28 December 2016

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: 50% OFF YOUR FIRST 1-2-1 REFORMER PILATES CLASS

Yoga Mama is offering an exclusive offer on 1-2-1 Reformer Pilates classes. 50% off your first 1-2-1 Reformer Pilates class during January 2017 with Babs Afolayan. There are a limited number of sessions available, so book early to avoid disappointment. To take advantage of this promotion, call 020 8789 3881 quoting the promocode 121REFORMER.



EXCLUSIVE OFFER: 15% OFF FIRST PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT IN JANUARY

The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy is offering an exclusive offer on physiotherapy treatments. 15% off your first physiotherapy during January 2017. This offer is not available for those with medical insurance. To take advantage of this promotion, call 020 8789 3881 quoting the promocode 15PHYSIOJAN.



ILLUSTRATION: REGGIE THE RANGER

This A4 illustration, titled Reggie the Ranger, is inspired by a family French bulldog and Queens Park Rangers Football Club. It was drawn using fine liner pen and colour added with promarkers.

REGGIE THE RANGER © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

ILLUSTRATION: I DREAM OF MINGY

This A4 illustration, titled I Dream of Mingy, is inspired by a family French bulldog (and his love for a toy flamingo called Mingy). It was drawn using fine liner pen and colour added with promarkers.

I DREAM OF MINGY © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

ILLUSTRATION: COMRADE BONBONSKI

A4 illustration, titled Comrade Bonbonski, is inspired by a family French bulldog and - for some inexplicable reason -  Soviet imagery. It was drawn using fine liner pen and colour added with promarkers.

COMRADE BONBONSKI © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

ILLUSTRATION: BON BON

This A4 illustration, titled Bon Bon, is inspired by a family French bulldog. It was drawn using fine liner pen and colour added with promarkers.

BON BON  © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

27 December 2016

THE NON-CHRISTMASSY AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS CARD

A non-Christmassy Christmas card, which I did for an Australian friend who was unable to go back home for the festive season. Hand-drawn with posca paint and fine liner pen and colour added using promarkers, it is a tongue-in-cheek overview of all things (OK, some things) Australian.

THE NON-CHRISTMASSY AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS CARD © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

CHRISTMAS CARDS: FRENCH BULLDOGS

Hand-drawn Christmas cards with a French Bulldog theme. Drawn with fine liner and posca paint pen and coloured using promarkers.

FRENCH BULLDOG CHRISTMAS CARDS © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

CHRISTMAS CARDS: DALA HORSES

Hand-drawn Christmas cards with a Dala Horse theme. Drawn with fine liner and posca paint pen and coloured using promarkers.

DALA HORSE CHRISTMAS CARDS © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

CHRISTMAS CARDS: SNOWMEN

Hand-drawn Christmas cards with a snowman theme. Drawn with fine liner and posca paint pen and coloured using promarkers.

SNOWMAN CHRISTMAS CARDS © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

CHRISTMAS CARDS: BELLS & STARS

Hand-drawn Christmas cards with a bell and stars theme. Drawn with posca paint pen and coloured using metallic promarkers.

BELL AND STAR CHRISTMAS CARDS © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

19 December 2016

MIXED MEDIA: RIDDARFJÄRDEN

Mixed media print titled Riddarfjärden. This illustration is inspired by the Riddarfjärden quayside in Stockholm. This was a single layer screen print, with vibrant colour added using watercolours.

RIDDARFJÄRDEN © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

MIXED MEDIA: RIDDARHOLMEN

Mixed media print titled Riddarholmen. This illustration is inspired by the buildings on Riddarholmen island in Stockholm. This was a single layer screen print, with vibrant colour added using watercolours.

RIDDARHOLMEN © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

MIXED MEDIA: STUREPLAN

Mixed media print titled Stureplan. This illustration is inspired by the buildings around Stureplan (Östermalm) in Stockholm. This was a single layer screen print, with vibrant colour added using watercolours.

