Lesley Barnes

LFW

2012-02-24T09:58:00.003-08:00

some images for LFW! Top two are mary Katrantzou for Ameila's Magazine and directly above Louise Grey

DVF hands print dress

2012-02-20T04:13:00.000-08:00

Its london fashion week...but here's something from the runway a couple of weeks ago...the DVF hands print dress!

Roar!

2012-02-16T04:14:00.000-08:00

I just finished doing another greetings card design....this time a happy/sad lion. He is happy on the front of your card and sad on the back....I'll show some photos as soon as he is back from the printers!

Giveaway Winner!

2012-02-10T07:52:00.001-08:00

sorry for the long wait everyone! my only excuse is the dreaded flu!

my winner is Mrs Portswood (Catherine @hepvintage) who suggested that the birds are carrying amazing hats with fine feather plumes!

"Clearly the envelopes are carrying orders for splendid hats which the birds fashion from their unwanted feathers in their nest ateliers. The packages are the hats themselves on their way to the customers."

a wee peek in Elle

2012-02-08T04:01:00.001-08:00

my kings of the forest design for wrap got a very wee mention in this months Elle Magazine. You can also see the wrap pack by Zoran Pungercar. Wrap also have their fourth issue coming out very soon.....

Jeremy Scott for Swatch lightning flash watch!

2012-02-06T06:10:00.000-08:00

Jeremy Scott has done quite a variety of designs for swatch...but my very fav was from last year...the ultimate supergirl accessory a lightning flash watch!

Tatty Devine Batgirl!

2012-01-24T03:36:00.000-08:00

last week I recieved the Tatty Devine for Eley Kishimoto perspex bat necklace.....it made me feel like batgirl!

Happiness is......

2012-01-23T03:49:00.001-08:00

..... a large pompom! I met up with ace illustrator Jen Collins and amazing knitwear designer Hilary Grant yesterday. Hilary brought me a giant blue pompom keyring which got me rather excited! The birds are by Tom Frost.

three things I saw today...

2012-01-13T07:43:00.000-08:00

I went out and about and spotted mr zebra

New Year Giveaway!

2012-01-12T04:57:00.000-08:00

It's january which can be a little depressing..... You can see a review of my year here which the ace amelia's mag put together!

so here's a very wee giveaway to cheer you up ...

a sheet of soma wrap and some cards and maybe other things too!

all you need to do is a leave a comment below and tell me what the birds are carrying in their packages! (no it isn't a dog/horse/human head as people have suggested before...)

remember I have 35 % sale in my shop to make room for some new things! (coupon code JANSA)

Shoe Collection #1

2012-01-06T03:49:00.000-08:00

I have decided to embark on an illustrated shoe project for 2012. The first shoe to get the lucky treatment is the Prada Flame Shoe (here's some photos of these winged heels)

When I saw them I thought of pegasus, greek heroines and winged horses!

SALE!!!

2012-01-05T04:13:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

to celebrate the start of 2012 I am having a 35% off everything sale in my etsy shop! All you have to do is type in the coupon code JANSA at the checkout!

Happy christmas!

2011-12-19T05:15:00.001-08:00

Happy Christmas from me!

Pop-Up!

2011-12-13T05:23:00.001-08:00

The lovely Carrie and Clare from made in the shade organised a festive shindig at the lighthouse last saturday and invited me to host a pop-up cinema! It was lots and lots of fun and we had lots of shopped out dads and kids watching animation and munching on the popcorn provided (and popped) by Sarah!

Belle and Sebastian bookmarks!

2011-12-13T03:49:00.001-08:00

I was asked by Belle and Sebastian to create some illustrated leather bookmarks from the characters from the 'I Didn't see it Coming' remix animation

I have a very few left in my shop

but fear not book lovers! There are plenty in the Belle and Sebastian shop

Pop Up Cinema this Saturday!!

2011-12-07T06:28:00.000-08:00

Hello! I am hosting a pop-up cinema at the Lighthouse THIS saturday as part of the Made in the Shade Holiday Hullabaloo! I and lots of other lovely folk will be selling some lovely things for under your christmas tree, but if all that christmas shopping is just too much why not pop along and enjoy some animated treats! above is a little selection of what will be playing!

wrap wrapped!

