Pioneering black radio broadcaster Barry Clayton has died at the age of 80

Pioneering black radio broadcaster Barry Clayton has died at the age of 80

I was aware of Clayton's work through being the narrator for Count Duckula, and for the short film Junk Food. But I feel I should revisit Iron Maiden's Number of the Beast, because I forgot about his intro to the album. He certainly had a distinctive voice-over voice.

Gone But Not Forgotten 2011 | Billboard.com

Gone But Not Forgotten 2011 | Billboard.com

2011 would be remembered for the tragic head-liners about the death of the likes of Amy Winehouse, and Steve Jobs. But what about the deaths of musicians from such groups as Weezer, or the Coasters? This gallery gives equal justice to these loses as well. As a British music fan there are some absences to some of the deaths I was aware of- Andrew Gold, or the cellist from ELO- but this gallery does mention some of the British musicians to make an impact state-side, like Gerry Rafferty.

THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY

This is subliminal send-up of all the plot in the biblical story, done in a manner to appeal to the Youtube generation. So I will certainly 'like this' in the manner of Facebook.

The Christmas Card

It is the season to be watching animated e-cards, being flooded into your email inbox. So do you think you will get anything so well-animated, or as entertaining, as this classic animated sequence from Terry Gilliam?

Animation Magazine – JibJab Says Buh-Bye to 2011 in Grand Style

Animation Magazine – JibJab Says Buh-Bye to 2011 in Grand Style

I have been a fan of JibJab's send-off to the new year since 2007, and I'm glad that they have done another puppet video, but this time in the cut-out approach, rather then in the excellent felt-like 'Muppet' approach like last year.

Elton John, Mary J. Blige Challenge the Muppets in Oscar Song Race

Elton John, Mary J. Blige Challenge the Muppets in Oscar Song Race

I find it interesting to see the scope and range of musicians being illegible for the Best Song Oscar.

THE HOBBIT Trailer HD

From someone who was bowled over by Jackson's adaptation of Tolkien's trilogy from a decade ago, I am glad to see that this has all the elements of that gives this prequel the edge that has been offered in previous versions of the book. I have seen an animated TV film, and an excellent stage version of this story, and the Hobbit was my first impression on the works of this renowned author. Now if I can read the book before the film comes out, I should become an educated purist on this film.

Animation Magazine – Effects Animator Dorse Lanpher Passes Away

Animation Magazine – Effects Animator Dorse Lanpher Passes Away

I always have an appreciation for effects animators, for being able to create whatever effects are required in a feature film out of the blue. So reading about the death of this effects animator, whose work ranges from Sleeping Beauty to Home on the Range, makes we wish I have learned the basics of effects animation during my time at university. At least I should be able to read about his experiences doing such work in his brilliantly titled memoir, 'Flyin’ Chunks and Other Things to Duck: Memoirs of a Life Spent Doodling for Dollars'.

Tom Waits - Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis

Having just heard a lot of Christmas songs on the radio today, I love a track that comes that goes beyond the obvious seasonal cliches that makes it worth its weight in gold during this season- I need to give myself some Tom Waits music, at some point during this festive season, don't I?

The MOJO Rock Count-ins Playlist

('http://www.youtube.com/p/6E84AA8B8D803008?version=3&hl=en_US',)

This makes an entertaining compilation.

T - Rex - Baby Strange

With most people getting feed up of hearing the same glam rock tracks around Christmas time, here's a track to justify that balance. Did T-Rex bombard us with a seasonal song, in the same infamous vein as Wizzard or Slade?

Gil Scott-Heron "The Bottle" (1974)

Gill Scott-Heron is probably the best example of a musician that I have not been aware of, until the music press started to praise his legacy from his tragic demise. This track certainly justifies that he was more then just a beat-poet, in the vein of This Event will not be Televised, but can also sing in this delightful way too.

Tackling food waste at Christmas - E & T Magazine

Tackling food waste at Christmas - E & T Magazine

Coming from the part of the UK, in which we separate our food waste from our domestic rubbish for collection, I found the article an interesting read regarding the sheer statistics of sheer scale of the problem.
It seems that, according to the article, that there are solutions to solve this problem, particularly regarding vast quantities of waste from food retailers, but it also seems to create a profile of certain consumers that don't really plan ahead when purchasing such cheap food without much thought on what to do with it. So, it is a real problem in which needs to be address by the consumers, retailers, and everyone else in between.

