My Christmas Kitty illustration has made it’s appearance on the It’s a Shape Christmas interactive advent calendar. Visit the site and click on Number 17 (a heptagon) to access this FREE festive download. The illustration is available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

It’s Shape Christmas project is a collaboration between Shape (a creative and digital agency based in Manchester) and talented illustrators from around the world.

Do have a look around and see what’s behind the other shapes!

My Raining Cats and Dogs illustration is currently featured on Creative Times. Please visit their website and have a browse at all the exciting news from the creative community.

www.creativetimes.co.uk

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Update: 3 December 2011
Chris Sharratt, editor of Creative Times, has published an interview article (‘Illustration that’s cute and to the point’) to accompany the Raining Cats and Dogs illustration that is currently featured on their website.

The Manchester and Salford Illustrated (#MASI) online print shop is now live!

My Fred Aldous illustration, and those by fellow talented illustrators from Manchester can now be purchased at the #MASI Print Shop.

All illustrations are available as limited edition prints – so be quick to avoid disappointment. Every penny raised from the sale of prints go to Wood Street Mission and their quest to help families affected by poverty.

The #MASI illustration involved answering the following statement: “What does Manchester Mean to You”. You can read my rational in a previous blog post.

Also a quick thank you to Fred Aldous for generously featuring my illustration in their latest newsletter. They’ve also recently introduced Monkey Points, a move that will excite any loyal customer!

New poster design for Science Jamboree!

Manchester Girl Geeks and Teawitter will be holding a joint science-themed event at Madlab on Sunday, 30th October (1-5pm). There will be plenty of activities taking place including:

• Build a Robot
• Kitchen Chemistry
• Science Busking
• Mathematical Origami
• and of course, plenty of Tea and Cake!

Tickets for the event are available at: http://mggteawitter.eventbrite.com/

You can find out more about Science Jamboree on the Manchester Science Festival website.

MASI is a showcase of some of the very best commercial artists and illustrators in the area. The brief was to answer the statement: “What does Manchester Mean to You”.


When considering my answer I thought back to my first trip to Manchester and all the eclectic collection of shops based in the Northern Quarter.

Fred Aldous, the much loved art shop, was one of the first shops I stepped into. I recall at the time that my fellow travel companion watched me with bemusement as my eyes lit up and gleamed at the vast range of arts and craft items that were on offer. Watching me dart around the shop, I think he soon realised that we weren’t going to leave the shop until sunset.

Since Fred’s has remained one of my favorite shops, I decided it would be the subject of my illustration. It fitted well that I have always wanted to document the beautiful architecture in the area but did not have an occasion do so until now.

I couldn’t help but sneak in a few cute creatures into the illustration:

An online gallery and shop will be launched shortly. Every penny raised from the sale of prints, postcards, and other merchandise will go directly to help children living in poverty in Manchester and Salford.

If you are interested in purchasing prints by local artists / illustrator and for further updates  – please keep an eye on the #MASI hashtag on Twitter.