Emily Catherine Illustration: April Showers Bumper Bloggy With Super Clout!

Think of this month's blog as a beautiful combined shampoo and conditioner. It's March and April all in one!

Let's get straight into congratulating all of you for your kindness, your generosity, your exceptional taste? Of a limited edition run of David Bowie Risograph prints, you bought me out within a month and raised £167.50 for Macmillan Cancer Care in memory of the great David Bowie.

Every single one of you have made a difference by buying an illustration. It's a good deal, huh?

Furthermore, the print now hangs within the City Hospital Chemotherapy Suite. When patients receive Chemotherapy, they can look at the print and read about how the good art patrons of Nottingham (you) raised money for Macmillan Cancer Care. Warms yer cockles, don't it boggers? YOU did that! Be proud!

I met with Macmillan Fundraising Manager, Stacey Smalley with independent filmmaker Matt Taylor, who had come along to snap some pics on behalf of the Nottingham Post. Stacey knows her way around a hospital or two, and we went firstly to Alison Hall who is based at the Macmillan Information and Support Centre which is located City Hospital, South Entrance, Oncology Block.

Left to right: Stacey Smalley, Deborah, and colleague at City Hospital Chemotherapy Suite receiving the print. Photo Credit Matt Taylor.

Alison showed us around and explained how the centre supports all of those affected by cancer. For example, a patient receiving a four hour infusion of chemo in a day suite, similar to the one at City Hospital, once called the Macmillan help line and asked to hear some jokes to get him through the treatment. Sometimes it's not the big things, but the very small things which get a patient through and Macmillan do it all. Friends, family and patients can find out all of the information they need, but mostly, come for support and care. Macmillan change lives. In a big way. So... I have said it before, but be proud!

Nurses are funny as well as badass. Photo Credit Matt Taylor.

Deborah and I with the Bowie Risograph Print. Photo Credit Matt Taylor.

I don't like profiteering from the loss of any human being. It is not easy as a fledgling independent business to give away all profits to charity. However, it is morally the right thing to do, since, being a sort of neo-pop artist as myself, using the image of a recognisable person and what they stand for within my art is partly why my illustrations sell. It is wholly irresponsible and immoral to produce new pieces of art as your subject dies and profit from that loss. My celebrity Risograph series include faces dead and alive. They were my 'pop edit' of twenty-five influential artists all printed and drawn in specifically different ways which might resonate with the viewers individual experience of that person's musical influence. Any musicians which sadly pass away in this range since it's creation will be honoured in this way. Which very sadly brings me onto Prince.

Prince Print is £15 and all proceeds go to the Jazz Foundation of America. Limited Edition of twelve.

I am selling my Prince Print with all proceeds going to the charity Jazz Foundation of America. Only a very small amount left, so order on the website if you want to ensure you get one.

With more about charity, I was commissioned to draw a portrait for a very special nurse, Heather McMorrow, who I met when receiving my own ongoing hospital care. Heather's son, Martyn, died four years ago from Bowel Cancer and Heather donated my fee to Bowel Cancer UK in his memory. Heather and I are going to raise even more money for Bowel Cancer UK this July with a fantastic art, craft, bake sale in the City Centre. Stay tuned!

Here is a bit of the drawing process for Martyn...

sketch

tightening

Martyn part finished!

Now for fun non-charity quick round-up of excellent people and things in the world of Emily Catherine Illustration! Treehouse HQ has been brimming with joy these past two months!

Firstly, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting and discussing work with the exceptional Blu Lou. Not only has he actual Justin Timberlake's face with a Nottingham accent, but he does just so happen to be also very talented and pleasant. His work is graphic, Urban Art with deep, sometimes whimsical twists and is a always a total joyeous treat for the eyes. He has a fantastic range of skills which he uses effortlessly and his passion and understanding of his art is astute. He is also a good laugh. Here we are having found a delightful Mr.Pigeon sticker which he kindly gifted to me.

You can peruse all of Blu Lou's work at the fantastic Ugly Bread Bakery in Hockley, upstairs in the gallery. If you haven't had an Ugly Bread Bakery pizza, you are sorely missing out. Follow him on Facebook 'Blu Lou' and on Instagram as BLULOUI, his urban art has a soul. Watch that space!

Wired Cafe in Hockley.... Wall by Onga

...I went to Wired Cafe.... what is in Wired?..... THIS GADDAM BEAUTIFUL SPRAY PAINTED WALL BY ONGA. Go and see it, enjoy the artisan coffee and let your eyes get off with Tim Onga's excellent beautiful sea of colour.

The Q Tip Jar at the brilliant Hip Hop Chip Shop in Manchester

I went with the extraordinary talent, graphic designer Sarah Blackwell to Manchester recently on a research trip for some branding we are working on together and got a bit sidetracked. We found ourselves instead in The Hip Hop Chip Shop, a small, completely delicious Hip Hop themed artisan chip shop brimming with puns and pollock. Look at this craftsmanship of our traditional British cuisine:

Do not judge one on Mayo, this mayo was infused, Hip Hopped special badass mayo. You weren't there.... you don't know...

Look at the menu! Look at the puns! HEAVEN!

It was honestly the most delicious fish and chip supper I have had yet. Please check them out. They are clearly geniuses, artisans and Hip Hop devotees.

Here are some pictures what I done for fun:

Marcie the queen of unrequited love. Emily Catherine Illustration.

I found a stencil of Missy Elliott I cut in secondary school and tried to see if it would still work.... it sort of didn't but I'm shocked at the mildly accurate results!

Process for the creation of my tribute to Lyn Collins for Record Store Day

There she is... now HURRR

Lyn Collins Think one of the most sampled records for Record Store Day 2016

Lastly, here's a joke I got from hospital...

What do you call the look you were going for in the 90s, when you were trying to look like Melonie Blatt from All Saints on a night out?

Blogging off from Treehouse HQ, 

Emily

Emily Catherine Illustration 2016