Messing With Dali

Well that's another famous painting defaced, and boy did it take a while. For the people who have been following my blog for a while you may remember me doing similar to the Mona Lisa. But for all that haven't, this is something I've been working on and off with for a few months. As Salvador Dali is my favourite artist I decided to have a go at illustrating his infamous 1931 jobby, "The Persistence of Memory". I did my version using Illustrator.

So that's another one down, what do you think? I'm sure some people will think, meh and not original  ect but at least I enjoyed doing it. Any feedback is more than welcome.

Buildings

Guaranty Building. Buffalo, New York

Einstein Tower. Potsdam, Germany

Hodek Apartments. Prague, Czech Republic

Fagus Factory, Alfred-an-der-Leine, Germany

Casa Mila. Barcelona, Spain

Hilversum Town Hall. Hilversum, Netherlands

Preston Bus Station. Preston, England

I have quite a bit of spare time at the moment so I'm finally getting round to looking through the dusty pile-o-books in the corner of my room. It's been a while since I did a post on architecture so I thought I'd share some of my favourites which featured in a book Hollie bought me for Christmas. I've tired to pick out a few that aren't as commonly know, as well as me not knowing them before I flicked through this mountainous book. 

I don't really have a strict criteria but I'm usually attracted to harsh, angled, shapely, just something a bit different I guess. All failing that anything in a Brutalist style I'm bound to like, the Barbican Estate being a perfect example for all you London folk. The last one may seem a bit of a weird choice but I wanted to include it as I went to uni in Preston and I'm pretty certain 99% of the people there don't realise how cool their bus station is!

I'm also working on an illustration at the moment, it's been a while since I did one so it feels great getting stuck in. In fact it was probably early last year. I'll post it once it's finished, nearly there.

Click on the name of the building for the original source.

Unoccupied

Some recent photographs from a spare of the moment bit of Urban Exploration. Driving from a country pub yesterday we spotted this little abandoned building in the middle of a field. Sadly I didn't have my SLR on my, just a basic one had to do. The gas station in the first image had a really nice story to it, the pub we visited an a photograph of the staff dating back from 1909. It's fair to say the area is pretty sleepy so it can't get much business nowadays but it was quite a site. As I thought, there is no info on what this building was used for and when it was occupied last.

The area between my town and the next city is like a huge maze, roads connecting to unnamed roads, canals, county pubs and quite a lot of swanky house. You wouldn't think it living in Blackpool but I live 15 minutes from all of this.

I decided to wear my new Peter Jensen Union Jack waterproof jacket as it looked like rain, probably wasn't the most practical option for climbing around derelict spaces.

Marshall Artists A/W 2011

Today's offering follows on from the last A/W 2011 post, this time it's UK based Marshall Artists. The collection is a balanced mix of relaxed tailoring and everyday clothing. Focusing on fairly simple pieces including chambray and check shirts, striped t-shirts and sweatshirts up top and slim/tapered fitting cords (hooray for cord!) camo and denim.

The extensive collection is finished off really nicely with a selection of outerwear, which to me is what the brand seems to be strongest at. The orange parka is the favourite piece but prison-striped navy and cream version sure would be a talking point. There's a bunch of small details too with the leg opening button on the trousers to allow you to wear them two ways and a multitude of pockets for all your odds and sods.

Being picky but I would have probably liked to have seen a few more colours in the collection but that's just me. As always for more deets on the brand click here.

If you are finding the blog a bit lookbook heavy at the moment it's just because I'm trying to bring to you things I am genuinely interested in, as I have always done. I like to try and let you into my life a bit and it just so happens that this is what I've been looking at, I'll get some arty stuff up soon too.

Scotch & Soda A/W 2011

Every day I browse the net looking for interesting and nice things. I do this like the rest of us, because I enjoy it and to kill some time (especially when the summer weather has taken a turn for the worst now, seriously wet in the north). I take a look at my many bookmarks in clothing, footwear, homeware, some arty stuff and the daily news. Other than social networks that's pretty much it, so when I saw a link to a menswear collection from Charlotte I naturally gave it a click.

I was hit with the A/W collection from Scotch & Soda, a brand that I've heard of for a a while but one that tends to pass me by like a lot of them. I was pleasantly surprised by their latest lookbook, in fact I liked it all, the styling, photography and just the general feel. It's clear to see what they were aiming at and it sends a strong message of manliness, active lifestyle, intelligence and playfulness. 

The collection revolves around denim, with plenty of heavyweight outerwear, layering and accessories in carefully chosen fabrics and colours. There's not much more too it, it's all pretty un-fussy and easily thrown together. It wouldn't look like this on everyone though, if I got my hands on the collection I wouldn't look as manly but I can sure give it a go. My personal favourite look is the first image, add that with the wicked bike and you're on to a winner. I'm getting more into ties at the moment and the pattern on this is instantly reminds me of Paul Smith and his love of cycling.

See all the images and further deets here

The Graduate

Wearing UCLan gown, Uniqlo oxford shirt, vintage tie, Samuel Windsor trousers,

 Paul Smith socks, YMC saddle shoes.

I did it, I am know officially a BA (Honors) Graduate of University of Central Lancashire. What a day too, there was a mixture of nerves, excitement and worry (that I may fall off the stages or my hat would fall off). I had these trousers tailored by my main man, he made the legs slimmers, took in the seat and shortened them quite a bit. He called them an "Elvis fit", just the way I wanted them.

The last 4 years has been some of the best in my life and I have met tones of amazing people, who I hope to keep in contact with. But now, no more messing, I'm not a student anymore. I need a job, big time!

Here's to the future and the next chapter in my life!

Glasgow: Part 2 via Edinburgh

Right, this is the final part of our Scotland trip. We jumped on a train from Glasgow Central and arrived in Edinburgh just over an hour later. 

When we got there the first thing to do was figure out how you navigate the place. It's the only city I've been to where there's a uber old castle overlooking the highstreet, very charming stuff.

 View from the highstreet. This really would be a nice place to work, lunch times would never be boring

 Pulling shapes with shadows

The plan was to have a nosey around some shops and grab something to eat before we tackled a tour of the castle. This was my idea and a massive mistake, we we're knackered by the time we walked up what seemed like a perpectual hill which led to the castle 

Pretty amazing looking fountain in the park, which surrounded the lower part of the castle. We chilled out here for a bit with an iced coffee

The way up to the main event was a total tourist trap, this t-shirt certainly grabbed my attention

 View from the top. Edinburgh is by far the most beautiful looking city I have ever been to, most of the places I've visited tend to be more on the modern side. It made for a great change. Shame we missed the annual Tattoo

This one reminds me of old family holiday photographs you see

It was quite a weird feeling looking through this vantage point, it was hard not to think about what would have happened here in the past. This was one of my highlights actually, this places really does have history coming out of its ears

 The business end of Mons Meg

The best view in town, you could see right down onto the highstreet which we stood on about 3 hours previous (Zoom in to see the detail)

The city was riddled with history and I only wish we had more time to explore and soak up the sights. The plan was to go to the the Grassmarket after the castle but we were so knackered we just ended up going for a pizza and beer. All in all it was one of my favourite days in a long time. Glasgow and Edinburgh couldn't be more different, both great but in very different ways.

In other news, the end of uni is upon us. I graduate this Friday, big day so I'm told!