pen head ella

Motto

2011-12-18T18:55:00.007Z

My Montague Two zines are now stocked at Motto Berlin, wunderbar.

(Or rather, have been since September, errrr..)

I've been up to my ears in exciting new projects and a lot of drawing but I really miss collage. 2012, year of the scrapbook filled with good intentions?

I also have some bits stocked at super ace new Neukölln gallery, idrawalot but more on this later.

Jane Russell Obituary Drawing for New Empress Magazine

2011-12-02T16:01:00.007Z

(detail). Out soon!

Crime Jazz Unit

2011-10-31T21:17:00.003Z

Happy Halloween...

This suitably gruesome effort is the poor old Black Dahlia and was drawn for a pal over at The Crime Jazz Unit. CJU busts out superior podcasts every few weeks, heavy with prime crime cuts: strange tales of vice, lawlessness and idiocy, plus helpful criminal do's and don'ts set to an excellent sleazygoing noir beat soundtrack. I drew the banner on their site.

Here's a link to the first episode, more this way.

Mmm track 7, Beat Girl...

Limner sketch

2011-10-28T13:46:00.002+01:00

Sketchbook

2011-10-20T16:56:00.004+01:00

Some drawings from the Charité and Tecknik Museums in Berlin (oh yeah, where I live now by the way) and a short but dreamy trip to France. I drew the burning car after the riots in London, but there are mysterious car arsonists here too. In the dead of night some 370+ cars have been set ablaze by unknown assailants. People say it's politically motivated or a sign of social friction but no one's making any transparent statement. Reports have suggested that it's only valuable vehicles in gentrified neighbourhoods that get torched while others say the perpetrators are unprejudiced in their choice of pyre. Curious.

Risk! Podcast

2011-10-20T14:03:00.004+01:00

Entry for a tshirt design competition for Risk! Podcast. Risk is a pretty great, true story podcast produced by Kevin Allison, based out of New York and Los Angeles. Ideal for drawing to, not so much safe for work listening.

Stalking Elk 2

2011-08-29T16:00:00.002+01:00

I'm so lazy. Here's some bits I did way back in...May? June? it feels like years ago now...for a piece by Neil A. Edwards in the second issue of Stalking Elk. The content of the article meant I ended up trying to draw from porn which is harder than it sounds and I invariably ended up just watching it. Plus the drawings got pretty puerile, particularly the one of Shakespeare surrounded by genitals.

Here's the finished spread;

Action!

2011-06-22T21:59:00.013+01:00

A couple of months ago I submitted some drawings for the magazine cover competition for Rushes Soho Shorts Festival.

I interpreted the brief as being about the championing of the creative, eclectic nature of the film industry and, having spent far too much time on film sets over the years myself, wanted to show something of the funny, pirate ship/circus crew nature to it too. Whether cabin boy, best boy, or bearded lady, each crew share a peculiar private slang, a pervasive sense of hierarchy and a mostly nomadic lifestyle. There's something of the cruel ringmaster or tyrant captain in some directors and 1sts too.

I didn't win (hmph!) but I might crop off the top image and turn it into a 4 colour screen print.

Talkers Bags

2011-06-15T20:58:00.003+01:00

Official Talkers canvas tote bags. Hand printed, made to order and only 6 squid each! Available at Talkers gigs and here if you email me.

Stalking Elk

2011-06-15T19:30:00.003+01:00

Been lazy online but offline I've been keeping sort of busy. First up; some drawing I did for newly launched Stalking Elk Magazine to accompany a lyrical piece on Strawberry Jam by Eleanor Bursey:

I sent them these two versions to choose from and they ended up chopping bits from each and placing them around the text.

Here it is in print:

Lido

2011-04-09T14:53:00.010+01:00

I recently did the artwork for the first single from hot new band Talkers (who I've also photographed quite a bit).

Here's the cover image they went for:

This is a different version which didn't get picked, it was my fave but whatevs.

