Kristyna Baczynski - Comics, Illustration & Design

Hibbity

2012-02-05T03:29:00.000-08:00

Here's a piece of typography I designed for my best buddy Holly's birthday.

It's a word we say often. Unsure of it's origin or meaning, we use it still.
Hibbity.

Monumental Day...

2012-02-03T02:51:00.000-08:00

I have finally and joyously made myself a website!
The task that has been atop my to-do list for years is really, truly crossed off.

I am delighted to share with you: www.kristyna.co.uk!
Here you will find all my illustrations, comics, posters and more. So much work was hidden away on my hard drives for so long, it's a pleasure to be able to share it at last.

Any feedback is most welcome, and don't worry, this blog will still very much be in action - for new work and announcements, much as before.

Thank you and enjoy!

Le Feu De L'Amour

2012-01-29T02:49:00.000-08:00

It's time to make things that I like all the time... So here's something both hot and cool that you can send to someone equally fluctuating in temperature.

New card design printed in an edition of 10 on sale now in my Etsy Store and available at Reet Sweet Craft fair on Feb 11th.

Exit Strategy

2012-01-23T01:20:00.000-08:00

I'm beginning my last week in my studio day-job and can just about see the road away from these Designer doldrums. Motivated by the necessity of creativity, I can't wait to stretch these wings... err, well, these drawing claws.

Here's an illustration from my book Another Week, Seven Days which seems more relevant now than when I drew it in a haze of malaise.

Lapel Friends

2012-01-21T00:35:00.000-08:00

I've made a new range of brooches which you can now peruse, purchase and pin!

Designed, drawn and made by these Anglo-Ukrainian hands. Owls, lovebirds and romantic matches... "любов" means "love" in Ukrainian, and "Le Feu De L'Amour" means "The Fire Of Love" in French.

They will all appear on my table at ReetSweet's Valentine craft fair on February 11th at The Corn Exchange, Leeds. But, if you're not in the proximity of Yorkshire, then fear not - they're now available in my Etsy Store.

Lunch Date x 18

2012-01-16T10:07:00.000-08:00

Another week, another 5 midday minutes claimed for drawing.

This week is character week. Lots of them... 119 of the critters! So many mouths to feed.

2 weeks of regular Lunch Dates left until I leave my current design job in favour of illustration and comics. Wild, wild life.

So Long, 2011 - Ahoy, 2012

2011-12-31T11:04:00.000-08:00

I wanted to rustle up a quick picture this afternoon as the holiday lethargy bug was a-knocking and I had to fend him off.

I wish you a wonderful new year! A heartfelt thanks to the wonderful people who have made 2011 so very exciting. I promise you more comics, pictures and stories than ever before in 2012.

Chin, chin!

Lunch Date - Holiday Special!

2011-12-27T07:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to all, here's a festive special edition from The Lunch Date sketch book.
All my usual Posca pens were snowed in, and an all-white ice-skating party was the result.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas lunches! Here's a second helping... ON ICE.

Lunch Date x 16

2011-12-05T12:15:00.000-08:00

After a wild few months, and a few wild weeks playing catch-up I'm back into the flow of day-time designing and night-time illustrating.

As such, the hour between 1pm and 2pm is a designated drawing zone once more and so The Lunch Date returns! This week we have a crowd of floating heads, from mammals and misanthropes, to farmers and fish tanks.

Which is your favourite? The surrendering Slow Loris has my heart.
The Lunch Date has been collected into a 30-page printer compendium for your perusing pleasure!
Available to buy from my shop, with free sheets of wrapping paper with every order.

Science Fiction For Breakfast

2011-12-04T10:39:00.000-08:00

Here's a little sentiment from day 6 of my 'Another Week, Seven Days' project...
It's pretty much what happens when you watch Original Star Trek and draw pictures all morning instead of reading papers and chomping porridge.

Also currently hanging in Travelling Man, Leeds as part of my exhibition 'Creatures, Comics & Curios'.
Oversized A3 matte Prints of the piece are on sale, too. Buy direct from TM, drop in for details. They're a good bunch!

For The 100th Time...

2011-12-04T10:36:00.001-08:00

My Etsy store reached 100 sales today!
I wanted to reward that special customer with an artist's proof of a 3 colour mini screenprint.
"You make great things happen" - not just for one customer today, but everyone over the past year, thanks to you all!

Thought Bubble 2011

2011-11-23T13:04:00.000-08:00

Thought Bubble is a creative season, a wedge of the year that works me into a frenzy of activity.
It is always the highlight of my creative year both productively, working to release new content for the festival, and socially, meeting and talking to more excellent people in the festival week than cumulatively across the other fifty-one of the year.

This year was super special, as I had the honour of being Thought Bubble's first Artist In Residence. Fun and fulfilment abounded in Leeds Central Library, as marvellous Matt Sheret (Writer In Residence) and I explored and ingested the amazing surroundings, working together to write a comic for next year's Thought Bubble Anthology. Check the Thought Bubble blog posts (1, 2, 3 and 4) for details of our daily updates and progress.

For the festival I exhibited a collection of my comics and illustration work at Travelling Man, Leeds. I also installed a golden forest made from scavenged cardboard into their window display. One of the best comics shops around, and certainly full of the best people.

There are so many highlights... It was a blinding week.
Meeting and talking with Richard Starkings was a great honour. Such a cool, kind creative. I had the delight of having my TB table opposite his. The staring match lasted 2 days...

