Surreal Wallpaper Patterns

Ana

Lenus, Orange and Purple

Romantic Pattern Wallpapers
Tree Bomb

Salmakis

Viktoria Pattern Wallpapers

Brown/gold/grey brown and lavender/cream/gold

Violet/gold/grey brown and white/gold/cream

Abstract Wallpaper Patterns

Andromeda

Squares

AIR JORDAN 1 RETRO HIGH MENS

AIR JORDAN 4 RETRO “QUICK STRIKE” MENS

Men’s Air Jordan Retro I Low Phat (Black-Varsity/Red-Cement/Grey)

AIR JORDAN 6 RETRO MENS “OREO”

AIR JORDAN 11 RETRO “SPACE JAM” MENS

AIR JORDAN 12 RETRO “RISING SUN” MENS

AIR JORDAN 2 RETRO MENS “QUICK STRIKE”

BLUE PEACOCK MODERN NEW YORK VINTAGE POSTER REPRO and VENICE PALACE VENISE VENEZIA GONDOLA BOAT EUROPE ITALY ITALIA VINTAGE POSTER REPRO

CYCLES SIRIUS BICYCLE WOMAN LEVALLOIS PERRET FRANCE VINTAGE POSTER REPRO and SALERNO AMALFI RAVELLO PAESTUM TRAVEL TOURISM EUROPE ITALY ITALIA SMALL VINTAGE POSTER REPRO

VINTAGE French Fernand Clement & Co Bicycle Poster Pal Print and LE CAIRE CAIRO EGYPT ARAB TRAVEL TOURISM VINTAGE POSTER REPRO

Balloon Adventurer and SWEETS: BUBBLEGUM

Animal Picnic and Artists Thrive

Carnival Rides and Hoot Goes the Owl

Little Engine and Watermelon Flowers

Follow My Retro Baby on Twitter here

Bright in my Northern Sky and Led me to Your Door

1. How did you get involved in sketching?

I always loved drawing. When I was a kid I was drawing all the time. Somewhere along the way, though, I forgot how much I loved it. For at least a decade I didn’t draw at all. It was about 5 years ago that I resumed my love affair, through finding some of the illustration blogs online. As soon as I found them, I was reminded that drawing is what I should be doing. I started my own blog, which got me drawing everyday, and I’ve never looked back. Suddenly I felt like I’d come home.

2. What signifies Mod drawing in your opinion?
I’m not really sure. That’s difficult to answer. I guess it starts, and probably ends, with a love of the subject. A passion for the times, the music, the fashion, the art, the design. Just that. I’m really fascinated by those urban sub cultures in the UK during the 60s and the 70s, specifically the Mod movement. If I didn’t feel that way about something I’d find something else to draw.

Clock and Chips

3. Which time period is your favorite to express? Why?

I think that it’s all tied up with nostalgia. When I was a kid, during the 70s, I got really into the 1960s stuff, initially through my fathers record collection. He had a great collection of Beatles, Stones and 6os soul. I loved all the 60s imagery. Especially the fashion. I am a slave to liquid eyeliner to this day. I’d watch any film and TV from that era. I’d read the books and drool over the illustrations on the covers. Anything 60s was my passion.

Then I clapped eyes on Paul Weller and that cemented my love of all things Mod. I have a real soft spot for the 70s too. Anything that takes me back to kicking around the streets of our housing estate, back in the day, makes me want to draw.

To catch a Flame and I’ve been waiting for you

4. What advice do you have when drawing mod?

I am really crap at giving advice. I guess that unless you love that time then there’s no point in even bothering. Go draw something else. I always come back to this story I heard about one of my favourite artists Peter Blake:

Blake was visiting his old art school (Goldsmiths, I think) where, at the time, Ian Dury was studying. Dury was getting frustrated with the work he was producing, and Blake asked him “do you like Elvis?” “Yes” said Dury. “Well then draw Elvis” said Blake. He asked Dury “do you like wrestling?” “Yes” answered Dury. “Well then, draw and paint wrestling” said Blake.

It’s as simple as that, I think. Sometimes it’s easy to forget.

5. What are the best tools when drawing and sketching?

Well, whichever tools you enjoy using. For me it’s ballpoint, and ink. The only way to find the best tools for you is to practice. Try out lots of different pens, then you’ll find the ones that fit your grubby little paws!
I guess that ballpoint gives that retro feel to things – mainly because it takes you back to your school books.

6. Is there anything else you would like to add to this interview?
I’m pretty rubbish with words. That’s why I draw. I think what I’m trying to express is that, for me, it’s just about rolling with it. Draw and paint your own life. Let your drawings reveal themselves to you. It’s an interesting trip.

Adidas and The rain came crashing down

Follow Andrea Joseph on Twitter here.
Find her Flickr images at Andrea Joseph Illustrations.
Get a hang of Andrea’s cool work here.