will be going onto flyers and Posters. I made the image to look like a cover to a Godzilla type film with rival dinos made up of different kinds of musical instruments. On one side is one representing Rock made of guitars, drums and amps etc and on the right one representing electronic music made up of decks, CDJ's, speakers etc.

I managed to sneak my name into the flyer by making it look like some kind of Japanese writing! Beneath the dinos are buildings representing the Hoxton area of London where the night is held. One of the buildings is the White Cube gallery!

I was worried that this image would work for a bit as before colouring it looked like a pile of junk rather than two rubber suited battling dinos. The colour really helped to seperate them and I think this colour scheme works well. The colours on the flyer and poster have been changed to green and purple, which look pretty cool too! Check out Rivals on Facebook and Myspace for more info on the nights.

Terrordactyl at Spotted Cow!

2009-06-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

This winged dino beastie will be one of a few works of mine in a group art show organised by Friend & Co at the Spotted Cow pub in Bedmo, Bristol on 11th june.

It's in the garden so is slightly dependent on the British weather, but here's hoping for sunshine! It starts at 6pm and will run until it gets dark! There'll be original work and prints from all of the artists who have worked with Friend & Co since the opening of their shop in the autumn of 2008 and some who haven't (yet!)... The show will include: Acerone, Andy Council, China Mike, Eko, Faris Badwan, French, Inkie, Mr Jago, Mudwig, Paris, Pinky, Richt, Sainty, Sickboy, 45rpm... and more!

On the subject of Pterosaurs, I found this vid about a bloke who reckons he saw one once...could be a load of cobblers though.

Interview on Underground Lounge

2009-06-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

There is a short interview with me over at Underground Lounge.

Upfest 09

2009-06-07T01:25:00.001-07:00

Gothatops is the piece I painted at this years Upfest. A further development from my Gothic church work it is a Triceratops head made of Gothic spires. Here's the sketch I based the wall painting on...

I was pleased with how the piece turned out and is another development for me in my use of spraycans. It was good to keep it a bit loose and use only a few colours to keep it simple. I guess it didn't add any colour to a grey rainy day! I was pleased to have it finished quite quickly as wasn't sure if it was going to tip down with rain and stop all work. Shouts out to Inkie and Don who I painted alongside.

Despite the weather I thought the event went well. It was a bit like school when I got there first, doing a register and finding my class mates from the Bristol scene. There was lots of really interesting work produced throughout the day and a good mixture of different styles and methods. There were lots of works produced that I rated. Particular faves of mine were by Jody, Solo One, Snub and the SOF guys.

Here's a bit of doodling fun after having a few drinks and hanging out with Boswell, PEN and 3RD Eye...

Tyrannogothus Painting

2009-05-27T06:16:00.001-07:00

This is my latest painting - 'Tyrannogothus'. It is a Theropod type dinosaur that is a development from the Gothicasaurus drawing and window drawing that I did a few months back. I used Charcoal, Acrylic and Spraypaint to create this beastie. I can't remember off hand how big the canvas is - it's over a metre wide I think. I think it worked out well for me just using black, white, grey and silver. It's a hint to Gothic music and relates back to work I did many years ago at college based around Bath Abbey.

Here's a close up of the head...

The tail...

And the foot with the towers and clouds around it...

The painting will go on display along with a few other pieces of mine at the View Art Gallery, Hotwells, Bristol as part of Upfest on Saturday 6th June 2009.

New poster design for Play It By Ear Club

2009-05-19T00:17:00.000-07:00

This is my latest poster design for Londons Play It By Ear club night...More info on the night over at their myspace.

Window Drawing at Grain Barge Bristol

2009-05-16T01:54:00.000-07:00

On tuesday I went along to the Grain Barge (boat restaurant/bar) in Bristol for a spot of window drawing. I didn't have time to get a full drawing made up to work from for this but had decided to do a sea-serpent type creature made up of boats and buildings of the surrounding area.

I had read an article on the excellent Cryptomundo blog a while ago about how sea-seperents are likely to be discovered!

Three new large marine mammals, so-called sea-serpents, are extremely likely to be discovered according to researchers.

A team of scientists conclude that three new unusual species might await discovery, all of which may belong to the group of marine mammals known as pinnipeds. The best known pinnipeds are seals, sea lions and walruses!

Amazing! Giant long necked seal type creatures could be out there! Check the article and pics - wouldn't want to mess with these seals.

Anyhow, here's some pics of the triptych like window drawing I did. Turned out quite well from drawing from a few photo's I took and looking out of the windows.

Full view.

Close up of head section. Head made out of boats, water for under the neck and belly.

Close up of back section. The grain barge is in there along with houses of Hotwells/Clifton Wood and Marina for flippers.

