Gadgets

This blogging prompt doesn't really fill me with passion. Although I have to admit to loving my phone, it's a bit of a double-edged sword. I spend too much time mindlessly checking various social networks, which distracts me from the job in hand of how to be brilliant success and lead a fulfilling life. Having too much 'stuff' makes me feel panicked. I like to feel free. My mind is already filled with loads of clutter, I don't need to add to that by buying up loads of crap. I'd rather have experiences than possessions.

That said, you're not keeping the fucking Gaggia.

Passion Projects

The title of this post is Passion Projects - what do you love and would like to make money from. Well, I do love what I do and get a lot of satisfaction from working for myself and being able to be creative every day. That said, I am giving myself some time this Summer to work more on things that are completely non-commercial. I love all my little creatures and critters, but sometimes I think I would be quite happy never to print another lion bib ever again.

I have been working on some geometric drawings and while I'm not really sure at this point where I'm going with them, I've had a really nice reaction and feel excited to develop them over the coming months. A lot of the dot work drawings take several hours each to complete and I love that intensity of work, focusing my usually pretty scattered attention and really zoning in on them. I've been posting these up online and have been asked by a friend to design him a tattoo, so that's a promising start!

Dotwork octagon

Dotwork mandala

Cinco de Mayo

I have family in Mexico and am lucky enough to have visited for a couple of weeks back when I was a teenager. My Auntie moved there years ago and lives in Irapuato, Central Mexico. I absolutely loved it, I have a big extended family over there, which I adored as I come from quite a small family. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, we got along great despite the language barrier. We travelled around a bit and visited Mexico City as well as Cancun and the temples of Tulum. Many iguanas were spotted and much delicious food was consumed. I'd love to go back there, it's such a beautiful country. Much love to Tia Margaret and Tio Pedro!

Image from Beers and Beans

I just found a few photos I took while I was there, but frankly they are too crap for human consumption, so I've swiped this one of Tulum from elsewhere.

This is a 4 piece lino cut print I did at school, inspired by drawings I did while away. It's a 2 colour print, using reduction technique. It's about A3 in size. I had another version in a better, more juicy, colour way, but I can't find it! Such is the life of an obsessive maker and hoarder of STUFF.

Star Wars Day!

In which we talk about Sci-Fi.

When I was at school my friend Simon was completely obsessed with Star Wars. His whole room was filled with action figures, some still in their boxes. He lent me all the films, which I loved and I developed a huge crush on Han Solo, naturally. One day he (Simon, not Han) gave me an Ewok figurine. It was clearly worthless as it had lost it's cowl. I still treasure it! Proof:

Just look at his cold, dead eyes!

My pal Jenni just bought Blue Snaggletooth for her husband's 40th. That shit was like 200 quid! She really loves her guy. How much would I get for Wicket? Actually, forget it, I'll never sell.

Weekend Morning Routine

Saturday depends on whether I'm working in the shop at Manchester Craft and Design Centre. If I am, then it's up and out on my bike to the studio. If I'm not in the studio I may well be running a workshop somewhere, like Fred Aldous for the Ministry of Craft. I often run in the morning too, distance dependent on whether I'm training for something. Porridge or eggs and green smoothies will be on the menu.

Actually I'm not a huge fan of routines, but I also think they're good for me. I've got a strange brain sometimes, it's full of conflicting ideas. I try to meditate everyday, weekend or not. I use the Headspace app as I'm not very good at staying focused without guidance. I very rarely have a long lie in, it's no fun on your own! I also feel too guilt-ridden and as though I'm missing out on some fun times if I lounge about too much. I usually try to make plans to see friends and do something interesting like attend Sunday Assembly, go to a life drawing class, or a nice long bike ride in the country. In the evening I like to go to gigs, parties and suchlike. Fun times please. Last Saturday I went to an amazing event called Drawn to the Beat at Victoria Baths.

Basically, I believe that life isn't happening at home.

5 Favourite Posts

Here are my 5 favourite blog posts of days gone by! It's weird to think I've been blogging, fruitlessly, endlessly blogging, for 6 years on and off…It's been really nice looking back through my posts, seeing how far my work has come and the projects I've lucky enough to be involved with. Actually some of my favourites are of my old drawings, but they'll keep. I will for sure post up some more sketchbook excerpts in the future.

Zookeeper for a day. A classic from the Nell archives. Look at my chuffed little lemur-clutching face!

Desiderata I don't actually remember posting this, but it's really beautiful and seems timely to come across it at a time of confusion, heartache and anxiety. Thanks, past me.

New York Let me go back.

Childhood Dreams This is a nice, upbeat one!

Celebrity Endorsement of the past Remember that time I met the Patron Saint of the Craft Centre?

Cheating slightly by putting these drawings up too.

What is your blog all about?

Hello! This is my first blog post of the Blog Every Day in May challenge! I though I'd sign up as my blog has been woefully neglected for ages.

I first started blogging as a way to promote my business, so I guess it's supposed to be about that. Along the way other things have crept in, especially during Juneathon last year, when I was blogging all about jogging and suchlike. I really enjoy writing and it seems a shame that I leave such big gaps in between each post. I think the pressure of having something interesting to say gets to me. It doesn't really matter if anyone reads this or not though. I am going to use this challenge more as a writing exercise rather than for promotion I think, although naturally I will be writing about my work, it's what I do and who I am! Here's a picture of me in my old studio, printing away. My hair is much better these days.