...here are the promo copies all printed;

And finally, the single itself. Pretty ideal for the weather we've been having...
TALKERS by TALKERS

DEEP END

2010-10-13T19:18:00.007+01:00

This is from a little group show I was part of at The Macbeth the other week, DEEP END, based around ideas from the 1971 film of the same name (watch it, it's ace). Everybody made such nice work and it was brill catching up with everyone that made it to the private view. Most special thanks go to lovely Alice, who wrangled the show & dealt with the difficult.

Have a look;

TeamTeam (Emma & Iz)

Carson Print

2010-10-13T18:15:00.008+01:00

After one of my favourite books, Ballad of the Sad Cafe by Carson McCullers.

Made for a Storm in a Teacup event at The George Tavern in August.

Edition of 25. There are a couple left at £25 each.

Türkiye

2010-09-29T20:39:00.007+01:00

Four of us hid out for a couple of weeks in August and I just got all my films back. Even managed a drawing while I was out there. Just the one though, was otherwise found drinking white russians and/or burning.

Wish I was there right now, heatstroke is way more fun than flu.

Men and Women

2010-09-24T15:09:00.009+01:00

Here is a quickie I did for a piece on MAN fashion at FAYSHUN WEEK.

Thanks kool Katie Koleslaw at Nothing Bad.

And here are some of the ladies I saw at Hackney Wick Flea last time I was there hawking wares. I'm going to be selling more hand screened totes, prints and pillow cases at Trash Market in Camberwell from October. Also some hand-pulled prints next Tuesday at the DEEP END private view (more on that soon and here).

Finally here are two more inappropriate drawings for the Women's History Month logo I've been working on. Spare ribs, as in the magazine as much as the christian creation myth. On that note has anyone ever seen a copy of Shrew? The art work looks amazing.

SOS show

2010-08-08T17:04:00.004+01:00

This feels like a long time ago now but as promised here are a couple of snaps from the SOS show. I wish there were more but my camera gave up the ghost before I got round the whole space, lame. Maybe there are more on some rolls of film I'm waiting on.

There are a couple of write ups floating about the whirled wide web, including this one on Amelia's Magazine, source of hot debate in our (ex, sob) house.

My bits;

Divination Bear Prints

2010-07-27T17:00:00.003+01:00

Gonna be selling A3 giclee prints at £30 a pop.

Might make some A4 gocco prints for a more friendly £10 each next week.

Degree Show Roundup

2010-07-20T18:06:00.010+01:00

First up, LCC (internal show);

Brighton Illustration & Graphics Show at the Rochelle School:

Was really blown away by both shows. At Brighton, particularly Suzi Kemp & Jess Smith.

At LCC I liked Annu Kipelainen, Ciara Davidson Halpin, & Emily Evans. All girls, weird.

I know the other colleges are technically 'competition' now and this was most notable when the Camberwell & Brighton external shows coincided, but rather than feel jealous or competitive, it made me really happy to see such exciting, professional and diverse illustration across the board. It's reassuring. I wish I'd been able to get to the Kingston and RCA shows too, not to mention all the other institutions not caught up in London's dragnet.

Pictures from our own summer spectacular, Save Our Souls, up soon.

Camberwell Degree Show

2010-07-20T16:32:00.006+01:00

L-R: Colin Stewart, Polly Philp

Emma Denby, Hollie Theedam, Oscar Bolton-Green

Andrew Ainger

Oscar Bolton-Green, me

Paddy Jones, Jermaine Gallacher

Katie Brookes

Harley Boden, Bryony Quinn & Alice Lindsay

Chie Miyazaki, Peter Willis

Here (finally) are some photos from BA Illustration at this years Camberwell College degree show.

Oh and see below for our topical celebrity guest. Shouldn't really give her any more publicity considering the insane amount UAL give her. And she isn't even alumni, I swear she didn't even finish foundation! Oh well. I like Florence, I really do, I just think it's lame that Camberwell is constantly trying to capitalise on her success. She was mentioned like twice in our graduation ceremony! Her name even flashed across the screen on the aspirational video collage!

Wimmin

2010-07-20T15:38:00.005+01:00

Here are a couple of dodgy sketches I've rustled up while trying to get my head around a logo for Women's History Month UK. Women's History month emerged from the London Feminist Network in May 2010 and will be an annual event to raise knowledge and awareness of women's history, and celebrate and promote women's achievements. The first UK Women's History Month will be 1st-31st March 2011.

