responsive: coffee shop north

At the Off The Page show I was informed by Andy and Becky at CMV that someone was interested in my work and had given him my email. I found that he had emailed already earlier that day (oops) and was interested in me providing work for his publication, Coffee Shop North. 

"The first visually-led book that serves to document, explore and showcase the independent coffee scene in north England. An intimate insight into the industry in 2015/16, the book will involve the drink, the place and the people."

 I was hesitant to join the project on the basis that I wouldn't be paid for it. I'm not sure I'd consider *free* work again unless it was something truly spectacular, but I figured it would be a nice addition to the OUIL503 Responsive module, as well as being an interesting little project (it would be just the one illustration).

I was given a poem to illustrate for the book. When given a subject as physical as "coffee" it's hard to go about it in metaphorical terms.

One of the phrases I kept thinking about from the poem was about the "thick bursts of steam". The poem is largely literal, and this is too but also seemed to have some capacity to become a bit more... otherworldly (?). A little different. I kept trying and trying with this motif, though it took a while to get it to the point of a more balanced composition. I think it still needs work to get there.

I figured that if I was to illustrate something quite physical I'd think more about the atmosphere and the composition. The poem made me think of the quiet moments one has and appreciates during busy work times.

These thumbs were some I did at the beginning mostly to get them out of my head. They're so boring, they look like some cheap newspaper editorial. But I find I have to draw them or else my mind will just linger on them.

I sent these sketches over and his reply was

"There are some really nice ideas running through idea. I think you’re right to concentrate on the steam element. I’ve highlighted the ones that I like the most. I think it’s nice not being too literal. I like the other ones on this page with the coffee cups too but I think its more original if a coffee cup doesn’t feature (but its up to you!)"

I agree with the sentiment that if there isn't a coffee cup it would be more original and interesting- the book will probably get quite saturated with that very quickly. I'm also glad to hear he enjoyed the steam ideas because they were my favourites too!

 Now I'll need to decide on  the media to use. He was interested in my work after seeing my prints, and that concerned me a little as I wasn't so keen on printmaking or that really flat way of working after doing it! He had seen my other work online and said he was happy for me to interpret it how I wanted to, so long as it fits the format, works in digital and is monochrome.