Close up showing Grain Barge, a Sea Mine and two divers for scale!

I had great day drawing in the sun and a really nice dinner there. Thanks loads to ace illustrator Dave Bain for hooking me up with this.

Skate Deck for FBBB Board Art 2009

2009-05-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

This is the skate deck that I have painted for the FBBB event. As part of the 2009 summer series, 20 of the Uk's best Urban and Street Artists have been selected to adorn a series of skate and snow boards with graphics of their own invention with boards from -

DBO - Dan Two Pence - Deus Two Pence - Faunagraphic - Rocket01 - Dirty Thirty - Andy Mould - Ventzah - Andy Council - Ill Joseph - Famous When Dead - Ben Slow - Blam - Cheba - Sri Mckinnon - Newso - Three Dee Glasses - Nik Ill - Clumsy Kate - Kev Munday

The boards are going to be displayed at all the dates of the tour at the following venues:

Braehead, Scotland
Hemel Hempstead
Snowdome, Tamworth
Skaterham
Castleford, Leeds
Snoworld, Landgraaf, Holland
Chill Factor, Manchester
Sno!zone
Milton Keynes Snowdome
Metro Ski and Snowboard Show (Kensington Olympia)
and finishing with a gallery exhibition of the boards (and hopefully more work from you guys) at the Reebok Ultralounge in Shoreditch.

Here's a close up of the chrome hot rod exhaust Triceratops...

And a full lengther...

I'm really pleased with how this turned out. It's what I had in mind more when I painted the Raw Power piece the other week. It's nice and painterly and loose. Looks a bit like Giger too.

Visual Tourettes 'Exquisite Corpse Sketchbook'

2009-05-15T14:16:00.000-07:00

I have just finished a couple of drawings as part of Kev Mundays Exquisite Corpse Sketchbook project.

The sketchbook project is a take on the traditional art collaboration game 'exquisite corpse'. 50 artists from all over the world are being sent a sketchbook one at a time, and asked to draw half a piece on a page, plus finish half a piece by an artist on the previous page. They will then be asked to send the sketchbook on to the next person on the list, who will repeat the process.

For example,

Kev Munday produces half a piece, then sends the sketchbook on to DBO.

DBO finishes off Kev Munday's piece and produces half a piece on the next page, then sends the sketchbook to Mr Jago.

Mr Jago finishes off DBO's piece and produces half a piece on the next page, then sends the sketchbook to China Mike.

ETC

Once the book is completed it is going to be published and exhibited, with each page for sale individually.

FOLLOW THE BOOK AND FIND OUT MORE AT:
www.VisualTourettes.com

Niko Stumpo on the left and my Gothic dino on the right.

My start to the next page which is a kind of hot rod exhaust Triceratops. Now I have to send it on to Azhar Osman in Malaysia!

Better pics of Raw Power Dino

2009-05-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple of better pics of the Raw Power Dino I did the other week at Tobacco Factory in Southville. Thanks to Paul Green for letting me use these.

The Dino beastie can be seen in more of it's weird He Man like glory in these shots. Kind of like a steed of Skeletor - 'Beast Man you bumbling fool!', 'Ah He Man!' 'Activate the Null Ray!' etc. Actually, that last quote is Megatron from Transformers I think. I wish I got outside and painted Graff in the 80's instead of watching cartoons and drawing pictures of squirrels with lazer guns.

Bit of painting at Tobacco Factory Bristol

2009-05-10T04:11:00.000-07:00

I spent yesterday doing a spot o painting down at the Tobacco Factory in Southville, Bristol. It was a warm up for Upfest and also part of the Southbank Art Trail.

I drew up this sketch where the wall piece would be like one of my text dino's that I have been doing a few of lately.

I thought it would be pretty cool to do a kind of punk rock dragster dinosaur. The text 'Raw Power' is taken from the Iggy and The Stooges album title. I used a font a bit like that of the Kiss logo. The tail, legs and arms are like motorcycle exhausts with flames coming out of them as claws. I put a couple of chainsaws in there too for good measure.

Painting the piece was a bit trickier than I imagined. The Fluro pink paint needed a coat of white under it so that it would stand out, which meant that the piece took longer to do. The space available wasn't too big either and the legs got a bit squashed. I was hoping for more space so that I could make it more painterly like my Stegocactus piece I did recently.

I ended up going for a graphic finish with outlines. It kind of works, but I'm not sure about it. It looks a bit weird like the Terminator or something from He Man. I suppose that isn't a bad thing.

The picture is pretty crappy - only had my camera phone on me. Will try and get hold of a good un to post up soon.

Thanks to Steve, Scott, Jody, Matt, Adam, Jen and everyone else down there. Cheers for the drinks!