2011-12-05T10:08:00.001-08:00

here's a quick post my design for wrap magazine wrapped! You can get yourself a copy here

concertina cards!

2011-11-28T08:41:00.001-08:00

two new greetings cards now available from my etsy store! a long concertina airmail card and a double sided knight card with a badge!

Artisic.ly Launch

2011-11-22T06:39:00.000-08:00

The QR knights actually started life as two exclusive prints for artisic.ly. Artisic.ly's aim is to get prints out of tubes and drawers and onto walls! This means that Artistic.ly’s limited edition prints will only be available pre-framed and ready to hang. Each order will be hand numbered, debossed with the Artistic.ly seal and limited to editions of just 50. All Artistic.ly framed limited editions will cost £125 with free delivery to anywhere in the world.

The two smiling knights (night day and knight night) I created are designed to be hung as a pair and you can choose either a white or black frame for your print!

To celebrate the launch of the initiative there was an exhibition at the Truman Brewery in London last thursday! Thanks to Joe Rogers for the photo! (Joe also has some nice prints on artisic.ly)

QR army

2011-11-07T05:04:00.000-08:00

an army of QR code knights! Just scan the code on the horses rump andyou are transported to my website!

festive patterns

2011-11-02T07:29:00.000-07:00

trying to get on with a festive commission from selvedge magazine....here's some sneak peeks...

the giveaway winner was Felt Mistress (check out her stuff...amazing!) thanks for entering there will be more soon!

Halloween Makeover

2011-10-25T02:56:00.000-07:00

Two of my prints have had a bit of a halloween makeover. The first was my Brian Wilson poster which has had a bloody transformation for rabbit portal's Dead Good Halloween art show at the Test Space in Leeds.

Pegasus has also been given an evil twist for the Gossip Wolf Supernatural exhibition at Evolution House in Edinburgh on the 31st October . This is to celebrate the launch of the first Gossip Wolf collective project - a set of 'supernatural' 2 colour screenprinted postcards.

Don't forget you can win an original Pegasus in my giveaway

giveaway!

2011-10-23T05:47:00.001-07:00

Special giveaway time! As far as I am concerned everyone needs a flying horse! To win Pegasus all you need to do is visit my shop and tell me what your fav item is....

I will pick a random winner next week....

WRAP

2011-10-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to be included in issue three of Wrap. Wrap is a magazine BUT it's pages are also designed to be used as wrapping paper (read wrap, wrap wrap) Personally I think you could also just display the art on your wall ....but if you want your presents to be extra special this christmas I would buy yourselves a few copies!

I was especially excited because my favourite knitware designer Donna Wilson was also included in this issue! Above you can see my contribution (Kings in the Forest) and a snap shot of the wonderful cover by Josephin Ritschel

Digital Arts

2011-10-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

Myself and Bruce Cameron created this galloping pink king for a Digital Arts Magazine tutorial! You can animate your very own king....just pick up a copy of the mag!

MASKS!

2011-09-28T05:14:00.001-07:00

I feel very lucky to now be in possession of one of Ben Newman's Mask screenprints from his solo show at NoBrow. I chose the mask with the pencil through the nose as I thought it looked like the mask of an illustration demon.

I like to think that my studio is now under the protection of Ben's tribal magic and that only good things will now occur.....if instead an evil curse comes upon my work you will also know who to blame!

Mary Katrantzou

2011-09-26T03:05:00.001-07:00

I only managed to illustrate one collection for Amelia's Magazine this fashion week....but it was my fav Mary Katranzou whose graphic prints are amazing to illustrate. Read Matt Bramford's review here and have a browse through all the other LFW action there too.

More Flying Horses....

2011-09-21T08:42:00.000-07:00

I have some lovely HUGE prints of pegasus and bellerophon in my esty shop! There are only 5 of these prints as they were designed for an animation proposal...so very limited edition!

you can get one here

Grimms Fairy Tales by Taschen

2011-09-19T06:58:00.001-07:00

I got myself a magic purple book. It's the new Grimm's Fairy Tales by Taschen and includes lots of amazing art from previous illustrated versions of each of the tales.

