Kevin McSherry hand painted and digital creative Illustration, Art and Storyboards

The best place to start with a project like this is the café. Rathmines, inevitably; in the calming surrounds of Café Moda. Of course I forgot my sketchbook, so I had to run in to the Swan Centre to find a cheap one -and a pen.

This is more or less how I approach any applied art project. I used to just write lists of words which may or may not lead me to an idea. In recent years, I find this a better way of generating at least something. In the end, I went for a bird theme with a peacock, as you can hopefully see in the third picture. I'm in an avian groove! I should start tweeting a bit more...

I used a posca marker for that white line. I felt I needed to see how it will work at full size on the instrument itself. As you can see, it's now completely covered with a spay-coat. This will just serve as a toned ground on which to work.

Oh and by the way, I've just invested in a new airbrush! Yup. I had one many years ago when I used to paint murals on scooters. I just can'…

I've just received this guitar from Chris at the Musical Youth Foundation. It's an all-working instrument: Not expensive but plays just fine and it's in tune with itself, which is not always the case. I've added myself to the list of artists who will take on these projects to raise money for this cause. Here's a bit about them from their web site: The Musical Youth Foundation charity was established in 2009 as part of the Dublin City Soul Festival project and is the brainchild of festival founder and CEO Chris Maher. At the heart of the project is a deep desire to have a long-term positive impact on the local and wider community by providing children on the Island of Ireland with access to a musical education. Chris Maher (Ambassador of Soul Music and an Honorary Tennessean!) is enthusiastic and passionate about using music as a way to empower all children on this island (that so often have precious little encouragement or opportunity in their lives). Music, like a…

I only experienced the joy of seeing a Kingfisher once. We were on a family walk along a river in western France. There was a dart of electric blue over my shoulder -and it was gone. For such a fleeting moment, it has had a lasting effect on me and it has kindled a fascination with extraordinary, showy birds. Not the wee brown Richard the Thirds that we mostly see around here -but Kingfishers, hummingbirds -even cock pheasants. It's the iridescent colours that attract me.
It all puts me in mind of when I was a child, growing up in London. My oldest friend was a keen bird-watcher and would rise very early of a weekend morning to visit the local parks and pursue his hobby. Despite being invited many times, I never made it along which I regret to this day. I've said it before, I've never been an early bird -I'm very fond of my bed and always have been.
On walks, he's able to identify each variety of bird he sees, recognise their songs and describe their feeding habits…