Fleet and Free by Joshua Billingham

On September the 23rd, I was darting around north Birmingham searching for the fibreglass owls that make up The Big Hoot trail. One I found was number 70: Fleet and Free by Joshua Billingham. THIS WAS THE FINAL OWL OF MY BIG HOOT TRAIL. MISSION COMPLETE.

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Joshua Billingham (a.k.a ‘Gent 48′) is an illustrator, graffiti writer and street artist from Birmingham. He studied visual communication at BIAD Birmingham University, receiving a first class degree.

As well as working as a freelance illustrator, he exhibits artwork and paints murals for all types of businesses and private homes.  His work consists mainly of imaginative characters and strange worlds.

He has worked and exhibited in many countries across the world, including Australia, Germany, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland, Finland and London. This summer, he is due to paint at a number of festivals across Europe and hopefully Tahiti – showcasing his spray painting skills.  He is the founder of the Birmingham ‘Graffiti Crew 48’ and also represents ID Crew London and SDM Crew Melbourne.

Visit my Virgin Money Giving page and please give generously in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital

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G’owl’d by Temper

On September the 18th, I was racing around Birmingham City Centre searching for the fibreglass owls that make up The Big Hoot trail. One I found was number 89: G’owl’d by Temper.

Visit my Virgin Money Giving page and please give generously in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Temper, aka Arron Bird, is a successful and talented graffiti artist. After picking up a spray can at the age of 10, the Birmingham-based artist hasn’t looked back.

Growing up in Wolverhampton’s Eastside, Temper was involved in the emergence of graffiti just as the hip-hop culture that accompanied it was making its way from the US to UK shores.

Temper has developed a unique style of graffiti and conceptual art, which allows him to work in illustrative and free-hand ‘traditional’ graffiti, as well as exquisite figurative work reminiscent of the Old Masters.

In 2001 Temper was commissioned by global brand Coca-Cola to create the artwork for their drinks brand Sprite; resulting in art by Temper appearing on over 100 million cans and bottles around Europe in what was the biggest graffiti advertising campaign ever seen.

Evolving from the hip-hop and graffiti art culture which predominated his formative years, he continues to take inspiration from street art, popular culture, comic book art and music. Most importantly, he is inspired by his own experiences, ups and downs; his own journey continues to inform his art and ideas.

Website: www.temper.co.uk

Visit my Virgin Money Giving page and please give generously in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Re-Tail by Temper

On September the 19th, I was rolling around Birmingham City Centre searching for the fibreglass owls that make up The Big Hoot trail. One I found was number 31: Re-Tail by Temper.

Visit my Virgin Money Giving page and please give generously in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Temper, aka Arron Bird, is a successful and talented graffiti artist. After picking up a spray can at the age of 10, the Birmingham-based artist hasn’t looked back.

Growing up in Wolverhampton’s Eastside, Temper was involved in the emergence of graffiti just as the hip-hop culture that accompanied it was making its way from the US to UK shores.

Temper has developed a unique style of graffiti and conceptual art, which allows him to work in illustrative and free-hand ‘traditional’ graffiti, as well as exquisite figurative work reminiscent of the Old Masters.

In 2001 Temper was commissioned by global brand Coca-Cola to create the artwork for their drinks brand Sprite; resulting in art by Temper appearing on over 100 million cans and bottles around Europe in what was the biggest graffiti advertising campaign ever seen.

Evolving from the hip-hop and graffiti art culture which predominated his formative years, he continues to take inspiration from street art, popular culture, comic book art and music. Most importantly, he is inspired by his own experiences, ups and downs; his own journey continues to inform his art and ideas.

Website: www.temper.co.uk

Visit my Virgin Money Giving page and please give generously in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Blodeuwedd by Guy McKinley

On September the 14th, I was travelling around South Birmingham searching for the fibreglass owls that make up The Big Hoot trail. One I found was number 82: Blodeuwedd by Guy McKinley.

Visit my Virgin Money Giving page and please give generously in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

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Guy McKinley is an illustrator, concept artist, painter from Liverpool who has been involved in lots of diverse projects, relying on his strong character work.  He initially began (and continues) producing hand drawn and digital work used in editorials, pre-production concepts, character design and more commercial images for promotional and advertising campaigns.  More recently, he has also been taking part in live exhibitions and gallery shows with more personal paintings and illustrative work.

His work is featured in The Street Art Sketchbook by Tristan Manco.  He has exhibited his work all over the UK, Europe, the USA and has been commissioned to create work for clients including Disney, Carhartt, Adidas, New Balance, Diesel, Sprite (Coca-Cola), National Express, Becks, BBC and Walker Books.

Website: www.guymckinley.com

Visit my Virgin Money Giving page and please give generously in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.