Rat Tales

Here's a couple of my archived illustrations dating back nearly 20 years from my BA student days in Manchester. I spent a lot of time getting boozed-up on hoegaarden down Canal Street ( AKA 'anal 'treet, it being the main thoroughfare of city's Gay Village ) One drunken night I saw a rat swimming in the canal and became full of the idea that a community of rats were living under the city, specifically around the canal. I created a few pencil ink and watercolour sketches at the time on some old paper, torn from the back of an old paperback book, which has aged even more during the last 20 years. I still have lots of ideas for adventures for the Rodent Community. Unfortunately or not, as the case may be, the resulting content may not be for children, despite having that look to the illustration style.

 A map showing the main points of interest to the rodent inhabitants of the area

The rats find a used condom, and much discussion is had in what to do about it.

Ladybird Lights

The matchbox to end all nursery rhymes. I created this little handmade hand painted found objects piece quite a few years ago now, but it has, like all good folk and nursery rhymes, survived being cast aside for so long. I found the deceased Ladybird in a drawer one spring day. It must have found its way into there one chilly autumn day to hibernate but then perhaps couldn't get out or maybe just died. But not in vain, this little beetle lives on in Ladybird Lights! She has faded a little but still looks the part as she takes her place in one of the most intriguing of nursery rhymes.

 

 

The box is made of buff card, has a strip of sandpaper for the striking edge and was hand painted before being charred with a lighted match. Box size is that of a standard small matchbox.