The Owlthulhu

East London: Shoreditch and Bricklane are some places fromm where I derive my greatest inspirations. The street art- the best in London is so fresh, current and deliciously bizarre. It's ever- changing, and in every visit I see new work that didn't exist before.

One piece of work I absolutely couldn't get out of my mind, were the paintings of Alexis Diaz. The weird- steam-punk lovecraft-ian creatures are those you cannot 'unsee'

So I was super excited when I got an opportunity to design a logo for 'Bedlam & Boss', a designer boutique label.

My clients were Lorna and Kay- a creative couple who design eclectic furniture and furnishings. I rarely come across 'dream clients' , but both Lorna and Kay love 'weird and steampunk'

The idea was to create something that brought alive both their personalities:

Lorna: the wise half
Kay: the wild and crazy

So here goes.... My 'Owlthulhu'

works of Alexis Diaz in Bricklane

Legal Alien

As I was walking back from lunch, I was stopped in my tracks by a gentleman.  He asked me if I could help him, and had 50p to spare. I usually try and avoid these confrontations, and end up walking away with an awkward nod... but this man held an expression so full of hope and anticipation, and I didn't think twice before fishing out the 50p from my bag.

He told me that he was living in the streets for the past month or so. He had moved to London from another country and since then it had been a struggle. 

I don't know, maybe I could empathise with him in some way.  As an immigrant here today, I find myself feeling the same helplessness. It's not the struggle for food and shelter kind of helplessness, but it the feeling of 'where will I be in the next six months'.

London is cold, and not just this winter. 

It's not a city where jobs are accessible to foreigners.

It's not a city where they have the luxury to shop, bargain or negotiate for the 'dream' position.

To an immigrant, this city is a drug, an addiction, and they will do... close to anything to stay afloat, survive and hope to catch a lucky break, in a few months.... a few years.

I hope the man I met today, finds a home, finds some place warm, and is one of the lucky ones to catch that break.