Queen Of The Road Since 1952... Tea Towel.

As I have been asked to exhibit at the forth coming Vulpine Cycling Fete I thought I'd create something to commemorate the Jubilee, sell exclusively at the Vulpine Cycling Fete and finally work on something I could get screenprinted. The Royals are always appearing on commemorative stuff and as I've kinda got mugs out now I thought the next best thing would be a tea towel.

I searched high and low for a screen printer and met Dan Mather after being introduced to him by Ed at Milltag, Dan's bloody skilled, and his recent work for the exhibition "Who Is Rupert Ray?" proved to me he was the man for the job. I've decided to keep the first run of towels pretty small, so they are limited to 50. They will be sold at £10 each. If they sell well I'll be organising a second print run for sure and probably sell them here.

Once i get some shots of the final printed towel I'll post them on here... But for now this is the artwork.

Team Sky Mugs Launch...

You can now buy the official Team Sky Mugs over on the Rouleur Website! For more info see the post below, but needless to say I'm completely blown away with the fact I have been working with one of the worlds best cycling teams and the biggest names in the sport. Thank you to Cav, Wiggo, G and Swifty also Fran Millar at Team Sky and everyone at Rouleur Magazine. Now SWOOP HERE and get your hands on em... they won't be around for long.

Vulpine Cycling Fete... Jubilee Weekend...

I've been invited by the lovley people at Vulpine to take part in the "Vulpine Cycling Fete" on the Monday of the Jubilee weekend [4th of June.] I'm really looking forward to it, and planning a fun way of selling off cycling prints and perhaps a Queen inspired tea towel [if i can get them sorted in time.] So come along to Balham Bowls Club from 12pm - 6pm and check out my work and all the other awesome brands, frame builders and artists on show. It's going to be a hoot...

Ronde Edinburgh...

Edinburgh Castle with on a wonderful day.

As the plane touched down in Edinburgh on Friday afternoon the sunshine greeted us with some lovely spring warmth. We dropped off our stuff and headed to Ronde to meet everyone, say hello and take a quick look at the space I'd be filling for my first ever exhibition. I find words like 'Exhibiton' and 'Artist' a bit odd, [perhaps its nerves or not wanting to seem like a big head] they fill me slightly with dread as they often come with pretence or self appointed notions or grandeur. This isn't me at all, and was one of the things I've always wanted to avoid. So when Neil Dryden from Ronde in Edinburgh got in touch about exhibiting work on their walls I was nervous to say the least.


Neil Dryden is one of the most enthusiastic people I've ever met, he loves all things cycling and Ronde is his and Neil Millsop's [the Neil with the beard] baby. They've done a fantastic job, creating a shop which encapsulates everything I love about the sport and the culture around it. The people that work there, such as ex pro cyclist John Stollery are knowledgeable, warm and friendly without ever looking down their noses at people which you some times get from Local Bike Shop types. The shop is stocked with the a fantastic range of brands such as Cinelli and Singular, it was difficult to not reach for the credit card when surrounded by such bike based wonder.

 
We'd been working on the plan for the show for about a month, and things had come together brilliantly, I had my prints done with my local printers down here in Brighton [Frame Factory] and then they were nervously packaged within an inch of their lives and sent up to Edinburgh. They arrived safely and were then passed into the safe hands of Ronde's own framing wizard Andy Shaw. Andy framed the prints at local framers Altered Images Scotland and when I saw them for the first time I was blown away by the quality and attention to detail he had paid my work. Andy Shaw is also a photographer [a man of many talents it seems] and the photos of the prints in the framing process are by him, I think they're brilliant. We were greeted that Friday evening almost like old friends and from then I knew the weekend was going to be a great one.

photo by Andy Shaw

photo by Andy Shaw

photo by Andy Shaw

photo by Andy Shaw

photo by Andy Shaw

photo by Andy Shaw

Arriving the next morning both Elli and myself set to work hanging the pieces on the walls. First working out the best way to group things [Elli's experience in this was a god send] and then putting everything up. The shop was filling with cyclists, coffee lovers and families enjoying a morning out in Edinburgh. All seemed to really enjoy the work going up and were looking forward to coming back later to see everything up and share a beer and a chat. Sitting with a brew later that day the time had flown by, and looking at the my work on the walls I couldn't help but feel proud of how it all looked. It's difficult to get a handle on the wide reaching effect a magazine like Rouleur has on the cycling world. People love the mag, how it breaks from the norm and creates quality pieces in more and more of an interesting way. To be part of that suddenly hit home in a way I hadn't felt before, to go from my house in Sussex to now exhibiting for the people of Edinburgh was a really awesome [if a little nerve jangling] feeling. I just hoped someone came to the private view that evening. But with twitter and the promise of beer, wine, nibbles and good cycling chat I thought we would at least get one person...

