One Year On

My sister Linda took this photo on the beach in Spain this morning. A sunrise; beautiful like our Mum was.

High Five!

Sorry for my long absence! After probably the busiest couple of months of my life, (during which I became the Mrs of The Mr and we very happily acquired a new addition to the family) I finally dusted the cobwebs off my studio door handle and went inside! This is just a little illustration I did for our fostering agency. More to come.

How are you, anyway?

Doodles and Pooches

My dear friends Sandie and Kate came over today. Illustration is a solitary activity and that suits me fine most of the time...but when you feel a bit stuck or stale it's just the ticket to get together with someone creative to get the inspiration flowing again! Here's a little character I've been developing.

Kate drew the new addition to our family...Posy! She is a rescue dog and is very timid at the moment, but very pretty I'm sure you'll agree!

Yet another bird...

 I've only ever used Photoshop to clean stuff up etc; but since getting a Mac (secondhand but I love it!) and a scanner/printer, I've been able to try out using it more creatively. It's been fun! I'm looking forward to using these birds for a new project. I've got another one involving people too...I just can't not draw people! During my MA, we had to do an observational project and some of the group would go to any lengths to avoid drawing people. But I was the opposite - I had to be forced to put them in a setting of any sort!

More Birdy Love

Been doodling birds of my own for a story I'm developing.  More to come soon hopefully!

Also, on the bird front, check out Nicky Fijalkowska's blog, Knit For Victory, for details of Worthing Bird Art Trail -  including her wonderful knitted birds (yes that's KNITTED birds - how much better can life get!?) which are currently on display in Worthing's Wool Bar, Warwick Street.

Must fly!

Loving Matt Sewell

I really do badly want this book. But my book buying has got out of control recently so I am at least going to wait until payday.

But...it's SO lovely!

But it's been out for ages and I didn't even know about it, so surely I can live without it a few more weeks.

But it's not THAT expensive!

But I'll be sorry when I'm broke.

Although the book would make me feel better.

But I don't really have room for it.

But I do like birds very much indeed.

And it will be nice to look at with children too. And a nice bird book is missing from my collection.

Ooohhhhhh!!!!

Can't wait!

Tomi is one of my utter favourite illustrators. Hope this is going to be released in the UK!

Moonlight Serenade

I was messing about with paints at my friend's house and ended up with a moonlit sky. So when I got home I added these three chaps having a night time singsong!

Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine.

More exciting post....

Ooh, a game! I've received the soon-to-be-famous Matchbox Pictionary! I've had my go, but of course it's top secret until the game is over. Now to send it to the next player....

Just because I like it....

Loveliness through the post!

Exciting post is so much fun, and here's what plopped through my letterbox this morning...

What a treat! I went to uni with Gemma, and was lucky enough to see this book develop from the very beginning. Gemma is such a lovely, talented person and we were all absolutely thrilled when she won the Macmillan prize for this book.

The story is funny and touching, and the illustrations simply beautiful - I just love the anxiety on the crocodile's face.

It's a wonderful book for anyone who has ever had that feeling they don't quite fit in - or hasn't yet found their hidden talent! Get your copy here, or even better, at your local independent bookshop.

Storytime at Wychwood

Here are a few pics of the Wychwood Festival where Jo Empson and I had arty, musicky storyish fun.

Wychwood Festival!

Looking forward to a weekend at the Wychwood Festival in Cheltenham, where, as well as grooving to acts like Kate Nash and Public Service Broadcasting, me and the Mister will be helping Jo Empson with her storytelling/music and art-making extravaganza! Co-starring the puppet I made by the way!

Dry Eye

I was reading Grimm's Fairy Tales recently, and came across a great story about a girl whose wicked stepmother sent her out in the snow wearing a dress made of paper. Today the girl sprang up in my sketchbook, just for the hell of it!

In other news, I didn't once leave the premises today, not even to go to the shop. Instead I drew the above picture, made a puppet's wig and looked at new scanners and printers online until my eyes dried up.

Studio Capers and Exciting Things

Please excuse the massive break...I have finally moved into my new little studio in my garden, which I must say is wonderful.

The first thing I finished in there was a puppet for my friend Jo. Head on over to her blog where she can tell you about it herself!

I've also been doing some other exciting work... here's a little bit of it.

There are big changes all round actually, as well as completion of my studio; and very exciting ones. I have taken the difficult step of handing my notice in at the lovely nursing home I work in...because me and the Mister have actually been approved to become foster carers! We are very very excited and can't wait to get started. This change will also give me more time for my illustration career, so it's loveliness all round really.

Sadness and reaching out

For several years now I've been reading the beautiful blog of Gretel Parker, an artist, illustrator and maker of exquisite needle-felted models. Her tales of the ups and downs of living in the countryside and struggling to make ends meet by way of creating have always inspired me.

Recently, Gretel has suddenly and tragically lost her beloved partner. Now left with not only the most unimaginable grief, she faces the worry of losing her small cottage (after only recently moving).

I have found artists and illustrators to be the most caring and generous community of people,  and some fellow artists have set up a fund to at least ease Gretel's financial worries for a few months. People worldwide have contributed. If you can, please consider donating by clicking here. There's also a raffle of artwork here.

I don't know Gretel but my heart goes out to her.

"The gift that you were once given will always be yours".

Never Ever

 Here's a trailer for the fab new picture book by my dear friend Jo Empson. It's so funny and beautiful and great to read aloud too. Buy your copy here or even better, from your local independent bookshop!