Jennifer Leonard

2011-06-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

Alyson Exall

Some of the better work at MMU's degree show 2011.

2011-04-25T14:10:00.001-07:00

The Snide of a Scoundrel Man, a photo by Matthew∙Lyons on Flickr.

I'm really excited to discover a new favourite Illustrator Matthew Lyons. I love the textures, colours and angler shapes he uses, which create depth. The style feels quite sixties and I love the cool characters he creates, which are perfect for animation.

2011-03-23T05:28:00.000-07:00

I went to Pick Me Up art fair this week and it was amazing. It really inspired and excited me to see such diverse and high quality illustration work. I especially liked Paul Blow, Puck Collective and Victo Ngai's work. The fair is on until 27th March so if you are in London I would recommend you check it out!

More pictures here.

2011-02-23T10:59:00.000-08:00

I wish I had made this illustration...

Elena Hormiga is a super talented Spanish illustrator, she has a blog written in her native language, which unfortunately I can't read, but thank god for google translate! Her style is very European and traditional with a hand-made feel. I just love everything about it, I can't even explain how much! You can visit her flickr or website to see more work.

2011-02-23T10:58:00.001-08:00

2011-02-13T08:24:00.000-08:00

To take my mind off a frustrating illustration I have been cutting and pasting into my new scrap book, which I bought yesterday. I have a folder bulging with bits and pieces of reference and inspiration that needed a better home so I've been putting it all together in one book, which is easier to look through. I did notice that I had a lot of work by Gillian Blease taken from The Guardian. Her work is so clever and simple at the same time. Here is a picture of my book and Blease's work.

You can also buy this print from Blease website.

2011-01-29T06:28:00.000-08:00

I discovered these the other day, long forgotten and hidden away. When I was about 9 or 10 I decided to take up stamp collecting, my Dad took me to the Manchester Corn Exchange to buy a stamp collectors book and a big bag of assorted stamps. With many of my childhood ventures this one lasted for about two weeks before I moved onto something else, most likely collecting PG Tips cards or Pogs.

2011-01-17T11:06:00.000-08:00

The other day I went rooting under my bed for a box of books & found some old zines. I hate having them hidden away but I don't have a bookcase at the moment (visit to Ikea on my to do list). I love my collection and was excited to see the London Zine Symposium dates had been released (April 17th). One of my favorite zines is by DR. ME, showcasing work by Luke Best.

2011-01-14T09:49:00.000-08:00

I could so easily move to Edinburgh and be quite happy. It is one of the most beautiful cities.

2011-01-05T11:20:00.000-08:00

I have an exciting new toy! A DSLR camera, which I will be taking with me to Edinburgh this weekend. It's been over a year since I last went to Scotland so I am looking forward to visiting again and returning with some nice photos hopefully.

2010-12-31T07:53:00.000-08:00

A new year and a new start. I have added 'blogging more' to my list of goals for 2011. I must also refresh my portfolio with some brand new illustrations over the next few months. I'm looking forward to the coming year and to be honest I am glad to say goodbye to 2010, which for me has been a very hard and emotional journey. 2011 symbolises change and hopefully lots of success!

Illustrators that have inspired me in 2010:

i. Isabelle Arseault

ii. Meg Hunt

iii. Michael Kirkham

2010-11-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

It was nice to be apart of something so great.

Papergirl Manchester and I Bike MCR Critical Mass on film.
Filmed by Tahra O’Regan.

2010-11-01T16:24:00.000-07:00

Autumn is here.

I've recently bought a sewing machine and a craft book and have abandoned illustrating for a while to make clutch bags made out of vintage fabric, embroidered jewelery and baby shoes for my niece. I plan to make the majority of my Christmas presents, but it's taking me a while to perfect my technique.

This Christmas I'm going to ask Santa for a digital SLR camera...I promise to be good!

2010-10-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

Amazingly beautiful animation from Robin Bushell and Julia Potts on Vimeo.

2010-10-01T04:50:00.000-07:00

I'm back from LND where I visited the V&A and saw the 'Illustration Awards' exhibition. Loved Sarah Carrs' work, which won the illustrated book award. I also took some photographs of houses in Isleworth where I was staying. I'm a bit obsessed with houses at the moment.

Tonight I'm going to 'The Toy Shop' exhibition in Manchester where lots of amazing Illustrators will be exhibiting. Including Daniel Frost, Sarah Abbott, Jack Hudson and Gemma Correll.

I also start my volunteer position at 'AND' Festival tomorrow. Busy, busy busy!

2010-09-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

Taking part in the 'Free for Arts Festival,' as part of Papergirl Manchester this October. Visit and see my work on display at the Papergirl Manchester exhibition at Soup Kitchen, Spear Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, from 1st – 21st October 2010!

'Papergirl is an art project from Berlin, making its UK début in Manchester this Autumn. In the style of American paper-boys, rolled art pieces will be distributed by bicycle in the streets of Manchester to random passers-by. The Papergirl Manchester exhibition will be held at Soup Kitchen from 1st October to 21st October in association with Manchester Free for Arts Festival 2010.' (Papergirl Manchester website)

I'm going back to London next week for a few days, yay!

