A PommieKnight's fiefdom

A Walk In Hockney Park

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:55:00 +0000

This is the finished version of my new painting - A Walk In Hockney Park. It’s acrylic on cotton canvas and is 22” x 16” (558mm x 406mm).

More detailed pictures appear on my Flickr account.

The lazy Knight's in.......

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:49:00 +0000

The more astute viewers among you will have noticed that my blog has acquired a thick coating of dust, grime and cobwebs of late. And, I’m sorry, but I cannot identify that green slimy stuff in the corner.

I am like a lot of people who start blogs - unless you’re fairly regimented in your blogging exercises, doing what you must do and doing what you want to do every day tends to get in the way of drafting and publishing posts. And, sadly, the time taken by the stuff I must do every day has increased a lot; thus pushing the things I want to do to the margins; thus pushing this blog right to the edge of the margins

In other news, over the past couple of months, I’ve started to paint. And found that I enjoy it more than any other form of image making I’ve undertaken. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy working digitally or customising models. It’s just the physical act of painting gives me an outlet that I don’t feel from other media - and my life as a carer (the things I must do on a daily basis) means that I need an outlet. Painting allows me to put my feelings and ideas on to canvas, and I prefer that to working digitally.

So, to cut a long, dull blog post short, I will be painting more than anything else in the future. I haven’t decided whether I shall put them on this blog or onto a new site devoted to that output. But in the meantime, here’s an image of my first couple of canvases.

The first canvas is entitled "A Gangster Fairytale" and is acrylic on canvas board - 14" x 18" / 355.6mm x 457.2mm

The second is a portrait of my wife - "A Study in Purple" - again, it's acrylic on canvas - 9" x 12" / 228.6mm x 304.8mm

Getting A Grip on Multiple Sclerosis

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:45:00 +0000

I make no apologies for this post being a mixture of personal and (semi) professional. If you've read my blog bio or follow me on Twitter, you would know that I am not only a pretty bloody good husband to my wife (and modest) but I am her carer too. She has Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the most commonly diagnosed neurological condition in the United Kingdom.

My latest work is an infographical-style poster with some basic facts and figures about MS in readiness for MS Awareness week in the UK, Monday 26th April to Friday 2nd May. I have a small number of these A3 sized posters available. If you'd like one, they're £5.00 each + P&P - £2.00 from each poster will go to the MS Society. If you'd like one, get at me on Twitter or e-mail me at pk[at]pommieknight[dot]co[dot]uk

In any case, please check out the sites for MS Awareness Week, the MS Society, MS Society Scotland, and MS Trust.

With love, comes....hope

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:48:00 +0000

A while ago, I posted on my sporadic blog about the efforts of a group of artists and illustrators to raise funds for UNICEF's Haiti earthquake appeal - known as the Renmen Project. The people behind the project are working with a selection of top artists and designers to produce artwork that will be sold online. They have also opened up a public submission group on Flickr so anybody can upload an image they've created that has been inspired by the events in Haiti.

The picture above is my submission to the public group. The word Renmen is the Haitian Kreole word for love - following on from that, 'lespwa' is the Kreole word for hope. My image gives the message, "with love comes hope". It includes the Hispaniolan Trogon - the national bird of Haiti - wearing the country's phyrgian cap of freedom, and a Hispaniolan Solenodon - an ant-eater-like animal also native to Haiti.

Hot off my press.........

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:22:00 +0000

I've been quiet of late but that's because I've been way past busy!! I've been lucky enough to be asked to make the cover for the latest track from Configa featuring Floriginul - Hot Off Da Press. I can now proudly present it on this blog post. The track is, officially, OFF THE SCALE!!! - you can buy it on Configa's site for about 69p.

New illustration - work in progress

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:22:00 +0000

Here's a couple of early shots of a new illustration. I don't want to give the whole game away but the idea for this piece came from listening to old Ice Cube tracks. It's a character-rich piece so I'm keeping busy........

Lucha Wrasslin Federation in full effect

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:30:00 +0000

You might have seen the Lucha Puerco character previously on this blog. Here his challenger.........Los Cuernos!!! These are my first two custom Munnys and I'm really pleased with the way they've turned out. Together they form the Lucha Wrasslin Federation. I'd like to continue this series at some point in the future, but it will be a while before I get time to do them. But keep watching!

The Renmen Project

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:19:00 +0000

The good people at Thunder Chunky and Ben The Illustrator have formed the Renmen Project to help UNICEF's Haiti Appeal. Go to their new site here and see what they're doing or follow them on Twitter.

