Sketchbook Peek

Sealed with a kiss! Nothing is cuter than a seal pup.....

On the Pigs Back!

Today i received great news that the design i had submitted for the charity event "Pig's on Parade" has been selected! Wahoo! The event is to raise money for the "Jack and Jill" foundation. Artists are selected to design a fibreglass pig, the pigs are then displayed around Dublin for a period of time then they will be auctioned off to raise money for the foundation. I can't reveal what my design will be (under strict orders) but i will be updating my blog on my progress. Now all i have to do is await the arrival of my lil pig :)

"The Tiger Who Came to Tea" and Me

Tonight i start on my "Picture Book Creation" course. We are asked to bring in a copy of our favourite picture book. Ive chosen to bring Judith Kerr's masterpiece "The Tiger Who Came to Tea."  Growing up i would always get this book out from my school library just to marvel at the pictures in it, it got to the stage , when i was in an older class, where my teacher banned me from taking it out because i "shouldn't be taking out picture books" at my age. Little did she know id be still looking at it almost twenty years later!

A poet, a baker, a picture book maker!

Ive decided to get back into the habit of using my blog to promote the work and illustrations that i create. Tomorrow i start a new venture, i have enrolled on a year long course in which i will create my own picture book. The very thought of this excites me so i am looking forward to getting pencil to paper! Hopefully i will get into the habit of keeping this blog updated on my progress.

Artist in School Residency 2013: "Penny And The Big Top"

Over the course of several months I had been collaborating with twenty-eight pupils in Scoil Choca Naofa in a stop motion animation group project funded by the Kildare Arts Office. The project involved all students in a third and fourth class mix, and seen pupils learn the art of stop motion animation. Pupils explored the theme of “A Trip To The Circus.” They took inspiration from Alice Maher, Kara Walker and Shaun The Sheep! Learning about all elements of animation, from scriptwriting, storyboarding, character design, set design to final production shooting. Pupils collaborated their idea’s, stories, characters and imaginations to create one final stop motion animation production. The result of which was a seven minute short.

          The first phase was writing a group story and developing a script, from here each student was assigned a scene to sketch the storyboard, then they designed and made a character and a prop or set piece. The collaboration of each pupils work began in the next phase, when shooting began, taking reference from previous storyboards produced. Each pupil gained hands on experience of animating characters, adjusting lighting, managing sets and deciding on camera angles, alternatively referred to as “Lights, Camera, Action!!” Pupils also recorded narrating the script, known as a “voice over.”          Once all the production photography had been shot, I digitally combined the audio with the visual imagery, then added a musical soundtrack, with sound effects.

          A great hype was created around the school on the day “Penny And The Big Top” premiered for the first time pupils seen their hard work come to life. Each pupil got a certificate of participation and a DVD copy of the animation.

          During my time in Scoil Choca, I hope that I have made an impact on the pupils perception of art and it’s limitless possibilities. All pupils were alert, smart, imaginative and keen to learn. They enjoyed all activities and the school and class teachers were continually supportive. The skills they have learnt will last them much longer and they have experienced the power of collaboration, working as part of one team.
          The finished animation is viewable on the school website or is available for viewing in the school.
https://vimeo.com/85248709