Wayne Blackhurst
"Creative cauldron..."

Male
34 years old
Northwest
United Kingdom



Last Login: 11/12/2008
Mood: accomplished Mood Image
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   Contacting Wayne Blackhurst

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/wblackhurst  

    Wayne Blackhurst's Interests
General
Writing, reading, art, design, illustration, pc gaming, computers in general, music, hi-fi & home cinema equipment, movies, love animals especially wolves & rabbits, Warhammer & most things Games Workshop related, cycling & rambling in the great outdoors, foreign travel, trees, rivers, lakes & mountains....


Music



Where to begin? Here's a list of just a tiny few:

Bryan Eich, David Gray, Eros Ramazzotti, Coldplay, The Killers, Scissor Sistors, Katie Melua, Faithless, Keane, James Blunt, Regina Spektor, Snow Patrol, Kate Bush, Depeche Mode, Starsailor, Tori Amos, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Supertramp, Travis, New Order, Embrace, Moby, Pink, Natalie Merchant, Sarah Mclaughlin, James, Norah Jones, Mazzy Star, most 'eighties' music, the BBC Radio 2 playlist, anything with obvious melody, rhythm, evocative lyrics, great vocal ability - I just love music!
Movies
Memento, Legends of the Fall, Lord of the Rings, Roman Holiday, Donnie Darko, The Crow, Holiday Affair, anything with Audrey Hepburn, James Stewart, Cary Grant, Robert Mitchum, Gregory Peck, most films by M. Night Shyamalan, The Company of Wolves, Leon, Sleepers, The Shawshank Redemption, The Fog (original).
Television
Heroes, Lost, Hustle, not really a great lover of TV otherwise.
Books
I’ll read anything once. Prefer accessible, mainstream fiction with thrilling adventure and interesting new ideas that push credibility beyond our comfort zone. Be that in a scientific, supernatural or disturbing way. Dislike hardcore horror. Tired of done to death orcs and goblins, fantasy epics with unpronounceable race and place names. ‘Star Wars’ space operas not my thing, neither are spoof comedy novels. They’re all great and enjoyable, I’ve just had my fill. Classic authors such as Tolkien and Lovecraft I liked, without the need to place them under the literary microscope for analysis.

Short stories are wonderful to read. I also enjoy quality glossy magazines. Some of them on the market today are real works of art, with an abundence of talent gone into their creation!
Heroes
CURRENT MOON

     Wayne Blackhurst's Details
Status:In a Relationship
Here for:Networking, Friends
Orientation:Straight
Zodiac Sign:Taurus

   Wayne Blackhurst's Networking
Publishing - Writer - Novelist
Thrillers, series writer, short stories, novels, you know the drill.
Publishing - Art - Illustrator
Specialist in black and white pen and ink, books, magazines, you know the score.



Wayne Blackhurst hasn't vanished into thin air, just mad busy, which is better than being just mad.

Wayne Blackhurst's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

Murky Depths...  (view more)

Here In My Car. (820 words.)  (view more)

The Forlorn Widow. (5200 words.)  (view more)

Operation wren!  (view more)

More flotsam on the shores of Still Water.  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   Wayne Blackhurst's Blurbs
About me:
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Freelance illustrator partial to writing. You can find my web site over here.

I work from my own home studio and often do a little part time work to help make ends meet. The handful of images found below are based on illustration commissions with which I get involved. I steer clear of 'fine art', concentrating instead on mainstream commercial art and design. Done architectural illustration, newspaper artwork, promotional design and greeting card design. The main areas I'd prefer to work in are interior book and magazine illustration, using a distinctive B&W style reminiscent of Aubrey Beardsley. I'm always on the look out for interesting opportunities, so if you're after a similar look, or know someone who does, get in touch!

I also enjoy writing thriller novels and short stories. My current work can be found below.

These short stories are taken from my evolving collection - Still Water - a picturesque UK, east coast town, home to lost souls, misunderstood individuals, rouges, murderers and the demented.
If you fancy some accessible, fast paced high adventure, check out the following blurbs. Each story is part of an ongoing idea of linked, full length novels following the exploits of four friends: Alan Rushmore, an ambitious entrepreneur; Sam(antha) Midway, a sassy environmental journalist; Rick West, a once homeless Mancunian engineer and Tina Jenkins, a reluctant heroine recovering from tragedy. Four friends split between following their heads - or their hearts - as they struggle with scientific gain and environmental loss.

