Scribble and Print

Two Ruffians are teaching. Silence in Class!!

2012-02-03T20:37:00.000-08:00

Back in November I was asked by the lovely girls at Harvest Textiles to be their artist in residence and teach a weekend workshop in the Harvest Workroom. It was a huge success and I loved teach something I'd taught myself. It was very rewarding.

As a result of the this experience and from be asked by customers I've set up my own small screen printing workshops called 'Mobile Print Workshops' where I teach a small group of up to 4 people the basics of screen printing from their home. I come to you. Easy! check out my website for details.

Here are some photos from my time at the Harvest Workroom. Check out the printed storage cubes that the girls made. Some had never screen printed before. Brilliant!

oooh! ARRRRH! Country Style photo shoot

2012-02-03T19:11:00.000-08:00

Country Style magazine photo shoot at Curio and Curio back in September, with local Snapper Armelle Habib, Me, Clair and Jack.

Rewind Mic Selector!

2012-02-03T18:52:00.000-08:00

Every time I start up the blog again I do it with the intention of keeping it regular, but I really don't know where the last 6 months have gone.

Curio and Curio at the Tractor Home trade fare in Melbourne August 2011.

This was a huge success and we picked up enough stockists to keep me busy
printing through the autumn months. Here are some photos of all our colourful
designs on display.

last week, Tractor Home Sale and 4 new prints.

2011-06-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

What a week!

this time last week I was sat in our shop dealing with the hustle 'n' bustle of the Queens birthday long weekend, and contemplating all that was in store for me in the week to come. I remember feel like some freaky experiment where I was being kept captive and made to work with out a break for what seemed like years. Of course I could get off the treadmill anytime, but everytime I see a break on the horizon the road ahead just stretches out again and I keep going.

Last week was a classic example.

Sunday 12th

Worked in shop

Monday 13th

Worked in shop

Tuesday 14th

Filmed and interview by channel 9's Postcards show.

Wednesday 15th

Day off, YES! watched a documentary on the photographer David Bailey and drew and finished a new print. Then RING RING! RING RING! it was Clair on the phone and it was only 11.30am. Could I come and help organize the furniture being deliveredfor a photo shoot on the friday. That was then end of my day off.

Thursday 16th

Drove to Flinders to pick up cushion inserts, then to the loaction to carry on helping Clair.

Friday 17th

Up at 6.30am to load cars with props then off to the loaction for the photo shot. Worked all day on the shoot, and loaded car back up with props at 6.30pm

Sat 18th

Worked in shop

Sunday 19th

In shop writing this blog post.

So as you can see, the road just keeps stretching out in front of me. Next Thurs-Sun we're
doing a Warehouse sale at Tractor Home's warehouse in the city. ( see map and add below).

Clair and I don't really have any warehouse stock to shift as we hand print everything. So next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I'll be printing stock to sell at a Warehouse sale that apart from sample cushions, will all be stock that I don't need to discount or shift to make way for new stock? I'm sure that it'll be a worth while few days though.

If you read this blog post and you're in the City next week please pop in and say hello, I know that Tractor Home will have some cool African stuff on sale, and we'll be worth a check to.

I've managed to draw 4 new designs in the last week too, and here they are.

'We're all the same until we get labeled'

'Plastic People'

'Art Teacher'

'Excuse Me! Where did you get that scarf?'

Massive Warehouse Sale!

2011-06-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

There's some action happening in Tractor Home's warehouse at the end of the month. We got a little collaboration happening. Tractor Home have teamed up with me (Two Ruffians), her (Curio & Curio) and

Carnival Homewares, to bring together the Fattest sale the city has ever seen.

23rd - 26th of June Be There!

Fred & Dickens 2 new prints from Two Ruffians

2011-04-25T21:29:00.000-07:00

It's been a massive Easter in our shop 'Curio & Curio' in Flinders. Not only have people been buying up our designs, but it's been a huge boost. We had one lady from Sydney in the shop yesterday who said she'd been looking for cushion designs she liked, for 10 years. She bought 6 cushions and a t-shirt, and over the last 4 days we've sold 22 of our cushion designs, and it's been pretty much the same story.

Anyway enough of me blowing my own trumpet. Mark the owner of 4M next door has a 3 year old called Fred. I took a photo of him the other morning and decided to turn him in to a proper little Ruffian.

