Patti Smith, Kronos Quartet, Polar Music Prize 2011

Patti Smith being interviewed by Jan Gradvall
PMP Talks (45 MINUTES)

Today, 29th August, I had the great privilege to draw the legendary Patti Smith and the fantastic Kronos Quartet during the Polar Music Prize Talks ahead of the ceremony tomorrow. (I was also pretty stoked when Patti herself came up to me and asked to see my drawings of Kronos who were having their talk before her :)
She hasn’t seen the one of herself yet, but fingers crossed she loves it. I’m pretty proud of it myself. It’s half past midnight. I’ve been working on images, prints and signing them. Attending PMP events all day tomorrow with drawing tools in hand. About to pass out with a huge smile on my face.

Kronos Quartet being interviewed by Camilla Lundberg

PMP Talks (45 minutes)

Polar Music Prize 2011 – Patti Smith and Kronos Quartet

Yes, it’s got to that time of the year again and really rather excited that this time I’ve got full backing and support of those lovely folk at the Polar Music Prize. Unbelievably excited to be drawing the incredible Patti Smith and Kronos Quartet – What an experience this will be! Just got to keep the drawing up to scratch. Draw draw draw.

I’ve just returned from an amazing month back in Scotland where amongst other things, was drawing at a beautiful production of Cryptic’s one woman show Orlando with the impeccably turned out Judith Williams, as well as a hugely fun Cry Parrot show with Foot Village, Bitches, and Ultimate Thrush. Blochestra and Aerials Up at King Tuts and a few other drawing shenanigans scattered around also.

I also had the huge joy of looking after my folks’ B&B for about ten days while they went on their first summer holiday in 12 years – a huge insight in the running of an upmarket establishment that relies on quality, great food, speed, location and great welcome. It is a big leap aside from what my ‘day job’ involves, and a huge amount of multi-tasking, managing a team, and responsibility for the team/home/family pets. I had huge respect anyway for my parents, but my Mum seriously is a wonderwoman for achieving what she does every day, with all the anomalies that each day brings.

I have to say I loved the routine of it, but also the challenge of providing different hot scrumptious breakfasts for a variety of different demands/guests all at the same time, all to their immediate whims. I had a great team working with me in Georgia from Italy, and Gerda from Holland, even my boyfriend Mattias and Dad’s secretary Jackie got roped in to help. It’s the busiest time of the tourist season and I found it immensely challenging and rewarding. I look forward to doing it again some time, but for now am quite pleased to have had a week’s camping holiday since, and now back in Stockholm to garner momentum for my new adventure here. Working Roineabhal B&B certainly put things into perspective

Here’s a tiny selection of some drawings from my recent trip to Scotland.

Foot Village put on by Cry Parrot at NiceNSleazy's Glasgow 16 July 2011 - Paper Drawing

Cryptic's Orlando with Judith Williams August 2011 - iPad Drawing

Cryptic's Orlando with Judith Williams August 2011 - iPad Drawing

Cryptic's Orlando with Judith Williams August 2011 - iPad Drawing

Cryptic's Orlando with Judith Williams August 2011 - iPad Drawing - The Beauty Within

Sasha Frere-Jones, New Yorker Journalist, thinks I'm alright :)

A drawing of the Björk interview at Skandia Cinema

http://sashafrerejones.tumblr.com/post/1082777648/a-drawing-of-the-bjork-interview-at-skandia-cinema

Excerpt -

'Above is Jenny Soep’s “paper memory” of the Björk interview. (Click here for PDF of original—this 500-wide image is too small. Several family members are upset that the image doesn’t look like me. I think the effect is just fine. The hands are pretty good, as is the nose.)'

The above excerpt and link is to the blog from the 'Hailey Ehsteemed Dood' from the New Yorker (and other pretty damn fine publications too) who was the official interviewer for Bjork at the Polar Music Prize, gives me a mention -http://sashafrerejones.tumblr.com/post/1082777648/a-drawing-of-the-bjork-interview-at-skandia-cinema. Ya wee beauty Sasha :D I would also like to add that I was late for the interview because of a traffic jam on the road from Skavsta airport, but still the organisers were well up for me drawing and ushered me upstairs at the back. Couldn't see a blinking thing really, so I'm utterly gobsmacked he reckons I got his nose and hands :D

Polar Music Prize Drawings continued.

Little Children played a short set at Restaurant Riche where there was an aftershow party. Beautiful decor inside, a lot of plaster of paris moulding around huge arched mirrors, lots of reflections, lovely setting, cool place. Lots of characters in there too.

Little Children played about 4 or 5 songs of Ennio Morricone/Western styled music. Really well done. This drawing was done on the iPad. Very useful little device that! You can check their myspace out at http://www.myspace.com/littlechildrenmusik

Robyn was excellent. It's hard to perform a cover of such a seminal piece by such an identifiable voice and formidable presence as Bjork, but she rose to the challenge commendably. Bjork released her first album at age 11, Robyn at age 12, interestingly enough.

I've decided to add in this picture even though I'm going to 'doctor' the face to make it look more like Robyn. But this is mostly what I drew on the night (legs added later), and I'll add the later 'updated' version. I like the image though, and the way the words have turned out beside it.

Robyn drawing edited.

