Little White Lies: Issue 45

A piece I did for Issue 45 of the Little White Lies magazine. The illustration is of the actor John Hawkes with reference to the character he plays in the film 'The Sessions' - a quadriplegic yearning to lose his virginity. The broken lines used for his body and lungs suggest the state of paralysis from the neck down and his confinement to an iron lung while the glowing heart is a nod to love.

GQ: October Issue 2012

Going back to 2012 here, I was commissioned to complete a couple of portraits for the United States edition of GQ for their October fashion spread on shoes. The illustrations are of designer Rick Owens and the founder of the A.P.C fashion brand, Jean Touitou.

Little White lies: Issue 44

I was asked to do a piece for the spectacular Little White Lies', "The Master" issue. The illustration is of Philip Seymour Hoffman as the character Lancaster Dodd, whom he plays in the film. When asked by Quell (Joaquin Phoenix' character) what he does, he replies with the line -

"I am a writer, a doctor, a nuclear physicist, a theoretical philosopher...but above all I am a man. Hopelessly inquisitive man, just like you".

Hoffman's inner structure is made up of the equipment relating to all that he deems and says he is. Glasses were provided with the issue allowing the reader to view the magazine's content through a red and blue gel. As always, inspired art directing by Paul Willoughby.

Popshot Magazine: The Birth Issue

I was kindly asked by Popshot Magazine to illustrate a short story for their Autumn/Winter issue. The story was entitled, 'The Wart' and tells of an old man who has been blessed once again with youth, but fears returning to his previous geriatric state and the wart that plagued him. More about Popshot can be found on their website.

Toronto Life: Best of Fall 2012

The good guys at Toronto Life commissioned me to do a set of portraits for their 'Best of Fall 2012' guide, a directory to the  hottest tickets, openings, fashion and food for the upcoming season.

Little White Lies: Issue 43

Here's a recent illustration I completed for Little White Lies, '0n the Road' issue. The portrait is of Portuguese director, Miguel Gomes and is to accompany an interview with the man about his latest film project, Tabu.

Marketing Magazine(Canada): Chris Williams and David Shing Portraits

Here's a couple of portraits I completed for the Q & A segments in Canada's Marketing Magazine. The first is of Chris Williams, the president of the Internet Advertising Bureau in Canada, and the second portrait is of AOL's digital prophet, David Shing.

Project O: Art Show and Hoedown

The Church of London celebrated the launch of their new outdoor title Project O and its first print issue, The Acid Rambler, with an art show and hoedown.

The superbly packed evening included a talk by author and climber, Tom Richardson, an exclusive short film screening from The London Surf Film Festival, live music from the impressive Ruby and the Rib Cage and a stocked bar flowing with Talisker whisky. Each guest also walked away with a printed canvas bag full of The Church of London publications.

The ten contributing illustrators had their portraits displayed around the gallery and there was a rewarding, palpable buzz from the crowd towards the artwork and publication. It was great to meet fellow illustrator and contributor, Rupert Smissen, whose beautiful work can also be seen in The Acid Rambler. 

Intersection: Issue 35

Here is a recent commission for the current/summer issue of Intersection magazine. They are portraits to go alongside interviews with architect Bjarke Ingels and industrial designer Paul Priestman.

Little White Lies: Issue 42

I was commissioned to produce a piece for issue 42 of Little White Lies (the beautifully designed Lawless issue). The portrait was to accompany an article on British artist and filmmaker Andrew Kötting and his latest film project, 'Swandown'.

Project O: The Acid Rambler

I was fortunate to be invited by The Church Of London to produce a piece for their new publishing venture, Project O, an ever-changing publication celebrating outdoor culture. 

Issue 001 is entitled 'The Acid Rambler' and contains 11 profiles and illustrations of icons who have dedicated all to the great outdoors, be it climbing, cycling, surfing, rambling etc.

I was asked to produce a portrait of the father of the National Parks, John Muir. He was the 'original preservationist' and an all round naturalist. Be sure to grab yourself a copy....it's free!  

