...Lisa Congdon's new book 'Art INC' arrived this morning...it promises to be packed full with info & advice for emerging artists/designers (just like me!) to getting a successful brand and creative career properly established. I'm very excited as I'm really hoping that this, along with a new opportunity just hovering on the horizon, is really going to help me make great striding steps forward with my plan B...
...there is much to do and now that I have a few small projects tied up and out of the way, I need to really knuckle down, focus and put all my creative energy into creating a strong, brand new body of what I hope will be great work...
...I won't be blogging too much over the next few weeks so please bear with me as creating this portfolio of new designs has to be my priority, but I'm hoping (and I'm really really hoping, fingers, toes and everything crossed) that I can make the promise of this new opportunity into something real & that come the New Year I'll have some exciting news to tell...
...So please, wish me luck everyone and I'll be re-surfacing in the not too distant future with what I hope will be a great stride forward!...Toodlepip for a bit! xx
Friday, 10 October 2014
Thursday, 18 September 2014
A not meant to B...
...So, alas and alack the results are in for the semi-finals of the 2014 GTS and, as you may have guessed, poor old Mr. Banjo Bear didn't make it though...The final 6 that did get through made some beautiful work and if you wish to, you can pop along here to see the entries.
...I have to admit to feeling a bit disappointed not to get the chance to proceed a bit further, but only from the point of view of getting that final seal of approval from the amazing panel of industry experts...I don't think I'm quite stellar enough to land that final prize & I'm hoping something will come from getting my work in front of those experts!!...
...At the end of the day, I've learnt a heap and had a great experience. I do work a lot better singing to the tune of my own guitar, so as the lovely Dawn Machell says over on her blog today, plan B will probably work out so much better than plan A, so now its time to move on from Lillaland and get my own wheels turning...Thanks Dawn :-) xx
...I have to admit to feeling a bit disappointed not to get the chance to proceed a bit further, but only from the point of view of getting that final seal of approval from the amazing panel of industry experts...I don't think I'm quite stellar enough to land that final prize & I'm hoping something will come from getting my work in front of those experts!!...
...At the end of the day, I've learnt a heap and had a great experience. I do work a lot better singing to the tune of my own guitar, so as the lovely Dawn Machell says over on her blog today, plan B will probably work out so much better than plan A, so now its time to move on from Lillaland and get my own wheels turning...Thanks Dawn :-) xx
Saturday, 13 September 2014
a big heart-full of gratitude...
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Us Both ©bee brown 2014 |
…So, if you happened to place a little vote for my Banjo Bear then we would like to say, whatever the outcome, a very big THANK-YOU to you!!!…fingers crossed, good luck to everyone and all will be revealed soon…yikes!! xx
Tuesday, 9 September 2014
a pocket full of eye candy...
…The fun has begun!!!…The gallery of all the beautiful submissions for #2 of the Global Talent Search is now open! Should you wish to, you can pop along here to have a nosey at some really fabulous artwork from 50 artists working across the globe.
…Our brief this time was to create a fun, humanised character for use on a young child's t-shirt and or other child related products such as lunch boxes and children's books. This was so much fun to do, & like my other projects, just involved lots of drawing and dreaming, fermentation and imagination (I hope)…it was also lovely to have more time to spend on this second round assignment than I had on the first…definitely more leisurely!!... and regardless of whether I progress any further in the competition, my piece is something I shall be proud to show in my portfolio…
…But this is the wonderful thing about making it this far in the competition: not only is the work made available via the gallery for the public to make a 'People's Choice' on, but this final 50 are also whittled down to a select group of 5 artists via a STELLAR selection panel of judges…both scary and amazing!!! This year there is representation from such world class companies as Chronical Books, Crate & Barrell, Midwest-CBK, the Quayside Publishing Group, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Demdaco, representation from the magazines 'Where Women Create', 'Uppercase' & 'Real Simple', Nickelodeon, Parsons School of Design, Studio M, Bowie from Print and Pattern, Oopsy Daisy the super-fab children's wall art company, the Hachette Book Group, Blue-Q the uber cool gift manufacturer and finally teNeues (book & calendar publishing company).