Returning later with Elli and with the sun still streaming in through the windows of the shop I opened my first beer of the evening. People came, and then kept coming. Faces, names and even voices [the lovely chaps from the velo club don logan arrived and I heard them before I spotted them] came through the door of the shop, all with a big grin on their faces wanting to see the work, chat to me and talk about cycling in general. The noise level in the shop got louder and as I met new person after new person the time flew by. One of the first people I saw were a couple I'd created a portrait for last year. Martin Farrell and his wife Diana were one of the first commissioned portraits [you can see it if you click on their names] I'd done and to chat to them was fantastic. People I'd recognise through sometimes obscure twitter names were really great to meet and put a real name and face to the one hundred and forty character interactions in the past. Jim Speakman for example was wearing one of my t-shirts pretty proudly and it was great to chat to him and others. The night went on and the beer and wine flowed. People that had just met seemed to be chatting happily, all coming together for their love for all things cycling and the culture that surrounds it.

Portrait By Graham Farr

Graham and Gary from the Velo Club Don Logan Podcast produced a microphone and asked if I'd like to be involved in another Podcast [I'd been interviewed by them before] and I was happy to be involved, they both love the sport of cycling and are really doing a lot to promote the sport in Scotland at the moment. You can hear the result by visiting their site CLICKING HERE. and going to 27min 35sec ish.



A real highlight of the night was meeting Scott Mitchell, who, along with his good friend Bradley Wiggins had created the book "On Tour Bradley Wiggins." Scott, who is now working with Team Sky, went to the Tour with Bradley and the book documents an inside view of the race. When the book came out it stood out to me straight away as both a cycling fan and photography fan. So to meet Scott, for him to come to my show and for him to say how much he liked the work was really flattering.

The night drew to an end, and we said our farewells and headed back to the place we were staying in Grassmarket. With a slight fuzzy head I woke the next morning. The night had been a success and when we visited Ronde the next day to watch the Tour of Flanders more people chatted to me about the work on the walls. Eventually the time came to head home. Saying our goodbyes took some time as we had made a lot of friends in the short time we'd spent there. I can't wait to head back to Scotland again soon, whether that is for a visit, exhibition or the cyclocross race HaughCross in July.

Putting on this show was a first for me, but I'm hoping it won't be the last time I get to do it. If you run a place that would like to show my work then click the email link and on the left and get in touch. Also, if you've seen any of my images and would like to buy them? give me a shout. The printers I work with in Brighton do a fantastic job and the work looks really great hanging on the wall. Alternatively you can check out the Rouleur Print Shop and order some of my work online. Thanks for reading and see you out on the bike...

My first autograph... seriously.

Sneak Peak... Team Sky Mugs.

This picture was released today via the Team Sky Pro Cycling twitter feed. So I can now happily announce that these official mugs, illustrated by me, will be on sale very soon!!! More info to come, and some really nice photos to. I'd like to thank everyone at Team Sky, Rouleur Magazine and the riders involved; Mark Cavendish, Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas and Ben Swift. It's a pretty proud moment for me to work with the biggest names in the sport I love. Thankyou.

NOTE: A new 'modfather of cycling' style WIGGO is in the pipeline [hence the lack of close up for now... coming very very soon!]

RONDE March 31st 2012... I'm showing in Edinburgh!

Hello! It's been ages since I posted up here, as I've been busy with loads of stuff I can't talk about right now for some really exciting cycling brands. I'm hoping to be able to shout about them soon, so keep your eyes on my twitter feed or back here for more info.

In other news something really exciting is happening on the evening of Saturday March the 31st. I've been invited by the lovely people at Ronde in Edinburgh to frame up some work and show it in their fantastic store. I'll be showing pieces I've created for Rouleur magazine and a whole array of portraits of famous riders. I can't wait and I'm hoping lots of people come along and say hello on the Saturday evening, I'm sure there'll be beer!

So if you're in Edinburgh? or know a cycling fan who might like to check it out? Come along. The prints will be for sale and we are hoping to auction off a couple for charity on the night. So See you at Ronde on the 31st. Thanks for reading!

PS. RONDE is found at 66-68 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh... [more info if you click on the word RONDE]

Don't Mug yourself... Get these instead...

After the first set of mugs sold out a couple of months ago, and with Christmas only round the corner [hint hint perfect Christmas gift nudge nudge] it seemed the perfect time for Rouleur and I to release 4 new mugs to sup your brew from, or your coffee, or whatever hot beverage you choose really...

