Illustration friday: match

Momma coo is very picky when it comes to furnishings and accessories... her scarf must match her boots, her boots must match the flowers in the tree which in turn, must match the curtains in her birdie house. Even baby coo's bib has to match!

I created this illustration from a simple inked line drawing, scanned it and then added the essential ingredient: colour! I also decided to pop on my creative lab coat this time and experiment with a bit of texture (trees and birdie house).

It's not my best illustration but it's a cutie and experimentation often leads to better results in the future... I had fun too!

Coo x

Inspire me Thursday: Open Challenge

The challenge
The challenge was left pretty much open this week but there were a number of prompting questions to think about... I've answered my favourites at the bottom of the article. For this illustration I focused mainly on the questions: 'why do you create?' and 'why are you an artist'?

My doodle response...
The image portrays how the monster of creativity (cute little bear with a trunk) sucks my thoughts throughout work and play until I create something.. in other words, if I didn't create - my mind may just explode!
However, I've decided to keep the illustration bright and colourful to portray creativity as fun and imaginative. The little monster that is sucking my thoughts is seen as a cute character rather than as a 'baddie'... This is because I'm glad that the monster of creativity strikes so often - it's a welcome distraction! Therefore, in a way, the monster of creativity represents my mind and my imagination. However, it can be a 'monster' to ignore such thoughts when you've got work to do, an essay to write or if you are simply trying to get some sleep!

Answer time...

What’s your favorite source for inspiration?
At the moment, I keep seeing illustration, cute characters and doodle ideas around every corner. So I guess I find my inspiration all around me! However, I am finding a lot of inspiration from flickr at the moment - there are so many creative artists, doodlers and designers on there as well as amazing photographers. Children's books also really inspire me.

Do you feel you need to shake things up in your art?
Sometimes yes and sometimes no. It depends on my mood - often I just have this strong desire to draw and it's usually a surprise what comes out. Other times, I read articles in the news and aim to illustrate issues that I'm really passionate about. I think that if you make it your aim to 'shake things up', it can be more difficult to do so. However, if you don't plan it, you could end up with something really original and unique.

What is your favorite thing about creating? Your least favorite?
My favourite thing is being able to see potential doodle ideas in everyday mundane items such as cracks on a building wall or the way a sock may be hanging on a radiator! My least favourite thing is that these thoughts make me occasionally question my sanity!!! Also, I often get really creative at 2am in the morning which is not so great when you've got an early start the next day!

Why do you create?
Because I have to! If I didn't I'd get too frustrated with myself... it helps me get out my feelings and responses to the issues around me and in the wider world. I can be quite a shy person so I tend to express myself through dancing, illustrating and writing rather than being a chatterbox! Also, it's fun to create!

How do you describe your art?
Fun, sometimes cheeky, bright and occasionally sneaky!

Using doodles in unusual ways, 2

fall down and i'll pick you up!,
originally uploaded by andreafleischer.

'fall down and i'll pick you up!' is the name of this creative use of a leaf and a biro, by Andrea fleischer. By the way, it's green bird here and I had to let you know about this because I just think it is so imaginative and original... On all the tree's I've perched on, I've never come across such a cool leaf. It's a great way of recyling nature and taking advantage of something that is free and easy to get hold of. It's also fun and makes you want to take a closer look.

'Using doodles in unusual ways' is a series of short articles written by green bird. When green bird finds a creative and unusual way illustration has been used, he shares the inspiration with everyone! Green birds philosophy is to experiment as much as possible and not to be afraid of trying ideas that may seem bizarre or freaky at first!' These are usualy the most interesting ideas!

Green bird finds fame, or a twin or neither?

my half of the matching collab painting,
originally uploaded by dogboneart.

Coo says: 'Wow green bird, I never knew you were so famous.. I guess you must have been flying around a lot lately! Or is it just that great doodling minds think alike? Great style Dogboneart!!'

Green bird says: 'I've finally found my long-lost twin.. I always knew I had one!'

If only graphic designers read the weather...

psicodelic-weather.,
originally uploaded by pablo bisoglio.

This intelligent illustration by 'pablo bisolgio' in his 'digital' flickr set really caught our eye. It reminds us of a mixture of vintage patterns and posters mixed up with cute 21st century cheeky creatures! Great work Pablo!

funky flickr find - illustration and photography

Insanityislikeawarmwoolyblanket,
originally uploaded by myrtepeert.

Illustrationcoo says: "I had to share this flickr find with you all because it's not only imaginative, funny and simple but also cheeky and unsual - mixing up photography with illustrated monsters and characters... I found this really inspiring - thanks 'myrtepeert', your work is really funky and original!"