"Loched"

See a rough sample
See another rough sample
See some characters

"Just what lengths would you go, to uncover the truth? This is the question Alan, James, Sam and Rick find themselves asking. Twenty four years since their classroom days, the four reunited friends agree to finalise Alan's controversial project that stretches the boundaries of engineering and science, a decision not without consequences. The threat of catastrophic environmental disaster looms as they avoid becoming the target of a demented terrorist organisation. In their obsession to uncover the age old mystery lurking within Scotland's most infamous loch, it soon becomes apparent all concerned are indeed 'loched' together in a desperate battle for supremacy. From which the cost of definitive truth will be far higher than any first imagined.

Hold on tight, Scotland's about to witness its event of the century. One that could quite literally split the UK mainland in two..."

"Venezia"

"Venice is sinking. Radical attempts to counter the subsidence have failed with devastating consequences. The Venetian Government have ordered an immediate evacuation of the city, throwing salvage of the doomed venture open to the highest bidder. Cue business tycoon Alan Rushmore, fresh from his success in the Scottish Highlands with his close friend Tina Jenkins. Together they pick up the tab and attempt to stabilise an emptying city. Hot on the story, environmental journalist Sam Midway and her latest plaything Rick West, arrive to discover crumbling desolation, the risk of rot threatening the entire Adriatic Sea. As the four friends are once more united, it fast becomes apparent this time, a stand has to be made. Old alliances are split; friendships are tested as a personal battle for Venice’s future begins, while another faction crawls from beneath.... A once thought dead man is here too; a monstrous man with a scared face, a mechanical claw for a hand, carrying in his good hand a mysterious artefact and in his mind one word: Tsunami. The fate of Venice is torn three ways. Which will emerge victorious before World Leaders declare the romantic ruin a National Monument? Who will reign before the artefact is used to send Venice and its mainland parent, to the bottom of the ocean for good?

The clock is ticking. The fall of Venice is nigh...."

"Aurora"

"Four days ago the northern hemisphere experienced its worst environmental disaster to date. An insane experiment to harness the electro-magnetic energy of the Aurora Borealis phenomenon failed, causing overnight disappearance of a vast chunk of the North Pole ice cap. Global preparation for imminent climate change ensued, although scientists are now baffled. All expected theories that point towards catastrophe just aren’t happening. As though the ice hadn’t gone at all...

Environmental journalist Sam Midway heads for the Arctic, eager to get the scoop. What she unearths en-route, in a remote fishing village, defies comprehension. The locals are spooked. They tell stories of a monster that crawls from the depths of the sea at night to terrorize them. Sam’s humoured, until she hears the creature’s nocturnal wail herself, like the wail of a Banshee, although the locals know better. They say it’s the wail of a Kraken.

Business tycoon Alan Rushmore sees financial gain and snaps up a certain research station at the North Pole. With his new flame Tina Jenkins and his friend, the skilled engineer Rick West, the three wrap up well. Instead of being greeted as benefactors, they witness the gory annihilation of the entire site, together with their ride back home. All amidst a spectacle of kaleidoscopic lights and the haunting wails of something unseen, something inhuman. Stranded, they embark on a dangerous expedition to the communications core in the depths of the dying facility, their only chance of survival - a message to Sam. Whilst their SOS is transmitted, they uncover the true purpose of the research station and a forbidden project known only as ‘Aurora’. Now Sam’s desperate rescue attempt can’t arrive soon enough. As time slips through their fingers, the isolated friends realise it’s up to them to unravel the mystery of Aurora, to discover the fate of the ice shelf and figure out just what went wrong four days earlier.

Before whatever entity that roams the Arctic region at night pays them another visit.

Boundaries of mythology, nature and science are blurred as Aurora rises, with just a handful of friends to protect the world from the threat of a new kind of ecological terror. They say seeing is believing. What if, that which is to be believed can’t be seen..?"

Who I'd like to meet:

   Wayne Blackhurst's Friend Space (Top 24)
Wayne Blackhurst has 552 friends.
 Esmaa Self 


 Anita Neko 


 Gillian 


 T. Lee Tabone 


 Anne 


 Simon Haynes 


 Jen(at Salt) 


 Lizzy 


 Alita 


 BuTTeRfLY WItCH 


 Heather 


 Barry Wood 


 Fran Friel - Writer 


 Lisa 


 Debb 


 Tracy 


 Delcourt 


 Ricky Martin's Dad 


 Murky Depths 


 Nessy 


 Friends of the Earth 


 Save the Wolves 


 Rainforest Central 


 Greenpeace 





Wayne Blackhurst's Friends Comments
Displaying 50 of 222 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Esmaa Self





Oct 8 2008 2:49 PM

I'm trying to be as productive as you and have locked myself inside my office. I'm far more easily distracted, or am out of practice having spent the summer goofing off (yes, while you worked). I could use some of your focus. :D
Lizzy





Oct 8 2008 6:15 PM

Hiya, I did wonder if you were ok or had dropped off the planet!

