Mind the Gap

Sorry for the absence - again. Preparing my new workspace is taking longer than I hoped, and I've been so busy that my artwork seems to have slipped down to item 75 on my to-do list. Also I now seem to be a bit run down and unwell.

In other news I've been really sad to hear about the death of Maurice Sendak. So unique, so grumpy, so magical. One of my heroes - along with Ronald Searle, who died earlier this year. Searle's book To The Kwai and Back is amazing, and so inspirational. It got me through the Observational Drawing semester at uni...when you see someone's secret life sketches of starving, sick prisoners of war, which they risked their life to do, you feel a bit of a wimp complaining that drawing in the shopping centre is a bit chilly.

All Change!

Hmm... just as I was praising up Blogger for being all friendly and familiar it goes and changes. Now this was one of the many reasons I quit Facebook - I don't have time or patience to cope with un-necessary change!

Speaking of which, there have been huge operations underway to move the International Headquarters of Fluffycloud Studios. This has involved bin liners, back ache, Billy bookshelves and lots of other stress inducing things beginning with B. I confess to being very sad when I switched off my little digital radio and locked the door for the last time. I thought back to the day I moved in, and the many happy and productive hours I've spent there since.

Still, hopefully my new workspace will bring me new success (and less hypothermia).

No work to show yet but meanwhile please check out this organisation...a really worthwhile charity I hadn't come across before.

OW! OW! OOOWWW!!!!

Hello, nice, friendly, Blogger site. Hello, easy-to-use site that I understand, and that doesn't turn me into a raging, sobbing hunchback.

I am trying to make a website. Something I was just going to casually do before doing all the other things I had to do today, which believe me was a LOT..

I have been trying to make a website, from a template described (by a liar) as "simple", since 8.30 this morning. That's eight hours. Yes, that's right, EIGHT hours during which I have been hunched, cold, hungry and stiff and weeping over the keyboard. My back literally doesn't straighten anymore. The dog has gone to bed, because I have screamed "WHY???" once too often.

I don't have a website and I DON'T WANT TO BE A WEBSITE DESIGNER. EVER.

Here's another version of a book cover I have been working on. I was going to save it for the website, but website, you don't deserve it. You won't beat me, though. Believe me, horrible cruel website, I will be back and you WILL be mine. Just as soon as I have straightened my back. You mark my words.

Lovely Animation

Thanks to my friend Abbie for showing me this really nice animation by Johnny Kelly, about a farmer changing his methods.

Easter Rabbit

As an Easter-Hater, I grumpily wish you a Happy Easter with a sketch of this very fine rabbit, who belongs to my friend. I love this rabbit and would very much like him to feature in a future project.

Rabbityness

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending my lovely friend Jo Empson's very first book launch! Her book, Rabbityness, is a beautiful picture book which tenderly explores the pain of loss but also celebrates the joy of uniqueness, creativity and just...life.

I studied with Jo on the MA, so I was lucky enough to see Rabbityness develop from its early stages right through to the wonderful end result. I know Jo has a fantastic career ahead of her - but I also know that Rabbityness will always have a very special place in her heart.

The launch party went swimmingly, with Jo signing books the whole evening...

She even managed to snare a real, live didgeridoo player...

The younger generation took to the didgeridoos like ducks to water...

But others only managed pathetic raspberries....


Martin Salisbury braved his toothache and did a grand job reading the story...


And here's a very proud friend with the author illustrator herself.

Congratulations, Jo. xxxx

Doings

Just a little model I've been experimenting with!

Why are there always

things I want?

Just in Case You Were Daft Enough To Miss It...

...in London, our MA show has shuffled along to the Ruskin Gallery in Cambridge. Here's my work on display there...
...and this one was taken with the specially installed MavisCam.

Thank you to the lovely Ed Oliver for taking these pics. Whilst mounting our work ready for the show, Ed spotted me in my exhausted state just about to stick a piece of work FACE DOWN onto a piece of foam board. Heroically, he leapt across the room and threw himself in front of the foam board. Then, after I cut myself, stuck a piece down at a jaunty angle and another with 85 creases in it, Ed said "Er...I think I'll stay and help you."

So I think the least you can do is go and look at his website. What are you waiting for?

