Pingsweeties

Pan-Ham behind the scenes

2012-01-09T07:14:00.000-08:00

Wanted to post this, as I've just been sent this rather (wrinkly) pic of me in 3 Men and a Suit's photo studio. Thanks Simon! Those of you who were a recipient of the my annual pig themed Christmas card will recognise the pic of these 'Festive Globe Trotters'. Simon from 3 Men suggested the little lights to add sparkle. And what's the olive oil for? Well I didn't have any champagne so they toasted in the new year in FAT. Sounds about right. Happy New Year to you all. Pigs might fly after all.

Where'sPingSweetie Today?

2011-06-10T04:03:00.000-07:00

I'm doing an edible version of 'Where's Wally'? Using my branded 'PingSweeties' I'm aiming to get them spotted across the globe. As of June 2010 Pingsweeties have been to Bristol, Bradford, Cheltenham, Ipswich, Somerset, London and that's just the UK. They've also been spotted in Paris, Majorca, Las Vegas, Seol, Japan, Thailand, and Delhi. I've even been sent one that looks as though it's been into space, but I'm thinking that's just been taken in front of a picture of the moon landing maybe!

If you have received a Pingsweetie and would like to advertise yourself on my Where's Pingsweetie Facebook Gallery http://on.fb.me/jmgDai send me an appropriate pic. If you haven't had one and you are in the media industry or have a really funky business and you would LIKE one get in touch!

Day in the life of... ...ME!

2011-06-10T03:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.thefreshoutlook.com/index.php?action=newspaper&subaction=article&toDo=show&postID=5741

Homefront stickers just back from printer

2011-03-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

Give away sticker designs forwww.homefrontforces.org. Great fun. Just done some wristbands too. We are thinking of some innovative revenue raisers with 'child appeal.' I have a lovely squashy ball, a frisbee and petal shaped pen set sitting on my desk. Any other round suggestions to complement Homefront's round logo? Send me samples if you are a supplier!

HomeFRONT FORCES on Daybreak

2011-02-21T07:32:00.000-08:00

18 Feb 2011 - Homefront Forces on Daybreak. Thanks to 'Homefront Anna', here's a bit more publicity for my favourite ongoing design project.

Daybreak investigates the cause of the Children whose parents are fighting in war zones. http://www.itv.com/daybreak/lifestyle/familiesandparenting/mydadsasoldier/

Can this much fun be legal?!

2011-01-06T04:43:00.000-08:00

AKASHA TRIBAL DANCING WEBSITE

"Here's a load of belly dancing bric-a-brac, make me a website." It's gotta be my best brief to date. Montage, jewellery, colour and composition and belly dancing. I've never had it so good. I suppose it doesn't have any CAKE in it but seriously can this much fun be legal? I WAS going to wait til had been programmed so I could share its glory but that wasn't part of the remit. (Let me know when it's done, you know who you are!)

HOMEFRONT FORCES HAS PM’S BACKING!!

2011-01-06T03:13:00.000-08:00

British Forces News runs feature about the proposed ‘Secure families page’ for Homefront Forces website.

It is announced HomeFront forces now has the official support of David Cameron.

Watch at:

http://www.bfbs.com/news/top-story/forces-website-connects-families-across-world-christmas-42661.html

Find out more about Homefront at:

http://homefrontforces.blogspot.com/

Homefront Forces on TV

2010-12-24T12:12:00.000-08:00

HomeFrontForces is going from strength to strength. Back in May it was a small 5 page gallery site designed to get funds to set up a full social networking portal for kids to keep in touch with their Armed Forces relatives. It's on the way. Anna and Lorraine the directors have been woking tirelessly to get PR and support to make the site fully functional. It now has 'stars' to sponsor, a couple of games and for the Christmas period it will have a kid's gallery where children can upload their photos to share with their loved ones abroad.

This is the first TV airing on Meridian West, 23 Dec. More funds of course will mean more features. If you know anyone who would like to support the site please get them to contact Anna Matthews directly. anna@homefrontforces.org

Don't forget to check out the gallery at http://www.homefrontforces.org/kids

Have a COOL YULE you'all !!

