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!

You Clown

Strong Lady

Photograph from The Circus. 1870s-1950s, published by Taschen, found on this Tumblr.

         

Let's wrestle!

Updated a from a birthday card I made last year.

Squeeze me slowly

I've been drawing some anteaters today - what sweet chaps they are. This guy's having rum and raisin I expect, as it might look a bit like ants in ice cream.