new posts in all blogs
Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: Books About Town, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 9 of 9
How to use this Page
You are viewing the most recent posts tagged with the words: Books About Town in the JacketFlap blog reader. What is a tag? Think of a tag as a keyword or category label. Tags can both help you find posts on JacketFlap.com as well as provide an easy way for you to "remember" and classify posts for later recall. Try adding a tag yourself by clicking "Add a tag" below a post's header. Scroll down through the list of Recent Posts in the left column and click on a post title that sounds interesting. You can view all posts from a specific blog by clicking the Blog name in the right column, or you can click a 'More Posts from this Blog' link in any individual post.
.jpg?picon=572)
By:
andrea joseph,
on 10/6/2014
Blog:
andrea joseph's sketchblog
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
illustrator,
illustration,
girl,
book,
drawing,
London,
ink,
AJ,
book bench,
andrea joseph,
Books About Town,
Wild In Art,
Add a tag
I really am awful at finishing a story off. This one has been going one for nearly six months and it still hasn't come to a conclusion. I can never deal with endings. I wonder what deep psychological scar I'm avoiding looking at? Hmmm. But, that's another post, another drawing, hey, another book!
So, when we last caught up with my bookbench, my girl, she was finished - all apart from a little colour that I added, and a few more doodles. Less is never more around here. Why stop when you can just keep on going and going? (
Go Sober For October really is making me look at my addictive behaviour, it seems).
When I'd thrown as much colour and doodles at her, it needed to be finished with a coat of hardcore resin/varnish. That bit was done at 2am the night/morning before she was being picked up. It was meant to have been done four days before (I didn't realise that until 2am when I finally read the tin) but, shhhh, don't tell anyone. And, anyway, I couldn't have lived with the small of that resin for four days. I'd have been as high as a kite.
And then they came to take her away. After a rather undignified exit from my house which included a door being removed and a washing line being snapped - she just didn't want to leave - she was off.
After dominating my living room for the past few months she suddenly looked so small. She looked tiny, out there, in the big wide world (car park). Aw.
She was carefully and lovingly wrapped then bundled into the back of a van and off to find her new home in the big city. In the Big Smoke.
Well, not quite. Because, yes, she did make her home in London, for the summer, but it was in a rather lovely, green, little churchyard in Greenwich. I even got to go and visit her.
And, not just once, but twice. Yesterday, I went to say a final farewell, as all of the fifty bookbenches were gathered together in Gordon Square, London, before they go on auction and onto the next chapter of their lives. Lots of people came out to see them in all their glory, on a perfect autumn afternoon.
And, so, that's it. This evening they will all be auctioned of to raise much needed funds for the National Literacy Trust.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the auction, but I hope she goes to a good home. Bye Bye bookbench.
THE END
(or is it? Maybe, I'll get to visit her in her new home, where ever that may be)
By:
andrea joseph,
on 8/29/2014
Blog:
andrea joseph's sketchblog
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
andrea joseph,
Andrea Joseph drawings,
Books About Town,
Wild In Art,
illustrator,
illustration,
moleskine,
London,
souvenirs,
my Moleskines,
Urban Sketchers,
urban sketching,
souvenir,
Covent Garden,
AJ,
book bench,
Add a tag
So, it's nearly time to say goodbye to August, and summer, and Hello September. I like September. It feels like a month when changes can and will happen and I always welcome that. Plus, autumn is most definitely my favourite season. Even the word 'autumn' is lovely.
September, before it has begun, has a theme to it. I am paying three visits to our capital - which feels exciting and sounds expensive. At the end of the month I am going to see, and I can't quite believe I'm saying this, Kate Bush in concert. I know, how crazy is that? I hope she hasn't had a big strop by then and called the rest of the dates off. You wouldn't put it past her. And, I love her for that.
Mid month I am finally going to see my
bookbench. It's been a long time coming, but at last, just days before it retires from the city, I'll get to see it, in situ, on the streets of London. Well, actually, in a churchyard in Greenwich. The photo, below, was taken by, and of, a couple of friends who recently visited.
