More map ideas...

So, there is currently a moth perched above me on the ceiling. This is the moth...

I wonder what  it is like to view the world upside down. Do you get a headache after a while? I guess the moth gave up on going crazy around the spotlights after a while. It is obviously a very chilled moth, but unfortunately for it, the window is now closed so there is no escape....muhahaha. No it will be okay, I'll be nice and let it out tomorrow :). Well, re art, I went to see Thingsplace at the Superclub yesterday with a friend. John Brown was one of my tutor's at ECA in my first year and doesn't have a web site, so it was good to finally get to see some of his work. Very good, it worked very well and very humorous while making a serious (I think) critique at the same time. I liked his "Strewn Crap" and "Loon" pieces especially. It was also good to see some of Gordon Brown's work there, Head of Painting ECA, which I also liked and thought it worked in really well with John's. Liam Walker, recently graduated ECA student, also had these great matchboxes there. I really admire artists who can paint things small and in fine, interesting detail, which Liam seems to be able to do (not that I have ever met him so hope it's not offensive to use a first names basis). No photos of the exhibition, but here is the postcard I picked up....

I've been sick most of the week, resulting in going to sleep early with bad headaches, so my maps have not progressed well! But finally seem to be on the mend after quaffing large quantities of oranges and citrus juice. I got my antique maps book which I like so far and have just been copying some things I found interesting. I really don't know how this is going to work out and honestly if they still need me - I may have got lost on the email list! Oh well, I plan to rock up on the door step come Monday so will see what happens :D. Oh, that reminds me of Game of Thrones. I absolutely love the start when they have the map and things popping up like clock work and the music that goes with it is amazing.

Maps

Okay, so I have now left myself a week's deadline to do my research for the 24/7 prayer room my church is setting up. I have had a couple of months to do this and I thought it would be easy, but I think I may have been wrong! Surprise surprise. So, we are looking at God's heart and his heart connecting with us.  Obviously people are all over the globe so we ended up discussing maps as part of the set up and people being inspired to pray for things in their home countries or for people they know in other places or troubled zones. So I volunteered to paint maps of the world, one side the globe and the other Scotland and specifically Edinburgh. But the challenge is to make the maps representational, but not specific, and inspiring I think for both children and adults alike. On a personal level, I am quite inspired by ancient maps. Of course, ancient maps don't have Australia on, so while my American flatmate doesn't think this is a problem, I do! I also like the idea of painting some specific pictures on to make it interesting for children, like the ancient ships they would include in the maps or sea dragons or something. This is probably way too complicated, but it is best challenge than to take the easy route I think. I have ordered a map book Antique Maps by Carl Moreland but that won't be here for a couple of days, so I have found some initial maps on the internet and tried converting a Satellite Google Map in Photoshop using dark strokes - to give the idea of the roads, but without the need to paint specific buildings for the Edinburgh. If I post the starting point here it will hopefully mean I might have some revelation in the night about how to push it on further! I also found that the National Library of Scotland has maps of Scotland from about 1600 onwards available to order and view online which is good to know.

Source: Eyewitness Travel Guides Scotland (Maps by Ben Bowles, Rob Clynes)

Source (Accessed 12 August 2012) : http://www.giantbomb.com/news/elven-legacy-early-impressions/1082/  

Google Maps - Dark strokes Photoshop

Source (Accessed 12 August 2012): http://www.list.co.uk/article/32179-the-historical-events-that-shaped-edinburgh/

Source (Accessed 12 August 2012): http://freevintagedigistamps.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/free-vintage-image-download-ye-olde.html

Source (Accessed 12 August 2012): http://livinginpursuit.wordpress.com/travel/

Brizzle

Well, hey, it's sunny here today and it is AMAZING! So after a bit of time in the sun, and a nice pear and ginger Magner's I am listening to City and Colour on my rokit speakers. Of course, I waited till my flatmate was out of the house for her choir gig rehearsal so I can listen to my music a wee bit loud (she assures me I can listen loud anyway, but I try to be fair!!). Anyway, speaking of City and Colour, it was my good friend Sarah (aka Brizzle because she is a Bristolian) who introduced me to this song. I think it got sent to her by a good looking friend who I remember was wearing some sexy shorts in a photo she showed me of him! Anyway, my good friend (to cut a VERY long story short) was Googling me amongst others one night (think entertainment was a bit short ;)) and found my Blog and was disappointed that while I had used a photo she had taken as my main picture, there was no mention of her. Yes, disgusting on my part I know. So rightly so, she deserves a massive mention, and a zider me up me babbers! So I will stop rambling now and show some awesome Paint pictures she has made for me since we have been friend's and some dodgy ones I did in return. Really she can work paint like a pro and just to make sure so you know me babbers, I does loves you even if you are stuck out in stinky Canada having fun without me!! On the other art front, work has been very busy, so all I have managed to do in the past couple of months is to make a pop-up book. I figured out the basic functions, but still have a long way to go. I also got into the Botanical Illustration course at RBGE which starts in September, which I am very excited about. I am thinking I might want to do Illustration for children's books in the future as I have seen some amazing work, but I will see what happens. I really want to get back into printmaking too when I go back to ECA in September. Really sorry for the ramble, it has been too long since I posted.

Brizz Desert (after talking about being thirsty in the desert)

Brizz Pirate (because pirates are super cool let's face it)

Brizz Castle (because she knows I love doors, castles and flowers,  PS love the funky blue trousers Brizz)

 and now for my dodgy attempts in reply!

Auzzwuzz Treasure

Auzzwuzz Tropical

Auzzwuzz Canada