MESH137: Artist/Illustrator

Massive New Painting and Website/Blog

2011-09-20T08:40:00.001-07:00

Sorry it's been so long since I last posted, but I have been very busy with various projects. But here at long last is my newest painting: 'ElectroShock Optics' Parts 1 and 2. A huge project (over 1200 hours of work!), Posca Pens, Spray Paint and nearly 2000 Swarovski crystals over 2 hand varnished wooden panels. 100cmX140cm (each panel is 100cmX70cm).

This will be my last post on this blog as I've jumped ship to Tumblr. You can check out my new combined website/blog (and more photos/closeups of Electroshock Optics parts 1 and 2) at: www.mesh137.com You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter (just search mesh137 on either) And an etsy store is in the works, so keep checking mesh137.com for info on that.

Thanks to everyone who visited this page over the last year and a half. I hope you liked my work!

Mesh137
xxxx

Fear and Loathing in North London

2011-06-27T04:58:00.000-07:00

Here's my painting from last weeks Guilty Pleasures and Modern Vices show. It's based on my 'Trippin' poster from a couple of weeks back, Always nice to mix up styles a little. Paint pen, spray paint and crystals on a hand varnished wooden block. 20cmX 20cm.

New Show: 'Modern Vices and Guilty Pleasures' opening next week

2011-06-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

I'll be exhibiting a painting in next weeks 'Modern Vices and Guilty Pleasures' show by London Miles gallery. See flyer and description below - I'm particularly chuffed to be exhibiting alongside Insa as I'm a big fan of his work. Lot's of high heels and hot chicks with great big bums. What's not to like? Each artist in the show was randomly assigned a vice or guilty pleasure and asked to produce a painting based on that theme. I was assigned drugs. Again let me state the vices were randomly assigned.

London Miles Gallery is proud to annouce an exhibition featuring all Uk artists, from street artists Alex Young and Insa, to incredible digital painter Tom Bagshaw. Each artist was teamed up with a particular vice or guilty pleasure at random and are required to create a piece of art inspired by that vice. The outcome has been impressive and to say the least, we are already addicted to this emerging group of UK talent.
Vice is a practice or a habit considered immoral, depraved, and/or degrading in the associated society. In more minor usage, vice can refer to a fault, a defect, an infirmity, or merely a bad habit. Synonyms for vice include fault, depravity, sin, iniquity, wickedness, and corruption.
Featured Artists:

INSA, Alex Young, David Marsh, Tom Bagshaw, Xue Wang, Craww, Carne, Mr Gauky, Michael Forbes, Ruben Ireland, Mr Penfold
Opening reception: Thusday, June 23rd 2011. From 6pm to 11pm.

On show: June 23rd to June 27th 2011

New Location: 65 Hanbury Street. East London.

'The Road' painting

2011-06-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

Here's my painting based on Cormac Mcarthy's novel 'The Road' from the literal eyes show a couple of weeks back. It's a bit of a low res pic, but I'll post better shots soon. This work is currently available to buy from the London miles gallery. You can contact them here if you are interested: www.londonmiles.com

New Exhibition:Literal.Eyes

2011-05-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

London Miles gallery are launching their new exhibition on May 12th. Titled 'Literal.Eyes' The show will feature 30 European artists (including myself) producing works based on their favourite pieces of literature. To mark this special exhibition, London Miles will be taking over a white wall gallery space in East London, an exciting pop up space divided onto two floors and over 1000 sq ft; situated off Brick lane. Opening reception: Thursday, May 12th 2011. 6pm to 11pm. Exhibition on show: May 13th to May 16th 2011

Location: 65 Hanbury Street. East London. EI 5JP (LONDON MILES GOES EAST!)

I've chosen Cormac Mcarthy's book 'The Road'. Some dark shit right there - not really usual Mesh territory. I'll post my piece here after the exhibition opens.

The lineup for this one is really good: Adam Oehlers, Andrew Rae, Alex Young, Alexander Kozer Robinson, Ania Tomicka, Camilla D'Ericco, Candy Bird, Carles Gomila, Carne Griffiths, Catalina Viejo Lopez de Roda, Conrad Roset, Craww, Mesh137, Dennis Seide, Fernando Vicente, Joram Roukes, Koralie, Linnea Strid, Lisa Evans, Michael Forbes, Miss Led, My Dead Pony, Nom Kinnear King, Ruben Ireland, Sergio Mora, Sitnie, Tahnee Lonsdale, Tom Bagshaw, Virginie Bastin (Miss Sucette), Xue Wang and Zach Cohen.

For more info: www.londonmiles.com
and: www.huntandgatherart.com

Trippin'

2011-05-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

New work! "Trippin', based on an older piece i did a few years back - this time with a fresh lick of paint and some nice 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' references thrown in for good measure. More new bits to come in the next few weeks - including a HUGE commission which is nearly finished at last!

King T-shirt - Now Available!

