out of the wilderness

Pie-day Friday #3

2012-02-17T08:36:00.001Z

Greetings on this fair Pie-day!
Today is pie #3 Venison, sour cherries & kriekbier.
Liefmans kriekbier to be precise, or 'cuvee brut' as it seems to have been sadly rebrand, also loosing it's lovely 'medieval-tinged' designed & packing in the process, in favour of something shinier.
For those of you who are not beer-freaks, kriekbier is a beer made from cherries. And Liefmans is a Belgian Brewery who produces their own version of this beer style, a sour yet sweet hit of beer and cherry! This is not your average sickly sweet heavy handed fruit beer. And this may not be your average pie!

De-luxe Stationery making waves!

2012-02-13T12:31:00.000Z

What an awesome stationery company this is! I came across it just the other day whilst taking a long walk through my mind. After stopping for lunch at the hip sausage eatery The Wiener, I came by this, 'NARWHAL De-Luxe Stationery', and what a joy!
Happy monday!

Pie-day Friday #2

2012-02-10T09:15:00.000Z

It's friday! So that means just one thing here... Pie-day!
Pie #2 is Pig's cheek & Cider. Slowly cooked Pig's cheeks in a lovely medium/dry cider, all incased in a amazing pastry, served with an apple puree and creamy mashed potato! Oh and more cider!
Happy Pie-day folks!

2012 Calenders price reduced!

2012-02-06T15:08:00.000Z

As February is now well underway and we have our feet firmly in 2012, I have reduced the price of my remaining stock of 2012 POSTER CALENDERS (all hand-screenprinted in 3 colour, signed and numbered!) Now just £15 over at my shop!

It's Pie-day Friday!

2012-02-03T13:48:00.000Z

From this day forth... well, for at least a few weeks... friday will be hereby know, on this blog, as PIE-DAY!
Cue pun-filled cries of 'That Pie-day feeling!' , 'Thank fuck it's Pie-day!'
I have over the last 6 months become mildly obsessed with pie fillings, or the idea of flavour combinations at least. Though rarely getting the time to try them out, my mind is agog with pie recipes, some a safe bet and others more fanciful!
So each friday will see a different pie, mainly savory (to be imagined aside a pile of creamy mashed potato) but sometimes sweet. Some are subtly influenced by various cuisines but you will not be seeing themed pies like mexican fajita , thai green curry pie or any of that!
There will be no recipes posted I'm afraid, so please just imagine!
Today's pie: Pie #1 Beef shin and Porter!

Our cookbook!

2012-02-01T17:32:00.000Z

I thought I'd share this, a little cookbook that me and my lovely other half made at the end of last year.
We only made 20, as gifts for our family & friends, screen printing the cover in 3 colours, compiling some of our favourite recipes within its 40 odd pages and dotting it with illustrations!
And we were pretty stoked with the result!

Imagined eateries

2012-01-30T11:02:00.000Z

Following the imagined cover of an existing novel, I am posting this, an imagined logo/branding of an imagined eatery, The Wiener. A little local joint, I'd imagine, serving awesome sausages from a grill, with sourdough rolls; all washed down with a range of craft beers!

Also there are only 2 DAYS LEFT of my 20% OFF JANUARY SALE at my Etsy shop. Just use the coupon code JANUARYSALE2012 at the checkout!

Whale Rider

2012-01-27T13:10:00.003Z

This is, I guess, like an imagined front cover for the book Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. It's a wonderful book and story. The film version, which is probably better known internationally, is beautiful (; the scene when Paikea is reading the speech for her absent grandfather puts a lump in my throat every time). If you haven't read the book or seen the film, then I'd gently urge you to.

Have an awesome weekend where ever you are!

Also.... next weekend (saturday 4th Feb) I'm back at the local Vintage and Craft Market, with a big Midwinter Sale! So if you live locally pop by, say hello and maybe pick up a bargain.

Polish dog = pies

2012-01-25T17:08:00.000Z

The title of this post is not as sinister as it sounds. I love pies, and like dogs, but I'd go for Beef & Porter every time.......
Anyhow, I've be assured 'pies' is the Polish word for dog (let me know if I'm wrong!)
Although I have a keen interest in languages I am sadly monolingual, and so I dedicate this post to a friend of mine whom is in pursuit of a second tongue.

As a token of your love, give a Badger!

2012-01-18T17:38:00.000Z

More new stuff soon. But in a quick unabashed sales pitch, with Valentine's day on it's way, I'd like to point out that this Hand Screen-printed large LOVE YOU badger card is available over at my etsy store and what's better is it's part of the 20% off January sale!

JANUARY SALE

2012-01-11T17:56:00.001Z

That's right folks over at my etsy shop i'm having a little January Sale! Well, I say little, but there'll be 20% off all purchases until the end of the month with the coupon code JANUARYSALE2012
Just enter the coupon code at the checkout and click apply!

The Larderhouse

2012-01-11T12:35:00.000Z

Before Christmas I did a spot of illustration and design work for the guys at a local place named The Larderhouse. It's a place that serves great wines, craft beer, cocktails and coffee with local/seasonal food (also think charcuterie & cheeses) in a wonderfully early 1900's styled space. With a wood-fired oven in the mix and wood-burners in the backyard, we have often cycled merrily home from there with the faint and fond smell of woodsmoke in our hair. A smell that has always felt happily evocative to me.