For more information on Project O's, The Acid Rambler, click here.

Marketing Magazine(Canada): Michael Eisner Portrait

Here's a recent commission I completed for the guys at Marketing Magazine over in Canada. It's a portrait of Michael Eisner to assist a Q & A piece they did with the former CEO of Walt Disney.

The Artfuls Interview

The Artfuls is an online platform for illustrators containing interviews on the processes, techniques and musings of many an artist. I was fortunate enough to be one of those recently interviewed! Read it here.

'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' Sketches

I was getting my yearly fix of one of my all time favourite films, the genius that is 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest', and had this urge to sketch some of the truly memorable characters.

Teenager #1

A recent artwork I completed of a teenager in his natural environment, his bedroom. I became intrigued by the latest fashion trends of adolescents. I was also drawn to the wall in this particular subject's bedroom on which he had scribbled his random thoughts and felt that I needed to note this within my work. I'm contemplating expanding this into a series capturing an array of teenagers in their everyday, personal surroundings.

My Colabs

This is a portrait piece I completed for the project My Colabs - a site for creative people to find roommates, work studios, collaborate on projects together, and sell supplies. It will also contain events and job listings.


My Colabs is not a live website as of yet but will soon feature on Kickstarter to hopefully raise the necessary funds. My artwork, along with others, will be offered as a reward. To learn more about My Colabs and to keep up to date with this exciting project click here.

Little White Lies: Issue 41

I was excited to receive my copy of the Little White Lies magazine, Midnight Movies issue in the post the other day. I was commissioned to produce a portrait of director Ti West to accompany an essay by the man himself on his interests in classic horror and how he became seduced by the genre from an early age. 

Mini Feature on Flamingo

It was nice of Craig from Flamingo Magazine to do a mini feature of me on their blog. Check it out here, along with all of the great offerings that the magazine has on show.

Dog Ear

It was great to see an old piece of work that I entered had made it onto the Dog Ear website. Dog Ear is a free magazine/bookmark that can be found in libraries and London's independent bookshops. Dog Ear is all about free press and publishes an array of literature and art. 

Issue 01 is currently available, but will keep my eyes peeled in the hope that my work makes it to press. In the meantime it can be viewed on the Dog Ear website.

Pick Me Up

-Illustration by Jim Spencer

-Illustration by Michael Kirkham

-Illustration by Paul X Johnson

-Illustration by Paul X Johnson

Each Spring (since 2010), Somerset House in London opens up its doors to the contemporary graphic art fair that is 'Pick Me Up'. The fair showcases an eclectic mix of graphic artists and illustrators, providing visitors with not just the opportunity to peruse the latest offerings of the graphic art scene but also with the possibility of purchasing artwork. 

The layout this year varied slightly from the last with the the introduction of Pick Me Up Selects, 20 artists from across the globe chosen to exhibit their artwork. This is the first space to greet you upon entering the fair, whilst upstairs, throughout a collection of rooms, collectives and galleries showcase their work in typical Pick Me Up fashion.

2012 sees the art lean more so towards illustration rather than graphics and it was particularly pleasing to see the inclusion of draughtsmanship as naive illustrations have tended to dominate in recent years. There was plenty on offer to excite and stimulate, but those which caught my eye in particular were the beautiful muted tones of Paul X Johnson, the bold shapes and subdued colours of Michael Kirkham and the brilliant, realistic portraits of Jim Spencer, a friend from my university days.

Pick Me Up runs until April 1st.

Chef Portraits for Toronto Life Magazine

This is a recent commission I completed for Toronto Life magazine. I was briefed to produce a set of chef portraits for their Best Restaurants guide book. The entire set can be viewed on my website.

It was great to receive interest from abroad, and so I had to ask the art director how they'd heard of me:

Me: 'Can I ask how you came to know of me and my work?'

Art Director: 'I found you when I was messing around on Pinterest.'

This not only illustrates the power and importance of social networking, but I owe a big thank you and kudos to whomever it was that pinned me. Thank you.