Fantastic hair style make-over

I've seen plenty of hair/make up /make-overs before but I've got to say this is fantastic!

But then I would, wouldn't I?  He does my hair too!!!

"Home Alone" Christmas Card

And here's my alternative xmas cards for all you movie fans.  So feel free to download and use this or the previous 'It's a Wonderful Life' version; both make me smile and both are religion-free if that's good for your ethics!

Enjoy!

'It's a Wonderful Life' Christmas card

If, like me, you like non-religious christmas cards (contradiction in terms I know), and you're a fan of "It's a Wonderful Life", then please feel free to download and use this design I put together for myself.

Great for film buffs, fans of classic cinema, lovers of overly sentimental slush, appreciators of snow, people called George (or Potter) and many, many more.

Also, the only card your friends will receive this season with the word 'jail' on the front. Ha!

Enjoy.

Now that's what you call Advertising

There was once a golden age for advertising.  It fell somewhere between the stumbling simplicity of 50's 'Ad Men' and the pretension of 80's Agency self aggrandizement.   A simple time before digital, subliminal, interstitial and social, this was a time of telling it straight; of grabbing your customer by the scruff of the neck and saying, "Just look at these nylon slacks! If you want to pull girls and have have a big fast car, you've got to wear these slacks! Get it?!!!"

Ahh, simple times.

Enjoy this choice selection of glorious ads from 1973 copies of Playboy magazine selected by Charlie Fox and Ted Badger esq.
(All credit to Guy and Russell for sourcing the magazines)

Slacks - YEAH!

At "A time like this" ?  What "time like this" could possibly validate this look, one wonders.

 Hey, Hey, HEY Kids!

I think I've seen Crusty The Clown wearing these.

The 'Rappers Man' is my new hero

Quite the 'man about town' don't you think?   This ad has f**king everything. Both pairs of slacks are obviously awesome. Then there's those killer tank-tops and shirts and what I suspect is a 'fun' bow-tie. Then a backdrop that consists of a big chopper and some poor wanna-be cat walk model who appears to be desperate for the toilet. 

As if that isn't enough, check out the 'classic' male model pose that was a cliche even in 1973. (Probably even in 1873).  I particularly admire the 'elbow on colleague's shoulder' move.  I strongly recommend actually trying this in real life. When next in a standing conversation, move closer to the person your talking to and then, without explanation, rest your elbow on their shoulder. See how far that gets you.

After a few seconds, if they haven't already punched you in the face, add a little twist to the moment by popping your other hand onto your hip.

I can only assume that the helicopter is for a fast escape.

More from The Rappers Man later

Germanic attention to detail

 I can only assume this was a 'last thing on Friday' ad.

 Purrr Purrrrrrrr

 Really quite nice ad actually. Good for Jaguar - keeping it classic.

 Check out the 'iCut'

Apparently this is some kind of 'Before and After'.  Apart from that it gets a bit confusing. I assume it's '73 corporate right-wing America telling the stinking hippies to shape up.  Also, Isn't that Steve Jobs?

 Stepford Couples

 For some reason this 'creeps' me out.  It seems to be that weird couple down the road who do everything together in coordinating anoraks.

Make a statement this Friday night

 

 I assume it is best to move fast if going into town wearing this.  Possibly breaking into a run.  Funnily enough, the hat is the least of his problems.

 Lost for words

So just who was the target customer the ad agency had in mind when they were working on this? Or perhaps they were all high/drunk/on a different planet.  Setting aside the layout, the fonts and general style etc, what the hell is going on with those trous?  Yeah, yeah, I know that it's a Golf thing, but c'mon on! - Look at them!

 Jerry and Tarquin's Day Out

Quite mild in comparison to some of the other ads. It's almost as if the art director thought just one pure white suit wouldn't be camp enough.  And then the photographer told them to stand closer together.  And then they quietly started holding hands.

 Chicks in nets

 Fairly straight forward pitch going on here. Get your lovely handmade hammock from B&H. Not sure why the model has to have a 'bent' cigarette though.  Oh, Ha! Just got it; "Take a Break"

Jeezuz fking christ. Did someone really get paid for that?

