Open studio debrief

That doesn't mean anything to do with removing briefs although OUCH! has been known to produce the most brilliant pants, (though they have gone back into development regarding the materials, and no, they won't be knitted next time). Some early blog readers might remember them, there are some images way in the depths of this blog). I started the prices high in the spirit of "The F**K It Way" (yes, it currently exists, google it). Since, there has been a lot of industry action that has helped me to level it.

Hackney, the home of OUCH! and myself is becoming rather exciting regarding loads of new cafes and restaurants and cinemas etc. I was over at Chatsworth road doing some fliering and I noticed a restaurant with some of Simone Lia's work on the walls. She is an illustrator based in London and after looking at her blog recently, and also remembering a talk she gave on my Masters degree, I found the particular part about her new Fluffy postcards useful. I bought and read Fluffy a couple of years ago and feel it is something that must be savoured for a while.

It has been a meandering balancing act between a triad of 'business head', 'sensitive artist' and my own labour circumstances. So the OUCH! online prices are now settling, and gearing onward toward the new bespoke service of hand drawn originals. After a lot of 'Compairing de' Meercat' and my own plan of action over the next several years, little hog nearly turned into a marsupial forever.

The open studio has been a good period to get a lot settled and I think the appointment system will work well for next year. Also, it would be great to get a whole network of open studios, like a trail or something...with an illustrated map of check points.

Bliss is parked for a while, the poor creature is up shit creek. My nerves need the calming balsam of a smaller story I have been working on. I can describe it as the 'Dewberry Five Oils' (google it)...of stories. 

Granny's Button!

Granny's Comics

With Ribbon binding £5.00 GBP Stapled £4.50 GBP

Finally, after too long, she has a buy now button. 

Granny is a bit of a Luddite at times. 

Post and packaging is included, ribbon or staple for binding, prod the button and Granny's Rinse Adventures is on it's way to you!

OUCH! strips: Granny's Rinse Adventures

OUCH! strips: Granny's Rinse Adventures: Here is a short story that I created recently; towards the end of 2011. I really had some fun with this one... Before entering int...

Open studio discounts

OUCH! offers 10% discounts on items at the inaugural open studios this year, for example the hedgehog card series; available individually and as bundles.

The open studios offer a chance to have a chat, which often makes it  easier when it comes to requests, good deals, commissioning, quotes and ideas bouncing.

I am presenting many original works that don't get seen anywhere (yet), so this month provides a unique opportunity. 

I was even thinking of having a 'ceremonial work burning party' as an excuse for a piss up, because I have so much stuff. So catch the need to rid myself of it reasonably while it lasts!

Ace!

The Domestic Bliss Series at Gwyl Lyfrau Penfro Book Festival in Pembrokeshire

The Domestic Bliss series is now being prestented among other titles from Seaways Bookshop, this weekend in Pembrokeshire at the Rhosygilwen book festival, an event that celebrates welsh authors.

I spend gorgious 'end of summer days' in Wales most years. Following the success of the seafaring hedgehog gift cards that continue to sell out at Seaways (Fishguard), and with Bliss' debut on their book shelves; she now wonders to wider pastures. 

Thanks to family and comrades out in the wildes of Pembrokeshire. Here's the link: http://penfrobookfestival.org.uk/

Originally drawn birthday card

A professional friend of mine and Andrew's has kindly said that it is alright for me to showcase her card as an example for my originally drawn birthday card service.

Andrew and I know Cindy Oswin through Scarlet Theatre company. I saw a wonderful production of theirs at The Edinburgh Fringe in 2001; Love & Other Fairy Tales.

I got the idea for this card from their publicity material; an image of the lady herself playing the wife of Bath, which I adapted to suite a rather grand Birthday.

I use a 10x10cm backed window to place the illustration in an A5 recycled Fabriano card.

Gwen Turner: Hatching Ideas: Inaugural Open Studios in September 2013

Gwen Turner: Hatching Ideas: Inaugural Open Studios in September 2013: I shall be opening the studios for the first time during the month of September this year. I will present some of the produce from OUCH! an...

The Domestic Bliss series on a Comic Con tour in the US of A

Since her cosy launch in February at The Poetry Cafe where it was great to have the room filled with interest and the book selling so well. Prints from the books are available here.

I didn't get any photos, apart from ones of Andrew, my husband and I preparing for it.

She is now on tour in the STATES, having a good sniff about...

Here she is among other comics on the 'Fanfare Ponentmon' stand at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Arts Festival (MoCCA). After looking around at comic book publishers, it seems the work Ponentmon produce is a little more pithy and shows more intrigue and thoughtful usage of the genre.

I was given a copy of one particular publication by Stephen Robson; it's founder, when we met this year in February at The London Super Comic Con; it is called 'Farm 54' and is about a Jewish brother and sister, it can be seen among all the comic stock in the photos below. To be honest, I am still half way through reading it; halting on reading any further until I myself cross the rather perilous central episodes of Domestic Bliss (3 & 4). She is plotted, not drafted and (of course I don't fear) that she might sag in the middle like a cake lacking the right flour balance, I must get the suspension tight. Two episodes of tight rope walking and there is no going back...

Leaving the Super Con's and arriving...at...

Stephen Vrattos, the New York partner for Ponentmon, behind the table.


At MoCCA in New York.

Then a nice review, thanks to Philip Skurski:

"This book's got style"...click here.


Between, in late April, she stopped off at an idependent comic fair: The Illustrato.rs Art Expo at The Mall Galleries, held by the education department. 
On the front line, the tables stood in a horse shoe shape, looking outward towards fine art work created by up and coming university leavers. I found out about this event from my mother. 
It is in it's first year and a well devised way of delivering work happening in multiple stages, both educationally, artistically and on the peripheries commercially. I liked it, it was classy and very well organised, and it was good to get some feedback up front. A new one to remember for the diary.

Then it was Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF), on the calender, where she sold out!
Again, among other books from Fanfare and Ponentmon stock.

There she is nestled in there!

On she goes...

Domestic Bliss series review...

"This book's got style...click here for the review

Domestic Bliss graphic novel series online print gallery

Bliss has sprouted off to a new gallery online...