Anyhow, the work I did for them was for a Christmas greeting that incorporated a sort of visual recipe for the Barrel aged Mince meat they'd made for use in festive treats like mince pies, christmas puddings et al.
Below is the illustration I did, and some photographs of the Barrel aged Mince meat being made. For more of their photographs and more on their Mince meat Project visit their website, here.

Photographs taken from thelarderhouse.co.uk

Happy New Year to you all!

2012-01-05T15:45:00.000Z

The holidays were fun but i'm pretty damn excited (though a little daunted too) by the year to come. Lots of plans for 2012....
The month of January for me is often a good time to reflect and focus, and can be one of quiet inspiration and happy introversion.
A time when the Elliott Smith, Joni mitchell and Carole King records come out. Along these same lines, I rediscovered the song The Kiss by Judee Sill just the other day, in between the constant playing of The Sea of Bees LP Songs For The Ravens (a wonderful Christmas present).
It was live version of The Kiss, in fact, from a 1973 session at the BBC.
So beautiful, it gives me goose-bumps and provided me with inspiration for my first illustration of the year. I think it also hints at a new direction in which my work may be heading.

And here it is:

Festive Greetings!

2011-12-21T16:24:00.000Z

I must admit i've been a little slack in blogging during December. It's just one of those months when time seems to run on an unknown dial. But I wish to thank everyone who has followed me or dropped by this here blog during the year, and I wish you all a Happy Winter Solstice, and a Very Merry Christmas & a Prosperous New Year!
I have a fair few plans for 2012, as does the bear pictured here, and I hope to share many new things with you all in the coming year. Until then....
Cheers & good health!

Nicholas

Pictures from the weekend

2011-12-05T13:47:00.000Z

Thanks to anyone who came along to my stall at our local Vintage & Craft market saturday just gone!
It was a good day, in the fitting setting of a lovely Victorian arcade that is just brimming with as yet unfulfilled potential.
There's one final Boscombe Vintage Market this year on saturday December 17th! So come along for last minute Christmas gifts, the stall with the best cupcakes ever (no joke!) and a hopefully festive time!

Festive Vintage/Craft Market Saturday

2011-12-01T14:57:00.000Z

This saturday is my local Vintage & Craft Market once again.
Now it's December there's sure to be a good ol' festive atmosphere and a full-house of stalls. Last month's market was lovely.
So come along if you live locally, I'll be there with my stall of Screen Printed goods, and while you're there why not pick up some handmade or 'vintage' gifts for your loved ones (or yourself.... what is it they say, 'First you must learn to love yourself.........)!
Maybe see you there!

This Saturday December 3rd,
The Royal Arcade,
Boscombe,
Dorset

Christmas Cards

2011-11-29T13:51:00.001Z

Happy Windswept and Rainy Tuesday (if you live here in England!), just a Happy Awesome Tuesday to everyone else!
More SHOP NEWS:
My Christmas Greetings Cards are NOW AVAILABLE in a more cost effective 3-PACK over at Etsy!
Buy them HERE!

Shop!

2011-11-28T13:47:00.000Z

Afternoon!
Just a quick note for any folks wishing to purchase anything from my Etsy shop in time for Christmas! Here are the advised Order By Dates. Thanks!

UK
December 17th
EUROPEAN UNION
December 12th
USA
December 8th
REST OF WORLD
December 5th

Exercise Book!

2011-11-26T09:16:00.000Z

Who needs the gym! Spend your time writing instead!

This here 'exercise' book is the result of a little afternoon at the print studio.
Hope you have a grand weekend!

Frog-et me not!

2011-11-22T17:42:00.000Z

I thought I was getting better at this blogging lark, but two weeks have passed.. What have I been doing? Well, along with organising and flogging my seasonal wares, I have finally started putting pencil and nib to paper on some illustrated story book ideas.
Any serious thought of books and stories had been pushed forcefully to the back of my mind over the last year, as i've concentrated on developing my illustration and silk-screen skills. Story work can be so all consuming, daunting and draining. But I love stories, who doesn't.
It may be a while until I have anything to show on that front, so for now, for today, I give you a Frog on a Log!

Now available!

2011-11-08T10:25:00.000Z

As promised my Seasonal greetings cards and 2012 Calender are NOW AVAILABLE over at my Etsy shop, along with new lowered prices on some existing stock! Yee-haw!

The Welcome Deer (screenprint) £15.
Much loved and selling fast!

Local Vintage & Craft Market this weekend!

2011-11-03T11:56:00.000Z

Yes, I'm returning with my stall of screen printed/illustrated goodies to the Boscombe Vintage & Craft market this Saturday, after taking a few months break. I'll have some lovely new bits of a seasonal nature, including a very small print-run of some De-luxe Handprinted Gift wrap (below). So if you live anywhere near, do pop by and say hello.

It's at the Royal Arcade, Boscombe, Dorset. Saturday November 5th from 10am-4pm

A little early for Christmas?

2011-11-02T10:51:00.000Z

So here, with more than enough time before festivities begin, is my little Christmas card range.

All hand screen printed on oatmeal card stock in Raw Umber and gorgeous metallic Gold!

They'll be available to purchase at my Etsy shop from next week, along with my 2012 Calender!

ps. Hope you all had a great halloween. Can't believe I missed that day to post a suitably spooky and autumnal illustration....

Believe...