Don't think Human Nature could be performed by a better musical pairing. A great take on Bjork's song, and I'm sure very intimidating to be doing so in front of the great lady herself. The singer definitely got into it and obviously enjoyed herself. Backed by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, there was fantastic build up and beautifully composed 'quiet'. Terrific.

http://www.myspace.com/wildbirdsandpeacedrums

All Is Full Of Love - Bjork

In one of the intervals they showed this amazing video (also one of my favourite songs too), which is (to me) a futuristic take on the creation of geisha. Although to be honest, it's probably more just about creating companions. It really is beautiful. I drew most of this on the night but added a bit more detail from the actual video.

The Polar Music Prize

Ennio Morricone's 'Deborah's Theme' performed by Barbara Hendricks. Incredible.

What a powerful and beautiful ceremony to be a part of. Captivating and inspirational, the music fills your senses aurally, visually and emotionally. Discovering more about the person behind the amazing compositions, and witnessing their humanity, will be unforgettable. Björk being pretty much my all time favourite musician/artist, and my ability to get swept away by Ennio's music made this particular pairing for the prize a monumentally auspicious event.

It was also a real joy to witness - with drawing - Björk's talk with The New Yorker's Sasha Frere-Jones. Although my flight and late connecting bus meant I had to creep in upstairs at the back, along with my short-sightedness, it wasn't the most dynamic of drawings, but I do like how the text has taken on a music like pattern, dominating the 'reportage' with floating rhythms. This picture to come, along with sketch of Wildbirds & Peacedrums. Ane Brun gave my favourite tribute to Bjork, her voice very unique in itself, although Robyn and Wildbirds & Peacedrums were excellent too.

All in all an amazing night, though I think a different seating/drawing arrangement is necessary - bit tricky balancing a paint pallette, water, brushes, pencils, board and paper, while needing to let Mr Tuxedo and Miss Ballgown get to their seat, never mind the constant standing/ovations for the Royal Family and prize winners ;).

Here's one of the videos of the performance where you get to spot me!

http://www.polarmusicprize.org/prize-ceremony/2010-2/

Check me out at 07.08 minutes right after the documentary on Ennio Morricone (and yes, I've been greeting a bit), and then again drawing Barbara Hendricks - I'm a little hard to spot the second time - Dark grey clothing, light blue scarf between two men in tuxedos. Third row, right of the middle - there's a woman in the front with a pink dress. I'll try and find the exact time for that one. There might be more sightings but I haven't had time to look yet.

Marie Ledin, the daughter of Abba's manager Stig Andersson who started the Polar Prize emailed me today to thank me for my Barbara Hendricks picture and is looking forward to the other ones.

Cool huh? :D

What have I been up to? Tangents...and sweary words!

Taken from 'Blitzy Boy's Night On The Town'

Ah, it's all been a bit chaotic recently. I've been working on a lot of doggy illustrations for a lovely children's book called 'Blitzy Boy's Night on the Town' written by Maria Walker Cairnie about a group of doggy pals who know the value of friendship and having a good time with your mates. Based in Glasgow, it's been very much inspired by a lot of dogs, and a few folk too, who I've happened to meet in the city. Suffice to say it describes a theoretical slice of what it might be like if dogs had places to hang out and have fun without their owners. It's been great fun and I look forward to working with Maria on the next book in the series, which all support the interactive events she has produced including the Blitzacise class for kiddies and this upcoming Saturday - Raining Cats and Dogs If you've got kids and you're into dogs, I would suspect it might be a lot of fun!

I also recently found out I will be flying out to Moscow in October to teach a week of arty stuff to a school there. The hope is to do drawings inspired by music and is for all ages from age 2 up to 13 - it's going to be some project!! Really rather excited about it. Will keep you posted on developments.

Sunday I'm flying out to Sweden and will be attending the Polar Music Prize on Monday with sketching tools in tow. Björk and Ennio Morricone will be receiving their prize from the King of Sweden himself. I think I possibly might die of excitement. They've put me really near the front while Mattias will be sitting up on a balcony somewhere! Don't know if I'll be drawing on paper or iPad yet. Will have all the materials at hand anyway, so will be decided nearer the time. Did you know Bjork is doing the soundtrack for the animated film 'The Moomins and the Comet Chase'? That is going to be two loves in one!

Speaking of comets, here is a little video of the recent comet shower as seen from the Joshua Tree National Park, sound track by Sigur Ros - gorgeous little film - see it here - http://vimeo.com/14173983

I've also been in talks with Jonsi (of Sigur Ros) and his manager and have organised to draw three of Jonsi's concerts on his UK tour. Having watched the videos on the 'Making Of', the whole show looks like it's going to blow my mind. It looks amazing. I urge you to check out his website, music, and especially the videos. It's going to be really special drawing his show - Iceland really has created some phenomenal musicians.

What else have I been up to? I guess I should put my recent (and first ever) drawings on the iPad - more to come soon.

Quickbeam - click to get a link to their myspace - lovely stuff.

And then there was the guinness fuelled soiree in the oldest pub in Glasgow - The College Bar. Rich pickings for salt of the earth character in there I tell y'! I needlessly worried that my boyfriend Mattias who's from Sweden might have difficulty enjoying or understanding the banter that was being thrown about, but he was right in there insulting them back. Guess having a healthy obsession with Rebus, Cracker, Ian Rankin and UK comedies like Monty Python and more recently those by Armando Iannucci equipped him with a certain sensitivity. Paper and pencil supplied by the lovely College barman Stuart, drawings were then left with the boys to copy and distribute amongst themselves. Warning: Expletives abound. :)

College Education from Alan, Howard, Jake and Jim.



The long suffering College bar man Stuart.