…So you see, a Super World Class list of movers and shakers to get your work in front of!…how cool is that? …. so as I say, regardless of whether I make it into the final group of 6 to progress through to the final round (& of course I'd LOVE to), I really feel like I'm a winner anyway! xox
…Our brief this time was to create a fun, humanised character for use on a young child's t-shirt and or other child related products such as lunch boxes and children's books. This was so much fun to do, & like my other projects, just involved lots of drawing and dreaming, fermentation and imagination (I hope)…it was also lovely to have more time to spend on this second round assignment than I had on the first…definitely more leisurely!!... and regardless of whether I progress any further in the competition, my piece is something I shall be proud to show in my portfolio…
…But this is the wonderful thing about making it this far in the competition: not only is the work made available via the gallery for the public to make a 'People's Choice' on, but this final 50 are also whittled down to a select group of 5 artists via a STELLAR selection panel of judges…both scary and amazing!!! This year there is representation from such world class companies as Chronical Books, Crate & Barrell, Midwest-CBK, the Quayside Publishing Group, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Demdaco, representation from the magazines 'Where Women Create', 'Uppercase' & 'Real Simple', Nickelodeon, Parsons School of Design, Studio M, Bowie from Print and Pattern, Oopsy Daisy the super-fab children's wall art company, the Hachette Book Group, Blue-Q the uber cool gift manufacturer and finally teNeues (book & calendar publishing company).
…So you see, a Super World Class list of movers and shakers to get your work in front of!…how cool is that? …. so as I say, regardless of whether I make it into the final group of 6 to progress through to the final round (& of course I'd LOVE to), I really feel like I'm a winner anyway! xox
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
Floating on my cloud…the story & the process
…I definitely wasn't going to enter this year…absolutely not…the timing was way off for a start: it was announced that the 1st round brief would be going out on Tuesday 5th August. Well, that was no good, we had a family camping holiday to France booked and were leaving to catch the ferry on the 7th…that just wasn't enough time?…Or was it??? Curiosity over the brief (which asked for a piece of wall art on the theme of terrariums) and then a last minute window suddenly opening up at the 11th hour meant I ended up chasing my rainbow after all... I spent all of Wednesday 6th from 8am until 10pm glued to my drawing table chair & monitor…there wasn't time to come up for air…I drew a marathon, but was it enough?
…I didn't think so. To my mind there were quite a few unresolved issues: I wanted to play with the colour more & didn't want this part of my design to be so literal…my thoughts were revolving around autumnal reds, oranges, mustards, pinks and browns with a bit more of an emphasis on neutrals…Had I added enough texture? Was there enough depth and I definately felt I should have addressed the background behind my little terrarium a little more. To cap it all off the brief also asked for a little paint….eeek…thats been awhile and there just wasn't the time to play. So you see, I was under way loads of pressure & when I pressed the submit button, I really felt I was sending out an unfinished job.
…So, when I dared to look on Lilla's site this morning where the final 50 are revealed (please go over and have a look…the work from the other semi-finalists is truly amazing) you'll understand I was a little stunned to find myself amongst such other fabulous talent-ness! But also so darned happy, happy happy…I did it, I did just enough to make it through.
… And as for my process? Well, that's a simple one…I like to draw, draw, draw…it's the same with every piece I make: along with bits of inspiration I find from literally anywhere and everywhere (my eyes are always on the look out!), it's all there in my head and those first initial sketches of the idea are my happy place…making what's churning in my mind a kind of little reality by putting it on a page. Then it's just a case of scanning those drawings into Illustrator, refining them, adding the colour and then the best bit: making the little details…and its true, I really do 'delight in the little things'! But you know what? I absolutely must get down from my floaty cloud now because round 2 is calling and I've got work to do….Toodlepip! xoxox
Sunday, 3 August 2014
au revoir...
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warm sun © beebrown 2014 |
… It's time to say cheerybye folks, toodlepip for now and I'll see you all soon - have fun! xoxoxox
Wednesday, 23 July 2014
B E L I E V E...
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©beebrown 2014 |
Thursday, 10 July 2014
teatime...
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'teatime' ©beebrown 2014 |
Tuesday, 8 July 2014
Friday, 4 July 2014
little butter bee...
Thursday, 3 July 2014
watery sun...
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'watery sun' ©bee brown 2014 |
Wednesday, 2 July 2014
bright bird...
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bright bird ©bee brown 2014 |
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
bird & butterflies...
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bird & butterflies ©bee brown 2014 |
Monday, 30 June 2014
hello monday...
… happy Monday!… Here's todays doodle…still playing with black and white and I've discovered how to get a kind of inverse chalky effect…I'm finding colour quite tricky in Photoshop…. really missing Illustrator!…might try some cut outs tomorrow… think I'm liking Photoshop for collaging so at least that's a discovery! x
Saturday, 28 June 2014
weekend girl...
