I’ve been snap happy over the past few weeks and the results have been pretty good. Apart from waiting for about 2 weeks to get my prints back from the Lomo Shop. Never. Again.

Well I can honestly say 2011 has had it’s good and bad moments. Having worked part time for almost two years I decided to go full-time simply because illustration wasn’t really going anywhere in terms of getting paid work (I keep saying to myself NO MORE UNPAID WORK.) As much as I love it more than anything else I think the reality of it finally sunk in and plus I can’t be a part timer forever. And living in London doesn’t really help either in terms of money and paying for travel, bills etc. I have decided to move out at the end of the summer. Not too sure where. Up North. Who knows. All I can say is that the novelty of living in London is wearing away and the sooner I move away I think I’ll be a lot less stressed out with money. Put it this way, I’m no better off working full-time either! Once I’ve paid my rent and bills I practically have zilch to live off…. urgh. Mega frustrating.

I feel at the moment where I am in life I should’ve have at east achieved something, in terms of career wise. For a very long time I’ve always had high expectations about myself, when I see people who are very fulfilled with their job/ family life/ settled down/ have a house of their own I get slightly envious because I’m nowhere near that stage.

Saying that though I’m definitely starting to make more of an effort about what I want to do in the future and where I want to be. I’m not too bothered about getting a job in design but I would either like to take a short course in graphic design or, shock horror, web design and get my HTML skills up to scratch! It really is quite terrifying thinking about these things but I guess it’s all part of growing as a person.

I hope that the new year brings good things. Like passing my driving! I’ve been putting it off for too long so it’s really time I got it out of the way!

So for 2012… I’d love to do more collaborative exhibitions and craft markets. Make more things, get to know more people, be a happier person, own a pug (HELL YES) and be somewhere cheap and cheerful. I cannot stand fooking tubes/ trains anymore!!!!!

I’d like to end it there without being too depressing and moaning about my financial situation. I wish you all a very Happy New Year, let’s hope 2012 will be a good ‘un! x

Ooooh a rather nice little feature of my robin illustration via The Young Creatives- thanks guys!

I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2012. This year it’s been hectic and at the same time a rather good year. I hope to get more commissions, not  have to do any unpaid work, possibly sign up to an agency and go traveling.

See you all in the new year. x

Great night last night at The Meenan Sisters private view down at Vyner Street Gallery. I had a jolly good time catching up with friends and I would like to say well done to all the artists who took part. Oh and also to Ivy who organised everything. Yes, I mean EVERYTHING. So thanks Ivy!!!

The show is running until tomorrow evening so get yourselves down there while you can.

All images are my own apart from the film stills and the V&A Power of Making image.

I will be exhibiting some new pieces of work with The Meenan Sisters and other artists. Why not join us for the private view on Monday 12th December?

For more details about the private view and the show check out the event over on Facebook. 

I was approached by Amisha, organiser of Think Act Vote, to take part in a project based on quotes from renowned people. The quotes were about what kind of future they’d like to live in and then each illustrator would take a quote and illustrate it. It’ll be a book and I think it might be published some time next year. It was really good to be part of it as it made me think a lot! Basically there are no birds or bears in it! All will be revealed soon as I can’t show anything yet.

I’m also featured on the website so have a look here.

Amelia's Magazine: LFW Hermione de Paula (2010)

Amelia's Magazine: LFW Hermione de Paula (2010.)

What I Wore Today.

I’ve been keeping this hush, hush for the past few months but I’m pleased to announce that some of my fashion illustrations are featured in the Great Big Book of Fashion Illustration. My illustrations for the very popular project What I Wore Today is featured plus two illustrations for Amelia’s Magazine.

Martin Dawber contacted me through Flickr (this was more than a year ago by the way) and asked me if I wanted to be part of the book and naturally I said “Yes!” I recommend purchasing this book simply because the title itself is pretty self- explanatory. It is a BIG book. And it’s worth the money as well.

I’ve decided to work full time as an ABA Tutor only because I want to save up some pennies to buy a pug/ border terrier and a lovely big house. Also pay for some freakin’ driving lessons. I’m going to make the time to do illustration on the side now and will continue to run my Etsy Shop too.

I don’t feel like I’m ‘giving up’ illustration in any way and I’m pretty happy with my job anyway.

Sam and I went to Brighton for the day and it was really hot and busy! As you can see from the photos the beach was full of people sun bathing and sitting around, can’t blame them because the weather was lovely (for once.)

I’ve only been to Brighton once which was a few years ago so it was really nice to come back again. I love the little streets and the boutique shops, reminds me of Camden but a lot nicer! We randomly found this cafe which had loads of Royal Family memorabilia! The ceiling and walls were covered in vintage trays, plates, pictures and old news clippings and of course not forgetting the pretty fairy lights. After the pot of tea we were on a mission to find a good proper fish and chip shop but by this time it was getting rather late so we had burger and chips instead. Oh and stopped by a pub for a cheeky pint then headed back to the train station. What a nice way to the day!

So if anyone knows of a good fish and chip shop do let me know and perhaps we’ll check it out one day!