Journal - November 2008 Music today: Avril Lavigne - just started at the beginning and letting every track play through in iTunes We have these trees in pots either side of our front door - it gives an air of respectability to the place, don't you know. One of the pots blew over and broke, so we went to get replacements. We went to the B&Q superstore in Coventry and headed for the garden section. As we made our way there, I was distracted by an interesting shape. You know these barrels that people collect rainwater in - they're called water butts. So, I have to admire the guts of the company that has taken that idea literally and produced a four foot tall arse to put in the garden. Not that I want to wave the political correctness flag or anything, but they only seemed to stock brown ones. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm as happy as anyone to have a huge arse in my garden, but there's bound to be someone that asks why there isn't a caucasian one. I was tickled to see where the manufacturer has put the outlet. Logical, really, although, I do find the fact that their water butt will never recover from the squits is a little sad. -------------------------------------------------------------- Journal - October 2008 No music. The lovely wife Dawn and me were on one of our regular walks the other night when I asked her this question - If you had your very own endoscope, where would be the first place you'd look? I can't remember her exact response, but I think she called me a rude name. Maybe you can try the same question on people and let me know the results. --------------------------------------------------------------- Journal - October 2008 Music today: The Pigeon Detectives and the Fratellis It's all a blur. October is flitting by and I feel like I'm magnificently busy on all kinds of things. To add a little variety to my workload, I found an agent that can peddle my flabby butt in other parts of the world. If you look at the contacts page of this site, you'll find a link to Advocate's site. Lovely people. I went to see them a while back and got on swimmingly with them. So far I've produced a heap of Christmas card designs for 2009 - it does seem odd designing something for next Christmas when we've still got to get this one out of the way. I've also put together quite a complex image of ten dachshunds (sausage dogs) joyriding in a vintage car, which was great fun to do. That particular piece took the best part of a month to complete, but it was good fun to work on. I've not worked in acrylics for a while and certainly not in the kind of detail required for this one. I'll see if the client is happy for me to display the image on this site before I show you. My client in the world of Needlework, Heritage Crafts, have been keeping me on my toes too. I produced a stylised image of a cat toasting a mouse on a skewer with the cation "Tiddles wishes you a very happy Crisp Mouse" which they converted into a crossstitch kit. It was so successful that they wanted another to follow it up - this one's going after the goldfish. It seems that in Tiddles, the star of these images, we've found a new vehicle for our regular forays to the dark side. I must remember to add them to the gallery. ------------------------------------------------------------- Journal - September 2008 Music today: Craig Armstrong's soundtrack to Plunkett & Maclaine If you're familiar with my biography, you'll know I grew up with the notion that I couldn't draw horses. Well, wonder of wonders, I found out after all this time that I can draw horses! (This journal entry previously appeared in my blog on www.peterunderhill.com - I hope you'll forgive me for using it twice! - actually, if you pop over there and have a look, you'll see a picture of my cartoony horses) ---------------------------------------------------------- Journal July 2008 Music today: The Ting Tings - We started nothing; Foals - Antidote . Two Journal entries in July. My, what a busy life I lead. I spent last weekend with my German chums. It was a gathering of Bad Taste Bears collectors which happened on the Saturday at a monkey park some distance from Cologne. It's strange going to an event and having cold beer thrust in your hand. I don't mix alcohol with driving and I usually drive to any events in the UK, so if I'm away from home, at the back of my mind is the knowledge that I'll be driving home, so avoid booze. So, being in a foreign country, it takes me a while to adjust to the idea that my car is hundreds of miles away, so it's OK to accept a beer or two. It was a great day, if not a little hot for my tender British body. I got to meet lots of new faces and babble like an idiot to some bear fans. Apparently you get to feed the monkeys with popcorn, but I was kind of busy, so I never got to see them. The day was rounded off nicely by some magnificent thunderstorms and proper rain, which, for some reason, I was the only one stood out in, enjoying the downpour. Perhaps it's because I'm a Piscean. My latest book 'The Boy with an Axe in his Head' was published on 1st July. It's a children's book about a boy who.... well, you can probably