Emily Catherine Illustration: May Flies By Oh Blogger!
May, what a month! It's been B-Boy busy in the Hip Hoppyist month ever this May! LOADS AND LOADS of work stuff has been happening, so let's begin!
In association with The School Of Print and The Anti Gallery, I was asked to create a t-shirt design in celebration of The Breakin' Convention returning to Nottingham in it's new venue; The Royal Concert Hall. The Tees are coming soon, but here's a sneak peek of what's to come:
Shiny bun.... Oozing with Technics ....
Dripping with spray and crunchy with microphones.....
It's a triple stacked meaty Hip Hop burger my friends..... Wear it with pride when it arrives!
The Breakin' Convention is celebration of street and breakdance which tours the UK showcasing local and international talent and is a celebration of all things Hip Hop. It's an inclusive, brilliantly realised event which is light hearted, funny and extraordinary to watch. Alongside the dance, Saziso Phiri and Chiara Dellerba who curate TAG (The Anti Gallery) held 'A Hip-Opsession' an exhibition of international and local street artists. Independent traders from Nottingham such as Platypus Clothing were selling their wares, Juga-Naut was Mcing, Philip Joniak (coloured souls) was teaching graffiti workshops, the literally incredible Psykhomantus was VisionBombing and stalwarts CSWS collective were DJing and breaking. The whole event was extremely successful and made me proud that we have such an inclusive and cooperative fandom of Hip Hop culture in Nottingham.
May 2nd was the Breakin' Jam. Street artists have been commissioned to paint the side of the Royal Concert Hall in celebration of the Breakin' Convention arriving in Nottingham.
Who is this undercover spy reading literary nuggets at the Anti Gallery pop up?
Clive gets coached on Tagging by Coloured Souls genius Philip Joniak
Clive proudly displays his work on the stairwell with the other art!
Coloured Souls' workshop for children
Saziso Phiri at the Anti Gallery stand, repping Nottingham.
Performing artist Elle Nancy Church before her incredible performance at the Breakin' Convention with NuProjeks DanceUk and Laura Jane Savage of infamous and genius Next Door Dance troop have a pre-stage pep talk before Elle's performance.
As I sat down in the theatre, I found myself sat next to a lovely lady and we got chatting. Meryl, who is 67 from the outskirts of Nottingham loves dance. Every year, she asks her family for theatre tickets to see dance performances. Having spent her career as a P.E teacher, she has a particular fondness for streetdance and breaking, because of the gymnastic elements to the choreography. She always goes alone to these performances as her husband isn't keen.
Obviously, Meryl and I are now the best of friends. This is such a perfect example of Hip Hop culture in Britain touching even those who one thinks it does not! Meryl loved the inclusiveness, the ranging demographic and family feel of the Breakin' Convention. In short, Meryl is a G. She is everything I wish to be in retirement and more. Be more like Meryl!
Me and Mezza.
Here's a cute, sweet, sneezy little pert shirty, party, teaser Illustration I have done for a pro-trans pro-feminist pro-gay pro-equality little anthology of poems which Mud Press is soon publishing:
What does it all meeeaaaaaan? Stay tuned good folk!
On the 7th May, I was asked, last minute, to do some Live Drawing and Painting for Illiad Music to raise money for Little John's House charity with their Hip Hop Showcase! Paris, who is the Director of Illiad Music, curated a perfect mix of independent music, food, art and it was a total success. Having never done anything live (apart from playing Balu the Bear in a primary school Jungle Book) I was bricking it. But I managed it! I drew and painted Humpty from Digital Underground!
Rum House watercolours LIVE!
The After Party with DJ Fever on the decks!
Talking of live art, I have been asked to more! (GULP) and this time I have to bring my 'A' game as it is an up and coming feminist street art festival event curated by the sensational Tim Onga. The details cannot be confirmed, however, as a teaser, prepare yourselves for the 9th July.
Anyway, a kind and patient OKSEO, (Corhortsofbillions (IG) follow him and check out his graffiti and street art) agreed to give me a go at using spray paint for the very first time!
He was very patient, informative and an excellent teacher. I am not great. Understandably it takes years to master the can properly, however, I really enjoyed it and am excited about trying new things always!
Here's my doodling!
I'm very much hoping to fuse my own style and technique with some new ones this July. I hope you can come along and support me!
Whilst staying on the subject of Graffiti, Urban and Street art, if you are a fan, please take the time to peruse the BRAND NEW WEBSITE launched by Hung Up Gallery in Nottingham. http://www.hungupltd.com/
Rob and Nina have worked tirelessly with an abundance of love to curate and start a beautiful independent gallery selling literally only the finest. They are magpies. They find true unsung heroes of Urban artistry and bring it to you professionally. Gorgeousness in Nottingham!
In addition to my feminist series which explores the experiences of everyday life unique to women, I finished a new piece called EXPECTATION. The pressure upon women to appear, behave or communicate in different ways has a profound effect on every single woman, for all of our individual reasons. The inspiration for EXPECTATION came from my thinking about the concept of crying and tears. Our shared sobbing is all the same. All the tears are the same.
Talking of human experience, Saturday 14th May saw the launch party and debut photography exhibition of the incredible Guerilla Art Lab's 'I'M TIRED' exhibition on Broad Street. Paula Akpan and Harriet Evans have photographically documented the microaggressions and stereotyping in society and the result is an eye watering, moving and distinctive autobiographical series of personal stories with arresting visual imagery. This critically acclaimed exhibition which has received attention from all over the world. Like a visual Art Post Secret, and we, in Nottingham are blessed to have had it brought to our attention.
In February, I was asked by Diversity Marketing to illustrate 16 simple illustrations for use on a fold-out travelling van which was to teach children about the history, farming and growing of potatoes. As an illustrator, sometimes, being lower in the chain of command means you wait a long time to see your part in a project come to fruition.
However, The van was finally spotted! I was delighted and extremely proud the see the finished result!
WOW! Fold out travelling learning trailer thingmajig with my illustrations on!
Hello Scarecrow and Moo Cow!
Hello King Edward, Inca baby, rocket and Sheep!
Hello cute tractor of mine!
Hello Inca family!
Like a potato cafe!
So, all in all a veritable feast! Lots more coming up at Emily Catherine Illustration but as you know, I always like ending with a funny:
Vince Clarke from Erasure
Emily Catherine Illustration signing off from Treehouse HQ for May. Enjoy the bank holiday!
Emily Catherine Illustration in fancy dress with Andy Bell from Erasure