2011-03-09T04:09:00.000-08:00

SecretStore has officially launched - so you can go and buy my 'King' t-shirt over there right now. Top quality, 4 colour sceen printed design. £28. DO IT: www.secret-store.co.uk
Here's a pic of Chris from secret store rocking the tee. A big thanks to Adam as well. Cheers boys - the site and the tees look great

Sketches in the works

2011-03-01T05:58:00.010-08:00

A couple of recent sketches I'm playing around with at the moment: 'The Incredible Mesh' - always smashin' it, and a 'Charming Spiv' - selling you some dodgy nylons for a piece of your ration book.

UrbanGraphic Greetings Card

2011-02-03T07:31:00.001-08:00

I got some samples in the post today of the greetings card I did for UrbanGraphic. Looking very nice. Cheers Aurelia!

For more on UrbanGraphic and their products visit:
http://www.urbangraphic.co.uk/

My card is part of a range called 'Toasted'. You can check the other artists who've been featured here:
http://www.thisistoasted.com/

Sketches

2011-01-13T06:25:00.000-08:00

Couple of sketches of new ish' currently in the works.

New Teapot Commission

2011-01-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

Here's another recent commission. I know - another teapot. What can I say? Chicks dig teapots.

King T-Shirts - Get ready!

2011-01-02T09:31:00.001-08:00

The good folks over at Secret Store sent me a few pics of them wearing the King t-shirt I designed. I think they've printed a limited run of 100 shirts. It's a 4 colour screen printed design - no cheap digital printing - this is the real shit. So be sure to grab yourself one when the website and online store go live real soon!. They'll probably be around £25.

In the meantime: www.secret-store.co.uk and www.secretstorerumpusroom.blogspot.com

Christmas Present

2010-12-27T14:46:00.000-08:00

Nice teapot done for someone's christmas present.

New Painting: 'Eyegasm'

2010-12-17T10:55:00.001-08:00

New painting just finished called 'Eyegasm' Paintpen, spraypaint and swarovski crystals. 20cmX60cm. This painting and a few other bits are available to buy from the 'Graffik London' gallery on portabello road. You can visit their website here: http://www.graffiklondon.com/live/ They're a cool graffiti based art gallery/tattoo and piercing studio - definitely worth checking out if your in the area.

King T-Shirt - Almost Ready!

2010-12-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

Looks like the 'King't-shirts are nearly ready over at Secret Store. I'll post full details on pricing and where to buy them when they're finished.

'Idol Hours' show review and online catalogue

2010-11-16T10:20:00.000-08:00

Just a quick head up - you can catch a nice review of the recent 'Idol Hours' show by clicking here:

http://www.ameliasmagazine.com/art/the-idol-hours-at-london-miles-gallery-exhibition-review/2010/11/16/

Thanks to Gareth David at Amelia's magazine for showing some serious love!

You can also check out images and prices for all the pieces from the show via the online London Miles catalogue by clicking here:

http://issuu.com/londonmiles/docs/idol_hours_catalog

Cheers.

New small painting up on the blog by the end of the week-so look out for that.

Peace

Illustrations for the 'Sheffield Student' magazine

2010-11-15T11:54:00.001-08:00

A couple of quick illustrations for an article called 'Who will you be living with next year?' in the 'Sheffield Student' magazine.

New Painting for 'The Idol Hours' show

2010-11-12T05:25:00.001-08:00

Opening tonight at the LondonMiles gallery:
'The Idol Hours': An exhibition of classic artworks re-interpreted by contemporary artists. As you can see from the flyer below, this one has an amazing lineup of artists from around the globe, each of whom have produced a new piece of work based on a classic painting. I chose to re-work Pablo Picasso's 'Guernica'. The show opens 7pm tonight at Westbourne Studios
242 Acklam Road, London and runs for about a month. There's some really amazing work on show - so drop by if your about.

My version of Picasso's 'Guernica':

The orignal:

King!

2010-10-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

T-shirt design in the works right now...

Solo Show: All The Paintings!!!!

2010-10-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

T-shirt Designs

2010-10-08T06:21:00.000-07:00

T-shirt designs, based on characters from my 'Nautical But Nice' painting.

Hold Over

2010-09-21T04:02:00.000-07:00

Apologies about the lack of posts. I was so busy preparing the show I never got round to posting directions - but judging by the excellent turnout, people found the gallery in the end! A big thank you to everyone who made it down. Im currently having all the artwork from the show photographed and should have it all up here for this Friday alongside a proper post about the show. But for now heres a few detail shots of various bits and pieces.

Strictly Business

2010-09-01T04:57:00.001-07:00

New business cards for the show next week. In other news, the competition deadline has now passed. I'll be judging the efforts alongside LondonMiles gallery and annoucing the print winner this coming Monday. I'll also be posting detailed directions to the show. If you would like full details of the show (including directions) please send me your email address to: mesh137(at)hotmail.com

Cheers.

More solo show previews...

2010-08-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

Couple more work in progress images to wet your appetites...

More previews for the solo show...

2010-08-18T04:37:00.000-07:00

Few more sketches and work in progress...

Sketches for 'Nautical But Nice' painting

Work in progress shots of 'Girls,Girls,Girls' painting:

Mesh137 Competition: WIn a signed print!

