Unique Portfolios for Weddings

On the odd occasion I draw at weddings, and specifically keep them at a minimum so that I enjoy them more. I've been very lucky to draw at some pretty special weddings, everyone of them different.

I'm currently in the process of looking up different ways to present the drawings. Today I've been looking up hand made paper/card presentation folders and am so far not finding anything I like. As often happens when searching though, I come across very interesting sites and though they might not give me what I'm looking for, they are useful and inspiring in other ways.

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/11/26/50-beautiful-and-creative-portfolio-designs/ This website is really nice, showcasing great online portfolios.

Not what I'm looking for, which is a beautiful and handmade folder in which to present the original drawings to the happy couple. Will probably end up making it myself as normal. But otherwise, I thought I'd share the link.

I'll add more links as I find them for Presentation folders/portfolios/binders/cases.
http://www.portfolios-and-art-cases.com/

Crayon Physics

I have met a new friend who is hugely into comics, art and graphic design. Now and again he throws me a bone of genius and inspiration. This is a link to one. Have you ever heard of Crayon Physics? Watch, and be hooked.

http://www.crayonphysics.com/

http://www.vimeo.com/2846240 for another very good example.

Tim Knowles - Brilliant!

Just thought I'd clip this in.

A thought that springs to mind - The evolution of anything comes not from careful planning, but more from the harvested fruits of erratic behaviour.

This last sentence has been structured from a year or two of thinking on the subject of the importance of the unexpected/'mistake'.

Check this artist out. And this article too!!

Found via this great website - http://artforum.com/archive/id=22013

(Hope I'm not infringing copyright - let me know if I am!)

All material in the Artforum Archive is protected by copyright. Permission to reprint any article from the Artforum archive must be obtained from Artforum Magazine.
Tim Knowles, Pe Lang + Zimoun
02.11.09
Author: Colby Chamberlain
01.24.09-03.07.09 bitforms
Chance often comes off as a cheat. Consider Hans Arp’s Untitled (Collage with Squares Arranged According to the Laws of Chance), 1916–17: The composition is too balanced to accept without question that the work’s elements fell from Arp’s hand into such a harmonious arrangement without a nudge or two. Chance is an influential aspect of Dada and Surrealism’s legacy, but early examples such as Arp’s cast doubt on artists’ claims of having rigorously followed chance’s lead. The suggestion of chance, it would seem, is sufficient, and a little after-the-fact fiddling is just fine. An exhibition by British artist Tim Knowles and Swiss duo Pe Lang + Zimoun demonstrates, however, the rich yield of surrendering the artistic process to chance movements taking place on a minute scale. What if, the exhibition might ask, Arp had charted not where his bits of paper landed, but the whole fluttering course of their downward drift?
In his 2008 "Windwalk" series, Knowles put himself at the mercy of central London’s microclimates. Donning an irresistibly goofy head apparatus—essentially a wind sail attached to a bike helmet—he set out from Charing Cross five times, allowing the shifting early-morning winds to plot his course. Video recordings, taken from a camera attached to the sail’s starboard side, reveal the walks to have been markedly different in their itinerary and oftentimes hilarious in their futility. A collusion of breezes condemned Knowles to meander back and forth over Trafalgar Square; another pushed him relentlessly toward construction fences and other insurmountable boundaries. Information recorded from a GPS tracking device turned these wayward routes into a cibachrome print of five spindly lines stemming erratically from a central point, resembling nothing so much as a Surrealist experiment in automatic drawing.
The point of reference for Pe Lang + Zimoun is, more specifically than chance, chaos theory, the mathematical study of systems where minor changes in initial conditions lead to wildly divergent outcomes. Untitled Sound Objects, 2008, offers a tempest-in-a-teapot model of such a system: Four hundred vibration motors—the sort found in cell phones—sit in discrete compartments of a wooden modernist grid. When the piece is switched on, these identical nooks become unique snow-globe riots, each with its own jumpy trajectory and bopping hum, like so many dice caught in a perpetual tumble.
A video of Pe Lang + Zimoun’s Untitled Sound Objects, 2008, can be found here.

