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Journal Page.
March 29th. My Life as an Illustrator...
Lunchtime - honey sandwiches... Mmmmm. Downstairs there is a jam sponge that Sue cooked last nite for tea, and it's just sitting there in the kitchen, waiting to be eaten. But I must resist, 'cos I'm getting a bit too portly for my own good. Partly it's an occupational hazard of sitting at a drawing board/in front of a computer all day long. Before we moved to this house, we lived a brisk twenty-minutes walk away from the boys' school. OK, so it's not an Olympian exertion, but three or four days a week I'd make that journey there and back a couple of times. Now we can see the school from our house, and the pounds are piling on...
Of course, being self-employed and working from home, I should theoretically organise my time to accomodate a stiff daily workout on our criminally under-employed exercise bike, but I tend to end up working stupid hours and keeping fit gets shunted down my list of priorities. For example, over the past couple of days, I have taken on - potentially - three or four illustration jobs. This is good from a financial point of view, but I have a load of things that I'd love to be working on [not least those angel pics for Greenbelt which you may have noticed by their absence recently] which seems to be permanently on hold at present. I get very frustrated by the need to earn, sometimes... I have this vague fantasy worklife where I have a patron funding me, maybe part-time, to do all this more-arty, comic-book stuff, like '40'...
Other occupational hazards include unhealthy levels of coffee consumption and a reliance on the internet to keep me in touch with the world [what did I do before Broadband?] I'm really aware of my declining social skills, especially if I'm working long hours to meet deadlines - I often wonder if my job is both the best and the worst kind of occupation for a task-obsessed introvert like me.
Gideon Coe is back, so I'm listening to 6Music in the mornings again. And here's another occupational hazard. Hearing loads of new stuff and having your musical horizons expanded is fantastic. But recently I realised just how many cds I own, and how few of them actually get listened to [and don't get me started on the vinyl stacked ruefully away in the cupboard downstairs - I have a great collection of old Sarah records 7 inches that never see the ligth of day. It's criminal...] If I can't keep up with the music that I already own, what am I doing getting excited about new stuff that, if I could be remotely objective about it, I don't really have the time or the space or the money for? Still, that new Guillemots single is a mighty fine thing. Also, I'm after some really quiet ambient stuff to listen to when I'm working late - like the Cowboy Junkies or Low, only quieter and instrumental maybe... Gavin Bryars' 'Sinking of the Titanic' just about fits the bill at the mo, but any other suggestions would be welcome...
ps ...coming soon to this website - 'free download' and 'shop' pages, plus a revamped gallery selection. When I can find the time, of course...
March 24th. Haircut needed...
What with work and stuff I've not been to the barber's in a while. As a result, my hair is a bit of a disaster at the mo. If I painted meself orange and wore my glasses on a chain I could easily pass myself off as David Dickinson... I may have to brave the persistant Yorkshire drizzle later and venture out for a crew cut.
ps ...Happy Birthday Steve!
UPDATE: My hair is now cut and I am human again.
March 22nd. Led Zep, My Vitriol, U2...
I've had a couple of jobs recently where the clients' required me to tweak my usual style, or to adopt a new one. That doesn't happen often - clients usually choose an illustrator because of his or her style of work, and to be honest, trying to feel your way towards what the they want from you in these circumstances can be quite time-consuming and frustrating...
However, I'm quite enjoying this job for Rory @ CPAS because I'm getting to draw using the WACOM tablet direct into Photoshop [like I did for the '40' pics - cd-roms still available by the way, just email me...!] 
Gideon Coe's on holiday this week, so I'm listening to a lot less online radio at the mo. And so I'm taking the opportunity to listen to cd's while I'm working - and specifically some of those cd's that I've not listened to in a while. This morning it was 'the very best of Led Zep' [fantastic], followed by My Vitriol [not very good, really. A couple of decent tracks maybe, but otherwise, a bit of a disappointment. Which is pretty much what I thought of the album when I bought it if I remember correctly...] This afternoon it's been U2. In order, and imho, these are the best U2 albums 1. Boy 2. October 3. Joshua Tree 4. War 5. Under A Blood Red Sky 6. Unforgettable Fire ...[I don't own anything else that they've done - I've never forgiven them for 'Rattle and Hum'...! It's a good job that this isn't a blog with comments, as kiwi Steve would have something to say about that, for sure...!]
March 16th. Still busy...
Still too busy with work and stuff to post much. Sorry. Meantime, here's some things that have been on the desk over the past few days...
March 16th. Am I still ill...?
I'm bravely fighting off the dregs of my manflu. Still not 100%, but getting there. I am impressed with my own stoicism. Which is just as well, as nobody else round here seems to be...Anyway, workwise things have calmed a little [and are due to hot up again with deadlines to meet a week tomorrow...] so I've taken the opportunity to briefly finish another one of these...
March 14th. Happy Birthday Sue...
Yesterday was Sue's birthday. We went for brunch to Salts Mill in Saltaire, which is one of our favourite places in the world [and it's quite local, which is handy]. Anyhow, we wandered into gallery two and discovered this exhibition. It's a series of installations based on five poems exploring the death of children. So not a barrel of laughs, but quite thought-provoking and moving and, ultimately, unexpectedly uplifting in a way. Well worth a visit...
