Karen Brotherton

MORNING MOONFACES.

2009-12-14T22:39:00.002Z

So I've been really rubbish and not posted a button since the 7th of November....
Partly due to managing to finish off another hard drive, I will wait til I have something unbelievably interesting to post about, then I will post! Still waiting on the ol Oasis stuff to hit the shops.

Christmas Kisses.

OASIS SWING TAG. BELLE RANGE

2009-11-07T14:06:00.002Z

Hello. Here's a little bit of illustration I did for Oasis for a new swing tag rebrand (for their Belle range) So keep an eye out. Its gone all the way to the printers, so should be about quite soon I should think.

Christmas is just over a month away (well a bit more than that actually). I plan on iceskating and making those popcorn strings that American kids make whilst having Home Alone on repeat.

PERSONAL REMINDER. UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE KAREN.

2009-10-07T10:36:00.005+01:00

I am leaving this on here until I feel guilty enough/get enough time to update some new stuff on my website. I didn't make this picture, but I like it.

I typed in 'Pug in a Stroller'...or rather I typed in Pug and Google anticipated the rest, so I just went along with it.

ZOMBIES IN MY PANTS... AND PJS

2009-09-15T14:02:00.012+01:00

Well looky here... karen's print has been made into pants, horror girl pants. Buy them here at Topshop online.

I joke...seriously now here.

JINX, YOU GET THE PINCH, I GET THE WISH.

2009-09-11T17:07:00.003+01:00

Hi pumpkin pies. I'm finally getting the chance to work on some menswear! hooray. So I've been sourcing some bits and bobs to use in my designs, which is surprisingly fun. Geek.

Anyway Im working on some geometrics and that, and came across this book, which I bought. .. hmm no this isnt my photo and those arent my tanned hands. I'm P&P.

So once Ive worked up my scribs I'l post em. Scribs: New name instead of saying 'work, print, piece' all the time. Try it at an interview today..they just might like it.

BLOB OF GLITTER & HORSE SCRIBBLES.

2009-09-03T23:41:00.003+01:00

Listen to this. Its just about the best thing I've heard all month, as well as it being the theme to 500 Days Of Summer. I want Zooey to be my pal.

[ABOVE] is a Printy McSplint for Peoples Market...where Im being a bit of a regular fixture.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN SHOREDITCH.

2009-08-22T13:09:00.004+01:00

I was asked by Once Upon A Time, London based clothing range to come up with the new brand logo...Here it is.

Ps Not only have I promised to do some boy stuff, but I also promise to lay down a few scribbles. Illustration is seeming like a distant friend at the moment, we'll hug it out soon though. I've made a promise to my Sharpie.

A FRIEND OF BOBBY'S

2009-08-20T14:34:00.003+01:00

I'm doing some work for Peoples Market at the moment, including this little chap! I can't wait til I get to meet him on my clothes.

Also Quick Note - Recent Blogging activity has seen some pretty girly designs going on, so I'l be sure to work on the ol' boy stuff soon. Balance this malarky out a bit

A WAITING GAME.

2009-08-18T10:32:00.007+01:00

Here's some little prints I didn't end up using for projects. A nice dotty dress and a glittery floral blouse, oh an a watery colour tshirt maybe? Monet eat your heart out.

UP TO DATE. UPDATE

2009-08-04T22:20:00.016+01:00

(Above is a snipper, as mentioned in the comment below... A snipper being an even snippier bit of a snippet.)

Recent News: New work, new website, watched Beverly Hills Chihuahua (great) then....

My Mac decided it had clearly had enough of my abuse and therefore... 'passed over'. So having had a new hard drive and disk drive (really broken). It has now begun its reborn life, with no memory of its former self or stressful existance as keeper Of Karen's Bits.

However what better way to get started than to be working on an exciting project for Free People. One of the amazing brands by Urban Outfitters Inc. So whilst Im busy on that, Il be sure to post up some snippets, and eventually deliver the goods to the Mothership.