I also had the extra privilege of being rendered in modular form as part of Adam Cadwell's Lego Hunt!

An unexpected breakfast with Tim Sale, discussing the finer points of muesli and yoghurt was unreal.
The amazing John Allison was my table neighbor and chortle captain, along with the stupendous Tom Humberstone. Great to speak with Darryl Cunningham, Warwick Johnson Cadwell, Jane Richardson, Timothy (the amazing) Winchester, Felt Mistress and Ellen Lindner. So many more people, but I shan't make you scroll down any longer...

A huge part of TB was the buzz around Nelson, Blank Slate Books' new release which I have 5 pages in, and meeting all the other creators/publishers associated with it. Very exciting to see my pages in print and also see that The Observer had given it a great review on TB Sunday, as they picked my pages to mention by name.

Plus seeing my pages in the Thought Bubble Anthology (Image) and Solipsistic Pop 4 in print for the first time too.

A huge thank you to Lisa and Clark (and all the incredible TB staff) for having me on board and making it so flippin' awesome again. Big thanks to all who stopped by, talked and bought comics, too. You're all the best and see you soon!

Thought Bubble!

2011-11-18T23:20:00.000-08:00

Come say hello: I'm at table 149 in Saviles Hall.

Also I'll be speaking on the Paper/Science panel at 12.10 in the Alea Cinema Room today.

Tomorrow, signing copies of NELSON at 13.30 on the Blank Slate Books table.

Here's my (other) new book The Lunch Date, ready to roll, with wrapping paper in tow:

It's Thought Bubble time!

Pinned Up

2011-11-15T10:55:00.000-08:00

Have your lapels been feeling lonely? Has your upper chest area been neglected?
Worry no longer!
6 badge designs now exist and will be for sale at Thought Bubble (this weekend!) and on my Etsy shortly.

Also, my first post as Artist in Residence is up on the Thought Bubble Blog today, with pictures from my installation and art exhibition "Comics, Creatures and Curios" at Travelling Man, Leeds.

Thread Thirst

2011-11-13T12:32:00.001-08:00

Here's a promotional comic made for the excellent Thread Thirst.
A bit of a dream job, as nature and magic are at the heart of all they do... I couldn't feel more at home making pictures and stories with them.

Their store is back online and looking great.
Go, enjoy, bookmark: http://www.threadthirst.com

(You're likely to get an A6 postcard of this comic when you order some goodness, too. Hubba)

Solipsistic Pop 4

2011-11-09T14:42:00.000-08:00

It's one of the publications I most admire, and it's back with a new issue for 2011... hello, Solipsistic Pop 4!
This issue's theme is 'Maps' and the contributor list is brilliant once more. See here for more details.
I have a three page comic included, entitled 'ATOLL'. Here's a little teaser:

The anthology is Tom Humberstone's most ambitious yet. All the sneak peeks and previews have looked incredible and I am highly anxious to get my paper-loving eyes and hands all over it.

You'll be able to buy a copy very soon.

Another Week, Seven Days

2011-11-06T10:40:00.000-08:00

Much drawing, designing, colouring and cutting - and so a new book is born... A pictorial biography.
16 illustrated pages, highlighting an event a day for one week.
Available at Thought Bubble 2011, and online in my Etsy store for you cool international types.

A year consists of fifty-two weeks, 2011 is no exception.
This book is a pictorial biography extracting seven days from the solar cycle.
One week preserved, fifty-one weeks archived in the vague vaults of recollection.

Paper Science 6

2011-11-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

Thought Bubble is fast approaching, and with it an Artists Residency and a number of anthology releases featuring my work.
So here's the first of a few posts regarding the most exciting time of year - Comicsmas.

Paper Science 6
The sixth installment of We Are Words + Pictures' comics paper is out now!

On the theme of 'employment' there is another awesome line up of artists fronted with an excellent cover by Joe List.
Delighted to be the feature artist in this issue. With a whole 4 pages to play with, I created 'Looking Up'. It is a story about Al, an archivist by profession, optimist by choice, who has an unexpectedly eventful lunch break. Based on a true story.

The paper will be available at Thought Bubble on the WAW+P stall and my own stall too, as well as online now in my Etsy store and the WAW+P shop.

Ready Deady Go

2011-11-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

Antigravity electric skulls? Why, right this way!
New edition of posters, as promised now on sale in my Online Shop.

Dig them bones.

Late Lunch

2011-10-27T10:33:00.001-07:00

Here's the latest finished pages from my Lunch Date sketchbook. Steeped in anxiety and unrest, for the next few weeks are wild ones.

I'm paginating the first volume of this curious compendium in the next few days.
Volume 1 will be released at this year's Thought Bubble festival. I'm also working on a run of limited edition wrapping paper sheets to sell with the book.

Orbit By Bit

2011-10-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

Excited to be able to reveal my piece for London's Orbital Comics Self Portrait show, which has just closed in their London gallery.
It has been too long since I opened my box of paints and exhumed my collection of ridiculously tiny brushes. Hope to do a few more paintings series in the new year, so watch this space.

A3, acrylic on untreated recycled board.
No word if it sold yet, but if she gets a homecoming expect to see her lurking on my Etsy.

Future View

2011-10-16T01:43:00.000-07:00

Thought Bubble is fast approaching, and my studio is overrun with sketches, post its and ever-growing to do lists.
On one of these scrappy to do lists is a reminder to not neglect this blog in the run up to Comicsmas (Comics Christmas), so here is a little preview piece from a new illustration book I will be releasing at the festival. More on this in the next week!