Evil baby says: "Yeah mom, this is really funky and bright and simple and unique and all of that but I'm much cuter... and don't even think about getting me to clean your nostril for you!"

Using doodles in unusual ways, 1

side B,
originally uploaded by white dog bobby.

Hi, it's green bird. I love things that are cute and simple like me and these sweet door hangers get top marks.

Not only are they cute but they make a boring door look fresh and funky which then makes your room seem cool and therefore makes you seem like the king / queen of cool! Okay, I'm getting a bit carried away now.

But, I wanted to show you this because it can sometimes be easy to think as simple doodles like me as being little use other than as a sticker or just another drawing... And whilst there's nothing wrong with that, you must remember we are all individuals in our own rights and can be put to practical use too! Illustration and design can be 'fun' and 'funny' and should be utilised in as many ways as possible!

Well done to 'White dog bobby' for this unusual and unique way to put us doodles to use!

I'm sure you'll be receiving a similar report from fashion pooch shortly as he's been tracking down some really sweet, illustrated garmentos! So, you see, illustration is everywhere as doodles are becoming more and more important - we make you smile, laugh and go 'aaaw, how cute'!

And remember, doodles have feelings too!

Contribute your work to charity (Mental Health)

spacing out.,
originally uploaded by manda the panda.

This is coo! I came across this funky mixed-media illustration in my favourite hang-out of late - flickr... It was produced by manda, who has some really funky work including cute pandas!!!

Anyway, this illustration got me thinking about a great project I'm working on at the moment with a local self-help group.

They are called SODIT - Survivors of Depression in Transition and are based in Sheffield. The project aims to put together a collection of poems (some written by members of the group) and illustrations which have a focus on mental well-being! All proceeds will go to the group and hopefully, the collection will be collated in a book.

We need contributions - poems and drawings / illustration and perhaps photography, relevant to this project. If you would like to contribute, please get in touch with me (drop me an email) with a link / attachment to the piece you wish to submit!

There will be a 'contributors section' in the book for you to include your name and web address! But sadly, as this is a charity we cannot offer payment to you.

Hope you'll be in touch soon dudes and dudettes! Coo x

Evil baby stamps his feet at bull poopish art!

robotassemblage; bsartist,
originally uploaded by JShine.

Hi all, it's evil baby here! Had to share my latest find with you because you all know that evil baby likes to be blunt! Well, this image by Robot... sums it all up perfectly! My mummy has come across tons of 'artists' and whilst there's plenty of talent out there, there's
also a lot of bull poop! Well spotted R ;-)

Check out my Crazy Coo Zoo Masterpiece for charity!

Crazy Coo Zoo.,
originally uploaded by illustration Coo.

Hi, here I've created my own little masterpiece as part of a contribution to a much bigger masterpiece - 'the one million masterpiece project!'

This project aims to bring 1 million artists, doodlers and generally creative characters together to create a huge massive piece of online art.

The reason? Well, apart from being a cool idea where funky people can exhibit side by side, digital patch-work quilt style, it's also raising money for charities such as Action Aid, Save the Children and Oxfam.

The idea is, if you want to add your own artwork you have to join up and make a minimum donation of £3.50! This buys you a space in the 'difital patch-work masterpiece' as well as a little spot in history itself! You can also add your url's under your profile to send other fun people surfing your way!

Check it out at: www.theonemillionmasterpiece.co.uk

Cheers! Whilst your surfing you may as well stop for a tea break at: www.illustrationcoo.co.uk
(but sadly we don't serve any refreshments).

Cheeky and simple, by tweaker

canvas 3,
originally uploaded by white dog bobby.

Hi all, it's tweaker here! I've found a buddy as cute as me - well almost! I had to let you know about this fantastic illustrator / designer / doodler / funky flickroo! I just love this cutie - she's so simple and straightforward yet so clever at the same time... And tweaker lurves simple girls! I guess this just adds fuel to my ever burning arguement that simple and clever art can be intelligent (just like moi)!

Coo blog has landed onto planet doodle

hi everyone!

Welcome to coo's official blog!!!

Here you'll have the opportunity to find out more about coo and his friends, including their cute and sometimes freaky personalities!!! You'll get to find out what they get up to, what they like and dislike, and who / what they've discovered in the world of doodles!

I'll also keep adding the latest news from illustrationcoo including inspirational sites and tools I've hunted down as well as the latest funky coo projects as they're being created!

Most importantly, there will be plenty of inspirational ideas, reviews and doodles!

Happy reading / skimming / whatever x