Then there's next weekend and a rather fabulous opportunity that presented itself to me. You know, sometimes, a little gem of a 'job' pops up in your inbox? Sometimes, you don't even take it seriously because it sounds too good to be true? Yeah, that.
Next weekend, on Saturday 5th of September, I will be drawing for, and representing, MOLESKINE and URBAN SKETCHERS in COVENT GARDEN. It's true! Please come along. We're there all day for a big old sketchathon. Come! Draw! Plus, rumour has it, that there may just be free Moleskines. Oh yes. You'll need to get there early to catch one of those lovely worms.
Oh, oh, and I forgot to mention the rest of the Covent Garden sketching team. I'll only be sketching with, ahem, Urban Sketching correspondents
Adebanji Alade, James Hobbs,
Olha Pryymak. Eeeeek! I already feel like a fraud.
Full details of the event can be found
HERE. Even though our Learning Sessions are sold out still come along. We'll all be hanging out, sketching, all day. Hope to see you there.
By:
andrea joseph,
on 7/19/2014
Blog:
andrea joseph's sketchblog
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
illustrator,
illustration,
London,
around the house,
childrens,
AJ,
book bench,
Andrea Joseph drawings,
Books About Town,
Wild In Art,
Add a tag
Back to the bookbench. So, after spending all that time doing all the work on the front (a lot more work than I'd anticipated as it just seemed to grow and grow and grow) I had to do it all again on the back.
Now, because I'm terrible at updating (or not updating?) projects, I just leaving them hanging midway like some cliff-hanger and annoyingly you never get to see the final episode, I thought I'd post the end result of my bookbench. Well, this isn't quite the end result, this the penultimate stage. So there's still scope for me to leave him hanging off that cliff.
These two photos, above and below, are a couple of moments that I like. Apologies for the quality of the photos. I took them all on my iPhone and have still not got to grips with the camera.
The drawing on the back of my bookbench was the tidier version of the one at the top of this post. Our girl has interrupted her reading to tidy up - by shoving everything under or behind the sofa.
And so, my bench also came with instructions (below). All the objects that you could see on the front of the bench can been found on the back, tucked under cushions, etc. You've got to search for them. Yes, I really did draw it ALL again. I like to bring that interactive element to drawings. It was what rocked my world, about books and illustrations, when I was a kid.
My bench is now actually out on display, with the 49 others, in London. There is a trail and map so you can go and see them all. Mine is on the Greenwich part of the trail in
this churchyard. I've been told that the church backs onto a couple of schools, and they have already planned school visits to the bench. I hope the kids have fun finding all of the objects and stuff and nonsense.
I'll post the final stage soon; which was adding a little colour, and then the most nerve-racking bit of all adding the varnish. Until that point I had no idea how the marker pens would react to hard core varnish/resin. Would all that work bleed once the varnish hit it? Would the whole drawing be ruined?
DUN DUN DUNNNNN!!!!
PS, if anyone is in London, and visits the bookbench, please take a photo of yourself there. I'd love to see it. Send it to me.
By:
andrea joseph,
on 7/4/2014
Blog:
andrea joseph's sketchblog
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
illustrator,
illustration,
London,
sketchbook,
Danny Gregory,
AJ,
book bench,
andrea joseph,
Sue Townsend,
Adrian Mole,
Koosje Koene,
Sketchbook Skool,
Books About Town,
Add a tag
Where did June go? Did anyone see where it went? I'm sure it didn't happen this year. It must have been cancelled.
Guys, I'm currently slap bang in the middle of a couple of amazing projects that are happening NOW. Like, right now. Firstly, that fine figure of a man, above, is none other than
Danny Gregory. One of my drawing heroes. The guy who created Everyday Matters - which is where I my drawing journey began way back when, eight or nine years ago. I'm rubbish at dates. But anyway, anyway, I can tell you it was quite a moment for me to be asked by Danny to become a teacher at Sketchbook Skool. It felt like coming home.
The new semester starts TODAY! You can see the fabulous new website, and get your place on the course,
HERE. I'll see you in class. Make sure you're on your best behaviour!