Bestival

2011-09-12T04:37:00.001-07:00

It was Bestival this weekend and although i wasn't there in person Brian Wilson and his bear were there to represent me in the form of the screenprint above! 100 of these were printed by Horse and sold at Bestival this weekend. I would love to hear (or see) if anyone who was there spotted it!?

Although I didn't catch Brian Wilson at Bestival, I did see him performing last night in Glasgow where I got myself a nice t-shirt

Apple on Channel 4

2011-08-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

last night was the premiere of 'Apple', an animation I directed for channel 4.

I was commssioned last week by Channel 4 to create an animation for the winning poem in the random spoken word competition.

The winning poem was written (and performed) by Dylan Owen and you can hear and watch the results here

The amazing Bruce Cameron helped me make this alongside some ace folk at Picasso Pictures - Melissa and Shelley.

Glamour Magazine

2011-08-12T08:49:00.001-07:00

I was asked by the super fabulous Glamour Magazine to create a special 'Glamour' print that their readers could win. So here are the Glamour Gals I created!

If you want to win one of these exclusive signed giclee prints (there are only 25!) then just get yourself a copy of this months Glamour!

feeling hot hot hot......

2011-07-28T05:10:00.000-07:00

It was hot in Glasgow this week, so I escaped from the studio and went to the antiques arcade downstairs where this vintage fan was waiting for me! It's a BOAC fan...I imagine to keep passangers cool on their journeys....

The yellow and blue fellas are from the habitat sale...I felt sorry for them....

Books!

2011-07-25T04:48:00.001-07:00

This weekend was all about a lovely new 'bookbag' I got from nobrow ..... and some lovely book covers from faber

I'm pretty excited as I got my first book cover commission from Puffin!

The List Magazine

2011-07-21T04:16:00.001-07:00

I was the featured central station artist in this months The List - read more here

coupons and kings!

2011-07-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

a king for an upcoming project!

AND 20 per cent off anything in my shop with the coupon code FRIDAY - just type it in at the checkout!

The Perfect Dress

2011-07-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

It's my brother's wedding tomorrow....cue major dress stress! fortunately my acest friend thereza rowe sorted me out with the perfect outfit for any event! wish I was just a bit smaller.....

Fashion Prints

2011-07-12T05:15:00.001-07:00

Christopher Raeburn

Holly Fulton

Some photos of two new fashion prints which you can, for the first time, buy here. Giclee prints from Ripe Digital (amazing colours and print quality from the ace rik)

Digital Arts Magazine

2011-07-11T04:42:00.000-07:00

A small feature in Digital Arts Magazine about the Belle and Sebastian animated music video for 'I Didn't See it Coming'. You can read more from the interview on the Digital Arts blog here

I Didn't See it Coming from Lesley Barnes on Vimeo.

my shelves

2011-07-08T03:48:00.001-07:00

my shelves!

mail order husband

2011-06-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

I'm a busy girl...far too busy to go out and hunt for a boyfriend....so I simply ordered myself one! His name is Julio and he likes to wear small shorts ....he might also be a wolf but I can't really be picky....

If you are lonely too you can order one form Jay Cover of Nous Vous

new prints!

2011-06-17T07:44:00.001-07:00

I got the ace ripe digital to do some lovely giclee prints of my Christopher Raeburn image. They are approx A3 size and are all signed and numbered (from an edition of 100). If you would like one you can get it here! This image was created for Amelia's Conpendium of Fashion Illustration and was also featured in the Sunday Times Style Magazine earlier this year!

Art Fusion!

2011-06-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

mural by libby walker

my messy stall......

lizzy stewart's very busy stall!

my window display in offshore

sculpture by the ace jenny magregor

mural by genevieve ryan

mural by robbie porter

lizzy joins bear squadron

sunday was art fusion day at the gibson street gala. I put up my window display in offshore (more of which here) and had a stall. There were sculptures, live art, murals, music, food, two unfeasibly large dogs, a random stiltwalker, and a very strong wnd which blew many of my posters into the river kelvin .......

art fusion was mastermined by the amazing libby walker!

