Teapots

A teapot pattern I did a few days ago which I thought might make for a nice tea set! let me hear your thoughts.

Book Covers/ Mr McCool

A few months ago I was working for a couple of book covers for Egmont. Above is a cover I reworked and a few chapter heads for Angel Creek, which is a thrilling story by Australian Author Sally Rippin.

And this is some development work for Mr McCool, a story about a cockney bear who wanted to escape from the zoo. There are some real fab characters in this book, and it just came out earlier this week. It is by award winning author Jonathan Tulloch and is available here or for kindle here,where you can see my final cover illustration. You can see a samples of my book covers on my website.

National Geographic Family- Traveller

Patrick the fly

And here I am with more crafty treats. The product of getting excited about finding some scrap material, masses of sequins I had forgotten about and my dads cord trousers (which he still hasn't realised- so hush hush). So here is patrick the fly, who's fabulously jazzy wings you can't see in this photo. Below some friends made from the leftovers.

Ceramicins

Hi, just wanted to post these. I was pretty quiet about it, but earlier this year I took a very short ceramics course, where I made various bits and bobs. I briefly did ceramics in my foundation year at art college, and loved it, so I thought it be a great medium to have a play with once again. The far left image is what I made 5 years ago, testing out building and printing techniques and the other two are this years creations. I shall post more soon, as I am yet to pick stuff up. Enjoy!

Storycloud

I'm a little bit late on letting you all know but I'm glad to say I was lucky enough to be involved in a project called Storycloud as part of the Cultural Olympiad. All the information is below. Or you can read more about this fab event here 
Press Release
26 APRIL 2012 

UK’s top children’s authors take part in London 2012 Festival
Discover Children’s Story Centre

Discover Children’s Story Centre the UK’s first children’s museum dedicated to stories has commissioned the leading lights in children’s literature to write twelve original stories for a new digital web application StoryCloud. This free nationwide digital project will reach thousands of children aged 5-8 and their families in their homes, schools and libraries throughout the twelve weeks of London 2012 Festival and beyond. The twelve brand new stories/poems are written by much-loved children's authors/poets including Michael Rosen, Malorie Blackman, David Almond, Philip Ardagh, Jamilla Gavin and Andy Stanton and four from east London children. 


Each author/child has recorded their brand new story for StoryCloud and twelve top illustrators have then been commissioned to create digital pictures in response to the stories; including Guy Parker-Rees, Chris Riddell, David Roberts and Sarah McIntyre. Children will be able to listen and read along with the author/child telling the story and then play with the illustrations to discover hidden secrets and surprises. Each story will have tasks to encourage children to create their own stories and drawings in response to the twelve stories. These can then be sent to Discover and a selection will be displayed on an on-line gallery throughout the summer.

Each Monday from the 18 June - 3 September during London Festival 2012, a new story will be released creating a magical on-line library for families throughout the UK.    

Poet, author and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen one of StoryCloud’s contributors said ‘StoryCloud is a fantastic project because it puts stories right where children and their parents and carers can find them really easily. Stories tell us about how people might behave or could behave when faced with dangerous, odd, surprising, scary, funny things. They amuse as they tell us wise things. How good it is to see this project as part of the Cultural Olympiad, bringing children and families together with stories. Love it!’

Discover’s Chief Executive Sally Goldsworthy said ‘Based in Stratford, east London we have watched the Olympic site grow around us, StoryCloud is a brilliant opportunity for children and families throughout the UK to share the magic of stories through a new digital platform.’

StoryCloud (www.storycloud.co.uk) is being created with innovative digital publisher WingedChariot. It will be launched on Monday 18 June by Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson. There will be workshops bringing the project to life in venues around the country including Westfield Stratford City, Westfield London, Westfield Derby and Westfield Merry Hill.

StoryCloud has been commissioned by London 2012 Festival, Westfield and Arts Council England. 

StoryCloud Authors and Illustrators 

18 June - The Talent Show by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Kristyna Litten
25 June - Down on the Beach by Andy Stanton and illustrated by Adam Stower
2 July - Strange Things Happen by Malorie Blackman and illustrated by Chris Riddell
9 July - Jimmy McArdle’s Stones by David Almond and illustrated by David Roberts 
16 July - Down the Plughole by Philip Ardagh and illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
23 July - Ali’s Trousers by Azzad Benkerroum Zaim and illustrated by Carl Pearce
30 July - The Tree at the End of the World by Debi Gliori and illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees 
6 August - The Zebra and Cheetah by Semilore Joseph and illustrated by David Melling
13 August - The Hoopoe Bird by Emma King and illustrated by Ross Collins
20 August - The Boy Who Lived on a Pancake by Candy Courlay and illustrated by Deborah Allwright
27 August - The Magic Carpet by Zeynab Abokor and illustrated by Elissa Elwick
3 September – The Day Before by Jamila Gavin and illustrated by Lee Wildish 

Fashion doodles

Drawing dresses and clothes is a bit of a past time for me, I used to spend hours doing so when I was little. Here are a few sketches I did the other night.

Weather

Its been a while since I last posted anything, but I'm glad to say the reason for that is that I'm pretty busy working on some exciting new stuff, which I can't yet share with you lovely people. But here are some samples that I feel are appropriate to this erratic weather we have all been experiencing over this last month. To see more of these have a look here

Bologna Book Fair 2012

-click to enlarge-

In the spirit of the Bologna children's Book Fair, here is the poster I did for my lovely agents over at Arena. Wish I was there soaking up the inspiration and eating pizza and ice-cream.

Bird Vase

So its been ages since my last post, but I'm glad to say I've been pretty busy and shall post some cool stuff soon. but in the mean time here is a pretty vase with a bird on it.

Love Bug

Forward

Betty was a Bee, she was yellow and black all over.

She would fly with all the other bees, high above the clover.

But there's one thing Betty couldn’t do, as hard as she would try.

This was important for a bee, to buzz when in the sky.

So when Betty flew and flapped her wings really really fast,

all the other bees flapped as much and seemed fly right past.

Give us a twirl

Something a little more grown up for this weeks illustration friday!

Fennel the fox

-Fennel The Fox In A Field Full Of Flowers-

All belly!

The highlight of christmas has definitely been all the amazing food! But now I feel all belly, just like this dragon.

Happy Christmas Eve

Giraffe

I'm going letraset catalogue crazy at the moment- going loads of little collages. Will post more soon.

Separated

A robot detached from his normal ridgid movements- doing the 'Robot Boogie'- 0000001000000100000011111...... ah memories!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1BdQcJ2ZYY

Bert

Bert was a master of disguise,

he'd wear wigs or glasses over his eyes.

Vanity