2011-10-28T18:02:00.000+01:00

Have a great weekend people!

2012 Calender!

2011-10-26T15:55:00.000+01:00

Yes, the future is fast approaching, so it's best to be prepared!
My first ever 'yearly' wall calender, lovingly screen printed by these fair hands in 3 color glory will be AVAILABLE TO BUY very soon!

A New Look!

2011-10-20T12:52:00.001+01:00

I thought this illustration of a boy playing (with the help of his imagination) was a good one for this post which finds me feeling in an odd state of flux, having updated the look of this here blog.
When I started the blog, calling it Out of the Wilderness, I was only just starting to produce and share any real coherent illustration work with the outside world, hence the title. Not that I was becoming some sort of Henry Darger type, but I never thought too much about an audience before. In the past year and a half I have taken some firm steps out of the wilderness, and who knows next year I may have a new blog called 'Mountain O' Money', or maybe not......

The Passing On

2011-10-07T11:13:00.000+01:00

This is not breaking news. As you may know, the last couple of days have seen the passing of Bert Jansch and Steve Jobs, two people who gave some to making this world one fired by imagination. Sat here at my MacBook listening to music from the 60’s folk revival (and music firmly informed by it) I think how they are in someway at the heart of me and my day-to-day. They are the scales of balance; tradition and future.

Sorry, I am not finding the right words this morning but I hope you get my meaning.

Here’s October Song by the late Bert Jansch, have a lovely weekend!

A (long) day trip to Rye!

2011-10-04T16:27:00.000+01:00

We took a little day-trip to Rye, East Sussex on saturday just gone. Our reason and excuse for going was to go to the grand opening of a new design-led shop, Lion Street Store (for whom I did some design work).
The journey seemed long but the sunshine was glorious. It was so nice to actually see the store and put a face to the voice at the end of a line. The store was lovely, as we knew it would be! So if you're ever in Rye, you must go there!
Good luck with the store Sarah!
Here are a few mainly out of focus photos from the trip, that I'm afraid do neither the town or store justice. Explained below:

Rye's cobbled streets // town's lovely old mermaid sign // shelf of goodies in store // lion street store branded stick of rock! // exclusive rob ryan print // my design on the store's bags // balmy evening socialising at grand opening

A peach of a day!

2011-09-28T14:45:00.000+01:00

Here I am sat designing christmas cards in Early Autumn with the windows to our flat open, sun flooding in and 24 degrees C on the thermometer. England is odd.
So breaking from thoughts of Winter, or even Autumn, I give you a sunny peach. For a peach of a day!

MERRY MERRY KING OF THE BUSH IS HE

2011-09-23T13:08:00.000+01:00

Of late i’ve been taking a slightly more painterly approach to my illustration.
And what better way to show you than with a koala and a kookaburra sitting in an old gum tree (especially as the koala has cracked out the didgeridoo)!

I feel unable to post this illustration of animals native to Australia without mention of the deep fondness in my heart I have for the place. I first visited 10 years back and have returned a few times since.
Once there I always get a strange feeling of returning home, yet an uplifting excitement of being on some kind of frontier.

Have a great weekend people!

AN AUTUMN OFFER

2011-09-20T17:15:00.000+01:00

Good sound advice for enjoying those seasons that may not be your favourites has always been to embrace them rather than fight them!
I do love Autumn with amongst other things the vague memories of childhood Harvest Festivals; of the odd mix of tinned goods and allotment grown vegetables piled on a covered canteen table.

If you want to embrace the Autumn even more so, head over to my Etsy store where my Gourd prints are on promotion, 25% off!

Days past

2011-09-15T15:55:00.000+01:00

Never could skate. Always wanted to. A mortal fear of concrete.

AUTUMN and Memories

2011-09-12T11:38:00.000+01:00

And so it’s autumn. 3 years back, in 2008, my year consisted of 2 autumns (and 2 winters). During the first autumn that year I ended up doing some unskilled labouring in the vineyards of Marlborough, New Zealand. As well as working, I did manage to hire a bicycle for a day and peddle my way around the wine trail and free wine tastings! The vineyards around Renwick and Blenheim were just beautiful with all the leaves turning and the sheep grazing amongst the rows of vines and canes.

The reason I am sharing this now is down to a map illustration I have been working on based on the Marlborough Wine Trail (a self-initiated project to help develop my work), a detail of which you can see below!

The second autumn that year I was back here in England. I dream of going back someday, with my dearest, and with money to burn and time to kill. For now though, i'll have to make do with drawing maps.

AT THE END OF THE ROAD FESTIVAL

2011-09-07T10:34:00.000+01:00

We just had a glorious long weekend at the End of the Road Festival, so I thought i’d share a few photographs.

During what felt like the final throws of summer we took afternoon naps laid on lawns to the blissful sounds of Jolie Holland, drank cider and ale with a grin as we marveled at the delight that was Beirut, chuckled at the riveting Josh T. Pearson and the wondersome John Grant; bobbed our heads to the delightful Diagrams and the grungy set of Kurt Vile.

Oh and let’s not forget the roaming peacocks....

Into The Wilderness....

2011-09-01T13:13:00.000+01:00

Erm, well sort of. More like into a field in the lovely English countryside; under the stars by night, and hopefully bathed in sun by day. Yes, we'll be setting off for the End Of The Road festival soon, and if you're there too you may spot me or my lovely lady sporting one of these.....

