Isolation
Isolated tIme at home leads to increased creativity and inspired me to get back to my artistic roots.
Last time I was down south I found this most excellent shell. Drawing it and wishing I was there now.
Stay safe everyone.
The Drive
I think anyone with a soul remembers the first time they encountered the sweeping lines of a Jaguar E-type in real life.
For me, I was driving along the river and saw a wild-silver-haired old lady in this long silver convertible parked on the bank, enjoying the calm summers afternoon. Both the lady and the car had seen better times, but I was struck enough to stop and ask her about it. She was quite mad, as in crazy, but this seemed to work in my favour as she offered me the chance to take it for a drive.
I was still on P-plates and probably not the most cautious or skilled driver in the world, but this didn't bother her and away we went, flying along the river with that long, long bonnet stretched out before us and a swathe of surprised onlookers in our wake. I'll never forget the feeling.
So, back to the present day and that lady is long gone. Perhaps the car is as well. A client asks me to illustrate a stretch of road on their premises for a presentation to the board. What car am I going to include?
This is just a crop of a much larger illustration... but it is my favourite part.
Here's to you crazy Jaguar lady. I am forever in your debt.
Stone throwers not welcome
We love this stunning glass getaway created by architects Desai Chia in upstate New York.
Photography is by Paul Warchol.
Project Credits
Architect: Desai Chia Architecture PC
Structural: Arup
Mechanical: Tucker Associates
Geotechnical: GeoDesign
Civil: Paggi Martin Del Bene LLP
Landscape: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc
Lighting design: Christine Sciulli Light + Design
Millwork: Desciencelab
Construction manager: Daniel O’Connell’s Sons
True Detective - Illustration by Matt Taylor
Matt Taylor’s illustration perfectly captures the dark nature of HBO’s new show. Love it.
See more of Matt’s work here: http://www.matttaylor.co.uk/#/lost-in-translation/
The Book of Life - Tickets
It's time for our next movie promo. Together with Grand Cinemas and The Examiner Newspaper, Blackrooke are giving away a stack of family passes to see an advanced screening of the new animated family movie THE BOOK OF LIFE.
(We promise you CAN bring your kids to this one. It wont be like 'Kingsman' at all!)
For your chance to get along, send your contact details to bookoflifecompetition@hotmail.com by 5pm, Monday 23 March.
Share and enjoy.
Pilbara 2050
We’re pleased to see our Pilbara 2050 infographic kicking up some lively debate in Australian press and radio.
We created it at the request of Curtin University researchers Jemma Green and Julian Ilich who have produced the Pilbara 2050 report, assessing the region's economic, social and environmental future.
Media links:
ABC
Sydney Morning Herald
Curtin News
Harder better faster stronger
Sensational photoshoot for Daft Punk.
Photos by Nabil for Pitchfork Magazine
Romantic novelists
We recently designed some new swipe cards for the local City libraries.
This version for young adults is about the brief interpersonal relationships of train travel (that may become long relationships).
Banners on the Terrace
We have done a lot of great work for the City of Armadale over the years, so were very honored to represent the City in designing their entry for the annual Banners on the Terrace competition.
Each WA City and Shire has a banner on St Georges Terrace for the month of August. This year's theme was Future Focus.
You can read more about our entry here.
The Cape Times
Nice campaign for the Cape Times.
The line reads, "You can't get any closer to the News."
Digging a hole.
I am digging a hole on a hot day.
My old gardening companion isn't helping me today. Usually her snuffly black nose and long, lean paws would be getting in the way of each shovel stroke, trying her best to help.
Although I am often just planting a tree, or fixing the sprinklers, she searches for the scent or sound, cached food or living prey for which I'm digging. Occasionally turning those brown eyes up to look for a clue in my face. Her own, much sharper senses finding nothing to encourage further digging, but trusting my judgement all the same. I hope she will trust my judgment today, in her absence.
It is nice here, high up on the rise. From here you can see over the whole property and watch the children play in the gardens below. We have had the occasional snake these last few years and the creek is always a temptation for a child's curious mind, so it is important to be watchful.
The new spring leaves flicker in the soft breeze all the way down to the dam that winks back at me in the hot sunshine.
On a day like this it would be nice to put down my shovel, take off my shirt and dive in to the deep water, feeling the work dust wash away from my face and arms. Rising to the surface to find my doggy paddling companion rushing in after me, all scratchy nails and snorting breath. Dismayed at my foolishness for swimming out so far, yet refusing to go back to the muddy edge without me.
But there is no time for that today and besides, when I came up for air she wouldn't be there. Not today.
At first my digging goes well, but soon I am down to the hard stoney earth that makes any excavation in Roleystone so difficult. Normally, on this land, the only way to get any depth in the ground is to drive out the tractor and the hard work is done for you. But the tractor is broken down. Besides, there are some holes you should dig on your own.
It takes over an hour to get down deep enough. Down where the hot sun doesn't penetrate and the earth is cool and quiet.
I square off the corners and flatten out the bottom, then climb out and step back. It looks big enough. She was always skinny, almost like a greyhound, but the sickness has whittled her away to nothing. Just black fur stretched over long bones.
I carefully lower the blanket wrapped bundle down to the cool sandy base.
I can see her shape there, through the cloth. Her fine head is raised up.
Filling in the hole takes hardly any time at all and soon the gardens will take back their space and hide my mornings toil completely. It is the process of nature and beautiful, as it slowly and quietly attempts to remove all trace, but I know I can never walk by here without thinking of today and all the good days past.
The Economist
It's been twenty years since the first poster was created, but The Economist's iconic White out of Red ad campaign is now available to buy as a series of limited edition screen prints.