2010-08-03T06:51:00.001-07:00

In conjunction with my debut solo show: 'Visual Splendor' London Miles are releasing a high quality digital print of my painting 'Visual Splendor'. The print will be A1 in size and printed on high quality 250gsm paper with a limited edition of just ten, each signed and numbered by myself. The print will be on sale exclusively through the London Miles Gallery, available from the opening night of the exhibition (September 10th) with a retail price of £100.

To celebrate the release of the print, myself and London Miles are giving away a single edition to one lucky competition winner. But rather than be boring and simply draw names out of a hat, we thought we'd make it a little more interactive:

In order to enter, you must download the black and white template image below (simply click on the image for a larger version and either drag it onto your desktop or right click and 'save as'.

Then you must complete the template by filling in the colours and writing text in the speech bubble. You can do this any way you wish. You could colour it digitally using a program like Photoshop or alternatively print out the image and finish it by hand. Use any medium you want - acrylic, felt tips, pencils etc. You can simply colour it in or add extra elements of your own - whatever you want - the only condition is that you must fill the speech bubble with some kind of text.

When you have finished your template you can send it back to me either via email, or if you feel scanning/photographing your template won't do it justice, stick it in the post. (Just make sure to include your email address so that we can notify you if you are chosen as the winner)

BY EMAIL:Info@londonmiles.com with the subject heading – MESH137 Competition

BY POST:London Miles Gallery, Westbourne Studios, 242 Acklam Road, London, W10 5JJ

The deadline to receive entries is Monday the 30th of August. Myself and the London Miles team will pick our favourite and the winner will be notified via email on Sunday, September the 5th. We will then send your print to you.

The winning entry and the best of the rest will be posted on my blog and the London Miles website in September.
For more details click here: Mesh137 Competition

Good Luck!

Mock up of the print you could win: (this is just a digital mock up and does not represent the finished print)

The Template:

Solo Show Preview 2

2010-08-02T06:03:00.000-07:00

A few more preliminary sketches.....

Solo Show Preview

2010-07-29T09:52:00.000-07:00

I don't wanna reveal too much of my new paintings - hell, you can come down to the show and take a look for yourself on September 10th! But heres some of my black and white sketches and other prep work that I always do while planning new paintings. A nice little sneaky peak!

Visual Splendor show: More details and LondonMiles flyer:

2010-07-26T14:10:00.001-07:00

You can get all the details for my upcoming (and first ever!) solo show here: LondonMilesVisualSplendor

And heres LondonMiles flyer for the show:

Mesh137 featured at Juxtapoz.com!

2010-07-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

I was delighted to see that a recent interview I did for the London Miles Gallery website was featured on Juxtapoz.com along with some photos of my work. I've been a huge fan of Juxtapoz magazine for years so this all makes me very happy indeed! :-) (even though they spelt my name David Marak!)
You can check the online article here: Juxtapoz Feature

You can also read the original (and I think more in depth?) interview here at London Miles website: LondonMilesInterview

Coming Soon...............

2010-07-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

Click on flyer for larger version

Visual Splendor Painting In Full:

2010-07-21T07:47:00.001-07:00

Heres The 'Visual Splendor' painting in full and some detail shots:

SKILLS:

Somewhere, Sometime: Video

2010-07-12T00:52:00.000-07:00

Short little video of the show. Thanks to Rachel and her boyfriend for this!

Somewhere Sometime photos:

2010-07-11T07:54:00.000-07:00

So the 'Somwhere, Sometime' show has now been and gone. A big thank you to everyone who came along to the East Gallery last week. Despite scorching temperatures we had a great opening night on Thursday the 1st - many thanks to Tom for manning the decks and giving us a live dubstep set (and the for the free tee - cheers boss!). Thanks to Gallic for holding down the bar and keeping everyone happy. Thanks to people who brought prints/paintings etc and to the 1000 plus who looked around during the week and finally a special thanks to exhibition curator Mike Hall for dragging everything together in time and for all the hard work generally!

Anywho, heres a few pictures of the opening night and my work. These are quite low res, but i'll have some high res shots of the work soon.

Somewhere, Sometime Exhibition Preview 2

2010-06-28T05:40:00.000-07:00

Heres a few more pieces that will be on show from 7pm this Thursday at the East Gallery, 214 Brick Lane. These and others will be available to buy all week.

RedBull Logos

2010-06-28T05:35:00.001-07:00

I got commissioned to paint some large Redbull logos on a few ramps at Bay66 skatepark last week. It was for the 'Manny Mania' competition they just held this weekend. Note: Painting on a sloping surface that you continually keep sliding down is hard work and no fun!

Somewhere, Sometime Paintings Preview

2010-06-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

My original teapot paintings at the London Miles Gallery have all sold out now, but I've been busy making a few more for the 'Somewhere, Sometime' exhibition at the East Gallery. (Full details in the post below this one) Heres a sneak preview:

This painting and many more will be available to purchase throughout the week of the exhibition which opens 7pm, Thursday 1st July.

I'll post a few more before the show - but I'll keep some a surprise for the opening night!

