HQ: Art Prints

Recently I was commissioned to do an original artwork for someone, which makes me pretty excited. It also made me realise that I hadn't popped on the blog or shop any of the Art Prints that I have now been selling for a little while at Salamanca. I keep meaning to pop them onto the website but (insert usual excuses here)... Slackness aside, I thought I would share the images with you today...

There are two images (with more to come, of course):

Sunday Outing

The New Toy

Each one is printed onto hand stained paper to make it look all 'old' and vintage and stuff...

And if you're really lucky it comes framed in army green!
Goes perfectly with your Army Jars....

Survival DIY: How to tie a Shemagh

So today we are going to learn how to tie a Shemagh (pronounced “schmog”), which is also called a keffiyeh and ghutrah. The Shemagh originated in the Middle East as a scarf-type wrap commonly found in arid regions to provide protection from direct sun exposure, as well to protect the mouth and eyes from blown dust and sand.

To start with you will need a large scarf, either triangle shaped or a square one folded in half to make a triangle. Pop it on your head with one side shorter than the other.

Take the longer end and wrap it around your head to the shorter end. You can either do a face cover or wear it under the chin, depending upon your needs.

Tie the ends at the back.

Pop on a bit of rope or cord at the top and hey, presto! You're ready for action in the desert!!!

Doesn't he look grand?

Five Favourite: Vintage War Images

This is probably a very obvious statement to make but I love vintage war images. Even the worse of the worse images because they evoke emotion in me. In a time when we are bombarded with imagery and advertising without even realising it or recognising the propaganda being forced down our throats as soon as we wake up until we go to bed (see Banksy's rant about that here, it's pretty good), vintage war images still have the power to make me stop and consider.

Often all I can say is F#@k, imagining going through that, or living that, or even just seeing that in real life. The horror of war is evident. Despite this there are those war images that show how resilient people can be, the hope that never fades and that goodness can be found in the most arduous of conditions. And sometimes evil has to be done in order to do good (see The Fog of War [thanks 'Jon']).

Here are some of my current favourites:

I think I may have seem some stoners from my youth doing a very similar thing to be honest...

You can never have too much ammo, that's what I always tell the army.

This is for those minions who complain about work conditions.

And one for the ladies....

For some reason, these two guys made me think about the Recon Unit and all their skulking, maybe a future drawing?!

HQ: New brooch designs and the usual ranting

When I started HiiRagi and actually selling stuff (crazy!) I had to quickly get some products that were in the middle to low price range. Coming up through the Design Market scene I kinda just looked at what was going on around me (a bad move if there ever was one) and jewellery was everywhere so I went for that. I didn't really think about it though, I just grabbed some images, over ordered in 50 million different styles and colours and fudged my way through. This time, I have thought about it all and cut my jewellery range right back to reflect the HiiRagi cause rather than just trying to fill up the table, which now overflows with products, probably too many but I like it crammed. So with all this in mind I have drawn up some new designs with the robots wearing their uniforms and outfits....

I am discontinuing the large brooches and lapel pins and replacing them with brooches of the designs above in an inbetween size (about 3-4 cm) and the necklaces will be discontinued all together so if you want one nab it now. A new series of war medals will be coming in the next couple of months. Finally, jewellery in true HiiRagi style.

DIY Survival: How to make HiiRagi Army Issue Jars

Now, this may be a bit of a diversion from the usual HiiRagi survival tips and life lessons, however if HiiRagi is to be a part of your life perhaps it is time that the army began to infiltrate your home. I know here at HQ we only use HiiRagi Army Standard Issue equipment and that includes basic such a jars.

A while back I saw a picture of this:

image from here

Yes, it is all very cute and bright which I'm sure goes down a fine dandy treat with crafters but we are not crafters. We are diabolical minions of the HiiRagi Army and surely the time of cute animals be it a deer, owl or rabbit is drawing to an end? No? We shall see... I was thinking about this idea though and came up with the HiiRagi Army Jar and you can make your own, turning your house into a war zone! Hurrah! So with great joy I bring you the HiiRagi Army Standard Issue Jar:

I know. It's pretty great, isn't it?! And what is even better is that you can make your own!!!!! All you need is some jars (obviously) and some model spray can primer, some spray in Army Green or another military colour (I used NATO green, so appropriate), some PVA glue and you're ready!!!

Oh, and some army men, we can't forget them. They're important. I have army men in two sizes and used the larger ones for the larger jar and the small ones for the..oh, you get the idea, you're not stupid.

From here it is pretty basic. Spray the lids with the primer so you can paint over the top of the metal.

Then arrange your army men into little scenes, gluing them down once your happy that you have recreated that scene from 'Nam that you so wanted to capture. If you prefer your glues more toxic use epoxy, there is just something about mixing it all together that I like....

A quick spray of spray paint.