I'm still working on ideas, will post the results up when they're finished.

Gradical

2010-07-16T23:48:00.005+01:00

Spent Thursday at the Royal Festival Hall feeling part cast of hundreds Harry Potter extra & part strange academic bride. Contributing factors included the stress of getting there on time, getting be-gowned, the austere organ music & procession of tutors all robed up like ministers of the church/wizards. Also note strange phallic wand mascot. Really enjoyed honorary fellow Joe Wright's funny, unpretentious address, less enthused with the gormless Gormley quote about Area 10's part in the transformation of Peckham "from disadvantaged ghetto to the creative engine of a re-imagined London". Come on now.

So here we are after four years at Camberwell. I wish I could stay for one more. Plenty more photos to come, including the shows. Just waiting for some rolls to develop.

Joe Wright & the UAL wand (seriously what is it)

Save Our Souls

2010-07-05T23:33:00.001+01:00

Look! Come! Thursday.

++Free Kopparberg, Estrella and Tuaca, tasty.

even bigger on the internet

2010-07-04T21:21:00.004+01:00

See me on the Grafik Magazine website. Hiya!

big on the internet

2010-06-30T23:45:00.005+01:00

My web presence has grown. Have a look at my gallery page on Save Our Souls (third row down), my space on the AtCamberwell site and if you're really not sick of the same six or so images being rolled out & flogged like a dead horse then check out my new website!

Oh man. SO great at self promotion.

Degree Show Etchings

2010-06-30T23:07:00.006+01:00

Here are the three etchings I showed at my degree show at Camberwell. The first is from a project on Vitalism and the other two are from work illustrating the first part of The Lion and the Unicorn; Socialism and the English Genius essay by George Orwell.

Montague Circus Rough

2010-05-14T17:38:00.003+01:00

Oh man, oh man. Less than two weeks till The Deadline, another couple of weeks after that and then i am 'real' citizen, the days of student loans, free print beds and discount travel swept up from under my feet forever (probably). Besides making about 30 to-do lists a day, inhaling tea and toast and doling out limp screenprinting tips to fellow panicky housemate, have also been working on spreads for a 28 page zine about a couple of girls that man a circus aboard a pirate ship.

When I close my eyes I see the PS4 palette. Desperate times.

The image above is not going in, girl on right looks like she has sunburn.

may day drawing

2010-05-02T01:59:00.004+01:00

DIVINATION AT WAH NAILS

2010-04-12T18:51:00.004+01:00

If anyone is even still reading this (HIYA Colin!) then you should definitely come to this super awesome show at sohotrightnow WAH NAILS in Dalston where I'm showing a pretty nice picture of a bear with his guts being pulled out to tell the future. I'm not gonna post it up so you better just come to the show.

Colin's made a hunky stomach collage, Bryony's done a sexy rhomboid riso-print and the tasty pvc hands and crystal ball piece in the middle of this post is by Polly. There are also a couple of mystery items by mysterious Pete and Jermaine.

Private view is this Thursday from 7 at WAH nails.

See the flyer, see you there.

Should be a blast and a half.

Band Photos

2010-03-24T13:38:00.003Z

Painting

2010-03-09T19:09:00.009Z

Here is a box I made (or at least sanded down and painted) to put my work in for an assessment and a couple of swap parcels I sent to my pal Hasi. More to come, been a bit busy freaking out over schoolwork and assisting lovely Gemma with some printing for her Wellcome Trust project. Exciting/exhausting.

Joyeux Noël

2009-12-24T16:40:00.004Z

Happy happy christmas! Here's to an excellent 2010.

Felt Tip Present

2009-12-11T14:54:00.004Z

A present I drew for my sister who just turned 18.

Xmas Decorations

2009-12-10T16:00:00.005Z

This week colin, chie and i made some gross/great salt dough xmas tree decorations to sell at Camberwell's Christmas Fair. Our kitchen looks like Hiroshima and Im not sure the results are everyone's cup of tea but its been a nice diversion from my dissertation/christmas shopping/not enough drawings guilt. I like our xmas pig best:

drawing

2009-09-14T13:02:00.006+01:00

Having managed to temporarily convince myself i hate drawing, pickings from this summer are slim.

