Foundation: Final Major Project

I thought it was a shame I didn't put any of my final major project work up from my Foundation year. At the time I was dead set on doing children's illustration. I almost went to Glyndwr University to study it exclusively, and now i'm so relieved I didn't. I love childrens illustration and definately want to produce childrens books when I graduate, but I also now love editorial, fashion, reportage you name it i'll give it a shot. These are some some pages from the book I wrote and illustrated: Neil's Unforgettable Day, about a zoo keeper and his cat Jim who manage to lose all the animals in London zoo and have to travel around the capital rescuing them. Watch this space because I have an idea for a sequel which involves my postman experiments...

Ghost Stories

I'm not going to lie I didn't do alot of work for this project. We had to create four images to accompany text to victorian ghost stories. For starters the stories weren't particually scary or inspriring, and secondly it was my second week at University and I was busy. I chose to make paper sets and set the mood using lighting and shadow. I don't think my images are particually successful, but I actually don't care. I learnt alot about photography and making little paper sets from doing it and I can take this forward in my future illustrations.

The border I used was inspired by the ink project I did earlier. It doesn't go but it sure got me alot of marks to say how it had influenced me.

Foundation Blues.

I am missing my Foundation year quite alot at the moment. Not the course itself, (although it was amazing) but my friends I made there and my little studio space tucked up in textiles. Without a doubt the best year in education i've ever had. University is fun but freshers is way too laid back for me. I like it pacey and stressful when it comes to art with as many deadlines as possible.

Darey reading my childrens book! I'm still so proud of that!

Lindsey with her horrific tortued puppet. Super douper stuff!

Me and Harley with his amazing crosses. I like Harleys work. I don't always understand it mind...

My lovelys in the V and A on our London trip. One of the bets trips ever. Four good friends and lots of art. I slept for about a week after that. We walked ten hours a day, ended up in the red light district of London and smuggled coco pops out at breakfast. It was a giggle.

My little space tucked up in textiles. I am a messy worker. Four tables was essential.

Miaw.

I'm definately a cat person.

Jim likes to pose for portraits.. well he has no choice.

I sure do love dog walking.

At least I did when I was back home...

And now for something completely different..

I've actually taken some photos that aren't of animals! Thats a shock. Heres my attempt at anouther type of photography...

Flowers...

I am not the hugest fan of photographing flowers, but even I have got to admit my mum does a pretty stunning job on her garden...

Some insects but mostly seals...

I don't just photograph birds, I also like snapping other wildlife. The few images are of grey seals which were taken in Northumberland last summer, where I hung out of a boat in the farne islands.

Watch out for the birdie...

I am a self confessed twitcher. I love birds and bird photography, and I spent a whole summers wages on a new camera and lenses so I could do as much of it as possible. Southampton doesn't breed a great variety of birds, mainly magpies seagulls and pidgeons, so when I go home I like to do as much photography as possible. Although my friends know I do like pidgeons.

Heres a selection of thousands of photographs.

Every year we visit the Farne Islands in Northumberland which is where some of my more interesting shots were taken of Puffins, Cormerents ect...