2010-09-13T03:44:00.000-07:00

The next festival I'm volunteering on is AND (Abandon Normal Devices). The third arts festival I have worked on this summer!

2010-09-10T03:36:00.000-07:00

I recently came back from a 5 day trip to London, where I visited my niece Olivia. While I was there I hopped on the tube to Shoreditch and went to see the new Nobrow gallery/shop and also the East Gallery on Brick lane, which is showing an illustration exhibition entitled 'Play'. I loved both, especially Sarah Abbott's work at East Gallery. I remember seeing her work at last years mmu degree show and it was amazing.
A highlight of my trip was visiting the YCN shop & library down Rivington St. Recommend a visit if you are in the area. I bought one of their quarterly magazines, 'Ideas Illustrated,' which I enjoyed reading on the train back to Manchester.

2010-08-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

I joined Twitter and I quite like it. Follow me if you dare!

2010-08-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been mostly working/volunteering at festivals, including
'The Family Friendly Film Festival,' reading the new Audrey Niffenegger novel, decorating and trying to decide what to do next. Eek.

ben javens

2010-07-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

Just discovered an illustration genius called Ben Javens. He is exhibiting at the end of this month in Edinburgh...wish is wasn't so far away! Boo. At least I can look at his AMAZING website.

2010-05-31T11:49:00.000-07:00

While on a trip to ye old town of York I found this amazing little printed zine illustrated by Micah Lidberg and published by Nobrow. I got very excited when I discovered Nobrow have opened their own gallery. Need to get down to London!
I also discovered another amazing illustrator called Brian Cronin while I was in a bookshop searching for John Wyndham's Books. Cronin has created some beautiful illustrations for the set of John Wyndham's novels and now I am determined to have them all!

2010-04-27T05:58:00.000-07:00

I want to live like a true Scandinavian.

2010-04-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

I am very excited, I've bought the new MacBook Pro laptop...eek! And I also have the new Creative Suite CS5! Also below is what arrived in my post today, it's a new zine from Cafe Royal Books by the Nous vous collective...I am so spoilt!

2010-02-23T09:01:00.000-08:00

I'm busy creating a spaceship for a Leeds based magazine and my bum is starting to hurt from too much sitting. Tea break me thinks!

I am liking...

Jill Calder - I discovered in The Guardian.
Luke Best - new blogged illustrations are amazing. I almost cried when I had to work the one day he came to Manchester to do a workshop.
Grizzly Bear - Knife (Girl Talk Remix) - current favorite song.
Studio Violet - current favorite blog.

2010-02-09T04:28:00.000-08:00

I did this illustration for Blanket magazine; 'I Think I Can Fly' issue. You can buy it online from their website by clicking here! .

"It’s Blankets 3rd Birthday and 20th Issue and to celebrate we have made this issue to inspire and motivate you all to soar to greater heights! It’s our ‘I Think I Can Fly Issue’!"

There is an interview with Anna Bond who I love love love and Gareth Main of Bearded Magazine (R.I.P).

2009-12-15T09:32:00.000-08:00

I adore Sarah Mcneil's illustrations and bought this 'Ghost Cat' print, which I have hung above my bed. I also love Grizzly Bear and the new album art work.

2009-11-28T07:26:00.000-08:00

OPEN

2009-11-05T12:36:00.000-08:00

I am selling two prints at my new online store. Please check it out by clicking here!

2009-11-04T09:37:00.000-08:00

I am back from Edinburgh and it was so beautiful. On my short visit I went on a ghost tour (very scary), saw the Edinburgh castle and went to some cute tea shops and bought a couple of zines. One by Cornelia Odonovan bought from Owl and Lion Gallery and the other was produced by Nous Vous and contains a variety of illustrators. I bought this from Analogue Books where I also saw the Jean Jullien exhibition, which I highly recommend. Another exhibition I saw was at the Ingleby Gallery pictured above, which was showing some amazing work by David Austen .

2009-10-31T08:05:00.000-07:00

Today I visited Manchester Art Gallery and wondered around my favourite section; Craft and Design. I'm in love with everything in there.

On Monday I am going to Edinburgh for two days to visit galleries and act all pretentious. Please advise me on places I must visit while there.

2009-10-07T05:05:00.000-07:00

Bang Art have featured me on their website. They are really nice guys.

2009-10-02T08:03:00.001-07:00

2009-09-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

So Buy Art Fair was this weekend and it was ace. I really wanted to buy some art but a lack of money prevented me, especially as I wanted a Peter Blake print which was over £600. Maybe next year...

2009-09-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

Yay to my work in Crafty Magazine.

2009-09-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

My work will be on sale at a three-day event from 24th to 27th September called the Buy Art Fair in Manchester. You can get more information here.

2009-08-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

This is a poster design I did for language workshops. It wasn't used in the end and instead a poster I collaborated on with the in-house Graphic Design was used instead, but I still prefer this one.