 Brokeback Mountain

Hank is a'hankering for his buddy.  Silver is a feeling a bit lonesome.

 Bearing Off (as they say in Backgammon)

A man with a psycho stalker apparently, who will later that night burst into his room and stab him, for letting that blonde finger his shoulder.

 Animal magic

 Two old friends taking a weekend break of walking, talking and drunken angry sex. And their owners might do the same.

 The 'Rappers Man' part 2. (A-Hoy matey)

 Oh yeah, now we're cooking. 

"He's sure of himself. He Knows what he wants and can afford to pay for it." The Rappers Man is back and this time is in nautical mood.  Carefully choosing his slacks to compliment his pal's shirt, he strikes a casual figure on deck.  He send the womenfolk off to slice the mainbrace while he stands proudly aft and fingers his ring, wondering what that uncomfortable itching is.

 "Rash?, What sort of rash?"

Squatting in the woods; always a good scenario for a classy ad. And the depressing expressions indicate that 'difficult' conversation.

Well I'm convinced to choose Puerto Rican rum based on that.

 Deliverence

 Errrr...WTF?

 The Man on Dawn Patrol

Fashion from previous decades is always an easy target but it's not so much the styles as the Ad Agency BS that I find so funny in all these ads.

I've really no idea whether this jacket looked 'cool' or not to most guys in '73 but regardless of all that I feel that 'an exclusive blend of Dacron and Polyester' in that pattern, with that tie, that haircut, in a field with a vintage plane is worth commenting on.

Good job it's for 'The Suave and the Sophisticated", otherwise I might not have appreciated it.

YAYYY 1973 !

Art and Commerce | William Blake

Painting weekend

Most of last weekend I was working on a painting for my business partner's daughter Miren.  It's great to sink myself into such a lot of indulgent creative fun.  Guess I spend too much time over-thinking paintings normally but this project is running on pure visual, decorative techniques which is a pleasure.

I've bought a box of goodies like glitter glue and sparkly gems (ideal for my 13 yer old client) and I'm creating the work of four square canvases so she can re-configure them in different ways in her room.

As the work has progressed, it has almost taken on a mandala feel with elements of Klimt-like surface decoration.  Hmmm, interesting. 

Anyway, here are some work in progress images.

Close up of painting surface

Edge House Illustration in progress

Here we are with the further development of Edge House.  Gradually fleshing out the structure and finding my way into its history and feeling.

Agatha Christie's ghost

I've many paintings, drawings and photos I've taken of Agatha Christie's Devon home 'Greenways' but this one has given me a bit of a shock and thought I'd share it here.

I was in the grounds very early in the morning and looking for good views to sit and paint and, as I often do, a grab some photos to use as reference when I get back to my studio and to help me think about the framing/proportions of the painting.  I know for sure that when I was taking the picture, there was no figure in the window. I had been particularly attentive to the fact that I could see straight through the two windows and I was excited by the idea of the 'frame within a frame' concept.

I took the picture and instantly saw there was a figure standing looking at me. My camera-phone was still held up in front of me so I could see the view right next to the image. There was definitely no one in the room. I even quickly walked up to the window and peered in to see if there was anyone in the room; there wasn't.

Frankly, I don't believe in ghosts, and I'm assuming that maybe one of the staff had very briefly walked in and out of shot and left the room.  However, it's still a great mystery photo for the queen of mystery!

Brilliant Downs Syndrome Awareness creation

Such a wonderful, simple, engaging idea...
http://www.b-landau.de/fun/inspiring/

A Whole Bag of Words

When I'm writing, this is what the inside of my head looks like.

Emotional Landscape

What's all this about?  Good question.  I love 'alternative' maps, diagrams, info graphics and such like and when I was rooting through some old watercolour bits and bobs I found a little sketch / play / experiment.  When I looked at it, I could see how it formed a little surreal landscape and that was enough to set me off.

I'm also a big fan of the books of Magnus Mills and this scene also sort of reminds me of of his book 'Three to see the King'.