figure that bit out for yourself. Because of some of the more 'mature' material on this site, I didn't want to upset any of my younger readers, so I have a child-friendly site at www.peteunderhill.com and that's the address I use in books for young people. Why not go and have a look. It's all bright and jolly! Apart from any promotional events where I'll scribble all over the book if you want me to, there are no signed copies of the book in stock anywhere, so I've decided to make signed and personalised copies available through the site. Obviously, I'm no book seller, so I'm not equipped with fancy credit card facilities, but I've set myself up with PayPal, so it's all very easy. Obviously, the book's available all over the place, including Amazon, but they'll have no signature. It's good to be able to offer an exclusive. ----------------------------------------------------------
Journal July 2008 Music today: Radiohead 'In Rainbows', Oasis '(What's the story) Morning Glory ?' So much for weight loss. The company that manufacture and market the Bad Taste Bears, Piranha Studios, went through administration. That's not to say they went bust. From what I gather, 'Administration' seems to be a process used in business, like playing the joker in cards or a 'Get out of jail free' card in Monopoly. For a while it was very tense. A new company was set up, new website, new warehousing etc. Everything was arranged for a smooth transition, but that didn't stop my bum from puckering throughout the whole process. So, with pockets full of stress, I turned to my old friend 'Comfort' who provided me with food. I've probably told you before that I'm a comfort eater. I wonder of there's a foodie version of Alcoholics Anonymous where members get to stand up at a group meeting and proclaim "My names Peter and I'm a comfort eater". I said a while back about squeezing into a harness at 'Go Ape!' in the Lake District. In fact, when it came to the holiday, we didn't bother going. We were too busy doing other stuff, so I never got to find out whether I'd have to wear a fat bloke harness or not. Some other time, perhaps. The Boy with an Axe in his Head arrived on time and is waiting to march onto an unsuspecting world. The official publication date was yesterday, 1st July. However, the book has been on all of the usual lists for a while and I gather Amazon had taken advance orders. Imagine my horror when I get an email from my friend Vera telling me that her advance order from Amazon had been cancelled due to non-availability of stock. Bum and Pants! So, I did a little asking around and found that Amazon have this programme called 'Advantage' whereby you pay them an annual fee to guarantee they'll hold stock of your book. Hmmm, lucky old me. I get to pay someone so that they'll sell my book. Something seems wrong there. Anyway, I've signed up for the programme and stock should be called off pretty soon. I just hope they didn't turn away every advance order for The Boy with an Axe in his Head, because that's just stupid. I did an advance book signing at the Primary school that 'helped me along' in completing the book. Well, it's the least I could do. The kids got hold of their copies of the book a week before the launch date, so they got to feel special. With the help of my trusty chum Gemma of Wegner Web Design, I've put together a website that is 'child-friendly'. With The Boy with an Axe in his Head being primarily aimed at a younger reader, if a reader wants to know more about me and what I do, it would be irresponsible to aim them at this site. You can imagine parents across the land getting up a lynch mob for me after having to explain to their children about chocolate starfish or Buzz 'em Buddies - Dildoes of the Rich and Famous. It's not totally complete, but like a new house, the rooms are there, some are habitable, but some need furniture and a lick of paint. So, www.peterunderhill.com is a safe environment for the more sensitive reader. Free of sharp objects and rude bits and embarassing things to be explained. By all means, go and have a look, but wipe your feet before you go in. Actually, since the carpet is new, best leave your mucky boots at the door. ---------------------------------------------------------- Journal: May 2008 Music today: Portishead 'Third', Pendulum 'In Silico' On Tuesday I will be taking delivery of the production run of The Boy with an Axe in His Head. It's a little like being an expectant father - all the grunting and huffing and puffing on my part took place a few months ago. Then, the fruit of your labours is out of sight for a while being tended and nurtured in the warm womb of a print factory. After that, the delivery happens with a burst of huffing, puffing and getting in a sweat - well, someone has to move all of those boxes. Once my baby is safely delivered, then another adventure begins. Promotion and distribution. I was quoted three months turnaround for the print. In reality, it took more like two and a half, which is great because the early delivery removes any potential stress of not being able to supply the book. Next week will see copies sent off to buyers with