But before I finish the packing, time for Fika, all be it on my lonesome.
Hej hej!

Music festival excitement!

2011-08-30T09:34:00.000+01:00

My blogging has been a little erratic of late I’m afraid, as I have been beavering away (in between distractions), working on my illustration style and on a few grander ideas.

I will be posting a few bits up soon.

Later this week, in a couple of days actually, we’ll be off to the wonderful End of the Road festival, which is comparatively on our doorstep, in the North Dorset countryside! Headlining this year are Beirut and Joanna Newsom!

Inspired by all this, here’s a stripy folky fiend badger.....

Oh, Delicious Beer!

2011-08-22T17:51:00.000+01:00

Those that know me, know of my love for beer and food, both of which can bring about bouts of obsessive behaviour in me. I know I am not alone. I try not to think of food as much as I used to, because it would invariably end in hours spent in the kitchen rather than at my desk or in the print studio. I do sometimes have ideas for recipe books or visual recipes though. One such idea is this, Nose to Tail. Pilsner to Ale, a book idea of food and beer matching.

A Cornish jaunt!

2011-08-17T12:34:00.000+01:00

Yesterday meant a daytrip/side trip jaunt to Padstow in Cornwall, with the naive hope of sketching boats, fish, fishermen etc. A hope which was met only by a horde of holiday-makers. A crashing wave of crying kids, Cornish pasties, ice cream, fish & chips, tetchy parents and Rick Stein branded eateries. I did manage an escape from the quay in Padstow to relative tranquility on the estuary; and on the way home we stopped at a farm shop, just into Dorset and picked up a few things. Eating plums in the car and gazing out to sea!

Weathered by Summers past

2011-08-10T10:32:00.000+01:00

Well finally, one year on, my book Jack Russell & John Dory: a dog and fish story, very kindly spoken of by Julia Rothman on her awesome site Book By It's Cover is now available to the worldwide market at the click of a button! Well what I really mean to say is that the remaining copies of the 2nd and last edition (of 30) are available to buy at my Etsy Store!

VINTAGE MARKET TOMORROW!

2011-08-05T10:46:00.000+01:00

It's the start of another month and that means that the Vintage & craft Market is on, here on the Dorset coast in Boscombe. It is the final time the market will be held outdoors this year (, it moves indoors for the autumn & winter months,) and hopefully the small-sunny-festival-feel will finally return for one last jig!

To be honest the atmosphere and footfall has declined rapidly over the summer, which is a shame as this is the only real event of its kind for miles and miles, and so needs support. So let's hope this is a good one!
So, do come visit us and me tomorrow, if you are are nearby!

This is by no means a new screenprint, but I don't think that he's had the spot light he deserves (I have big plans for this ukulele picking bear!)
There are still a few left, so he will be for sale tomorrow at the Vintage Market and is on sale now at my Etsy store!
Cheers! Have an awesome weekend!

SHOP NOW OPEN!!!!!!

2011-07-26T10:26:00.000+01:00

Fanfare please!
Yes! Finally, after much procrastinating I have opened my online store at ETSY!
There are a few goods on sale there to begin with, more to follow soon.
So please take a browse!

LION STREET STORE, Rye, East Sussex.

2011-07-12T14:51:00.000+01:00

Two posts on the blog in one day, I think a first for me.
Around the middle of last month I mentioned in passing that I was working on a logo for a store set to open in Rye, East Sussex later this summer. So I'm proud to say that the logo is finished and beginning to be put to use!
Lion Street Store is, in there own words;

'A design led family store, Lion Street Store is set to open shortly. Stocking the finest in unusual homewares, toys, textiles, jewellery, stationery and confectionery alongside original artwork and prints. We will be showcasing the work of such innovative designers as Rob Ryan, Donna Wilson and Lisa Stickley as well as undiscovered talent from Portland, Oregon and New York City.'

It was such a pleasure working with someone with whom I felt I was on the same page as from day one. I wish you all the luck in the world with the store Sarah, but by the sound of it you won't need it!

More to come of Lion Street Store here soon I'm sure!
Anyhow, so here's the logo:

Love and Mermaids....

2011-07-12T09:13:00.000+01:00

A NEW screenprint! After quiet sometime of it bugging me I finally got around to realising this print, and had a bit of a play with colour schemes and style in the process too.

Foxes in the garden of Eden!

2011-07-05T17:53:00.000+01:00

Amazing, amazing, amazing! Me and my fine lady were at the Eden Project in Cornwall last week for the Fleet Foxes show, and, well... AMAZING!
Here's a couple of photographs. The Eden project is so lovely...

..... I know it's been a lot of 'other stuff' of late but more illustration work soon I promise!

Also, my Print Exhibition has finally come down at the Gowlett in South east London. Thank you to everyone that popped by!

Market this weekend

2011-06-30T17:03:00.000+01:00

It's that time again. Boscombe Vintage Market. That's on saturday! In the meanwhile we're off to see one of our favourite bands play! Pray for dry weather, please.
Have an awesome weekend and if you live local, or even semi-local, do pop by my market stall....oh there's rumoured a ukulele band to accompany the sound of fervent shoppers too!

Talking of music..... here's something to help kick start your weekend early!
A piece of ol' good time fun!

