Snublic a.k.a Colin David MacAllister is a cartoonist exploring personal interests and the zeitgeist through the medium of ink, usually on an epic scale of depth, detail and hidden meaning unusual in the modern world of cartooning.

This show at The Mercury Theatre’s Digby Gallery in Colchester is Snublic’s third time there since 2008 and the theme this year is two fold. Showcasing a series of parodies of respected old masters, updating their work for the 21st century, and illustrations of ‘redundant scenes’ of the town, derelict and dilapidated areas off the beaten tourist track.

The Mercury Theatre’s Digby Gallery,
Balkerne Gate,
Colchester,
CO1 1PT
Until Monday 28 May

Opening times Monday to Saturday 10am to 8pm

See more of Snublic’s work here: www.snublic.com

The riverside Hayward Gallery Shop is the perfect location for the nautical themed spectacular ‘Fathoms Deep’ featuring the Zombie Collective and new talent Anthony Peters, Chryso Haralambous, Calm & Collected, Jason Munro, El Famoso, Alan Dalby, Laura Bird, Patrick Schmidt & Nick Hayes.

Joely Brammer

The collection includes prints, cards, deck chairs and all sorts of sea-faring paraphernalia that will sell alongside the Collectives existing quirky and unique gifts.

For the launch evening (17^th May by invitation) El Famoso will be on hand illustrating their own large scale seaside attraction, music will be provided by skiffle band The Severed Limb and there will be temporary nautical tattoos and pin badge making. There will be a selection of water inspired workshops with Zombie Collective for budding artists (age 6+) every weekend of the residency. Details and tickets for these events will be available on Southbank Centre‘s website from early May.

May 19- X Marks the Spot – Typographic treasure map making

May 26- Barnacled Beasts – create your own creature of the deep

June 2- The Mini Armada – Build your own mini boat and deck it with a custom flag

Frann Preston- Gannon

In addition to the workshops, every Saturday in the shop there will be a selection of things to do for all ages. The Bowyer Press will be showing how to letterpress your own cards, there will be custom maritime badge making and you can get yourself kitted out with temporary nautical tattoos created especially for Fathoms Deep.

Thursday 17 May to Sunday 3 June

Hayward Gallery Shop
Southbank Centre

Belvedere Road

London

SE1 8XX

Find out more at Zombie Collective’s website.

AOI visited some illustration shows recently, checking out the Art Center, Pasadena, USA students show at the Kemistry gallery.

This was the culmination of an Olympics projects set by course leader, Ann Field. Tutors also took part, and Ann is here in front of her artwork.

The students were enthusuastic about their visit to London, and even commented that the rain and grey skies had been an interesting change from the endless sunshine in California. Or maybe they were just being charitable…

It’s a good show, with the students work addressing ‘Britishness’, but absorbing possible cliches on that angle to produce interesting takes on the subject in bold colourful prints.

We also visited Tim Ellis’ exhibition at Tracey Neuls Gallery, London. This is a fun show hanging alongside the intriguing displays of shoes in this, yes, shoe shop/gallery.

Tim’s work is accessibly shown on the walls and it makes for an interesting exhibition experience dodging shoes to see the artwork! This is Tim below expanding on an artwork issue.

Illustrator Rosie Blair will be exhibiting her latest original work at the Wimbledon Art Studios Exhibition during May. Cards and prints of Rosie’s work will be available to buy.

Thursday 10 May to Sunday 13 May

Wimbledon Art Studios
10 Riverside Yard
London
SW17 0BB

Click here for more about the exhibition.

See more of Rosie’s work here..

Olympian Observations from Art Center College of Design, California

10  — 26 May

A collaboration with the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena,

Kemistry Gallery,  43 Charlotte Rd, London EC2A 3PD

T 020 7749 2766

kemistrygallery.co.uk

Gold Silver & Bronze is the culmination of a term long project by students at the College.

For the past five years,  Art Center has brought a group of International Undergraduate BFA students to London for an immersion in British Culture.

As part of this year’s trip the students will be operating an open studio at Kemistry Gallery from the 26th April – 7th May. The culmination of which will be an exhibition of their Olympic inspired observations.  A charming take on the Olympics  and London’s cultural heritage, the students have produced a series of prints, featuring knitting marathons, sporting pub signs and acrobatic diving into teacups, among many other illustrative interpretations of the Games.

An illustrated tribute exhibition celebrating 200 years of Edward Lear

Poetry Café

The Poetry Society, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX

Monday 7 May to Friday 8 June

020 7420 9880  www.poetrysociety.org.uk

Andrew Baker: L is for Lear

There is more than one defining Victorian writer celebrating his bicentenary this year. Edward Lear, who gave us ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ and ‘The Dong With a Luminous Nose’, developed the limerick into a staple of nonsense verse, and whose drawings are still instantly recognisable, was born 200 years ago on 12 May – a milestone that threatens to pass quietly, overshadowed by his contemporary Dickens.