Below are the photo, drawing, design and framed print.

Fred by Two Ruffians

I had a friend back home called Jeremy. He was a Brixton lad. One day I told him how I was up in the Cotswolds ( Countryside ) on my bike when I saw these young cows that looked thirsty, so I give them a drink from my water bottle.

Dickens (Jeremy's nick name) was like ' Raaaaaaa! that's disgusting man, cows are a scary.' I don't think Jeremy had ever seen a cow up close before. So the print below is of an inner city kid who goes the country for the day, and gets his souvenir photo sitting on a cow.

Dickens by Two Ruffians

'Camp Stories' a new print by Two Ruffians

2011-04-05T05:44:00.000-07:00

I was sitting a little bored in the shop on Sunday, so I went on Facebook and had a look at some of my friends friends. Ok I was really, really bored, as Flinders was bit quiet on Sunday. I came across this guy who I thought looked a lot like 'Kenneth Williams' a camp actor from the 'Carry On' movies.

I started to draw and one thing let to another, and I came up with 'Camp Stories' my subject is eating a cake and his hand looks massive, due to the angle of the photo, but I thought this was brilliant. The photo was a shoulder and head shot, probably taken in London, a million miles away from the countryside.

I just decided to stick this bloke in a field, on a stool, wrapped in a fleece blanket on the side of the Brecon Beacons in Wales. He just looks like he's mesmerized by the camp fire stories, eating his iced bun, a million miles away from the fast paced city life.

We all need to escape and relax now and again.

Below is a photo of Kenneth Williams.

Here's my new print 'Camp Stories'

More coming soon....

'Shop Talk' page 13 of the Melbourne Sunday Age M magazine April 3rd 2011

2011-04-02T19:05:00.000-07:00

Ok our shop must be the smallest shop in the whole world, but we're packing a punch!

Today we've got a mention in 'Shop talk' in the Sunday Age M magazine. Our shop is and I quote ' A "curious range" of quirky and stylish homewares and art.' I'm so happy, to think that someone would write such cool things about stuff that Clair and I design. I'm smiling big, as write this.

Here's a quick photo I took of the article.

The print featured is call 'Colour Makes Me Smile'

I print stuff that hopefully people like enough to pay money for, put in their house or wear,

and I really like to use colour. It made me think that there are alot of people out there that can't

afford to buy cool designs for their home or wear designer labels. I thought that if I lived in a council tower block, maybe the only colour I'd see would be what was free in nature. So the print is of 2 stark, dull and grey tower blocks, with pops of colour that represent the free colour in nature.

Finally 'Tony' has made it into Curio & Curio, and has got quite a reaction, which is always good.

More coming soon....

Curio & Curio Flinders and Two Ruffians stuff

2011-04-01T20:32:00.000-07:00

Time Flys!

I spoke to my mate Ali Augur yesterday, and it was magic. It made me think that I should really write down all that I've been up to over the last 6 months.

On the 27th of Sept last year Clair ( Curio & Curio ) and I went on a little trip down the coast to Flinders for her birthday. We always seemed to be working, so her birthday seemed the perfect excuse to take a day off and relax. Well in true Nick & Clair style, we managed to leave Flinders with a verbal agreement on a small shop, and more work!

3 weeks later we signed the lease, we had a shop, an hour from our home, no money, one car, and a grubby shell that needed some work, and stock! Oh No!

Luckily we've got a bank manager that saw something in these 2 slightly mad creatives, and we got just enough money to get the shop sorted, and Curio & Curio open 1 week before Christmas. For the next 6 weeks we opened the shop 7 days a week, and it was amazing! people were coming in and buying all our hand printed homewares and clothing, and loving
our bright colours!

Below is a shot of Curio & Curio in Real Living mag's 'We're Loving' section.

Below is an article on Artisan Shops in this months Home Beautiful mag feature Curio & Curio. We've only been open for 4 months, and Clair only started designing her Curio & Curio range last August!

So it's been a busy time for us, but I have to say that opening the shop is the most positive thing I've ever done in my life, and huge confidence booster.

The downside of running the shop is that our websites are way behind, but I hope to have Clair's new site finished by the end of next week, and then I can start on mine. Two Ruffians have lots of new art prints that have been flying out the shop, plus some cool new homewares

and clothing designs.