THIS LITTLE PLACE I KNOW (no.2)

2011-06-24T09:17:00.000+01:00

ROSENDALS TRADGARD CAFE
Djurgården, Stockholm, Sweden

On the island of Djurgården, in central Stockholm is this lovely place, Rosendals Cafe. When I visited with my friend, a native Swede, it was the most wonderful kind of shelter from the summer rain. A field of courgettes pointed the way, before the apple orchard and the dahlias.

Rosendals Trädgård is a organically cultivated open garden, with a cafe/bakery and shop.

My photographs perhaps do not do it justice. But if you're ever in Stockholm, it's a lovely place to spend a lazy afternoon, whatever the weather.

Have some lunch and a bottle of Nils Oscar beer!

MIDSUMMER GREETINGS

2011-06-21T08:34:00.002+01:00

Happy Midsummer! Glad Midsommar!
This time last year it was toasty warm and me and my better half celebrated midsummer with a bbq on an empty beach. This year is not bbq-ing beach weather.
I am unsure when and why i adopted the celebrating of the Summer Solstice in my own small way, it's not something us English whole heartedly do as a rule of thumb, though i know some regions do, and good on you!.
As you may see from my goat playing the lute, titled 'Glad Midsommar', the inspiration i take is derived from the Swedish festivities. I think the seed was planted in my mind the year i spent midsummer in Sweden, nine years past....
Anyway, go, be merry, spend time with nature, loved ones; dress with wildflowers, and eat pickled herrings......

(Ps. More animals playing musical instruments... i know, i know... it's beginning to become an obsession.)

THIS LITTLE PLACE I KNOW (no.1)

2011-06-17T10:09:00.000+01:00

This blog was begun and, in general, is a show-and-tell for my illustration work.

However, i thought that from time to time i may sprinkle it with other inspirations, interests and passions. The first being this. ‘THIS LITTLE PLACE I KNOW’.

The title is self explanatory, and obvious.... and on the most part cringe-worthy and conceited when said aloud... but hey, let’s roll with it!

So, there's this little place i know.....

THE SPRIG & FERN

Milton St., Nelson, New Zealand

Where do i start? The Sprig & Fern Tavern shall forever be etched on my memory.

A place where they serve craft beer (and great local wines) from somewhere that looks like someone’s house on a residential street. Where you can order food platters to go with your Pale Ale or Tasman Lager, or if you fancy fush ‘n’ chups you can pop next door to the fish and chip shop, place your order, head back to the pub and they’ll deliver your food to you!!!!

It’s a place you can and will end up talking to anyone. In one evening alone I spoke to some folks from the local newspaper, the ex-coach of the Tasman Makos (rugby) and was invited to play in a 'soccer' match the following morning. (Never quite made that one!)

There was a meat raffle, and i’d never felt so welcome in a room full of strangers.

It was nearly 3 years ago that i visited, becoming a regular for a week in late Autumn, and i do hope it is still the same there. Since then they have expanded to 5 taverns in the local area, serving the local communities!

The one i’m talking about is located on Milton St., Nelson.

Did i mention they do takeaway beer too?!

So if you’re ever in the area......

Badgers and other NEWS!

2011-06-16T15:50:00.002+01:00

This little fellow keeps popping up but, although a dead cert for Valentine's, he's intent on spreading the love throughout the weeks and seasons of the year! (Here in the form of an oversized hand screenprinted greetings card!)

Now, that Badgers are good lovers and even better banjo players should not come as news to anyone... but the fact that I'm currently designing a logo for a little store on the southeast coast of this sometimes fair isle should!
The store sounds like it will be amazing, and the proprietor has some wonderful stock and people lined up... alas I cannot share too much at present, suffice to say that it involves a lion with a penchant for the sea.
More soon.
Plus i've decided to (attempt to) begin a few regular features to keep you lovely people interested! The first one will be posted in the next day or two!
Cheers

VINTAGE & CRAFT MARKET, TAKE TWO!

2011-06-08T15:20:00.001+01:00

Here are some photographs of last weekend's Boscombe Vintage Market, and my wares on sale!
Again met some lovely folk.... especially a very fine bearded fellow in a Magnolia Electric Co. t-shirt and his lady friend, who came to buy a bear with a ukulele... unable to find the real thing they headed home with a screen print of said animal and instrument instead!
Though it was quieter than the month before, the market was fun and I shall be back next month.
The next one is on Saturday July 2nd! Come along if you can!

As I've mentioned before I'm being a little lame on opening an online store, however if you see anything on here that you may like to purchase or enquire about then please contact me on the email address listed on the adjacent panel!

Flora & Faun-a!

2011-05-28T12:04:00.000+01:00

Elderflower, Roses, Fauns and Horns..... I'm building a paradise here!

BOSCOMBE VINTAGE MARKET is on again, next saturday, June 4th. So if you're local or in the area pop by my stall!

Bits and bobs!

2011-05-20T16:42:00.000+01:00

Here are a few of my wares photographed on our beautiful new-but-old birch coffee table!

And they are:

1. Hand sewn and hand printed 'Mullet Repeat' calico cushion cover

2. 'In Gourd We Trust' print

3. 'Love You!' badger greetings card

WATERSTONE'S BRIGHTON

2011-05-08T19:20:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I was in Brighton! I had kindly been invited to the Tiggles Children's Group at Waterstone's bookshop in the city to talk about what I do, read some stories and make some little picture books with a small group of kids. It was the first time I'd ever done such a thing and I really did enjoy it! So thank you Lauren and also Martha for having me yesterday!
Here are a couple of photos!
Honestly there were kids there! It wasn't just lonesome old me!