On the desk today = more stuff for sue and lou @ brf... 
March 12th. Feeling rather sick and ill today...
You know how when you're ill, you have really weird and vivid dreams? Well last night I dreamt that I was visiting Weymouth with members of Spandau Ballet. I am really quite ill.
March 7th. Toilet Envy
Work is manic, so apologies for not posting much. It'll be this way for at least another week at this rate...
In the meantime,and elsewhere on the www,ian blogs about the contents of my toilet and Steve from downunder is using 40 in creative ways.
Have a good week!
March 1st. Random Stuff
I'm suddenly dead busy. Deadlines everywhere. My desk has disappeared under a sea of [illustration] briefs. Things may be a little quiet on here for a while as a result.
Meantime, here are a few random things that have happened round here of late.
Ian B came to stay. Good to see him and to meet his mate Alex...
Yesterday was Shrove Tuesday. I forgot and used all the eggs to make omlettes. We are sat around the table discussing what we're each going to give up for Lent. Sue is giving up chocolate. Ediie is giving up tv [yeah, right]... I am giving up alcohol, except for on Thursday nights when it would be unfair to my footballing colleagues were I not to join them for a post-match pint or two... We turn to Joe. "What are you going to give up for Lent, Joe?" asks Sue. He replies - without looking up from his omlette - "Tennis."
Who decided to put February so early in the year? If you're going to have a short month, stick it later, in the Autumn, when at least it'd make it seem like Christmas is approaching rapidly, with all the attendant joy and excitement that it brings. Instead February just lurks here at the beginning of the year, making everyone depressed at how quickly the year is flying by already, and how little we've acheived in it thus far. [Plus Sue's birthday is just around the corner, and so I need to start thinking what to get her. i could really do with a few extra days to ponder that one...]
Corinne's album is out, and headed for the number one spot. And only Madonna is keeping her off the top of the singles chart...!
This is probably great. Two of my favourites teamed up. Somehow, though, I can't get it working. I guess it's a mac/pc thing. if anyone has any ideas as to how i can get to see it, let me know!
[Somewhere] on the desk today = artwork for BRF... 
February 24th. Spanning the Genres
The Boosh were really great last nite. The live show is a lot more sweary than the tv/radio version - you really notice that, but it doesn't detract. [The bloke down in the stalls with his ten year old daughter might have had some rather awkward explaining-of-things to do on the way home though...] I loved the way that the whole thing teetered on the edge of anarchy - at it's heart though it's actually quite theatrical, and it's great story-telling. There's something very generous and celebratory and engaging about it, and i just loved it. All your favourite Boosh characters are there, Vince and Howard, Naboo, Bollo, Bob Fossil, the Hitcher, the moon, Rudi in his priestly robes [it's not a dress] Sadly, there was no polar bear and there was no mention of 'fiery biscuits' but my other favourite Boosh line made an appearance ["I span the genres. They call me the genre spanner..."] A top night out...
On the desk today = some clowns and Red Riding Hood pics for Beehive...
February 23rd. More...
Off to see the Mighty Boosh in Bradford tonite. Can't wait...!
meanwhile, I'm always fascinated to see how other people work - so this is kinda cool...
February 20th. More images for Greenbelt [maybe]...
February 18th. Me and Jimmy Carr.
The IT Crowd [Channel 4, Fridays, 9.30pm] is brilliant, I'm really enjoying it. One of the things abouty it that I love most [and this is kinda sad, I know] is spotting all the little comic-book paraphanalia in the background. I'm sure that I spotted a Dave Cooper 'Pip' figurine during last nite's episode...I'm also loving 'My name Is Earl' which follows it. It's kind of innocent and also very knowing at the same time. Every week is a little meditation on redemption and atonement - but whereas most US comedies end up sinking in a sea of schmaltz when they try to go to those places, 'Earl' manages to be genuinely moving and funny and intelligent all at the same time. I love it. Highly recommended.
On the desk today = Even more roughs for Sue and Lou... Meanwhile, here's my latest daily pic-with-greenbelt-in-mind... 
I heard an interview with Jimmy Carr the other day [on 'Comic to Comic', on the BBC 'listen again' thingy on t'internet] - I've never been much of a fan of his. I saw him doing warm-up at a tv recording a few years back - before he became well-known and ubiquitous - and he got himself in a bit of a mess when he made some negative comments about christianity and got heckled by someone who took offence... I actually felt kind of sorry for him at the time. Anyway, what was interesting was that in this interview he talked about how he used to be a very committed Evangelical christian, but had given up his faith in his early twenties. And now he's now an evangelical atheist. I liked him much more in the interview than I ever have in his on-screen persona [though he also talked about how similar they are at times...] I'm interested in people who lose their faith like that though - see also Derren Brown - Sue and I reached a similar point of disillusionment with the institutions of Church a while back and as we move further and further away from our conservative Evangelical roots, I wonder about what has kept our faith going when other people reach a similar point and choose to leave it all behind... ['There, but for the grace of God', and all that...]