Instead i have watched a LOT of films, bought even more junk from car boot sales and got myself a job at Tate. I'm also in the process of setting an etsy shop up, bear with me and have a look.

House of Atreus zine

2009-07-07T05:05:00.002+01:00

In the penultimate week of June this year I made (having previously been asked to do so) 35 hand screened zines about the House of Atreus from scratch. I also decided not to sleep for 3 nights, missed a good friend's birthday and almost didn't go on a holiday booked months ago in order to finish said zines. And all to be told "thanks but we've handed the brief over to Central St Martin's Graphics course". What a refreshing decision!

sketchbook work

2009-06-15T01:07:00.002+01:00

prep work for House of Atreus zine

photos for Heather

2009-06-14T11:11:00.008+01:00

last week i took some photos for my pal Heather Orr for her grad show at the RCA. i spent most of yesterday grading and mucking about with them and these are my faves.

keep an eye out for Heather, her work is pretty special. this collection was inspired by animal skin.

London Zine Symposium

2009-05-04T15:09:00.000+01:00

Our table

It was soo busy.

I foolishly stayed up till 7AM the night before to hand paint a series of 35 zines, of which I sold the grand total of 1 (thanks Miriam!). It was a good day nonetheless, saw lots of friends & everyone had made really nice work. In the picture at the top Siobhan's looking pretty smug because her brill Little Book of Owls is about to make her a millionare. You can also see Haru's amazing animal mirror & Chie's pretty handsewn badges of honour.

I've still got 34 handpainted Freak Show zines, a couple of fluro printed versions plus some pretty stickers to sell/swap, drop me an email if you want one.

Early morning zine making.

-- Post From My iPhone

EXHIBITION

2009-04-26T18:35:00.005+01:00

Come and see some of my work at the Jerwood Space café, 171 Union St, London.

It's up until June 1st and you can have a look at the Contemporary Painter's Prize exhibition too, all for FREE.

Here's a preview...

unfinished zine sneeak preview

2009-02-10T07:43:00.002Z

more sketchbook

2009-02-10T07:39:00.003Z

not snogging, just hugging

sketchbook

2009-02-10T02:16:00.002Z

character

2009-01-29T05:26:00.005Z

work for the publish project

Brussels

2009-01-25T20:17:00.003Z

Voltron and Kapowski

MFWOT/VK gig flyer

2009-01-17T03:29:00.002Z

J'irai a Bruxelle avec Kapowski le weekend prochaine wooo!

I'm taking a French class and this week was all about the future tense, which is apt.

sewing on tights

2009-01-14T23:37:00.001Z

some sewing I did as a christmas present for jojo

note to self

2009-01-07T11:35:00.000Z

solargraph for 6month exposures

craftwerk

2009-01-07T10:57:00.008Z

This is from Yulia Brodakaya's website. I like her papercuts but she also has a bit of straight illustration and graphic design stuff.

...and those two are from Megan Whitmarsh's website. I love the texture of the embroidered yeti fur.

I'm really getting into crafty stuff. Want to make some illustrated cushions by easter.
I found these (above) recently via art for housewives.

I also like this and am spending too much time on makezine and even, embarassingly, here.

flic club

2008-12-30T17:01:00.004Z

the flyer i did for decembers flic club. (that's my mum!!)

go here or here
for future events and photos and stuff

i love raymond pettibon

2008-12-01T15:58:00.004Z

ahhhh hi mum, hi dad if you are reading this then please can i have this sweater from the santa monica museum of art for christmas? 148 dollars is really not that much when you consider ill probably wear it every day for the rest of my life.

some new stuff/personal work

2008-12-01T14:55:00.005Z

this top one is from an ongoing project about rubbish

some old drawings

2008-12-01T13:39:00.014Z

drawings

2008-10-10T09:26:00.004+01:00

Summer has been quiet on the drawing front. See http://www.flickr.com/photos/31045614@N07/ instead.

harley weir

2008-10-03T10:01:00.007+01:00

her FLICKR.

http://www.harleyweir.com/

babs and lizzy

2008-10-01T17:19:00.005+01:00

magazine spreads

2008-05-31T02:38:00.008+01:00

These are all details from contributions to magazines. The very top one was for Charm Offensive book (http://www.charm-offensive.co.uk/) and the other two are for my friends Journalism MA graduate project 'Siren'.