Paint it! Make it! Party for Japan

2011-06-09T04:46:00.000-07:00

My crane is a contribution to the Illustration Rally Zine which you will be able to make yourself at the 'Paint it! Make it!' Party in aid of Japan. The event is being held at the Bookclub in London on the 25th of June at 10 am to 5 pm. As the folks at IR say 'You know it's gonna be good when we have live drawing, origami, cakes and zine making, where you can bind and customise your own zine with the work of some of the hottest illustrators around' Find out more here

Out and About

2011-06-06T04:44:00.001-07:00

Welcome Home at the cca in Glasgow

Friday at the V and A

2011-05-30T03:46:00.000-07:00

Me and Thereza Rowe had all sorts of fun at the V and A on Friday night! We screenprinted bags (one designed ny me), took a journey through a tunnel of Yamamoto garments and generally got up to no good!

Thereza left me with her bow (as postive blackmail) so I will come and visit her soon!

the winner is.....

2011-05-29T06:23:00.001-07:00

and the winner is.......... suzanne carpenter whose entry comment was just ace!

thanks everyone...there will be plenty of giveaways to come!

Yojhi Yamamoto at the V and A

2011-05-26T02:44:00.001-07:00

There is always a good reason to visit the V and A ....but come along tomorrow night when Friday Late: Yohji Yamamoto at Play takes place! It's a celebration of fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto and the exhibition about his iconic work.

There will be workshops, live performances, screenings, DJs and a bar.

I was asked to produce an illustration celebrating one of Yohji Yamamoto's creations....and on Friday at the V and A you will be able to come and screenprint your own bag with it! As well as my design you can also choose between illustrations by Abby Wright, Rosie McGuiness and Mireille Fauchon.

I Didn't See it Coming!

2011-05-24T06:08:00.000-07:00

Time to get your desk diary/planner/post it notes/knotted hankies out! On the 15th of June at 7pm at Offshore (Gibson Street, Glasgow) we are having a premiere of the animated music video I directed for Belle and Sebastian! You are all welcome and I promise there will be puppets, bear masks and even a bear cake (hopefully)

please come along!

It's all part of Libby Walker's Art Fusion event! find out more here

soma bear giveaway!

2011-05-19T03:48:00.001-07:00

I was asked by the lovely fiona of soma gallery to design a new tote for her! So out came the incredible balancing dancing bear and small umbrella!

You can win a tote by either by following soma on twitter and tweet "@somagallery I want to win a tote #dancingbear" . Visit soma for more details!

or I am also giving away a tote too...just leave a comment below and next friday I shall pick a lucky winner!

grafik 187

2011-05-12T03:52:00.000-07:00

I just discovered that I had been featured (along with Bex Glover, Gemma Millie and Jenny Robins) in Grafik Magazine issue 187. Amelia Gregory nominated us all as fashion illustrators to watch!

You can read the issue here

cent / worklife

2011-05-08T04:14:00.001-07:00

I was very pleased to be featured in two rather super publications recently. Firstly the current issue of Cent Magazine, along with other fantastic illustrators like Jack Teagle , Ben Newman and Matt Roden. The Spring/Summer issue of Cent magazine, guest edited by photographer Minnie Weisz is out mid-April. For more info please visit Cent

I also got my copy of Work/Life 2 from Uppercase. A directory full of illustration wonder from Gemma Correll, Lisa Congdon, Mia Christopher, Lab Partners.......

It's a super book check out a flip through

Work/Life 2 home movie from UPPERCASE gallery on Vimeo.

The Last Firebird

2011-05-04T07:43:00.001-07:00

Such a special bird is soon going to be extinct! You can get your mitts on the last ever firebird concertina on Meg Hunt's Art for Japan auction on e-bay! so please bid here

and if you don't fancy a firebird then there are lots of amazing artworks to bid on....

here's a photo (thanks stuart whitton!) of the firebird as a book cover jacket at the Crowley WORDSfest 2011.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival

2011-04-25T02:53:00.000-07:00

Like Jazz? Like genetics? Like animated squares (or Tetris with dinosaurs) ? Perfect! Then please come along to Animation Migration at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival this coming saturday.

Me and fantastic jazz musican Kit Downes were asked by the Wellcome Trust to create an animated musical adventure exploring the concept of DNA migration. We were aided in our experiment by super scientist Adam Rutherford (who you can see on his Gene Code series on the bbc).....if you want to see what we came up with (and also to ask Adam complicated questions about evolution) please come!

The rather amazing Bruce Cameron helped bring evolution to life in less than a month...three cheers for Bruce!

