Sink Beneath the Waves

The feeling of treading water in everyday life comes all to often. The feeling of being underwater, well isn't nice. Life can feel overwhelming at times, thankfully nothing ever stays the same.

'Sink Beneath the Waves' is from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series.

Merry Christmas - 2011

Merry Christmas to all friends, clients and casual visitors to kenrinkel.blogspot.com. This is my christmas card that I am sending to clients, friends and family this year. it features Santa Claus as a happy man revelling in his time spent underneath the mistletoe. Internet surfers around the world may be familiar with Christmas and Santa Claus but maybe not so much mistletoe. 
Mistletoe is commonly used as a Christmas decoration, and according to custom, the mistletoe must not touch the ground between its cutting and its removal as the last of Christmas greens at the winter equinox; it may remain hanging through the year, often to preserve the house from lightning or fire, until it was replaced the following Christmas Eve. In cultures across pre-Christian Europe, mistletoe was seen as a representation of divine male essence. Whoohoo!
It was described in 1820 by American author Washington Irving in his "The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon": "The mistletoe is still hung up in farm-houses and kitchens at Christmas, and the young men have the privilege of kissing the girls under it, plucking each time a berry from the bush. When the berries are all plucked the privilege ceases."
I think these days it would be prudent to ask first.
Joyeux Noël 
Ken Rinkel

Separation - Train Ride of Scattered Thoughts

Newly separated from his partner, Dylan rides the train and ponders the situation.
This is an artwork mainly about the mindscape of an individual at a certain point in time.
'The Train Ride of Scattered Thoughts' is from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series.

A Shadow of My Former Self - Stars & Stripes

From the Snakeskin Sketchbook series a metaphorical comment on the current economic state of the USA and returning veterans of conflict zones.

Print available at my shop at Artflakes who are now newly printing in America so there are now reduced shipping prices.

Broom Brigade

The twins of the broom brigade share the work, share the effort and share the rewards of hard work, a clear place to breathe. 'Broom Brigade' is from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series.

Shower Me With Kisses

A whole load of round shapes that together remind me of this great song that was written in 1935. I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter. Music by Fred E Ahlert and lyrics by Joe Young.
A lotta kisses on the bottom, I'll be glad I got em'. Too good!
From the Snakeskin Sketchbook.

Here's a Youtube link to the Fats Waller version
and here's the lyrics:

I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter
And make believe it came from you

I'm gonna write words oh so sweet
They're gonna knock me off my feet
A lotta kisses on the bottom
I'll be glad I got 'em

I'm gonna smile and say
I hope you're feeling better
I'll close with love the way you do
I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter
And I'm gonna make believe it came from you

Oh yeah

I'm gonna write words oh so sweet
They're gonna knock me off my feet
A lotta kisses on the bottom
I'll be glad I got 'em

Oh yeah

I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter
And I'm make believe it came from you
Oh yeah
I'm gonna make believe it came from you

Oh yeah

Vanity, On Display

Purely a character study of attitude. 'Vanity, on Display' is another from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series of drawing. Vanity was inspired by a bull I had seen recently at the 'Mudgee Small Field Farm Days'. The bull had a sign on it's pen which said, 'keep back, bull hates small children'.

Violence-Silence

Often the natural response to violence or the threat of violence is to stay silent. Silence in the hope of not attracting further violence. This character is hollowed out by the experience and the silence.

Stripes_ Pippa Jogging, Hyde Park

On illustration friday, Pippa was spotted jogging in Hyde Park, London,
Wearing tight lycra jogging pants and a striped top, Pippa caught the eye and apparently the heart of Terry as he walked the adorable Winston on a long lead.

I'm Not Scared - IF

 

The first thing that came to mind when Illustration Friday's suggested topic word of 'Scary' was remembering all the dressing up and anticipation for the North American festival of Halloween. Which as an occasion is catching on in my Aussie neighbourhood more and more each year. 'The harvesting of the lollies' night is one candy companies, retailers and and (lets not forget the kids) are loving. A bag of free candy from the neighbours just for dressing up! Wow! Kids aren't stupid.

The second thing that came to mind was a book I illustrated in 2005 for Blake Education. The images here are just some from 'I'm Not Scared'. This was for their Gigglers series and was aimed at reluctant primary school readers. Above is a page where an Ogre appears and below is the printed spread where the Bunyip is appearing.













The story was about a father and daughter ghost talking about what they found most scary.
Each scary 'monster' mentioned manifested. Then, as each monster mentions what scares them it then manifested. And so on. It was a great little book written by author Wendy Blaxland and was great fun to create and play around with scary fun characters, including the father and daughter ghosts, an ogre, a giant and Australia's own billabong frightener the Bunyip.

The illustrations were created digitally from scans of the roughs and was the first book that I extensively used photoshop filters for texture. Below, is the cover image showing some of the character faces.