PS here are the finished images, both have been published and look pretty good

Friday's drawing

2008-05-19T13:07:00.002+01:00

Treasure Hunting Part Two; Dougal Wilson

2008-05-15T12:37:00.003+01:00

Remember that superglossy Benny Benassi video with all the sweaty girls suggestively holding powertools? That was him. That tide of kibble rolling into a Big Yellow self-storage box? Him too. Will Young learning to swim, winning the olypics and swimming the channel? Oh yes. All his videos, whether pop promo, advert or recycling short (it's called Rubbish with Martin Freeman, Anna Friel and that handsome one from Teachers) sing imagination. They're so funny, so clever. Look out for the brilliant choppy editing in his Chikinki video, Will Young digitally putting his hand on his co-presenters leg at the end of the poignant Blue Peter themed video and the jumping dog in Goldfrapp's Happiness (an homage to the 1953 film Small Town Girl).
These are two of my favourites. The first is an advert for Orange which I saw aaaaages and thought was beautiful then totally forgot about and the second is what led me to Dougal Wilson today. He's amazing.

Treasure Hunting Part One

2008-05-15T10:18:00.004+01:00

One of my favourite places on the internet is http://www.myloveforyou.typepad.com where you can find all sorts of uncommon illustrated delights. Today I found Lilly Piri.

Her drawings made me think of one of my old favourites, Aya Takano;

I love this coat

And then somehow I found Dougal Wilson. It's so good when you find out that loads of stuff you like was done by the same person and you never knew. His work is brilliant and deserves a separate post and so...

Walk the plank

2008-05-05T20:31:00.006+01:00

I think I've forgotten how to draw. What if I have forgotten how to draw? What if it happens with taking pictures? Or writing? Finally I forget how to speak, move or make eye contact? What if wake up one day to find all these hours on youtube and social networking websites has turned me into a big giggling idiot? What if it is already happening?

Gram National

2008-04-05T18:48:00.005+01:00

Today I lost £7 on the Grand National and Tom is spending all day on his computer mixing his various noises into a song so even though I am wearing Going Out shoes and even brushed my hair, I found myself sitting in bed grumpily doing a drawing for Said the Grammaphone instead.

Post-script: This is now up and live, go to Said the Grammaphone and refresh a few times if you don't see it at the top...

Bulletproof

2008-03-26T09:23:00.003Z

Very lo-fi music promo made for the lovely Easter Parade (myspace.com/easterparade). Shot with a Sony Handycam and used iMovie to edit and the results aren't brilliant but am looking to master Adobe Final Cut asap. Reading up on Super-8 too...

Bullet Proof

In the meantime I'm looking at videos by the likes of James Copeman (see his Royal Tenenbaums-y Noah and the Whale video and literally off-the-wall Mystery Jets one on youtube.com) and Sophie Muller (youtube The Kills' - Cheap and Cheerful) and feeling quite inspired.

Mind Your Manners

2008-02-19T20:43:00.004Z

This is a rough drawing for submission to Charm Offensive. I think I hate it but I'm not sure yet because it needs colour and tweaking anyway...

Evaluation/Assesment Catchup

2008-02-06T22:49:00.001Z

The least exciting and most necessary part of doing something creative. Hmm...

In retrospect the last term has been very productive and exciting. I've learnt a new skill (etching) and am keen to learn more (a screenprinting induction is on the horizon and I've signed up for some workshops in the I.T. department). I developed my drawing skills and super-developed my editing skills (albeit in only humble iMovie). I've searched for opportunities outside of college and intrepidly explored the world of contemporary illustration on and offline. I've made use of the bountiful resources at Camberwell College and throughout London. The only thing I haven't been terribly good at has been keeping a record of all my goings on. I haven't mentioned for example, the brilliant talks from Jiro Bevis and Nick Waplington I have attended. Or the possibility of doing collaborations with Grégory Houzé (see one of his illustrations below) and some friends at college. Aaand at some point this year I'd like to help curate a group exhibition...

