Thursday 3 September 2009

One for sorrow, two for joy...Happy Magpie logos.






Yes I'm still here, although you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise! Thanks to all those who keep checking by despite the 'lights being off and no one being home'... and endless thanks for those following the blog (I will pop on by yours when I can). There seems to have been a load of stuff keeping me from the blog for the last few...boy, it's been weeks! My decks seem a lot clearer now so it's time to blow off the cobwebs and get cracking. I have a couple of project's about to start up. One is an exciting and (hopefully) paying gig for an illustrated book which I cannot go into right yet, but watch this space and I'll post on it just as soon as I can! There's also a personal project for a Jabberwocky illustrated book I've been thinking about for ages now which will fill in any gaps in my schedule. When I know more so too will the blog! :)

Just for starters here are some logo designs for a jewellery company called "Happy Magpie" I've just finished working on. Sadly these concepts didn't result in a finished design which the client wanted to make use off. I think it eventually boiled down to my interpretations of a supposedly happy magpie looking too startled and scary for them. It was also a struggle to get the birdy looking comfortable in it's clothing and so, long story short, we put the breaks on things. Maybe a revised version of these designs might see the light of day in the future... still, it's all a learning curve and fodder for the blog. Nothing goes to waste :)

20 comments:

Drake Brodahl (pumml) said...

I like 'em. Perhaps they could be construed as overly happy, but not scary. Great to see some of your process sketches!

michael robertson said...

Count me in as one of the frequent visitors who found the lights were off, but for good reason, I see... these are absolutely wonderful, Matt! I love how you handled the spindly legs and the top two pages have a beautiful gracefulness to them. Good luck with your upcoming projects-I'm looking forward to seeing them.

Chris Kennett said...

These are just great! I love the Maggie with the long string of beads. Pity they couldn't be used.
Good luck with your projects!

Word veri: "Hallish" for when its not quite a Hall and merely resembles one.

Jasmine said...

I love those magpies. We were being followed around the park the other day by magpies. I taught my toddler the songs for fun. She loved it.

The Jabberwocky was the first piece of poetry I read as a child, with maybe the exception of The Owl and the Pussy Cat. I look forward to seeing your take on it :)

qualia said...

these are great, and i would LOVE to see you try jabberwocky :-)

ArtSparker said...

I like the calligraphic quality of the birds.

david kow said...

the second one is really brilliant!!!!

Gulzar said...

Ola,
It seems you have been on a godmode rampage mate! lol! hahaha!

Diggin the tight shapes and angles you are using to define your animals...they look wonderful!

Hows goes you? How are you keeping? I can see you are really keeping yourself busy...

Take care and keep well my friend...

Best
Gulzar

Abz said...

looking really good! :D

Amy C said...

these are fantablious, they are so fun and fresh and make such a striking logo

Gai said...

I love these magpies. contrary to looking startled and scary I think they look very nice and comfortable in their clothing. look forward to seeing the illustrated book once finished.

Kev Levell said...

Love these - the champ of this batch is the one with the pretty jewels...

You can only lead a horse to water...

Unknown said...

love this - reminds me of Mary Blairs work!

krisztina maros said...

welcome back Matt!
i love these birdies' shapes - especially on the c version's. can't wait to see your book project! it sounds really exciting!

Eric Barclay said...

I really think you should offer magpie with the beads as a print. All of these are lovely-- great work as per.

Hello! said...

I really like the first picture!! Great shapes, they are so expressive and fun :)

Kelly Shon said...

so inspiring!!! love all the design.

Mela Rguez said...

I love them. I was looking for a magpie image for kids to illustrate a poem about a magpie who is getting dressed and this is wonderful!
CanI use it ?

Anonymous said...

oh these are so grand!!

The Shiny Magpie said...

Hi I love the magpies! Not scary at all real personality shines through. I especially love the one with the bead string. Im in the process of setting up my own blog and starting a jewellery business and was just googling different magpie images when I fell upon them, cant believe the client didnt like, no acounting for taste!
Good luck with your other projects