Creative Juice: Lisa Hassell

Inkygoodness: Framing Beermats!

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:07:31 +0100

Inkygoodness: Framing Beermats from Inkygoodness on Vimeo.

Last week we filmed behind the scenes at The Framers in Birmingham in preparation for the launch of the upcoming Inkygoodness Beermat Characters exhibition!

Filmed on location at The Framers by local film maker Craig Bush, with assistance from Log Roper, the footage reveals the process of framing our fantastic Beermat Characters. The first of two films produced for the project, the second one will reveal the team hanging the show, and celebrating on the launch night (30.04) next week.

Showcasing the talents of over 80 artists & illustrators tasked with the challenge to transform a simple beermat into a character – with surprising and delightful results, Inkygoodness Beermat Characters opens on Monday 29th April till Saturday 4th May at The Coningsby Gallery in London. Over 100 illustrated beermats will go on display, featuring a diverse collection of artworks from handmade to digital, felt plush, paper-cut outs, inked & painted, 3D sculptures & much much more!

inkygoodness.com

Interview in Digital Arts Magazine

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:55:00 +0100

Neil Bennett at Digital Arts Magazine interviewed me recently about the Inkygoodness Beermat Characters project!

We discuss my inspiration for the project, the artists involved and thoughts on the upcoming exhibition - as well as revealing a few sneaky peeks of some of Beermat Characters (including this one by Sandra Dieckmann) which will go on display in London next week.

“Most creatives have found themselves doodling on beermats at some time in their lives. Inkygoodness – which is run by regular Digital Arts contributor Lisa Hassell – has taken in-pub sketching to the next level by putting together a competition and exhibition that invited illustrators and artists to create a character using a mat as a canvas. The entrants were judged by the likes of character art curators and conference organisers Pictoplasma, illustrator and writer Zeegan Rush, and Digital Arts editor Neil Bennett.”

Read the full interview here:

Interview with Inkygoodness on the Digital Arts blog »

How to Stand Out in Illustration

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:32:00 +0100

For many illustrators, 2013 is about creative satisfaction over financial reward.

When creating work for clients, compromise is often necessary to fulfil a brief, but if you have to compromise your ethics or practice, you’ll often produce sub-par work that won’t make it into your portfolio. Many illustrators we’ve spoken to say that the financial pressures of ‘austerity Britain’ led to them doing this in 2012 – but this year, even as tough times continue, some standards need to be maintained.

“Last year, I ended up greenwashing one of the world’s biggest oil companies. Just for a new kitchen” recalls Finnish illustrator Janine Rewell. “As soon as the brief rolled in, I knew I should turn it down.” Worse still, the end result was disappointing; ”It’s on my conscience even now, regardless of all the good clients I’ve had since.”

Written for the March 2013 edition of Digital Arts magazine, this In-Depth feature invites viewpoints from leading illustrators on “How to Stand Out in Illustration”

Read the full article here »

Beermat Characters - Coming soon!

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:26:00 +0000

Beermat Characters is the latest project by Inkygoodness, inviting illustrators, artists & character designers to transform a beer mat (coaster) into a character.

An exhibition of the resulting artworks launches in April 2013 at the Coningsby Gallery, showcasing over 100 customised Beermat Characters by international artists & illustrators.

Participating artists include:

Aaron Miller (UK) / Alice Potter (UK) / Bart Aalbers (NL) / Cachetejack (ESP) / Casiegraphics (UK) / Chris Cowdrill (UK) / Claire Jones (UK) / Daisy Woolf-Whitehouse (UK) / Dave Bain (UK) / David Shillinglaw (UK) / Diane van der Voort / Docvek (UK) / DOODULL (UK) / Ed J.Brown (UK) / El Tobe (UK) / Emma Jane Green (UK) / Emma Levey (UK) / Frenemy (USA) / Florence Blanchard (FR) / Gabriela Nicole Gonzalez (USA) / Hattie Stewart (UK)/ Huw Barrett (UK) /JangoJim (NL) / Jimmy Rogers (UK) / Joanne Hawker (UK) / Johnnie Weiliang-Hoek (NL) / Jordan Andrew Carter (UK) / Jorfe (ESP)/ Josh Neal (UK) / Julien Decaudin (UK) / Kristyna Baczynski (UK) / Laura Kiteley (UK) / Liam Smith (UK) / Lorrie Whittington (UK) / Luke Brookes (UK) / Manuel Reggalado (GU) / Marina Munn (UK/BG) / Matthew McGregor (UK) / Max Postma (NL) / Mayumi Haryoto (IND) / Michael Slack (USA) / Michel Martins (NL) / Michelle Turton (UK) / Motel Seven (SA) / Mr the Beef (UK) / Muxxi (GU) / Nate Bear (USA) / Natie Marie (UK) / Osian Efnisien (UK) / Paul Goodall (UK) / Paul Roberts (UK) / Pia Drent (FR) / Pippa Stewart (UK) / Rilla Alexander (GE) / Rinske Zijsling (NL) / Rob Pybus (UK) / Ronnie Deelen (PL) / Rosie Cheekes (MY) / Ryan Quincy (USA) / Sac Magique (UK) / Sam Downes (UK) / Sandra Dieckmann (UK) / Scott Balmer (UK) / Shenly Lee (MY) / Simon Wild (UK) / Slumberbean (UK) / Sneaky Raccoon (UK) / Steven Roberts (UK) / TADO (UK) / Toy Factory (BE) / The Felt Room (UK) / Tom Holmes (UK) / Tracey Meek (UK) / Vicky Newman (UK) / Wilmer Murillo (HO) / YemaYema (EC) & more!

More details will be announced in the coming weeks on the inkygoodness website. Follow Inkygoodness on twitter for all the latest news!

Beermat Characters illustration exhibition, Coningsby Gallery, 30 Tottenham Street London W1T 4RJ. Open daily 29th April - 4th May, 11am - 6pm.

Launch night Tuesday 30th April, 6pm - 9pm. RSVP to hello@inkygoodness.com.

Having a baby changes everything

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:06:00 +0000

Ever wonder how working Mum’s do it? Computer Arts magazine invited me to share my experience for their Opinion column. It was a little scary to write something so honest and revealing (not many people know I am single) but I hope my frank account of juggling freelance work with a baby is an interesting read!

“Having kids is a game-changer; adapting to unconventional working hours whilst meeting the demands of a small child can drive anyone a bit bonkers; yet despite the inevitable distractions, controlling when and how I work is one of the greatest benefits of the freelance career.”

Read the full article in the February edition of Computer Arts magazine, out now.

Make your first gallery show a success

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 17:35:00 +0100

Staging your first solo show is exciting, challenging, but above all incredibly rewarding. And it can revitalise your day-to-day client work by offering you a rare opportunity to explore ideas without any constraints.

Since graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2002, London-based artist David Shillinglaw has exhibited his work in galleries around the globe, in locations as far afield as Japan, China, the Netherlands, New York, Istanbul and Berlin. “I enjoy working outside my comfort zone. Challenges and obstacles push me in new directions,” he explains. “For example, the surface of a wall can change the way I work, or if the work is in inside, outside, on a roof top or in a bar, these factors force me to accept or reject ideas.”

Read the full article here.

SKETCH Brum is coming!

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:22:00 +0100

Inkygoodness presents ‘SKETCH’ a drop-in sketching session for illustrators, artists & drawing enthusiasts! Part of the official Eye Candy festival line-up, this brand new event will launch on Saturday 13th October from 3pm, at Le Truc cafe bar on Ladywell Walk, Birmingham.

SKETCH// 3PM - 8PM

Come & join Inkygoodness for an afternoon of drawing, networking and beer drinking with local creatives - just bring your sketchbook!

LIVE DRAWING // 6PM - 8PM

Brothers of the Stripe will be taking to the walls of Le Truc to collaborate on a large scale artwork in front of a live audience! A collective of 9 UK based image makers, who collaborate on projects across the UK combining art, illustration & graphic design, B.O.T.S members include Kris Jones, Mr the Beef & Mister Millerchip.

AMMO MAGAZINE// 3PM- 8PM

We will also be joined by our friends at Ammo Magazine who are launching an exciting new illustration project. More details coming soon!

VENUE// LE TRUC

rand new for 2012, Le Truc is the coolest kid in town. Part Parisian style cafe bar, part cosy French restaurant, it’s the perfect venue to spend a lazy afternoon. With a drinks menu that boasts a wide range of European beers and classic French cocktails, you’re bound to be there till closing time!