Lady in Red

2011-04-22T02:08:00.001-07:00

The ace Lizzy Stewart did a print swap with me and she sent me a whole heap of ace things including the print above (which I have nicknamed lady on red...) which now sits on my studio wall! thanks Lizzy!

Cent Magazine

2011-04-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

I contributed to issue 17 of Cent. The piece illustrates a story by Neil Baker. The Spring/Summer issue of Cent magazine, guest edited by photographer Minnie Weisz is out mid-April. For more info please visit Cent and go buy yourself a copy!

fold fold fold

2011-04-18T02:00:00.001-07:00

I got a red envelope in the post last week....and that can only mean good things! It was a concertina print of houses from the wonderful Gaia! Three great minds think alike and I have put it with my longhorse concertina and also Thereza's amazing concertina....I'm sure something ace will happen now they are all together....

the mighty pencil

2011-04-05T02:31:00.000-07:00

I was included in the fantastic Mighty Pencil Book....a feast of collected illustrators from around the globe. The book was designed for art directors to browse ....so any intersted ADs out there please get in touch!

The book was designed by Steven Bonner and the spreads above are from Ben the Illustrator, Minkee and Bex Glover.

Totummy Zine

2011-03-29T04:47:00.000-07:00

I was really excited to be asked by the awesome Publishers Club to do one of the screenprinted covers for the Totummy Zine (which was made to celebrate the character totum that inkygoodness have been constructing for pictoplasma this year)

My cover was screenprinted bright red...and the other covers by Simon Wild, Stephen Chan and Daren Newman printed in gold, green and purple respectively.

go buy yourself a copy from ammo

Tiger in Fopp

2011-03-24T03:28:00.001-07:00

I walked into Fopp and was greeted by a familar face......

Check out Kit's amazing album here

and please come and see me and Kit's special performance at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival!

AND my print is still up for auction on Print Okushon (all profits helping the efforts in Japan) and I will be including all sorts of good things to whoever wins! bid here

Anorak

2011-03-18T05:04:00.001-07:00

The super ace Anorak Magazine featured my bookmarks in their Spring 'Let's Get Outside' Issue. The mag is lovely and full of illustrations from the likes of Matthew Bromely and Nicholas John Frith. It even has a photostory (love that word!) featuring bears.....

Go buy an issue here

ALSO please take a look a Print Okushon where you can bid on prints from some great illustrators with all profits going to help Japan. I have my eye on a big whale.....

A Poster to Help

2011-03-17T04:21:00.000-07:00

I just thought I'd write a little blog about this poster by Mogu Takahashi that pikaland are selling with 100 per cent of the profits going to help Japan through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

I have this poster in my studio and it makes me smile every morning...and teaches me some japanese!

I think its great to have a print from a japanese artist which is a simple happy portrait to wonderful Japan and its language.

Please buy one here

Sunday Times Style

2011-03-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

was super super excited to be featured in today's Sunday Times Style Magazine alongside two other amazing fashion illustrators Blue Logan and JP Thurlow

this was extra special for me because I actually have every issue of the Sunday Times Style from the last 4 years piled up in my bedroom!

The image featured was one from Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration

London fashion Week 2011 - Mary Katrantzou

2011-03-03T04:14:00.000-08:00

I did a number of fashion illustrations for Amelias Magazine over LFW . My favourite collection to illustrate was by Mary Katrantzou (above) and you can read Amelia's review here

also illustrated for Matt's reviews of Paul Costello and Bernard Chandran

Kickcan and Conkers - win win win

2011-03-01T03:11:00.000-08:00

you can win your very own magic cloak from kickcan and conkers just click here. Kickcan and Conkers is one of my favourite blogs and is a daily treasure trove of ace things!

some of my fav recent posts are about alpacas and stamps

Prints Galore

2011-02-27T06:38:00.000-08:00

just recieved a lovely big batch of Giclee prints for my shop
.... and remember you all have a special README coupon to use which you enter at the checkout to get 25 per cent off!

