Mark’s making

IF. Mesmerized

2011-09-23T10:06:00.002+01:00

It’s Been sooooooooooooo long!

Not desperately original but it‘s my first for a while so I’m breaking myself in gently.

IF. Burning…rubber!

2010-11-18T12:12:00.004Z

You can never be too cool, too soon.

‘American Graffiti’ for a new generation?

IF. Afterwards - ‘The times they are a changing’

2010-11-10T11:27:00.006Z

More Autumn fare.

After a couple of days of windy weather and the autumn colours lay all around…it’s rake time!

IF. Spent - Time Together

2010-11-05T10:55:00.007Z

Half term for Linsey last week so away for a few days in the Lake District. A little damp (which explains the Lakes) but majestic scenery and breathtaking autumn colours…time well spent.

IF. Spooky - Ghost Stories!

2010-10-20T13:11:00.006+01:00

BBC 4 at the moment have a series on ‘The History Of Horror’.

Took me back to memories of Saturday nights and spooky old horror films…being too scared to watch but too excited not to.
I love a good ghost story, roll on Halloween!

IF. Transportation - Handlebar

2010-10-14T10:56:00.006+01:00

An early version of car sharing, or the penny farthing display team? Either way it’s one heck of a way to get from A to B.

IF. Beneath 2 - Iceberg

2010-10-06T09:30:00.005+01:00

With most things in life you have to look beneath the surface to see what’s really there.

This is a bit like waiting for a bus…nothing for ages then two come along at once!

IF. Beneath - Wicked Witch of the East

2010-10-05T13:59:00.011+01:00

Long time, no post so a quick one to get back into the swing of things.

Wizard of Oz…Wicked Witch of the East…Unlucky!

IF. Artificial

2010-08-03T13:47:00.002+01:00

Even better than the real thing…as Bono said.

Double Double!

2010-07-31T09:20:00.002+01:00

One for the road!!

IF. Double

2010-07-30T12:00:00.005+01:00

We went to Linsey’s cousins wedding earlier this month in London.
It was a wonderful day including all the guests, bridesmaids, ushers, and Bride and Groom travelling to the reception across Tower Bridge drinking Champagne on a vintage, double decker, bright red Routemaster London Bus.

Congratulations to Jane and Micheal!

IF. Breakfast

2010-07-21T20:25:00.002+01:00

Sunday morning, nothing to do.
Wake up slowly, pop out and pick up a paper.
Coffee, hot buttered toast, and back in bed.
There is nothing better.

IF. Giant

2010-07-07T17:25:00.003+01:00

Giants…

…you’d think they’d be easier to spot.

IF. Satellite

2010-07-02T12:27:00.003+01:00

Trapped in orbit around an object!

IF. Paisley

2010-06-25T13:20:00.004+01:00

Got this in just under the wire.

Amazing patterns and vibrant colours from those ‘dark satanic’ mills.

IF. Ripple

2010-06-18T10:24:00.006+01:00

Oh no!…the sun’s out. The ‘Body Beautifuls’ will be strutting their stuff this weekend.

Think I’ll keep my ‘Body Bountiful’ to myself at home in the garden.

IF. Early

2010-05-27T15:50:00.004+01:00

…man.

After a late night (1am on a Wednesday is late enough for me), it’s not a pretty sight in the morning!

IF. Fearless

2010-05-12T18:50:00.004+01:00

People who just say…

IF. Cocoon

2010-05-07T11:02:00.002+01:00

I caught a program this week (Dive, Dive, Dive! BBC 4) on the history of the submarine in films and although I’m no sailor, I can get sea sick in the bath, found it fascinating. Tense, claustrophobic, terrifying was the overall feeling of most of the movies but I couldn’t help be think I’d rather be inside than out.

IF. Linked

2010-04-13T11:53:00.003+01:00

I’m sure this is one of many but it can’t be said enough.

IF. Brave

2010-03-10T15:21:00.005Z

…not so much.

A lot like myself when it comes to our eight legged friends.

IF. Propagate

2010-02-26T13:28:00.002Z

How does your garden grow?

IF. Muddy

2010-02-10T09:46:00.003Z

Ahh, childhood memories…fancy a slice?

The Big Day (IF. Focused)

2010-02-05T10:39:00.004Z

My sister-in-law Keeley and her now husband Ryan’s wedding was most definitely where we focused all of our attention last weekend!
A fantastic day was had by all, lots of laughter, a few tears…mainly the groom, one or two drinks and a phenomenal amount of photos!

A great day for a wonderful couple.

IF. Clumsy

2010-01-26T17:12:00.003Z

It’s just an accident waiting to happen!
(A bit of an unintentional homage to Ronnie Barkers character Clarence, a myopic removals man)

IF. Confined

2010-01-12T13:04:00.004Z

…in a (imaginary) glass box?