Le Truc Cafe Bar Ladywell Walk, The Arcadian, Birmingham, B5 4ST http://letruc.co.uk/

Join our Facebook event here: Inkygoodness SKETCH Brum - See you there!

In association with:

Eye Candy Festival

http://www.eyecandyfestival.co.uk

Beermat Character Project - Latest news!

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:24:00 +0100

Beermat Characters by El Tobe

Our Beermat Character Competition ends in just 3 days, and we’re thrilled that so many illustrators, artists, character designers (and many creatives inbetween!) have taken the time to design a ‘Beermat Character’. Since we launched the competition back in March, we have received over 150 entries worldwide - and with still 3 days to go we’re expecting a lot more to arrive at HQ before the deadline on Friday!

Beermat Characters by Diana van der Vort

With just 50 spots in our exhibition for our competition winners, combined with the sheer quality of the entries we have received, selecting the winners is going to be very tough - so, rather than simply picking the winners ourselves, we thought it would be fun to invite a handful of creative professionals we admire to join us in our challenge! So, our chosen panel of judges will each pick ONE design to feature in our exhibition, in addition to gifting their chosen artist with a token prize in recognition of their outstanding work - kindly donated by the judges themselves!

Beermat Characters by Rinske Zijsling (top) and Lumberjack Joe (bottom)

Whilst we don’t want to give too much away yet, we can confirm that we’ve been given a fantastic collection of prizes to give away including: signed copies of illustration & design books, tote bags, limited edition magazines, prints & vinyl toys! Not only that, but our lucky winners will have their artworks exhibited alongside Beermat Characters by world renowned character designers including Rilla Alexander (GE), TADO (UK), Muxxi (GU), Peskimo (UK) & Motomichi Nakamura (JPN/USA) & many more! A full list of our judges will be announced very soon! Until then there’s still time to enter - click here for full details on how you can get involved - deadline 17th August Good luck!

Inkygoodness Beermat Character Competition

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:38:02 +0000

Inkygoodness challenge you to create your own beermat character and enter it into a competition to exhibit with us later this year! Doodle, paint, ink, carve, cut-out, stick, collage…experiment as many times as you like to create your unique characters and we will pick 50 designs for a touring show this Summer (venues tbc).

How to Enter

Simply post your entry, along with a S.A.E to:
Inkygoodness HQ
14 Royal Road
Sutton Coldfield
Birmingham
B72 1SP
United Kingdom

DEADLINE: June 29th, 4pm.

Open to illustrators, artists, character designers, plush toy makers; students, graduates & creative professionals worldwide. All entries received will be showcased on our online gallery at inkygoodness.com for the duration of the competition.

Terms & Conditions for entry:
- Entrants may enter as many times as they wish
- Artwork must be created & submitted on a standard, cardboard pub beermat (circle/square/oval etc).
- No colour restrictions
- Send your entry to: Inkygoodness HQ, 14 Royal Road, Sutton Coldfield B72 1SP, U.K to reach us by 29th June. Please enclose your name, website address & contact details.
- 50 artists will be shortlisted for the exhibition tour; venues tbc in April.
- Winners will be announced online w/c 8th July 2012.
- Free entry

Follow the Beermat Character Competition on facebook.

Inspiring advice by leading illustrators

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 17:22:00 +0000

There’s a certain something that marks out an amazing artwork from one that’s merely good: an extra little touch of talent or something special about the concept that raises it above the rest. In this short article for Digital Arts, I interviewed some of my favourite illustrators to reveal how they produce their best pieces. Featuring Casiegraphics (above), Maria Imaginario & Luke Brookes.

Read the full article here.

Essential tips for staging a live art event

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:17:00 +0000

You just can’t beat that buzz. Whether the action unfolds at an exhibition launch night, in an open space or a trendy bar, the chance to witness a piece of art spontaneously developing never fails to thrill the creators and onlookers alike.

“Live art offers a rare insight into the [artists’] technique as well as the final creation,” says Alan Silvester of clothing brand Dirtyface (dirtyface.co.uk). “That’s exciting for anyone interested in this industry.”

