Today's inspiration

I've been designing some report covers for work today and was searching for inspiration in classic book covers, when I came accross Olly Moss, and his videogame covers, which use the same grid as the classic penguin book covers. The typography and simple imagery is great. I'm also designing a brochure cover for a project at work and only hope I can go some way to capture the simplicity that Moss does in his illustrations.

Here are some of Moss's covers:



and some other covers I swooned at today:







You can see more of Olly Moss's work here:
http://www.ollymoss.com/

Etsy commission is finished!

I was commissioned through Etsy's alchemy tool to create 3 magnetic bumper stickers for a rug hooking company in the US. I've thoroughly enjoyed the process of working with a company so far away and feel we worked really well together to reach an outcome that we are all pleased with. Here are the final designs. Look out for them in a car window near you!

Moseley Arts Market

Hi y'all!
Just a quick note to let you know that I will have a stall at next Saturday's (22nd August) Moseley Arts Market on Alcester Road. I will be selling more of my Moseley Dovecote Prints, and a few Warley Woods framed prints, as well as some unframed prints and the usual cards.
Hope to see some of you there!

New Commission through Etsy and a Beautiful Kent Wedding!

I've been commissioned to design 3 bumper stickers through Etsy.com. The commission is from a company based in Minesotta and is a rug hooking and wool supply business. Check out their website here:
www.lavenderwool.com

The designs are coming along nicely and I'm enjoying the opportunity of working for someone so far away, and the idea that my design will be on cars travelling through the US! I shall post the designs once they have been finalised and agreed.

In other news, I attended the lovely wedding of my friends Hannah and Conor Costigan at the weekend. It was set in the beautiful Kent countryside and it was great to get away from the smog and catch up with friends.

I had designed the wedding invitations and table plan for the wedding and even got a mention in the speeches, which was totally unexpected and made me blush. I'm not sure if any photos were taken of the table plan and my little handbag was too small to fit my camera in, but I shall ask around and post photos if I can find any. In the meantime, here's a screen grab of the front of the invitation, which was designed with an illustration of a sweet pea to complement the bridal party's flowers.

The weekend is almost here...

My to do list for the weekend:

- catch up with friends
- buy outfit for forthcoming friends' wedding
- watch cricket on the big screen in the park
- visit the Ikon Gallery and the Framers to see if any of my work has sold
- deliver Warley Woods prints to the Cherry Tree

This weekend was supposed to be relaxing but it's fast getting filled up...!

Better late than never...

So Moseley Arts Market was a great experience on Saturday. I met lots of other stallholders, got some good advice for Artsfest in September, got a better idea of what people like and dislike about my work, and sold a few pieces too! My Moseley Dovecote print was the most popular; not surprising seeing as it's a local piece. The InShadow images also seemed to be popular, and quite a few cards flew off the shelves.

The weather held up, with the morning starting off too hot, but by midday the sun had dropped and it was a pleasant temperature for standing around under a plastic sheet! People seemed in good spirits. After thoroughly enjoying the day, I have signed up for another stall on the 22nd August.

A few people took the information sheets on my Warley Woods prints. Incidentally, I have agreed to supply some of these to the Warley Woods Community Trust cafe in the woods in 2 weeks time. They are going to be displayed on the walls and for sale in the shop and by custom order. More details to follow on that soon.

For now though, I shall leave you with some photos of my day at the Arts Market in Moseley...

beckyismyname's stall:


The Dovecote print in action:

Framed Moseley Dovecote prints now on Etsy!

My new illustration of Moseley Dovecote is now available to buy on Etsy.



I've priced it at $50, which is roughly £30. I can provide the print unframed if anyone would prefer. Please either email me direct or through etsy if you're interested.

www.beckyismyname.etsy.com

Moseley Dovecote

I've produced a new illustration of Moseley Dovecote to have on sale at the arts market tomorrow. I'm quite pleased with it, I think the colours work well together.

Here's a little bit about Moseley Dovecote from The Moseley Societies website (www.moseley-society.org.uk):

The Moseley Dovecote

The Moseley dovecote was built in the 18th century probably at a similar time to the icehouse, but the precise date is not known. It was constructed of red brick of three storeys and is octagonal in shape. It had, by 1840, been adapted for general farm use and its ground floor had been converted to two pig sties, and the upper parts became storage rooms. The whole complex of South Lodge buildings was scheduled for demolition in 1933, but public petitions for the dovecote were successful, and this building, with a part of the adjoining “cow-house”, were spared. Plans for restoration of the building were in hand in 1939, but work was suspended on the outbreak of war, and it was not until the 1980s that, with the help of the Manpower Services Commission, it was possible to complete the work.

The Dovecote has been placed in the care of the Moseley Society, whose members volunteer to supervise opening to the public.

Text by Roy Cockel

and here's my illustration:




It will be available framed at tomorrow's market or you can email me on beckyismyname@hotmail.co.uk if you're interested in buying a print.

Moseley Arts Market

The arts market is on this Saturday and I am running behind on my preparation! I will be spending some time tomorrow evening illustrating the Moseley Dovecote, which is a beautiful little building, set back from Alcester Road. I want to have a few of these illustrations available for Saturday for a little local flavour!

I'm off to the framers this evening on my way back from London to pick up some more stock, and then will be spending tomorrow organising myself.

On top of all this, I need to come up with a fancy dress outfit for Saturday night! Photos possibly to be posted after the event...!

Busy Week!

The last week has been very busy. I've been producing 4 prints of Warley Woods for a private commission and am now putting costs together for a canvas print of my 'Tickle me' illustration. I've also got 10 of my illustrations available to sell at Studio4 Gallery at the Custard Factory, Brum and 'The Cherry Tree' interiors shop in Bearwood has asked for 6 of my Warley Woods prints to display for sale in their shop. That's on top of starting preparations for the arts market in Moseley on the 25th July! Must get to the framers this weekend to get some more stock in...

If you haven't already been to Studio4 Gallery by the way, you must go. They've got some amazing artwork on display. I spent about an hour in there perusing, before I plucked up the courage to ask if they were interested in my work. It's at the back of the pool in the Cutard Factory and is part of The Framers shop.