BOSCOMBE VINTAGE MARKET

2011-05-03T13:53:00.000+01:00

'Come 'n' get cha lovely gourds! Greeetings cards! The best money can buy!'

That's right folks I had my first market trading experience this weekend! And, dare I say, it was great.

It was at Boscombe Vintage Market, just down the road from me, down here in sunny Dorset.

It's more that vintage wares and thrift store finds though. There were cakes, original prints, upholstery, handmade jewellery, live music etc.

I meet some lovely people and sold a few bit and bobs, with the help of my lovely assistant/girlfriend Amy, and I plan to go back for more next month, as the market has become a monthly event on the local calender!

New Exhibition

2011-04-20T13:06:00.000+01:00

Whoop whoop! Not only is the sun shining bright on little old England, but I have also just hung an exhibition of new (and old) screenprints up at a fab pub The Gowlett in Peckham, SE15 London.
Check it out if you're in the area, and go on, have a lovely pint of real ale while you're at it, they also serve pretty damned good pizzas too!
But I hope you enjoy these couple of 'throw-away' photographs of it if you are separated from south London by mountains, asphalt, water, valleys or time.

1 TODAY!

2011-04-15T15:11:00.000+01:00

Yes that’s right! Exactly 1 year ago to this day I began this here blog, Out of the Wilderness... with the intention of doing exactly that; sharing my work, in the struggle to carve out a possible living in the world of illustration and writing.

And, looking back, it’s gone pretty good! I’ve met some lovely people, learnt how to screenprint, been published for the first time, sold my first pieces of work and had my first little exhibition.

Obviously, as nearly all illustrators starting out will tell you, it’s not all roses by any stretch of the imagination, and ‘starting out’ 13 years after art school may have it’s own challenges too, but drawing and writing is a compulsion, you see.

If you’ve been following this blog I thank you very much and assure you there is much more and better things to come! And if you are viewing this all for the first time then ‘Cheers, nice to meet you! Do please come again.’

Not just pipe dreams....

2011-04-07T18:08:00.000+01:00

New screenprint for an upcoming exhibition!

KEEP ON TRUGGIN'!!!

2011-04-01T16:51:00.000+01:00

'Come in beetroot. Do you copy?'

'Heading for the big apple. Over.'

'10-4 butternut! Over and out.'

OUT TODAY! is a Tea Towel I have designed for the awesome folks at ToDryFor, and their own lovely range by some quite formidable artists, and me.

And it's out in time for all you green-finger folk, just as you're getting your hands dirty again in your gardens, window boxes and allotments! Viva La Spring!

Happy truggin'!

Photographs courtesy of ToDryFor.com

ANORAK! Spring Issue OUT NOW!

2011-03-21T11:21:00.000Z

That's right, the latest issue of ANORAK: the happy mag for kids is OUT NOW!
It's here to help us welcome in the Spring, by celebrating the great Outdoors!......
So it's time to brush off that bicycle saddle, dig out that frisbee and think about getting outside!
And while your thinking about doing that you can see and read my latest little story in ANORAK. Enjoy!
Available here or here!

Spring time! Cause for celebration!

2011-03-15T15:18:00.000Z

Here's a design I did for a congratulatory card for some friends of ours. Congrats!

NEW SPACE

2011-03-10T16:59:00.000Z

Hey, folks!
I've had a break from ongoing projects to move abode and settle into my lovely new work space! But I'm back.
My little print exhibit ends at Petitou, the lovely cafe in Peckham, South London this weekend. But I shall hopefully have a marginally larger exhibit returning to South London in April.
Exciting things are always afoot and my Etsy shop should finally be up and running by the end of March at the latest, selling screenprints, greetings cards, books...... and, other to be announced, wares!!!!

If you are in the Dorset area this weekend come check out the big exhibition by the printmaking co-op Poole Printmakers, at the Lighthouse Arts centre in Poole!

A newish screenprint below, to wet(!)... sorry... to whet your appetite!

TALL TALES & FISH SCALES

2011-02-16T16:41:00.000Z

I love tall stories, short stories... well, any stories really.

And as winter is gradually nudged aside, I feel inspired again by my coastal habitat.......

Here's some things I've stumbled across, in various ways, that have interested me this week so far:

Iron & Wine singing Joy Division. Love From Hetty & Dave (a lovely local shop and now selling some of my prints and cards!). And the wonderful photographer Victoria Crayhon and her project Thoughts on Romance from the Road.

ONE BADGER BAND!

2011-02-07T21:40:00.000Z

A new drawing!
It's a stripey stripey fiend.......... with a banjo!

BEAR PRINT

2011-02-04T17:17:00.000Z

Here's a new print of mine.
Whether you are collecting wood, celebrating Chinese New year or watching old movies whilst eating sea-salted caramel popcorn, have a great weekend!

PETITOU EXHIBITION!

2011-01-31T15:20:00.000Z

After some long but fun hours in the print studio I now have my first small exhibition of prints up!
It's at the delightful cafe Petitou in Southeast London. So if you're in the Peckham/ Dulwich area, and also in need of caffeine and baked goods, come visit!
Prints are for sale! And it will run until March.

