Friday the 13th...

We all have our moments of being superstitious, especially on days like this. So instead of dwelling on what bad luck may lay ahead, I'm going to share something good. 

Lets start with some work in progress.

Things that go bump in the night...

These images are in response to a couple of ideas I have been playing around with.

House on the hill

And now for some good news! I'm very excited to hear that Ballet Cat has been shortlisted along with three other gorgeous books, for the Dundee Picture book award. The winning book will be revealed in June! 

Way to go Arthur!

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!