Fiona Fuels Her Fire

'Fiona Fuels Her Fire' is a simple portrait of a simple girl, with simple fuel requirements for simple fun.
A simple illustration today from me, a simple man, to keep things simple.

'Scattered Cloud Chance of Showers' IF

'Scattered Cloud, Chance of Showers' is from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series of drawings.
Ah, cleansing water, wash away the accumulations from the day.

IA 9X5 exhibition - Opening Night

Illustrators Australia 9X5 opening night tonight. If you happen to be flying into Melbourne tonight I am sure it is the thing to do. All works for sale with a starting price of $195. Bidding occurs if more than one person really really really wants it too.

Meanwhile all the images are displayed on the web so if Melbourne is not in the itinerary you can have a good look at this groups entries for this years theme. You can vote on a peoples choice award and rate the images on a page that looks like this with my mine on it below.  Others I am liking right now are from: Adam Carruthers, Jill Brailsford, Emma Kidd, Louise Kyrakou, Matt Clare, Tracie Grimwood, Kim Fleming, and Warren Crossett.

Moose Contraption near Waterfall Landscape

'Moose Contraption Near Waterfall Landscape' is from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series. This nature piece harkens back to my days of hiking and exploring the rich topography, flora and fauna of the Rocky Mountains west of Calgary, Canada.

9X5 - Illustrators Australia's 16th annual exhibition

As the poster here says It's time for the Illustrators Australia 9X5 annual exhibition.
this years theme is the word 'Rapture'. You can comment and rate the images there.
Opening Friday 14th October 2011, at Space 39, level 2, 39 Little Collins Street, Melbourne Victoria, Australia.
My artwork which will be exhibited is below, and this definition should explain things a little bit:
a mystical experience in which the spirit is exalted to a knowledge of devine things.
The original concept was explored in the Snakeskin Sketchbook series.

Heibernate-IF _ Not Sleeping, Dying

'Not Sleeping, Dying', is from the Snakeskin Sketchbook Series.
It is really an illustrated response to a dream I had the other night in which death (my own) played a prominent part.
It reminded me of the Tears for Fears song 'Mad World'
and the lyric;
'I find it kind of funny,
I find it kind of sad,
The dreams in which I'm dyin'
are the best I've had,'
I find it hard to tell you
'Cause I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very
                                         ...Mad world'

Who killed Cock Robin?

Ferocious -

I said.

I killed. 

I said. 

I saw.

Who killed Cock Robin?

I, said the Sparrow,

with my bow and arrow,

I killed Cock Robin.

Who saw him die?

I, said the Fly,

with my little eye,

I saw him die.

Who caught his blood?

I, said the Fish,

with my little dish,

I caught his blood.

Who'll make the shroud?

I, said the Beetle,

with my thread and needle,

I'll make the shroud.

Who'll dig his grave?

I, said the Owl,

with my pick and shovel,

I'll dig his grave.

Who'll be the parson?

I, said the Rook,

with my little book,

I'll be the parson.

Who'll be the clerk?

I, said the Lark,

if it's not in the dark,

I'll be the clerk.

Who'll carry the link?

I, said the Linnet,

I'll fetch it in a minute,

I'll carry the link.

Who'll be chief mourner?

I, said the Dove,

I mourn for my love,

I'll be chief mourner.

Who'll carry the coffin?

I, said the Kite,

if it's not through the night,

I'll carry the coffin.

Who'll bear the pall?

We, said the Wren,

both the cock and the hen,

We'll bear the pall.

Who'll sing a psalm?

I, said the Thrush,

as she sat on a bush,

I'll sing a psalm.

Who'll toll the bell?

I said the Bull,

because I can pull,

I'll toll the bell.

All the birds of the air

fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,

when they heard the bell toll

for poor Cock Robin.

From the Snakeskin Sketchbook series. 'Who killed Cock Robin'

Here's a link to the wiki site about the poem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cock_Robin

http://www.redbubble.com/people/kenrinkel/art/7812614-who-killed-cock-robin

ASHEAD's been smoking - Mesmerized IF

'ASHEAD's Been Smoking' is from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series.
Maybe because Ashead's been smoking he's finding the formation of little birdies flying past him somewhat mesmerizing.

Pass It On

Jackie Hosking of the weekly e-zine Pass It On has included my 'Suds' children's illustration and short interview with me in the latest issue. (issue 355. Monday, September 12th 2011)
The suds illustration is from my children's book portfolio and pre snakeskin sketchbook which most of my recent posts have included. You'll need to go back a few months to see more of the children's book and educational work.