I want to break free - Queen - Igor Presnyakov

I am a fan of Queen, acoustic music, and decent covers. So I admire Presnyakov's take on the Queen classic I Want to Break Free.

Rock Hall Inductees 2012: Guns N' Roses, Beastie Boys Make Grade | Billboard.com

Rock Hall Inductees 2012: Guns N' Roses, Beastie Boys Make Grade | Billboard.com

You know when you listen to a wide variety of music, when you haven't only heard of one of the acts inducted into this renowned Hall of Fame.

Computers and Autism

Computers and Autism

Reading the findings, from the presentations, some interesting food for thought for people in the pros and cons for people, on the Autistic Spectrum, using the Internet as a form of communication.

Gary Speed obituary | Football | The Guardian

Gary Speed obituary | Football | The Guardian

I do follow football stories from time to time, but this obituary certainly gives an excellent overview over the tragic death of Gary Speed.

Charlie Brooker: There are two kinds of viewer in the world: right and wrong. Which are you? | Comment is free | The Guardian

Charlie Brooker: There are two kinds of viewer in the world: right and wrong. Which are you? | Comment is free | The Guardian

As someone that has to be aware of what my screen ratio is for my own films, I share in Brooker's screen ratio nightmare screening many times. Whether it is watching a film cropped on a TV set, or watching a film at the cinema that the curtains weren't pulled apart, I've been there, done that, and doesn't tolerate that kind of projection cock-up anymore.

Lori Lieberman - Killing Me Softly With His Song [HQ]

Before hearing this, I preferred the Fugees' take on this song, over the previous ,mellow versions Now I really appreciate Lieberman's approach to the lyrics.

Bette Davis Eyes - Jackie DeShannon (1974)

I'm not much of a fan for country pop music, but I do enjoy this catchy tune performed by Jackie De Shannon.

TORN - EDNASWAP original artists

Hearing this version of the radio-friendly Natalie Imbrulgia version is very refreshing, in the punk rock sense.

CAMILLE YARBROUGH Take Yo' Praise.wmv

For someone that only knows the intro from Fatboy Slim's Praise You, hearing the entire song is such a fantastic piece of funk soul.

Big Mama Thornton Sings "Hound Dog"

I'm a sucker for Blues singer of this caliber. So I got to argue that this is the definitive version of the song for me.

Creative Review - 50 posters in the life of Modern Art Oxford

Creative Review - 50 posters in the life of Modern Art Oxford

Having been living within commutable distance to that gallery for nearly 15-odd years, I certainly recall going to that Yoko Ono exhibition... and staring at that apple for quite a while.

Creative Review - CR December issue: free toy!

Creative Review - CR December issue: free toy!

I quite like the look of the poster illustrations in this issue.

Airside to close after 14 years | News | Design Week

Airside to close after 14 years | News | Design Week

I love this quote from Deakin regarding this matter. ‘We feel a bit like the KLF when they burned a million quid - we want to end Airside with a bang.’

Before the Muppets: 10 Surreal and Experimental Works by Jim Henson - The Atlantic

Before the Muppets: 10 Surreal and Experimental Works by Jim Henson - The Atlantic

Having grown up with a lot of Muppet-related media, I am always inspired from the more experimental works of Jim Henson. Not only was he a great animator and performer, but he was also very experimental in a lot of his work- even his commercials, with such comical gags, show an element of experimentation has been done to achieve the necessary effect.

Snow in January 2010

No we are onto last year, back in January, and some of these shots were re-creating, unconsciously, some of the shots I took several years ago.  Having some new items out there, like the garden tables, made it a bit more photogenic for the shots in the garden.

Snow in February and December in 2009

These photographs were taken back in February 2009. It was a good layer of snow on that day, and the snow caused a lot of activity and shock at the time, because it was a hectic time for me as I was trying to find work.

Later, at the end of the year, I took some shots of some of the powdered snow that have landed during that morning. It wasn't that photogenic, but it sure was slippy out there.

When it Snows Back in April... 2008

I had a discussion with someone about the theme of snow, and it reminded of all the times I have taken photographs purely because it was snowing outside. These picture were taken back on the 6th April 2008.

Pipsqueak's Corner: Doin' Some Fixin's!

