​It's been 2018 for 44.5 days. It's incredible how life sweeps along and can be filled up so rapidly. I've neglected a lot of online 'housekeeping' but I've been busy with actual housekeeping as I moved into a wonderful art studio in Manchester!
Having this extra and isolated space for everything art has helped my mentality and productivity in just a few 2-hour visits. It has given me permission to be messy, and remember how to play, with any outcomes left unplanned. It's a space for me to use real paints and brushes, and avoid the digital world which I've grown comfortable in (though with a lot left to explore and improve on...) for the last couple of years.
I've been working in a design job full-time for almost a year and have spent my commutes sketching looking out the train window. I've taken these daily sketches to the studio and have begun to experiment with what I've done so far and continue to do daily. What will come from them, I can't say, and I like that!
However, as of this year, I do have much more defined work in the pipeline: two new comic projects I can't announce just yet but can't wait to show you, and comic festivals from May to ready myself for.  My first book 'Yours, Yesterday' first print run sold out this week apart from a few copies in Oldham's new store Comic Den where I did my first book signing. The response to my little book has been so warm and kind, thank you everyone who's been a part of that, it continues to inspire and motivate me.
Besides all of this art and design I've been managing to live this 2018 life to the full with a great deal of friends, music, food, drink and travel. The best things! The key is to keep saying YES! and WHY NOT? As long as deadlines are being met.
​Are they being met?
​We'll see...  :|
J.x

WHERE?  Albert Hall Manchester
WHEN?  7PM, Saturday 30 Sept
£££?  Tickets here
​Art Battle has been running since 2013 and on the 30th of September the winners of the past 10 events will go head-to-head for one to be crowned champion!
As if the battling wasn't enough, artists Caroline Dowsett, Emma Reynolds, Rory Mullen and myself will be there as part of Fred Aldous' famed - SO FAMOUS! - 3 Minute Portraits event to draw your face in our own wonderful ways.  

From Art Battle: "Battle Royal will see the 10 winners of Art Battle Manchester return and compete for the Champion of Champions crown. It is only fitting that this ultimate contest is to be held in the stunning and atmospheric Grade II listed Wesleyan chapel, which was closed and hidden for over 40 years, recently restored into the city's most premium music venue. The capacity crowd will watch painters, illustrators, tattooists and street artists go head-to-head in what has been described at the city's most energetic art event. With only 30 minutes to create a masterpiece - YOU will decide who is crowned Champion of Champions."

On July 1st Macclesfield hosts Macc-Pow!
For the second year running, Macclesfield's one-day event celebrating comic art is here! It is the creation of local comic artist Marc Jackson @MARCmakescomics and best of all, it's FREE for everyone under 16, and just a mere £1 for adults.
The town centre has been decorated in KAPOWS, WHOOSH, and BLAMS created through Macclefield's Community Art-Space in anticipation and will host artists who are experienced and up-and-coming, conduct drawing workshops, cartoon screenings and more - it's a jam packed day out! 
I'll have all of my prints and postcards for sale as well as promoting my full-length comic book.  I always look forward to meeting new people the most, and getting to know new places, so do drop by my table to say hello and talk comics to me! J.x

INFO
WHEN: Saturday 1st of July – 10-4pm
£££?: FREE entry for children, £1 on the door for adults (16+)
WHERE: Town Hall, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 1EA