Tattoo's and Del Toro

My boyfriend was watching the footie and I was bored. So, I took advantage of the fact he was glued to the tv and got out my markers and decided to get creative. In 30 mins I 'tatooed' half his arm and he didn't really mind. He said it felt 'kinda tickly and rather nice'. So next time he sticks on the boring sports channel I'll be ready with my pens!!

Also this weekend I watched 'The Devils Backbone' on Film4. Im a big fan of Guillermo Del Toro so was expecting his usual magic. I was not disappointed. The idea of 'that moment in time', people suspended in that moment. A glimpse of a state of living. The children in the orphange were suspended in a type of limbo. The Spanish civil war was happening around them and they were left forgotten. There was also a horror element to the film, with the presence of the ghosts. I loved how visually the ghosts were represented. They were alluring yet unsettling, but helped the children and became a comforting type of spirit. I liked the fact I left the film feeling comforted by the idea of ghosts. I usually avoid ghost films as they just heighten my fear of the paranormal.The way Del Toro weaves the fantasy, horror and reality together is what draws me to his films, I missed 'Cronos' on Friday night but hopefully it will be repeated again.

'The Worst Job Ever' Storyboard

When I first started LCC my first project was a storyboard unit- I love storyboarding. The title 'The Worst Job Ever' meant thinking of a job that is particularly difficult or unappealing. I knew I wanted my storyboard to be quite dramatic and ott so I tried thinking of extreme jobs with an interesting uniform. I came up with a clown at a childrens birthday party. Children seem to be very hard to please these days. Give them a games console and their enthralled but entertainment has to be funny and has to be up to their standards. So I pictured this clown who is just not making the kids laugh. The spoilt birthday girl is unimpressed, the boy with glasses is fragile and scared of the clown and the tough looking older kid looks ready to attack the clown. The clown is attacked by the kids dog and ends up humiliated and drenched.

'The Loves of Lady Purple'

This story by Angela Carter was one I studied last year. I really liked the theatrical elements and the circus setting. I find puppets and mannequins very mysterious and magical so was excited to get into designing the production. Here are some pages from my sketchbook:

'Bin Bag Baby' A comic

A book I wrote and illustrated during my foundation year at 'Camberwell Art College'. I visited a skip everyday for 3 weeks and used the objects to inspire character designs. The book is based on the skip and a journey within it. Creating a history for some of the objects left there, why/how they had been abandoned or damaged. The main character 'Baby' is based on a freaky looking doll I found at the skip. I keep him in my room, he stands on my shelf and smiles at me (eek)

My space

My room is where I spend most of my time. With my cats, lightbox, watercolours and a herbal tea; I am trully content. I've tried to create a space that combines 18th Century France with cute and colourful Japan, and traditional floral english cottage. Here is some of my artwork I created for my room :)
My kitten enjoys spreading herself out on my paper whenever I'm trying to draw- below she has settled beside my copy of a Van Gogh

                 

THE CATSHOW- my animation

THE CATSHOW was an animation I made during my 3rd term at LCC. It was just under 2 minutes long and was hand drawn. I love colour so individually hand coloured each of the drawings. This was a bit ridiculous but I didn't have enough time to familiarize myself with a program such as after effects in such a short space of time.
The story was set at a competitive catshow. In 2 minutes I couldnt cover as much as I wouldve liked, but I got to introduce a range of quirky little cats.
The film was received well and many people came up to tell me how funny they found it. I always want to portray some humor in my work- Its very important to me and is what I look for in a film/book.
Below are some of the character designs and then some screen captures from the animation.
I worked with a sound designer called Peter, the collaboration was really successful and Peter's sound really brought my work to life.
I like making 2d animations, I feel comfortable at the lightbox. And I like the way traditional animation looks. I need to practice my principles of animation in order to make the characters movements appear more effortless. I know I will get better with practice! Im also excited to use new software for my next project I really like how after effects looks. Stopmotion is something Ive had a small taste of and really enjoyed, Maybe that will be my next venture!

'A French Cafe Scene' to add some flair to our living room

Our living room had one large bare wall. Our colour sheme was green and gold but the two wern't really 'working' together. So I decided to do a painting that brought some warmth and glamour to our favourite room (and stop the green and Gold clashing). Im in love with Paris since I revisited it last year for my 21st Birthday. I want to surround myself with all things Parisian! So, inspired by their bustling cafes and effortless sense of elegance- I created my painting and put myself in it. I am the blonde, gazing to the right, captivated by the jazz singer. My friend on the other hand is gazing at a rather scrumptous waiter!

Above right, is a photo of me in the 'Cafe des 2 Moulins'. This cafe was used in one of my all time favourite films 'Fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain'. I just had to order their Creme Brulee! I am a huge fan of all things sweet but unfortunatly this brulee was just too much! so sweet it made my teeth ache