Somewhere Sometime group exhibition starts 1st July

2010-06-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

Just to give all you Londoners a heads up: I'll be taking part in an exhibition titled 'Somewhere, Sometime' along with 14 old colleagues and friends at the East Gallery, Brick Lane during the first week of July. I've got some nice work on the go for the occassion - I'll reveal more as we get a little closer to the opening night (Thursday 1st July). But for now heres the flyer, featuring my good friend James Wards expertly sketched bear. Expect to see a mix of styles and content, a live DJ set, cash bar, and hopefully, hopefully, a warm summers evening! I will also have artwork and limited edition large posters for sale to.

Something to mark in your diaries:

Mesh137 Box @ LondonMiles

2010-06-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

A new exhibition/show called 'The Next Generation: A New Chapter In Contemporary Art' opens at the London Miles gallery down at Westbourne studios, Ladbroke Grove tomorrow evening (Friday 11th June) at 7pm. It's being curated by 'Think Space' gallery (of Los Angeles) director Andrew Hosner and will featur 12 x 12 inch works by an international selection of emerging and established artists (with some real great names in there). There will also be a tall standing 'art box' installation comprised of recycled cardboard boxes painted by local artists - including one painted by little old me, as well as video interviews with the artists playing on LCD screens, a towering T.V installation, and live music and art throughout the evening. All in all it should be a stormer, so if your free, or near the Ladbroke Grove area - come on down and have a drink with us and check out some cool artwork. And yes - there will be screens showing the footy as well!

Click here for more info, directions, online exhibition catalogue etc

There was some talk of the boxes being auctioned off for charity - so you might even buy my box to help a good cause! Anyway heres my box painted to the theme of 'The Next Generation':

Click here to see friend, colleague and fellow artist HandsomeDevilArt's box entry.

Wall Painting at BaySixty6 Skatepark, Ladbroke Grove

2010-06-06T15:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry about how long it's been since I last posted - Just so many different bits on the go at the moment. Heres a wall painting of my 'eyepatch whiskey' character at BaySixty6 skatepark down Ladbroke Grove. It's hard to tell on the photos, but it's a pretty large piece (8ft tall).

It needs a bit more work but I'm too busy at the moment finishing other things so I'll have to get down there sometime next week. I also have a group exhibition with some friends at the East Gallery in Brick Lane coming up in the first week of July. I'll post the flyer and full details in a day or two! Promise!

New Painting: Preview

2010-04-17T09:21:00.001-07:00

I'm real busy with a few paintings for upcoming exhibitions, which are taking up all my time at the moment, but heres a sneak preview of what to expect. I'll post the finished work soon!

Teapot Of Doom!

2010-03-31T02:54:00.000-07:00

Another card for a relative I completed recently, this time showcasing the Teapot Of Doom! Dun dun dunnnnnnnnn!!!!!!
Yes, I like being silly. Posca, Pen and Crystals on card.

Jack Frost

2010-03-30T06:05:00.001-07:00

I forgot to post this ages ago. Jack Frost: Pen and digital

New Illustration

2010-03-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post: Heres a piece I recently did for a relatives birthday present. Poscas, pen and ink wash and crystals (on the girls necklace). Thought I'd mix it up a little with the black and white - plus I hadn't done any work with inks and washes for a while. This is also gonna be on the large painting I'm currently working on.

Excellent Teapot Blog

2010-03-26T04:56:00.000-07:00

If like me you like teapots, you should definitely head over to the Teapots Teapots Teapots blog by Andy Titcomb. I found it to be a valuable source of reference material for my own teapot illustrations/paintings, and the fine fellow has even posted my Teapots poster on there. Cheers!

The strangest thing is I NEVER drink tea. Can't stand the stuff! But I do like teapots!

Anyway. Check out Andy's teapot blog here

Reach For The Skies Fellahs!

2010-03-26T01:13:00.000-07:00

Birthday card for my nearest and dearest. This cowboy-pirate chick will also be making an appearance on my newest painting. It's big and very detailed so it's gonna take a couple of weeks yet, but i'll post stuff as it happens.

Teapots Poster

2010-03-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a really large/detailed painting for a couple of weeks, hence the lack of posts. But managed to put this poster together in the last week. My previous teapots had been going down very well so I thought I'd play around with a few more.
Teapots Poster: Pen, Ink and Digital

'Speak Up' Poster

2010-03-05T01:08:00.000-08:00

Heres a poster design I've been working on this week called 'Speak Up', featuring some of my recent characters uttering a few words of wisdom and nonsense.

In other news, my profile page is now up on the London Miles gallery website under the 'Artist Profiles' section. It's short and sweet, but a privilege to be featured along side artists like the 'Buff Monster', someone whose work I've loved for years. You can check it out here. They've used my real name David, but ignore that!
I am also in the process of organising a new exhibition. No concrete details yet, but it's looking like a two artist collaboration and should be quite a decent sized show. Probably around the end of April. More details on that soon.

Up on the walls

2010-02-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

Up on the walls...

Teapot Paintings!!!!

2010-02-19T09:56:00.001-08:00

Blue, Orange and Green Teapots: All 15cm X 15cm

All of my 15cmx 15cm mini paintings are available to buy from the London Miles Gallery at £100 each. Visit www.londonmiles.com to get in touch if you are interested in purchasing any of my work.

