Ali J Art & Illustration

Concepts, mockups and failures

Creating art and illustrations is a journey.  One that has successes, but also one that has many failures.  The works fail for various reasons.  Some are overworked, the themes are tired, the mediums don't work together, the work is rushed or quite simply the work just doesn't work.

I was always taught that for every 20 items you create, one will be a star, most of them meh and at least ten will be failures.  I will admit that there are many artworks that I don't have the courage to reveal.  Ever.  To anyone.  These however I will.  All of them are concepts, very raw and still needing a lot of work before they are finished.  However they'll never progress further.

First up is some concepts playing around with the idea of waiting & listening to music.

This next series was created a few years ago, unfinished and unrefined as the client disappearred midway through the job.  It tells a story about two people hooking up through a dating website.  The concepts weren't great, the ideas were presented by the client who was quite firm with what they wanted.

Looking at these now makes me chuckle.  My work has changed so much since then, all I can see is the faults.  It would be a completely different story to start illustrating any of these concepts again with fresh eyes.

Illustrators Australia A3 print show

I've got two A3 prints in a group show coming up for Illustrators Australia.  That is right - the first time I've ever had large prints!

The prints are -

I Don't Drink Tea

If I Had One Wish

to see all the prints in the show, check them out on the Illustrators Australia website.

2011 range is now available online

 

I can't contain my excitement.  The new 2011 range is now available and available online.

Visit the shop online to view the full range.

PLUS

Editorial Illustration for Joie Magazine #3

 

I recently had the amazing opportunity of creating an illustration for the latest issue of Joie Magazine.  It was very last minute, and right at the time I had my solo exhibition, returned from holidays... but I really enjoyed the challenge.  I also enjoyed trying to break out of my comfort zone and try something different - a whole new era!

Front Cover

Contents Page (oooh... a peak of the illustration!!  bet you can't get which one it is.  hee hee)

Contributors Page

The illustration spread I had the wonderful time of Illustrating with the theme of "The Great Gatsby".  I opted for focusing on the character of Myrtle Wilson.  Isn't the name Myrtle so cute and divine?  So old, yet so divinely unusual.

A detail shot of Myrtle.

Pictures from the Solo Exhibition - Part One

Wow, what a wonderful experience it has been to be on this residency in Margaret River at the Community Centre.  The exhibition is finishing up today, and I've finally had the chance to take some pictures to share with you all.  Close up details of the new artworks will come through over the coming weeks.

Part Two on its way shortly.........

Peppermint Illustration

Got to share the good news.  Whipped up an illustration for the beauty page of the recent Peppermint Magazine.  Thankyou Peppermint for a wonderful opportunity - I really enjoyed it!

On My Own

 

"On My Own"

Ink, pencil, collage, watercolour on archival paper, 2010

28cm x 38cm (11.02 x 15.35)

This artwork is a portrait of Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter.  A commission from a client, due to be published in an anthology about famous female literary figures at the end of this year.

Original available.

Falling In Slow Motion

"Falling In Slow Motion"

Mixed Media on archival paper, 2010

38cm x 57cm (15" x 22.44")

This artwork is a reinterpretation of Alice In Wonderland.  It was commissioned for a client and is due to be published in a book about Alice In Wonderland in 2011.

Original available in the shop.

The Many Faces Of Me

 

"The Many Faces Of Me"

Ink on archival paper, 2010

76cm x 56cm (29.92"x 22.04")

I've spent most of my life trying to figure out who I am.  This work speaks of all the different identities we try to assume in our lives through our clothing, our shoes, our bags.... right down to the accessories we choose such as scarves and sunglasses.  Even the way we stand, we walk or how we hold out our hand.  No matter who we try to be, at the end of the day we are ourselves - and that is the only person we can ever be.

You cannot be someone you are not

"You cannot be someone you are not"

ink on archival paper, 2010

76 x 56.5m (29.92"x 22.24")

Growing up I always wanted to be the sporty girl, or the cool girl, or the fashionable girl.  Now... all I want to be is myself.  Which one of these characters could I be?  All or none?  Or maybe a sprinkling of each?  Which one are you?

I love that this picture is completely rotatable, I wish I put it up in the gallery on a pin wheel.  Spin, spin, spin.

Together We Stand

"Together We Stand"

watercolour, ink, pencil, collage

28cm x 37.5cm (11"x 14.76")

A portrait of a stylish young woman and her daughter.  Reference photographs used were Katie Holmes and Suri.

By My Side

"By My Side"

Ink, pencil, collage, watercolour on archival paper, 2010

28cm x 37cm (11" x 15")

This artwork is a portrait of Lolita.  Oooh scandalous!  The first time I'd ever heard of this movie/book was when I watched the movie by Stanley Kubrick as a teenager.  It totally freaked me out back then, so drawing the character was a great challenge.  This was a commission from a client, due to be published in an anthology about famous female literary figures at the end of this year.

Original available in the shop

My Darling Expat

So proud to wake up today and to see my illustration up on My Darling Expat.  Totally loving the work Nikki & Anna have done for a girls guide to life in Dubai.