The Grey Earl

valentines pop up shop

Here's an image I drew up for Jane Gowans Jewellery. Buy her work here..... http://www.janegowans.co.uk/valentines

.....the grey earl also dabbles in music, see/listen here,

http://on.fb.me/jonbishopmusic

batman s+m

'you've been a good boy this year robbie, what can santa get for you?'

batboy badges a go go. My fingers were near on bleedin after puttin all these little chaps together....but then you look down and see batboy and robbie peering up at you with their cheeky grins....i'd do it all again in an instant, or as soon as they've sold out anyway!

batboy saved my life teatowel

and here it is, the batboy teatowel, perfectly captured in this glamourous snap taken against my kitchen window.....nicer photo's of teatowels and their happy owners to follow soon!

batboy TEATOWEL!!!!!!!!!

Here it is ladies and gentlemen......Drum roll please..........The one, the only.........The Batboy Tea Towel!!!!!!
Coming soon to a craft fair near you!

What has the grey earl been up to?

hello everyone,

I have been looking around the blogging world recently and because of my recent change over from website type set up to a more bloggy feel, I realised that I have not been doing as good bloggers do and writing a great deal.....basically just hammering illustrations up as and when they are done.

So without further ado, here is me writing something. This will hopefully bring people up to speed with my recent activity. So batboy seems to be a prime focus at the moment. I've had a great response to the giftcards that I produced and now intend on putting together a little gift box (to be called 'batboys utility box') which will include several gift cards covering different events/celebrations and a wee badge of said superhero. They will come in a pretty little giftbox and hopefully act as a nice little stocking filler.......So stay tuned for that one, photos to follow shortly!

In other news.....my alter ego, Jon Bishop (or is that the other way round? I forget sometimes, should I be worried?!) went into the studio on the weekend to record his.....i mean, my first musical endeavour. For those of you who do not know, I have been playing guitar and singing for a good few years now and perform in a band called Blochestra in Glasgow. It's only been the last few years that I have really started to write any material and I really appreciate the times when I get to do this......anyways, so I decided to take the plunge and book in for a recording session with some lovely musician friends. I am waiting on the final mixes to come through but really happy with the results so far. If you'd like to hear any of my songs please feel free to visit my facebook page,

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jon-Bishop/247242871956137

So, the point in telling you all this is to inform you that I am planning on putting together a little illustration exhibition/ep launch event. I am currently working on visuals to tie in with each of the songs which will feature as the main body of work. There may even be a few musical surprises at the event (if I get my way!), which I am quite excited about. A venue and date has yet to be decided but it's on my ever growing to do list! As always stay tuned to the blog or my facebook page for more updates on this.

More other news........It's been a long time coming, but I think I may have come up with my first childrens book story!!!!!! In the past I think I have struggled with trying to tie in some moral/ethical message.....and looking back, that has jeapordised the creative process. But I think I may have struck gold (and even retained some morals!). I won't say much but it will be a story on the importance of imagination, patience and appreciating what is around you......oh yes and facial hair!

This, as with most of my projects is in the development stage but some good concept work is coming along and I will pop some images up online once I'm happy with the way they are looking. This will act more as a promotional device than anything else, but who knows where it may lead to? Otherwise, I can just hand it out to any of my chums with nippers!

......And that pretty much brings you up to date with the goings on of the grey earl. With all this going on, you'd think I would find it hard to find enough time in the day to get a cup of tea; but don't worry, this remains a constant which is integral to the creative process as much as my taste buds.......

Stay tuned for more updates over the coming months!

yer ma wee pal

well done bat boy

....and here he is in all his fully rendered, pencil crayon glory......batboy! Well done batboy, you've caught your arch nemesis, the penguin....well....a penguin. Is there anyone in your life who has achieved something equally as glorious? Why not congratulate them with this batboy gift card!

ice cream shop commission

the grey earl poses as an unconvincing customer who is very happy by the impressive range of ice creams to choose from!

This is the third mural that Mr. Earl has produced. Other projects have included two large scale painted walls at Glencairn Primary School (jungle and space themes!) and has facilitated spray paint workshops to create street art murals in Clydebank, through the excellent CAOS, Community Arts; Open Space......more pics to follow soon!