Top Hat Painting

2010-02-19T09:53:00.000-08:00

Top Hat character. 15cm X 15cm

Purdy Pete Painting

2010-02-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

Heres a new mini painting, this time of my recent character Purdy Pete. 15cm X 15cm.

Mesh137 Loves London Miles Gallery

2010-02-10T15:43:00.001-08:00

Over the past couple of months I've been in talks with the lovely people over at the 'London Miles Gallery' located at Westbourne Studio in Ladbroke Grove. In their own words they specialise in: "exhibiting, nurturing, and unearthing artists working within the realms of surrealist, pop, lowbrow, comic, and illustration art." and obviously representing fine art pirate zombies such as myself!

Anyway, they represent some fantastic artists and have a great variety of really exciting work on sale. They currently have a few of my paintings up on their walls, but should have around 15 or so recent works on display and for sale from the 18th of February. All of my recently posted paintings will be on display along with a few new works Im currently finishing, with prices starting around £100 for the 15cm X 15cm pieces. They should have a brand new website online within the next week at www.londonmiles.com which will have lots of information about exhibitions past, future and present and the artists and work they represent (including mine!) as well as an online shop with artwork, prints, books and other items available to buy. And hopefully a profile page of yours truly with some really decent studio shots of my recent paintings. So if your interested, be sure to check out their site again next week. Obviously I'll let you know as soon as it's all up and running.

The gallery is managed by Tina Ziegler, who is genuinely passionate about the work they exhibit and promote and I'd just like to thank her for her support and help over the last two months: Cheers Tina! Not only is Tina the manager and curator of the London Miles gallery, but she also created and runs the website: www.huntandgatherart.com A great art site specialising in underground contemporary artists with loads of information on exhibitions and artists from around the world. I heartedly recommend you take a look. She is also just about to release her first book titled 'Hunt and Gather' which features beautiful work by a whole host of very talented contemporary artists. Again, you can check the details at www.huntandgatherart.com

New Painting: 'Clown'

2010-02-10T15:40:00.000-08:00

New Painting: 'Clown'. Really nice colours on this one, even if I do say so myself!
15cm X 15cm. Posca Pen and crystals.

New Painting: Chicco

2010-02-10T15:26:00.000-08:00

New Painting: 'Chicco'. Featuring the usual cubes, chequers, hearts etc... and a suave latino ladies man named Chicco. He's a real rompecorazone (look it up)
15cm x15cm

New Painting: Juicy

2010-02-10T15:07:00.000-08:00

Heres another new painting. Usual materials: Posca Pens, spray paint and crystals. Nice cute Pin-up lady complete with her Mesh Band hat, a Silent Film Star and a bloke that looks suspiciously like 'Big Poppa' Biggie Smalls. If you don't know about 'Juicy'....well all I can say is...'Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis....' Best Biggie song by a mile....alrite maybe second best after 'Party and Bullshit'. 30cm X 30cm

New Character Sketches

2010-02-10T14:59:00.000-08:00

Heres a few quick sketches of some interesting characters I've reeled off while bored on the tube or bus in the last few days. I really like some of these - especially the camp lion barbeque chef! These are obviously just rough sketches, but some of these guys should be appearing in my paintings soon.

Pirate Assassin:

Nice Guy Eddie:

Bond's Next Villain:

Lion Barbeque Chef:

Purdy Pete:

From the Archives Part2....Graffiti

2010-02-10T14:51:00.000-08:00

More old stuff. Heres a bunch of graf outlines and wall pieces I did about ten years ago....before I realised I was too much of a pussy to do illegal graffiti! Some of the outlines are half decent designs but I was never that good with reproducing them in spraypaint. I know most of these SUCK - but I was only a little yoot 15 years of age so leave me be!

From The Archives...Photography

2010-02-10T14:43:00.000-08:00

I've been sorting through loads of old work over the last few days and I unearthed these photos I took as part of my photography A-level about 7 or 8 years ago. I've got no false pretensions that I'm in any way a gifted photographer, but I like the look of these non the less. Besides everyone knows photographers are just artists who can't draw or paint for shit! ;-) I like the fact that these are all so dusty and scratched now

New Mini Painting

2010-02-08T05:33:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the late post. I auctually finished a larger painting last Wednesday, but I had to drop it off at the gallery. I'll have photos of that one tomorrow. I've got a week or so to produce as many as this mini painting as possible. Heres the first. No Title. Usual materials. The guy in the star hat is some kind of revolutionary guerilla fighter. (I watched Che Part 1 a few days ago!)

Another New Painting! And it's got yellow on it!

2010-01-27T05:13:00.001-08:00

Another painting finished this week! 30cm x 60cm x 3.5cm hand varnished plywood panel. Featuring loved up Amish farmers, gay pirates, Party Crashers, Loud-Mouths, the usual diamonds, crosses, cubes, hearts etc. and almost 500 (!) crystals, each one lovingly stuck down by my own hand. Posca Pens, metallic spraypaint and crystals. No title as yet. Suggestions welcome. I've also Re-posted the last painting, only now with all the crystals stuck down. Thats a couple posts below this if you want to look.