STUREPLAN © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

MIXED MEDIA: GAMLA STAN

Mixed media print titled Gamla Stan. This illustration is inspired by the colourful houses in the streets of Gamla Stan, the old quarter of Stockholm. This was a single layer screen print, with  vibrant colour added using watercolours.
GAMLA STAN © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

MIXED MEDIA: SÖDERMALM

Mixed media print titled Södermalm. This illustration is inspired by the colourful buildings in and around the Mariaberget area of Södermalm in Stockholm. This was a single layer screen print, with vibrant colour added using watercolours.
SÖDERMALM © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

MIXED MEDIA: HESSENSTEINSKA PALATSET

Mixed media print titled Hessensteinska Palatset. This illustration is inspired by the colourful buildings surrounding Hessenstein Palace (on the island of Riddarholmen in Stockholm). This was a single layer screen print, with Vibrant colour added using watercolours.
HESSENSTEINSKA PALATSET © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

21 October 2016

MIXED MEDIA: GANESHA

GANESHA © GINGER NUT DESIGNS


This is a mixed media print titled "Ganesha". It was a single layer screen print featuring the outline of the Hindu god Ganesha. Hand-drawn lotus flowers, inscriptions in Devanagari script, and leaves were added for additional decoration, and the entire was coloured using watercolours. After scanning, the image was edited using Photoshop to obtain new, softer colour versions. Other colour versions are available on Flickr.

VIEW OTHER COLOUR VERSIONS ON FLICKR



SCREEN PRINTING: FRENCH BULLDOG GOTHIC

FRENCH BULLDOG GOTHIC © GINGER NUT DESIGNS
This 6 layer screen print is titled French Bulldog Gothic. It is based on the painting American Gothic by Grant Wood, but with French Bulldogs instead of people as subjects. It took several weeks to complete due to limited time in the screen print studio, and also because registration for each layer was a total nightmare. I also created several mixed media versions of this print, which are available to view on Flickr.

VIEW OTHER VERSIONS ON FLICKR




MIXED MEDIA: BUDDHA

BUDDHA (MIXED MEDIA) © GINGER NUT DESIGNS


This is a mixed media print titled "Buddha". It was a single layer screen print of the outline of the figure of Buddha. Hand-drawn lotus flowers, Hindu swastikas, hearts, and yin-yang and Om symbols were added and colour was added to the entire print using watercolours.  After scanning, the image was edited using Photoshop to obtain new, softer colour versions.  Other colour versions are available on Flickr.

VIEW OTHER COLOUR VERSIONS ON FLICKR



MIXED MEDIA: BUDDHA

BUDDHA (MIXED MEDIA) © GINGER NUT DESIGNS



This is a mixed media print titled "Buddha". It was a single layer screen print of the outline of the figure of Buddha. Hand-drawn lotus flowers and yin-yang symbols were added and colour was added to the entire print using watercolours.  After scanning, the image was edited using Photoshop to obtain new, softer colour versions.  Other colour versions are available on Flickr.


VIEW OTHER COLOUR VERSIONS ON FLICKR



MIXED MEDIA: THIS IS NOT ART (POP ART)

THIS IS NOT ART (POP ART) © GINGER NUT DESIGNS


This mixed media print, titled "This Is Not Art (Pop Art)" is an anti-bullfighting image based on the iconic black bulls (advertisements for Osborne sherry) that are found along most major Spanish motorways. The hand-drawn stencil is made up of the sentence "This Is Not Art" in different sizes to create the shape of a bull. It was printed using yellow ink on dark red card. After scanning, the image was edited using Photoshop to obtain three new colour versions (green and white, blue and white, and orange and white). These new versions were added to the original to create a quartered effect. Versions in Spanish and Catalan are available on Flickr.


VIEW VERSIONS IN SPANISH AND CATALAN ON FLICKR




20 October 2016

SCREEN PRINTING: ESTO NO ES ARTE

ESTO NO ES ARTE © GINGER NUT DESIGNS



Single layered screen print titled "Esto no es arte" (This Is Not Art). This is an anti-bullfighting image based on the infamously iconic black Osborne bulls found along most major Spanish motorways. The hand-drawn stencil depicts a bull made up of the sentence "Esto no es arte" (This Is Not Art) in different sizes. It was printed using yellow ink on dark red card.  Other colour versions are available on Flickr.