Very, very creepy!

IF. Hatch

2009-12-18T11:23:00.006Z

Here’s a Christmas card I’ve illustrated for my niece. She and Floppy (her sleeping companion) ‘hatching’ plans while asleep to make Christmas perfectly pink this year.

Apologies for the very tenuous link to this weeks theme, Christmas preparations have taken over but I was determined to post something.

If I don’t get chance to post again before the big day, a heartfelt thanks to everyone of you talented and inspirational folks who takes the time to visit and comment, I wish you and yours a Happy Christmas and all the best for the coming year.

Cheers!

IF. Crunchy

2009-12-08T15:36:00.003Z

As the big day draws closer thoughts turn to Christmas dinner.
Turkey with all the trimmings, roast potatoes, stuffing, chipolatas and most importantly veg with a bit of bite.

Mmmm…crunchy carrots!

IF. Entangled

2009-12-02T19:19:00.008Z

It’s that time again.

Tree…check!
Baubles…check!
Lights……aaarrrghhhhh!

No matter how carefully they’re packed away somehow, in the intervening 353 days they have once again become a virtually unfathomable mess of cable and bulbs?!

It’s become our favourite pre-Christmas game.

IF. Music

2009-11-27T01:00:00.004Z

True…though sometimes it takes a little bit more.

IF. Blur

2009-11-12T17:16:00.007Z

These energy saving bulbs just arn’t bright enough!
There’s something wrong with this screen!
This is really poorly printed!
This type’s too small!

It’s no good, I’m running out of excuses.
Years spent hunched over a pad with pen, pencil, paint brush and marker followed by more years staring at a monitor for hours on end have finally taken their toll, time has caught up with me.
I NEED TO WEAR MY GLASSES!!!

IF. Skinny

2009-11-04T14:16:00.003Z

Skinny jeans, skinny T’s…Huge mistake! It’s all got to go somewhere.

IF. Germs

2009-10-08T13:54:00.003+01:00

I’VE GOT PLENTY!!!!

First (and hopefully last) cold of the year has laid me low so stand well back from your screen people, it’s a stinker.

IF. Pattern

2009-10-02T10:02:00.001+01:00

Too much?

LINSEYS’S BIRTHDAY

2009-10-01T17:22:00.003+01:00

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to Linsey,
Happy Birthday tooo yooooo!

She really is my star.

IF. Shaky

2009-07-09T14:38:00.006+01:00

A fantastic effort in the ‘Race for Life’ last weekend by Lins and Mel, raising nearly £500 so far for Cancer Research. I think a night out on the town with Mr Shaky would be well deserved!
WELL DONE GIRLS!

Craving 2

2009-06-10T15:03:00.002+01:00

Some time on my hands so here’s another.

IF. Craving

2009-06-09T13:27:00.010+01:00

Shooooes!

My sister-in-law is getting married in January.
Venue…booked. Wedding Dress…bought. Bridesmaid dresses…sorted. So Linsey’s hunt for shoes has begun!

IF.Contagious

2009-05-20T12:58:00.000+01:00

Infected, contaminated, smitten…LOVE!
Illness, disease, colds, germs…BUGS!

I made the printing blocks from rubbers cut with a scalpel and a lino cutting tool (spot the mistake), printed, scanned and colours manipulated in Photoshop…

… Messy but good fun!

IF. Parade

2009-05-15T09:33:00.004+01:00

Inept fat cat bankers, money grabbing politicians, terrifying pandemic scares and grotty weather…but we keep smiling!

IF. Hierarchy

2009-05-06T17:08:00.006+01:00

Spring has well and truly sprung and with it comes a TV program here in the UK called ‘Springwatch’.
A peek into the world of our native wild life via hidden cameras and patient cameramen, creating a compelling nightly life and death drama. Watching newly hatched chicks establishing an often all too real ‘pecking order’ can be quite traumatic, there’s no interference from the film makers, real hierarchies are established and often nature runs its unsentimental course. I’m no outdoors man but Linsey and I have become hooked!

Brush and ink line work coloured up in Photoshop.

IF. Theatre

2009-04-28T13:15:00.006+01:00

So much pressure on us all these days to be characters we are not.
For every ‘nip and tuck’ there the risk of ending ‘six feet under’.
Tubby or not tubby? That’s the question!

Hand drawn with dip pen and ink then coloured up in Photoshop.

Spring!

2009-03-18T15:34:00.007Z

Took a quick shot of a daffodil as I’m just waiting for some paint to dry on my mothers day gift on a perfect early spring day.

