Tolkien Mail Art

My recent blog updates have been all about Torn Magazine so to mix it up a little, here are a couple of things I made for the lovely Anna Jane Searle a while ago. As a fellow 'Lord of the Rings' fan and with 'The Hobbit' about to grace the big screen I had to send her a Tolkien themed mail art package!

Included, was this pendant and matching gift bag which I made from pages of the first Lord of the Rings book. The pendant was inspired by Anna's beautiful diorama's which you can see on her blog. You can find her amazing beetle and moth specimen diorama if you follow the link below! I love it!

http://annarack.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/to-my-sister-and-her-boyfriend-i-gave.html 

The map of Middle Earth in the background formed the envelope and came complete with a postage stamp featuring an illustration from The Hobbit(one of the stamps from the 'Magical Worlds' series). 

I also sent: 

-An old advert for the animated version of Lord of the Rings 

-Instructions to make an origami nazgul (I tried and failed)

 -And a hand-written letter where I drew the door to the Moria Mines and wrote our names in dwarf runes.

among other things...

You can find more pictures of everything in Anna's lovely blog post about this package!  

http://annarack.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/lord-of-rings-mail-art.html

Torn Magazine: Issue 6 (Change Edition)

Change is here!

The month of September is all about change. From the change of seasons, to the change of scenery for graduates and freshers.

Download issue 6 here: 

http://tornmag.wordpress.com/

The cover was inspired by the idea of evolution and seeing all the graduates in their gowns recently. I've been thinking about making him into greeting cards! What do you think?

I have also moved to Birmingham for the year as I will be studying for a postgraduate. Unfortunately this means after the next issue I will be temporarily unable to work on the Torn Magazine covers, as I will have very little time and no art supplies. So if you would like to do a cover or get involved in any way take a look at the 'contribute' section of the website: 

http://tornmag.wordpress.com/contribute/

New Zealand Sketches

If nature inspires you and if you haven't already, then traveling to New Zealand is a must. It's filled with unique wildlife, plants, culture and some epic views. Just ask Peter Jackson :)

These are some sketches that I did on my return for the current issue of Torn Magazine. I collaged these sketches with some photos I took while I was there.

A Kiwi bird, the national symbol of New Zealand, but unfortunately I didn't get to see one. I did, however, get to see a beautiful fantail bird during a bush walk near Waitomo.

The Weta bug is another species endemic to New Zealand. I didn't see any of these either apart from a giant plastic one. Although, it also represents my time at the Weta Workshop Cave where they put the magic into films. I would like to live there, (minus the screaming children). It also got me thinking about getting into special effects, if that's possible! :/

I also loved the Maori carvings everywhere and very much enjoyed seeing a traditional Maori performance (including the Haka) at Whakarewarewa, a living thermal village. You soon get used to the smell of rotting eggs and appreciate this natural geothermal phenomena for its views and how the Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao people use it to live.

There is a photo of the village inside the issue along with three others, including Lake Hawea, Hindon and Franz Josef Glacier. The glacier in particular has amazing views (especially from the seat of a helicopter) and all sorts of interesting ice formations. Though at the time I was just trying my hardest not to get stuck in any of them.

Other things I would have liked to include but ran out of space were pretty glow worms that look like stars, oh-so-juicy Nashi pears, and the awesomeness of the shire (Hobitton).

The double page spread is in Issue Five. I have just added a new link in the right side bar linking to the Torn Magazine Website where you can download the issues or even get information about contributing to future issues yourself.

Torn Magazine: Issue 5

As always you can download the full issue for free from the website:

http://tornmag.wordpress.com/

After travelling to the other side of the world for a bit, it is a nice coincidence that this next issue of Torn is focused on the world. As well as the cover and spot illustrations I have also contributed some of my holiday photographs and sketches from my time in New Zealand. I also tried my hand at writing a review, though I may need a lot more practice.

Also in the issue is...

-Abstract art by Sarah Gaffney, 

-Photography by Michael Taylor,

-Jack Perryman talks about the Olympics 

-Exhibition reviews by Naomi Racz and Shahina Kabir, 

-'I am the Cheese' book review by Carys Hopcyn,

and more 

Pigs that fly

I did this illustration of a pig in a patchwork hot air balloon a while ago for a commission. Unfortunately it wasn't used, so I thought I would put it on the blog. It might make a nice 'goodbye' greeting card though. What do you think?

Part of the commission was also to do some spot illustrations. I drew some money and replaced the queens head with a piggy banker. The five pound notes were supposed to be cascading out of the hot air balloon. I also did a diamond ring along with some champagne and chocolates which I haven't put up.

I also received my certificate of completion from Schoolism today!!

It was printed on some lovely shimmery paper and came in a protective sleeve (which I wish all my other certificates came in because I suck at taking care of them!) Also not sure if you can see the little creatures in the border.

I still need to put what i've learnt to the test, so more illustration to come.