Til then, see you in a rinka tink tink

HELL0 IM KAREN AND IM WORKING ON NEW PRINTS.

2009-07-18T12:07:00.003+01:00

Not this one though, this was a print for Topshop Summer jersey collection. I'm now going for the AW09 target (as seen below). I'l post up the new stuff next week. & get round to the NASA stuff. (complicated).

ASTRO'NOMICAL TEE.

2009-07-13T19:06:00.002+01:00

I recently designed this galaxy inspired T shirt top. Ready for the AW09 collections.

ITS BEGUN. AGAIN. WHATS A PLUGIN? I'LL FIND THAT OUT FOR YOU SIR.

2009-06-30T21:01:00.015+01:00

myself and web design go together like lamb and kippers, or equally, Morgan freeman and the 1997 classic 'My Best Friends Wedding'. HOWEVER I'm going to take on this mission like a clam growing a pearl.

(About a week passes)

*UPDATE (09/07/09)
I have been getting on with the site today. Unbelievable? yes. I had been particularly busy toward the start of the week, however I have made a start. For those that know me, I assure you I AM doing it myself.... Karen Brotherton - HTML/CSS consultant of the future. Click here

HINTS OF PRINTS

2009-06-25T22:42:00.003+01:00

NEW AND THAT

2009-06-25T22:35:00.008+01:00

THREE TWO ONE. BANG TSHIRT

2009-06-22T01:14:00.004+01:00

SEA SICK KAREN, NOT STEVE.

2009-06-08T14:36:00.000+01:00

STANDARD LIFE. TANGRAMS

2009-06-05T16:07:00.006+01:00

I got to spend a lovely thursday over at YCN helping out with VCCP's current ad campaign with Standard Life. It was a great work day, and we came away with some pretty snazzy ideas.

Then I headed over to Airside to meet up with the super cool Malika Favre. I really wanted to steal the 'I love Peas' print. Maybe one day Il buy one from their awesome shop. Made up of all the creative works they produce out of personal interest. The aubergine babygrows are orbital.

THEY'RE MATES. GOOD ONES.

2009-05-26T17:06:00.001+01:00

TODAY I SAW A GUY DROP HIS SANDWICH AND I FELT BAD.

2009-05-20T16:09:00.003+01:00

Hello. Great news, is that not only am I producing some new work bits but I am also now the newest represented print designer at Smith and Pye. Also I will be updating the website very shortly with new work, and maybe an entirely new branding. So have a look..... not yet silly.

AZTEC.A LITTLE PRINT

2009-05-12T21:04:00.005+01:00

Sample of the Aztec print created in response to A grand don't come for free. (2004). If you have the time to look up that reference you will see the lack of relation.

PRINT MY SCREEN, TEXTILE HOUSE

2009-05-10T17:35:00.012+01:00

Here is a little peek at some prints I have been working on. Having gained some really useful skills working within print design... I've started producing my own experimental pieces. Repeat (illustrated) pattern is the way I'm headed.

TOP OF THE SHOPS, THIS SUMMER TIME

2009-05-08T18:36:00.006+01:00

My time at Topshop has ended. However I will be working with them great people again this november. I think it would be lame to post a massive bundle of the stuff I produced whilst there, so I'l just leave you with this summer lolly licking Son of a gun.

IS THAT A SPARROW WITH KELLY CLARKSON'S HAIR. YES

2009-05-08T17:57:00.008+01:00

Silky. No but really, I dont think that airbrushing is for me.

93 FEET PRESENTS BLACK MASA

2009-04-21T17:30:00.002+01:00

Double sided print for 93 Feet East's 22nd of May night. Check the website for more details. Above front and back.

A LITTLE BIT OF BIKEY BUSINESS

2009-04-13T17:19:00.011+01:00

BMX much? Above is Logo Branding for Seven Bikes new brand of light weight frame...yeah I don't know what Im talking about. But this is the branding I created for a good friend of mine, think Subrosa...Metal Bike Company.