And hey, presto! You're done! All ready to fill with your ever important, nutritious survival foods.

Yep, they're awesome. You should totally make some. Your friends will be most envious and marvel at your craftiness, yet hard core militariness. No, I don't that is a real word. But it should be.

Five Favourite: Japanese Illustrators

Yuko Shimizu
Yuko Shimizu is ace. But not because she has the same name as the person who invented Hello Kitty, no. Yuko does awesome drawings. And has a great blog for budding illustrators.

Gez Fry
Ok, so Gez Fry is only half Japanese but his manga style puts him into it as far as I'm concerned.

Shohei Otomo aka Hakuchi
Shohei Otomo aka Hakuchi adds the taste for the traditional japanese art with manga and noir, with a modern and distinguishing style. Beware the site is in Japanese but the images are still amazing.

Tsubaki Anna
The thing I really like about Tsubaki Anna is that the website is called Anna Rocks! I found this illustrator while I was in Japan and even used one of her designs as the basis for my half sleeve tattoo. That's how much I like her.

Ai Yamaguchi
Ai Yamaguchi is another illustrator I discover while being in Japan. The thing I really like about her work is the mural installations that she does, have a look below.

HQ: Minion runs riot in HiiRagi Tees

Lately I have been developing the girls range of tees to include v-neck and scoop neck tees that are a bit more 'girlie' (as seen previously here). Recently I enlisted another of my favourite minions, we'll call her 'Rachel' with a soft 'ch' like she's French or something.... Soooooo, after making her do a set of poses to show the tees off on the website we thought it would be a grand idea if we took some tees, some props and some weaponry (thanks to another minion who we shall call 'Jon') for an impromptu photo shoot on location. The wind was blowing like a b*#ch, it looked like rain was coming in but we managed to get a few shots in and have heaps of fun in the process! A win-win situation. Hope you like them! And yes, I do realise that the tees aren't really easy to see but who cares?!

Ah,the grand poise and bearing of a HiiRagi minion... it brings tears to my eyes...

I can just hear the little Recon Units now: "Where? Where 'Rachel'? I can't see where you're pointing! We're short you know!"

Creeping, creeping, creeping.....

This is my favourite. THis image just says AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!! This is why HiiRagi will eventually win the war.

DIY Survival: How to take a gut punch

Growing up with a brother and two male cousins saw me take my fair share of wrestling and violence (which may have a slight influence on my current occupation perhaps). The worst of these physical attacks was the gut punch, especially when caught unawares. It is also one of the best ways to knock someone down or out. Harry Houdini actually died from an unexpected blow to the abdomen, I kid you not. So today, I am going to help you to defend your self against the gut punch. There are basically three rules to remember:

1) Tighten your stomach muscles, if you have any that is...Mine are pure steel. I will never be caught unawares again. Amazing how you grow muscles when you refuse to ever relax them. I don't sleep either. I am truly diabolical. The world is screwed if it continues to resist me. I'm ranting, aren't I?! But you know what? I don't care.

2) Do not suck your abdomen in if a punch is imminent. This is bad. Very bad. Unless you want to be Harry Houdini.

3) If possible, shift yourself slightly so that the punch hits your side. This way all you do is crack some ribs rather than damage your internal organs, which apparently is better. Still means pain and suffering though.

So there you go kids! All you need to know about gut punches! Now get out there and practice!

Five favourite: Steampunk Sculptors

Greg Brotherton
Greg Brotherton creates meticulously detailed sculpture, using steel, wood, glass, concrete and unusual found objects. Greatly inspired by the dystopian and political fiction of the early 20th century, his pieces emerge from Kafkaesque imagery around themes of escape and discovery. Brotherton’s vision is one of lonely isolation in a post-industrial world where one being, tinkering away with silent genius, could become the hope of the future.

Pierre Matter
Pierre Matter works mostly with scrap metal and recycled objects, using welders, plasma cutters, laser cutters and grinders to shape and sculpt. He draws inspiration from the way nature 'is being changed by science, from the hybridisation of humans and animals and machines.'

Tom Banwell
Tom Banwell has no formal art training, and is largely self taught having dabbled in a variety of media over the years, including batik, woodcarving, mixed media art dolls and leatherworking. Creating art in a steampunk genre combines several of his interests—history, costuming, mechanics and fantasy.

Doctor A
Doctor A is one of my all time favourites. His creative process involves defining the biography of each of his characters with sketches or using found objects , with the character evolving as he builds. A few of his influences include Edward Gorey, H.P. Lovecraft, Terry Gilliam and Vivian Stanshall.

Doctor Grordbort
Dr Grordbort is completely genius. Created by Greg Broadmore and the whizz heads at WETA workshop, he is the bastion of society, armourer of the free Earth and inventor of the Infallible Aether Oscillators. They're Rayguns - Wave weapons of various capability and application. I love it so much it hurts.