In other news I am delighted to announce this year I am the festival's first Artists In Residence!
You can read more about this in the TB programme- here.
My duties will include an exhibition, window display installation, workshops and comic collaboration with Writer In Residence Matt Sheret and lots more.
Watch this (rather exciting) space!

Lunch Date x 14

2011-10-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

The Lunch Date returns this week!
After a few manic weeks, my midday drawing reprieves were granted once more.
So enjoy and explore the bustling landscape of Weirdopia.

See the full Lunch Date project here.

I'm also delighted to announce the first publication of The Lunch Date compendium Vol 1, set for release at Thought Bubble 2011.

Dead Good

2011-09-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

Hot off the undead press!
Here's my poster for "Dead Good" - a Halloween show presented by Rabbit Portal.

Opening night is 31st October, at Test Space, Leeds.
There will be a double bill of creature features screening on the night too: Monster Squad & Night Of The Creeps.

The artists line up is incredible; delighted to be among them. I will have a few pieces in the show and on sale too.
A limited edition run of these posters will also be exclusively available at the opening party. I may even sign them with my monster paws and wild claws.

Event details are here.

Orbital Comics - Self Portrait Show

2011-09-18T04:03:00.000-07:00

It's all gone a little bit quiet as a few comics are brewing up behind the scenes.
A little bit of news and a sneak preview is in order, then.

Orbital Comics, London have curated a self portrait show with comic book artists from across the UK contributing pieces.
Very excited to see how the other artists have portrayed themselves, it's sure to be a super show.

Here's a little preview of my piece.
An A3 painting, acrylic on recycled board.

It opens tonight, and runs until October 15th. (Event details here)

p.s. You can also pick up my comics from Orbital, as they are now stocking my titles. Win!

Repeat The Feet

2011-09-07T11:33:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a giant adventure in the mountains and peninsula's of North Wales.
Thinking about all that exploring and walking we did, here's a quick repeat pattern of some exceptional foot wear.

Remember: "When there was only one set of foot prints... It was then that we were hopping."

Art, Sight, Guts & Glory

2011-08-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

Here's some pictures and news.

I illustrated and redesigned the Art For Blind independent record label website a few weeks back and it's all gone live, hurrah.
It's looking ace... almost as ace as it's noise.

http://www.artforblind.com

Here's the complete selection:

Also, I have a new stockist (and new friends) at No Guts No Glory.
Delighted to get involved with this collective of DIY publishers, sellers and makers.
They will be stocking a selection of exclusive prints and my Creature Origami sets.

There's a lovely feature post on their site, which you can read here.

Onwards!

2011-08-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

Here's some true woodsman positivity for you all.
This is a piece worked up from one of two original drawings I have donated to the fundraising drive for Solipsistic Pop 4: Maps.
Solipsistic Pop is a glittering and important UK comics anthology, and I'm honoured to contribute.

Both original drawings can be won if you contribute, too. Along with a whole bunch of my comics, badges and stickers. Not to mention bespoke postcards, book credits, back issues and more original inks.
Get contributing!

Here's a snap of the care package before it got sent southwards.

Owls, Pussycats & Ribbons

2011-08-14T06:52:00.000-07:00

Paw and wing, joined in a ring.
Limited edition print run of 20 customisable prints for weddings, anniversaries or just plain loveliness.
Add bespoke names into the scrolls and a special date, too. Hand lettered typography added on request.

Available now on my Etsy!

Lunch Date x 13

2011-08-14T05:22:00.001-07:00

Week 13, how timely.
This week's pages have inevitably been influenced by distressing events.
We take a 90˚ orientation change and a shift in tone... But the birds still sing.

With Milk, Please

2011-08-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

Late nights, early mornings and still stuff to get done?
An ode to coffee.

Available on my Etsy as a print in the next few days, and as a tshirt when I hit the screenprinting workshop in late September.

Lunch Date x 12

2011-08-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

This week's lunchtime drawings were an midday-escapists dream. They are space themed.
Saucers, astronauts, aliens and Sagan fanatics abound.
Watch out for the Space Beegee.
Gibbous! (woah)

Lunch Date x 11

2011-08-01T10:13:00.001-07:00

Week number 11 of The Lunch Date Project.

We have a skull preaching some strange forecasts. Her fortells of Cool News, Big Shoes and Mo' Problems.
Search your feelings.
I feel funny.
View the whole project so far in the Flickr set.

An American In Paris

2011-07-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

Here's a poster for a special 50th anniversary screening of the magical musical An American In Paris at the Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds.

I flippin' love drawing ribbons and shoes, so this was a joy to illustrate and design. Plus, the '50s type and textures were ace to try out too.

The event info is here, so pop on your straw-boaters and brogues and shimmy on over.

Collector's Cove

2011-07-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

We Are Words + Pictures are running a series on their blog featuring Paper Science artist's workspaces, inspiration and processes.

Today is the day my studio welcomes you - The inner sanctum of an ephemera-addicted nerd.
Read the WAW+P blog here or click below to explore!

Lunch Date x 10

2011-07-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

The start of a new week brings with it the Lunch Dates of the old week.
5 hours, 5 days and a whole mess of creatures.

Double figures for The Lunch Date project!
This page also marks the death of the original Red, Green and Blue Posca line up. They have been replaced already with younger, fresher models, brimming with enthusiasm and paint.

Halfling

2011-07-21T13:07:00.000-07:00

The new issue of AMMO Magazine.
Number 7 - Lucky?
Sure is for me, 'cause I got to make a piece especially for it.

