Creaturemag will be infesting the next issue of Untold Method with a feature titled UMbug for which we are seeking 3 artists to work alongside David Litchfield in the creation of a 4 page narrative.

Find out more about Untold Method here: http://untoldmethod.com/

Deadline for portfolios: Monday 9th July
Deadline for artwork Thursday 26th July 2012
Issue 4 release: Wednesday 1st August 2012

If you are keen to get involved please send an email with link to your portfolio to info@untoldmethod.com.

To find out more about the brief and how to get involved please read on...

Project: A 4 page narrative detailing the 4 stages of the infection caused by the “UMbug”. We are seeking 3 illustrator to accompany David Litchfield in the creation of the following.

The illustrations will be set out to look loosely like a medical journal, it can be as creative and ridiculous as desired. We don’t want to give any directions on how it should look other than the “Umbug” looks like an odd flea (interpretations can be open and different) and the infested creature looks however you want it to.

It will be set into 4 stages (each stage dimensions: A4-portrait)

INFECTION:

‘Beware, whilst lounging in the sun, on your cushioned wicker garden chair, or lying peacefully in your hammock or flat on your belly in the warm grass. The summer carries all sorts of infectious creatures. They’re all around you. They know how to wriggle into your skin, how to fly up your nostrils and in yours ears, how to ‘accidentally’ fall into your drinks. Once inside the body they will liquidate quickly and mix with your blood, causing havoc.’

SYMPTOMS:

‘The symptoms of this illusive UMbug are as follows: bulging of the cheeks and neck glands and Rainbow eyes. If you have fur it will begin to sing. If you have legs they may spontaneously break into dance moves at any moment. If the UMbug Queen has infected you(a 1 in 70, 000 likeliness), it will be best to cover all furnishings and anything of value quickly as very soon you will be spewing pink glittery fairy dust from every orifice.’

FEVER: ((MAKE THIS ILLUSTRATION SUPER PSYCHEDELIC))

‘If symptoms show then please prepare yourself for a long battle. Stories of revival are few and far between. Fever will set in. You will need to ingest 2 large pots of marmite, 2kgs of sherbet and 37 strawberry flavoured mini milks a day. This will stop any physical reaction to the infection but unfortunately will not contain the mental hysteria that will follow, which there is no known preventative for. You will hallucinate vividly somewhere between 2-15 days with brief moments of clarity where you can take you rest. No one animal has the ever experienced the same hallucinations, it is recommended to a have a loved one with you at all times during this period.’

MUTATION: 

‘Final stages are full immersion of the UMbug infection: Physical changes will occur in virtually every case and are impossible to avoid. You will become a shiny bug (sizes vary but typically most sufferers become the same size as a large irish wolf hound, even if smaller than this to begin with). Your eyes will be engorged and like jewels. Strange, alluring wings will sprout from your back (sizes vary). Mentally you will become acutely aware of your surroundings and be constantly aggressive and paranoid. Conversely you will have an enormous appreciation for everything around you and will find it hard to concentrate on any one task for more that 5 minutes without being distracted by something shiny or interesting.

Your transformation may mean that you are shunned from society and have to live in the shadows, to prevent a life of loneliness we have established an UMbug relief helpline, please call 0800123456789, its open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with Councillors always on hand to talk you through hard times, help you find support groups and sanctuaries close to you.

If you are keen to get involved please send an email with link to your portfolio to info@untoldmethod.com. We will select three artists we feel a good fit for this brief. We look forward to hearing from you.

Deadline for portfolios: Monday 9th July
Deadline for artwork Thursday 26th July 2012
Issue 4 release: Wednesday 1st August 2012