Below is a photo taken in the shop this morning, of Two Ruffians new unisex 'Pocket watch' cardi and 'London Electric' jersey scarf. I printed both of them yesterday.

I went along to Dawn Tan's pop up shop at Harvest Textiles last night. It was really cool meeting the girls behind the designs and having a nose at their studio. Jess even sounded me out about possibly teaching a class for a day, as she said they needed something for the guys. Now that would be incredible!

If you get the chance to visit the Harvest Textiles studio you should, and if you want to learn how to print these are the girls for you.

More coming this way......

Home Beautiful Style feature on MEEEEEEEEEEEE!

2010-12-13T01:01:00.000-08:00

Ok for those of you that don't know, I'm a self taught designer. I have taught myself over the last 3 years to use a pencil with paper, feed it into an Apple Mac, print the design onto transparent film, expose a silk screen, print the design, design my own website and Home Beautiful have just done a 3 page style feature on me.

It feels amazing! it really does.

on page 34 of the mag is a feature on Abi from 'Third Drawer Down' and it's hilarious!

I remember returning a tea towel 'Oh Deer' that we'd had stretched and featured in a photo shoot. I remember returning it to their place in St Kilda, and I just happen to be wearing my very first t-shirt design. I walked in and they were a few people milling around, I thanked Abi for the loan of the tea towel, and she started to tell me how she was going off to New York to do a trade fare. I remember think that that was a light years away for me, but just as I was leaving she commented on my t-shirt and said she liked the design.

3 people commented on my t-shirt that day, and I haven't stopped.

So to find myself 3 years later, being featured in the same magazine is a great feeling.

Here's the feature...

My Dog Jack, The New Shop, and Soft Toys

2010-11-16T14:02:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a while since I had time to sit down and write about what I've been up to, and I know it shouldn't take me long, but I really have been busy.

Jack my trusted right hand Border Collie and Jail breaker, has had to go and have an operation today. While giving him a good scratch under his leg I felt a lump, so took him to the Vets yesterday, and today his in getting it removed. When he was a puppy he went to get desexed, but they couldn't find one of his balls. They searched and searched for hours, and what should have been a straight forward op, had to be aborted as one of his testicles was nowhere to be found.

Finally it looks like a we've found it or rather it's found us, like a treasure chest that's just bobbed to the surface, in the form of a slightly larger than normal lump. So if you read this blog, please send a good healing thought to my dog Jack, so that I get him back in piece.

Thanks!

Clair and I are soon to be opening a small shop called 'Curio & Curio' in Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula. It'll be full of our designs plus, some ceramics. I finished designing the decals for the front windows yesterday, and today I'm finishing the flyers, cards and receipt books. All being well with jack and I'll be down at the end of the week to paint and start putting it all together.

I've designed some new soft toys for the shop and website, which I'll be printing once I've finished this, see what you think below.

Bye for now and keep your fingers crossed for jack.

Colour Makes Me Smile

2010-10-19T01:11:00.000-07:00

I was on the train yesterday morning on my way into the studio. I passed the usual tower blocks as we got closer to the city, it got me thinking. Here I am designing prints for clothing and home wares, yet I'm sure some of the residents of the housing estates having never given any thought to what colours best match their existing colour schemes, when updating their interior decor.

I wondered if the colour in nature which is free to everyone that can see, has the same positive effect on the poorest to the richest person. An elderly neighbour of mine popped around the other day. She noticed the yellow daisies and picked a couple to show me how she used to make daisy chains. What if there was no colour in nature, would it effect our moods? if the world was a grey round ball.

So look the prints below, and ask yourself this. Would you prefer the design with the colourful elements or without?

'Colour Makes Me Smile'

'Mr Bag' The Modern Man About Town

2010-09-24T22:14:00.000-07:00

I was on a photo shoot the other week, and there was a young builder there who was taking the mickey out of my Nancy Bird 'Uncle Ned' leather satchel. I explained that I'd been given it as present, and that it had in fact become very handy. The builder replied that if he'd been given a dress he wouldn't wear it!

'Mr Bag' He wears flat canvas shoes, jeans and a plain t-shirt. He's grown a beard in the last year, and carries a cool Two Ruffians tote to finish the irreverent look. With out the beard he'd look like a member of Bucks Fizz, with out the bag he'd be lost.