Maria Soep, World Porridge Making Champion

Amazing. My mum has won the much sought after 'Golden Spurtle' at the World Porridge Making Championships 2007! Not that any of her pals or family think it's anything out of the ordinary!!! She's been in the world wide press since yesterday afternoon and we've had calls/emails and Congrats from Seattle, New Zealand and Australia amongst others!

Here's the drawings of her getting interviewed by STV journalist Kelly Ann, with Paul the 'Rangers supporter' Cameraman dictating shots. Don't think iether of them were keen porridge fans before the shoot, but they were well tucking in to it afterwards (That was about 6 lots of cream and sugared porridge since the shots had to be retaken so many times!!) Catch it this evening on STV news.

So far - that we know of - she's been on the radio for Scotland Today, Steve Wright, BBC Birmingham, BBC Belfast, plus mentioned on radio 2 and 4 - possibly 3 -yesterday and today, she's been in the Independant, the Telegraph, The Herald, The Press & Journal, and a whole host of papers around the world.

It's been pretty damn cool. Forget Paul McCartney to open my exhibition - I'll just get my Mum!!!

Ardfern Battle of the Bands 8 September 2007

Just updating the old blog with the winners of the ABOTB.
There are still some originals left if you want to get in touch - info@jennysoep.com

Over 18s

Another Misadventure - Cameron 1st


Another Misadventure - John 1st


These two played a bloody good set considering they were missing a vital part of their group - Rona on violin and vocals who was playing at a wedding. Part of their prize was to play at Tarbert Music Festival, though the complete group managed to get a paid slot in the evening and prove their worth. They need to get more material together, but as it was their 2 x 1/2 hour sets were well received and worked well with the passing audiences who only seemed to settle in for 1/2 an hour in each venue. Their final half hour was definitely the best. Tarbert Music Festival had a great vibe which the persistant rain didn't seem to dampen, although I'm sure fine weather would have inspired more people to attend. As it is, the way Tarbert and it's music venues are laid out makes for an excellent Fest.

The Open Plan - Joint First with Another Misadventure, tho' A.M. had one point more from the judges.


Best set yet at ABOTB, tho' I'm sure the front man Kieran is going to strangle himself with his mic one of these days...Good vibe.

The Waterfalls - 3rd



Neil Gillies, The Waterfalls


My favourite set from these guys is still the very first one they played at the Oban open mic night at the beginning of the summer. Ruaraidh has a great voice, and if you're into Oasis then you should give them a listen. Will keep an ear out for developments.

Under 18s

The Anyways - 1st



These chaps were the definite winners by far with the singer's unique voice and delivery - tho' he seems quite shy, he was obviously still in charge. The drummer Ali, 14 years old, is a Ginger Baker in the making, tho' less crazed (perhaps...)
Definitely a band to watch out for.

Jillian - 2nd

Bags of confidence, with some great material - Coffee and Cigarettes - don't know if that's a title or a lyric, but I liked the song. I'm pretty sure she could have gone on for hours if the organiser hadn't reminded her how many she could play. Joni Mitchell-esque.

The Secret Cyclists - 3rd


Young Band from Oban. I'm looking forward to hear their progress.

Finally, I'm catching Up! Dunstaffnage Music Festival Phase 1

I guess it might have been an idea to only list Saturday's line up for Phase 1, but I've had so many encounters with Technical Constipation, that I'm just banging them up.
Dunstaffnage was a really stunning festival; the local paper The Oban Times, really didn't do it justice. There was GREAT Music, and such a choice - Organic Beats (with unfortunate power cut rendering most bands impotent, but Western Alliance taking full advantage of the only band left still standing to headline!), The Roots, The Open Mic/Stick It On tent, and ultimately the Main Stage - though not all the best acts were featured there. More later.

There were the live mobile bands like Samba Ya Bamba that you must have been a block of stone not to dance to, amazing light projections on giant bits of rock, great stalls - haggis and neeps, the Free From stall, and fresh, oh yes Fresh Oysters.

