Simone Crowley

Seagull design...

2011-11-07T15:08:00.003Z

I was asked to make a seagull based on a character in a proposal for film funding. The person involved wanted to bring the character along for their interview, which must have worked, as they got the funding. Watch this space!

Shown beside the cat for scale (btw my cat is quite large!)

The original drawing

New baby illustration...

2011-06-27T22:03:00.002+01:00

Quirky Creatures Workshop...

2011-04-17T13:00:00.004+01:00

I am like a craft goddess now! I did a one day workshop with Textile Workshop Dublin on Saturday. I completed their embroidery course and really wanted to learn how to use my sewing machine. I've had it for two years and any time I have tried to use it, I have failed!

It was a great day all round. Learned to use the sewing machine and made three quirky creatures! As modeled by Edward.

I used fabric markers on the owl to draw his front. I also used them on the bird, which was stuffed with lavender. The bear looks more like a rhino, so I am going to rip him apart and redo him, rounded corners are hard on the aul sewing machine!!

Again, excuse the crappy phone photos, I'll get better ones up soon.

This is knit...

2011-04-17T12:55:00.003+01:00

I have started my knitting course at This is Knit, the first piece we are doing is a scarf. So learnt to cast on, knit and purl! Apparently we get to knit a matching hat.. watch this space!!

Excuse the crappy quality of the photo - taken with my phone. My camera crapped out on me...

Jewellery Design course...

2011-03-29T12:11:00.003+01:00

I recently completed a jewellery design course with the lovely ladies at Irish Design Shop, and I have to say I have a new found respect for these metal working geniuses. I really didn't know what I wanted to do and they were very patient! After two days of sawing, filing, soldering and relentless sanding, I came away with three pieces. Two rings and a brooch. I really enjoyed the time I spent there, and can't believe that I did so much in just two days. Well worth it!

Their blog for the courses can be found here.

Dome ring - I made the ring, the domed a piece if silver, soldered them together and spray painted the dome.

Square ring - I made the ring, soldered on a rectangle piece of silver, cut out the inside circle. Repeated for other side, soldered on the sides and filled it with resin.

Piglet Brooch - sawed the piglet out of copper, soldered on the pin and spray painted him.

Rose, The Year of the Ox...

2011-03-29T12:09:00.002+01:00

So here is the completed picture, I hope she likes it!

Rosebud gets her picture...

2011-03-07T09:26:00.003Z

Finally, it only took me a year to get the finger out and paint a picture for my niece, Rose. She is over a year old now. Better late than never!!! I have included my sketches here and some photos of the various stages in the process.

New year, new resolutions!

2011-01-24T20:43:00.003Z

Well we are halfway through January and I have not broken my resolutions yet! I am off the smokes for good (and booze for a month) and feel pretty chuffed with myself. I decided that giving up stuff is well and good, but this year needs to be about learning new skills. So I am booked in with This is knit for a beginners knitting course in February. I used to love knitting when I was younger, so am looking forward to it. Another course I am booked into with the lovely ladies in Irish Design Shop, is a beginners jewellery course. I'm doing this in March. So that should keep me busy for the next few months.

I bought five bibs in Mothercare and embroidered them for my beautiful niece Rose, for her first birthday. I never took any photos though, so will have to ask my sister to get a few snaps! Santa was very kind to me this year and I got a Cath Kidston sewing box. So it's been put to good use!

Ready, Steady, Embroider!

2010-10-26T10:37:00.004+01:00

At last I have done something non work related! Tonight is my last class with textileworkshopdublin.com, the workshop I am doing is called Ready, Steady, Embroider!

I chose this Sugar Skull design from a book from Sublime Stiching, called Embroidered Effects. It's on a table mat and is not finished yet. So I will post again once finished. I think all my family and friends should be expecting embroidered Christmas presents now!

Hiatus...

2010-01-15T12:47:00.002Z

Hello there, so I've not really posted in a long time. The "Heads" video didn't win :( but it was great to get a nomination! I have been very busy in work. I work full time as a graphic & multimedia designer for The Pop Company. We are creating a website at the moment, which will showcase our best work, so check back for that. We are also re-doing our Design Studio and I will up load some photos when that's done.