2010-12-22T10:36:00.000-08:00

2010-05-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

May the FORCES be with you

2010-05-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

‘HomeFront Forces’ my latest project, has just gone live. HomeFront Forces is a new social networking concept designed especially for families of the British Armed Forces. Run like Facebook but with a secure log-in, Forces families will be able to communicate, upload photos, make new friends, post ads and even draft swap. At the moment the concept is a 5 page ‘gallery’ site, designed as a marketing tool to get sponsorship from government bodies as well as sympathetic commercial organisations. It has already been pitched to the MOD who have shown a great deal of interest. I've been involved with a couple of campaigns for the defence sector before. A national recruitment campaign for the Army featuring, Smith and Jones, ‘entitled ‘Better in that Out,’ and more recently a recruitment site for the MOD. “This one’s more Cath Kidston than ‘Men in Black’ though, it even features flying ducks! I’m really looking forward to getting to grips with the full roll-out. Very exciting! Here's a bit of publicity for my clinet Anna Matthews of HomeFront Forces in the Southampton Echo.

”www.homefrontforces.com

So you want to become an Art Director

2010-01-12T02:57:00.000-08:00

Out now in 'Advanced Photoshop magazine' (Issue 65 Jan 10) is an interview with me as the 'Industry Insight' on advertising Art Direction. Though I'm really showcasing 3D models here just thought I'd like to blow my own trumpet a little. I'm looking forward to the 'So you want to become a published author / illustrator' article I hope to be doing one day. To see more of me in 'Art direction" mode click: http://www.pingsweetie.com/art_direction.htm

I ought to mention the two clients whose work was featured. Top piece was for an award-winning client, Polygon PR who offers a 'Celebrity Finde'r service to UK charities: www.polygonpr.com
Bottom, a poster for Boe the Comedian www.boethecomedian.com

2009-09-16T01:48:00.000-07:00

Yippee, I’ve got an illustration agent. I’m now represented by KJA Artists (as well as working directly for clients). I’m bracing myself for the floods of calls! Work on my page includes some of the miniature roomsets featured here.

My Hero...

2009-08-02T11:24:00.001-07:00

This is the comp for the fantasy spread of my pig book. The pigs imagine themselves as storybook characters. It's Part 'Rapunzel' and part 'George and the Dragon'. I filched a brilliant rubber dragon from my son's toy box. It reminded me of the creature in the medieval painting below by Paolo Uccello. I decided it would be nice to make a bit of a pastiche of the medieval picture. Potscourers were really good for the eye of the storm and the tree. If you look at the original pic I'm sure Paolo was thinking of them too. A war gaming guy who sold me the sprinkle-on grass texture, said shaking dried herbs on trees made really good leaves. So now the whole set smells vaguely of oregano as well as Humbrol enamel! The comp needs to be tweaked in the final photo but it's getting there. It's a shame I couldn't squeeze more of the wall (further down this page) into the pic since it was rather labour intensive and I was quite proud of it, but it really didn't need it.

The lance travels from the eye of the storm to the nose of dragon apparently suggesting divine intervention in helping to slaughter the evil fiend. Note to self: Need to make more of the wings and tail for the final pic.

Pig Ski

2009-06-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

The ski slope and ski equipment I made for a skiing potato came in handy for my personal Xmas card last year.

Violent Veg in the Shops!

2009-06-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
It's been nearly a years since I started the sets for Violent Veg and they've only just appeared in Clinton Cards. The Xmas ones (including full ski slope with real trees) won't be out till next Xmas. Great fun though!

SMALL KNOB
The final image was very similar to my test shot. He is 'Smallpak' butter. I like my angle on him as he looks particularly pathetic I thought.

CREDIT CRUNCH SALE
I shortened her legs for the final image. The orange is wearing orange nets instead of fishnets (of course,) real false eyelashes and a ponytail 'borrowed' from my daughters 'My Little Pony' She's not noticed yet.

Pig Book 'turret'

2009-06-10T06:27:00.000-07:00

Cracking on with the book.

Here's a 'turret' window that runs across a double page spread. A princess pig will be gazing soulfully down at her hero who is slaying a dragon in the courtyard outside.

I was quite please with my 'potato print' brick stencil.

Exciting news!

2008-09-03T06:14:00.000-07:00

I've actually been paid to play miniature dolls house furniture all day! Probably the most enjoyable days work I've ever had. See below. No pigs or llamas in sight (see www.pingsweetie.com if you're in the dark on that one), but still, WAHEY!

The pigs will have their day yet.