Made by Stoke Potteries here in England they are a super stylish piece of porcelain...

Head over to the Rouleur website for more info, and I hope you like them. Thanks to all who have purchased one so far... These look set to be around as long as the last ones... not long.

Rapha Super Cross 2011...

Check out this fantastic video for the up and coming Rapha Super Cross Series happening across the UK this October... If you like bike racing, come along it's going to be fantastic... See them boards with the writing and drawing on... I did them... yup... a little claim to demi fame... Great work by Andy Waterman with the film its a cracker...

The Selection... By Bill Strickland

I was amazed this morning to read this piece on the Bicycling Magazine website. Bill Strickland, the magazines editor, (and someone i have corresponded with a lot recently after working on a commission for him) has written a really rather glowing review of my work. He even compares my work with the art great Keith Haring, which is a huge compliment. Sometimes its difficult to comprehend the impact the drawings i do have, and its things like this that make me realise that more than one man and his dog takes a look at this site. A big thanks to Bill and those at Bicycling Magazine for their support. And if you are checking out this site for the first time after reading Bills words HELLO... have a look around... but turn the lights off on your way out. Thanks... Read Bills piece by CLICKING ON ME...

Scott Lemond, GREG the t-shirt and THE Greg Lemond...

Spotted at InterBike in LasVegas... Put a massive grin on my face, thanks to David for the spot! If anyone ever see's the shirts on other cyclists let me know... I'm still over the moon that people are buying them. You still can... HERE

Portraits for Mark, Lindsey and Slim...

Above you can see a couple of the portraits I've been working on as commissions recently. They've been for clients as far flung as Australia and so far its been fantastic fun to create these illustrations for cyclists and fans of cycle sport. Below is a little feedback I've received:

Mark said: I love the image! It resembles me physically, of course, but more than that it captures a spirit and a feeling which perfectly sums up how I feel about riding my bike. The little smirk (the same as Tommy 
Simpson's I'm proud to say!) gives a hint of the pure enjoyment cycling gives me. It's great."


[take a look at Mark's framed print to give an example of what the final artwork looks like...]


Lindsey said: I am still laughing I love the print! I have joined the elite of the cycling world who would have thought when I was little i couldn't pedal enough to keep my dynamo light on . It's brilliant thank you this birthday girl is very happy and still laughing!


If you would like a portrait of your own? Or for a friend or club mate, such as the one i just finished for 'Super Slim' which was a present from his club mates for his 60th birthday, just click the email icon in the top left of the site and get in touch.


Keep your eyes on the site for more coming soon...

And The Winner Is...

After a HUGE response to the Tour De France Colour And Keep Competiton 2011, I am happy to announce that John Roued-Cunliffe has WON!!! his simple yet striking colour scheme, with the interesting use of the full Team Sky rider line up in the lettering really stood out to the judging panel and he wins the A4 EDDY print. More new cycling bits and bobs are in the pipeline, so keep an eye on the blog or my twitter feed for news on when they are going to land...

Thanks to ALL of you who entered this years Tour De France Colour and Keep Competition... Another one will appear next year!

The Ben Swift... Ga...Ler..Reee...

The Noveltones - Left Bank Two - Vision On Gallery Theme MP3 Download



So here are the entries SO FAR for this years Ben Swift Tour De France 2011 Colouring in competition 2011... Can you spot your picture? and if you want to enter there's still time, get your entry to me by email [link to the left, or on twitter [link on the left also] by Sunday the 24th of July and you can get in the draw to win my EDDY A4 print... So get the crayons out, click the Gallery theme tune, and get colouring!

Thankyou to all the people who have coloured in so far! they look Fantastic...

Portraits... Commissions... On Your Wall...

Above you can see my CATO portrait for Cato Felan, who got in touch recently and asked me to create this print for him. I've been thinking about offering these portraits for a while and working with Cato has made me realise how much fun it is. So, I'm now offering this to ALL!!!

You will get to work with me one to one and end up with something completely unique. I work with a great printers in Brighton who have been working with artists for many years. They use Giclee printing for really vibrant colours and the paper used for each portrait is 100% cotton 310g watercolour paper, which really looks fantastic.

I also created a twitter based avatar for Cato from the portrait, you can check it out HERE [give me a click]

If you think this could be something you'd like then click on the email envelope at the top of the page and lets have a chat about it... Looking forward to it.

The 2011 Colour And Keep...BEN SWIFT - TEAM SKY

So, here it is... My big COLOUR AND KEEP for this years Tour De France, and it's all about the young Yorkshire Team Sky wonder Ben Swift.

As a Yorkshire man darn sarf I love to get behind my fellow Yorkshire men and by PRINTING out the black and white image and colouring it in with anything you, your family, your kids see fit...

