David Lynn Print Design London, UK

John Galliano: The bad guy

John Galliano | The bad guy

"The British designer John Galliano is to face trial for racial and religious insults after he was accused of making antisemitic comments during a drunken rant at a Paris bar." - The Guardian

sketchbook texture

Scan of one of my favourite pages from my sketchbook. I love the crackle texture & apple paints.

Birdland triptych

Birdland | collage

Birds collage vintage nature natural

Farm face

Farm Face | Cow face

I feel like it wouldn't be nice to be living caged. Caged but fed, watered, milked, killed.

I decided to explore the theme of ‘we succeed together’. I began by visiting a local farm from where I grew up, and drawing from observation. Believing I would witness and hopefully record beautiful displays of partnership between the natural elements at the farm . The collaboration between the animals was the first thing that resonated with me. Visually you could see how the farm was in unison. The animals each illustrated how their biggest asset was each other by moving and exploring flocks. Generating a natural and organic chorus. One of my drawings was from a pair of swans standing on the edge of the lake. As I drew the swans I noticed how one of the swans was clearing away some leaves and mud that the other swan had on its chalk white feathers. And then I remembered how when swans find a mate, they keep that mate for life. Experiencing and accomplishing life together, side by side. This successful pairing encapsulated the theme I wanted to explore. With this sentiment and swan’s natural elegant form I was inspired to develop my drawings of the swans more. Therefore I returned to my original drawings afterwards and made some monoprints from them, deciding they would have more emotional marks from using this medium. I concluded be scanning the monoprints along with watercolour sketches to further develop them digitally.

I also created a piece the same way but illustrating the instinctive partnership between the chickens and hens while they were fed. Interested at how they each respected one another’s space, whilst being incredibly close together. Which meant they all ate as a community growing, and moving forward together.

Mark marking

The human mark is full of emotion. We relate to un-uniformed marks. We look and try to interpret them. You might not know it, but you do.

It is estimated we only use 1% - 10% of our brains. Whats the other 90% thinking?

Mark making

Animal

Animal | Mono prints & paint

Force a smile?

Force a smile?
Heres some imagery from my latest project.

Diana

While rooting though a junk shop I found a copy of the Liverpool Echo at the time of the Royal wedding between Charles & Diana. It was a 'Royal Wedding Souvenir Special'. Being fascinated by Diana and the position she came hold in the world's heart. As well as her demise inside one of the biggest, oldest, richest institutions AKA The Royal Family. I HAD TO BUY IT. Lucky it didn't cost anywhere near what I thought it would, and it was mine for.... 50p!

Heres a scan below. GREAT image, and very topical with our new Royal wedding!

How much changes?

Patti Smith | Guardian interview

Click image to read article

Patti Smith, one of the people I find most inspired, and able to create poignant work from careful heartfelt observation. She has been interviewed by The Guardian for their 'Saturday interview'. I was so excited when I saw the interview on The Guardian homepage, after reading I felt satisfied and full from a reassuring heart warming helping from a true artistic maverick. She is really something.

I read her book 'Just Kids' (which won a National Book Award) and found it powerful, more than a memoir, and more of a comment on the power of human connections. Reminding the reader how the relationships we form can not only transform and reconstruct our lives. But our connections can transform the world.

I was so exhilarated by the book I ended up buying it for one of my best friends and underlining & annotating all the parts I found powerful, and potentially life changing. Yes life changing. Because if someone can describe and confidently discuss something that you can taste, you can feel but can't quite 'pin down' yet. Then you've got life changing material on your hands.

After reading The Guardian's interview I read some of the comments added below by readers, which I found just as moving as the article. I even added my own (see below). Read Patti Smith's article here

found images

Some of my new found imagery...

A beautiful old photograph of a ruin.

Gateacre Community Comprehensive R.I.P

Gateacre Community Comprehensive | R.I.P

I have started recording Gateacre Community Comprehensive school (my secondary school) as it is due to be demolished this year as the school moves to a new site. This is obviously a fantastic chance for the school to gain bigger & better facilities, bringing the school into 2011. But for past students like myself we are loosing a lot of strong memories from our adolescence. Below are some of my photographs of the school I took just before christmas. I also did some filming there and when I have edited/finished that will post that up on my blog too.

Gateacre's website

Liverpool schools secondary school kids teenage learning teaching

Talking creative

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead

Living for heaven

Illustration "Living for heaven"

Talking creative

"If I could spell, then I would spell correctly, but I never bothered to learn. So, rather than be inhibited and say I can't write because I can't spell, I just write and get on with it." -Tracey Emin