Mark Hinckley of The Gentlemen Creatives, Vienna: Warnung

But illustrator Andrew Baker and animator Linda Hughes (working together as Paper Galaxy) have stepped into the breach, mounting an exhibition at the Poetry Society’s Poetry Café in Covent Garden to say, “Thank you, Mr Lear”. ‘Happy Birthday Edward Lear’ will feature work by an astonishing range of over 40 artists and illustrators, including Ceri Amphlett, Glen Baxter, Peter Blegvad, Geoff Grandfield, Jonny Hannah, Times cartoonist Morten Mørland, Simon Pemberton, and Vaughan Oliver, who created the artwork for all of the Pixies’ albums. The pictures, inspired by Edward Lear’s work, encompass all styles and contemporary interpretations.

Some of the exhibitions images will subsequently be on display in The Gallery in Ripon

Neil Hadfeild: Happy Birthday Mr Lear

Is your portfolio looking professional enough?

Are you approaching the right clients for the right kind of jobs?

What areas of illustration does your work best fit into?

All these questions can be answered with a portfolio consultation with Fig Taylor. As an AOI Member, you can come into the AOI offices by appointment every Monday afternoon to spend one hour with our resident portfolio consultant Fig Taylor as she goes over your folio; constructively discussing it’s strengths and weaknesses and where you can next take your folio next.

about Fig:

Prior to becoming the AOI’s portfolio consultant in 1986, Fig Taylor ran her own illustration agency; she has since worked for several others, giving her a wide overview of the industry and a wealth of valuable experience. Fig has lectured on professional practice at over fifty UK art schools, and currently teaches the subject to BA Illustration students at the University of Northampton. She is a regular contributor to The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, published by Bloomsbury, and the author of How To Create A Portfolio And Get Hired, published by Laurence King.

This service is only open to AOI members and costs £25 for the hour. Due to popularity, it can book up very quickly so best get in there quick and have the advantage over your peers!

Book Now! 020-7613-4328

The session really helped to clarify my thinking about what I’m doing with my illustration, and on top of that was a lot of fun, she’s an amazing person to hang out with. – Edd Baldry

I can’t believe how much of a revelation Fig’s advice is, or how no-one has ever explained the industry so clearly to me before!  - Hazel Townsend

The Frontroom Gallery,
The Gatehouse,
23-25 Gwydir St,
Cambridge,
CB 1 2LG.

4th May to 22nd June

The exhibition will be the first glimpse of Daniel’s fictional town of FROSTVILLE!

The second edition of the festival is even more ambitious this year, with thirty events during four days, including talks, live drawing sessions, films, workshops for kids and exhibitions. Guests include Guy Delisle (Jerusalem Chronicles, Pyongyang), Tom Gauld (Goliath, The Gigantic Robot), David B. (Black Paths, Best of Enemies), Jonathan Ross aka Wossy (Turf, America’s Got Powers), Grzegorz Rosinski (Thorgal), Kevin O’Neill (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), Arleston & Mourier (Trolls de Troy), Pat Mills (Charley’s War), Karrie Fransman (The House That Groaned), Paul Gravett (1001 Comic Books You Must Read Before You Die) and Luke Pearson (Hilda).

Highlights of the festival include Kevin O’Neill and Pat Mills’ talk on “London and other realities”, featuring their fantasy and reality views of London in comics, a conversation between Jonathan Ross and Tom Gatti about Jonathan’s love for comics and bandes dessinées, a drawing jam between Guy Delisle and Tom Gauld, and David B.’s take on the challenge of “Drawing History.”

The weekender will also feature Rosinski’s first ever event in London, during which he will reveal the secrets of the legendary Thorgal series, the screening of Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud’s Chicken with Plums, and a zany drawing encounter between Pearson and Mourier involving trolls! For those who enjoy a bit of music with their comics, there will be an exclusive show during which illustrators will draw to the tunes of French soul/pop/gospel singer Mesparrow, followed by a dress-up Victorians vs Decadents Party as an homage to The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Places are limited so book online or by phone on: 020 7871 3515

The Festival runs form Thurdsay 24th – Sunday 27th May 2012 and is held at:

The Institut Francais
17 Queensberry Place
London SW7 2DT

Nearest Tube: South Kensington
Bus: 14, 49, 70 74, 345, 360, 414, 430, Cl

The whole programme is online at www.bdandcomicspassion.co.uk

Please contact bdl@institutfrancais.org.uk for any enquirys.

Exhibitor Jim Kay

Through its annual open exhibition opportunities, Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham helps artists locally, nationally and internationally to showcase their work in group exhibitions across three gallery spaces: Orleans and Stables Galleries in Twickenham and the Riverside Gallery in Richmond.

In 2012, we have further opportunities for artists to submit artwork for an exhibition at the Riverside Gallery titled Picture This…

Exhibitor Jim Kay

This exhibition, which ties in with the popular Richmond upon Thames Literature Festival in November, celebrates contemporary book illustration for children. Picture This… is seeking original artwork or prints from UK-based illustrators in a range of media and styles from the vibrant, colourful and cartoon-like to the dark and surreal.

Deadline for submissions 10AM Fiday 7th September 2012

Click here for terms and conditions of how to enter: picture_this_submisison_form

Picture This… will run from 10th November 2012 – January 20th 2013

Mon 10AM – 6PM
Tues 10AM – 5PM
Wed 10AM – 6PM
Thurs 10AM – 5PM
Fri   10AM – 5PM
Sat 10AM – 1.30PM

Orleans House Gallery
Riverside
Twickenham
TW1 3DJ

Find out more here.