Mr Bag

Two Ruffians Sell Some Ice Creams, Then Go Swimming With Sharks. Cool & Dangerous!

2010-09-22T22:17:00.000-07:00

2 New designs for cushions & a tea towel.

'3 Flavours'

Like the 'Pin Cushion' I've deliberately come up with an idea that's better with a bit of colour. You can't have black or beige ice creams, they need some colour, some E numbers otherwise the kids wouldn't buy them, right?

'Shark Swim 3D'

The worlds most dangerous cushion!

This idea came about due to my fear of living in a bland, safe, risk free home. It's aimed at people who'd like a little more danger in their lives, but spend most of their time on the sofa.

I'm bringing the danger to the masses! Well maybe not the masses, but a few people would be nice though.

For My Dad

2010-09-13T03:56:00.000-07:00

It would have been my Dad's birthday today, but unfortunately he died three and a half years ago. My Dad was very encouraging and always there for a bit of advise, he was truly a brilliant Dad.

My life has changed direction from that moment. I was determined not to waste a second longer hiding behind creative friends, always looking in, but never quite having the confidence to join in.

Two Ruffians was born, I bought a macbook, adobe creative suites, a silk screen, some ink and some photo emulsion. I didn't care what people thought of my designs, as I new I was learning on the job and would get better if I stuck at it.

So today I thought I'd share with you a card that I designed, from my favourite photograph of my Dad. The photo was taken at Victoria Falls on the Zambian side about 13 years ago. It was my first trip to Africa, and my Dad had asked me to come with him as he set up a company, and had various meetings with farmers in rural Zambia.

On our trip from Lusaka to Livingstone we dodged pot holes the size of elephants. I made friends with some locals, as I waited for a plane to land on and airstrip, in the middle of a field of maze. People would appear then disappear into the 4 meter high maze, and scattered like ants when the plane came into land.

I was so happy to make it to Livingstone in one piece, we checked into the hotel, got changed and set off to Victoria Falls. This is where this photo was taken. But in true Two Ruffians style I can't find the original photo.

So here's the card.

My Dad at Victoria Falls at sun set. A magical man and a magical place.

'Create a Card' for an idiot! Sorry!

2010-09-02T23:23:00.000-07:00

I learnt a very important lesson today, and one which I wont forget in a hurry.

Clair and I worked hard on a photo shoot at the beginning of the week, the days were long and hard work, but the people we met and worked with made the days enjoyable, and we left feeling that we had done a great job and made some new friends.

Now this is where I come in and mess it all up, with a couple of blogs that I wrote to draft, that got published, that have upset some people, and know I've got a whole lot of making up to do.

So I thought I'd create a card for the girls I met, with 'Sorry Girls on the front.

Two Ruffians New Homepage

2010-08-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a long day. 6.30am start and 8.00pm finish working on a shoot with Clair, and it'll be the same tomorrow. It all helps to pay the bills, while I work away at building up Two Ruffians and Clair works on Curio & Curio, it was hard work, but fun working with the girls from the Ad agency, and the 2 Simon's were a great laugh.

I've managed to squirrel away some time over the last 5 days, to design my new homepage, with the addition of some new characters for my 'Down Town' card range. The homepage is of an art installation at gallery, being view by the 'old art critic', 'The Local Youth' and 'The Stylist'

Here it is, and I'm off to bed. Night!

How to make a Pin Cushion by Two Ruffians

2010-08-25T04:03:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly looking at Pins with their colour round ends, when I'm sewing up stuff. So yesterday morning I designed Two Ruffians 'Pin Cushion'. It was a bit last min, as I'm in the process of finishing my wholesale PDFs, but I just had to design and make it.

Here's how I designed and made the Pin Cushion

1) draw Pins, scan the drawing into photoshop, trace in Illustrator and print transparency, ready to expose.

2) Expose Silk Screen

3) Print first colour on cushion square and tea towel

4) Print 2nd colour

5) Print 3rd colour

6) Sew up cushion

7) Finished Pin Cushion

It took less than a day for me to turn an idea into a product. Now all I have to hope for is than
the general public like my bright style! and my new Two Ruffians 'Pin Cushion'

I Left Johnny In The Trolley

2010-08-22T23:57:00.000-07:00

Food is an obsession these days, and there's no limit to what is available on the supermarket shelves. We are mesmerised by TV chefs, cooking shows and his and hers aprons. But be warned, there are now documented cases of parents loading cars with a supermarket shop, and in their frenzy to get home and oil up the wok, have left their child behind.