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weekend girl ©bee brown 2014 |
...Happy weekend everyone and more doodles next week! x
Thursday, 26 June 2014
buttergirl...
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Tuesday, 24 June 2014
doing a doodle a day...
…after having a go at my sun pencil drawing the other day, I thought it might be fun to set myself a fun challenge for the month of July to 'do-a-doodle-a-day (I've started a little bit early into the bargain too!) … As well as practicing my drawing skills, I'm also trying to pick-up a few Photoshop skills as I go as well, and thought this might be a good way to learn and track my progress…I'll be posting my doodles on the Hive's Facebook page too if you'd prefer to join me there… Hope you'll tune in for a 'daily doodle' and all the usual Hive bits and pieces too! See you soon! x
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
hopeful rays...
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hopeful sun ©bee brown 2014 |
Monday, 9 June 2014
'aye aye sailor...'
…June Bootcamp is now well underway, and this months' theme is 'Nautical'… There's lots of imagery I've been wanting to have a go at for ages here, so I'm loving this theme! As usual, Lilla provides great inspiration so there's heaps to get stuck into and draw. I thought you might like to see one of the drawings I've been working on from the 'mini' stage worked up into colour, so here's my sailor... I'm not sure whether he'll make his way into the final piece because the idea for this month is to make a piece suitable for wall art, and I'm actually still really enjoying working on the theme of faces that we were set for the 'mini' back in Mays' assignment… So, all things 'nautical people' has been my starting point and off we go! Anyway 'Me Hearties' must dash as lots to do but will post more soon. x
Friday, 16 May 2014
lovely likers...
Thursday, 15 May 2014
book launch blog party…'being yourself'
…just a little post today on behalf of Jenipher Lyn Gallardo and her project to promote a book that she has just written all by herself: "How being stubborn, unpopular and depressed saved my life". The book is filled with lovely whimsical quotes and quirky illustrations with the aim of helping & encouraging teenagers through those sometimes tricky & emotional adolescent years. To celebrate she is having a 'doodle dream blog party' and if you want to find out more you can head on over here! I'm so happy that Jenipher has asked me to participate in spreading the word. This week her theme is all about being yourself. Go take a peep!
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
bootcamp doodles...
Wednesday, 30 April 2014
International FLOW is out…!
…It really is a 'Hurray for Today' day today…the International edition of the beautiful 'FLOW' magazine is now out, and my work is featured in-between its stunningly lovely inky pages!! I've been waiting and waiting for this to arrive because no matter how much of a thrill it was to receive the Dutch edition at the beginning of the year, its even more wonderful to receive it in my native tongue & to know that this edition will be sent around the globe…so exciting!
…The article featured is the one which talks about the amazing Make Art that Sells course run by the inimitable Lilla Rogers so if you are thinking about signing up, go grab yourself a copy, have a read and get inspired…MATS really is a life changer (& you can see my work too!!)…x
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
A Little bit of paint...
…I'm doing a little bit of a promo for a friend today, but just a little intro first…This gorgeous work was created by Gabriella Buckingham who some may know as the super talented lady behind Moobaacluck, the highly successful online shop selling hand-painted wooden decorations and stationery at notonthehighstreet. com.
…As well as running her business, Gabriella also takes on commissions for illustration work whenever she can and you can see more of her beautiful painterly style here
…As a special April offer for Design Hive readers, Gabriella is offering 20% off her newest product spring wooden bunting for you. If you order through not on the high street and contact her afterwards through the 'where's my order' page raising an enquiry and quoting BEE20 she will credit back 20% of your entire order.
The bunting is just lovely so pop along here and get yourself something lovely to welcome in the Spring!
…As well as running her business, Gabriella also takes on commissions for illustration work whenever she can and you can see more of her beautiful painterly style here
…As a special April offer for Design Hive readers, Gabriella is offering 20% off her newest product spring wooden bunting for you. If you order through not on the high street and contact her afterwards through the 'where's my order' page raising an enquiry and quoting BEE20 she will credit back 20% of your entire order.
The bunting is just lovely so pop along here and get yourself something lovely to welcome in the Spring!
Saturday, 22 March 2014
jelly patterns...