Lots of amazing illustrators as usual.
This Issue Liam Barrett, Mitch Blunt and Muxxi have some ultra beautiful work, plus a cool cover by Rabbit Portal.
Pocket sized, inspiration perfection.

Lunch Time, Times Nine

2011-07-16T02:28:00.000-07:00

My midday paper retreat levels up another two pages.
Zilla Black raging as a pioneer of coupledom and a narwhal in a party hat feature this week.
Hot news: Red Posca is rumoured to be out of juice - How long until Green and Blue follow suit?
Answers on a postcard.
You can view all pages from The Lunch Date project in this flickr set.

Also a big thank you to Josie Long and Andrew Collins for the mention on 6Music last Saturday. (2h15m)
My blog also appeared in her cartoon of the show!

Super pride, engage.

Keeping House, Trading Facts

2011-07-07T15:12:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share a few little things that have turned my studio into a stacked, folded hubbub and my fingers into papercut monstrosities.

First up I'm at Birmingham Zine Festival this Saturday.
Restocked with a full arsenal of comics and prints, as well as one or two new treats.
It's open from 12 - 6, at We Are Birmingham.
Lots of cool activities and lots of cool zine-making folks!
The postman was a familiar at our door this week, as he delivered a wealth of loveliness...

This stack of Paper Science - Issue 5 arrived!
So amazing in print, I couldn't be happier with the cover.
And the comics within are very good indeed - Get yours in the post here.

Biceps 2 also landed on my doormat with a welcome 'thud'.
I have a 5-page comic titled 'Drabina' in this Polish-language anthology, which premiered at Komiksowa Warszawa 2011.
Very happy with how the black and white print turned out on this too.
You can buy and preview Biceps 2 here, here and here.

That's the news!

Lunch Date - Update Eight

2011-07-06T13:09:00.000-07:00

Installating No. 8 from The Lunch Date book is here!

It's a creature feature.

Megafaun

2011-06-20T13:04:00.001-07:00

Just finished a new poster.
This one's for Megafaun who are playing at Brudenell Social Club, Leeds.
The show is gonna be lovely... such immersive music.
Ho ho!

Made Up

2011-06-19T01:17:00.000-07:00

If you're in London today and need a zine fix or illustration patch, head down to Arthur & Albert Studio, Shoreditch for the Made Up Art & Craft Pop Up Shop.
You will happen upon a bunch of my comics, books and zines - which are being exhibited. You can also buy them too.
Happy Sunday, Southerners!

Lunch Date - Week 7

2011-06-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

A little later than usual.
The sketchbook got stood up once or twice last week, it was awkward for a while, but he took me back.
We drew some shoe-ghosts and settled our differences.

See the love affair from the start here.

Paper Science 5

2011-06-02T13:30:00.001-07:00

Issue 5 of Paper Science, from We Are Words + Pictures has just been announced!
It sports a cover design by me and holds many, many delights within it's tactile and inky, newsprint grasp
Pre-order your copy here and read more about Issue 5 here.

The Lunch Date - Week 6

2011-05-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

Working week number 6 of The Lunch Date project.
While there is still paint in my RGB Poscas I shall endeavour not to squander my midday hourly reprieve.

Next week's task: hone the 'Perpetual Motion' concept.

The Lunch Date: Week 5

2011-05-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

Back to 5 lunch hours, still in 3 colours.
You can see the whole Lunch Date project in this flickr set.
More next week!

The Owl & The Inkwell

2011-05-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

Two of my loves collided with this project - drawing feathers and epic music.

Karl Culley's new album The Owl is out now on iTunes/HMV/Amazon.
You can listen to some previews and more tracks on Karl's SoundCloud or follow him on Twitter for more updates.
He's also touring the UK during May/June, so you can see his fingers set on fire as he strums and picks like no other man on the planet.

New Stockist

2011-05-08T05:29:00.001-07:00

Travelling Man, Leeds are now stocking my comics and zines!

My Animal Origami Sets are still available in OK Comics, Leeds too.
Shopping joy.

All available in my Etsy store, if Leeds is far away.

The Lunch Date - Week 3/4

2011-05-08T02:56:00.000-07:00

An amalgamation of Week 3 and 4.
The Fortnight of Epic Bank Holidays (TFOEBH) stole a few hours, but back to normal weekly updates from next week.

To catch up on previous Lunch Dates, check the ever-growing Flickr set.

Nineties Man

2011-05-02T01:48:00.000-07:00

An impromptu record cover for (film-maker, musician and now doctor) Greig Johnson's Teenage Songbook project.

A little blurb about the album:
"11 recently rediscovered songs I never got round to recording. I was a teenager when I wrote them, now the songs are teenagers themselves.
No rewriting, refining or restructuring allowed - hence the Jack Daniels reference."

You can listen to the album here.

He's My Type

2011-04-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, a dashing fellow called Ely powered up to level 2.
I made him a picture for this birthday occassion to hang on his bedroom wall.

Painted lettering, brown craft paper and custom ribbon trim frame.

Thinking about listing bespoke typography and lettering on my Etsy as one-off comissioned pieces... Holler if you think this business endeavor has legs.

The Lunch Date - Week 2

2011-04-23T02:29:00.000-07:00

Another 5 day week, another two pages done.
Reclamation exuberation.

Week Knees

2011-04-14T13:39:00.001-07:00

Week 1 of The Lunch Date initiative complete.
It's only Thursday, so technically early... Creatively nourished overenthusiasm is to blame.