press releases being sent out over the following weeks. On unrelated matters, I seem to be having too many ideas than is good for me. I thought of a series of paintings I'd like to do - hopefully in oils. I keep promising myself that I'll get some oil painting done. In the past, I've always avoided them because of the time it can take for oil paint to dry and the vast proportion of the work I do is needed for a looming deadline. Painting for my own pleasure is something that at least will let me paint at a pace that suits me. However, my studio is quite small, so there's no space for an icky painting to sit drying without me accidentally rubbing by it and messing it up. Recently though, I had an idea - if I attach bulldog clips to the unfinished painting, it can hang from the picture rail that runs round the room and be safe from accidents. I'm also keen to use more pen and ink for regular illustration work. For years I've been looking for a method of putting down linework with varying weights. You'd think that technology and the advancement of pen manufacture could arrive at a modern equivalent of brush and ink or the old-fashioned steel nib. It seems not. There are any number of drawing pens with a wide range of tip styles and ink methods, but the vast proportion seem engineered to give consistent line width. Rotring make a range of 'Art Pens' that flow really well, even having the dubious style of a traditional nib holder, but the line, although lovely and smooth and reliable, the inflexible nib permits no fattening of line with added pressure. I gave up the search recently after using a sweet little crowquill nib and an extra fine nib with slightly less flex. Nib Quest is over. I am happy to embrace old technology and stick with brush and steel nib. A little fishing around tells me that artists I admire - and probably loads that I don't - are of the same opinion. In a couple of weeks, during half term, I'm going to see which harness I need to wear for 'Go Ape'. Although I achieved my target weight before my trip to Vienna, I'm pretty relaxed about the weight loss thing at the moment. My neoprene spraydeck on my kayak should be more comfortable too. A couple of nights ago, the band that my son drums for appeared at a Young Band Night in Hinckley. It was the first time we've taken his drum kit because the rehersal rooms and the venue they play at regularly have resident acoustic kits. Lewis' kit is a Roland V-Drum setup. We chose them because he can practice at home through headphones without the neighbours getting emotional. So, I was a 'roadie' for the night for the drummer of 'Evil Green Plasticene'. They played a medley of a few punk numbers and couple of other songs and another fill-in number while another band was setting up. All three band members played really well, but, call it paternal pride, the drummer was breathtakingly good. I was so proud of him. I find it incredible how he can listen to a song and pick out the drum patterns and play it for himself. I'll admit it. I get drum envy the same as I get envious of anyone with skills I don't have. I think I'm destined to be covetous of all things musical for my whole life. Now, where did I put that harmonica? --------------------------------------------- Journal March 2008 Once I’ve approved the proofs, it’s going to take about three months until I get the final production copies in my hand. Like many publishers, I’m using an overseas printer. It allows me to get the quality I want and be able to keep the price down. I’m working on a publication date of 1st July 2008, so keep your fingers crossed. I noticed the other day that the book is already listed on Amazon. I really need to update their information with a cover picture and synopsis. --------------------------------------------- I’m trying to shed a few pounds. Lewis my son and me went to ‘Go Ape!’ one of those rope parks where you buckle up and swing between trees at dizzying heights. We were getting our safety briefing and the instructor looked me up and down and said “I think we’ll be needing a size two harness for you, Sir”. So, he went and collected a ‘Mr Plumpy’ sized harness, which I slipped into with ease. However, that wasn’t the end of it. Because we had to wear the harness like Simon Cowell used to wear his trousers, my sticky-out belly wouldn’t allow the harness to come high enough up my body. Off the instructor trotted again and came back with a sling (a webbing loop to those unfamiliar with climbing vernacular) and a big screwgate carabiner which he passed around my shoulders and fastened at the front with the carabiner, through which he passed the suspension loops I would be swinging from. He explained that due to my tubby belly, my centre of gravity was above my hang point on the harness, which could lead to me flipping upside down. As of last October, the Grizedale Forest site had not had an ‘inversion’ and they weren’t keen on me being their first. So, not only was I togged up in an ‘outsize’ harness, I was wearing a bloody ‘Fat Bloke Bra’! Needless to say I remained right side up and was safer than your average house and loved every minute. However, I’ve decided that when we go back