I Left Johnny In The Trolley

Saturday in the studio sewing cushions with Jack

2010-08-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

I spent yesterday in the studio making up some sample cushions which I shot along with the rest of my cushions, bags and tea towels for my wholesale PDF. Now I just need to deep-etch the shots, arrange them on the PDF, add descriptions and email them off to the shops.

Tomorrow I've a couple stores coming to the showroom, and I need to start on some new orders. Then I'll take shots of my clothing and prepare the photos for my website. Before I start mine I've got to get Clair's Curio & Curio site finished, which should have been done weeks ago.

I'll get back to talking about the 'Down Town' card range tomorrow, but for now I'm going to the land of Nod, to dream about colouring in the world, outside the lines.

A Few Sherries After Bingo

2010-08-21T02:20:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to feel on top of things again today.

I managed to print and make 4 cushion samples, shoot my bags, cushions and tea towels ready for my wholesale PDFs and website, which I'll start tomorrow. As I sit here sipping a beer I thought I'd talk about the 'A Few Sherries After Bingo' card. When I lived in London there was a Mecca Bingo hall up on Essex Road. I remember going there once with Clair, Beth & Tomi, and the grannies had to keep helping me out with the rules.

48 'Knock at the gate!'
88 'Two fat ladies!'

Anyway come the end of the night the elderly population of Islington was wasted, this was
the inspiration for this card. Old people like too have fun and a drink, but we tend to forget.

Weekend Wendy & some Manly bags

2010-08-20T01:08:00.000-07:00

Well tonight is the night when 'The Brand New Heavies' hit town. I was going to relive my youth, like a granny at a Tom Jones concert. I had my Puma suede's with fat laces dusted, ready to throw on stage, but the Doris has the flu and I'm not far behind.

The card design ready for discussion today is 'Weekend Wendy'. There's a guy that works at my local organicish food store, and he's always really polite and friendly, to all the customers I might add.

Once when I needed some help, I approached what I though was a female member of staff, due to the long flowing locks. 'Excuse me madam, I mean sir' as he turned to face me, it was indeed a bearded lady.

Weekend Wendy!

I've just finished deep etching some new bag designs for a customers website. They're for the guy that wants something to carry to the local shop ( say no to plastic bags ), to stuff with
beer & cigarettes.

Alpha Male

2010-08-19T04:27:00.000-07:00

It was pouring with rain tonight so I decided to load my bike onto the train at South Yarra. The great thing about public transport is that you get to see a few people out and about, and as I was waiting 4 guys stood behind me, all sporting beards and looking just like my Alpha Male card.

I just can't get my head around the fashion for sprouting beards like Benny & Bjorn from ABBA! They looked weirdo in their beardos, and as I said politely when Djing in London once, 'I don't play ABBA!'

So thank you bearded questionable youth of Melbourne, for the inspiration for Alpha Male.

'What's Up Homeboy?'

Down Town a new card range by Two Ruffians

2010-08-17T23:35:00.000-07:00

I've decided to give this blogging lark another go, and to start it off again I'm going to talk about my new card range 'Down Town'.

It's a humorous look at the people or animals we could see or bump into in any town centre.

So every day I'm going to talk about one of my designs, and I'm going to start off with 'Mum in a Hurry'

Everyone seems to be rushing around trying to do a million and one things these days, and I'm no exception.

I don't have any kids yet, and I'm sure huge buggies are great for stuffing kids and shopping into, but it would seem that the average footpath hasn't kept up with technology.

I just imagined how funny it would be if a child was trained to warn pedestrians that there was a huge buggy behind them, trying to squeeze through. It could save the average mum up to 30mins a day, when she could just sit down have a cup of tea and read Hello magazine.

Think of the sense of achievement the child would feel, if he or she helped successfully navigated the buggy through a crowed town centre.

So Mums, next time your bombing around trying to get everything done in a day, think about training up your eldest and save time.

It's the future of buggy pushing!