60. "EW, look at that massive worm!"..."...erm, that's a daffodil."

Yeh, I'm not kidding anybody. Updates aren't going to be regular unless something huge happens...

In case something does, be the first to find out about it and go 'like' my facebook page!

Regardless, here are some cars.

Ford GT40

Lamborghini Miura P400S & SV 

Austin & Morris Mini Cooper 

VW Type 2 Microbus Samba T1

I had hoped that my personalised illustrations would be a hit for fathers day. Alas, no.

Although last month I did send my first print off to Athens in Greece!

Updates have been even less frequent than ever because, back in January, there was a huge fire in the factory where my and and a few others workshops are. We are about 1/3 of the way through refurbishing it. I'm hoping to get some videos once it's in respectable condition... mind you, anything will be an improvement from right after the fire...

More soon, hopefully.
Stay Creative!

52. The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma...

Thanks Patrick for the title!

I'd like to say big things have been happening recently. . . but I'd be lying.

Btw, listen to this while you're reading...

Syblade templates are progressing slowly, as is the Mini restoration. Most of my time at the moment has been spent on my various music projects, especially Beats Working 2012 with Lee Bowater. Click the link!

Otherwise its been same old!

Offroading at Parkwood Offroad Centre with Blood Red Offroad was on the 15th (new videos to come in the next month before we set off for the next outing).

Here's a few taster pictures.

(Click to enlarge)

The "Swamp Donkey" claiming her territory post overheating. 

The Isuzu Trooper disproving that cars get properly mucky when off-roading.

Nick failing to clean his car and cleaning himself in doing so...

Next blogpost should have more music links, updates on my mini, perhaps on the syblade, and maybe even a new album cover!

51. "what did you just stick on my head? - A decorative iron hinge!"

Aaah Little Big Planet, how your limitless creativity amuses me. Shame it eludes so many other people...

Now to something a little more serious.

Today I found out that one of my idols of the music world passed away back in December. It is with great disdain that I say goodbye to Richard Lainhart, one of the greatest minds of the synthesis world . . . Whenever somebody passes away either close to my art, or close to my heart (rhyme not intended) there's always a feeling deep inside me that makes me want to continue their work and aspire to do as they did. If anybody reading this knew a Mr Ralph Stuart Moore, they'd know I've been doing just that for a long time . . .

Time to update on my mini!!

Last time you saw it, it had a front end... Now it doesn't! Its gonna look sweeeeeet when its done lol

Remember, click the images to take a closer look.

The inner wing (above and below) had to go. It was fitted too badly to even think about salvaging!

The rear of the driverside inner wing was... kaput, to say the least. Bodge job after bodge job has taken its toll... the only thing left was to remove all the bodge and see what i had left!

That's what is left in this corner of the metal that left the Mini factory in December 1965. 

Its not much use to me though, so off with its head!

With more rust removed, the dashboard corner was replaced with new tin aswell. Next up, door post repair, then to start properly on the front end!

I'm hoping to have the car painted by the end of spring... think I can do it?

50 "Saving a few seconds wont make a difference" . . . "But, seconds add up to minutes..."

Oh how observant my friends are... Seriously though, unless time is absolutely of the essence, try taking your time on everything. I'm not suggesting you be lazy or non-committal, just relax a little and be patient with those around you. Its amazing the difference it can make to ones mood : )

Anyway, on with the show.

Here's a new idea I may start offering in my venture into the self-employed world: Custom car renders.

Most artist impressions and drawings etc of cars are either photo-realistic and employ tens of hours and many years of practice. Either that or drawings more suited to the description "charicature's" than renders.
What I'm considering offering is the chance to immortalise a car in a simple but detailed render, whether it be your own car, a lifelong dream car, a restoration project... nearly anything can be done!

The examples below were done for friends who have given me more inspiration to do my own thing than anybody else!                      (Don't forget to click the images, enlarge them and relish in the details!)

Blood Red Offroad Toyota Landcruiser

Copley Recovery Rochdale GT Special

D.Diesels Bowler Wildcat

Here they are framed and looking really rather stunning!

More examples to come soon, in fact I might even start a render of my own car...