And... just like my Dan Lloyd print last year by tweeting/emailing [links on the top left] me your colourings i'll compile them all in a Tony Hart style Ga-Ler-Reee...

There is even a PRIZE [WOOOOOOOOOOOO i hear you cry] yes a PRIZE [so good i write it in caps] to the most creative colourererer and use of the picture i will send an A4 EDDY print... I know... yowzer. So colour it in, stick it up somewhere; on the fridge, on the cat, on your gran, or in your local cycle hang out. Lets get the support out for Ben in his first Tour De France...

SO GET THEM CRAYONS OUT AND SHOW SWIFTY OUR SUPPORT!!! Go NOW... Get Printing PLEASE!

ENTRY DEADLINE JULY 24th... the end of the Tour

The Bike Show... Jersey

The text below sums this up brilliantly, but I have to say it's fantastic to have worked with Milltag again creating this jersey from the logo I created for Jack Thurston and TheBikeShow... If you like it order it now!!!

Since 2004, the weekly show on London art radio Resonance FM‘s has brought the simple pleasures of going for a bike ride to the airwaves – and developed an enthusiastic following in London and worldwide. Now you can wear the jersey!

A collaboration with designer Richard Mitchelson, presenter Jack Thurston and Milltag, the jersey combines echoes of the past with a look that shouts ‘NOW’ in an eye-catching, witty yet fundamentally stylish creation. The burnished orange hue has been sported by some of cycling’s all time greats from Eddy Merckx in Molteni to the BiC teams of Jacques Anquetil and Luis Ocaña and today’s mountain men riding for Euskatel-Euskadi. It’s an indisputable fact: you’ll climb faster in orange.

As you pull away from the pack, other riders will be left admiring the mildly hypnotic flight of London pigeons on the back of the jersey. Three colour diagonal stripes catch the eye, and are a subtle nod to the Renault-Elf-Gitane jersey worn by Bernard Hinault, Greg LeMond and Laurent Fignon. Of course you can forget all the cycle sport heritage and just enjoy a beautiful jersey in the knowledge that this is a strictly limited production run just for Bike Show cognoscenti.

A share of the proceeds of sales of the jersey will go to keep Resonance FM, a registered charity, on air.

CLICK ME TO ORDER...

Gruppo Sportivo Gazzetta

My friends over at GS GAZZETTA asked me recently to create an illustration which would best represent their fantastic cycling club. This is what i came up with, it shows the full range of people in the club, men, women and children, set in a classic Italian family environment with the Mamma and Pappa at the front running the show...

If you like it? Are a member of GS GAZZETTA and want to show off your cycling club? or are in need of a new shirt for your summer wardrobe? then head over to GS GAZZETTA now where this image is now available as a T-shirt to buy... With the sun shinning there is nothing better than a new T... CLICK TO CHECK IT OUT...

Mugs what i draw... on Mugs what you buy!!!

The wordsmiths at Rouleur have summed it all up perfectly...

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Exhaustive testing and numerous cups of tea later, the Rouleur mugs are ready to be unleashed on a thirsty public from May 20. You can order now and they'll ship next week.

Rouleur's mugs are made from the finest quality bone china and manufactured in Stoke-on Trent, the heart of the Potteries, using modern techniques based on centuries of experience producing the best tableware in Britain.

Mr Mitchelson, a man partial to a brew or two, has imbibed to the gunwales over the past few weeks and confirms the bone china mugs are delightful to drink from and entirely dishwasher-proof – fitting vessels for his four iconic images. The only decision you have to make is whether to drink with Merckx, Simpson, Hinault or Millar.

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Thanks to all at Rouleur for sourcing these fantastic handmade china creations, the fact they are made in Britain is a real winner for me.

So, if you like tea like i do, or coffee, or any beverage for that matter, get hold of them HERE JUST CLICK!!!

The Bike Show...

Jack Thurston, the presenter of the Resonance FM show The Bike Show, approached me to create a new logo for his website, itunes, and twitter branding. I love listening to the show and was chuffed to bits that Jack had got in touch. The plan was to keep it simple and distinctive whilst maintaining the bike, London and fun element of the show. Hope you like it...

Since writing this post I have been a guest on 'the bike show' discussing the 'life and times of the cycling jersey' with presenter Jack Thurston, Photographer and co author [with Team Sky rider Michael Barry] of the fantastic book 'Le Metier' Camille Mcmillan, and designer and co creator of Rapha, Luke Scheybeler. I was amazed at how fast the show went and it was huge amounts of fun. I would love to be able to do it again... If you missed it you can CLICK HERE for the podcast, just click the play button. Thanks...