A slight change in direction

I mentioned in the last post, that I felt a change was needed with the ever shrinking commissioning of print media illustration. So I have taken the giant step of applying to study an MA in 3D computer animation, I have applied to Bournemouth university (after some thorough research, they seemed to be the best), I have been through the application process and was offered an interview. So last week I went down to Bournemouth and had an extremely gruelling interview and had a good look at the course and the facilities there, wow it was amazing! and I'm very pleased to announce that I have been offered a place on the course to start in September 2012, and I can't wait!

No down time for me!

Since I finished the  year long and extremely demanding Welcome to the Neighbourhood project back in august, I've been hoping for some down time, it hasn't happened, I've had painting commissions coming out of my ears since then (which I'm not complaining about) and I was asked in September to teach an afternoon a week on the HND and Degree course up at college, I have avoided teaching since I started out simply because I know how easy it is to just do that and not work creatively. to my surprise though i actually rather enjoy it, and I'm now teaching 3 days a week, though I have no intentions of making this my career I will continue with it for this academic year. 

I was also asked by he good folks at Tynwald Mills if I would organise an exhibition of artist's work to show over the Christmas period, we were given the old courtyard gallery (where I did my residency all those years ago) that is now an impressive 2 storey exhibition space, it was all very short notice but with a bit of hard work, and with only a week and a half's notice we got a an amazing professional looking show together showcasing the work of around 30 artists and students, well done to all involved.

On another note, I've noticed over the last couple of years a decline not only in the illustration commissions I get but in commissioned illustration in general and though both illustration and fine art have both been good to me in the past, I think a slight change in direction may be on the cards (and I do not mean teaching) I'll post more soon.

Happy Halloween

The other day I was going through a few old files and I found some of the original drawings I did for a limited edition book I made, it brought back a lot of feelings, I remember how I came up with the idea for the book, I wasn't long out of university I think this was around the start of october 2006 and I was an artist in residence at a gallery, part of my job was to be present during tuesday evening's life drawing class, really just to make sure nothing got damaged, I wasn't allowed to participate either, but I had to stay there until 9ish at night ( I started at 9 in the morning) so tuesdays were long day for me. anyway I remember being very tired (I'd been painting all day) and I was bored of the internet, so I started doodling, doodled this little zombie in a Kurt Cobain like jumper and I was pleased with it, so i carried on drawing until I had a narrative. the next day I scanned all the drawings in, added a few, refined some, added some text and made it into a book. I would go on to do 3 other books in the same vain about a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost. in total I made 200 of each book and had sold them all by christmas of 2006. throughout 2007 I would go on to plan out 8 more of these narratives but I never released them as life seemed to get in the way. This year I have done virtually no drawing but I had done a massive amount of painting so I decided to redraw the zombie book, I hope you like.

If you are free this half term, come and have a look at this:

Recently I did this.

2011 has proved a unique year for me in that I have had the opportunity to work with many talented musicians and song writers, its mostly been a positive experience. So when the hugly talented Clara Barker asked if I would do her an artwork for upcoming live EP (available very soon on digital download) I was thrilled :) Aside form the EP being utterly amazing, Clara is great to go out and have a few beers with too. so you should all go and purchase Clara's wonderful music as soon as you can.

Prints and iphones

I've been umming and arring whether or not to do this for awhile but, I've finally decided to give it a go, so far it seems okay, so if you fancy an art print of even if you want an iphone skin have a skeet at this, if there is any artwork I've done in the past that you would like to see a print of, then just let me know. its all here: http://society6.com/JuanMoore

I'm on Twitter now.

I've put it off for long enough, so if your on twitter please come and join me here.