Click images for larger pictures:

Late Nights At Mesh's Secret Base

2010-01-27T05:04:00.000-08:00

Lots and lots of late nights recently, all spent working hard on my paintings from the comfort of my secret base, located in the heart of an inactive volcano... in Kentish Town.

Word!

New Painting!

2010-01-15T01:52:00.000-08:00

Finished!
Im really really happy with this one. Hearts, stars, crosses, triangles, chequered squares, cubes, skulls, diamonds, roses, bears, crystals, skeleton pin-ups, pirates, gurus, cupcakes, rockers, turban wearing mystics, tapes - you know: the usual. Posca pen, spraypaint, metallic spraypaint, paper collage, crystals and felt all on a lovely hand varnished , 50cmX60cm plywood box frame. Lots of hard work in this one bringing together a few recent concepts. Been working night and day on it for the last 9 or so days. There will be lots more of these appearing in the coming weeks as I am currently in talks with a london gallery about exhibiting and selling stuff so I am producing as much artwork as possible for them. Should be able to bring you more news on that soon when it's all official - contracts signed etc. Click on any of the images below for a larger view.
I reckon if I keep knocking out images this purdy they may have to rename one of the teenage mutant hero turtles after me. :-)

Painting (mini)

2010-01-04T05:23:00.000-08:00

As promised, heres the first painting of about 20 to do! A nice little one to start:

150x150mm (35mm deep) Posca and acrylic on wooden block frame

>Im hoping to get around ten small pieces similar to this and five larger pieces finished by February's end - all for a possible exhibition. More details when I can let you know. Sorry about the picture quality - thats my crap digital camera.

eXXXtinct glamour

2009-12-30T03:55:00.000-08:00

Heres more prep work for a series of paintings I'm working on: Is glamour exxxtinct? Taking various 50's and 60's pinups and converting them into skeletons: With the likes of Nuts and Zoo magazines and their '100 BEST NEW BOOBS!!!' I thought I'd do a little illustration mourning the death of real glamour. Sorry about all the unfinished work posted recently - but it's all prep for about 20 paintings I'm aiming to complete by mid-late February! I'll post these as they are completed - the first one should be done after the weekend.

What Women Want: Update

2009-12-18T02:37:00.000-08:00

Not yet 100% finished, but heres a quick update of a recent post...I do love this one!:

"What women really want is a man who can make them laugh"

Mixed drinks: Yo Ho Ho Rum

2009-12-18T02:27:00.000-08:00

Label for 'Yo Ho Ho Rum': This still has a fair bit of work needed - the background, more shading etc. He's gonna have a feather and other details on his hat, and the background of the label is gonna be broken driftwood, anchors, chains etc. The whole salty sea dog vibe and all that.

Short But Sweet Part 2

2009-12-18T02:23:00.000-08:00

Pineapple: Again, this is just a glorified sketch, just playing around with a few ideas recently.

Short But Sweet Part 1

2009-12-18T02:11:00.000-08:00

Bear Face:

Quick sketch. This is for part of a painting i started a couple of days ago. I know it's simple, but I love him! I wish someone could make me a teddy of this guy. Speaking of bears - please check out my good friend James Ward's newly updated website. His specialty is intricate and fine pen/pencil drawings of animals going about very human business. For example: A goat performing a puppet show to a room full of rats. Yes, now you will have to go and look!

Anyway he's supremely talented and has lots of new work at his website: www.jimbobart.co.uk

Mesh Touch Up

2009-12-18T01:46:00.000-08:00

I decided to re-draw and colour this character for use in my recent portfolio booklets a couple of weeks back, but I've only just remembered I'd not yet posted it, so here it is with an illustrated makeover giving a nicer, more hand drawn look (At least thats what I think). You can decide for yourselves: The original image is on top with the grey background, with the new version directly below.

Let me know what you prefer: the original or the new version - And if you haven't already, you can check out my website at www.mesh137.com to see lots more of my old work.

EyePatch Whiskey

2009-12-16T04:01:00.000-08:00

About 95% finished: EyePatch Whiskey label. : 'For drinking or body pickling'

More of these on the way for other made up brands of booze soon. In other news: I've just got back from speaking to a local carpenter - he's gonna make me lots of lovely framed wooden boards for me to use as canvases, so look out for lots of painting on the horizon.

Rockabilly draft

2009-12-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

Rockabilly style dude. Quick sketch, with rough fills to test colour scheme.

Bit and Pieces Part 2

2009-12-10T09:33:00.000-08:00

A few more works in progress. Clown, Soldier, Gent and Mystic, initial sketches with colour tests.

Heres a rough knock up of a new idea with the Clown face. 'What women really want is a man who can make them laugh':

Bits and Pieces

2009-12-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

I've been quite busy over the last week promoting my services, but it seems to have started to pay off - my 'Simply The Mesh137' painting is currently in the hands of a gallery who want to frame, exhibit and sell it. I've still found a bit of time to produce some new bits and pieces mind you, so heres some sketches of work in progress:

Firstly a few more random random faces:

The guy with the lightning bolt in his hair? I wish that was me! Too fly!