Check out these 20 Essential Tips for staging your first live art event with advice from Crim Collective, Dave Bain, Andy Council & Dirtyface founder Alan Silvester.

Read the full article here.

Inkygoodness presents Shape/Shift print exhibition

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:34:00 +0000

Inkygoodness head to Antwerp, Belgium to present Shape/Shift; an exhibition of illustration and character design, as part of the first Fiend Projects Festival at the Designcenter de Winkelhaak.

In January 2012, Fiend Projects will take over the Designcenter de Winkelhaak exhibition space with their first art festival. The event will run for 3 weeks, featuring a host of creative lead exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, film showings, artist talks and more - all designed to showcase young, up and coming artists and engage the people of Antwerp in an art extravaganza!

As part of this event, Inkygoodness will showcase a collection of limited edition prints by international artists and illustrators, inspired by the theme of Shape/Shift; a homage to the legendary creature of the shapeshifter;

“A being who has the ability to change its shape into that of another person, creature, or other entity or finds its shape involuntarily changed by someone else.”.

We have shortlisted 20 creatives to participate in the event (names to be confirmed), who will each respond to the theme by creating a collection of limited edition A3 giclee prints, which will be framed and available to purchase for the duration of the event.

Confirmed artists:

Toy Factory (BE)
Hattie Stewart (UK)
Muxxi (GU)
Kris Jones (UK)
El Tobe (UK)
Johnnie Weilliang Hoek (NL)
Luke Brookes (UK)
Piktorama (VE)
Brucey Art (UK)
Charlotte Audrey Owen-Meehan (UK)
Laura Berger (USA)
Ossi Pirkonen (FI)
E.W. Thomason (USA)
Gordon Reid/Middleboop (UK)
Jan Werkt (BE)
Manuel Regalado (GU)
Michelle Turton (UK)
Lisa Hassell (UK)

We’d love you to join us in Antwerp for the festival – but don’t worry if you can’t make the trip, as each piece will also available to purchase from 20th January through the Inkygoodness shop - for a limited time only!

Inkygoodness ‘Shape/Shift’ exhibition runs 14th – 28th January, open daily.

Visit us:

Fiend Projects Art Festival
Designcenter de Winkelhaak
Lange Winkelhaakstraat 26
2060 Antwerpen
Belgium – Europe

Check out the Fiend Festival Facebook event page here for the full festival line-up! Including: Fiend Projects Exhibition, Stencil Workshop, Live Painting with David Shillinglaw, Sketch Art Festival, Print Workshop, Artist Talks and Short Film Selection and much, much more!

www.fiendprojects.com

Make digital projects seem hand-made

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:58:00 +0000

A new wave of artists, illustrators, designers and animators are incorporating craft elements into their work, bringing a handmade feel to projects that were once solely part of the digital domain. Publishing, animation, home ware and commercial advertising are exploiting the trend. But is it still largely a way for frustrated digital designers to find an alternative outlet? Or is it a valuable addition to an industry that is constantly reinventing itself?

In my latest article for Digital Arts I speak to creatives who have embraced this trend, including Lesley Barnes, Emily Forgot and illustrators Mathis Rekowski, Ben Newman, Eoin Ryan and Kate Hindley.

Read the full article here.

Design for Change

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:15:00 +0100

As designers we spend our working lives satisfying the demands of clients, conveying their message to the world – be it selling a brand, product or lifestyle. Now a growing number of creatives are branching out in the name of wanting to make a difference.

For the latest edition of Digital Arts I spoke to a selection of leading illustrators, designers and creative directors about how their work is contributing to to a new wave of projects designed to raise awareness of social issues. Includes interviews with Ben The Illustrator, Aaron Miller, Sneaky Raccoon & D&AD’s president, Simon ‘Sanky’ Sankarayya.

Read the full article here.

Inkygoodness talks Self promotion in CAProjects!

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 17:10:06 +0100

Yes, it’s been a manic few months at Inkygoodness HQ, as we’ve trail blazed our way through numerous events and exhibitions during the past year! So, as we take a much needed break to focus on a redesign our (brand new!) online store, get to grips with business planning, sort through our growing e-mail submissions and (when we find time) pursue our own illustration ventures, it was great to be invited to share a few things we’ve learned in the latest ‘Self Promotion’ edition of Computer Arts Projects – on sale now!