More next week.

The Lunch Date

2011-04-12T14:18:00.000-07:00

Gee, it's April.
Well, that sure is terrifying.
It triggers the feeling that time is dribbling away, that my year has sprung a leak.

In some effort to salvage the buoyancy of my brain I have resolved to dedicate my week day lunch hour to a new sketchbook.
Here is the cover - black book cloth drawn with Posca Pen.
Inside the pages are black and look lovely with paint pen drawings. They will fill up and I'll start posting pictures weekly.
The Lady Of The Web can bugger off. The sands of time are mine.

Cosmic Comics

2011-04-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a poster I just did for Akron/Family at The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds.
Mystic, fuzzy, magic sounds conjured up a cosmic geological beacon bubo, sending out signals home.

Was super cool blending comics with the cosmos.

More info about the show here.
Can't wait to see them!

Idiom Son

2011-03-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

On the theme of idioms I designed this top tweeter for a screensaver project in my day-time design studio:

Rung By Rung

2011-03-24T10:26:00.000-07:00

My new comic LADDER is really here.

It premiered at Leeds Alternative Comics Fair on Saturday - and I'm delighted to say it sold out by lunchtime... Or perhaps it was afternoon tea time.
It was a close call around Wednesday night. But, all the late night drawing claws, blurry screen square eyes and over developed muscular guillotining arms came good - the deadline was joyfully met.

Here is the cover:

And a peek at Page 1:

I'll reslice, restaple and restock into my Etsy shortly.

And a quick thank you to everyone who came down to LACF2 and made it even more fun than the first.
John Allison, Adam Cadwell, Helen Entwistle, and Ben Clark sure brought some serious smiles.

What's Cookin'?

2011-03-03T02:12:00.000-08:00

Got an ace project to design a set of blog banners for the wonderfully crafty Miss. Steff Cook.

This lady is a lean, mean, carpentry machine.
So I wanted to draw her up some lovely mastheads with more charm than a chisel!

Did a few colourways over 2 designs:
And a selection of background pattern swatches to boot.

Fo Lizzle

2011-02-24T14:11:00.000-08:00

Today is no ordinary Thursday.
It is Grizzly Bear Thursday.

Rustled this chap up from twigs and ink last night for Lizz Lunney's Bear drawing blog.
It's a quality stream of themed drawings, even one by the masterful Becky Barnicoat.

To Lizzle, Fo Grizzle, From Krizzle.
Parfait.

Hilly Nilly

2011-02-06T10:11:00.000-08:00

Over Them Hills - Is an exhibition at Common in Manchester.

A troupe of Leeds artists, lead by our helmsman RabbitPortal have been tasked with reviving the buildin'gs walls - inside and out.
Along with Matt and myself, Fon/The Pern and Lord Whitney will be casting their exceptional visual spells, too.

I did the postcard invites, which will have Matt's show poster on too. These are limited to 100 copies, first come first gets on the launch night.
Thrusday Feb 10th 6 - 8pm.
Tshirts, prints, custom beer mats, totes and all kind of other goodies will be on sale too.
For more info on the event - Looky here.

Super excited to be involved.
It has also given me a deeper understanding of how frighteningly big walls can actually be... And how stepladders are the Devil's starircase.

Shoppe Emporium

2011-01-30T00:44:00.000-08:00

How thoroughly exciting it is to declare my online shop finally open!

Spent the day yesterday stocking up and snapping pictures of creatures, comics and commodities.
Cut, stick, fold repeat and now, suddenly I have a healthy, new ETSY STORE.

I designed a header banner for it.

It depicts how 'Kriski' is a handy abbreviation of my terribly tricky names... Through the medium of city gents and stretchy speech bubbles.

Roll up, roll up!

Vulpine Fresh

2011-01-11T12:48:00.000-08:00

A drawing which I snuck into a swap-box for a mighty talented peer.
Scanned before he departed the shores of home, and last night he got some colour in his furry cheeks.

1/26th

2011-01-10T12:01:00.000-08:00

At my day-time employment HQ we're doing a typography showcase for the studio and I got to illustrate "J".

Jalapenos make my nose run and my insides happy.

Hello January

2011-01-02T10:33:00.000-08:00

Here it is - MMXI to the Romans, 11111011011 to the circuits and frighteningly soon to some humans.

Terra Firma sure loves to spin, and ain't noone about to tell this planetary party animal it's time to stop her solar boogie.

Happy New Year to you all - Thanks to you for making 2010 so massively wonderful and here's hoping the coming futuristic annum brings wonders anew.

Milli Villainous

2010-12-30T09:54:00.000-08:00

My toothless ted comic was up on The Supervillain over the weekend!

Most fond of the website and thoroughly delighted to have my markings held within it's digital embrace.

Videorigami

2010-12-29T06:06:00.000-08:00

Was delighted to be interviewed at Thought Bubble by the super cool chaps of Geek Syndicate.

The video is now up on their site - Featuring my Origami paper packs.
Hurrah.
Watch it here.

Thanks fellers.
And thanks too to all the lovely people who purchased so many of these packs over Christmas-tide!
Santa smash and paper pals prevail.

(Note: It sure is torturous to see yourself from the outside - I do hope this doesn't chill you to the core too)

Bad Mother Clucker

2010-12-07T15:11:00.000-08:00

I join the flock.

3 French Hens

2010-12-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

I made some Christmas prints for Thought Bubble.