What is Pass It On?
Pass It On is a weekly, interactive, networking e-zine for all those involved with or interested in the children's writing & illustrating industry. (Australian focus)




Meanwhile here is a monkey eating an iceblock. It's a detail from a spread in my Monkey Match books.

http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/

Boundary - Illustration Friday

'Boundary' is from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series. This boundary is purely artistic? Our character is hemmed in only by the texture and colour of the background. Unable to pass past this barrier to the blue sky beyond.  Or is it the character's mindscape? Unable to pass from one defined construct to see an alternative way.

Redbubble card.

FB Update, WTF? - Illustration Friday

Facebook update, WTF?.
It's a mystery how that got there, Who ? What? .....ugh.
Could just as much be an ipod ad as FB.
I thought that Illustration Friday's topic 'Mysterious' was a good opportunity to post this character who's in the grips of a major sinking feeling.
From the Snakeskin Sketchbook series and available at Redbubble and Artflakes.

Death and the Raven

Death and the Raven is from the Snakeskin sketchbook series.
Raven has a habit of showing up here and there at some of the more inopportune moments of life.

Medium is pen & ink with on a digitally created background. The deep background here also has a texture from the scanned snakeskin cover of the Snakeskin Sketchbook itself.

Available once again at Redbubble and Artflakes.

DISGUISE - Illustration friday - Camo & Flage

Camo & Flage is a tribute to wide-eyed gun-totting would be hunters. Camo, he's the real hunter, tall and carrying grandpa's big gun. Flage, on the other hand knows deep down he's only playing at being the hunter, hence the 'handgun' he carries with him. Both have spent hours on their outfits that are so good that both Camo & Flage are likely to come home on the hood of an SUV rather than driving it themselves.

A fun one posted here for illustration friday.

Media is pen & ink characters with and acrylic paint background on plywood.

Illustrators Australia A3 group show

ONLY 2 DAYS
and only two Snakeskin Sketchbook prints from me in this exhibition. There is also around 120 others from the Illustrators Australia group to see as well.

Next week is the two day Sydney exhibition of the Illustrators Australia A3 print show at
Fraser Studios 10-14 Kensington St, Chippendale.
They are also available online (2011 A3 SHOW) (page7) if you happen to not be in Sydney during the all to brief window of viewing opportunity.

Prints are on Museo 300 gsm Portfolio Rag (archival, acid free, matte & 100% cotton)

The Giclee prints are from some of the best Australian illustrators in the industry - all on sale for an amazing $125 each!

CLICK here for a link to some exhibition and set up photos.

A gesture for a gesture - Illustration Friday

'A gesture for a gesture.' AKA 'For Heaven's Sake'
It's about asking or pleading for a little sign from a higher authority.
Or is it about osmosis. Waiting for the movement from where there is more to where there is less.
Print available at Redbubble and Artflakes.

Stay - Illustration Friday

'Stay' is another image from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series of drawings.

When you don't want it to end a tentative touch says stay.
Inspiration of the Illustration Friday topic 'Stay'.

The technique once again is a combination of ink drawing and a digitally created textural background.
Cards & Prints available at my Redbubble account.

Illustration Friday - Medication

'Medication' is another image from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series of drawings.
This one has incarnated into a finished print through the inspiration of the Illustration Friday topic 'Remedy'.
I thought that this was an apt image to address the topic as the remedy for much of life's maladies, both physical and emotional, can be a little dose of love in your life.
The technique once again is a combination of ink drawing and a digitally created textural background. Print available at Redbubble.

Midsummer Night's Madness - Illustration Friday

'Midsummer Night's Madness' is from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series.
This piece was inspired by the Illustration Friday suggested topic 'Midsummer Night'.
"Why this is very midsummer madness" - William Shakespeare.
I couldn't go past this quote without thinking of a good bungy jump on a warm summer's eve and thinking about holidaying in Queenstown New Zealand.
The technique is a combination of crosshatch ink drawing and a digitally created textural background made with photoshop filters over an Illustrator created background. Print available at Redbubble.

'Launch' - Illustration Friday

Swoop is from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series.
This piece was inspired by the Illustration Friday suggested topic 'Launch'.
The technique is a combination of crosshatch ink drawing and a digitally created textural background meshed with photography. Print available at Redbubble and Artflakes.

ARTFLAKES - Prints now available in Europe

Some people have been enquiring about buying prints direct in Europe. I've now joined up with Artflakes so that they are available to a wider audience. I am only making the Snakeskin Sketchbook series available at this point. These are giclée prints available as framed prints, canvas prints, poster prints, the very cool gallery print and as cards.

A Little Bird told me

'A Little Bird told me' is another from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series.
Stories make the world go round and somebody here has been told some intriguing information.
Ink on paper, digital background.
Print available.

Swept Up, Illustration Friday

'Swept Up' is from the Snakeskin Sketchbook series. This piece was stimulated by the Illustration Friday suggested topic "Swept'. This is a combination of crosshatch ink drawing and a digitally created background.

Print is available from Redbubble.com