10 Fingers

2011-02-17T07:24:00.000-08:00

Just recieved a stack of 10 fingers zines from memo helen. The zines are all screenprinted and stitched by hand and every page is also a postcard you can send to your friends. Each of the artists (Gemma Correll, Jen Collins, Anthony Zinonos, Will Bryant, Mia Christopher, Memo Helen, Jay Cover) created an illustration based on a childhood memory. Me and Jen both had imaginary animals...mine a horse called Mr Polo and Jen a pack of hounds!

You can buy a limited number from me here or go the amazing memo and buy one there

Uppercase

2011-02-09T15:34:00.000-08:00

I was so happy to be included in issue 8 of Uppercase Magazine. They asked for modern versions of the classic matchbox label sets. I decided to delve into my vintage 'Tales from Russia' book (where I discovered the tale of The Firebird) and I did a series of cards based on the stories inside.

My very talented friend Jen Collins also had some matchbox labels included - she based hers on scottish wildlife (including my favourite the squirrel above) You can buy Jen's matchbox labels as prints in her shop (I have just treated myself )

Sale!

2011-02-05T09:48:00.001-08:00

As very special people you can use the code README at the check-out in my etsy shop to get 25% off your order!

A Wee Dram

2011-02-03T16:12:00.001-08:00

I knew when I saw a red envelope waiting for me by the door that I was in for a treat....and boy was I right! The super ace Thereza Rowe had sent me a little present...one of her Magic Bottles books! Tonics to give you Wit and Wisdom, Time and Balance, Confidence and Inspiration and of course Wonder. I shall be putting these magic bottles in my pocket along with my hip flask. You can buy your very own copy here. (But I have number 1 of 100!)

Ribbons

2011-02-02T09:43:00.000-08:00

Ribbons and braids are pretty handy things...you never know when you might have to tie a robber up...... Fortunately I have a magic box of ribbons that I keep under my bed and when I was in London I visited The Cloth House and got myself some new supplies.

I Love Liberty

2011-01-30T15:24:00.000-08:00

I was in London for a few special reasons (more of which later) but whilst I was there I went to one of my favourite shops...Liberty! enjoy!

Who Needs Sleeves?

2011-01-25T08:38:00.000-08:00

yes capes are an ongoing obsession.....

I just finished illustrating a cape for Oh Comely Magazine.....you'll have to wait till the magazines out before I can show you the whole image...

also was very excited to find some other magic capes by Shida Tatsuya on the online store Koshka. I love the geometric and the sparkly cape....who needs sleeves anyway?

Queen of Tea and Biscuits

2011-01-11T16:39:00.001-08:00

I got the most wonderful surprise parcel today. It was addressed with a seal proclaiming 'For Queen Lesley' and contained a very important Royal portrait (and not of Wills and Kate.....) The rather special Gaia Bordicchia (AKA Countess of Coffee and Cake) had drawn a portrait (entirely accurate) of me for Christmas entitled 'Lesley Queen of Tea and Biscuits' So now you know - blue blood flows through my veins (probably mixed with biscuit crumbs and tea...)

In other news I also bought myself a rather wonderful vintage cape (take a peek here)

The ace Aqua Velvet wrote a wee bit about me on her blog

Postcards.....and a wee giveaway!

2011-01-06T07:04:00.000-08:00

I LOVE postcards and I have a huge drawer full of them - they also fill every available shelf and space on my wall! Here's a few lovely postcards I recieved recently from some of my favourite illustrators (and people)
top left - a super christmas post card by the amazing Anke Weckmann
bottom middle - you can pick one of the top Thereza Rowe's postcards at your local cinema as she designed the promo material for 'The Thorn in the Heart' by Michel Gondry.
bottom right and left - The lovely Yelena Bryksenkova sent me some of her postcard sized ladies.

and a wee giveaway! Amelia sent me a stack of postcards with my Christopher Raeburn image from her new book (You can read my blog about it here) I will pick three from any comments left below and send them one of these postcards!

Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration

2011-01-04T02:28:00.000-08:00

As you saw from my new year bookshelf I was lucky enough to receive my contributors copy of Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration...so I thought I would show you some of my pages! The book was written, art directed and designed by the ever super Amelia Gregory. It brought together 30 illustrators and a whole host of the best ethical fashion designers
I illustrated the quirky Lu Flux, the beautiful kimono shoes of Hetty Rose, the jewellery of Little Glass Clementine, and some Christopher Raeburn pieces. I also designed the text for the cover (which was illustrated by Andrea Peterson)

There are some amazing illustrators featured in the book whose work you should check out (but ALL the illustrations and illustrators are ace!) Some of my favourites include the romantic illustrations of Andrea Peterson, the psychedelic Natsuki Otani, the striking colour splash of Bex Glover, the paper queen Erica Sharp and the quite simply wonderful Yelena Bryksenkova (check out the elephant on her site!)