2009-08-13T06:38:00.000-07:00

I am finally settled in my new city centre apartment. I love living in the centre of Manchester but it can get very distracting, hence the uncompleted website. I'm sat at my new work area trying to get it finished before the week is over. I've been mostly listening to Malcolm Mclaren and drinking too much tea while doing so.

I'm also very excited by the new tea set I bought the other week from a charity shop for £4.99!!! I also got the cutest sugar jar and brown mug, I'm a very happy lady.

2009-07-28T05:26:00.000-07:00

Yay! My copy of Atypica magazine came, with my illustration inside.

2009-06-20T08:12:00.000-07:00

I'm in the process of re-doing my website. Will let you know when it's finished, it's taking a while as I'm also in the process of moving house. This Monday I will be making time to see the mmu degree show, which is something I always look forward to. I'm especially looking forward to seeing Lora Avedian work whose blog I follow. She does wonderful illustrations and beautiful fashion garments.

Lora Avedian illustration

2009-06-03T07:59:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for the exhibition.

As you can see I solved the USB problem by buying a new one...clever me! Any hoo here are some pictures of the exhibition.

2009-05-29T06:39:00.000-07:00

My work is in the Urbis Creatives exhibition at Urbis in Manchester city centre and will be up for a few more days. If you are in the area please go and have a look. There are lots of different pieces of work by different artists including fine art painting, photography, graphic design and illustration of course!

I have some photographs to add but at the moment I am without a USB cable for my camera, which is very frustrating. Will need to look into resolving this problem.

2009-04-15T13:04:00.000-07:00

I have done a piece for Atypica magazine, which will be out later this month. They have promised to send me a copy and I can't wait to see it! Will post a picture when it arrives.

I have been introduced to a great graphic designer called Olle Eksell by a fellow illustrator Liam Palmer. Liam has lent me a book of Eksell's work and I've had it for maybe a bit longer then I should. Oops.

2009-03-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

The urbis creatives launch night, which will be held at the Urbis exhibition centre will take place on 27th May. The night will involve live acts, performances and an exhibition which will continue on a smaller scale for two weeks after the launch.

2009-03-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

I did this illustration for a flyer advertising a Sixties Magical Music Tour around Manchester.

'Take a tour of some of the key sites from Manchester's musical heyday. Discover where all star acts such as The Hollies, The Small Faces, Ike and Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix and The Bay City Rollers plus many more played on the circuit. Visit the spots where Manchester's Northern Soul crowd used to hang out, and the celebrated haunts like the Oasis club where entry cost 25p, and find out how the Twisted Wheel kept its music Manchester's best loved secret. A must, whether you want to reminisce about the good old days or find out the roots of musical Manchester.'

2009-03-07T03:20:00.000-08:00

I did an illustration for Mankind magazine, entitled 2am. You can buy the magazine here, its great! Much love to Erin, who created it.

2009-03-02T09:34:00.000-08:00

I love the new clipper tea packaging! My flatmate bought some and I made her promise to give me the boxes when she's finished all the tea.

2009-02-19T03:13:00.000-08:00

I'm back! Sweden was the most beautiful place I've ever visited. Here is a photograph of me in Uppsala. Behind me is the botanical gardens and gallery which as you can see is covered in snow.

2009-02-14T13:30:00.001-08:00

I´m in the lovelyest hostel in Stockholm and apart from the bitter cold I love it here. Tomorrow I am going to the small town Uppsala, which is an hours train journey away.
I have seen a lot of cute Moonins merchandise and bought a small Moonmins book in Swedish for 1 Krona.

I will be back on Wednesday with a pile of work to start on, but for now it's cake, coffee and 6 layers of clothes for me.

2009-02-07T14:28:00.000-08:00

I've been very busy with little projects recently. I am working on an illustration for a magazine and also designing a poster/leaflet for a sixties music tour.
I'm taking part in an exhibition this May, which will be a group show of artists and performers who work at the Urbis gallery. I created a logo for the collective.
I've updated my website as well, so please have a look!

A well deserved break with a cup of tea is needed me thinks! Hope everyone is having a nice February. I am off to Stockholm on Wednesday for a week and hope to find some interesting illustrations or nicknacks while I'm there.

2009-01-13T12:28:00.000-08:00

Another story from the Metro inspired this little illustration. It was about a cat who likes to follow his local postman while he does his rounds.

2008-11-18T06:28:00.000-08:00

My work is featured on the dirty mouse website click HERE to see.

2008-11-10T03:15:00.000-08:00

Today I bought the second 'The Wizard's Hat' zine. The first one is ace, so I'm sure the second will be even better. Love Holly Wales, Gemma Correll and Jeffery Bowman, who have contributed to the issue. Can't wait to get it!

2008-08-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome...
This is the start of my new blog! I am a illustrator living in England. I also work at an art gallery where I am constantly inspired by modern art and design. For example, today we had the Manchester craft mafia market residing in the building, selling beautiful crafty things. My favorite stall was the Betty Joy stall (http://www.bettyjoy.co.uk), the toys are amazing.