'Renmen' is the Haitian word for Love, the bird in the logo is the Hispaniolan Trogon, the national bird of Haiti. 'The Renmen Project' has been brought together by the team at Thunder Chunky and Ben The Illustrator in order to raise funds for UNICEF's Haiti Earthquake Children's Appeal.

Throughout 2010 we will be working with a selection of top artists and designers from around the world to create artwork which we will be selling online. Every penny made from art sales will be going to Unicef's appeal fund.

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch, then please do email us!

hello@therenmenproject.co.uk

Work in progress - no name yet

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:13:00 +0000

I know, I know - I've been a little neglectful of my blog recently. Been busy painting and such. Here's a couple of pictures of the work in progress to whet the appetite.

I've been digging in my musical memory for inspiration for another larger illustrated piece. I've been busy sketching but I want to keep that close to my chest for the time being. We must have some secrets from each other..........

And finally...........the new work is complete.

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:47:00 +0000

Lucha Puerco is ready to take to the ring......

The bloke behind the mask.......

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:24:00 +0000

OK, I think it's about time I came out from behind the knight façade and told you a little more about me. My real name is Simon Taylor and I live in the North East of England. I don't have any formal art/design education at all - every skill I have (such as they are) is totally self taught. I love learning about the whole art/design game and creating original pieces.

The stuff about being a carer is deadset true. It's a major part of my life so I don't see why I should hide it or deny it. I hope you'll understand but my wife will remain as Mrs. PK - but she says hello!! Her strength inspires me so part of what you see here is down to her.

If you like what you see on this blog or on my Flickr or Twitter accounts, send me an e-mail (link on the right) - maybe we could collaborate on something or I could do something for you. Who knows - you could just stop by and say hello!

New Work - vinyl jungle where dreams are made of....

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:17:00 +0000

This is my first *proper* go at a custom piece of vinyl. It's still a work in progress (because I'm a perfectionist) but it's coming along quite nicely!! It's a Munny version of the Lucha Puerco character I did here. I've got a little bit of touching up to do and some little accessories to put together and it's done. When I finish it, I'll do a proper photo shoot (so long as the pig doesn't get ideas above his station and ramp his charges up!!). Keep watching!!!

I knew I'd find them somewhere......

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:11:00 +0000

........on my messy-as-hell hard drive. Enjoy!! And Merry Christmas (again).

Happy Christmas!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:21:00 +0000

Ok, this will probably be my last post of 2009 but I will be back in 2010. If anyone reads this, I hope you have a happy and peaceful Christmas. I'll leave you this year with a couple of sketches I'll work up over Christmas and into 2010. (Unless I find the scans I made of the hand drawn Christmas cards I did this year, in which case this is the PENULTIMATE post of the year).

Have a good one!!

It's Cr-y-y-y-y-y-y-st-mas!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:36:00 +0000

Anyone following me on Twitter might have caught the sketch for this on Wednesday morning - at 3am! The burning question on quite a few lips is whether we'll have a snowy Christmas or not. I reckon.....................maybe

Black Friday? No way!!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:17:00 +0000

Of course, that's because I'm not American, and Black Friday doesn't have the same meaning for us in the UK. Today has not been a Black Friday but a totally multi-coloured Friday!!! Why??? I took my nerves in hand and made my way over to The Electrik Sheep gallery in Newcastle, UK to see the first night of the Jon Burgerman "Paralysis of Choice" show. I'm glad I did - I was lucky enough to meet the man himself. There is an axiom which states that you shouldn't meet people you admire in case of disappointment. I can say with all honesty that this was not the case for me.

Jon Burgerman is a thoroughly decent bloke. I've admired his art for a **looong** time now and felt like a kid going up and introducing myself. He seemed really warm, really friendly and maybe a little surprised of the success of the night and of the show. Mr. Burgerman, thank you for making a newbie in the world of art and design extremely happy!!!

Lucha Puerco

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:22:00 +0000

Every once in a while you get something in your head that won't quit until you do something about it. Thanks to @frankmysterio on Twitter, Mexican wrestling characters got in to mine. Add that to me following wrestling as a teenager and that bug just kept buzzing.......

"Making his way to the ring at this time, weighing 475lbs, seven times Lucha Wrasslin Federation champeen.....................Lucha Puercooooooooooooooo!"

We are waiting for his challenger.......

New work...

