March In the Pickle Jar

In the Pickle Jar this month I've been super busy getting everything back up and running so I can push forward with all the plans for this year. As such I thought I'd share some of it with you. I also thought I could do a monthly 'In the Pickle Jar' to keep you all updated.
So what have I been doing?!? Well I've been updating the Apple Tree Pirates Patreon page and cracking on with drawing strips and puzzle pages for them.

As well as the Apple Tree Pirates I've been busy working on some new LIA's (Literary Invasion Art) where as before they were mostly single page pieces like in the front of the pile below, I've now started work on some much bigger pieces including a couple of secret ones I'll tell you about another time. All of this and new landmark prints coming for the Etsy store too. So watch this space for more funky updates.

Patreon Reborn

The Apple Tree Pirates has been a pet project of mine for a number of years now. A few years back I made a Patreon page to support it and so I could get things made and out there for the world to see. Sadly with life taking the twisty windy road that is normally the way it kind of got shelved and left to gather dust. Now this has bugged the hell out of me because a project as cool as this should be made and published not left to languish. 
As I said in my previous blog post my priorities have changed a lot recently and the Apple Tree Pirates has been pushed up the list...... a lot. So with that in mind I've gone over the Patreon page again and modernised it a bit, rewritten some of it and want to launch it anew. 
This is where you guys come in. My intentions are to crack on and draw the Apple Tree Pirates comics, kids books, and activity books and get these little dudes into the public eye. To do that takes time and some new gear wouldn't go a miss either but that can wait. If I can earn enough money from selling my artwork online and the support on the Patreon page then I will be able to work less hours in my day job and spend much more time on making these books a reality. 
So if you feel you want to become a patron from as little as 64 pence a month or you know someone who would then share it around and lets see if we can get the Apple Tree Pirates published and in your local book shops. 

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween folks
I thought I'd share an oldie with you today. Even the Apple Tree Pirates like a bit of Halloween fun

Don't forget you can follow the Apple Tree Pirates on Patreon as well help support them to become a real life childrens book!!

It's Nearly Comic Con Time

Well It's come around pretty quickly but Saturday is Nottingham Comic Con and I can't wait!! This is the first con I've done in about 3 years so It'll be good to get stuck back in to it all. 
I've been busy over the last few weeks building up stock and have made what seems like millions of bunnies as well as the LIA's (Literary Art Invasion) which is basically hand drawn book page art.

Bunny Madness

LIA examples

This year I'll be set up on the upper level next to my mate Beano illustrator extraordinaire Steve Beckett which you can see in the map below. So if you're in the area or looking for something cool to do then pop along and say hi, it's going to be a brilliant day.

Nottingham Comic Con

Hi Folks
Some very cool news for you all today. After a bit of a hiatus from the comic scene, I will be attending the awesome Nottingham Comic Con again this year and I can't wait. It's on the 20th October at the Nottingham Conference Centre and will undoubtedly be even cooler than the last time I was there.  There are some fantastic guests there including the Etherington brothers, Marc Laming and Steve Beckett. On top of this there are loads of exhibitors from all walks of the comic world as well as live music and other cool stuff.  So if you're in the Nottingham area or fancy a trip out then come along, say hi and see what cool stuff I'll be bringing along.
Mike (The Pickle)

Merry Christmas Everybody

Have a fantastic Christmas everyone from the Apple Tree Pirates and us here in the pickle jar. I hope Santa stops by and says hello.

The Apple Tree Pirates Awaken

I said the Apple Tree Pirates would be back and they're back just in time for the new Star Wars film.

Click on the picture to go to the Patreon page. If you want to support the project then feel free to become a patron while you're there.