I have taken a bit of a hiatus from my personal work and the studio. I hope to rectify that starting in February. A small bit of procrastination never killed anyone, right? It's too hard to get motivated in January! On the plus side, my sister gave birth to a baby girl yesterday. Her name is Rose, little sister to Sam & Freddie. I better do her a picture!

Heads Video Nominated...

2009-10-20T12:17:00.001+01:00

Video that I did concepts, art direction, set design & animation is nominated for award!! The video was also shot in the studio.

MOST ORIGINAL CONCEPT FOR VIDEO – HERM - HEADS
link to awArds http://irishmusictelevision.com/?p=793

HERM heads video

Heads

HERM | MySpace Music Videos

YAY!! Well done to all involved!!

Credits: Ian Benjamin Kenny (Director etc.), Anita Corcoran and Simone Crowley at Paper Lantern Studios (Art Direction / Production Design, Animation), DerekO'Rourke (Lighting etc.), Isobel Henihan (Assistant Producer), Sean Power (Cameraman), Rachel Quinn (Choreography), and also Hugh, Arunas, Keith, Cathal, Shane, Jackie and the 2 Pauls.

Illustration Boot Camp...

2009-10-20T09:02:00.006+01:00

So I am going into week 5 of Illustration Boot Camp and I am loving it. There is a lot of work involved, which is tough as I am out the door in my job too, but it's worth it!

We had to design an ATC (Artist Trading Card) for the first class. This is my effort:

For week 2 our homework was another ATC, the brief for the ATC was a list of different birds. Here's my sketches and then the finished card:

For week 3 our brief for the ATC was our own Zodiac Sign, I am Tauras. When I scanned it in though, the ring of beads went a bit funny:

For week 4 our ATC was a self portrait - YIKES!!

I have just uploaded the ATC work for the time being, but we are working on projects in class too.. We have done editorial illustrations, self portraits and lots more... I will keep posting!

Introducing Edward...

2009-08-18T17:04:00.004+01:00

So I have not updated this blog in a long, long time. Bold me. What's new, I here you not ask? I got a new job as a Graphic Designer, so that has taken up a lot of my time. It's a lot of large format print work, so I am learning loads, as up until now I was mostly a multimedia designer. I also got a kitten, as you can see from the pictures. His name is Edward. So been busy having fun with him.

I haven't been doing a lot of personal work, so I have signed up to Illustration Boot Camp with Adrienne Geoghegan. I'm really looking forward to it and hope I am not too rusty with the aul' drawing! I'll update with all the bits and bobs I'll be doing with the boot camp.

HERM music video

2009-04-14T17:02:00.004+01:00

I worked on the music video for HERM with my partner in crime at Paper Lantern Studios, it's called Heads. We did art direction, set design and animation. The video was shot in our studios. The wonderful Ian Benjamin Kenny was the director, you can see some photos on his blog.

Herm Heads from Herm Videos on Vimeo.

Credits: Ian Benjamin Kenny (Director etc.), Anita Corcoran and Simone Crowley at Paper Lantern Studios (Art Direction / Production Design, Animation), DerekO'Rourke (Lighting etc.), Isobel Henihan (Assistant Producer), Sean Power (Cameraman), Rachel Quinn (Choreography), and also Hugh, Arunas, Keith, Cathal, Shane, Jackie and the 2 Pauls.

Site redesign...

2009-03-23T18:09:00.000Z

I have revamped my website and the blog too... www.simonecrowley.com

Presents...

2009-03-21T16:36:00.002Z

Ok, so I haven't updated this blog in a long time. Just been very busy recently, I lost my job at Christmas, so I have been re-jigging my website and hope to launch the new site next week. Here are some designs I have been working on, first up a mothers day card for my, well, mother...

Next up, more work from my sister. This time she wanted to give people presents for birthdays and christenings. They have the childs name, date of birth, time of birth, weight at birth and also the date that they were christened. The photos are of poor quality, but my scanner went kaput, so they were taken with my very shakey hands...

Graphic Design...

2009-01-23T12:15:00.002Z

I let my friend Sharon from Organic Productions, use Paper Lantern Studios as a rehearsal space for her upcoming production of Stoker. I also design two posters and the programme, see below!

Ottawa, Canada

2009-01-07T16:21:00.003Z

I was in Ottawa for the holidays, so forgive me for having nothing new to upload!