February 17th. Bed-time.
Inspired by funky ian's blog i'm going to give each new post a witty title. If I can think of one. And if i remember to.Anyway, yesterday was exciting because our new bed arrived. I know that I'm swimming against the tide of popular opinion here, but I love flat-pack/self-assembly furniture. Especially those little circular twisty turn-to-lock nut things - I like them a lot... Anyhow, the bed is fab - big and expertly-assembled if i say so myself. The next moment of high excitement will arrive on Sunday, when our mem-flex-style mattress is delivered...
Meantime I'm listening to 'Astral Weeks'. It's fantastic.
On the desk today = some more roughs for Sue and Lou @ BRF 
Also - we went to make a will this morning - and only thriteen years after we first decided we ought to... So we've been confronting our own mortality and stuff. Feels good to have finally done it though. When we got home i stood out the back and listened to the sound of the gutters up and down our street expanding and crackling gently in the sunshine. Sometimes, life is sweet.
February 14th
Happy Valentine's Day...Feeling very unmotivated today. Work's going slow and I'm struggling to get inspired... Good revive Open Space planning meal last night though. Last week I got a whole load of emails and letters requesting copies of the '40' cd-rom - it's been featured on www.emergingchurch.info and a CPAS leadership cd, as well as the membership area of the RUN website [where Adrian gave it a very flattering review - cheers Adrian!] and there's been a lot of interest as a result. I must have posted out around 15-20 copies this month.... which is nice.
On the desk today = some roughs for Sue and Lou @ BRF 
February 10th
Today's pic. Been into town and forgot to take half the stuff that i needed to do what I was planning to do there. Doh! This afternoon there's roughs on the desk to do. Somewhere. First, some tidying-up is in order [see my January 25th post] Feeling good though. Life is good, and I am lucky to live where I live, and with the people that I live with.
February 9th
February 8th
Sue's better.
On the desk today [as well as the ongoing ELT stuff] is something that I'm working on with a view towards Greenbelt in August. I'll try to do an image a day and see what comes of it... here's todays pic...
February 7th
Sue's ill. yesterday Eddie was off with a flu-ey cold thing, and today it's Sue's turn. We have very different approaches when it comes to being ill. If I'm feeling peeky I just take meself off to bed and sleep until I feel better. Sue prefers to lie on various sofas watching brain-deadening daytime tv shows making random grunty moaning noises whenever anyone moves within earshot and generally being annoyed by my recurrent and helpful suggestions that she go upstairs and has a kip.
On the desk today is some stuff for an ELT textbook for the Middle-Eastern market. I've never done anything for that part of the world before, and tbh it's taken me a while to get my head around the guidelines that accompany the job. I'm well used to doing stuff for western/european markets, and the requirements that are involved there [eg I'll always include a range of ethnic characters in my work. And I have developed an instinctive wariness of pigs and cows and witches]
There are six pages of guidelines for this job though, and it's quite hard work making sure that I abide by them all... I thought that I'd been super-sensitive, but the roughs still came back with plenty of alterations required... It's interesting and challenging to have to work to a different cultural code though...
On Sunday it was Open Space, and it was a good one, the last one at St Matt's for the time being, as they're about to undergo a big church re-ordering... Leesun worked wonders creating some audio meditations from texts that me and Esther and Emma supplied. They were really good. And the little fold-up prayer pigs went down well too...
And me back's all better, thanks for asking.
[Here - for no obvious reason - is the text that i knocked together for Open Space. The idea was that you stood in the footsteps of the prodigal son - see Feb 2nd's entry - and listened to his thoughts on the headphones... this meditation was the first in a sequence of four, as the prodigal son strikes out on his own...]
If you love me, let me go.
Because there's a big wide world out there.
Because I've got big dreams.
Because there's more to life than this.
If you love me, let me go.
Because you're holding me back.
Because life is not a rehearsal.
Because you only get one shot at this.
If you love me, let me go.
Because I want what's mine.
Because I deserve this.
Because you can't take it with you when you go.
If you love me, let me go.
Because I owe it to myself.
Because I have to look after number one.
Because no-one remembers the runners-up.
If you love me, let me go.
Because you got to grab it with both hands.
Because I want it so much.
Because I'm worth it.
If you love me.
If you really love me...
February 3rd
I've done me back in. A day of doing not much beckons. Meantime here is the interview that i did with Adrian the other week [see Jan 12th's post]...
February 2nd
Sometimes I just have 'lost' days, days when work doesn't happen, when I have no inspiration and no enthusiasm, and today was one of those. I hate them, I get very frustrated with my own lack of energy. Luckily they don't happen often. Maybe I just need to learn to relax and make the most of the times when I'm not pressured by deadlines and workloads and all of that stuff.Anyway. This weekend is a revive Open Space event [5-8pm Sunday @ St Matt's - assuming that their heating's working...!] It's based on the parable of the prodigal son and this is something that me and Eddie've knocked together for it... 
There are three more of these clogging up our dining room...!
Meantime I did spend some time today on a strip that I've been working on - on and off - for a couple of moths. It'll hopefully crop up in the next 'Porpoise"...
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