Frame Graphics added. Thanks for the reminder Mr Critch!

WAVING BECAUSE IM A CITY SLICKER.

2009-03-23T08:38:00.009Z

Jon Claude Van Damme is waving at me because I'm leaving home to live in london today. I'l be sure to say goodbye to my dog, fresh air and people that smile. Obviously for the greater good of getting a job in the big city... Or maybe just mugged then knocked up by a tramp. Is he wearing tights?

SPACE/LIFT OFF

2009-03-17T11:41:00.005Z

Im really privileged to be working with N.A.S.A currently. As well as be involved with their original N.A.S.A uniform designed by (an incredible) Jeremy Scott.

So be keeping an ear out. These musical geniuses are going to be rocking the Wireless festival over here in July... Get a ticket or two.

I THINK I LIKE TYPE

2009-03-09T22:23:00.013Z

A collection of my Type work. Most recently the one for 93 Feet East, as well as the private commission featured in the centre. Some of these are still prints avaliable at Oggleverything.com. Plus its chopped off for a reason, if you are interested in seeing a selection of my work in full - then please let me know via the email address in the right hand bar.

MORE OF THE SAME - TSHIRT TIMES.

2009-03-06T09:14:00.002Z

TSHIRT TIMES.

2009-03-05T16:03:00.004Z

Want one? I have one, and one for you too. You'l have to wait a little while til I post the link up though, and even then there is a catch, but its worth it. Check Back soon.

Also I have mugs! mugs from the start of the year that I somehow didnt post up. But Il have a word with Mr Website and hopefully have them online shopping in no time- Here is the link back to what they look like if you are interested... 'Blimp' I have 4 different colours/moods. I will take some photos.

NEW STUFF

2009-03-05T15:24:00.004Z

Ironic that when Im busy, it appears to look as though Im slacking. When in fact I have been working on a few things. Most excitingly, I am currently working on visuals for N.A.S.A... I.e Dj Squeak E Clean and Dj Zegon (if you check the right hand column you will find a link to their webspace). So hopefully I will be posting some of that stuff up pretty soon.

In the meantime, above is EP cover For Michael Reeve's first release. As well as (below) some promotional work produced for the Cool Kid Venue - 93 Feet East, of Brick Lane London.

DONT EAT THAT, ITS BEEN ON THE FLOOR

2009-02-20T15:04:00.006Z

THANKS/SLICK

2009-02-19T17:49:00.006Z

HAVENT GOT A STITCH TO WEAR

2009-02-17T00:50:00.010Z

IM WITH THE PIRATES, WHO DID YOU COME WITH?

2009-02-11T17:44:00.015Z

Tilt your head - see the sea legs

WHAT THE...PETER! YOU CRAZY JIVE JOCKEY

2009-02-05T17:14:00.009Z

What is a jive jockey? Someone that jives whilst riding a horse, or jives in jodhpurs... lets face it we've all been there. Who cares! Petes back and hes got a brand new hat.

FEATURE IN OGZINE

2009-01-26T11:54:00.006Z

Alright. There is a piece about my 'creative processes' in a new online magazine called Ogzine (created by Mel Larson) over at oggleverything.com. If you are having a look, also bare in mind that you can buy my prints there too, over in the 'illustration' section... amongst the rabbits.

-Please note, that it also features a photo of me, and my small freakish child like hands.

Peace

A GLIMPSE

2009-01-25T00:17:00.009Z

See if you can guess what this is a snippet of, pretty easy. Begins with W ends in E... no not weefie, thats not even a word. Click Here

COFFEE AND A BAGEL

2009-01-23T00:39:00.003Z

THEY CALL ME THE ORGAN GRINDER

2009-01-22T18:50:00.003Z

Commissioned personal illustration for Mr C, with the use of a whole bunch of free form type. With a few donor organs thrown in for good measure.