I think the most noticeable improvement in my work has been my attitude towards it. I am feeling more enthusiastic and ambitious than ever. There just isn't enough time for everything I want to do...

Imperial War Museum

2008-02-06T22:10:00.000Z

A little while ago I went to the Imperial War Museum to battle more tourists and do some new drawings...

There's a chance some of this will be used for a band e.p. but nothing's been pressed just yet and I'd like to do some more onsite drawings before I put anything together properly.

Etchings, Exhibitions and Apes

2008-02-05T14:23:00.001Z

I haven't updated this for a while because I've been keeping pretty busy. I made an etching using the image below:

I did some more drawings and sent them off to Shirted Ape who really liked them (hopefully some will be used over the next few months):

I made a short film for the last task at college (and went an amazing shade of plush crimson when Geoff said it was 'super-cool') :

...aaaand I had a meeting with the lovely Sarah at Jerwood Space about maybe showing some work in the Café Project Space. Hurrah!

Sicko

2008-01-22T00:02:00.000Z

Just submitted something to Don't Panic/Sick of Nature's poster design brief. But I'm thinking now it looks rubbish. Got a bit messed up trying to change the file size...also spying on katemoross.com hasn't helped. She's only 21 but her work/client list is incredible. She's at Camberwell too. Arrrrrgh jealous jealous jealous...

But...vote for me anyway!

VOTE HERE

or click;
http://www.dontpaniconline.com/designbrief/entry/?id=2413

New Website

2008-01-21T01:04:00.000Z

I've been meaning to get a 'proper' website for my portfolio for ages. This is going to have to do until I can afford a more exciting one. It's not finished yet but have look anyway;

http://penheadella.carbonmade.com/

Lots of new drawings to go up here too, asap...

More Spying

2008-01-14T23:48:00.001Z

Went for the Imperial War Museum instead. Need to go back, need to draw more tanks.
I have a big new illustrative crush on Jody Barton.

Spying

2008-01-14T12:45:00.001Z

The above two are nicked from http://www.kentrogowski.com/. The first is from this project called Bears ("Bears, is a series of portraits of the most unusual sort: ordinary teddy bears that have been turned inside out and restuffed.") and the second from Love=Love (" Flowers and skies were taken out of over 40 store bought puzzles and combined to form a series of spectaular landscapes.")
I've also been spying on photographer Arnauld Jeunie (http://arnaudlajeunie.carbonmade.com/) and illustrators Julia Pott (http://juliapott.blogspot.com/ and see My First Crush on youtube) and Amy Brown (http://www.amyillustration.com/). All of whom have made me feel very jealous and unprolific so I'm off to the V& A to do some drawing.

For more good stuff see http://www.itsnicethat.com/

The British Museum

2008-01-09T17:01:00.000Z

First post. Hope this doesn't sound too forced...
Went to the British Museum yesterday and then Gosh comics (I got The Iron Tonic by Edwad Gorey and can't stop looking at it). I really liked the Assyrian bit (in the British Museum. Not in Gosh. Obviously.) The drawing above is from one of the gates to the ancient city. And the two below are from these amazing friezes about lion-hunting ("the sport of kings").

Here are the rest; The last one is of an etching in the prints and drawings room by Jan Sadeker the Elder. Really want to try and do some etching but I missed the induction last term. There was some other good stuff in that room by Thomas Rowlandson, George Cruikshank, Lilian Lijn, Seb Patane, Bill Woodrow and Kiki Smith (at least those were the names I wrote down).

detail from Kiki Smith etching 'Two'

Pleased with the day's haul anyway, especially compared to my pathetic offerings for the Christmas project (London Pug Club stuff). More on that later.
I really wanted to go to the V&A today to do some more drawings but spent most of the afternoon scanning, cropping and editing from various sketchbooks. Until recently my methods were totally dinosaur (a combination of paint shop pro, MS Paint and Word) but I braved photoshop today and saved quite a bit of time. Still love paint more than ever though.

a drawing made in ms paint