BOOK LAUNCH and Book signings

Well it's been a busy month organising book launches, workshops and signings, but it's all been great fun!

Thank you everyone who made the launch!

THIS WAY UP on the shelves!

I was absolutely thrilled this week, to find my book THIS WAY UP in the fromt window of Waterstone's, Barnstaple and positioned beautifully on the shelves.

Through the lovely Sarah Jane at the store, kindly advised me of which stores to visit and following her advice I have now booked in various Waterstone's workshops across the country.

The next workshop and book signing is Saturday 20th November, Waterstones, Taunton.

P.S Don't forget the BOOK LAUNCH, 18TH NOVEMBER, Mackies Bar, Global Centre, Watson Street, Oswaldtwistle!!! 7pm -10pm

Hedland Art Awards 2010

Whilst up here in the Pilbra of Western Australia, I've been trying to keep up my my illustration work, which believe me, isn't too easy in this heat!

I saw there was a local art competition so decided to enter a piece, just to give myself a deadline and work on something new. This was about two weeks ago.

 Last friday I was thrilled to take part in the opening night of the Hedland art Awards, Port Hedland WA.
I was also delighted to find that I actually won the $1000 prize for Best Artwork for under 25 category!
 Yippee!

Here's my winning piece. I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Book News!

After frantically checking my e-mails, every half an hour last week, I finally got the good news I had been crossing my fingers and toes for. My first children's book, 'This Way Up' had got a good response from Bologna Book Fair. I was thrilled!

It got interest from USA, France, Brazil, Japan, Spain, Korea and some of the Scandanavian countries, and a few hours later I heard that France had signed and ordered 5000 copies.

Yippee!

So, now it can be pre-ordered on-line from WhSmith, Waterstones and on Amazon. It comes out on the shelves in November 2010, so I am very excited!

Whilst over here in Australia, I've started working on my new book, as I am presenting a few ideas to Hodder's in a few weeks. Hopefully they'll like the new adventures I have planned for Poppy and Quinn.

In the meantime, I am also working on promotion for this book. Trying to organise some school visits, so if any one has a primary school they know of who might like a children's book author/illlustrator to pop by for a day or afternoon, please let me know. I do little sessions on how to draw animals, sometimes do cartoon portraits of the children or make cardboard collages with them, as well as a little storytime session.

Or if any other authors have any advice on organising school visits, please feel free to give me any tips.

Anyway, back to the grindstone. Best get some scribbling done.

Until next time.... xxx

Illustration Friday - 'Skinny' - Screw Skinny...Eat Cake!

I think at least once a day, I look at myself and think, "maybe I could loose a few fatty bits here and there..."

At least once a day I wish I was skinny.

At least 5 times a day I want to eat cake!

 

  

These illustrations were quickly achieved with a scrap of white paper, an old biro, a retro cookery book I found on the shelf and my fella's camera skills...thanks Andy! xxx

Front Cover... Discuss!

Well, I'm just working on the front cover for 'This Way Up' at the moment.
I did the artwork and gave it to Hodder's before leaving for my travels in May.
They have sent back a design idea, and I have today adjusted it to have a slightly different font, more 'stencil' like, and added some arrows to make it more 'cardboard-boxy'.

This is the original cover idea...

...then...

...I've adjusted and added a few bits....and changed some colours.

Which do you prefer?

Illustration Friday - 'Fast'

Bit cheesy I know, but thought I'd go along the lines of 'Fast Asleep'. "Yawn!"

This sketch was done unber fast, just doodling whilst drinking my brew, didn't realise I'd done it till I looked at my sketchpad...so thought I'd take inspiration for my friend (and 'hodderite'), Lynne Chapman, and have a go painting it with photoshop.

Her blog is cool, and really inspired me to do a lil digital painting. My attempt is pretty poor compared to Lynne's skills, but its a start.

This is how my doodle started, then just added new layer in photoshop for colour.

Looksa a bit sloppy and soft in colour, quite like the rawness of my doodle, but I guess the clour does make it look more finished.

Lynne's blog is awesome. Check it out! www.lynnechapman.blogspot.com/