Edition of 6 digi prints, 5' x 7'' 280 gsm off-white card.

This wordplay is getting into the realm of indecipherable.
Word heavy petting.

Got a couple of the cluckers left, £2.50 to a good home.

Sweet Lovin' Recolour

2010-12-06T13:56:00.000-08:00

Sat on my posterior fighting for posterity.

For the latest issue of Paper Science I recoloured my How Fucking Romantic strip and widened it's svelte size.

Thought Bubble 2010

2010-12-04T08:19:00.000-08:00

What a weekend it was - a whirlwind of fantastic folks and cool comics.
Below is a visual offering of what tip top treats transpired.

My table was, as per last year, shared with the delightful Octavia Raitt, who this year had a troupe of felted plushes that melted my... brushes?
They were completely excellent anyhow.

I also had the honour of speaking on the panel during the Self Publishing Masterclass seminar.
Along with Adam Cadwell, Tom Humberstone, Lizz Lunney and Phillippa Rice. With Matt Sheret being our esteemed host.

The stall was bustling through the day, but we managed to circulate and I snapped up a whole bunch of really awesome paper prizes.
(Top > Bottom CW: Luke Pearson, John Cei Douglas, Gary Bainbridge, Comix Reader #1, Ellen Lindner, James Downing, Andrew Waugh, Jack Fallows)
Hom-Un-Ah.
"Undertow" by Miss. Lindner was a delight to read.

Some more joy was sought from getting first looks at bonafide printed Solipsistic Pop 3 and Paper Science 3, which both featured my comics.

Thank you to those who stopped by to talk and take away.
My innards were glowing from all your kindnesses.

But, innards must go onwards.

The Show Must Go On

2010-11-18T08:50:00.000-08:00

...Until Sunday anyway.

Pictures are hanging up, hanging out and getting on down.
From Pictures To Houses officially kicked off at the weekend and runs for a few more days yet.

Some snaps from the opening event which was full of visual and edible treats.
The marvellous Rachael and Wendy projected a slideshow of illustrations and comics onto the screen in the auditorium which was very cool indeed!

The exhibition shop is fully kitted out too, with catalogue/zines, postcards, mini prints, posters and giant individual pieces up for grabs.

Also got a mini-mention over at Shut HQ!

Hup, Date

2010-11-13T01:58:00.000-08:00

Weeks are rushing, twirling, stampeding past Baczynski Towers.
Tonnes of hot new stuff to reveal, but not just yet..

A couple updates until show-time:

SHUT have done me a mighty nice artist feature on their site - They're all so freakin' cool... I hope it doesn't leak that I sometimes quite like a hot chocolate in the paw and some Paul Simon in the lughole.

Onto another bunch of super cool dudes: OK Comics - Who are now stocking my Origami Set and Gags Comic.
Get on down!

And, tomorrow brings with it the opening of solo show the first.
I'll be puking up my porridge in shaking, trembling anticipation.

So Low Show

2010-10-28T09:44:00.001-07:00

Utterly delighted to be posting my debut solo exhibition poster!

From Pictures To Houses will be a combination of site-specific installed illustrations and framed delights - Hanging up and hiding out.
Prints, postcards and paraphernalia will be available for purchase.

The show runs from November 14th - 21st, which is up to and during Thought Bubble Comic Con (TB have kindly sponsored the show, too) and Leeds International Film Festival.
The venue is The Hyde Park Picture House. Possibly one of my favourite locations in the city.
Here's how to get there.
Open for viewing at regular screening times.
So come see a frickin' fab film and soak up some particularly public penmanship!

It runs in conjunction with Headingley Arts Trail - So check out The Bowery for more details of the other awesome attractions therein.

Strix Aluco

2010-10-18T09:52:00.000-07:00

Scribbled this for the under-construction Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre, which is destined to be a bit of a haven for cool community cats. They are holding an exhibition of mini paper art squares, with all works for sale and all proceeds going into the project.
The original 2-colour line drawing will be in the show and up for grabs - Wings and wallets at the ready.

Wanted to re-use the illustration, so worked it up into a bit of a decorative frenzy.
He's such a square I reckon he'd make a mighty fine set of ceramic tiles... Investigation, ho!

Leeds is the city of owls, and will always have my heart.

Creature Feature

2010-10-17T06:04:00.000-07:00

The nights are drawing in and a new season of late-night movies has been drawn up by The Hyde Park Picture House.
Every Saturday night cult, creepy and super cool reels are carefully exhumed from the vaults, dusted down and set in motion once more.

I got my blackest of pens out to draw up the visuals. Flexed those pictoral muscles and scrawled a bunch of nocturnal nasties as movie mascots.

Also summoned some formidable badge designs:

Peruse the full programme here.
So much super celluloid. Eraserhead with cinema surround? Hoo-Wee!
And Birdemic - In the words of Mr. Bakula: "Oh boy".

Swell Lapel

2010-10-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

Ever wanted to your collar to look top dollar?
Why, with these classy little badges you'll be the turned down textile bell of the ball.

Mini secrets lie on the paper 'neath the pins, too.
Shall put up some snaps when production HQ has churned out a fleet of the suckers... Well, more like pricks.

Available at Thought Bubble.

Oh, and as the festival programme has just been released - I'm super stoked (and mighty humbled) to announce the I am speaking on the panel for the "Everything You Wanted To Know About Self-Publishing" seminar - Hosted by Matthew Sheret and with Tom Humberstone, Adam Cadwell, Lizz Lunney and Philippa Rice also speaking.
Yikes.

