Lugs Branigan

Less-than-half-finished version of an illustration of  famous/infamous Garda Jim ‘Lugs’ Branigan, a controversial character in Dublin’s history. The closest thing to a Dirty Harry Dublin has ever had, Lugs made a name for himself while taking on Dublin’s Animal Gangs (tribal groups of young lads from the city who made a Clockwork Orange look like a documentary) in the 1930′s.

Drawn for an article written by my brother Donal (of Come Here to Me fame) for Rabble Magazine issue 2, an excellent free magazine which will be available for free very shortly in spots around the city and beyond. Check it out to find out a bit more about this divisive character and to see the finished drawing.

Sketchbook Muck

 

Sketches from the wee months of this year. I’m sure there was a reason behind them.

Unfinished

Pages from a book which was finished in my head, but unfinished physically. Learned a good bit from doing it, but I lost interest and I stopped feeling connected to it.  I’ve posted these pages on my old blog but I want to have some pen-and-ink on the new page. Stopped working on another book about a year ago as well. Haven’t posted any of those pages but one or two are worth scanning up.

Currently working on two or three other long form ideas. Some pages done. Interest not lost in any (yet).

“The Faceless Ones…”

Luke Kelly

 Gave myself ten minutes after listening to Kelly’s ’For What Died the Sons of Róisín’ to draw a whole piece from scratch. Not overly happy with the result. The spacing of the letters is completely off and I think I might have gone a bit too subtle with the minimalist imagery, but it was an interesting little exercise* and it gave me a few ideas for more finished pieces in the future.

*Any exercise that keeps me from proper exercise is good exercise.

Oh Blue, I’ll Miss You

Mr.Tre, a local old-as-the-hills dog who’s been visiting our house since I was a young lad. Not long left in him by all accounts. A great character. Sprayed in Liberty Lane

Oh Blue, I’ll Miss You – For Jesse. And I still miss her. Sprayed in Liberty Lane.

For Jesse, now hanging up in the hall.

For dogs both passed and passing

Cherish

“The Republic guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and of all its parts, cherishing all the children of the nation equally, and oblivious of the differences carefully fostered by an alien government, which have divided a minority from the majority in the past.”

Occupy Dame Street!

Photo by Flickr user Gribers

Photo by Flickr user C Mulvany

Spraypaint on wood.

‘Let it rain/ Let us rise!’ was a piece I sprayed and hung up on Dame Street a few weeks ago. She lasted a good few weeks before being taken down (by the council I think). I was delighted to see it photographed by so many different people, featured in the background of some great gigs and even being featured for a few seconds on Craig Doyle’s new – and terrible – RTE show! All art is temporary but it still stung to see it had vanished a few days ago. I’ll be doing another piece in honour of ODS soon.

Oh When the Saints….

You may have seen this sticker around town...

 Sticker design. 

I’m a huge fan of St.Patrick’s Athletic, and I designed this sticker as a bit of a laugh (it’s a reference to a reworked version of Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ which Pats fans chant at opposing teams) but it’s a real thrill to see your design staring down at you from a lamp post in town when you least expect it. I was honoured when the S.E.I (St.Pat’s ultras group.  Google Shed End Invincibles and you’ll see what I’m on about) got this design printed up as a sticker. Along with dozens of other Irish football related stickers, it’s been plaguing Dublin streets for the past few weeks and months.  Long may it continue!

What’s all this then?

Welcome to the new blog!

I’ll be posting snaps of art I’m working on, art I’m publishing or videos of music I’m listening to.  I’ll be keeping it simple and hopefully I’ll be posting new content in all kinds of mediums regularly, so keep an eye out!

Cheers,

Luke