Linocutes: The Girl Band

Annie's Accordion

Betty On Banjo

Bessie Plays Bass

The Musician set

Here is some of my work framed and ready for a show called 'Stages' that will be opening at the end of June at the new Quarry Theatre in Bedford. They are hand printed limited edition lino cuts.

Playing live in Bedford

The Bedford Oxjam Takeover raised £4600 this weekend. The music festival has been running in Bedford for three years. I was the opening act, so I was very nervous. I had played in a band when I was at school, but all the arrogance and confidence of my youth had dissipated since then and I was feeling terrified.

Playing at St. Cuthbert's Hall in Bedford

We didn't get off to the best of starts. The volunteers who were doing the sound desk were having technical difficulties with the p.a. system. My gig was suppose to start at 12:10pm. Half an hour later they still weren't ready to go, so I decided to play the whole thing without amplification. The next band were scheduled to play at 1pm and I didn't want to over-run.

I had to play completely unplugged!

 Fortunately everyone gathered round and I managed to play a set without breaking down into tears or being physically sick! Find out more about the whole day on the Bedford Blog and Board website.

The following day, I played at Bromham Mill

The next day I played 4 songs at Apple Day in Bromham, Bedfordshire along with some amazing singer songwriters from Bedford who have many more years experience than me. I was so annoyed with myself because I couldn't hear what I was doing. The speaker was positioned on my deaf side! Once I worked out what my issue was I managed to play my last two songs with more confidence. It was really windy and I had a lot of hair in my mouth. Hopefully I will play more in the future and try and beat my nervousness and get some more experience.

Me Playing Live Is As Rare As Rocking Horse S**t

On Saturday 18th of October Bedford is hosting it's own Oxjam festival. The takeover is a sweet idea: A bunch of bands play all over town at various venues for the whole day. Punters pay £8 for a wristband that gets them entry everywhere. It starts early and goes on until late and all the money goes to charity.

I've only played once this year. I been offered a few gigs but had to turn them down because they all clashed with various weddings I had to attend (there were six this year). Before that my last show was in 1998. I play and sing everyday at home and although I've written a whole album's worth of songs I just can't seem to motivate myself to perform in front of an audience. 

I play well in a finger picking style, but my voice isn't great, although I can sing in tune, it'll be too breathy for some tastes. I've tried to change it, but I can't fight what comes out of my mouth. 

The thing is... This could be my last gig in Bedford for ages, so it'll probably be the only chance for people to come and see me. As an unknown quantity to the organisers, they've put me on at brunch-time. It's going to be dead quiet, but the hall is incredible so at least I got lucky with the venue.

Maybe designing my own gig poster might persuade more people to come out and see me play. It sort of looks like what the music sounds. You can play lyrics bingo with it during my set.

Sketches From The Frog Chorus at Bedpop

Yesterday I had a shift at the Bedpop pop-up shop on Bedford High Street. I was manning the till and keeping an eye on the vintage exhibition by The Circus of Illustration (which is doing quite well! We are selling lots of lovely artwork!).

Whilst I was there, The Frog Chorus were there running an arts workshop especially for children and it was very lively indeed!

What Is the Frog Chorus?
The Frog Chorus is an interactive early years music group, based in Bedford. They perform songs live with rhymes and puppets and dancing. Kristine Wilkinson Hughes (aka Coco) led the 'Tadpole Jamboree' along with help from Tatty Bumpkin (aka Sam). Tatty Bumpkin runs children's yoga workshops which is like story telling with movement and lots of stretching!

I thought I'd try to sketch all the activities that were happening around me. Tricky since there was so much motion and gesticulation... But I gave it my best shot! Click on the images for a closer look!

Mimi provided the tea and cake as the proud parents look on.

Coco tells a story as parents and children eagerly listen

I forgot my sketchbook, so I had to doodle on loose paper. I added colour to the scans in Photoshop.

Stretching and floor exercises during Tatty Bumpkin yoga

More quick sketches from yoga class.

The Circus of Illustration Goes All 1950s at Bedpop.

Tickets are now available for Dress-Up Drawing, the exciting new collaboration between The Circus of Illustration, Bedpop Art School, Sarah's Doo-Wop Dos, Rose-tinted Vintage and Narnia Fancy Dress. These local organisations have clubbed together to arrange an exciting day (Saturday 17th May) of Dress-Up themed drawing activities culminating in an evening arty-partying with Vintage Life Drawing (led by Kristian Purcell) and drink and draw shenanigans with The Circus of Illustration. We would love for you to join in the festivities! Get tickets here! It's bring your own boozes, so let's do this!