…The deadline for our March Bootcamp assignment is looming fast (tomorrow night) & I decided to submit my Jelly & Ice-cream pattern to the Bootcamp Gallery yesterday but without any co-ordinates…The gallery goes live on Tuesday so I'll be sure to post the link. I knew as soon as I'd uploaded my design that despite not really having the time, I wouldn't settle until I'd made some, so, being now slightly square-eyed and starving, here are my co-ordinates that I started making at 4 AM this morning!!…Oh the things we do!
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
an english bee...
…a very English Bee has popped into the Hive today…the one and only and very lovely Tracey English!…Such gorgeous beehives Tracey! - might need to move my little studio hive over into one of yours!! I first met Tracey through the Make Art That Sells Course where she has been developing her gorgeous illustrative style… all her artworks are originally made from tissue paper which she then scans into the computer. She is based in London.
…Tracey's brilliant maps can be found on theThey Draw & Travel website and Tracey's lovely blog is here. Enjoy and thanks for popping by! x
…Tracey's brilliant maps can be found on theThey Draw & Travel website and Tracey's lovely blog is here. Enjoy and thanks for popping by! x
Thursday, 13 March 2014
jelly & ice-cream...
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'jelly ladies' ©bee brown 2014 |
…well, that's as good as any place to start so after looking at some Oompa Lumpa's, I started developing these jelly people with their jelly hair... and somehow its not right having jelly without ice-cream so there's some of that in there too…
…so, here's a snippet of my pattern so far & I'll keep you updated of any developments! x
Friday, 7 March 2014
beautiful inky butterflies...
…everyone seems fascinated with butterflies at the moment…I think everyone is desperate for Spring to arrive…even Little bean has been thinking about the flutter-byes and here is one of his inky versions… (lovely even though they could do with a bit of colour!)xx
Monday, 24 February 2014
bootcamp deadline...
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'woodland cuckoos' ©beebrown 2014 |
Friday, 21 February 2014
library finds...
…And it is incredible inside…big, open, light & airy, the inside spaces don't disappoint in the slightest…The children's library on the bottom floor is lots of fun with a lovely, large stepped story area covered in beautiful illustrations (see left) and lots of sofas for snuggled up story time...Further up on other floors are moving walkways, contemporary gardens that overlook the city and even a glass elevator up onto a hidden garden on the roof (very Roald Dahl!)
Images are © Birmingham City Library
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
prints for sale...
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artwork ©beebrown 2014 |
Monday, 17 February 2014
monika forsberg...
…Carrying on with the loved-up-valentine theme, there's another busy bee buzzing into the Hive tonight…the lovely Monika Forsberg. She has brought with her some gorgeous illustrations to show you… I love her hand-lettering and really unique use of colour. I first met Monika on the Make Art that Sells course and now we are class-mates again in Bootcamp. Originally she hails from Lulea in the very north of Sweden, but then later in life came to London to study animation at the Royal College Of Art & a career as an animator, writer & director then followed. The multi-talented Monika says she is now making the transition from animator to illustrator & feels she is doing so "as a little butterfly"! A fabulous website awaits anyone wishing to find out more here: www.walkyland.com
Friday, 14 February 2014
Monday, 10 February 2014
woodland cuckoos...
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woodland cuckoos pattern ©beebrown2014 |
Friday, 7 February 2014
going cuckoo…!
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'cuckoo clock' ©bee brown 2014 |
I would never have thought about drawing cuckoo clocks but they have been so much fun and the more I've drawn & got into the tiny details, the more I've found to draw…I could go on and on!! Lilla hands out our main assignment on Monday so we will have to wait and see as to what she has planned for us and how the cute little clocks are going to get incorporated into that project…so exciting…I'm glad I've found the time to do some detailed drawings though…I've learnt such a lot from this exercise alone but know from past MATS experience that come Monday my focus with cuckoo clocks will shift again... Roll on Monday….Yippee!!!
Thursday, 6 February 2014
spring fair...
all designs ©bee brown 2014 |
…I had hoped to be able to post some more photos of the show but they were very strict this year and absolutely no photography allowed. Maybe next year…x
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
letters from flow...
…I just love lettering…don't know what it is about letter shapes that I love so much… must be something to do with the sheer variety in the shapes of each letter form, colour & texture…limitless and endless possibilities & so much freedom for expression… These pics are taken from the latest edition of 'Flow' magazine (yes, it's the edition with my work in so there has to be a token photograph!)… the second pic down shows the lettering that adorns the large A4 envelope that they send the magazine out in…so lovely when you find that on your doorstep!…anyway, hope you enjoy these shapes & colours too, and thank you Flow for my own beautifully inky smelling magazine… a truly inspiring publication! x
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