oh, eca, how i've missed you!

My first week back to ECA has been a little over anticipated as expected but none the less, nice to be back. I was given my first project of this semester called 'A Day in The Life' where we were asked to go out and buy a junk item and write and illustrate a story about said item. My chosen object happened to be this delightful pair of budgies I found in the wonderful junk and antiques shop called Relics in Glasgow. Love at first sight, literally.

So far, my idea for my story is a little sketchy. I have been watching a million budgie related videos, watching their behaviour. I came across certain quirks that budgies have, such as falling in love with their own reflection and repeating the words of others which happened to remind me of the greek mythology tale of the two nymphs, Narcissus and Echo. I'm loosely interpreting my story around that, but it's still fairly early in the research and developmental stages at the moment.

I have started doing some roughs and here is, finally some new work! Excuse my first poor attempts at digital colouring. Yes, possibly by the end of my degree I will have skills in being a photoshop master but this will do for now. At the end of this project I should have around 5 illustrations altogether but I am hoping to experiment in printmaking and possibly some other materials depending on where things to lead to. Soon to come!

after a short interval.

Saos Bras de Alportel, Portugal

After what seems to have felt like a very long summer, it is definitely heading into autumn. My illustration work has sadly been a little stagnant as I have been working two mediocre jobs and took a little trip to Portugal with my other half. I've cut down my jobs now and I have just started a new part time job at Mango. I am also going to be entering into my second year at Edinburgh College of Art as of next week. I can't express how excited I am to go back to school and indulge in doing illustration again! I feel like things have definitely improved for the better in these last few months.

Bucks and Does is now for sale in Analogue in Edinburgh so feel free to pop in and pick up a copy! I definitely felt like I learnt a lot from this project but I would be interested in doing something similar again. I finally bought a printer and scanner so I will upload some of my new work in due course. I really feel like I need to learn some technical skills this year and get back into doing printmaking and learning more about photoshop and illustrator. In other news although my Etsy shop hasn't taken off completely yet, but its been nice to have it there for promoting my work and have sold a couple of pieces which I'm of course, very happy about!

I will be posting up some new work as soon as I can so watch this space!

Laser Cut Brooch

My new laser cut brooch available in my Etsy store! Handcrafted by my self and measures at 6cm x 6cm.

Bucks & Does

After a long long wait, I finally bring you Bucks and Does! A zine dedicated to species of the Cervidae family. A collective of Edinburgh College of Art Illustration, Fine Art and Animation. Lovingly hand bound by myself and Thomas Fraser.

Laura Griffin

Sam Caldwell

Seamus McKillick

Julie Ritchie

Thomas Fraser

your imagination is known to wander, but mine is staying.

“You Knew I Wouldn’t Wait Around Forever”

Oh my, where to start!

My poor little journal has been badly neglected again. I really need to start practising doing regular updates as I always feel like every time I come back to this I'm preparing to write an epic novel.

To cut a long story short – since I finished up from Edinburgh College of Art for this term, I’ve been working two jobs and in my little spare time, I’ve been trying to cram in as much illustration work as I can (although I have been a little more productive on that front recently!) Not forgetting to mention having some kind of social life with family, friends and boyfriend.

I moved to a beautiful large flat with the lovely Clair Stirling, a fellow Illustration student and LuckyMe DJ (Check out her tunes here: http://www.mixcloud.com/eclairfifi/SoundCloud). As of course, find this a great opportunity to show you where I work and things I'm inspired by.

My humble abode.

My bedroom with my typewriter, vanity lights, and knitted acorn!

Squid Stirling - the most minature cat ever!

I was invited to the openings of Duncan of Jordanstone and Edinburgh College of Art Degree Shows. It was such a pleasure to see my friends graduating and view their work on display, so pleased for them and wish them all the best of luck. I found it interesting to compare the two Illustration Degree Shows and I was deeply impressed with both. A lot of the people I knew and admired this year received firsts which makes me realise I have a lot to learn to get to where I want to be!