And here are sketches of more of my characters for my made up drinks:

Pirate for 'Yo Ho Ho Rum'

HillBilly for 'Mesh's XXXX Moonshine'

And finally a Country Bumpkin for 'Back Country, Bad-Apple Cider'I'll post the finished versions when they're completed. With the interest from this gallery, I should be producing LOTS of artwork in the comming weeks and months, so expect to see plenty of exciting new work on a much more regular basis. Im working 14 hour days at the moment - so I should have new stuff to post every couple of days.

Work In Progress: EyePatch Whiskey

2009-12-01T08:52:00.000-08:00

Ficticious brands of alcoholic drinks that I'm designing labels for:

Yo Ho Ho Rum

EyePatch Whiskey

Mesh's XXXX Moonshine

Shitting-Ink Stout (delightful I'm sure you'll agree )

Black Magic Sambuca

El Bandito Tequilla

Back Country Bad Apple Cider

Possibly a few more to come as well. Basically this is a way of showing my artwork in a more commercial context (i.e packaging in this case)

Heres an unfinised preview of part of the 'EyePatch Whiskey' label. A little teaser for you

Promo Booklets

2009-11-26T06:40:00.001-08:00

Just got my new self promotional booklets back from the printers. Each booklet consists of 20 A5 full colour pages containing a selection of my work. If you are an agency/publisher/designer/advertiser/gallery then expect one of these to arrive in the post soon. Now I just have to update my website!

Done and Done!

2009-11-26T06:20:00.000-08:00

Apologies about the lack of posts - been busy finishing these beauties and generally promoting my services.

Gorgeous business cards in two designs: 'Stud' and 'Gay Pirate'

and my lovely lovely posters the A1 '99faces' and the HUGE A0 'MeshMashUp'

There are 5 of each poster available to buy, but I'm not quite sure how much I'm gonna charge or what avenue I'll sell them through yet so bare with me on this.Oh and both my cards and posters were printed by jamjarprint.co.uk and very prompt and reasonable they were too - and of course, excellent quality.

Cupcakes

2009-10-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

I originally drew these for my new MeshMashUp poster, but I ended up using just a few of them. Heres all of them in one image.

Business Cards

2009-10-12T06:33:00.000-07:00

'Bout time I got some new business cards printed. Heres a few designs I've put together today using recent work.

Featured at ILIKECHARACTERS.COM

2009-10-09T04:46:00.000-07:00

A big thanks to Steve Rack at ilikecharacters.com for including my 99 faces poster on his excellent blog. It features tons of characters created by various illustrators and artists. Definitely worth a look and a bookmark. Thanks again Steve!

LINK: ilikecharacters.com

Steve Rack's illustrations: http://www.steverack.com

MESH137 A.ZERO POSTER!!!!!!!!!! (Militant!)

2009-10-07T06:31:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the lack of posts in September, but finally after more than 500 hours

work time, my new poster is finished!!! It's another Mesh Mash Up - featuring bits and pieces, both new brand spanking new and some recycled older stuff. We got pirates, hotties, retro pinups, diamonds, stars, hearts, crosses, squares, dots, graff, homemade fonts, patterns, roses, boxers, 8-bit sprites, sign language, soldiers, native americans, guitars, stripes, hexagons, tapes, skulls, lightning, cakes, chicks with guns, teapots and whole bunch of other 'ish.

Why all this? Because I think it'd look purdy! I know it's not the most common thing to hear, but I really don't go for too much of that 'depth and meaning' type ish with my work. Call me a philistine, but I just like to make pretty pictures at the end of the day. Pictures that people will hopefully simply enjoy looking at. Thats all I want - for folks to enjoy looking at my pictures!

I had to lower the resolution of the main image because it was too large to upload to blogger otherwise, so check the detail images for more clarity. Now this is done, I should be back posting on here much more regularly. I'm looking into getting some really high quality, full size prints of this done. When I know more i'll post details if anyone would like to buy a print.

WORD!

Wolf!

2009-08-25T11:02:00.000-07:00

This image is on my 'Simply The Mesh...137' painting, but heres the original piece. This was initially going to be the 'W' image of an illustrated animal alphabet but thats been put on the back-burner for now. 25 more letters to go....this is on my list of things to do, along with marrying Megan Fox, producing a graphic novel based on Cormac McCarthy's book 'The Road' and going to Peru to try guinea pig and chips. Word

HeartBreakers - A sneak preview

2009-08-25T10:36:00.000-07:00

Heres a quick preview of a series of images I've been working on called 'HeartBreakers' five images of my Mesh Band guys, each with a lovely lady. Inspired by classic 50's romance comics, the kind that have subheadings like 'He was from the wrong side of town' and 'She loved him, but not his motorcycle'.

The final images will have backgrounds and text and more detailing/shading. I should have them all finished in a day or two, so you'll be able to see the finished versions then. I'd like to make them into postcards eventually - collect all five!

Soldier Of Foreplay

2009-08-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

Look - I can draw realistic too! Old ink and water sketch with added sunglasses and moustache.

