Accidental Vix

Two of my favourite things… gigs are reminders of fab times, and lyrics are there as reminders of fab times but also to cheer me up in bad times. So, I decided to make a gigs and lyrics book for my great friend Jane, as she was my gig buddy when we were living up North, and we were regulars at Manchester Academy. We often text each other song lyrics in times of need, but also when musical moments and memories come to us. Making this book reminds me of how important music is in my life, and it is also one of the reasons I fell in love with my husband as his music and DJing are his passion. Above are a few of my fave pages, and fave bands… I may not see another REM tour but at least I got to share the last one with Jane, and here’s to many more!

Xx

I have to admit that I often challenge myself to my limits but I think I have even surpassed my own expectations this time! That being said, how could I say no to collaborating with the fab Rob Jelinski? The excitement is building as Saturday approaches but so are the nerves as I plan to do a live broadcast at 3.30am UK time to share a collaborative project with Rob and his digital after party for A Book Called Forever. I can’t reveal too much, but to quote Rob… ‘This global broadcast will stream LIVE from Nashville, London, and Montana featuring the musical talent of Blake Stratton and Shayla coupled with the creative whimsy of Vicky Morse. The venue will be hosted by two of Jersey’s finest- Rob Jelinski and Efrain Mercado.’ You’ll have to wait until Saturday 31 March 2012 to find out more but I am honoured to be associated with some very talented artists – Blake Stratton, Shayla and especially Rob, who I ‘met’ through the sketchbook project.

Xx

Any REM fan will know what I’m talking about! Although gutted to learn on 21 Sept 2011 that my favourite band are splitting up I am not surprised. REM have been a huge influence in my life, especially my art since I remember and although I am sad there will be no more gigs and new music after November there are still 15 fab albums to listen to. There are many songs with many meanings but 6 of my fave have to be:

At My Most Beautiful – ‘at my most beautiful I count your eyelashes secretly, with everyone whisper I love you. I let you sleep.’ I’m not going to say much more on this one apart from that it is my all time fave song!

Walk Unafraid – ‘I will walk unafraid… I was brought into this life a little lamb… courageous stumbling, fearless was my middle name…’ Courage can always be mustered from somewhere when we need it.

Daysleeper – ‘my night is coloured headache grey’ – that would be a fab name for a paint colour. This song reminds me of a time when I wasn’t sleeping very well and used to listen to this to drift off thinking about what the other parts of the world were doing ‘Hong Kong is present. Tai Pei awakes up.’ When I listen to this I think of the chaos that life often is.

It happened today – ‘this is not a parable, this is a terrible, this is a terrible thing.’ Just about sums up how I felt at the news of the band that I grew up listening to being no more, but on a more positive note I love this tribute from Pearl Jam, let the covers continue and REM songs live on. This one is for you Michael, Peter, Mike and Bill.

The Great Beyond -’I'm pushing an elephant up the stairs.’ This is definitely my cheer up song, thanks to my dear friend Claire. Everytime I hear this song I think of her and smile. When we were at school I remember going through a particularly difficult time and walking to life drawing when Claire started singing this to me and I couldn’t do anything but giggle so Claire this one is for you!

Everybody Hurts – ‘Everybody hurts, everybody cries.’ This is a classic and a reminder that we all have bad days, and need to cry. The strongest memory I have of this song is being driven to school by my mum when I was younger and me obviously giving her a particularly hard time that day as children often do and Everybody Hurts came on the radio. My mum just went silent and said – listen to this, I have feelings too!

Each image above was drawn/made and influenced by these incredible songs, and now off I go to listen to the best band that ever lived, with my sketchbook. Thank you REM for so many good years and influencing so many people along the way!

Xx

I decided to have a change from my anonymity range today with a listing dedicated to all my fellow Jesters, and I am pleased to say that I have sold and posted one Jester Jeff to Natalie already, which has taken my Folksy sales tally into double figures!  Now all I have to do is try and come up with some designs for the April Foolers, May Mayhemmers and June Loons (any suggestions welcome.)

I’m working from home today, so thought I’d make the most of my lunchtime and the peace and quiet by doing my blog as we are going to see a Jessse Malin gig tonight, having his music on in the background is helping me with my detailed drawing pack. I think that sentence has just given me my theme for the day – music (which was also an illustrapedia topic I illustrated for):

Jessica’s jotters – Treble clef jotter (This is so pretty, I’m always looking for new sketchbooks)

Kokokelli – Black/white bracelet (the black and white reminds me of the hours of piano practice on those black and white keys I used to do – and there was a sale from this shop to a music related celebrity!)

Pins and needles – Green ipod cover (can’t mention music these days without an ipod making an appearance, and what an appearance it would make in this stunning green cover)

Gifts shack – Monkey badges (I used to get stars in my book if I did well in my piano lessons, but I’d have much preferred a cheeky monkey badge if I didn’t do well)

Short but sweet today as lots of drawings still to do going to Islington.

Xx