In other news, I had a ukulele lesson yesterday! The lessons take place in what used to be what Newhaven laughingly called a "night club". When I arrived for my lesson I had an immediate urge to dance like a maniac and be sick in the toilet. Now, though, it is used as a church, so luckily I fought that urge.

What a mixed bunch there are in the class. I think I'm going to like it...

Put Something on the End of It and Get a Damn Job.

In between watching Jeremy Kyle and doing the ironing, I made a body for Olive.

Intelligence

I drew this character last semester and thought I'd make a model of her. I could only go this far though, because for reasons best kept to myself, I have of late been avoiding the International Headquarters of Fluffycloud Studios.


The Intelligence dept has now deemed it safe to return, so watch this space for more Olive action.

In other news I am discovering more and more things I can do now that my MA is over. Today, for example, I had lunch with an old friend and a very enjoyable chat. Is this what it's like to be...normal?

Things You Can Do When Not Doing An MA

1. Washing

2. Ironing

3. Make your family breakfast, lunch AND dinner, all on the same day

4. Walk the dog

5. Read a book

6. Watch brilliant telly (Being Human)

7. Watch crappy (but in brilliant way) telly (Desperate Housewives)

8. With no particular purpose...doodle!

Two things I want to spend more time with now I have finished my MA.

Well, at least one of them looks enthusiastic.

I got the ukulele from my thoughtful son for Christmas and am very much looking forward to impressing everyone with my until now undiscovered musical talent. I have already learnt one chord, and spent rather a long time playing it, which is why the dog looks so depressed. But I learnt a chord! (OK, so it only involved putting one finger on one fret, but still...)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well, the degree show comes down tomorrow afternoon, heralding the beginning of the end of all official uni shenanigans. (The show moves to Cambridge on a smaller scale now.)

It has been wonderful to catch up with all my classmates again and to see their fab work. We alternate between punching the air, whooping with joy at our new freedom, and clinging to each other sobbing.

Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day to one and all. Here's the card I made for the Mister...
...who made me a lovely 3-course dinner today. (Of course he's listening to the football now, but the romance was good while it lasted!)

Oh, and we've got a website...

Click here to see it!

That's Liza Smith MA if you don't mind.

I passed, thank goodness.

If you'd like to come to my graduation exhibition, here
are the details:

MA Children's Book Illustration Graduation Exhibition
8th - 15th February 2012

The Gallery at FOYLES(Third floor)
Foyles Bookshop
118 - 119 Charing Cross Road
London
WC2H OEB

Mavis in the Hood

If you are ever tempted to do a Children's Book Illustration MA, let me tell you...it's stressful. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, because on the whole it's amazing. But be prepared for headaches, mouth ulcers, hair loss (but ironically weight GAIN) and quite a bit of poverty. Oh, and give your family photos of yourself looking happy and relaxed, because they will forget what that looks like. It will all be worth it in the end though. Please tell me it will be worth it in the end...

Pondering

I've been pondering (in a Laura Marling style of course). Not known for my good decisions, I am pleased to say that changing my job last year was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I moved from the sometimes futile-seeming world of retail, to working in a nursing home for the elderly. The work is emotionally draining and physically back-breaking - but it's so rewarding, and a privilege to work with the residents. It has broadened my horizons and challenged my views. I'm now proud to say my oldest friend is 103.

In our society the elderly can be at best invisible and at worst treated with contempt. But once, they were just like you. They were bookbinders and soldiers, bank clerks; headteachers and ballet dancers. Inside, they're still the same.

Anyway as you may have guessed I'm keen to have an older character in my work. Here's the latest on Mavis...


...who I hope will also star in my puppet theatre piece for children.


That is all.

Goings On

So, I'm back. What's been going on since I've been away? Stress and more stress? Hurricanes and general disasters? Jeez, I leave you people alone for five minutes...

Anyway I have been taking part in an artists open house during the Artwave Festival. It's the last weekend coming up so don't miss the chance to buy some art, post your wish in the magic Wishing Tree, or sample some delicious home made cakes and tea! Here's a taster...






In other news, I haven't just been panicking about university and faffing about with Open House stuff, oh no. I have made a cover for my Kindle. (Now named "Mindle" for reasons I can't be bothered to go into.)

Beauty and the Beast!

Here are a few sketches and a model I made for the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. They are for a competition. Wish me luck!