IF. Legendary

2009-03-17T13:51:00.006Z

A legendary appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in ’56, seen by nearly 60 million people and a legend was born…even if it was only from the waist up!

I’m not a fan but found myself drawn to the image of Elvis, as contemporary legendary figures go he’s pretty hard to ignore.

IF. Intricate

2009-03-12T16:43:00.003Z

This is an pen sketch I did just after I’d left work. I was feeling the need to draw something as I hadn’t sat and drawn anything like this since collage in the early 80’s.

IF. Intricate

2009-03-12T14:06:00.005Z

…more by default than by design?

Whilst away on her trip to Canada, Linsey and her colleagues went ice skating. She tells me she was a natural, performing intricate, pre-determined moves with consummate ease…I have my doubts.

IF. Intricate

2009-03-06T15:57:00.007Z

Got the word for the week. The tub cocktail sticks I’d used to do the dots on ‘Breezy 2’ were sitting in front of me so I snapped some quick shots. I thought from above they looked fairly intricate.

IF. Breezy 2

2009-03-04T18:08:00.007Z

BRIGHT AND BREEZY
This was another image I had in mind for breezy and with a little time on my hands I thought I’d dig out the acrylics (which I don’t do as often as I should) and get it down.

Style wise it’s an homage to James Caraway who’s illustrations are always an inspiration.

IF. Breezy

2009-03-03T17:37:00.006Z

Spring is in the h-air!

IF. Instinct

2009-02-26T18:40:00.009Z

Thoughts sprang to our friends Mel and Nige, their three cats and stories of carnage and torture visited on the local wild and on one occasion, not so wildlife!!

Domestic they maybe but inside each lurks the spirit of their wild ancestors.

Time…poor.

2009-02-15T15:16:00.003Z

Well bang goes that resolution!

With an enquiry about some work and Linsey’s trip to Canada I ran out of the aforementioned and did’nt get this uploaded last week. I am determined to get back on track though for this week.

IF. Flawed

2009-02-05T15:16:00.006Z

The best laid plans…

Don’t know why, it was just an image that got in my head and wouldn’t go away.

IF. Climbing

2009-01-29T16:35:00.004Z

In just over a fortnight Linsey takes off on her trip to Canada!

She is very excited and just a little nervous (I’m just jealous). It’s no secret, she‘s not the best flyer so a trip across the Atlantic without my hand to hold/crush is a real test. The hardest part will be climbing on the big bird and waiting to get in the air but after a couple of glasses of something red I’m sure she’ll be fine. So if anybody in Montreal spots a group of chilly looking teachers from England out and about from the 14th of Feb say Hello.

IF. Pale

2009-01-23T10:49:00.004Z

…imitation!

Contained

2009-01-13T16:49:00.010Z

After two days of trying to get my Internet connection back up and running (including over two hours on hold!!).....BARELY!!!!!

Had a very relaxed Christmas and new year and finally dragged myself away from the fire, TV and sofa but not quite in time to get this finished for last week so here’s my Resolve offering as well.

Hope everyone had a good break and all the very best for 2009.

IF. Similar

2008-12-12T01:17:00.014Z

Last week we had our first taste of winter (albeit only lasted a day!). Seeing those first falling flakes never fails to excite me,
I LOVE SNOW.
That was my inspiration as no two snowflakes are the same (difficult to prove?) and yet a covering of snow make everything look similar.

My flake shapes are based on the amazing photographs of Kenneth Libbrecht found in The Little Book Of Snowflakes or on his web site www.snowcrystals.com, if you have a minute they’re well worth a look.

IF. Balloon

2008-12-03T00:57:00.006Z

December’s here, Christmas and all it brings is just around the corner!

For someone with a mouth full of sweet teeth there’s so much to look forward to, mince pies, chocolates, biscuits, mince pies, Christmas cake, trifle, mince pies, Christmas pudding, mince pies, stollen and not forgetting mince pies (my favourites).
The problem…blowing up like a balloon!
So it’s everything in moderation, watch what I eat, don’t over do it or I could hit a gym in Jan?

Errm…pass me a pie!

IF. Opinon

2008-11-23T15:35:00.008Z

Everybody has one and you should never be afraid to express it…sometimes though, it’s best all around if you keep them to yourself!

IF. Pretend

2008-11-21T11:23:00.004Z

Christmas is coming and parents are getting worried.
What to buy?, where can I get one?, what can I afford?

The radio is running a campaign called “Don’t cancel Christmas” giving tips and ideas on how to have a happy one in the economic downturn. Lots of people worried that they can’t afford to buy their children exactly what they want and how to break the news to them. Having watched my niece at Christmas and Birthdays past it brought to mind the old idea that it’s the simple things that bring lasting pleasure. As much fun is had pretending to be in a kitchen/cafe/castle as playing with expensive bought versions. Paper, pencils, felt tip pens, paints, glitter and glue plus the magical time together are the biggest winners. A developed and nurtured imagination is the gift that keeps on giving! Oh the thrill of a big cardboard box!