Then, as if that isn't enough, as if that isn't crazy enough, a couple of days ago my bookbench hit the streets of London. Yes, she has left home, flown the nest, and gone to the big Smoke to try and make her fortune. I just hope she doesn't end up living on a park bench. Oh.
You can see another spanking new website with the whole story about this Books About London project
HERE and read all about my bench
HERE.
If anyone should visit my bench (it's in Greenwich from July-September) please take a photo of yourself at the bench and send it to me. I'd love to put a little album of them together.
I will be back with actual drawings soon. I do have new stuff to post. I just need the time.
June? Anyone?
By:
andrea joseph,
on 5/31/2014
Blog:
andrea joseph's sketchblog
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
London,
AJ,
book bench,
andrea joseph,
Adrian Mole,
Andrea Joseph drawings,
Books About Town,
Wild In Art,
illustrator,
illustration,
book,
Add a tag
...when you just have to stop pissing around, avoiding what needs doing, and buckle down to it.
This girl, and bench, will be leaving for London VERY soon.
As usual, I've left ALL the work until the last minute, but there's nothing like a deadline to get things moving.
Anyway, just thought I'd give you a little update on how this project is looking (excuse the poor quality photos).
And the poor quality words too. I've lost the power of speech. Still, just a week of sleepless nights ahead of me and then I'll be back to normal. Whatever that may be.
By:
andrea joseph,
on 5/12/2014
Blog:
andrea joseph's sketchblog
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
London,
ink,
cafe,
map,
book bench,
andrea joseph,
Derbyshire,
Andrea Joseph drawings,
Derbyshire Open Arts,
Whaley Bridge,
Sketchbook Skool,
Books About Town,
Add a tag
So here's another thing I have on this month; I am exhibiting, as part of the
Derbyshire Open Arts weekend, on the 24th-26th, at
Pear Tree Café in Whaley Bridge. That's if I have anything to put on the walls. I've never had so much work on. I'm not complaining. I just can't quite keep up.
I'm off to Amsterdam shortly to film my classes for next semester's
Sketchbook Skool. And then there's the little issue of the
MASSIVE book/bench, in my living room, that I have to start, I mean finish, by the end of this month. That'll then be making it's way down to the streets of London ready for the
Books About Town trail which begins in July.
I'm exhausted just thinking about it all. Coffee! Please!! Make mine a quadruple espresso.
By:
andrea joseph,
on 4/21/2014
Blog:
andrea joseph's sketchblog
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
illustrator,
illustration,
London,
Dexter,
AJ,
book bench,
Sue Townsend,
andrea joseph for cross pens,
Adrian Mole,
Andrea Joseph drawings,
Books About Town,
Wild In Art,
Add a tag
You know when a project takes over your life? Yeah? Well, that's exactly what has happened here.
Here's an update on the
Books About Town /
Wild In Art book bench project that I am working on. Last time, I posted about it, I had just received this giant open book that has now become part of the furniture in my living room.
Stage 1 was to prime the bench. I wanted a clean white background for my drawing - so a friend came around to help with that. That friend was not
Dexter, despite it looking that way from the photo above. We just got over enthusiastic with the dust sheets.
That was the easy bit. Stage 2 is to transfer
my drawings, which I originally made on A4 paper (20 x 30cm ish) onto the bench. It's not just enlarging the drawing, to such a scale, that's difficult. No. It's that the bench is not a flat piece of paper. Working the drawing around all the curves is tricky. But, I've started.
And, I did so whilst watching back to back
Columbo over this Easter weekend.
Many people have said that this must be a daunting task. People often talk about the fear of drawing in a new sketchbook. The fear of the blank page. And, this is such a large blank page. But, I've never had the issue. In fact, I'm quite the opposite I love starting a new sketchbook with all the possibilities that brings. Procrastination is my issue.
So, I'm pleased that I've got going, whilst being watched over, and inspired by, my ladies over the bench; the
Lady of Shalott; my teenage self; and, of course,
Sue Townsend whose recent death has made choosing her
Adrian Mole book as my theme for the bench even more poignant.
