California
2013
Full figure portrait drawn in white pencil over a reproduced blueprint of California. The map shows old rail routes in and around the state.
15″x45″ approx.
Original sold.
Prints available from Abend Gallery.
"By thirty hills I hurry down,
Or slip between the ridges,
By twenty thorpes, a little town,
And half a hundred bridges"
(from The Brook by Alfred Tennyson)
This is the full, uncropped view of my latest Thames map, crosshatched in ink over an original folding map of the Thames, the stretch between Bampton and Eynsham. Scroll for details.
I think the interplay between figure and river worked particularly well here. To me, the layout of a landscape shows character, gesture even - a weaving river or winding road offers something in one place, and requires something back in another.
Original sold a while back but limited prints will be available soon, in time for holiday shopping, along with some other much awaited prints. If you'd like to be informed as soon as new releases are available you can sign up to my newsletter ✨✉️✨
1 week ago
"it's about finding a harmony or balance with the composition, placing the portrait in such a way that compliments the road network"
Totally unrelated but ✨CONGRATULATIONS✨ to @hermann2n who has won the postage stamp drawing which I shared in a recent post! Hermann is one of my newsletter subscribers and was randomly selected from thousands of entries. Thank you to everyone who entered 💙 you can of course still sign up to my mailing list if you're not already subscribed. In my next newsletter I'll be sending further updates on some upcoming print releases as well as a sneaky look at some of the most beautiful maps in my collection.
Audio: Geomob podcast, episode 90
3 weeks ago
#tbt to some looser, broader crosshatching. These are all drawn in ink, with the white lines carved from the ink layer in a sgraffito-like process, allowing the paper underneath to show. For this sort of technique I use a surgical scalpel. Sometimes, my work is about the removal of details, as well as the addition of details.
3 weeks ago
This is what crosshatching over old paper sounds like. Now close your eyes and picture a steam train.
3 weeks ago
What I call 'off road drawing' - working on anything but plain paper. This is a mix of my smallest and largest works, all crosshatched in ink over a range of surfaces - my usual paper maps, an unused postage stamp and an old (previously classified) aircraft manual for an English Electric Lightning.
I'm giving away the postage stamp shown in this video! For a chance to win you just need to join my mailing list. If you're already on my mailing list, you don't need to do anything - you're automatically included in the draw. If you'd like to enter you only have a day to sign up, as I'll be selecting a winner at random at the end of tomorrow, Tuesday 7th November.
You can of course join my mailing list any time if you'd like to receive updates on my work - this includes early access to new print releases, details of upcoming exhibitions along with other insights into my creative process and life in the studio.
4 weeks ago
#tbt to one of my favourite creations of 2023, so far. Back in March I was commissioned by Disney+ to create artwork for the release of true crime thriller Boston Strangler. I drew Keira Knightley as Loretta McLaughlin, covering a map of Boston MA 🇺🇲
I've worked with Boston several times now, and each time has been an absolute joy. I just love the character of the coastline, and the compositions it can force.
Just a reminder - or if you missed my previous post - I'm giving away a small (my smallest) original artwork, a tiny drawing covering a tiny map-themed postage stamp! You can enter the draw by signing up to my mailing list. If you're already on my mailing list, you're automatically entered. The draw will end next Tuesday, November 7th, when I'll pick a winner at random.
4 weeks ago
✨ I'm giving away my smallest ever drawing - this postage stamp! ✨ Well, both stamps really, as they're joined at the hip. My intervention on the left is stippled in ink, the untouched version on the right shows the stamp in its original state. They're from my stamp collection (yes I have a stamp collection) which unsurprisingly contains a sub-collection of map-themed stamps.
I'm going to select a winner at random from my ✨✉️ mailing list ✉️✨ next week - you have until November 7th to enter! If you're already subscribed to my newsletter you don't need to do anything, you're already in the draw.
If you're not on my mailing list and would like a chance of winning this unusual offering, you can sign up to my newsletter via the link in my bio.
Through my newsletter I'll send you occasional updates on new releases, along with exclusive insights into my creative practice. You'll also receive early access to many of my upcoming print drops.
Thanksandgoodluck 💙
1 month ago
It's been over a year since I recorded this audio and I still haven't learned how to pronounce 'pareidolia' - or spell it either apparently as I just had to look it up.
This is a short crosshatching compilation with audio from my appearance on the Geomob podcast. I used this excerpt last year in a previous reel, as I felt it helped to explain a part of my process - specifically the frequently asked question, "do you see faces in maps?"
New work coming soon plus updates on my next print release - keep an eye out here or better yet, subscribe to my mailing list - you'll find the link in my bio!
1 month ago
A day without drawing is a day without seeing.
I'm having a lot of fun navigating complex lighting on a small scale, gradually building layers one pass at a time. Often with unusual lighting some shapes and shadows feel wrong, but you just have to trust the process.
