Just the other day we showed you our first commission wall in 18 months, well, when we were done they then requested we do a second wall in order to, sort of, explain the first. It consisted of a legend so that people could see the actual drug logos and names for the abstracted logos we used on the original wall. Now I haven’t done any precise stencil work for a while, instead preferring the ‘get it in the edit’ philosophy of painting, but for this we only had one shot and it needed to be as neat as possible. I have to admit we did pretty well if I don’t say so myself. After completing this one they then asked about a possible third wall. Watch this space…
It’s been a long time coming but we were recently commissioned to do our first big wall in about 18 months for a company which invests in new drugs. I have to say that it felt good to be out and about and painting again for a client.
We’ve spent too long left with our own ideas so it was nice to have a brief – which only really asked for one thing, which was to include some reference to the drugs they had invested in. Given that some of the logos were quite cool anyway that seemed the obvious way to go. As always the hardest part is coming up with a design but once that is out of the way and signed off though it’s on to the fun part; throwing some paint at a wall.
We were commissioned to design and paint some wardrobe doors. Sounds simple enough. We had a fairly loose brief to create something in an Art Deco style. What we ended up with is something a little more Art Nouveau that is reversible and contains some elements specific to the client. The cornflower design in the middle is based on their family flower and the family motto of ‘Virtus, Vigor, Victoria’ is referenced in the the V’s emanating from the goblet the lady is carrying.
Painting and installing them brought some interesting challenges that were largely self inflicted but you live and learn. Well, we try to. There’s even a flash of bright pink painted on the inside of the doors that we couldn’t get a decent photo of but you’re going to have to trust me it’s there. Righto, what’s next?
We were commissioned to produce a 1m x 1m canvas for a very discerning and influential couple for their new house (seriously, they’re the power couple behind one of the UK’s biggest soaps). The canvas was to be based on the song ‘Strawberry Letter 23’ by Shuggie Otis. It’s a great song and you really should give it a listen. With such fine pedigree to work with we knocked out some designs lickety-split and that was when it all really began…
This large commission now has the dubious distinction of being the picture that has taken the longest time from conception to completion than anything else we’ve ever produced. We’re talking well over a year. When it was finally deemed complete my relief was palpable.
She’s on a 1m x 1m canvas and has been painted using all the paint we could find seemingly. She’s now safely ensconced in her new home in sunny Manchester. Let’s all wish her luck…
It’s not like team id-iom needs much in the way of reasons to head to the pub so when we got the call from a new pub, The Perky Nel, in Clapham South (on the site of the now deceased Gigalum and Oblivion bars) to say they needed some inspired interior design to brighten up an area by the kitchens we were happy to oblige.
After a bit of toing and froing we finally had an agreed design bringing a bold nature inspired heart design to the area around the serving hatch. Featuring flowers, badgers and an SW4 banner it’s a little ode to the Common. Although how many badgers are still knocking about in there is anyone’s guess…
Capitalist lapdogs that we are we sometimes choose to work for actual money rather than the superior feeling that comes from being part of a wildly successful artistic team or , of course, ‘exposure’. As a case in point here’s a building company logo sprayed on the hoardings surrounding their site in an effort to deter graffiti artists from desecrating the boards. The irony is not lost on me.
After our last release of pics from our Big Cartel page someone got in touch and asked if the little image we used at the top of the page was available as a picture. Never one to turn a fun commission down we agreed to make it reality and here we have the character known only as ‘masthead’. His past is unknown and his future is unwritten. Presently though he’s having a quite pint whilst waiting for a mysterious friend to turn up. That’s all I can say for now…
When he gets back he’s heralding our month on new releases on our Big Cartel page. There’s a whole host of brand new stuff that’s all at the bargain price of £35 (plus postage). Head on down and check it out…
Unfortunately Masthead is not available from id-iom big cartel as this was a commission.
Cheers
id-iom
Title: Masthead
Materials: Paint pen, pencil and charcoal
Size: A4
‘It’s been a blast…’ is something of a bittersweet commission that we were asked to create for someone as a little parting gift to their boss. Something unique was required to commemorate the 12 years they spent working for the same company as it was now time for them all to move on. I think there were some up and some downs but, as I understand it, mainly ups and it’ll be with something of a heavy heart they’ll be saying goodbye. It’s been a blast indeed…
Cheers
id-iom
Title: It’s been a blast…
Materials: Screenprint, spraypaint, stencils and paint pen
Size: A3
Commissions can sometimes be a lot of fun. For this one we were asked to create something for an IT & communications company called Qualitas that will be going in their foyer of their offices. That meant nothing too risque although we wanted to have a little humour in there so eventually we came up with a design we liked using the tin can telephone and then having their company name in the string. We’ll hopefully get a pic of it in situ once we can do…
Cheers
id-iom
Title: Helloooo!! Is this line working?
Media: Watercolour, paint pen, acrylic and spraypaint
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