ELSEWHERE

A different kind of quartet.

In search of the unexpected. (Familiar?)


As if winged, moving quickly from place to place. (Can you guess the locations?)


The clock chimed and they resumed their song.


Searching all mountains high and seas blue.

Here's a small preview of four of a total eight new greeting card designs by Gracia and me. They are currently being made ready to be printed, but they will be available in our online store sometime soon. They will also be a few bookstores and the like too, for those who live nearby.

We hope you like them.

See the other four designs available here.

A paper quartet presented by a Red-breasted nuthatch

One more than three is a set of my zines I have just realised I have not yet shared with you all in this space. How remiss I have been as the world's been turned upside-down.

The titles in this set, One more than three, include An aurora of polar bears I have dreamt of, Five proud birds, Quadrupeds drawn from London's Natural History Museum collection, and Birds that have caught my eye in print, but I've never been lucky enough to see in reality.

And because one part of a whole is never complete, this set is for the collecting enthusiast. You can purchase it here.

Leaving you this Tuesday morning in the hands of a Red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis).

In Padova, looking for you

The wonderful Leah from Milly Sleeping invited Gracia and me to contribute to the exhibition Loved and Lost, part of the 2011 LMFF (see its listing here). It is always a joy to create something for Milly Sleeping and this new collaborative artists’ book was no exception.


Looking for you, I'd taken a wrong turn. (page detail)


... disproven sometime later by the push to the right. (page detail)


Where this journey comes to its end natural. Have you your boarding pass, my sweet? (page detail)

(You can see further page details here.)

In Padova, looking for you.
Gracia Haby & Louise Jennison
Artists’ book, unique state featuring collage elements and pencil.
2011

Turn the pages:

Over My Shoulder (V) from gracia & louise.

An inquisitive eye

 
The other day Gracia skipped over to Hila’s space and bought a copy of her and Amy’s new book, The elements of in Between. It is lovely. So skip here to snap up a copy. I’m sure you’ll find it a joy to read through, just as this Indian runner and I have.

The Indian runner, Anas platyrhynchos, is a domestic descendant of the wild mallard. This breed, my bird chums, originated in the Malay Peninsula and India in the 19th century.

Mardi Gras time!

As hinted at below in the previous post, Gracia and I were asked to design a piece for Ace Hotel in the States, advertising a benefit for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band Foundation. Gracia’s Dad has long been and remains a huge, huge, huge Preservation Hall Jazz Band fan so it was a very exciting invitation for us to accept.
 
Our collaborative piece can be seen here and here, and I expect in other locations in the US leading up to the benefit.

If this bird lived nearer to Palm Springs, I feel certain he would grab his mask for the ball and meet you by the pool.

In search of the unexpected

Today is an exciting one because today Gracia and I purchased copies of the Big Issue that features a new collaborative work of ours. It is entitled In search of the unexpected. To be asked to contribute a piece to The Big Issue was flattering. To work on this collaborative collage was enjoyable. It always is.




 
Urgent and exciting deadlines have been the flavour of late. The Big Issue was one and another exciting one has just passed, but more of that soon. Consequently, and of little surprise, it has been very rewarding to see our work now in print after working night and day.
 
On another note, thank-you Amy for your beautiful miniature aurora borealis watercolour received in the post. It is truly lovely and I will treasure it. Gracia photographed her one today while mine happily occupies prime spot on a bookcase shelf. There I will be able to admire it often.
 
One more thing, in the current UWE book arts newsletter (March–April, 2011, Issue 64) you can find Gracia and my most recent small artists’ books/zines featured. You can download it here.

Black-throated Diver

Still facing to the left, the Black-throated Diver, Gavia arctica, whilst largely confined to Eurasia during the breeding season, has been known to reach as far as Alaska. In the summer they sport white spots. How could I not include this in my zine, Five proud birds? Not convinced? Take a look here.

Friday's Crown

The Southern Crowned pigeon, Goura scheepmakeri, is one of many splendid and ornate birds from the forests of New Guinea. Its lacy crest was a challenge to draw, and again, reminded me of costumes and headgear worn by humans throughout the ages.

Ruff

The Ruff, Philomachus pugnax, transform themselves during the breeding season. They lose their grey winter plumage and take on a rufous and black colouration with a showy neck ruff to rival the Elizabethans.

One Peregrine Falcon

Many know that the Peregrine Falcon, Falco (meaning hook-shaped) peregrinus (meaning to wander), is the fastest bird of prey. But did you know that in bird fan circles that the cheek markings are referred to as being a dark moustache? Mine appears to have only a small moustache. Maybe next time you look in on him it will be darker and more distinguished.

The Chukar Partridge travels to Northern Italy

The Chukar Partridge, Alectoris chukar, has striking black markings on the wings that are a delight to draw. He is one of many new and familiar inhabitants to feature in a collaborative artists' book by Gracia and me made especially for an exhibition that is a part of Loved & Lost. I look forward to sharing more details about this new work with you shortly. It's been a long time since I was last in Italy. Luckily for me, I can travel vicariously through this new artists' book of ours.

Loved & Lost is a forum, an exhibition and a compendium of tales.