It also fills me with pride to be honoured to pay tribute to her, and Adrian, in this way.
You can read about how I got involved in this project
HERE. I'll see you soon with some drawings, I hope. Although this has taken over my life. And my living room.although
By:
andrea joseph,
on 4/18/2014
Blog:
andrea joseph's sketchblog
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
illustrator,
illustration,
book,
London,
Dexter,
AJ,
book bench,
andrea joseph,
Sue Townsend,
Adrian Mole,
Books About Town,
Wild In Art,
Add a tag
Nice of Dexter to come and help paint the bench.
By:
andrea joseph,
on 3/21/2014
Blog:
andrea joseph's sketchblog
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
books,
book,
London,
AJ,
book bench,
andrea joseph,
Sue Townsend,
Adrian Mole,
Andrea Joseph drawings,
Books About Town,
Wild In Art,
Add a tag
I love this girl. She came through for me again.
She is a part of me; my teenage self.
I made two drawings of her some years back. They were, I guess, memory drawings.
They were about being in love with reading.
And, er, being a bit of a slob (nothing changed there then).
*****
Do you sometimes find that in creativity, and in life in general, I suppose, that a theme comes along, a recurring theme, and you just can't ignore it? You feel you mustn't ignore it. It's trying to tell you something. Like a message a from the universe. Well, that's what's been happening with me of late.
That theme has been books. Books, books, books.
Autumn last year the (first) book solely about my work was published;
Andrea's Book (I really should go into that rather simplistic title at some point, but hey, that's another blog post). Ever since I have been signing, wrapping and packing them off all around the world. For the wrapping paper I've been using the drawings of my girl. I can't remember how it came about - it was some kind of happy accident as the late great Bob Ross would say.
*****
A few weeks back a friend sent me a link to a project that is taking place in London over the summer. From July, there will be a trail of 'book benches' displayed throughout the capital. It is a
Wild In Art project, working in partnership with the
National Literacy Trust, called
'Books About Town'. You can read and see more about it
HERE. The link was for artist's to submit their designs for the chance of getting their own bench commissioned. Artists could choose from a list of books, all linked to London in some way, or come up with an idea of their own. That was the only rule; the book bench design had to have some link to the capital. The issue I had was that the deadline was nearly up and I had just a few days to choose a book and come up with a design.
I really wanted this gig and my head was spinning trying to get an idea together. I'd read quite a few books on the list, but many years ago and none of them were jumping out at me. Sleepless nights ensued as I went over and over it. But I was trying to force an idea and that's not how I like to work.
I continued to get on with the other things I need to do; going to work, signing and wrapping and sending lot's more of my books off around the world. Always coming back to my girl. There she was, she was still reading. What was she reading I asked myself. What book was she engrossed in I asked her. What was teenage me reading then? Then it came to me.
*****
Back in the day, like many other kid of the 1980s, I was obsessed with
Adrian Mole. A while ago I reread the books and they were still as funny and brilliant as when I first read them. I've grown up with the character and loved everything about him, from his political views (fiercely anti Thatcher) and his burning desire to lead the life less ordinary. I knew that's what my girl was reading. There was my book;
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend. But what did it have to do with London? Adrian famously lived in the Midlands. Then I recalled that he went on a school trip to London. Tenuous? Actually, I don't think so. Suddenly I was feeling passionate.
So there it was. That was my pitch; 'The book I have chosen to illustrate is The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole. In the book Adrian, and his classmates, go on a school trip to London. For most people living outside of the capital, a school trip is usually their first experience of London. It was mine'.
*****
So, that's the story of how I ended up with a MASSIVE open book, or bench (depending on how you look at it) in my living room. Yes, my idea was selected and yesterday there was another book in my life. I like to think having a huge open book staying with me is symbolic. I haven't decided what it symbolises yet. I hope it'll reveal that over the next two months (yes, TWO months).
OH! Oh, and my design for the bench? Well, there could only be one thing . I say one 'thing', but I mean one girl. Yes, I was all so obvious really. It was always there. She was always there.
I love this girl. She came through for me again.