Glad to hear you're still with us. I'm abit random on myspace atm, but always good to hear from you.

Hugs

Lxx
Alita





Sep 29 2008 4:46 PM

Hi Wayne. It's good to hear from you again. You have a good week. :)
Jen(at Salt)





Sep 29 2008 11:46 AM

HI Wayne -- good to hear from you and glad that all is well in your sunny part of the world. My profile pic is a definite improvement on the last one: gorgeous cherry tomatoes, that were delicious, I have to say.
Writer - Angela Martane





Sep 27 2008 4:54 PM

Thanks for the add.
Anne





Sep 27 2008 4:47 PM

Nice to see you back, Wayne - hope you're okay and enjoying the unexpected summer.

:))

Axxx
Debb





Sep 28 2008 9:05 PM

hello you! Back to work for me, have thought of you wondered what you have been doing lately...my daughter is taking her 11+ exam thursday, so I am getting stressed out galore!!! The next weeks will be hell and wont know the results till mid november...cant bear it.. shit time at the moment. x
Esmaa Self





Sep 27 2008 11:59 AM

NO I HAVE NOT!!!!
Kathryn





Sep 8 2008 2:32 PM

hi wayne. haven't heard from you in a while. how are you? you are still doing fantastic illustrations i see.
i hope you have a great week! xx
Jen(at Salt)





Sep 13 2008 10:22 PM

Good luck with your house move, writing, covers etc., Wayne. Glad to hear you've not be idle over the last few weeks ;-)
Lisa





Aug 11 2008 5:33 PM

Hi Wayne, just dropping around to say hello and see what's new. Hope all is well and your having a productive and lively day. Lisa
Esmaa Self





Aug 15 2008 1:21 AM

Just wanted you to know that I'm thinking about you and wishing you great joy.
Esmaa Self





Aug 29 2008 4:46 AM

Been drinking java since the 8th, eh? You're probably a one-man answer to the energy crisis by now. Excellent.
Gillian





Sep 2 2008 10:48 AM

Come back soon Wayne! :)
Debb





Aug 2 2008 4:25 PM

Im back!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO go on tell me what you have been up to lately...x
Esmaa Self





Aug 1 2008 12:54 PM

I'm reading and enthralled by (I absolutely mean that) your The Forlorn Widow. Gorgeous word strings, my friend. Gorgeous.
DEBI





Jul 27 2008 7:51 PM

Thanks for allowing me into your world, Wayne. Welcome to mine. It's a pleasure to share space with you. Love your work.

Be well. Stay inspired! In the hope that life treats you gently.

Love and light,

Debi. xx
Wayne





Jul 28 2008 5:02 AM

Hey Wayne: The bird blog is one of a kind my friend, cherish the fleeting moment you may not get another like it. Glad to be here - love making new friends!
Anne





Jul 26 2008 5:19 PM

Ooh, lovely! Ain't the weather grand too! Hope you're having fun.

:))

A
xxx
IZZABELLA





Jul 24 2008 8:24 PM

HAVE A COLD ONE FOR ME!
SOUNDS GOOD ON THIS HOT SUMMER DAY! AHHHHH...
IZZY
Esmaa Self





Jul 22 2008 5:03 PM

Why Wayne, those are absolutely gorgeous; I'm quite excited now!

Esmaa, off to start her Christmas list (who put the weeeeeeeeeee in wheelie bins?)
Jason L. Keene





Jul 17 2008 2:49 PM

Hiya Wayne, and thank you for the add.

A wonderful piece in The Ashen Eye, looking forward to many more great reads. Very nice artwork as well!



Keep'em Scared,


Jason Keene
Anne





Jul 16 2008 2:42 PM

But, dahling, you've never really been away! My red tab-thingies are wild today - so Lordy knows what they're doing. Already I have managed to turn everything blue and then someone else disappeared!! Time for a coffee, I feel ...

:))

A
xxx
Gillian





Jul 10 2008 10:16 AM

The weekend starts early (and lasts longer!) this week Wayne, thanks to the inventor of public holidays!
Fran Friel - Writer





Jun 16 2008 5:11 PM