VIEW OTHER COLOUR VERSIONS ON FLICKR


SCREEN PRINTING: AIXÒ NO ÉS ART

AIXÒ NO ÉS ART © GINGER NUT DESIGNS
Single layered screen print titled "Això no és art" (This Is Not Art). This is an anti-bullfighting image based on the infamously iconic black Osborne bulls found along most major Spanish motorways. The hand-drawn stencil depicts a bull made up of the sentence "Això no és art" (This Is Not Art) in different sizes. It was printed using yellow ink on dark red card.  Other colour versions are available on Flickr.

VIEW OTHER COLOUR VERSIONS ON FLICKR


SCREEN PRINTING: WHAT IS ART

WHAT IS ART © GINGER NUT DESIGNS
Two layered screen print titled "What Is Art?". This is an anti-bullfighting image based on the infamously iconic black Osborne bulls found along most major Spanish motorways. The hand-drawn stencil depicts a bull made up of the words "Esto No Es Arte" (This Is Not Art) in different sizes. It was printed using white and light orange ink on orange card.  Other colour and language versions available on Flickr.

VIEW OTHER COLOUR VERSIONS ON FLICKR


    SCREEN PRINTING: THIS IS NOT ART

    THIS IS NOT ART © GINGER NUT DESIGNS


    Single layer screen print titled "This Is Not Art". This is an anti-bullfighting image based on the infamously iconic black Osborne bulls that are found along most major Spanish motorways. The hand-drawn stencil depicts a bull made up of the words "This Is Not Art" in different sizes. It was printed using yellow ink on dark red card.  Other colour and language versions available on Flickr.

    VIEW OTHER COLOUR VERSIONS ON FLICKR

    06 July 2016

    MIXED MEDIA: LORD GANESHA

    MIXED MEDIA LORD GANESHA PRINT © GINGER NUT DESIGNS




    Single layer mixed media screen print titled "Lord Ganesha". The hand-drawn stencil was printed using white ink on textured paper blue paper with extra detail added using black posca paint pen. Further colour editing was carried out using Photoshop. Other colour versions available on Flickr.

    VIEW OTHER COLOUR VERSIONS ON FLICKR

    MIXED MEDIA: GANESHA

    MIXED MEDIA GANESHA PRINT © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    Single layer mixed media screen print titled "Ganesha". The hand-drawn stencil was printed using white ink on textured paper blue paper. Extra detail was added using black posca paint pen. Other colour versions available on Flickr. 

    VIEW OTHER COLOUR VERSIONS ON FLICKR

    07 June 2016

    ILLUSTRATION: MOOSE BY MOONLIGHT

    MOOSE BY MOONLIGHT © GINGER NUT DESIGNS


    This A4 illustration, titled Moose by Moonlight, is inspired by the wildlife and scenery of the north of Sweden. There is a moose (älg), set against a mountainous backdrop dotted with fir trees, on a starry moonlit sky. This illustration was carried out using gold posca paint pen on black card.

    ILLUSTRATION: FLORAL PATTERN

    FLORAL PATTERN © GINGER NUT DESIGNS
    This A4 illustration, titled Floral Pattern, is inspired by traditional Swedish Kurbits patterns. The hand-drawn flower, leaves and heart pattern follows an almost symmetrical pattern. This illustration was carried out using silver, gold, red and black posca paint pens on blue card.

    ILLUSTRATION: HEART KURBITS

    HEART KURBITS © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    This A4 illustration, titled Heart Kurbits, is inspired by traditional Swedish Kurbits patterns. Hand-drawn flowers and leaves forming an almost symmetrical pattern, featuring a central figure of a heart. This illustration was carried out using white posca paint pen on red card.

    ILLUSTRATION: FLOWER AND BIRD KURBITS

    FLOWER AND BIRD KURBITS © GINGER NUT DESIGNS



    This A4 illustration, titled Flower and Bird Kurbits, is inspired by traditional Swedish Kurbits patterns. Hand-drawn flowers and leaves forming an almost symmetrical pattern, featuring a central figure of a bird sitting on a flower. This illustration was carried out using white posca paint pen on orange card.