I tried out some beautifully surreal captions (which frankly I prefer) but settled on something a bit more romantic and touchy-feely.

New Illustration in progress

Spent most of today sketching out ideas for a new illustration.  It gradually evolved into a blend of fantasy, fairy tale and platform game setting.  Because of the pool, boulders and waterfalls at the base I was reminded of the Roger Dean cover for 'Close to the Edge' and so have given the structure the name: Edge House.

I'll upload pics as the Illustration progresses.  This, I guess is stage 2, as I have scanned the original thumbnail and I'm now working in Photoshop to tighten up the line work. You can see quite clearly original pencil and parts where I've been reworking.

Steampunk Cat

I wake to the sound of rain thundering down on the roof,
splashing down from the overflowing gutters
and gushing down the road in a torrent.

I also soon heard the sound of the cat complaining
as I let him in from the deluge.

I've paper-toweled the worst off him
and now he's curled up in my lap in bed
                                    ..steaming gently.

Little Red Dancing Girl, Pacific Place, Hong Kong

I was sorting through some Hong Kong photos today and found this one which I had forgotten about.  Taken near Pacific Place, just outside the lovely Petit Cafe, it shows this happy little girl who spent some time skipping back and forth full of the joy of life.  So sweet.

Gorgeous Retro / Steampunk 'Journey to the Moon'

Fabulous eccentric presentation of George Melies 1910 'Journey to the Moon" film, with live quirky music and laid back narration.

Pretzel Logic

 In an effort to wean myself off 'dry-roast peanut' as my evening snack of choice I purchased a bag of  snack-size Pretzels in "delicious" sea-salt.

I would summarize the experience as rather like eating desiccated salty string.

FAIL

Ultimate 'retro' video gaming centre

Now this looks like a mega boy's fun- room

Billy Collins - My favourite Poet

 I wanted to Pin(terest) this poem by Billy Collins but could find no example of it online with a pin-able image so I've made this post especially for it.

Shoveling Snow With Buddha by Billy Collins

In the usual iconography of the temple or the local Wok
you would never see him doing such a thing,
tossing the dry snow over a mountain
of his bare, round shoulder,
his hair tied in a knot,
a model of concentration.

Sitting is more his speed, if that is the word
for what he does, or does not do.

Even the season is wrong for him.
In all his manifestations, is it not warm or slightly humid?
Is this not implied by his serene expression,
that smile so wide it wraps itself around the waist of the universe?

But here we are, working our way down the driveway,
one shovelful at a time.
We toss the light powder into the clear air.
We feel the cold mist on our faces.
And with every heave we disappear
and become lost to each other
in these sudden clouds of our own making,
these fountain-bursts of snow.

This is so much better than a sermon in church,
I say out loud, but Buddha keeps on shoveling.
This is the true religion, the religion of snow,
and sunlight and winter geese barking in the sky,
I say, but he is too busy to hear me.

He has thrown himself into shoveling snow
as if it were the purpose of existence,
as if the sign of a perfect life were a clear driveway
you could back the car down easily
and drive off into the vanities of the world
with a broken heater fan and a song on the radio.

All morning long we work side by side,
me with my commentary
and he inside his generous pocket of silence,
until the hour is nearly noon
and the snow is piled high all around us;
then, I hear him speak.

After this, he asks,
can we go inside and play cards?

Certainly, I reply, and I will heat some milk
and bring cups of hot chocolate to the table
while you shuffle the deck.
and our boots stand dripping by the door.

Aaah, says the Buddha, lifting his eyes
and leaning for a moment on his shovel
before he drives the thin blade again
deep into the glittering white snow.



My apologies to Billy and/or his publisher for any copyright infringement.; I only want to share Billy's work with people who might not have found his poems before

Green Energy for Cornwall Business

I been recently working on this film for South West Business tv and in the course of making it visited a fantastic business in Cornwall. Tredethic Farm Cottages in Cornwall have been working hard to develop their use of 'Renewables' or 'Green energy' for many years and their story is an inspiration.