Pipsqueak's Corner: Doin' Some Fixin's!: "I've lately been looking a lot at the CD designs I made for my sister's wedding to see what kind of improvements I could make and thought I..."

I appreciate anyone sharing their wisdom about trying to make a work of art into a piece of graphic design. I learned that kind of thing whilst studying for my masters', which came in handy to do some of the graphic design work I am involved in today. I hope you readers are interested in this blog entry.

'Muppets' Exclusive: Hear 5 Songs From the Soundtrack | Billboard.com

'Muppets' Exclusive: Hear 5 Songs From the Soundtrack | Billboard.com

Hearing some of the new material shows that the Muppets still have the same kind of absurdity and warmth that some of their classic stuff possesses.

An Old Sketch Book... with Some New Drawn In Too!

I found this old sketch pad, the other day, and I decided to have a look in. Amongst all the notes- which date to probably my GCSE days from the French revision- there were a lot of doodles.

I do like, amongst all those cartoon heads, I was attempting to draw actual characters, like R2D2, or a villian from the PS1 game Rayman- I guess I was born to do some fan art, now and again.
So noticed that there were some pages left in the old book left. So, I did what came naturally to me.... use it up, of course!

So the top picture was really just me sploshing some paint about, as I was working on a watercolour illustration, which was based on the above 3 sketches of my face- I might get around to uploading that piece soon.

I even did some studies from the Loomis book, but I might make a proper, where this drawing came from, when I get around to doing some further scanning.

Moby 'The Right Thing' Official video

I've always enjoyed the music of Moby. So I like this new track from him, as well as its intriguing music video.

Encounters with Ren & Stimpy creator John Kricfalusi | Blog | Design Week

Encounters with Ren & Stimpy creator John Kricfalusi | Blog | Design Week

Whether you're a fan of John Krisfaluski's work or not, he always seem to have a pulse on current scene of American animated media. So his views certainly pack a poignant punch. I hopes he gets an educated impression with Britain's current animation output.

Creative Review - UK Music Video Awards 2011 Winners

Creative Review - UK Music Video Awards 2011 Winners
Here is some musical, and visual, inspiration from contemporary music video makers.

Tom Waits - "Satisfied"

His music is stated to grow on me. The video, for this track, is growing on me too.

Creative Review - New Barnardo's ad by BBH

Creative Review - New Barnardo's ad by BBH

This advert is a very clever advert. The concept works well, and it transitions from one actor to another is done very well to achieve that regressive effect on the character.

Creative Review - How they made Müller's Wünderful Stuff

Creative Review - How they made Müller's Wünderful Stuff

I am always fascinated by behind-the-scenes videos like this, as it just goes to show how much effort goes into it, including all the elements of visual effects and animation that this popular TV advert has displayed.

Canned Heat - Future Blues - 13 - Christmas Blues

As Halloween is over, I can get my mind around that season which can be described as a big religious mash-up in my books. Therefore, here is the kind of track that people SHOULD consider as a social network campaign for the top spot around that time.

Screamin Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On You

I've only heard the recorded version of this song, where he does sound odd snorting and grunting. So to watch this live performance of him is just amazingly nuts. Anyone that can sing like this, and have a smoking cane, is just impressive in my books!

John The Animator Guy: The Difference Between Being Influenced By and Cop...

John The Animator Guy: The Difference Between Being Influenced By and Cop...: "No artist develops in a vacuum. From the moment we open our eyes, we are affected by what we see and feel. Some things attract us in a pleas..."

These are some wise words of wisdom from the veteran animator.

Twinings Gets You Back To You

This will probably be the best TV advert of this year... mainly for the cover, as well as the nice animation aesthetics.

Photographs from Guernsey (circa 1996)- Sand Drawings

During that trip to Guernsey, we must have ended up on the beach in which me, and several other classmates, decided to draw on the sand. I'm not which classmate did what, but I can make an educated that I was trying to draw out an igloo on the sand- I must have understood comic irony back then.

Photographs from Guernsey (circa 1996)- Boat Trip

I discovered some photograph strips in my room the other day. They had no printed photographs, just 2 sets of negatives in an envelope. I worked out that it might from my school trip to Guernsey.

The first batch were all taken on a boat trip. You can probably tell that I was learning how to take pictures- and on an old-fashioned flash camera- on an experimental level of my surroundings.