Sewing endeavors...

2008-12-17T21:31:00.002Z

Here are some more felt pieces I have been making, they are filled with lavender and make great additions to your sock drawer!

Chinese New Year Paintings...

2008-12-17T21:27:00.001Z

Some more paintings for the Chinese New Year characters...

Happy Christmas!

2008-12-11T09:54:00.004Z

This is my Christmas card that I printed and posted to all my loved ones!

Happy Christmas

2008-12-11T09:54:00.001Z

Work, work, work

2008-12-07T17:02:00.003Z

So I spent the weekend making an order of felt goodness for my mam. She wanted felt horses to give to her horseriding friends for Christmas, and some cats. I think they worked out well!

More Chinese New Year Animals

2008-12-03T16:20:00.001Z

Here is another Chinese New Year Zodiac painting. This was commissioned by Una for her family, including her husband and two sons.

Sandy Connolly...

2008-11-28T11:18:00.003Z

My friend Sandy Connolly has started designing and making costume jewellery - necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, brooches, spectacle cords, Christmas decorations, phone charms, etc with a view to starting up a business (home based) if things go well.

If any of you have Christmas pressies yet to purchase and might be interested in jewellery as a pressie for yourself/sisters/girlfriends/nieces/mother-in-laws/future mother-in-laws, it would be great if you'd have a look-see at her blog.

She makes custom pieces as well as hosting jewellery party nights – contact her at sandyconnolly@gmail.com

Chinese New Year Animals...

2008-11-27T07:57:00.003Z

So I have been commissioned to do two more Chinese New Year paintings. The one below and one with four animals on it for an entire family! I will post the other pictiure soon.

BUY! BUY! BUY!

2008-11-05T14:15:00.003Z

It's eight weeks to Christmas people. Can you believe it? Yay. I am going to Canada for Christmas. Double yay! Lots of snow!

I am taking orders for presents if anyone wants to buy handmade... I will make to order felt dolls/cats/horses/dogs etc, they are filled with lavender and are perfect for keeping your drawers smelling nice! They are €8 each or three for €20.

Also, I have been commissioned to do a painting like the Chinese new year animals I did for my nephews. Single one costs €30. If you want to combine a few birth years, I can do this on a bigger scale.

Drop me an email for any orders! simonecrowley@gmail.com

Where to begin...

2008-10-21T12:33:00.004+01:00

I have been really keeping myself busy these last few months. I work Mon-Wed as a Graphic Designer, then the rest of the week I am in the studio. I have a few projects on the go at the minute, from music videos to theatre productions to sewing.

I attended a great conference a couple of weeks ago - Craft in the Classroom, with the Craft Council of Ireland. So I am applying for one of their residencies to teach crafts in Primary schools. I hope I get it! It was a great day, really informative and we got to mess around with all sorts of stuff, from fabric to clay.

Another thing that is keeping my fidgety fingers is sewing. I am really trying to nail this discipline and you can see some of my projects below. I have been filling them with lavendar, so they smell nice and hope to sell them at markets and online.

The studio is doing great, we are really going to try and get people to come in and take a look over the next few weeks. So I'll keep you posted on that.

I've also been learning to drive, I know I am thirty years old and can't drive! It's been going great, have applied for my test, so should get the letter about that any day now.

Dresses to put in your knicker or sock drawer, filled with lavendar to keep everything smelling nice and fresh!

Where have I been...

2008-08-19T17:14:00.003+01:00

Been very busy lately, so I have not found the time to update this site. As you are aware, I have set up Paper Lantern Studios. I also got a Graphic Design job Mon-Wed, so that has me kept busy too.

It was my nephews (Freddie) christening on Saturday. As he was born in the Chinese Year of the Golden Pig I painted him a picture (and one for his brother Sam).

Studio news...

2008-07-28T09:57:00.002+01:00

Go over to the Paper Lantern Studios blog to see all the hard work I have been doing recently. Below is what the studio is all about - tea parties!! And art, of course!

Make and do...

2008-07-07T20:07:00.004+01:00

You are not a real pirate until you make your own flag. Here is mine. My pirate name is Blood Thirsty Mo, and I made this flag for a trip on a cruiser down the river Shannon.

Halloween...