For an SME in the southwest to get to a position of nearly being 100% energy self-sufficient is just amazing.  Take a look at the sw business tv site and see the business and hear owner Tim Reed talking about how he has made this happen. (click the link below)

Link to swbusinesstv.com

The weird comicbook world of Seething Lane

The first extended Seething Lane Comic book story is now available for free download! Seething Lane , for those who don't know, is a comic, satirical, steampunk, surreal tale of a dystopian retro-future version of an international 'London' political community and the intrigues therein. 

A UK comic strip loosely inspired by Samuel Pepys Diary and mixed with a bizarre cavalcade of characters such as the semi-automaton Chancellor Scarlatti, the chemically distorted Lady Cantata and the multibillionaire Prime Minister Bullingdon who uses the State as his personal toy. Political satire in the UK and international news events feed the content of 'Seething Lane' stories. The banker's bonus culture and RBS head Hester was a target and recently a strip commented on the 'Occupy movement' and on politicians involvement with big business.

Visual inspiration in Seething Lane comic book comes from sources as diverse as W Heath-Robinson, John Tenniel (illustrator of Alice in Wonderland), Mike Mignola and Gabriel Ba. There are also elements of Monty Python / Terry Gilliam, Gothic, dark fiction, 1984, Art Deco and the writing of Magnus Mills. As well as regular disturbing, hilarious, vile, violent, weird, short episodes of two or three frames, there are also examples of work in progress and some background information about Seething Lane.

Take a look, if you're up for a new kind of graphic novel type of political commentary mixed with fairy tales, nightmares and black comedy. SEETHING LANE WEBSITE


As Prime Minister Bullingdon always says: "What doesn't kill you - makes you money"

Exploring the Mid-Levels, Hong Kong

Web Video has come of age.

Some amazing statistics for web video.Exeter web video specialists Wide Eye communications (Devon UK) have just put this data up on their blog. Get the complete info at http://www.wideeyecom.com/blog Online Video Statistics Video increases the chance of a front page Google ranking by 53x. Forrester, January 2010. A minute of video is worth 1.8 million words according to Dr. James McQuivey of Forrester Research. Forrester, January 2009 Video results appear in about 70% of the top 100 listings, the type of content most often displayed in universal or blended search results. Marketingweek, 2011. Visitors who view product videos are 85% more likely to buy than visitors who do not. Internet Retailer, April 2010. Video in email marketing has increased click through rates by over 96%. Implix, 2010 Simple video merchandising videos can nearly double the impact of eCommerce. Invodo Video Research, February 2010. 59% of Senior Executives prefer to watch video instead of reading. Forbes Insight, December 2010. 80% of executives are watching more online video today than they were a year ago. Forbes Insight, December 2010. 50% of manufacturers surveyed have established a YouTube presence for brand-building and connecting directly with consumers. Industrial Marketing Today, 2011 Rich media ads containing video drive success four times more than flash animation. DoubleClick, June 2009.

Stephen Hester and the RBS bonus

UK politics became an exciting drama across the media this week as Stephen Hester the RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) is set to receive nearly a million UK pounds as a bonus. This banking bonus culture is causing anguish and fury across media, the public and politicians alike. Cameron and George Osborne are squirming in annoyance but refusing to step-in. The Labour party are calling for action and the 'angry mobs' are waving banners. Seething Lane has reinterpreted this 'thrilling story' in the style of a Tintin adventure. A great satire on UK politics from this comic strip view of the corridors of power.

Visit SEETHING LANE for lots more comic strip adventures.

Seething Lane - Political Satire

Finally, after quite a long haul, my latest little project is up online. SEETHING LANE is a Satirical comic-strip about UK politics and world current events set in a world that is a curious blend of Steampunk, whimsey, punk and black humor. This is a world of smoke and mirrors, a world of political intrigue, a world of seduction and despair. Welcome to the city, welcome to the narrow streets of the mid-levels, to the politic-istas in the Palace of Cessminster, skullduggery hatched in smokey coffee-houses and most of all, welcome to Sam and his house on Seething Lane.

Visit SEETHING LANE