in may this year, I’d very much like to be attired like regular
folk and not have to wear the extra loop to keep me the right way
up. I’m doing OK, but being a comfort eater, working
at home, not too far from the kitchen and all those delicious foody
things, it can be a struggle at times - especially when those chocolate
biscuits start whispering to me in that provocative way. --------------------------------------------- Journal: December 2007 My next book ‘The Boy with an Axe in his Head’ is reaching completion. It’s an illustrated children’s book, written in verse, about... well, you can probably figure that bit out for yourself. I’m just putting the finishing touches to the artwork before it goes off to print. The publication is scheduled for early 2008, but I’ll let you know more as the release date looms. Here’s an interestingly convoluted story: Out
of the many events I’ve attended - book signings, collector’s
fairs etc., probably the most often used phrase I hear is something
along the lines of “I wish I could draw”. It seems one
of the most coveted skills is the ability to draw. So, in response
to that, I’m in the process of One day, some months ago, I was talking to my accountant about this training scheme and he told me he had the ideal test bed for my theory. He’s a governor of a primary school in Nuneaton and he was sure the head teacher would let me try my idea out on the children. My theory uses principles I’ve observed I use when making observational drawings, so I’ve been distilling the process to deliver as a lecture or an instructional booklet. I duly
arranged a meeting with the head teacher and she was initially very
attentive. However, it was when the conversation turned to some of
my other projects, particularly the books I’m working on, she
became less interested that I could help kids to draw and more that
I could be I told
her that my latest book, The Boy with an Axe in his Head, was at a
very early stage. The words were just about done, but of the thirty
one illustrations, only four or five existed in line form, the rest
had only been very loosely sketched into an early mock-up. Not a problem. Now, I consider my regular ‘day job’ as working on bears in various degrees of unpleasantness, so I couldn’t simply abandon that to spend time on putting this book together. So the book, which adopted the working title ‘Maxwell’, became my illicit project. In addition to all of my weekends, I’d get up around 6.00am, work on Maxwell until 9.00am at which point I’d put it aside and work on matters ursine until 5.00pm. I would then take up my alter-ego of author-illustrator until I became too sleepy to continue. I had
no intention of showing an incomplete piece of work to the children,
but seeing as proofing and production would take around three months,
I had no alternative, so I planned to create digital copies for Book
Week. These would only take a couple of days to turn around. OK, My school
liaison meanwhile, was handed from the head teacher to the literacy
co-ordinator, which seemed appropriate, so I went to see her to finalise
details. It transpired that she wanted me to do more than just bring
in the book, do a reading, answer a few questions and toddle Well, in for a penny, I volunteered that I give four mornings to do the job properly - a different class every day. Needless to say the woman almost snatched my hand off. So,
what began as a potential way of testing my drawing tutorial - which
has yet to be discussed fully, I completed four mornings of working
with four different classes of 9-11year olds in a poetry workshop.
Probably four of the most intense and rewarding mornings I My
thanks go to Deborah Ward, the head teacher of Weddington Primary
School, Nuneaton for seeing an opportunity to fulfil a need in the
school’s timetable and forcing me to get my finger out and progress
one of my projects. Without the deadline, I’d probably still
be at pencil --------------------------------------------- Identity crisis. I’m a jealous person. I envy skills in others, whether it be the most accomplished juggler, virtuoso musician, or successful pickpocket. Ever since I learned to swing a pencil, there have been artists I’ve admired and subsequently envied for their abilities. Year upon year, these artists have collected, like sediment in my head. For years, what I’d try to do is, in turn, become these people, to replicate their technique and use it as my own. I was a ‘copier’ - becoming this guy, imitating that one. My early career in advertising and graphic design was no help. I was often called upon to knock out all manner of illustrations, from cartoon characters to technical diagrams of gas turbines, from traditional photo retouching to bespoke calligraphy. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I realised there’s
little point in trying to achieve self-contentment by pretending to
be somebody else. Professionally, why would anyone come to me to provide
them with a creative solution when they could go to the ‘somebody
else’? So, I better get on with some work of my own. |
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