2008-07-07T19:45:00.006+01:00

I know it's July, but I am in the process of digging out all my art stuff, as I am moving into a new studio. Amidst all this chaos I have found some gems that I totally forgot about.

Here is a Halloween costume I made a couple of years ago (I think it's three years, jeez I feel old now). Anyways, I was Satan's daughter for the night. Resplendent in my home made Hell High uniform. Below are some pics of the costume and close ups of some of the detailing.

Business Cards...

2008-07-05T16:58:00.004+01:00

I finialised the design work on my business cards and they have gone to print! Myself and Anita wanted one side to have the details about the studio and the other a piece of our individual work. See mine below, also the original painting.

Exhibition...

2008-07-03T14:57:00.006+01:00

My aunty Mar (Martine Finucane) has an exhibition in Gallery 126 in Youghal until the 15th July. She currently lives and works in Clashmore, Co Waterford. Click here to see all of the paintings. I loved them all and have chosen to show this one, as my favourite colour is purple. Well, I thought that was sound reasoning enough.

UPDATE - I have just realised that some of her watercolours are up on the site too. Click here. Awesome.

Boats...

2008-07-01T18:10:00.005+01:00

This weekend I helped my friend Ger Ryan, who is a member of St.Michael's Rowing Club, Dún Laoghaire. They have a Regatta in July and needed the name of the club painted onto the boat. See the images below of the lads working away and the finished product.

Busy bee...

2008-06-23T18:56:00.004+01:00

I have been a very busy bee recently. Hence the lack of blog. So what have I been up to?

Well number one, I set-up an artists design studio with my good friend Anita Corcoran. It's a great building on Mill Street, Dublin 8. We have named it Paper Lantern Studios, there will be a full web journal from day one at our blog. Just waiting on the keys!

I have also gotten a two week internship working for CIRCA Art Magazine. I will be helping them out with the next issue of the magazine. All for free, but good experience for me, as I am trying to get back into the design world. That starts on 21st July.

So until then I am temping in office jobs and generally just waiting to get into the studio. I can't wait to dust off my canvases and take my sewing machine out of the box and get stuck in!

Phoenix Park...

2008-06-12T10:13:00.003+01:00

I took some photographs in the Phoenix Park recently, as it was a good summers day. You don't get many of these here, so I took advantage of it.

Invites...

2008-06-11T16:30:00.003+01:00

As I was perusing my files I found these e-vites that I designed for various friends and family.

Nephews...

2008-06-10T09:34:00.003+01:00

When my nephew Sam was born, I painted a Monsters Inc mural on his bedroom wall. As he got older I added some Bob the Builder pictures too, as he loves Bob - as you can see by his bed spread! His brother Freddie has since been born, so I will paint his room too.

My website...

2008-06-06T12:17:00.002+01:00

Finally I have finished my website. I still need to finish the design section. Shouldn't take me too long though. So check it out at http://www.simonecrowley.com

Animated short film...

2008-06-04T16:42:00.003+01:00

This is my graduation film. It was animated using 2D cut-outs and was shown at the 11th Galway Film Fleadh in 1999 and the Motorola Irish Animation Festival in 2000.

The film is a short black comedy. The story: Bill and his cat Fred live together in perfect harmony, until one day Bill brings home his new girlfriend, Deborah...

On holidays...

2008-05-28T09:10:00.002+01:00

I have been away on holidays in Sardinia, so I haven't had a chance to upload any work. This photo is of Stintino in the North West.

More painting...

2008-05-12T16:17:00.000+01:00

Painting...

2008-05-12T16:14:00.003+01:00

DTP project final creations...

2008-05-12T14:16:00.000+01:00

And the finished products.

DTP project...

2008-05-12T14:11:00.000+01:00

I recently completed a Desktop Publshing course. For my final project I designed some juice cartons.

Still life...

2008-05-12T13:10:00.000+01:00

Colour study using acrylic:

Back pack:

Skeletons...

2008-05-12T13:02:00.001+01:00

Oil pastels:

Chalk:

Getting started...

2008-05-12T12:51:00.000+01:00

I am currently working on creating my website. While I am doing that, I thought I would get started by uploading some work online. So here is a still life that I did using pencil.

And another one in a similar vein, using acrylic.