IF. Wise

2008-11-13T17:29:00.008Z

Autumn, my favourite time of the year!
Short, gray, chilly days.
Long, black, cold nights.
Staying in and cosying up.
Venturing out for supplies when you really have to.
I take my cue from the hibernating animals.
Very wise indeed.

This was my first attempt with scraperboard and I found I really enjoyed it. (Scanned and coloured up roughly in Photoshop).

IF. Late

2008-10-24T12:37:00.005+01:00

VERY!!

I Knocked this out this morning, its a bit rough but time was of the essence.
The white rabbit (One of many I’m sure) was the idea that stuck in my head, don’t know why, I’m not a fan of Alice and her chums. Maybe it’s because I am a terrible time keeper, was this me in a previous life?

IF. Strings

2008-10-15T17:24:00.005+01:00

This brought to mind an ad for a stock photography company that appeared in the design mags we used to get at work.
When ever you opened one there it was…in your face! Once seen never forgotten! I hasten to add this is NOT my preferred choice of swim wear, I wouldn’t have the cheek(s)!

IF. Sugary

2008-10-09T12:25:00.005+01:00

Sugar and spice and all things nice…?
Beware the evils of too much sugar! Traumatising childhood trips to the dentist are a bitter childhood memory.
Sweet dreams all!

IF. Packed

2008-10-03T11:53:00.007+01:00

Very late this one.
It was my wife Linseys birthday yesterday, this is no reflection on how the day went. I was thinking of the slang term for splitting up and the aftermath of being ‘Packed’. Not very cheery but there you go (maybe a reaction to the happy birthday vibe?).

My Nieces 4th Birthday

2008-09-26T23:07:00.003+01:00

Last week it was my niece’s big 4! She had stayed with us on Saturday night and brought her new bicycle with her. There was no stopping her! She’ll still be a little young for London 2012 but I can see more gold medals on the horizon.

IF. Clique

2008-09-26T09:32:00.002+01:00

Sometimes you just want to fit in, be part of the crowd…but why?

IF. Island

2008-09-18T15:31:00.003+01:00

Listening to the news…doom and gloom!
What I wish for is an ‘island’ in the sun. Somewhere safe from rising costs and falling confidence, somewhere we won’t get burnt, somewhere I can be with my wife and together rest in the shade.

IF. Clutter

2008-09-11T15:45:00.003+01:00

I must admit, I hate clutter! I can limit the amount we have at home despite my wife (Teacher and trainee hoarder) but in the outside world , forget it. So my image this week draws on that feeling of being constantly surrounded by STUFF!

IF. Memories

2008-09-04T12:39:00.006+01:00

This touched a nerve. My memory is terrible!
Names, faces, dates, times , places…I forget them all.
Style wise I wanted to try something a little looser plus I was running late!

IF. Detach

2008-08-21T14:56:00.006+01:00

For some reason detach got me down. I felt really negative towards it but wanted to do something more…uplifting.

IF. Sail

2008-08-14T16:02:00.004+01:00

Bit late with this one. I spotted a toy sail boat while out with my wife just like one I had when I was a child and it took me back to time spent watching it bob around a pond or float down a stream. Might just have to see if it’s still at my Mum and Dads.

IF. Poof!

2008-08-06T23:40:00.007+01:00

Making people disappear…easy! Bringing them back…?

IF. Canned

2008-07-31T15:20:00.002+01:00

When are we past it?…Do we go stale?…Do we have a shelf life?…Are we canned from the start?

IF. Enough

2008-07-23T15:31:00.003+01:00

This is how I felt when I made my decision to leave my company. Too much time sitting, not enough doing!

IF. Foggy

2008-07-17T12:42:00.009+01:00

This is my first work for in answer to an IF subject.
My answer is pretty straight forward. It was created in watercolour, a medium I have never used before and then digitally manipulated.

This is another ‘Foggy’ image in watercolour that I liked and so thought I’d post it as well.

Please feel free to comment, I’d love to know what anybody thinks of any of my stuff, good or bad.

Bits for chums

2008-07-11T10:42:00.005+01:00

A birthday card for some deeply missed and fondly remembered.

And a wedding card for some chums.

Evening Class

2008-07-09T17:57:00.005+01:00

I took a screen printing evening class.
These were some of the results.

Merry Christmas

2008-07-09T17:41:00.005+01:00

Christmas cards 2007. The first project for myself.

And a special one for my niece.