PETES COMING ON A TREAT

2009-01-20T11:07:00.004Z

Peter is dead... the series... well at the moment its a pair o'petes, but there is sure to be more where that came from.

RECENT WORKS.

2009-01-19T00:05:00.006Z

Apologies for the lack of action on the blog. I have been super busy with bits and bobs everywhere. Portfolio meetings and new project what not. The good news is that the official website should be up and running in the near future, its been a long time coming. But after taking some good advice I came to the conclusion that I myself am not a coder and therefore am getting help in... more info on that soon.

Above:

Caged - Following on from the generation of the original pieces, I finally mashed them all together to create one pretty piece.

60yrs- Following on from the piece created for Zara Arshad, I produced a more type based illustration to go alongside it. Which she shall be posting up soon at her flikr site, you should really take a look she has some cool submissions from up and coming creatives.

POSTCARDS

2009-01-19T00:02:00.001Z

Postcards available. Get in touch.

DISCOTHEQUE

2009-01-07T15:39:00.003Z

PENGUINS

2008-12-27T13:10:00.000Z

MY COLOURFUL PROTEST

2008-12-26T13:08:00.008Z

Hello, here is my protest board entry for Zara Arshad's great project highlighting 60 years of the human rights law being passed.

Its a super thing she is doing and its all coming together rather nice, so if you want to check it out..click here to view some rather pretty protest boards from some great illustrator/creatives. My personal favourite is Jack Hudson. See his here

NOT SKETCHY ANYMORE

2008-12-23T16:54:00.003Z

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-23T10:40:00.005Z

Hours of fun playing with this, imagine. The camel is my favourite he isnt even interested, he just looks slighty annoyed. Or possibly the wiseman that seems to think Jesus is a lamb

Happy Christmas from me, one of these words is a link to the greatest song of all time... well my favourite song. So once you've found the word click on it and have a little dance to it, think of it as my christmas present to you.

Happy Christmas

ITS A BIT MUGGY

2008-12-15T12:26:00.005Z

The Karen Brotherton Mug production line is now underway. Above is a sample mug of one of the 3 designs that I am having Printed onto some lovely white mugs. I am using a company (just down the road in Stoke) called PrintDigitalCeramics.

My beautiful friend Amy is letting me borrow her kiln in order to fire them. Therefore, soon (probably after Christmas) I will be posting up some lovely colourful mugs.... and maybe a few other sparkly new bits an bobs too.

so put the kettle on, lets av a brew...

RUSSIAN DA DA DOLLS

2008-12-11T20:57:00.002Z

PETER IS DEAD

2008-12-11T16:54:00.002Z

PRINT MY SCREEN

2008-12-09T19:47:00.002Z

I LIKE THINGS IN CAGES

2008-12-07T12:36:00.010Z

I know it sounds odd, but I really like little things in cages. Not in an animal rights kind of way, I just like the fact that its all locked up and I get to look after it... this just sounds worse and worse. Id like to point out that I dont have any live animals locked up in cages, or dead ones for that matter!

When I was about 7 I found this little wooden chinese garden thing in a charity shop. It was encased in a little glass box (cage to me) and I thought it was amazing, but it was a quid and I had already spent my pocket money so didnt buy it. But then when I went back to get it after forcing my mum to give me a pound... it was gone. So if you know the kind of thing Im on about please get in contact because I really want one, in the meantime Il try and find a picture of what I mean.

Peace

GOOD DOG BAD DOG

2008-12-07T11:56:00.000Z

GREAT COLLECTION OF OBJECTS

2008-12-07T10:26:00.002Z

I like to collect things, who doesn't. But this collection is great, It belongs to a Mr Mollop. He doesn't have a lot in his life but the things he does have he likes to keep super safe (In jars). Mollop looks a bit like a beaver, and he likes to scurry along looking for things to add to his collection. If i were to choose one jar I think Id pick his collection of 'Noticeably angry ants' because I think that is a pretty rare find.