And then there was the art, and I have to say, on Saturday my animator Garry and I were unstoppable. The combinations of the animated logos before each band (especially when we got the RIGHT band!), plus the animated drawings from last years festival, plus the animated timelapse played right as the Bands were finishing, plus the actual original drawing all contributed to a visual extravaganza.

Pity Sunday was peppered with problems - trust me, MAJOR technical difficulties - Garry went through 5 different laptops (I have no idea where he found them all!!) eventually packing it in in a most dramatic fashion in the evening and calling it a 'day'. We're going to have to work through these minor details...But suffice to say, it was a great dress rehearsal for things to come. Just waiting for the organisers to show me the money...Always get your money up front boys and girls!!!

Suffice to say, Limited Edition Signed prints and originals up for grabs if you're quick enough - info@jennysoep.com or 01866 833207 if you want to place you're order!

Whoops! Rest of the T in the Park pictures!

Updates on the Proclaimers

Well folks, here's the rest of the big pics from the Proclaimers Gig. Couple o' 'wee wans' to come soon.

Taking orders for Limited Edition Prints to be made by the 30th of June.
Email me on info@jennysoep.com for enquiries/to place your order.

New Website!!!! New New New!!! Go Check it Out!!!

12th August 2006 - Throwback - Uncle John and Whitelock

One of, if not THE gig of the year - a full day skate event to raise money for Oban's skatepark was ended magnificently by that voodoo rock belter of a band, Uncle John and Whitelock, supported by the otherworldly tenderness of Foxface and raw madness of The Wallopers. An amazing time had by all in a tardis like village hall in FURTHER than the back of beyond, Easdale island, complete with blazing moonlit night and meteor showers on a slate beach - home of the World Stone Skimming championships no less! Beat THAT with a blade and smoke it.

Mr Hudson and the Library Pictures

Yes, unbelievably, it has been 5 days since I have had the necessary technology, and that was in the heart of Glasgow. Hope you didn't mind the wait.
I must just add that there was another band supporting called the Envy Corps. Quite different to the other two bands, perhaps not the best choice of pairing. They were from the States and had big egos. However I very much liked drawing the drummer and the bass guitarist. I think they were brothers. Very cool characters, lanky, geeky and intriguing. Very into what sounds they were creating. The drummer lost his glasses at some point; bit like the muppet Animal with his kit.

Mr Hudson and the Library,

'The Bread & Roses EP is a unique insight into the eclectic world of Mr Hudson & The Library. It shows a cross-pollination of hip hop and reggae beats with old fashioned song writing.'
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=34791778

NiceNSleazy's. Great night. Mr Hudson and the Library on tour. Good vibes and talent on the stage, great people, great songs, great suits, ties and hats! Freezing night, but crowd kept in the warmth.
They're playing in Edinburgh tonight at the Cabaret Voltaire. If you're up for shaking a leg and having fun to some beats you couldn't do otherwise with, then I hope you can catch their last gig up here for a wee while.
They will soon be supporting Amy Winehouse along with their talented and sassy support, Remi Nicole.
All in all, great song writing, some humerous observations on life, and great singing. Excellent rappour with the Glasgow audience.

Pictures to follow once I get into the same room as a scanner.

The Wake of Uncle John and Whitelock

Avast ye fans dem GFM critters is become unlocked. The Body is Buried yet the Spirit Soars.

The last ever gig of Uncle John and Whitelock, surely not! Tis True. King Tut's, that Tomb of Vast Happenings in the Music Underworld, the location of such an epic finish to a tragically short lifespan.
It happens.

Fitting Support comes from the clammy numbers of the Heebie Jeebies, and the raw PJ Harvey-esque edge and Dark Blues of Sara and the Snakes, building up the Voodoo feeling to welcome the Witching Hour Chimes and the Coffin Bearers.
Dressed in mourning suits the skeleton crew put the Earthy Jitters in the entranced audience, pulling at their carnal rythms, and boogy desires.
Is this all a bit of Fancy? No sir, that's jest how it is.
Red Spotlights complement the shapes in the Dark, Lighting up the spasmodic rythms and energies of Uncle John, propelled by the spirits into the grappling hands of the Beast, yet still surfs back in one piece to the stage and centre of the Universe, for one night only.