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:47:00 +0000

A little bit of new work for you all to see. The Morecambe Bay Partnership are an organisation dedicated to working for the promotion and protection of Morecambe Bay in the North West of England. At a talk I attended, one of their officers was telling us that she considered the train journey around the Bay as a tourist attraction in its own right. She went on to suggest that the train company operating on this route might advertise the line as such.

I went away thinking of something I could do for the Partnership and came up with this. I've long admired the old railway posters from the likes of Tom Purvis and John Hassall. I thought this type of imagery would be ideal for the Partnership's desire for advertising.

1st Christmas card design

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:35:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, I put a few sketches up as possible Christmas card designs. Here's the first of the coloured versions, "Selection Box"...........thoughts and comments much appreciated.

.......practice, practice, practice..........

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:29:00 +0000

I've been practising using Photoshop to paint over my sketches as an alternative to using Illustrator for smooth vectors. I like the rougher look to the finished image. I'm still searching for that all elusive "style" that artists/illustrators/creatives are supposed to develop but I'm enjoying learning.

All Hallows Eve

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:49:00 +0000

OK, it's Halloween this Saturday and we're going to a party. But I have absolutely no idea what to go as. Having completed the image above, I thought maybe going as a mad scientist and using the face printed as a mask.....thoughts, anyone? Mrs. PK has been rehearsing her witchy cackle and frightening the birds out of the garden but I don't fancy being a cat. If anyone is going to a party or just giving themselves the hee-bee-gee-bees at home on Saturday. Happy Halloween!!!!!!!

I've been reet busy lately, doing some Christmassy things, practising life drawing and just doing life stuff in general - which is why I've not been posting much. Now I'm getting into a new routine, I should be less neglectful of this blog. I hope.......

....and this is where the magic happens.........sometimes!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:26:00 +0000

Well, have I neglected my blog or what?? I have an excuse though!! We've just moved in and things need sorting out, and Mrs PK has needed more assistance, and it's getting colder...............erm, and I've got a note from me Mum excusing me from blog posts, and..............

It's no good, I'll 'fess up. I've just been too busy to talk to you lot. But I'll be back with new stuff very soon. Just a bit of a sketch to tide you over until then. In good Cribs fashion, this is where the magic happens **knowing smirk**...........

"Don't do gay.....'cuz gays're bad, mm'kay?"

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:49:00 +0000

I know - that was a poor imitation of Mr. Garrison's "don't do drugs..." skit on South Park but since the UK Daily Mail's Jan Moir has already opened the gates with her poor imitation of journalism, I figured I could wade in without penalty.

Today's edition of the above mentioned paper carries a column in which Ms. Moir guesses at the facts behind Stephen Gately's untimely death at the age of 33. After reading it, the only conclusion she appears to offer is that Stephen was openly gay and was a figure in the limelight, therefore his death was just a matter of time. What a crock of shite!! Now, I expect low rent, lazy journalism from the right-wing Daily Mail but this is a new depth for them.

Here's the rub, I don't give a crap if Stephen Gately was having oral, anal, vaginal, animal, vegetable or mineral sex with the entire population of Spain on the night in question. IT'S NONE OF MY BUSINESS, AND NONE OF YOURS EITHER, JAN MOIR!!!! Even if it were, Stephen was at liberty to do any or all of the above without let or hindrance. The fella died at 33. That is nothing less than a tragedy, no matter what the circumstances.

Jan, the users of the internet's social networks have, rightly, pilloried you because your column was unresearched bollocks and not because several thousand people have nothing better to do than wage a vendetta against you. We dislike you because you're a homophobic, shit-stirring harpie. Perhaps there is a place for you within the BNP, I hear they've widened the parameters of their entry criteria.

Whisper it quietly...........

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:50:00 +0000

.........but it's only 10 weeks until Christmas!! I know!! With that in mind, I've been running some ideas for Christmas cards through my head. The theme is kids at Christmas and the things I remember I did as a kid. From the top they are titled, Waiting for Santa, The Queen's Speech, and finally, Selection Box. Come back for more news about these..........

Back in the real world!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pommie Knight) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:48:00 +0000

We've finally moved in and we have our ADSL back!!

We're getting to know our new neighbourhood. Mrs. PK is very happy and believes that we're back in civilisation here. We even have a branch of her favourite supermarket nearby (it's the little things...). We have found that we don't have neighbours but lots of new friends. They have given us an exceptionally warm welcome - we know we'll be happy here.

More illustration posts will follow in the near future - once we have unpacked our 3 million boxes!!