It’s July my birthday month! Here is a little character dancing, which I did today for my new web site currently being designed.
I last posted in cold wet February and lots of interesting things have happened since then, which I will post about next month. I also
have a new blog address (technical Google issues I don’t understand!).
I had a crazy, yet fantastic time at the Bologna Children’s
Book fair in March where I showed my work and came home fired up, with great feedback, if somewhat
shattered. My luggage was laden with
visual goodies .. namely Beatrice Alemagna’s new picture book ‘i cinque malfatti’. This is a stunning book with
breath taking layouts and colours. Every time I look at it, it brings a smile
to my face.
As for me, I have
been told I have become a hermit.. because I am always at home, either writing or drawing. But I am a very happy
hermit as I love what I do!
I am currently working
on two picture book projects for my Masters for the MA in Children’s Book
Illustration in Cambridge. One was inspired by the floods on a three hr train journey from
Salisbury to Cambridge, as I looked out at the soaking landscape
from the window. Below are Billy and Bob having fun in the endless rain, before things go wrong.
The other project is about a
spider monkey – inspired by my favourite
childhood toy monkey (I was clearly not
a doll girl) whom I discovered in our attic recently, a little moth eaten! I
took myself off to Marwell Zoo for a day sketching real monkeys – such entertaining
creatures to watch. Here is one of my first character sketches, informed from those observational drawings at Marwell Zoo.
And to end on.. here is another sketch from a summery day in my work room. Have a great July!
