This is the first of a series of illustrations in a personal project based on the topic of “Professions”. May I introduce to you, Monsieur Le Chef Bruno Boudin Blanc. (Boudin Blanc is a french dish consisting of a delicate flavored sausage similar to bratwurst).

I recently entered an illustration competition organized by Fire Studios in Dublin. The theme of the competition was “Revolution” and my idea was the revolution of privacy, The idea of not sharing EVERY aspect of your life online, whether its Twitter, Facebook, Flickr or whatever social media outlet you fancy. This probably sounds ironic or possibly hypocritical from someone writing a blog, but I generally only blog and tweet about design related topics, not about myself. Except NOW! : )

Anyhoo, the very exciting news is that I was picked as one of the final ten illustrators who will exhibit at the Copper house Gallery in town on the 1st of December. I’m absolutely thrilled about that and even more so when I saw the names of the other illustrators who will also be exhibiting. I’ve been a big fan of Steve Simpson and Kevin McSherry’s work for a long time.

The list of illustrators taking part are:

Sharon Bruton
Brian Gallagher
Steve Simpson
Mario Sughi
Donough O’Malley
Derry Dillon
Kevin McSherry
Padhraig Nolan
Matthew Griffin

Jennifer Farley (that’s me)

I entered three images which you can see below. The third one (the one with the camera) is the one which will be in the exhibition.

All are welcome to the opening on Dec 1st at the Copperhouse Gallery between 6pm and 8pm where the overall winner will be announced. Fingers, toes, everything crossed.

This is a poster of some animals I’ve illustrated, for print and for an app. It’s available for sale as an art print over on Society 6. As you can see each animal is perfectly render and almost life-like in its realism. Well maybe not, but they are colourful and the kids and adults that I’ve shown them to seem to like them. The art prints are available in several sizes from 8 x 10 inches up to 28 x 38 inches. Oh and in canvas too.

Click here to buy this print on Society 6.

Last week I wrote about a great event for illustrators and people young and old who are interested in illustrations at Eason’s in Dublin. P.J. Lynch, Sarah McIntyre and Oliver Jeffers all spoke about their books and did some drawing. Oliver drew some very cute characters and a four armed monkey holding the Eiffel tower as requested from the floor. He also did a step by step drawing of a monster and the idea of size. To make the monster look really big, draw him beside something that we know is really big, like a bus or a skyscraper. As with Sarah McIntyre’s sketch-along, many of the people attending drew along with the supplied pencil and paper. Here’s my monster killing a bus.

Over the weekend I scanned it in, did  a bit of colouring and put the scary dude into O’Connell Street in Dublin in the early 20th century. Click on the picture for a larger image. Do you think he looks scary?

Last night I went to the Illustrator’s evening in Eason’s in Dublin. It was the second Illustrators night and was absolutely brilliant. The wonderful Oliver Jeffers, the fantastic Sarah McIntyre and the artistic genius P.J. Lynch were the illustrators in question. Each one spoke a little about how the work and also drew some pictures with much hilarity and charm. It was very inspirational for me to hear them talk. I’ve heard P.J. and Oliver talk at other events but this was the first time I heard Sarah talk about her lovely work and how she makes little books all the time.

One idea that I really like and which I’m going to attempt myself is the comic hour or hourly comic (can’t remember exactly which). But the idea is, every hour, draw one comic panel or page that represents what you’ve been doing in the hour. As Sarah said, it may be silly or mundane but the point is you’re drawing.

At the start of the evening, everyone attending was given some paper and pencils to draw along with Sarah, Oliver and P.J. I did indeed draw along with Sarah and Oliver but just sat in awe as P.J. drew the most amazing dragon.

Sarah drew a crazy looking pirate and we all drew along step by step. Here’s my sketch:

I scanned it in and did some more colouring in when I got home. Here’s my finished pirate:

Thanks to the illustrators and Eason’s for such a great evening.

There’s a super-duper sale on men’s football fan shirts featuring my original animal illustrations. The football fan shirt is 100% cotton with contrasting cuffs, made by Sonar.  Each illustration is available on multiple coloured shirts. All t-shirts are on sale for Euro 17.99 (previously 21.99). Available only while supplies last.

Bear	Zebra
Giraffe	Camel
Crocodile/Alligator	Elephant
Yak