Birthday card Friday!

No rain in sight actually, just this lovely lovely sunshine in London today. 

It's my wishful thinking, but to my eyes the cat on the left does actually look like Gene Kelly.

Bits and Bobs

Happy grey cat

Weekend pics

Walk along the river opposite Barnes, Babies Don't Bite in Daunt Books, excellent new leggings and the blocks from the window. 

Sorry to be a cheesy Johnny-come-lately Instagram user, but it's my favourite now I can't help it!

Sunny Afternoon Drawing

Genesis of a Card

LOCATION: The Studio

TIME: The extremely recent Past

It's my friend Emily's birthday! I'll make her a lovely card. Hmmmm... How about this guy?

But what am I saying here? That he wants to eat her up on her birthday? That's weird, and what's more, irrelevant.

I know! We went to see Being Elmo together! I'll draw puppets saying Happy Birthday!

No, that's rubbish. I know, a superhero - because she's super! URGH. No.

I know! Some mariachi lizards playing on a cactus! Yeah!

Nice chap who sits next to me: "Wouldn't they be getting prickled?"

Does Emily even like lizards, mariachi bands, or cacti??

I KNOW!!

Well of course! The answer was staring me in the face all this time!

TIME: The Present

Does Emily remotely like the Village People? Do I? What is this hand? Where am I?

What's that you ask... Don't I have some actual work I should be doing? 

Gosh, look at the time - must dash!

Maurice Sendak

Very sad news yesterday. Maurice Sendak has influenced my life, professionally and personally, in more ways than I can count or describe. He has been the lodestar for me since I can remember, and I still learn from him all the time. Everything I've learned about illustration, and everything I've come to think mattered about it, started with finding his work.

I feel very sad too, as in March I found out that I'd been awarded the Sendak Fellowship for 2012 along with two other illustrators. We were to have spent a month on Maurice Sendak's property this autumn, workshopping and learning with him. I was more excited than I know how to say.

I saw that one of my fellow Fellows wrote that he's been drawing more since hearing of getting the award - I have too, and with more passion and determination to improve. 

So that is another wonderful gift.

Goodbye, Maurice Sendak - thank you for everything.

Science Dream

I was rubbish at chemistry, sadly. It was always a fog to me, as much as I tried to get it. This brain and eyes is like Roald Dahl's short story, one of my favourites, I think called William and Mary.

I don't know why this fox is wearing safety goggles to read a textbook, but they look cool and scientific.

Smokin'!

I have an Instagram account! I can upload photos when I have wifi again, it's going to be brilliant!