Crafty Sew'n'So

2010-10-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

The kind and super cool people over at Craftsville.co.uk have featured me in their interview series "Hello My Name Is..."

If you take a few minutes to read my rambling words, then you should certainly take a few more to adventure around the website.
It's an endless epicentre for pictorial pleasures, craft candy and handmade treasure.

From Pictures To Houses

2010-09-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

First solo show!
Whoopity Doodle Do.

A showcase of my pictures in The Picture House. Swoon.

The exhibition will run from November 14th - 21st with all works for sale and lots of prints to purchase.
In conjunction with Leeds International Film Festival, Thought Bubble and Headingley Arts Trail.

Post Avian Flew

2010-09-26T04:11:00.000-07:00

Made some new postcard prints - A set of 2, A6 owl prints, with nice wrapper packaging.
They were available at my stall last Saturday and will certainly make a feathery appearance at Thought Bubble in November.

"You twit"
"That makes twoo"

Leeds Alternative Comics Fair

2010-09-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was a total blast!
After a few late nights printing, cutting, sticking, signing and sewing I was just about ready for Leeds Alternative Comics Fair.
Early start, last minute prep and hopped on the bus and headed to A Nation Of Shopkeepers to set up.

(photos by Hugh Raine and Greig Johnson)

To my right were Andrew Waugh and Gary Bainbridge - who apart from being incredibly talented, were excellent company.
Watch out for Andy's strip in the upcoming volume of Solipsistic Pop.

And to my left, the wonderful Memo, who just about saved my life with some bag-bottom mini Dime bars. Bought her "Animals On The Road" zine, which is lovingly and beautifully screenprinted. Very good indeed.

I think my favourite find of the day has to be Ben Clark, who draws completely enchanting mini comics. I bought "Toilet", Helen bought "Space Dracula". We were both very happy.

Thank you to Hugh Raine and Steve Tillotson for organising the event (and managing to get us our tables for free!) - It was brilliant.
Also - perhaps an even bigger thanks to all the people to came down, talked comics, bought pictures and generally made it such a success!
As always - I am indebted to you all.

Bubbling Interview

2010-09-18T00:57:00.000-07:00

A bit of housekeeping this morning!

Just wanted to direct any folks with a few minutes that frantically need filling to the Thought Bubble blog - Where I have a follow up interview to my 'minterview' earlier in the year.
Words here!

Oh, and my profile is up on the Thought Bubble Site.
All the exhibitors are listed here.
There's some hot folks, I tell you.

(Sol) Poppin' Fresh

2010-09-06T14:49:00.000-07:00

Seem to have been working completely incognito of late on projects which are on the hush until proper release.

Well, below is a teaser for my submission to Solipsistic Pop 3.
Due out in November, it's a mini-morsel to peek at until then.

Just so it looks like I've been doing more than sit on my ever-growing behind, chomping on fig rolls.

Picture That

2010-09-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

Joy! - The new Hyde Park Picture House programmes are out.
Multiplied en masse and scattered across the land.

If you pick one up, you'll be surely studying a beautiful, newly-designed schedule of awesome films...
But, you may also spot a few little critters poking their necks and limbs in and amongst the pages.

Very honoured to have contributed a character palette to the re-design. So there shall be all new creature features for the coming months too!

What a delight to see so many drawn chums independently voyaging the city vicinity.
Although every time I see a copy, I end up picking it up for cheap thrills.
Fighting the urge to hoard these facsimilies... But unlike the famous Japanese animated sensation, I must not collect them all.

Sunny 360

2010-08-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

My friend just got a bit older.

Leeds Alternative Comics Fest

2010-08-15T01:59:00.001-07:00

Dee-lighted to be on the bill for this Small Press social at A Nation Of Shopkeepers, Leeds on Sept 18th.
My profile has just gone up on the blog, along with a mini-interview and a swiftly repurposed illustration.

Tonnes of cool people are selling, and the mighty Banal Pig and REET! are heading it up.
Thanks to them!

Melancholy Geography

2010-08-12T05:20:00.000-07:00

The raw force of nature pummeling Earth's landscape over millions of years forged these whispy comb-overs.

Money Or Your Life

2010-08-08T03:38:00.000-07:00

Feeling more twit than twoo of late.

But a few projects are almost finished, and will be up for show'n'tell next week.
Also a bunch of cool events, interviews and even a solo show before the year is out.

Roll on Awesome Autumn.

Big Hand, Little Hand, Drawing Clocks

2010-08-05T05:09:00.000-07:00

Circular buildings, artistic hoards, strict time constrains.
A certainly stressful Saturday just ticked over.

Fun times at Drawing Time!
A live art event initiated by Yvonne Carmichael and Art In Unusual Spaces at The Corn Exchange, Leeds; where 46 artists each created A0 drawings throughout a sixty minutes time-span.
All starting at 2pm, we each had a different time-allowance, from 1 minute to 59 minutes. Work being completed continually throughout the hour.

Thank goodness I was lucky enough to snap up 54 of those precious minutes.
The seconds haemorrhaged and with shaking hands, aching knees and quaking heart I managed to muster this feller.

The drawings will exhibit on the 1st Floor of The Corn Exchange until September 4th.

Some amazing artists and indeed friends involved...
Mick Welbourn, Jordan Ramoth, The Pern, Drew Millward, Curse 273, John Chamberlain to name a few.

Super photos on Flickr too.