More photographs to follow. These were a weary effort upon finishing the wall hanging, after a long day.....

PRINTMAKING SESSION!

2011-01-19T19:00:00.000Z

Firstly, my letter to santa was a success (though my lovely girlfriend may have intercepted it!) and I have a new camera. So here's a photograph...... a surfer and the moon.
And secondly, I have begun the year with a printmaking frenzy....... so here are some pics of some work in progress! Here's to 2011!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2010-12-24T11:07:00.000Z

Eat, drink, be merry! Thanks to everyone who has been following my blog for the first year of it's life! Good things to come in 2011. So, wishing you a lovely yuletide and a happy and prosperous new year!

Fruits of Winter labour

2010-12-15T17:31:00.000Z

My mind is slowly being seduced by the thought of wonderful, luxurious festive foods, recipes and culinary ideas! To feed my appetite, whilst still working, I find myself drawing ........

Winter ANORAK!

2010-11-26T16:30:00.000Z

I'm in ANORAK again! Yay! That happy mag for kids.
It's a fun 2-page spread with a rhyme about animals and geography.
Get your copy of this Winter Issue here or check here for stockists!

Ps. Sorry for poor photos, again! I'm drafting my letter to santa this week...

Buy. Sell......

2010-11-26T15:31:00.000Z

Greetings! My Christmas cards are available at the wonderful shop COMMA in Oxford; It's owned by the fab folks behind To Dry For!

I should also have my very own Etsy shop up and running by the new year, so you'll be able to get your paws on other things there if you fancy, soon I hope!

Time for season's greetings......

2010-11-11T18:18:00.000Z

It pains me to use the 'C' word any earlier than late Autumn, but now it feel's okay to mention it.... so here are my Christmas cards!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2010-10-31T18:34:00.000Z

These are the things in my Witches Brew

for all hallows eve, a most gruesome drink

as thick as stew...

MORE BOOKS!!!!

2010-10-29T12:23:00.001+01:00

Yes, that's right!

As promised my book 'JACK RUSSELL & JOHN DORY: a dog and fish story' is now available in a (slightly) larger second edition of 30! To get your hands on a lovely copy, please email me at:

nicholas_frith(at)hotmail.co.uk

POOLE LITERARY FESTIVAL

2010-10-27T14:16:00.000+01:00

Starting on friday, and just for 3 days, is the inaugural Poole Literary Festival, here in Dorset.

Poole Printmakers (the printmaking co-op workshop that I'm part of) will have an exhibition of artist's books and prints by it's members and many items will be for sale.

Here's a my print for it. A hand letterpressed piece of fun, in an edition of only 3....... I will also be displaying (and hopefully selling) copies of my second edition of JACK RUSSELL & JOHN DORY...

so if you're in the near vicinity please pop in over the weekend.......

Stork Delivery!

2010-10-19T17:43:00.000+01:00

Some friends of mine recently had a little delivery in Hong Kong!

Congratulations again guys! Ni hao to the little one!

This was the card I did for them.

Owl is for Autumn

2010-10-02T11:54:00.000+01:00

It's an unabashedly folksy owl!

Sorry it's been a while since I posted last.
Hope you have been enjoying a copy of ANORAK in the meanwhile though.....

NEWS: I shall have a second (larger) edition of JACK RUSSELL & JOHN DORY: a dog and fish story available later this month! If you are interested in getting your hands on a piece of the seaside please drop me an email.

ANORAK: the happy mag for kids!

2010-09-16T16:23:00.000+01:00

The story goes like this...........
I had been admiring this incredible 'happy mag for kids' since day one (, now in it's 16th issue,) and so you can imagine how overjoyed I was when the folks at ANORAK said they'd like to use one of my stories in their awesome magazine, and have me illustrate it too!
And finally here it is, with my story Lost in the Library; a tale of a boy's surprisingly eventful though accidental visit to the county library.
Out in the shops today!

Check here for your local stockist.
Now go buy a copy, and if you know any kid's, buy them a copy too! And if you don't, buy a copy for a friend, as it is the Friendship Issue after all!
I'd also just like to say that it is great to be in such good company as other contributing artists like Jack Teagle et al.
So, thank you Cathy and ANORAK!

ps. Sorry once again for the poor quality photographs. A new camera is top of my when-I-have-money shopping list!

my mind wanders........

2010-08-31T19:40:00.000+01:00

Well I've been fairly busy last couple of weeks, but with nothing I can really post as of yet. Super excited about going to the End Of The Road festival next week though; so thought I'd share a little drawing I did of the great Iron & Wine (who are playing this year's bill)! If you don't know them, check them out!

a little print

2010-08-20T17:51:00.000+01:00

After a lovely warm summer, autumn appears to be sneaking in early. I may have mistakenly perpetuated this by doing a small proof print of a 'turban squash', whilst learning the joys of solar etching plates!

(Sorry for the poor quality photo...hmmm..)

Orders for 'Jack Russell & John Dory' book

2010-08-12T10:58:00.000+01:00

Hey there, I've had a few lovely requests for my book, so thank you! If you are one of those who have showed interested in purchasing a copy (, sorry I have not worked out how to contact you,) or you would just like to buy one anyhow, please email me at:
nicholas_frith@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks

Have a great day and check out www.book-by-its-cover.com/ and the kind words Julia Rothman wrote on her awesome blog/site, and all the other great work featured!