Dress-Up Drawing also coincides with the opening of our Vintage Exhibition. It will be open every weekend until June 8th. Here's a VERY exclusive preview!

Simon Abbott's 1950s 'Bedford Pub' series

My 1950s embroiderd Sodapop Girl

Simon & Kristian admire Katie Allen's beautiful artwork

The incredible Agent Melon

Andrew Foster's work is bright, colourful and bloody amazing. 

Share your thoughts on our comments blackboard

My 1950s Diner and cafe scene

Kristian Purcell has recently been exhibiting at the National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas

Andrew Foster's romantic diner illustrations. So cute!

Mr X Stitch Exhibition in Bedford

Last week I was featured in the Mr X Stitch exhibition in Bedford. He was curating a contemporary needlework show at the Bedpop shop on Bedford High Street.

"The colourful exhibition in the BedPop shop featured sewn works from Bedford, and around the globe, and had pieces which range from the whimsical to thought-provoking but all display extraordinary skill with a needle and thread... Jamie (Mr X Stitch) has been working for two months gathering the pieces, some he sourced via his stitching website (www.mrxstitch.com), others have been submitted by the Bedford branch of the Embroiderer’s Guild."

The Bedfordshire On Sunday

Jack and Trace check out Jamie's 3D Pokemon cross stitch

Cross Stitch Transformers

Trace admires Uoldbag's beautiful cross stitch suitcase

Ha! This is me standing along side my circular framed illustrated embroideries

Tracey demonstrates how to make lace

It looks complicated!

She's making a decoration to put around a Christmas bauble

April Drink and Draw

Yesterday, The Circus of Illustration met up at The Three Cups pub in Bedford for our monthly Drink Draw. This month's activity was collaborative drawing. Click the link to see a full photo album of our Drink and Draw

Mr. X Stitch at Bedpop

Today until Saturday 3rd May, 10-4pm, at Bedpop, 68 High Street in Bedford there is a free contemporary (and super cool) textiles exhibition (unfortunately it's just for one week only... Boo!) curated by the incredible Mr X Stitch!

Embroidery with a graffiti flavour

On Saturday 3rd May there's going to be demos and workshops at the Bedpop shop too. There will be the Aragon Lacemakers, felt-making by Anne-Marie Stijelja, embroidery by Mr X Stitch himself and a workshop by textile artist Helen Jones. School of Craft are also having a fabric sale, so it will be a very busy Saturday indeed!

*Gasp* It's 3D and It's Pokemon!

I was lucky enough to have a sneak preview of the exhibition as some of my embroideres will be on display. It's an international affair with work from all over the world. Some crazy things that caught my eyes were the 3D cross-stitching (with 3D glasses, it really works) and a working transformer made out of cross-stitch. 

Needle and Thread just got twisted 

A beautiful embroidered suitcase by Lisa Tilley

Oh this is my work!

Cross stitch ain't just for girls. It's for robots too.

I wonder what that QR code does?

The Bloodpack Project

Thanks to Erica Roffe at the Bedford Clanger for letting me use her lovely photos!

1950s Illustration Exhibition at Bedpop

At the Diner 

At the Cafe

The Circus of Illustration have been given the opportunity to curate an exhibition in the Bedpop pop up shop on Bedford High Street. The opening date is on Saturday 17th May 2014.

We're predominantly looking for works of a mid-century flavour... Think 1950s fashion, diners, drive-thrus and juke boxes! We are looking for general work too, but the key focus of the exhibition will be on this vintage theme. The only criteria for acceptance is that we think it’s good! 

I've done a series especially for the new exhibition: 'At the Diner' and 'At the Cafe'. I am seriously contemplating a third piece called 'At the Drive-Thru' (in honour of one of my favourite bands ever), but I think I'm running out of time!

This exhibition will coincide with an amazing vintage 'Dress-up Drawing' evening workshop with 50's styled models in an extra special life-drawing event, as well as music and drawing games in the BedPop shop. There will also be a kid friendly 'Dress-Up Drawing' event that afternoon too with a fancy dress box and face painting for the little ones to get involved in. 