Pavillion & On & On

2010-07-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

Holiday Debrief.
Oh, what a world. Oh, what an adventure.
Turreted castles, secret gardens, enchanted forests, treasure troves and alpacas with goofy hair-dos... One named Horatio.
A blissful 10 days.

The most staggering sojourn was the mighty Royal Pavillion in Brighton.
An overload of occular opulence, unmeasured embellished extravagance, a temple of eye candy.

The onslaught of visual stimulus was digested and jettisoned as the drawing below.
A phoenix remix.

From the ashes of a perfect summer holiday.

Electromance

2010-06-25T04:52:00.000-07:00

As with many melancholy and tumultuous teenagers - The Magnetic Fields had their records worn painfully thin as I grew from a socially uncomfortable and depressed girl in to a socially uncomfortable and distressed young woman.

As such, it was with much enjoyment and excitement that I discovered Julia Scheele's online project - How Fucking Romantic
The aim of the project is to illustrate each and every mournful melody from the album "69 Love Songs".
Some awesome contributors already: Tom Humberstone, Lizz Lunney, Octavia Raitt and Luke Pearson

I snapped up "Sweet Lovin' Man"...

Fest Wishes

2010-06-12T10:37:00.000-07:00

It's stormy, sticky and sweaty - Summer has arrived.
Verdant and vibrant, balmy and bustling.

The season that provides all manner of blossoming bashes and supplementary shindigs.
Among the hot, hot hubbub is the New Haven Summer Comics Fest!
Just finished the official poster - hot, hot off the harddrive.

So if you find yourself west of the Atlantic with a pair of shorts that need sunning, get down.
Sponsored by Ideat Village and Nib-Lit Comics Journal.

Cell Your Soul

2010-05-30T03:43:00.000-07:00

A lovely thing came in the post this week.
Hot off the primordial presses, straight outta the evolutionary envelope - Being 747's musical masterpiece Ameoba To Zebra.

It not only holds the story of life from the first cellular upstarts through to the walking, talking sentient uprights - It also sports an attractive display of visuals. Illustrated throughout it's tangible form by my human hands.
All the usual bits a CD has evolved plus a 16 page booklet - scrawled with cave-drawings from inception to extinction.

Education, evolution and eye candy.
CD available from Wrath Records (and on download) as well as on with tshirts and a killer badge design.

Golden Delicious

2010-05-17T13:27:00.000-07:00

After the two-face tester for Dirty Beasts last week it only seemed right to split the halves open and see what lie beneath.

The segmented savages were rotten through.

When I'm Blowing Bubbles...

2010-05-10T13:03:00.000-07:00

As if I didn't already think Thought Bubble was one of the most glorious anomalies of creation our cluttered cosmos of chaos had thrown up...

Those lucky stars get all my thanks.
You can read the real thing at these coordinates.
Keep on reading for even cooler cats and their comics.

Harvey Dented

2010-05-06T14:15:00.000-07:00

If the divine delight of meeting the terrifically talented Becky Barnicoat last week wasn't enough - we decided to start a zine together.
My verbal reflex of a title was "Dirty... Bas... Tards?"
Her well-pitched adjustment was: "Dirty Beasts!"

Expect cut-up monsters, 'taches and grizzlies soon.

Doodle... FAST

2010-05-05T10:21:00.001-07:00

This is a tardy update - Be warned.
However, if you like two-week-old-news, then HOT DAMN you're gonna love this!

DoodleFest was a super day/night event in Leeds at The Subculture.
A bloody bonanza of crooners, crafs and cupcakes.
Most noticable, though were the walls.
They had been painted a tasteful "Antarctic Breeze" white, in readiness for the incoming throng of super talented artists, armed with black markers, being set loose on the vacant verticals.

Eye spy for Drew Millward, James Downing and there should be This Chap somewhere...

I was honoured to be among them, and covered my share of white with black:

(photos by kind courtesy of Lailah O'Donnell, Leon D. Arts, Jennifer Marie Bryan)

Be Cool

2010-05-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

Jiggery.
Pokery.
Hey presto - A testament to feelings of social anxiety!

Shiver My Nibbles

2010-05-04T12:15:00.000-07:00

It's a constant source of joy, delight and sweet life-force to be featured regularly in Nib-Lit.
So much so it's only fair to hurl a little hunk of happiness right back at those Good Folks... Well folk... Well, Mykl Sivak

So the latest issue not only features one of my four panel affairs, but also sports a shiny (sweaty and slightly spooked) new 'Czynski masthead.

You get your peepers on the whole darn digital thing just here

Oh, this is pretty freakin' cool:

(Hand Model - M. Sivak)

Get Sappy

2010-04-27T15:21:00.001-07:00

It's the launch of Solipsistic Pop 2 tomorrow night at The Cross Kings N1 0AX.

To celebrate I've screenprinted an edition of 'Sapling' comics.
2-colour, 4 x B4 pages on high quality A2 280gsm.

Available exclusively at the event, printed with love and wrapped up in a paper treat.

Detail of the label design:

Popping Candy

2010-04-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

Aw, gee - Solipsistic Pop is getting launched in 10 Earth days.

I'll be skipping work and hopping a train down town to attend.
Hopefully with an armful of screenprinted Saplings in tow.

This totally awesome flyer features Luke Ferenc Pearson's cover illustration that is nothing less than the bees knees, ankles, socks and toes.
What lies within it's gatefold clasp is equally marvellous.

I hope to see your beautiful, comic-loving eyes there (here)