Wanna buy it now? You can here

and you can see more images on my website

New Year Bookshelf

2011-01-01T06:54:00.001-08:00

Happy 2011! Here's the pile of books I acquired over the festive period.....

Charley Harpers 123s AMMO (£2 from the habitat sale)

Charley Harpers ABCs AMMO (£2 in the habitat sale)

A Graphic Cosmogony NoBrow Press (a gift)

Amelia's Compendium of Fashion illustration Amelia's House (my contributors copy)

Penguin 75 Penguin Books (a gift)

Born Modern - The Life and Design of Alvin Lustig Chronical Books (a gift to myself!)

A Quiet Tiger Roars!

2010-12-28T18:28:00.000-08:00

I was a very lucky girl on christmas eve as I got a special parcel in the post......a tiger!

A few months ago the amazing Kit Downes asked if I would like to collaborate with him and his Jazz band (Kit Downes Trio) on some animation and art for their new album Quiet Tiger. They are very talented and their last album Golden was nominated for the Mercury music prize.

Usually I am slightly disappointed seeing my work in print but I actually love how the cover looks......and the music is great too!

SALE

for all you lovely followers I have a special coupon code in my etsy shop for 25% off anything! just quote README at the checkout.

GIVEAWAY

The winner of the Firebird Concertina was Ted Blackman

Belle and Sebastian

2010-12-20T05:02:00.000-08:00

I went to see Belle and Sebastian at the Barrowlands .....they were ace and brought warmth to the chilly heart of Glasgow in the snow (and also played my favourite song Judy and the Dream of Horses)

I was very sad and spent rather too long taking pictures of the merchandising stall......one of my friends even bought a bag with my panto design (which was good cos at least they sold one!) I bought myself one of these rather lovely tour posters (by Strawberry Luna)

I did try to take pictures of the show...but alas I am small in stature and couldn'r really see.....

So thank-you to Sarah for getting me in, my friends for putting up with my embarrassing behaviour, and the stars on the ceiling of the Barrowlands!

Firebird's Christmas Selection Box

2010-12-16T09:49:00.000-08:00

as a lover of everything shiny and ace the firebird would like to share with you some wonderful things that have caught his eye this festive period...

firstly, every girl wants a pony in her stocking, so Edward and the Horse, a vintage children's book by swedish designer Olle Eksell would be a fantastic gift. You can buy it from the Grain Edit shop.

if like me you forgot to buy an advent calender just visit Thereza Rowe's amazing winter drawing blog and while you're there why not pop into her shop and buy a neighbourhood book too?

another advent option is to order yourself an advent stencil from Present and Correct. Lesley has number 12....but there are still lots of days you can get your mitts on....

all Lesley wants for Christmas is a cowboy so the firebird has ordered this fantastic cowboy brooch from Matt Taylor's shop

and christmas also means panto! so why not order yourself a panto Belle and Sebastian bag (designed by lesley!)

giveaway! a creature of rare beauty!

2010-12-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

hello! I am Lesley and I like to draw. cut stuff out and make things move.....I thought that I should start a blog for 2011.....so to get a headstart I decided that a special giveaway might be just the ticket.....
If you are feeling a bit chilly this winter how would you like to win your very own firebird? whilst the actual firebird is, I'm afraid, too rare and delicate to send by post I have up for grabs a very special concertina print! The concertina is printed over two sides and is over one and a half metres long - perfect for that empty shelf.
"But Lesley how do I get my little hands on this creature of rare wonder and beauty?" I can hear literally no-one asking!
Well.......all you need to do is tell the firebird what you would do with a golden apple (just leave your answer as a comment below)
After the new year has begun the firebird will dive his beak into the comments and randomly pull one out - the golden comment - the winner!
And if you just can't wait that long you can get your mitts on some ace firebird prints from soma here