introducing StoryHands, a super awesome new illustration collective.

what is an illustration collective you ask? well I'm not sure but I'm in one now 

basically is about doing stuff together, like, collectively isn't it? so expect lots of exciting collaboration in my future. 

  

here is a copy paste of the introduction from the website (here) which I wrote anyway you know so it's not like I'm stealing. apart from the bit about the crusade, June wrote that bit.

StoryHands was originally the brainchild of June Sees and Jenny Robins, conceived on a night heady with cathartic Bonnie Tyler renditions and infinite amounts of frozen yoghurt. Their wishlist of collaborators said Yes! to the invitation to join a crusade of illustration in pursuit of perfection in fresh colourful narrative work.

John Riordan was the first to accept, having met both Jenny and June on the same fateful night in 2008 when they all went to the pub after an AOI Business Masterclass. Martyn had graduated in Illustration with Jenny from Solent University the year before, where they both did absolutely ridiculous work. Jenny and June knew Natsuki through their mutual contribution to Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration, the 2011 launch of which was where Jenny first tried live portraiture and became hooked, June and Nat also being amazing live artists.

With the five emerging and talented illustrators all together, we can begin our crusade!

guess what - I finally finished the Ds

(in my project where I am drawing all of my friends in alphabetical order)

Dom

Duncan

I made this hilariously basic infographic about the project so far. I will not explain it. Deduce what you will.

in case you didn't see it, this is my picture from the Creaturemag endangered creature alphabet

which also features such illustrationfriends as Martyn Warren, Gareth Barnes and Paul Shinn

it is of the biggest and most endangeredest butterfly in the world. They are actually massive. Imagine them really massive.

OK yes.
stuff and things.

scroll to the bottom of entry for competition

Once again you may purchase my beautific text based christmas cards from last year, i have plenty left, they are in packs of 8 on etsy but feel free to make a specific order of quantity and type and i will quote you happy.


I wanted to write a big ranty blog about how i hate christmas gift recommendation emails but i can't really be bothered. They annoy me in magazines and stuff too although they are usually a bit better. It's just ugh, you know, no, if i had someone in my life who wanted a digital camera or a newly released dvd, or an insulated jacket for christmas, i'm sure i would already be aware. Or for that matter a £500 teapot. no.

wait did i say i was not going to rant?

anyway my point was more that i am a big believer in supporting small businesses and charities and creatives with your christmas spends. (not just like me i mean). Rather than getting something mass produced that looks kind of unique and quirky but actually isn't.

So here are a few of my suggestions for christmas gifts that i think you should buy for other people.
for friend who enjoys hot drinks and is not a raging bull; fetching mug, helps MAG disarm unexploded ordinances. and is red.
for friend who is or is not able to speak, you can get a speach bubble felt broach by Ellie Cryer.


For any friends that like science, or have a sense of humour get Martyn Warren's new book about weird fish.
For friends who enjoy to have pretty things in front of their eyes. or who may have a passing interest in beautiful garments and where they come from, i recomend Amelia's compendium of fashion illustration. Because i am in it. obviously. but also. because you should get it. because horay for fashion illustration. And there is a pre-order offer.
for all of your friends and aquaintances you should also get a copy of Tokyo Godfathers, the greatest christmas movie ever made. It is cheap. I GUARANTEEEEEE it will give you oodles of christmas cheer.

other products are available.

actually, you know what? i'm going to have a little competition.

please post your alternative or just generally awesome christmas gift ideas bellow for a chance to win a pack of my 8 beautiful illustrated christmas cards.

you can also be entered by tweeting a link to this blog and making your gift suggestion,
use #robinsgiftcomp so i can find your entry

you have until the end of Sunday 5th December midnight GMT