Lots of changes going on at the moment too with the building of a new workshop and progression all round on nearly every project . . . watch this space.

47. "Five is a Fifteen letter word" - Mini Monday

I've always considered my brothers as quite smart, but tonight my assumption wasn't entirely accurate . . .

As promised, Mini Mondays have commenced! Although come to think of it, it'll probably be at least Tuesday by the time you read this.
Oh well!

So this is how the project is progressing. I took some time off to get my head together with other things about a month back, also to decide whether to replace or rebuild the front left section. I chose rebuild!
The rest is pretty self explanatory!

I was surprised at how much metal had corroded here...

First repair section in place.

Second panel cut and put in place too.

This was quite a bit later, after adding red-oxide paint in and around the ready to repair section and in the previously welded floor area. Next I fitted the inner and outer A-panels...

...along with the door! First time it's looked vaguely car like in a long while! : )

To say it was the first time fitting, it was a pretty good fit! Even in the door aperture!

With the extra panels in place, the inside looks quite tidy too I think.

Next panel to go in was a nightmare to fit . . . and it still doesn't fit!

Did I say the previous panel was a nightmare? Ha! Nothing compared to this section!

I'd love to hear if anybody else is doing a project as ambitious as this on a shoestring budget! If you're reading this and know anyone, put a link in the comments and get your project heard about!

45. "Ooooo its Friday the 13th except on a Thursday"

Thankyou again Marvin for another insightful comment.

Time for some Mini pictures!

 Door frame is now complete (ish). It'll need a bit more welding and a skim of filler before its done.

 On to the driver side floor. Definitely becoming a little more ruthless in what I cut out.

 I say ruthless... there wasn't really anything there to save!

 Thats the floor nearly removed along with all the cack-handed bodge jobs on the sill and inner wings.

 Thats Patch. One of the only... erm, things that I will allow to distract me at any time when im working on my car! Watching him climb in an out of a car that spins round when you climb in is quite amusing :P

 Patch leaves, Floor panels are in... I then got bored and moved onto another section...

 ...only to find that was bodged too. Great.

 Thats the driver side rear all welded and rust-proofed. The hole at the back is where the subframe panel will be mounted, but I need the subframe fitted to line it up properly! Thats a final job that.

 I went a bit mental with the welder here coz the metal is thicker... Couldn't resist!

After years of working on it, Mike has lost his first external body panel : (

I even video'd the event!

 My god I sound so upset . . .

I still dont understand why it ever seemed a good idea to bodge something that much...

Offroading videos and halloween costume pictures to come next time!

43. "Putting some cheese on me makes sex less painful..."

It wasnt my comment in the title, so dont ask lol.


Listen to this awesome song while looking at the progress on my car!

At the top, the old inner sill. Middle, the new one. Bottom, a big hole lol

 New inner sill in place, all bad metal cut out, new curved door pocket panel in place, now for those holes...

 Done and screwed in place. Cant weld it yet coz i might need to change things when other panels go in!

 The only "action" shot I've ever taken?

The old floor is solid, but its fucked, and looks shit...

Here's one I bought earlier... and the old one removed. Seriously why did anyone think that bodge was a good idea?

Bodge avoided. New panel in place. . . NEXT!

Now for a music update.

My JDStone Music project is sort of on hold for now as I'm struggling for time. I still have a few Unreal Experimental CD's, only a fiver, and MOTION for just 2 quid.

However! 

A new project is in the making. It goes under the name of MERCURIUM. Click the link to find out more!

More pictures and videos will be uploaded of mini, offroading, guitar and keyboard soon!

42. Spiders can't spit, they can only invade your synapsis...

Why marvin said that i have no idea... i genuinely can't remember the conversation!

ANYWAY.

WATCH ENTER JAZZMAN

Lets get straight too it and post some pictures of my mini!

I bet you dont believe that is half a days work do you . . . and the great thing is, thats still nowhere near finished!

A lot more has been done since this section, so i'll add more when i can.

GOOD NEWS EVERYONE

My single that i keep raving about is available for FREE DOWNLOAD IF YOU CLICK THIS LINK

Its a low quality version, but it is the full song! If you want the high quality song, with the extra fade out, on a printed CD, they only cost £2! : )

Thats all for now!