This work in progress is crosshatched over a miniature map of Criccieth, Wales 🏴 it's one of a handful of smaller works I've been creating between larger projects.
1 month ago
Crosshatching is patience-building, not patience-testing. Its repetitive nature is meditative, even hypnotic at times. It's the closest thing I have to a sense of rhythm.
These are a few short clips of my latest Thames map which sold a few weeks back. There's also a brief preview of something new which is currently on my desk, among other maps.
1 month ago
Miniature drawing over an atlas map of Aberystwyth, Wales. It's always satisfying working on a small scale.
I want to say a huge ✨THANK YOU✨ for all the support recently. My latest print, Manhattan, was supposed to be available for 5 days and 5 days only, but instead all 225 prints sold within the first day of launch. Most of the prints were purchased through an early access link, which I sent out exclusively to my newsletter subscribers.
If you'd like to be among the first to receive updates on my next print launch, be sure to sign up to my mailing list - you'll find the link in my bio. It's easy to miss posts on social media but as an email subscriber you'll get all of my updates sent straight to your inbox - everything from new print releases and studio insights, to details of future exhibitions.
Once again, thank you 💙
1 month ago
EDIT: sold out!
Manhattan print drop is now ✨LIVE✨ and there are a limited number of A4 prints available! Yesterday I emailed an early access link to everyone on my mailing list. Within just a few hours all 75 of the A2 prints SOLD OUT, along with more than half of the 150 A4 prints!
Viola and I are blown away by your support. We've been working hard on our new studio store and print offerings, and this Manhattan print has been our first brand new release in what feels like a long time. To sell so many editions before the drop goes fully live is incredibly affirming, so THANK YOU to all of my wonderful collectors 💙
If you're reading this and would like a print, you still have time! Simply follow the 'MANHATTAN print' link in my bio. There's a limited number of A4-sized prints left, and you can order yours framed or unframed. This release is both limited edition and time-limited, so the availability of Manhattan will end in just over 4 days, unless the edition numbers run out first in which case the drop will end sooner.
Each print is produced on acid-free, archival Bamboo Giclée paper from Hahnemühle. The production, packaging and shipping is carbon neutral and orders are shipped internationally via a tracked and insured service.
If you'd like to receive early access to my next print drop, be sure to join my mailing list - you'll find the signup link in my bio. I'll also send you updates on my practice, along with details of upcoming exhibitions, exclusive insights and other relevant news.
1 month ago
Last year I was commissioned by @lionsgate to produce a poster for John Wick 4. Fast forward to now, and Lionsgate have just announced a John Wick Chapters 1-4 boxset, and I'm thrilled to see my poster included as part of the box design!
The poster was originally commissioned as part of an invitational series featuring the work of 12 artists from 9 different countries. It was a delight to form new connections through the project and to see how wildly different each outcome was.
My poster was based around Paris, a key location of the movie. As part of the research and development stage, I was able to watch the movie while it was still in production, which is when I spotted the distinctive appearance of a (very enlarged) Wagner and Debes map in one of the scenes. I knew straight away, that was the map I'd use for Keanu's portrait.
1 month ago
Do you recognise this location? Later this week I'll be releasing a ✨ limited number of prints ✨ for a limited time only! You can access the print drop and therefore the lowest edition numbers a whole day early by signing up to my mailing list. You'll find the link in my bio. For those already signed up, keep an eye out for an email in the next day or two with full details ✨✉️✨
2 months ago
Huge thanks to everyone who signed up to my newsletter and therefore entered the print prize draw - there were thousands of entries! Using a random number generator I selected 3 lucky subscribers and sent emails out to the winners earlier today.
✨✉️ You can of course still sign up to my mailing list! I'll be using it to make early announcements of new releases, future exhibitions, and to give exclusive insights into upcoming works, inspirations and life in the studio. I'm looking forward to sending out the first newsletter 💙
2 months ago
🇺🇸 #tbt to a selection of US locations - just a handful of many I've covered over the years. These are all drawn in ink over various old maps from my collection.
Can you spot Brooklyn in the mix? I'll be selecting 3 of my ✨✉️ mailing list ✉️✨ subscribers at random to each receive an AP print of Brooklyn. If you'd like a chance to win you just need to sign up to my newsletter - the link is in my bio - you have until the end of today (Thursday 5th October) to enter! Good luck 💙
2 months ago
👀 every artists favourite anatomical detail (?)
