Winter Surf

I watched a documentary a while ago that had a few really brave surfers catching waves in some of the coldest waters in the world. My respect levels for those surfers is through the roof. When I swim in the ocean I generally go purple!  

Future Hiker

There are alot of future concepts out there. Concepts for cars, for technology, planes and just about anything...but when I looked for hiking gear there was barely anything. So with this in mind I designed what I think the future of hiking may look like.

1. Solar Fabric Backpack- Made from a solar material that collects energy from the smallest amount of sunlight and powers all of your gear. The backpack also stretches into a tent.

2.HeadMap- A device that transmits images of your map into your sight. It also displays an Altimeter, Barometer (with weather predictions) and Navigational tools.

3. Thermal ReGulator- A computer that keeps your core temperature warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. It also regulates your hydration levels.

4. Battery Pack- The energy generated from the solar fabric is stored in a super lightweight battery pack that powers all your gear and doubles as an emergency transmitting beacon.

5. Legergy- These straps enhance your leg performance to help you walk far longer than you normally would and aid in muscle recovery.

6. Feather Boots- Incredibly strong, lightweight boots that mould specifically to your feet and walking style.

I hear you saying that the point of hiking is to get away from it all, including technology. Well, it doesn't matter anyway because all these ideas are going to be stolen and weaponized by the military and never released to the public...hehehe.     

Future Ball!

I don't know what the future of sport holds, but I sure hope it's rollerblading robot suits kicking and throwing metal balls at each other! I imagine Dub-Step would be playing through the entire game, every robot's favourite genre of music.Whether or not this dream comes true, it's nice to imagine how it might look.

The Crux

A few years ago my brother took me rock climbing for the first time and it ignited something in me I had never felt before. A mixture of fear, adrenaline and accomplishment. I'll never forget that feeling. Now, a few years on, that same passion I felt burns brighter than before. My dream is to climb some of the rock that lurks in desert regions of America, but until then, I guess I'll just draw myself there. 

Adrenaline!

I recently went to my first ice hockey game in support of our home team, Adelaide Adrenaline. I had seen videos and heard stories explaining the ferocity of the sport but it had no context until I sat in the grand stand. The sheer intensity and pace of the game was enough, never mind the bone shattering big hits that each player had to endure. Its like you could feel the pain vibrate though the bleacher floors each time someone was checked into the glass. Cant wait until the next match!   

Flow Mountain Bike

At the end of last year I was approached by Flow Mountain Bike magazine, who asked me to create a series of editorial illustrations to be published in their second issue, released in January 2013. The magazine reads more like a coffee table book and is published throughout Australia and New Zealand, so I jumped at the opportunity to get some publicity.

Stand-Off's

In this article Garry Sullivan tackles the nature of riding wild trails that stretch through New Zealand's wilderness. In the years that Mountain biking has spread though New Zealand, so have signs that clearly communicate 'bikes not welcome'; but that's all beginning to change with the realisation that most mountain bikers are conservation-minded and trails that were once off limits are being put on trial periods.  

Death From Above

A feeling that many bike riders in Australia would have experienced...the deadly magpie SWOOP! This was the focus of the article written by Chris Southwood. I encountered the ferocity of the magpie on a bike trip when I was younger, so illustrating this article dug up some old wounds but also helped me to bury my ghosts. hehehe

Can The Nerves

In this article Kath Bicknell talks about pre race nerves and overcoming the fear and pressure you put on yourself. This was a real tricky article to illustrate. I tried to capture the intense nervousness and pressure by illustrating Kath being scared out of the frame and pushed down by the large crowds and media.

Below are the illustrations in their context:

Autumn Roller Session

The amazing array of colours that Autumn puts on display makes it my favourite season of the year by far. I couldn't think of a better way to spend this beautiful season than gliding through the leaves on eight wheels strapped to a pair of shoes. The sense of freedom that I feel when I rollerblade coupled with the colours of Autumn clear all the worries I have built up over the week and makes me wonder why I was worrying to begin with.

FOUL!

If the Underwater Basketball League existed this would be it's star player and that umpire spitting a FOUL! in his face would be one of the most despised manfish in the whole entire sea. The inspiration for this illustration surprisingly came from a pickle I put on my sandwich, I was fascinated by the texture and colour of these tiny delicious sandwich companions.