(Please note that Mr Mollop is a fictional character) However Im now a bit scared

2008-12-07T00:56:00.002Z

2008-12-03T22:33:00.002Z

2008-12-03T18:04:00.001Z

WISE

2008-12-01T11:43:00.010Z

I love sharpies

2008-11-30T19:58:00.001Z

Website on its way, look here

BRIGHTON

2008-11-27T19:56:00.003Z

Yes, hopefully Karen will be going down to Brighton soon to 'see a man about a dog' (gallery illustration gig) upon which I shall hope not to contract some sort of potentially serious illness this time. Il try and post pictures... if i remember to take batteries for the camera.. oh and get a new memory card... Probably won't be seeing any pictures.

CHRISTMAS LOVE FOR GLUG.

2008-11-26T18:31:00.002Z

Illustration for GlugLondon.co.uk

I AM A MACHINE, TEXTILE DESIGN

2008-11-25T12:39:00.004Z

This is a textile design that is to be printed onto material shortly. They are going to be cushions, this is just two parts of the magical machine. Think of it as the macanics of your mind working as your are fast a sleep with your head squashed up against one. Enjoy. Im also working on opeing an online shop so these will definately be going in.

60YRS OF HUMAN RIGHTS

2008-11-24T18:38:00.004Z

2008 marks the 60th anniversary of human rights, designer Zara Arshad has embarked on a thought provoking project to commemorate this. Therefore I was asked to illustrate one of the many mini protest boards she has created. To find out more about the project you might want to take a look at her site here as well as being in with a chance of contributing a board to the project yourself.

SIZE FIVES

2008-11-18T09:31:00.005Z

Hand Drawn/Painted trainers. Size five as the title clearly states. Near to new, not brand new though. I plan on getting a couple more pairs in the near future... boys ones too, so I'l post em up when they're done.

Get in touch if you want this pair

NEW SUGAR ISSUE TWO

2008-11-16T19:37:00.002Z

New sugar magazine issue two is finally here and you can now download your very own copy, the link is in the right hand bar... but if you arent lazy then go to www.newsugar.co.uk and see for yourself.

MOLECULAR

2008-11-15T01:10:00.000Z

GOATIE GOAT GOAT

2008-11-14T22:05:00.000Z

NEW SUGAR MAGAZINE

2008-11-12T20:33:00.004Z

I am to be featured in the second issue of New Sugar Magazine. A new PDF magazine featuring breaking new creatives. Im real excited about it and hopefully the issue should be available next week some time, so when its ready I'l post a link.

Even though its a new addition to the Zine world, it has already attracted a lot of interest with over 2000 downloads of the first issue. So keep an eye out

CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH

2008-10-31T18:00:00.001Z

TSHIRT DESIGN

2008-10-31T14:57:00.004Z

ENVELOPED

2008-10-22T11:31:00.006+01:00

A few of my prints are soon to be availiable on the website www.Oggleverything.com. Depending on how you look at it, the prices may seem pretty steap, however in reality Im will be making little to no profit. This is because I'm getting them printed beautifully onto some amazing paper, so the actual prints should look pretty good . Plus £60 isnt too bad!

Anyway the above piece of work as nothing to do with that, so I'l explain this instead... This is potentially going to be some parcel paper/envelope paper. Random thing to design I know, but I just like the washed out grainy quality of it. I want to send some work out to get noticed and I think this little splash of colour on the outside of the post might help.

The end

2008-10-17T17:38:00.000+01:00

Just realised my contact details are no where to be seen on here. Therefore if you would like to get in contact my email address is:

Karenbrotherton1@gmail.com

TAKE A LOOK

2008-10-16T22:48:00.000+01:00

My work has been mentioned on The well know design blog Dirty Mouse. Take a look, its listed under illustration!