✨✉️ friendly reminder to sign up for my mailing list if you haven't already! I'll be picking 3 subscribers at random to win 3 (1 each) artist proof prints of Brooklyn (the last image in this post) - you have until Thursday to enter - sign up link is in my bio! Thank you to everyone already on the list 💙
2 months ago
#tbt to this portrait drawn in ink over a Bacon's map of Birmingham, UK. This was a private commission from last year (I'm currently closed for private commissions)
✉️✨ Back to the present day, and I'm blown away by the positive response to my new mailing list! Lots of you have signed up already, and you're all in for a chance of winning one of three Artist Proof (AP) prints of Brooklyn, pictured in my previous post. If you'd like to enter simply follow the link in my bio and sign up by October 5th ✨✉️
I'll be using my mailing list to update you on new releases along with exclusive insights into my practice, inspirations and life in the studio. Thanks!
2 months ago
I now have a mailing list! I'll be using it to send out updates on my practice, early info on new print releases, plus exclusive insights into my inspirations and studio life.
To mark the launch of my mailing list I'll be giving away 3 Artist Proof (AP) prints of Brooklyn to 3 randomly selected subscribers - so to enter all you need to do is follow the link in my bio and sign up by October 5th.
Thank you all for being here, supporting what I do, and of course thank you all for your well wishes in my last post - I'm pleased to say that Viola and I are settling into the new place, and are no longer unwell. Admittedly we're still surrounded by boxes and navigating parts of the house still feel like an episode of Takeshi's Castle, but... we're getting there 💙
2 months ago
Ink drawing over an antique map of the Thames, Bampton to Eynsham. This has been beautifully framed and is currently at @outregallery in Melbourne, as part of their annual invitational Vanguard exhibition which opens tomorrow, Friday from 6pm. See their profile and web links for details.
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I haven't posted much lately as I've been crazy busy with life stuff. My partner Viola and I were due to move house a few weeks ago... everything was ready, removals were booked... then we got sick! I couldn't decide which was worse, the fever, the late summer heatwave, or the unpleasant packing which we still had to finish. We were in the middle of a Venn diagram from hell. Still unwell, we had to postpone our move. Fortunately the removals company were very accommodating at finding a new date for us last-minute, and we finally moved in yesterday! Today I'm mostly unpacking my studio. It's a more practical space than the last studio so I can't wait to get going again.
2 months ago
More details of a drawing in progress, a boundary map of Woolwich, London.
3 months ago
Crosshatching compilation - this time a mix of older works, recent works, and one or two future works currently in progress - all drawn in ink over paper maps from my collection. As always my videos are recorded in real time (no timelapse footage)
3 months ago
Details of a new Thames miniature, this time the stretch between Bampton and Eynsham. I love working around the winding river and surrounding villages.The shape of the river itself is almost gestural in places - a sort of geographical calligraphy.
This map is on a long journey to @outregallery in Melbourne, and will be included in their annual invitational group show Vanguard, an exhibition featuring "artists who are leading the way in their creative practices and forging ahead in new frontiers. Each artist brings something totally exceptional to the table - from their execution and technique, to their innovation, creative vision and idiosyncratic flair"
Vanguard opens in September at the gallery's Fitzroy location.
3 months ago
Delighted to see Plymouth featured in an article over on @beautifulbizarremagazine - it's been selected alongside some incredible works as a preview for this year's art prize entries.
I chose to enter Plymouth specifically because I feel it's one of my most successful recent works - a satisfying balance of tone, colour, and composition.
4 months ago
Détails de Paris - #tbt to one of my favourite commissions of last year
4 months ago
Making progress on this boundary map of Woolwich. Not a huge amount left to go now.
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I've enjoyed utilising the blank space in the lower right corner - in contrast to the tighter map details, it's allowed me to 'stretch my legs' - or rather my right hand. I've gradually built the layers up to a point at which the line direction of the crosshatching no longer matters.
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Really grateful to have more of these boundary maps in my collection - I've already made a start on the next location!
4 months ago
Currently crosshatching over a map of Woolwich, London. Sharing a few of the details so far.
5 months ago
From one Manhattan to another.
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I realised the other day that I never shared this map in its finished state, only a progress photo. So here it is - Manhattan, NY - a miniature(ish) portrait study crosshatched in ink over an original antique map of lower Manhattan.
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This was part of a fantastic selection of works curated by @supersonicart for their recent Faces and Figures group show which I was more than happy to be a part of.
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The original sold but I'll be making a limited number of prints available when my studio store reopens - further details will be announced here on my socials (including Threads!) in due course - don't forget you can turn on post notifications if you want to be sure you don't miss any posts from me.
5 months ago
#ad I'm delighted to share this official portrait of Harrison Ford as @indianajones with you all! It was commissioned by @disneystudiosuk to celebrate the release of #indianajones and the Dial of Destiny, out now in cinemas only. The composition is formed around the NYC island of Manhattan, a key location of the movie and a welcome challenge for my process. Scroll right to see a few close ups of the artwork. Huge thanks to Disney for the opportunity!
5 months ago