Did you catch him?

Arab Strap at Cab.Voltaire, Edinburgh, 3rd Last Ever Scottish Gig, 1st December 2006

Like I said. One of the top nights of the Year. Tragi-Comedy by a couple of the Greatest contemporary poet-musicians in Scotland, with their motley crew squished into a medieval hole of a place. Great venue for an atmospheric gig.

However if you weren't there, you wished you were and you want to relive the experience, I've got images that go with the following. Who will buy my wares?

Setting Up - Where We Gonna Put the Amp? (Those on hand contemplate the miniscule size of the Cabaret Volt Stage - Aidan wonders where he's going to pace)
Warm Up - Right Stevie, it's your chance to Shine - (Words of Encouragement from the Big Hairy Scottish Sound Man.)
Warm Up - (Arctic Explorer Coats with Furry Hoods and Nonchalence keep the boys from feeling the Cold.)
De Rosa - A Great Support Band - (Good Wholesome Grimacing and Pissed Off Lyrics.)
Martin, Singer, De Rosa - (Aye.)
Audience Anticipation, Cabaret Voltaire - (Steamy Tin'O Sardinia)
I could never be the man you always wanted - (I sent this pic to a guy in the audience who was there with his girlfriend. I was hoping he'd buy it, but perhaps he thought I'd made the lyrics about him...- he hasn't got back to me.)
I'd break his Fucking Wrists - (Shortly followed by...)
I don't want to hold your hand
Don't know if you'll like it now, but it's fun -
Malcolm - (quote from Aidan before gig - Aye go in and speak to Malcolm - he's the one that looks like a match)
Aidan on Drum Machine - Great Party Trick. Show off.
What a Waste - (One of the favourites)
This is the Very Last Arab Strap Song - (Complete with drawing of very last Saltire t-shirt which I bought and got them all to smudge their autograph on it. That'll teach me to let the musicians use my stupid arty farty pens to sign things)
Clearing the Fuck Off - (After a manic clear up, everyone drinks up, and legs it on over to club Ego, where Aidan is charged a fiver to get into his very own after show party. Tee Hee!)
I'm afraid I was too busy dancing my socks off at said after show party to offer any more pics.

Jenny Soep on the Janice Forsyth Radio Show

Well, biting the bullet and getting a blog. Let's see how this goes. Along with the many million that do it every day!

So, being on the Janice Forsyth Show was pretty special. Janice was great, promoting me and my wimpy website mercilessly. Definitely need to improve the site and get rid of the 'Coming Soon' Pages.

During her interview of Camera Obscura - a rather introverted bunch of folk (2 members missing that day) who make some intriguing music - Janice mentioned their great website - it is brilliant and you should check it out www.camera-obscura.net Very quirky and fun, clashing nicely with the American Gothic look of the band members. Don't know what all that moody brooding look is all about. Sweet and Arrogant. Perhaps they reckon their faces will crack with a smile.

However check them out on My Space too. Let's Get Out of This Country, I'm ready Lloyd and If Looks Could Kill all very much worth checking out. Original sounds with Tracyanne's identifiable and lovely scottish accent on the lyrics.

Anyway (more about me), not expecting to get talked to - aye, Jenny Soep yer on the radio, how the bloody hell else are the listeners gonnae know what yer up to eh?! - I didn't come prepared with 'sound bites' though I had been given good advice from friends and family that that's what I should have done. So I definitely did not come over as perhaps the most intelligent bean on the pole, but I managed to cling on with a certain confident air that I knew what I was doing, even if no-one else did. You can check out photos of the process and final pictures on the bbc radio website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/radioscotland/view/show.shtml?janice to catch a swatch of the action.

Cheers to Janice, and another wee step up on my mission to capture the Original Music Scene in Scotland.