A commonplace image about waiting

The laverie (laundry) in Lyon. Pen sketch drawn, while waiting for our washing. I really liked the banal environment framing the street, which reminded me of an Edward Hopper scene. 

14.09.2010 France sketch book Laverie rue Terme, Lyon

As a travelling artist, it's hard not to draw pictures from the standard tourist point of view. I felt that this one was a bit different. Lots of Hopper's pictures are about waiting as well - waiting for a taxi or in a motel. His pictures show a different side of America than (say) a picture of the Statue of Liberty.

A fun project for a fun band

Recently I was asked to paint a 1930’s bass drum for the Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band Show. I was very excited about contributing to the show because I’m a big fan, plus Mic and Jim Conway will be performing songs I have only ever heard on vinyl listening to Dad’s old records.

The brief for the drum painting was a graphic in the style of a National Guitar palm tree, and maybe a hula girl, but no text. This was so the drummer could use the it for other gigs when not playing in the Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band Show.

I liked the idea, however I thought the text was essential to the design. So I came up with a design where the text could be painted out after the tour. Before I painted the drum I drew up two colour proofs in Photoshop: one with the text and one without. Luckily for me the drummer loved the design with the text and gave his all-OK. So I’m very happy because now all my hard work won’t have to be painted out!

The1930's drum

Photoshop proofs

Hand painted drum

A little badge

Thanks Mithra from the Lurkers for help with the badges.

We went to the gig at the Cat & Fiddle in Balmain last night. Lots of fun, and it was a packed house! The band will also be playing at the Woodford Folk Festival this year and up in Katoomba early in 2011.

A busy September 2010, with Joel's work in three events!

Joel and Bec will be heading off on honeymoon (again!) to Europe for September 2010. While we're away, Joel's work will be featured in three events:

Watershed Bike Library Launch

Friday 3rd Sept, 10-11am

CARES Facility, Sydney Park, St Peters

The Watershed's new Bike Library will be launched by the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore and Sam Iskandar, Mayor of Marrickville Council. Joel was invited to paint one of the bikes (called "Starry Starry Bike") in the Library. The bikes aren't just any old bikes - they're bikes with an integrated trailer so you can carry a load on the back!

ArtRiot, Sydney Fringe Festival

11 - 26 Sept 2010

Upstairs at the Annandale Hotel

Performance night: 6pm Sat 11 Sept

Joel has a piece in the inaugural artRiot exhibition. As the collective's website says, "artRiot is a new artists' collective creating meaningful art that is honest, uncompromising and dangerous in a way that dares audiences to believe in a radically different world."

Illustrators Australia, 9x5 exhibition 2010

Melbourne, Space 39, 39 Little Collins St, Melbourne
Opening night: Friday 17th September 6pm

Brisbane - Optimism 2010 Design Week

Joel is once again participating in the IA 9x5 exhibition. After Melbourne, this 9x5 will be traveling to Queensland 3 weeks later to coincide with OPTIMISM 2010 presented by ICOGRAD/AGDA for Design Week.

See photos from the IA 20th anniversary exhibition last year in Melbourne (Oct 2009).