Entitled ‘How to Stage a Pop -up Exhibition’, the article details a step by step break-down of our ‘Home-Coming’ event in Birmingham, accompanied with photography by Lee (Shutterbox Films), and annotations of our working process. Learn about how the team at Inkygoodness plan, organise & execute an exhibition; from artist selection, to finding a venue, managing a budget, organising marketing output and extensive social media to spread the word! Expect fantastic photographs and documentation of our exhibition journey, including a full landscape photograph of our all our Character Totems by illustrators Mr the Beef, Toy Factory, Sneaky Raccoon, El Tobe & Michelle Turton to name a few.

This special edition of the magazine also features essential tips on networking, finding an agent, what to do and not to do on Facebook & Twitter plus self promotion projects for you to try at home! This brand new issue, bursting with all you need to market yourself has now hit the shops, and we would love to hear your thoughts! Follow Inkygoodness on our Facebook page here & do leave your comments - we hope you find the article an insightful & interesting read!

“Whether you’re a bedroom-based freelancer or an ambitious studio.. we know that self-promotion is an essential part of being a creative professional, and this special issue will help you get more from your money by investing in stuff that really works” Nick Carson, Computer Arts Projects editor.

Computer Arts Projects – The self promotion issue now on sale at your local WHSmith or buy online direct here.

Digital Arts - Penmanship Tips

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:19:00 +0100

Check out the latest issue of Digital Arts magazine for their bumper feature ‘50 Must-Know Techniques’, featuring a multitude of software tips and a section all about drawing with pens by yours truly! I invited six of my favourite illustrators to reveal their drawing secrets, including Am I Collective, Uberkraaft, EMA, Good Wives & Warriors, Barnaby Purdy & Sarah Coleman. Buy now from your local newsagent.

Inkygoodness Home-Coming Flyer!

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:16:00 +0100

Here it is! The official Inkygoodness Character Totem Home-Coming exhibition flyer. Launching in just 12 short days, we still have plenty of things to organise - artwork delivery/collection, printing more badges & stickers, pasting up posters around the Custard Factory, organising drinks for the launch, and of course the small job of hanging the show next weekend!

We’ve got a killer line-up, featuring artists from as far afield as Wilmer Murillo (Honduras), I Am Collective (South Africa), Muxxi (Guatemala), Ocular Invasion (USA), Marianne Vincent (Canada) and of course a wealth of home-grown talent from right here in the UK. Full line up here.

And that’s not all!

We’re also going to be joined by AMMO Magazine who will be launching a very special Character themed issue, featuring a collection of outstanding illustrators, and an exclusive interview with us! Read about Inkygoodness and the story so far - don’t miss your chance to grab a copy for just £5.

For all the latest news on the event & to find out more about the artists taking part, visit inkygoodness.com or follow us on twitter @inkygoodness.

Flyers designed by Dave Hughes (AMMO Magazine) & Michelle Turton (Inkygoodness).

Billy & Malarky, London

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 20:10:00 +0100

Character Totem Home-Coming Show

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:45:00 +0100

In just six short weeks, Inkygoodness will present Character Totem Home-Coming at the Zellig Gallery in Birmingham! Not only will all the customised Totems from the Berlin show be on display - we’ve also invited a selection of international artists and illustrators to exhibit new work inspired by the Totem theme!

We’re so excited to welcome talent like DOODULL, Jo Spencer, Anna Charity, Jennie Webber, I Am Collective, Muxxi, Javier Lopez & so many more - it’s going to be an absolute knock-out of a show.

Our launch night on Thursday 21st July will feature live drawing by Crim Collective, Matt Saunders and Kris Jones, plus live music, drinks and a host of lovely talented people to meet.

More details can be found on our facebook event page here, with full details to be announced on inkygoodness.com within the next week or so - don’t miss it!

Character Totem Home-Coming runs Tue 18th July - Sat 30th July, open daily.

I Love Dust for Bill's Milkshakes

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:23:12 +0100

A bit of daily inspiration today. Love the colours, character design and pretty much everthing about this awesome packaging! I Love Dust are a London-Portsmouth creative agency working across product design, graphic illustration and animation. Check out the rest of their portfolio here.