FOR FRANKY, ERE YOU ARE

2008-10-16T21:54:00.000+01:00

ROBOT WARS

2008-10-15T20:09:00.000+01:00

NEW SUGAR BRIEF

2008-10-15T00:01:00.000+01:00

Sketchy book of Things

2008-10-11T22:16:00.000+01:00

This is the new front cover for my book of drawings. I am perfect binding the book myself as we speak...or as I type, thanks to some very informative directions from a friend of mine. (Rob Butcher) and once it is complete I shall post some joyful pictures of the book itself.

The book contains a selection of miscellaneous works that don't really make sense on their own, but as a collection they seem to fit pretty safe and sound together, like peas in a pod.

Peace

YER FACE

2008-10-11T00:02:00.000+01:00

PEACE T'YER MOTHER

2008-10-09T23:01:00.000+01:00

AINT SHE A PRETTY LITTLE THING

2008-10-09T19:59:00.000+01:00

No...not really...

MUSIC TOWN

2008-10-09T10:36:00.001+01:00

Bit closer

2008-10-08T15:31:00.000+01:00

HAVING A PHARAOHING GOOD TIME

2008-10-08T13:10:00.000+01:00

I made an important archeological discovery! .... when going through my work. I've always been obsessed with ancient Egypt so doing an illustration about it was fun, however I doubt very much a pharaoh would refer to one of his servants as 'Love'. As the caption states ''No No, don't touch, I'm out of your league love''

3 PIECE SUITE

2008-10-08T12:40:00.000+01:00

Three of the pieces that I showed at the Truman Brewery during the summer. I finally managed to document them on here. I am currently organising for the A2 pieces to be scanned on a large flat bed scanner so that I can make prints, as well as create new even better hybrids!

FUTURISTIC ALICE

2008-10-07T23:30:00.000+01:00

YEAH THATS RIGHT I SAID MACHICE NOT MACHINE

2008-10-07T21:53:00.000+01:00

Milky milk, a few pages from the book about milk

2008-10-07T21:14:00.000+01:00

2008-10-07T16:35:00.000+01:00

WARPAPER

2008-10-07T16:01:00.000+01:00

war wallpaper, subtle but never the less there, silk screened piece, focusing on the issues of war. With war being such an on going issue in the world, its become something we have come passive to. Therefore having a simlar effect to wallpaper, something that is there but once you've got used to it just fades to the background.

FULL O'HOPE

2008-10-07T15:43:00.000+01:00

MORE WEIRD STUFF

2008-10-07T15:32:00.000+01:00

BUSINESS

2008-10-07T15:24:00.000+01:00

Cross section of illustrated business cards made for promotion of my work at the Degree show im Brick Lane. Its a good job that I recorded the 40 hand drawn cards, as by the private view all the cards had disappeared! Luckily though at least one went to an online shop for new designers called oggle everything. They got in touch and I am hopefully going to be selling work on the site soon!

RECYCLE

2008-10-07T15:19:00.000+01:00

Section from a wallpaper design I made based on the recycling of plastic objects. The concept behind the wallpaper was interesting, however it would take a while to explain. But if you were really interested then I would tell you

2008-10-07T15:18:00.000+01:00

SKETCHY SKETCHY

2008-10-07T12:29:00.000+01:00

Exhibition Piece, cataloguing all the things that I love and hate... more love than hate

Shapey McShaperson - R U OK?

2008-10-07T11:31:00.000+01:00

Illustrative questioning... secret/not so secret words hidden within the shapes. I've always wanted to do some sort of illustration with tessellating shapes and I actually have another post to add of this. Because I actually produced a piece for my degree show in which I created a 3D looking 2D cubed illustration, il try find it...

MR WIGGLE

2008-10-07T11:20:00.000+01:00

I am planning on making a small book of all the miscellaneous illustrations that I dont really know what to do with other than put them together as part of a little booklet of fun things to look at. Ive been learning how to book bind and Im going to give it a go...

SELLING YOURSELF

2008-10-07T10:16:00.000+01:00

Illustration based around the frustration of being an illustrator and trying to sell yourself. Thats basically it, although I happen to really like this illustration myself, and it got some good comments from my recent degree show