    ILLUSTRATION: DALAHÄST KURBITS

    DALAHÄST KURBITS © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    This A4 illustration, titled Dalahäst Kurbits, is inspired by traditional Swedish Kurbits patterns. Hand-drawn flowers and leaves forming an almost symmetrical pattern, featuring a central figure of a traditional Swedish Dala horse. This illustration was carried out using white posca paint pen on maroon card.

    ILLUSTRATION: DALA HORSE KURBITS

    DALA HORSE KURBITS © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    This A4 illustration, titled Dala Horse Kurbits, is inspired by traditional Swedish Kurbits patterns. Hand-drawn flowers and leaves forming an almost symmetrical pattern, featuring a central figure of a traditional Swedish Dala horse. This illustration was carried out using white and black posca paint pen on light brown card.

    ILLUSTRATION: MOOSE KURBITS

    MOOSE KURBITS © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    This A4 illustration, titled Moose Kurbits, is inspired by traditional Swedish Kurbits patterns. Hand-drawn flowers and leaves forming an almost symmetrical pattern, featuring a central figure of a moose. This illustration was carried out using white posca paint pen on dark brown card.

    ILLUSTRATION: FLORAL KURBITS

    FLORAL KURBITS © GINGER NUT DESIGNS
    This A4 illustration, titled Floral Kurbits, is inspired by traditional Swedish Kurbits patterns. Hand-drawn flowers and leaves forming an almost symmetrical pattern, with a larger flower sitting in the centre. This illustration was carried out using white posca paint pen on blue card.

    06 June 2016

    ILLUSTRATION: KURBITS

    KURBITS © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    This A4 illustration, titled Kurbits, is inspired by traditional Swedish Kurbits patterns. Hand-drawn flowers and leaves forming an almost symmetrical pattern, with a central image of a bird sitting on an acorn. This illustration was carried out using white posca paint pen on black card.

    04 June 2016

    PHOTOGRAPHY: THE TIDE IS LOW

    LOW TIDE ON THE RIVER THAMES NEAR FULHAM RAILWAY BRIDGE © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    Up until fairly recently, I did not know that there was a pedestrian crossing on the railway bridge between Fulham and Putney. This is probably because it is quite awkward to get to and is not really signposted. When you finally reach it, there are some good views of the Thames going towards the east, as well as of Wandsworth Park on the south side of the river, and Fulham on the north side. It is also near the starting point of the annual Oxford-Cambridge boat race.

    You only realise how deep and wide the river really is at low tide. Not only that, you get a chance to see what is below the murky water. Why people would dump bicycles and shopping trolleys there is beyond me.

    24 May 2016

    PHOTOGRAPHY: FULL MOON


    Is it my imagination, but are the full moons getting more and more orange each month? This photo was taken from my kitchen window in the early hours of this morning. I am really surprised that some of the moon craters are clearly visible.

    18 May 2016

    GRAPHIC DESIGN: TINTIN AND THE SHEPHERD'S BUSH SHOPLIFTERS

    Mock Tintin book cover, with the title Tintin and the Shepherd's Bush Shoplifters, created using Photoshop. The Tintin and Snowy figures were drawn using Illustrator and then superimposed onto a photo of Westfield shopping centre in Shepherd's Bush.

    TINTIN AND THE SHEPHERD'S BUSH SHOPLIFTERS © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    GRAPHIC DESIGN: TINTIN AND THE AWKWARD BUTLER

    Mock Tintin book cover, with the title Tintin and the Awkward Butler, created using Photoshop. The Tintin and Snowy figures were drawn using Illustrator and then superimposed onto a photo of a butler mounted on an elephant (this was taken during during the Elephant Parade London 2010) .

    TINTIN AND THE AWKWARD BUTLER © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    GRAPHIC DESIGN: TINTIN AND THE BATTERSEA BIO-WARFARE PLOT

    Mock Tintin book cover, with the title Tintin and the Battersea Bio-Warfare Plot, created using Photoshop. The Tintin and Snowy figures were drawn using Illustrator and then superimposed onto a photo of Battersea Power Station.

