“Long live the Black Rock Swim Club! A hand drawn nautical landscape where tattooed characters float contently amongst the sharp black rocks; beehives and beards bob above sea level, with hand built rafts, flags and paper boats.”

Next week marks the launch of the Black Rock Swim Club, a collection of original paintings and screen prints by Suffolk based illustrator and character artist, Joel Millerchip.

Using reclaimed objects such as wooden paddles and panels, Millerchip brings his characters to life creating the story world that is: the Black Rock Swim Club. Promising humour and poolside drama, the show boasts a myriad of bold and often tattooed characters which float amongst the sharp black rocks. This isn’t your average swim club.

Milerchip, who has created work for Moshi Moshi Records and the National Trust is part of several collectives including Brothers of the Stripe, and the Exeter based No Guts No Glory, through which the Black Rock Swim Club is presented.

The opening event on 11 February will feature live music from surf-punk band The Red Cords and live drawing from Joel Millerchip.

The exhibition runs until the 15  March 2014 at Exeter Phoenix, Exeter.

More: Vimeo | Twitter |  Facebook | Website

He currently resides on the South West Coast of England in the historic city of Exeter with his two Burmese prowlers Bandit & Sylvester;   Where he enjoys razzing around on his sprocket rocket, skimming pebbles, playing ping pong and slurping ale on a daily basis to help nurture the creative process.

His whimsical characters have adorned various facets of the creative realm including:  Advertising, Education, Print and Animation for the likes of Carhartt Streetwear, Nike SB, SOYJOY, Arts Council England, The New York Times, The Washington Post,  Anorak Magazine, The Ride Journal, The Illustrated Ape, Stranger Magazine, Pennsylvania Gazette, Suburban Bliss Clothing, The Poetry Society, Analogue Books and Origin Coffee.  His Artworks have been exhibited in London at the V&A and internationally in New York, Boston and Amsterdam.

Simon’s Illustration work has been acknowledged by prestigious publications Creative Review, Dazed & Confused, 3X3 and American Illustration and Modart.  In 2004, Simon co-founded the Outcrowd Collective as a means to collaborate with other like-minded thing makers, and exhibit their personal outpourings.  He currently works from his attic.

Images by Robert Darch

Here are some links to Simon & his work:

simonpeplow.com/
simonpeplow.blogspot.com/
simonpeplow.tumblr.com/
outcrowdcollective.blogspot.com/
franksturgesreps.com/portfolios/simon-peplow
theartalog.com/wp/author/simonp

//////////

‘Where I Make’ invites readers behind the scenes of artists from many disciplines to share photographs and a little insight about where they create their masterpieces. See more from the series here.