Tory Scum!

Was in the city centre yesterday, and couldn't believe the number of expensively groomed and suited, self-satisfied Conservatives swamping our streets. Put me right off my sandwich as I sat in Albert Square.
Which is why I was delighted to see this article on the front of the Manchester Evening News.

Leslie Wood Archive

Young Johnny Medway is 15 months now, and is starting to express an interest in planes, tractors and trains. Whilst I approve of his choices so far, I have concerns that this is inevitably leading him into the greedy clutches of Thomas the Tank Engine and his mean, selfish and arrogant friends. It's not just the fact that the typical TTE phase can last more than 3 years and be very expensive (especially if he starts becoming a completist collector like his dad) - there's just something wrong about Thomas. My good pal Christian likens him to Robocop when he removes his mask to reveal his fleshy human face - strip away the metal bodywork and his grey sluglike torso helplessly rolls down the embankment where he lays shivering like ET in the stream.
So how do you avoid becoming the Fat Controller, censoring a childs interests? The solution presented itself a few months ago when I went to see my own work on display in the library of Manchester Metropolitan University. The exhibition presented MMU art graduates work spanning over 100 years of the art department, much of it drawn from their own collection and archive. Alongside Oliver East, Ghilchick (who went on to draw for Punch) and incredible textile and industrial/commercial design, was a small handful of original illustrations for The Little Red Engine books by Leslie Wood.


The books were familiar though I don't remember actually ever reading any of them, and Woods name was unfamiliar, so I was delighted to discover that not only was he Stockport-born and studied at Manchester, but the library's Special Collections department holds his archive.
So, I finally made time on Friday to have a look for myself. Ended up staying for over 3 hours, and only managed to view about a third of his material, and have a brief openmouthed browse around their MASSIVE children's book collection.


It seems much of the most recognisable work was sold at Bohnams back in 2005, and the remaining stack was kindly donated by Leslie's widow Elsie. There's still a respectable amount of Little Red Engine originals, all gouache (I think) and ink on board. Apologies for my poor quality photographs - I will return with a tripod and proper camera. All images are from the archive unless stated otherwise.






This one I pulled off the internet, as it appeals to my love of illustrated maps in kids books, which I think I've mentioned before.

There's work from other titles too-

(unknown title)

-including roughs and originals from much later work, which demonstrates how he was able to move with the times (but unfortunately something of the early charm gets lost) -


Also in the archive - illustrations for magazines, notably Punch as well as Shell's inhouse publication Shellman and work for BP -





-and piles and pile of beautiful advertising work. This only skims the surface with a few choice examples -

(whatever became of Manchester's Wemco Handkerchief Works?)

I must find out if this sugar bowl was ever actually produced. There's a definite Eric Ravilious influence (he needs a separate post), much more subtle than his more energetic lollipop fun work, but still simple, clear and beautiful.
Why is there not a gorgeous monograph of Woods incredible output? I've not touched on his science fiction covers, nor fully explored MMU's treasure horde, but it's clear this amazing artist and designer's significant contribution shaped so many truly delightful images and publications.
I'll be back there as soon as I can, so this is by no means the last you'll hear of Wood or the brilliant Special Collections department.



Thanks to Jeremy for all his kind help in sharing this delightful resource.

Waiting 2009, enamel and marker on found painting.

Like everything I do it takes a long time for me to get round to doing it. This sign is one of 3 I rescued from a bookies in New Mills that was being refitted and modernised, probably a couple of years ago now. Finally added my own touch to it, just in time for Paul Stolper's stand at the Buy Art Manchester fair thing at Urbis next week.
Framed (but not glazed), it's over a metre square and dead heavy. Would look great in your house though, as would Oliver East's artwork for Elbow's Seldom Seen Kid, currently on eBay.

2.5 - Character pose sheets

Having seen something similar in one of those old learn to cartoon books, I thought it might be good to produce my own version to use in my workshops. This A3 lightly printed sheet now slots in just after draw yourself, and really seems to help kids bring their Charlie Brown versions of themselves to life with movement and body language. I know it only helps them create one style of character, but it keeps things simple enough for all participants, and even the boys who want to learn Wolverine's muscle structure have to start somewhere.

All these examples are from my first sessions using them, at a very nice primary in Chorlton (thank you to the brilliant Kieran, Kerry, Jenny, Izzy and Emily for letting me make photocopies of their work). Being pushed for time, I only let them draw the centre figure then one or two other selected poses before having to move on. These wonderful sheets were brought in the following day, having been completed at home -

(click to enlarge)

This was also the first out of near on 30 schools I've worked in where someone had subscribed to The DFC.

Chorlton mum

Recommended reads

Had been wanting to read this for ages, but never saw a copy anywhere. Blank Slate also publish the excellent Oliver East, so I was keen to give this a go.
It's only small (4 inches wide), but this pocket size adds to the charm of German Mawil's brilliant artwork. He makes it look so easy, when actually it isn't. Sparky O'Hare is completely funny and lovely, and is only a fiver too.

Not a comic, but still counts as a good read - Fair Use (Notes From Spam) published by Bookworks. Ironically I can't put a link to Graham Parker's site as it warns me "it may harm your computer", but I shall when it's fixed.
Graham is a proper artist and a proper friend, and this beautifully produced slipcase package contains 5 booklets exploring spam and it's reliance on advancing technology.
Truly excellent and smart. £15.

I wish I was better at writing reviews. It's really hard, especially when somethings really good.

Range Riders Western

Hurrah for Scriveners - found this Pembertons of Manchester story paper for £1. Seems to be 1950, though that might be the date for the original and earlier US edition. I must find out who else (if anyone) was reprinting this kind of American stuff at the time. Did it have the same kind of escapist exotic appeal that manga has now? - a glimpse into an alien and exciting other world, far from the stifling dreariness of 1950's Britain. Saying that, the stories are rubbish.

I'm getting quite excited about this research stuff now, as new information is emerging and various artists and publishers are starting to be approached. Need to make sure I don't spend too much time and effort on it at the expense of cat drawing at the moment, though once a clearer picture of what we've got has taken shape, I'll be able to start thinking about approaching exhibition venues and costing the project up. Also I've got Mr Mike Noon on board as a fellow enthusiast, and he's cleverer than me so it will all turn out better.

Another animal -

-this time by Daniel -

Guess the animal, job and emotion

Brilliant drawing by Katharine as part of the 3 card characters game at a workshop in Stockport over the weekend.
Whoever guesses right first is super, and the rest of you are rotten eggs.

The Leaflets of Vermont

Made this a few years back, during my stay in White River Junction while attending CCS. Before going out there I'd searched for a Vermont guidebook, but it seemed to be the only state without one, which was worrying. Upon arrival I realised that instead they communicate all tourist attractions, culture, leisure and retail through huge expansive racks of leaflets everywhere you turn. It might have something to do with the statewide ban on advertising hoardings - one of the best things a place can do I reckon.
Anyroad there was very little to do of an evening in WRJ - which is why it's such a good place to intensly labour over making comics (especially during the 6 month winter when you're housebound) - so I lay upon my hotel bed on my tummy and produced this.

(click to enlarge)