    TINTIN AND THE BATTERSEA BIO-WARFARE PLOT © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    17 May 2016

    GRAPHIC DESIGN: TINTIN AND THE LADBROKE GROVE CRACK DEN

    Mock Tintin book cover, with the title Tintin and the Ladbroke Grove Crack Den, created using Photoshop. The Tintin and Snowy figures were drawn using Illustrator and then superimposed onto a photo of a group of policement taken at the Notting Hill Carnival.

    TINTIN AND THE LADBROKE GROVE CRACK DEN © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    GRAPHIC DESIGN: TINTIN AND THE LOFTUS ROAD ESCAPE ACT

    Mock Tintin book cover, with the Loftus Road Escape Act, created using Photoshop. The Tintin and Snowy figures were drawn using Illustrator and then superimposed onto a photo of  a football match at Loftus Road (stadium of Queens Park Rangers). This was done some time in early 2012, when QPR were battling against relegation from the Premier League (and somehow managed to survive).

    TINTIN AND THE LOFTUS ROAD ESCAPE ACT © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    GRAPHIC DESIGN: TINTIN AND THE MENACING YOUTH OF TODAY

    Mock Tintin book cover, with the title Tintin and the Menacing Youth of Today, created using Photoshop. The Tintin and Snowy figures were drawn using Illustrator and then superimposed onto a photo featuring graffiti (with Photoshop filters added).

    TINTIN AND THE MENACING YOUTH OF TODAY © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    16 May 2016

    GRAPHIC DESIGN: TINTIN AND THE PREDATORY ALCOHOLIC PAEDOPHILE

    Mock Tintin book cover, with the title Tintin and the Predatory Alcoholic Paedophile, created using Photoshop. The Tintin and Snowy figures were drawn using Illustrator and then superimposed onto a photo with a very sinister looking Captain Haddock lurking in the background.

    TINTIN AND THE PREDATORY ALCOHOLIC PAEDOPHILE © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    GRAPHIC DESIGN: TINTIN AND THE SECRET SEAGULL SECT

    Mock Tintin book cover, with the title Tintin and the Secret Seagull Sect, created using Photoshop. The Tintin and Snowy figures were drawn using Illustrator and then superimposed onto a photo of a seagull (with Photoshop filters applied). Everyone knows seagulls are evil, right?

    TINTIN AND THE SECRET SEAGULL SECT © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    GRAPHIC DESIGN: TINTIN AND THE TILT-SHIFT CONSPIRACY

    Mock Tintin book cover, with the title Tintin and the Tilt-Shift Conspiracy, created using Photoshop. The Tintin and Snowy figures were drawn using Illustrator and then superimposed onto a photo that has been tilt-shifted to death.

    TINTIN AND THE TILT-SHIFT CONSPIRACY © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

    SCREEN PRINTING: LES COUILLES DU CHIEN

    Single layer screen print titled Les Couilles du Chien. This piece is based on the painting Nord Sud by Catalan artist Joan Miró. The hand-drawn stencil was printed using purple ink on cream-coloured A4 card. Other colour versions are available on Flickr.

    LES COUILLES DU CHIEN © GINGER NUT DESIGNS




    SEE IN OTHER COLOURS

    You can view other colour versions of this screen print on Flickr. See links below.

    10 May 2016

    PHOTOGRAPHY: END OF...

    The football league season is finally over for Queens Park Rangers. Following relegation from the Premier League last season, not very much was expected from the team this year (which was just as well as they were abysmal for most of the campaign).  Replacing the manager (for the umpteenth time in the past few years) and losing star striker Charlie Austin midway through the season didn't help matters much either, but they somehow managed to finish in 12th position.

    This weekend, however, was a goodbye on a number of levels. A goodbye to a disappointing season, a goodbye to the current club crest (a cause for celebration if ever there were one), and, moreover, a goodbye to two of the most popular players at the club; Clint Hill and Alejandro Faurlín. Change is inevitable, but in the case of Faurlín it is especially sad as he has suffered three horrific and career-threatening injuries during his time at QPR. I would like to wish them both well for the future.

    NEW QPR CREST UNVEILED. 

    A FOND FAREWELL TO FANS´ FAVOURITE, CLINT HILL

    ¡HASTA SIEMPRE, ALE! GRACIAS POR TODO