Santa's Swag

It's been a great lead up to Christmas and I've been ever so busy which is how I like it. I'm super excited about welcoming 2015 as I'll be getting stuck into my new picture book, which looks to be very different to anything I've previously done. It's a wonderful thing to be able to push your work and ideas in a new direction, it's my most favourite and enjoyable part of making imagery and storytelling. I will try my best to share some of the development along the way.

In the meantime, thank you for reading the blog and here's a little something sort of festive.

Secret Santa's Swag Sack

Wishing everyone lots of Christmas cheer!

Smashing Pumpkins!

Last week I visited a farm and stumbled upon a lorry load of shifty looking characters. And by the looks on their faces it appeared they couldn't wait to get the party started!

Frolicking Fruit

Halloween gives me the perfect excuse to stock up on extra candy for those pesky Trick or Treaters - or should I say to have on my desk to munch on whilst I work away. There's nothing better than polishing off a bag of psychedelic coloured, jellied insects to keep the creativity levels up to speed. 

Dance the Fangdango

 Happy Halloween... mwahahaha!

Ice Cream Bucket Challenge!

By now everyone has heard of the Ice Bucket Challege, the campaign that raises awareness for the MND Asoociation. I was nominated by the lovely Karen Ross to make a donation along with doing the challenge. But Karen specifically requested a doodle and said she'd like Milly Moo to be involved... so it became the Ice Cream Bucket Challenge! 

Curious cows

What's about to occur?

We've been Chilly Milly Mooed!

Many years ago I lost my dad to MND, so I'm grateful to everyone that have already doused themselves in icy cold water, or created a doodle to boost awareness and help raise funds. More importantly though if you can, please make a donation to Motor Neurone Disease Association or you can easily text, details below.

Many thanks!

Animal Crackers

It's been a fantastic start to the day as I've received a copy of The Mumsnet Book of Animal Stories. It's a gorgeous, vibrant anthology containing ten enthalling tales which was a real pleasure to work on. I love nothing more than reading funny a story, so illustrating Captain Yuri and the Space Mission by Susannah O' Brien was a great match for me.

Animal Kingdom

Rough Spread

Sneaky Peek

If you're crackers for stories about animals, it's published on the 2nd October by Walker Books.

Udderliciously Funtastic!

This morning I had such great time in Udderlicious, it's a glorious ice cream parlour on Upper Street, London. I was joined by a bunch of fantastic children from William Tyndale Primary School, who were just as keen to hear a story about ice cream as eating the lovely stuff.

Udderliciously lovely stuff!

Together we read Chilly Milly Moo, talked about making books and even dabbled in how to create your own ice cream cone. 

I'm too hot!

One scoop or two?

We finished off our fun with a delicious taster from the wide selection of marvelous flavours.

Click here if you fancy having a go at making your own cone. If you feel particularly proud of your chilly creation please feel free to send me a snap, I'd love to see them and show them off!

Dark Shadows

Last week I spent a few days away in Whitby, North Yorkshire and discovered it has plenty more to offer apart from an excellent portion of fish and chips. I was hoping it would be the perfect place for a touch of research on a new spooky picture book. It certainly was, and look what I found unexpectedly loitering over my bed...

Love at first bite

The bat is one of the many gothic gems in a unique B&B called Bats and Broomsticks. I've never spent the night anywhere before which has an emergency basket of wooden stakes placed in the wardrobe - just incase! The atmosphere created by having a full English breakfast by candlelight, whilst listening to The Damned was a fitting start to each day. It really was such a blast to stay there, so if you tend to gravitate towards the darker side of things please give it a go.

Whitby is packed with hidden delights. Even the graveyard which is situated adjacent to the Abbey overlooking the sea has a one or two surprises, such as the skull and crossbones carved onto this pirate's gravestone.

Pirate's gravestone

A view to die for

North Yorkshire well and truly conjured up numerous tales of horror from it's past and present. I'm certain this wealth of gothic inspiration will keep me fairly busy for sometime to come!

Winter's Tails

Over the last few days it's suddenly felt like winter is with us once again. My sizable collection of hot water bottles are back in rotation, thermal socks are needed and I'm refusing to remove my favourite red, woolly jumper. The only thing missing from these somewhat nippy conditions is a generous sprinkling of the white stuff, so here it is... 