TopHat

2009-08-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

TopHat man, looks like a bad Cbeebies acid trip. I like him though! Check out his green snake skin top hat too - MACK DADDY!

oh and this really is the last face Im posting for at least a week or so

Amish Is Love

2009-08-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

My only experience of the Amish came from that Harrison Ford film 'The Witness'. It's been a while since I watched it, but Im pretty sure all Amish people are bright yellow, blue cheeked and full of love.*

*I may be wrong on this

SupaFly Accoustic

2009-08-18T08:41:00.000-07:00

I've been having birthday celebrations the last couple of days, hence no new posts. Heres some new 'ish.
Mesh band member strumming away on his gee-tar looking as cool as a cucumber and chilled as f**k. Please note: I want a bowling shirt! The shading and textures on his guitar worked well. I've been drawing a lot of guitars recently - more of those later.
For those that don't know: The Mesh band is a fictional band I devised. There are four members: Bertie Chips, George Havana, Art Wilson and Charlie Mills. I've invented a whole back story/mythology for them but have yet to illustrate it. A comic book telling their whole story is in the works, along with fake flyers and album covers... coming soon!
You never know, one day I might even make some music for them.

Faces (repost)

2009-08-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd better repost these as one pic, save space and it looks a lot tidier. BowTie, Fancy Dan and Gay Pirate. These are gona be used on the follow up to the 'Mesh Mashup' poster.

'Simply The Mesh...137' painting

2009-08-11T17:58:00.000-07:00

Hey, heres a quick repost of the images of my painting 'Simply The mesh...137' I realised i'd posted an older picture of the painting where it wasn't quite finished. Heres the actual finished version. This is basically my Sistine chapel. 250+ working hours, Posca pens, metallic spraypaint and felt and paper collage. All on a a bit of 3mm thick laminated ply. Dimensions are 179cm X 75cm

This work is currently for sale. If you are interested in purchasing the painting or if you are a gallery who is interested in displaying the painting please contact me. My details are available on my website at www.mesh137.com

Semi-Pro inspired face

2009-08-11T11:25:00.000-07:00

I saw the Will Ferrell comedy 'Semi-Pro' the other day, and while it may not be up there with 'Anchorman' or 'Old School' it did make me chuckle and inspired this 'Jackie Moon' style face. A bit more detail in this one - curls in the hair and added shading. I promise this will be the last face I post in a while!

FACE!!!! In a 'Yellow Submarine' stylee

2009-08-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

Yellow Submarine style face

I've started to carry a small sketch book around with me so I can jot down ideas when the moment grabs me. Drew this face along with a few others while journeying on the tube last week. Thought this one deserved to be a keeper. I haven't seen it for years, but this face reminds me of the Beatle's 'Yellow Submarine' film. Maybe that's just me? Either way, I've included the initial sketch as well as the polished Photoshop finished version so you can get an idea of my working process (basically watching lots of T.V while simultaneously colouring in)

After my '99 faces' poster I thought I'd never draw any faces again, but I've done a few decent ones recently which are quite decent, so I may well produce a '99 faces' follow up soon!....Maybe!

SUPAFLY

2009-08-03T03:15:00.001-07:00

Teapots - a bit different I know

2009-08-03T03:03:00.000-07:00

Teapots!!!

Very different for me I know, but for some reason I'm becoming obsessed with the look of teapots and cupcakes. Here is an assortment of teapots that may or may not appear on a poster some time in the future. Teapots with diamonds - you know how we do.

2009-07-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

Boxer

More photography/graphics collage. The orignal image was a cigarette card from the 1920s I think. Note the 'Neverlast' logo on his protective helmet. I'd like to turn this one into a new business card.

Posh Girls

2009-07-30T11:01:00.001-07:00

This was originally a birthday card for my friend Lauren. But I liked the idea enough to produce this more polished effort. He's basically a reworking of one of the faces on my '99 faces' poster. And yes, posh girls are most definitely easy. This may end up in a black and white zine I'm working on at the moment - more on that at a latter date!

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Freinds

2009-07-30T10:54:00.001-07:00

60s Glamour Model Vs Mesh137

A little experiment in merging photos and graphics. You might see more of this style from me in the coming weeks.

MeshBand B-Boy

2009-07-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

MeshBand B-Boy

One of my Mesh Band members decked out like Rock Steady Crew member 'CrazyLegs'

SUPAFLY! Note the 'Mug Life' t-shirt I gave him.

How many faces? 99 faces!

2009-07-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

99 Faces

Another poster, this time featuring 99, yes that's right - 99! faces. Another time consuming piece to say the least! Hand drawn then scanned and worked on in Photoshop. It was a real struggle making every face unique but I'm real happy with the results. A1 posters must be made and sold soon! I'd like to print this on to fabric at some stage too. T shirt anyone?

Which face is your favourite?

MeshMashUp Poster

2009-07-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

MeshMashUp A1 Poster

Produced on Photoshop. Dots, hearts, starts, stripes, cubes, squares, teapots, faces, hands, beauties etc. Random but oh soo pretty! This one kept me busy for a while!!!

Hope to produce prints of this to sell soon.