Today I headed to the shops on my bike and forgot my lock. I left it where I could see it, but it was stressful, constantly glancing at it, hoping it was safe. It wasn't safe, I should know I have had my share of bikes stolen over the years. I decided to make a lock your bike tshirt design. Making this will help me remember my lock, I stared at the screen all morning, thinking about bike security. 

I decided to make two designs from this artwork. The first one, Lock yer steed, is more playful and fun. The second one is much more formal and could be worn in place of a suit in any formal situation, perfect for business meetings and weddings. 

"For me music is often a gateway to learning. My first two cassette purchases were "Somewhere in time" by Iron maiden, which I quite liked and the epically disappointing Van Halen "1984". I know that 1984 was popular, but I worked hard for my money and that album was not for me. So Iron maiden got quite a workout on my stereo. Somewhere in time grew on me.  Next I got "power slave". Which I consider to be the greatest album by Iron maiden. While somewhere in time had me learning about Alexander the Great, Power slave had the epic "The rime of the ancient mariner". That was years ago, but it stills rings in my head to this day.   

​The rime of the Ancient Mariner is a poem the Samuel Taylor Coleridge. I have drawn a couple of artworks inspired by it. 

The first I drew a few years ago. In the poem the Mariner, who kills the albatross, has the bird hung from his neck. For this design I drew it the other way around. I don't' know why, it was too long ago.

Today I had another go at this. I did not was to draw the albatross dead or dying so I drew it before the drama begins. The albatross flies above the sailing ship. 

Maybe I will make another of these with a mid poem illustration one day. 

P.S. sorry if I offended any Van Halen fans. This was in the days when we purchased albums without hearing them. It just wasn't my cup of tea. 

I had an idea to create a pattern with tinned fish (canned fish). As I went, I made all the elements into individual designs. It was a great process for me as I got faster and faster with my art work. The first design was the sardines, it took me ages. By the time I got to the last one, the salt and pepper shakers, I had a good flow going on. I based the colours on retro advertising photos.

Yeah, I know, sardine in tins don't have heads but I just thought it looked better this way. 

Next up I drew a tuna can. I started using some cool half tone brushes that I purchased from true grit texture supply. I love these brushes, however I always vectorize them in inkscape to get the results I want for my art. 

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The last tin was mackerel. Buy the time I drew this I was in the zone. It was really fun to draw this one.

Now time for some seasoning. A retro illustration of a salt shaker and a pepper shaker.

An final the retro tinned fish pattern is ready.