Got ya!

Dancing Champs!

It's been loads of fun hearing what you like to dance to and thanks a million for your contributions. I received these two fabulous drawings from Amy and Millie Inglis and think they're both winners. They've well and truly captured Arthur's character and clearly illustrate his zeal for dancing. Amy and Millie also love dancing to ballet and I'm sure they're pretty good at it too!

By Amy Inglis

By Millie Inglis

Another book and bookmark will be going to Lola Hustler. Lola said she likes dancing with her mom to loud rock music, especially anything by P!nk. Perhaps they should team up with the Crazy Cat Crew for some extracurricular party time!

If you fancy having a go at making a Ballet Cat bookmark click here!

Dance Yourself Dizzy!

Today I have 3 signed copies of Ballet Cat and bookmarks up for grabs to celebrate the publication of the paperback. All you have to do is tell me what you like to dance to, this can be a style of dancing or a particular song, and any pictures are very welcome! The winners will be revealed and posted on the blog in one week's time.

Arthur's enjoys dancing to ballet

I like to dance to disco but think I need a few tips from Errol the elephant below, he's definitely the Disco King! Go Errol!

Errol's got the moves!

Egg 'n' Chicks

Here's a little taster of something from a story I've developed. The design of the characters has since been modified but their personalities have remained the same. I really enjoy creating humorous, silly characters that have a dash of slapstick in their movements, and of course have their own voice.

By 'eck chuck!

If you fancy getting out your pen and pencils this Easter, go ahead and click here to download your own egg 'n' chicks colouring sheet.

Egg-cellent!

Ballet Cat - shortlisted

I'm not sure Arthur's dancing skills would ever land him a prize but he's been shortlisted for the Hillingdon Picture Book Award 2014, which is supported by the London Borough of Hillingdon. The 6 shortlisted books will be read by 25 local primary schools throughout the borough and a winner will be announced in June.

I'm thrilled with the news and thought it was a great opportunity to show the Ballet Cat paperback cover design, which will be published in May.

Go Arthur!

Animal Magic

Over the last few weeks I've had a great time illustrating a funny story called Captain Yuri and the Space Mission by Susannah O'Brien. It's for The Mumsnet Book of Animal Stories and will be published by the lovely Walker Books.

I would like to share some character designs for the hamster. He's a witty little chap who hasn't got the foggiest regarding what's about to happen to him.

Hamstering About

Here is one of the pages from the book. The layout is slightly like a comic which certainly fits the humour and tone of the story very well.

Test Pilot

The animal anthology will be out this October and will be packed with assorted tales and splendiferous illustrations.

Flippin' Marvelous!

I've got to admit Pancake Day is one of my favourite times of the year. Yes, I am somewhat of a greedy guts but who can resist a plate of freshly made warm pancakes, dripping in delicious citrus juices and oozing loads of maple syrup!

Nom! Nom! Nom!

Love Rats

Oh my, I can feel a smidgeon of romance in the air today and funnily enough it's coming from a couple of rodents. The image shows a quiet moment between Jenny and Skinner as they share a little time, and ponder over what may lie ahead...

Jenny & Skinner

And here's something just for you

Ooh La La!

Light as a Feather

I first came across Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake when I started the research for Ballet Cat. Back then I never got the opportunity to see it - but finally on Saturday afternoon I did!

For me what was most inspiring was how an established story can be adapted and moulded into something incredibly unique. This production is comical, passionate, elegant and menacing. The set design with it's palette is understated yet bold. The beautiful use of light and shadows is striking as we follow the Prince's tortured mind. In appearance the male swans are simplistic with their shaven heads and bare chests, only donning heavily feathered trousers. You can't escape the sheer masculine power of the swans which is expressed even further with a smear of black makeup running down their foreheads. I felt I must share some of the visual splendor of this revival, so please feel free to take a peek and go and see if you get the chance!
http://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2013/Matthew-Bournes-Swan-Lake-2013/#

Funnily enough in the first draft of Ballet Cat Arthur also found himself dancing to Swan Lake - here's a early rough spread from that version of the book.

The Finale