And if you are looking for a quiet musical interlude today I heartily recommend: www.myspace.com/thewildernessofmanitoba and listen to 'Hermit'.

A werewolf named Oliver James

2010-08-10T18:50:00.000+01:00

This is a little drawing i've been putting in with my written manuscript submissions for a children's picture book project of mine, A werewolf named Oliver James. It's the story of a boy trying to get home after turning into a werewolf!
Still looking for a publisher...............

Fresh fish! Today's catch!

2010-08-01T18:12:00.000+01:00

Hey, well I have finally had my little picture book Jack Russell & John Dory: a dog and fish story printed, as a first edition of only five. And I'm pretty chuffed to have it done and dusted, now I have more room in my head for other ideas! Not sure what will become of the book, but we'll see.....

The basics of it is that it's a story about the confusion of names, with a little cock-and-bull and sea shanty thrown in for good measure!

Jack Russell & John Dory: a dog and fish story

2010-07-21T17:37:00.000+01:00

Hey, I have almost finished a small picture book project that's been an ongoing idea for a few years now, called Jack Russell & John Dory: a dog and fish story. It will finally be printed next week (limited first edition of 5) if all goes to plan! Here's an drawing from it.

Elderflower break!

2010-07-21T17:26:00.000+01:00

Well firstly, I've ended up having a blog break partially forced on me due to no internet connection!

Therefore light refreshment was needed in the form of making some AWESOME elderflower cordial!

Midsummer!

2010-06-21T13:13:00.000+01:00

A quick illustration in celebration of midsummer/midsommar...
... which is today!

The Semi-ornate Corner Borders folk band

2010-06-16T10:23:00.000+01:00

A fews things I've enjoyed over the past week or so.....
Stuart Pearson Wright's 'I Remember You' exhibition at Riflemaker Gallery, Beak Street, W1.
Jack Teagle's exhibit at the recently opened Nobrow Gallery, in east london (and the memories the area brought back of youthful excitement).
Listening to Dan Auerbach's 'Keep it hid' LP.

More World Free-diving Champion '72-'75...

2010-06-04T16:04:00.003+01:00

When he was a man of lesser years, the women in town would coo; Isn't he beautiful, so majestic.

They'd 'Oohh' and 'Aahh' as if they had seen a dolphin leap clean from the water in a backwards somersault even when he but entered a room. But Thierry Rimbaud only had one love, and that was the sea.

Umm, sunshine......

2010-06-03T15:40:00.004+01:00

Greetings. This is one of the prints from my printmaking session the other week.

For those of you that don't know what a 'Ute' is, shame on you!

You were obviously not suckled on the Aussie soap 'Neighbours' as a child, or indeed, as an adult.

And a drawing in preparation and anticipation of a long fiddled book project I shall finally get around to finishing by the end of this month: JACK RUSSELL & JOHN DORY: a dog and fish story.

Enjoy the weekend! I'll be on the beach. BBQ-ing, and listening to the Lemonheads, the Low Anthem, Chad VanGaalen and most probably some other lovely music that washes over me and canters through my brain....... oh shit i think it's time to dig out the Getz/Gilberto record........

new printmaking

2010-05-23T11:07:00.010+01:00

I've spent the last week or so back and forth at a print studio in nearby Poole. A strange, large town that I discovered has no a print/copy shop anywhere! I did however find an amazing hardware store, the sort that makes you feel that you have stepped back in time. Poole Printmakers studio is also such a diamond in the rough.

So this was all a bit of a maiden voyage into the world of screenprinting. Now I'm hooked.

Here are a few fruits of my labour and a peek into the Poole Printmakers studio.

... and 'The Welcome Deer' print.

ps. I promise to post more regularly as things come together.

'LE MORSE'

2010-04-30T12:45:00.003+01:00

This is Theirry Rimbaud - ‘Le Morse’ ( ‘The Walrus’) - World free-diving champion ’72 -’75.

It was around the winter of ’72 that Theirry Rimbaud became affectionately known as ‘Le Morse’. For a man with such grace this would initially appear an insult, had you not seem him sporting the grand new moustache that had made many remark how it resembled the whiskers of a walrus. As a boy, Theirry Rimbaud had indeed been called ‘Le Dauphin’, but as he got older and age took hold of his body, on dry land the title of ‘Le Morse’ seemed more fitting.

However as soon as he slipped into the water he was the same Thierry Rimbaud who had once helped his grandfather dive for sea urchins.............

Well, I'm still feeling my way around this blog thing at the moment, deciding what it is to become so please hold with me. In the meanwhile I'll be posting bits of various works in progress.

Hope you enjoy.

Let's go crabbing!

2010-04-19T13:22:00.004+01:00

I have a growing obsession with the sea, the seaside, fish and basically anything a bit nautical. I was both happy and horrified to see that the 'nautical' style is apparently 'sooo in'. But don't get me wrong I'm not talking Jean-Paul Gaultier here, but more like Steve Zissou!

I've been trying to work on my portfolio of children's illustration too, hence this drawing.

Welcome!

2010-04-15T13:44:00.006+01:00

It's spring, and a good time to begin my blog, I think.

I've been working on some illustrations for a children's short story I wrote a while back, to be published in a kids magazine early summer.... more soon on that. So it's an exciting time, with getting to spend time in the print room too. But I will spare you the springtime analogies.

Instead, here's an unrelated drawing.