All the info on how to book is on the BedPop Art School  facebook page

If you have work you’d like to showcase, please send us images and descriptions of your work by email to bedfordshireillustrators@gmail.com.

The installation date is 11th May 2014, and therefore the CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS is MONDAY 5th MAY.

There is no charge for submissions, however you will be required to drop off and collect your work or cover cost of postage (both ways). We're really looking forward to hearing from you!

Bedpop

The second fanzine by The Circus of Illustration

Foldees By The Circus of Illustration

A Cute Little Illustrated A-Z Guide to Bedford written and illustrated by me!

Bedpop is a one-day-only pop-up shop at Bedford's tourist information centre that's showcasing unique products by Bedford designers and crafters. We'll be selling unusual yet beautiful creations about Bedford. It's part of the Bedford High Street Festival.

The Circus of illustration are selling gorgeous copies of our new fanzine 'On The Water' and DIY paper dolls (or 'foldees') of some famous people from Bedford's past and present. There's Dave the mayor, Olympic gold medalist, Etienne Stott and cricketer Alistair Cook (to name a few).

Scarlett and Kristina from the Circus will be leading a foldee workshop on the day too, so go between 2pm and 4pm to learn how to design and make your own. Wow your friends with your creativity! 

I've written and illustrated a cute A-Z guide to Bedford, where I share all the places and activities I personally love to do in my home town. Hopefully people will read it and realise what a wonderful town we live in.

Check out the amazing illustrated tea set by Lisa Tilley at Uoldbag too!

Bedpop is on Saturday 27th July at Bedford Tourist Infomation Centre between 9:30am - 4pm. 

Drink And Draw With The Ouse Muse Poets

Last night The Circus of illustration joined forces with Ouse Muse Poetry for their open mic spoken word night. We gathered in the über-cool cellar bar at Hapurs with it's pretty vaulted ceiling. Being illustrators, we were a bit shy, so we sat at the back, trying to look inconspicuous, but the poetry regulars made us feel really welcome.

Each performer had approximately a 3 or 4 minute slot each. I decided to speed draw any imagery that was evoked from the performances straight into my sketchbook, but other illustrators took different approaches. Here's what I drew. I wasn't sure if I properly captured the sentiment of the poems.

The first performance was designed to loosen up the audience's inhibitions! Everyone was encouraged to join in with making some crazy traffic noises. Then I think there was a poem about an old painting of a woodland track, and I caught a phrase from another poem about a man with a burning back, but I couldn't be sure. I think I missed information whilst I was colouring the trees and looking for pencils!

Next up was a funny poem likening busy toddlers to little piggies in a sty. Then a poem about the rise of the worker's unions. I got distracted with it's details though, as I was doodling a toff's profile. 

I decided to quickly draw a lady who was in the audience, followed by a poem about the Norfolk landscape at night, a gardener who loved his plants but suffered from ill health, and a poem about yesterday's weather, which was incredibly windy for Bedford. 

We had a poem about a seaside pier, a poem about working in a shop (it's not that boring), and a poem about the warm nostalgia of T.V. adverts from your childhood. There was a piece about wanting to telephone someone you really like, but your stomach gets so knotted you can't go through with it. One of my favourites was a poem called "Catechism", depicted here by the Pope eating a Yorkie bar!

Kristina from the Circus even took to the stage to perform some poetry from our new fanzine, which was really brave of her! My favourite sketch came about from a poem about Amy Winehouse. There was poetry inspired by Cyprus (or was it Greece?) It was like a verbal postcard. There were musings about meeting up with a girl you fancied (she sounded cute, even with her moustache) and a poem about how being a bit fat was preferable to being dependent on some worthless bloke. Oh, and someone had a brilliant rant about Margaret Thatcher. Nice to know that there are some socialists in Bedford!

On the left is a quick sketch of Sarah, one of the readers. Her poem was so short I didn't have much time to draw her! There's Hitler and Hitler's pet, called Hitler and the final poem was a very cheeky trap. It was about the vajazzle. I didn't really want to draw that, but "give your muff a buff" was one of my favourite lines of the night.

Ouse Muse poetry night was brilliant fun! There was a great mix of spoken word styles and deliveries. There was a lot of humour and heart in all the performances. I can't wait to go to the next one. I think some of these very loose, quick sketches I've made from the night could have the potential to be worked up and finished into some interesting paintings or embroideries, so it was a good exercise for me. I never seem to get enough time to do some personal development these days.