Overall, I did get 6 A’s and 3 B’s for my results this year which I am very pleased about but still feel like I could improve so much more. My goal for the end of summer was to focus on doing more illustration work. I have finally gotten round to opening my Etsy store (lauragriffindraws.etsy.com) and you can follow me on Twitter (lauragriffindraws). Yes, got to love a bit of shameless self promotion! I have big plans on making a range of different products including laser cut jewellery, tote bags and pillows hopefully. Keep your eye out!

‘Bucks and Does’ is almost finished now, I have all the submissions bar one. As soon as I get a day off need to make the actual product but fingers crossed, it should be finished up shortly. The image above is a sneak preview of my submission for the zine.

So far this summer, I went to Florence to visit my friend Zen who attends Angels Academy – a private classical art school which teaches you high technical skills in the same styles as that of Da Vinci or Carravagio. I think I've seen enough Renaissance art and sculptures to do for the rest of my lifetime. I wouldn’t of said Florence was particularly catching for design, but it has inspired me to put some kind of insiders illustrated travel guide to Florence. I have started writing it up so just need to start putting that together as another side project for myself. I also visited Germany with my other half and went to see family which was a nice break from all the 'normal' work I’ve been doing…! Here are a few photos from my travel adventures...

Pet Store in Koblenz, Germany

Moselle River, Bernkastel Kues

Florence Train Station

here comes the summer.

It's been a very busy month of final submissions, moving house, exhibitions, degree show parties whilst also in the process of forming an ECA Illustration/Painting collaborative, doing new drawings and self initiated projects. I forgot to mention the very hectic social life of playing and working hard also!

Amelia Gregory and her new book
Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration

On Tuesday, I went to the Fruitmarket Gallery with a few Illustration friends to see the very multidisciplinary Amelia Gregory, founder of Amelia's Magazine who is currently on tour promoting her new book, Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration. Her talk was really inspiring and makes me realise what a long way I have to go in terms of experience! Amelia discussed a variety of different topics from eco fashion; becoming a self publisher and setting up Amelia's Magazine and the stages it developed through; how to showcase and promote your work as an Illustrator; sponsorship; and the benefits of using a variety of different social networking mediums to build awareness of your work.

After the talk, I had a chance to have a quick chat with Amelia Gregory herself who has greatly emphasised twitter to me which I must organise as soon as I can! Amelia managed to create a lovely atmosphere, bringing with her a variety of wares such as her two books Amelia's Anthology of Illustration and Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration, Amelia's Mag back issues, and Tatty Devine jewellery and lots of free postcards!

There was also lovely free Dr. Hauschka goodies, party rings, iced gems and Juiceology juice to indulge on. I had the Apple, Lime and Mint which reminded me of a tasty mojito. Mmm!

Rachel McBrinn and Julie Ritchie

Seamus Killick
Rachel McBrinn, Julie Ritchie and Sam Caldwell

Amongst all this, I am collaborating with my fellow class mates Julie Ritchie, Rachel McBrinn (former Art Director of Trisickle magazine), Seamus Killick, Thomas Grant, and Sam Caldwell to create a small zine dedicated to the theme of Bucks and Does. We are aiming to get it online and into a variety of different outlets in Edinburgh and possibly for around the Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show. Watch this space.

There is also the opening of the Duncan of Jordanstone Degree Show tomorrow night which I am highly looking forward to. A lot of my friends from Jewellery, Fine Art, Textiles, Graphic Design and Illustration are graduating so can't wait to see their end of year show and of course all the parties...!

slow loving and teacakes

At the moment I'm still very much in the midst of my final Illustration project at ECA and I have been one busy pup. I am in the process of making three different books which I don't want to publish on my blog as of yet but I will keep all updated once I've managed to complete them!
For now, here is a small illustration I did for a friends' birthday of snails and a Tunnocks teacake. I framed it with a Tunnocks teacake box with carrot cupcakes. Yes, the life of being an illustrator can have its' perks!