Bologna Children's Bookfair

I just returned today from Italy... and I am jetlagged, so jetlagged I took the wrong luggage home and gave a poor Finnish tourist a bad start to their journey.

However, Italy and Bologna were simply amazing! The food, the town, and the busiest week of my life at the fair. Back to back meetings, followed by dinners and work work work - it went by in a sleepless blur, but I was so lucky to be there. Here are a few schnaps from the amazing week!

Picnic Guests, A Doodle

Illustration Friday - Layer

Stinky Old Armchair

I have been starting many many books recently... and am beginning to realise how writing children's books is far harder than I thought (which differs from the opinion of Martin Amis, who's books I have always loved, and who recently said "'If I had a serious brain injury I might well write a children's book"). Hmmm....


So anyway, one of these tales I have begun is about an old man and his beloved couch. His grandson thinks the armchair is ugly, and organises a brand spanking new armchair to replace it.


Something ridiculous like this...


Anyway, the old man is not impressed and drags his old chair back out. The boy is told stories about the chair and the things it has seen and as he begins to fall asleep in its comfortable creases he appreciates everything about it...

The story is not quite there but it is great fun beginning a tale with no real structure and just drawing away, playing with textures and image/illo mixes.... and appreciating those amazing writers who can put together a beautiful tale for kids with an economy of words, every line so important and as colourful as the images that go with it.

Illustration Friday - Dusty

I got a lovvvvvely new computer this week, and it is fun to play in photoshop without it taking ages or crashing! When I think dusty I think windy-sand, which is what I grew up in in West Australia. I didn't have a pet camel but I felt like I was blowing away in the wind sometimes with the dust...

Perfect Mugs

Amazing mug shots of Australian criminals from the 1920's... Found via Matt via the Frenchy website here.

Illustration Friday - Resolutions

Well, well, well, another year over... a new one just begun.

I've been a bit slack on posting, drawings and everything else creative the last few months, due to a change in work, with more hours and being exhausted from learning again - but it has been great. And after a few days break, I'm feeling revived and ready to face the new year.

For this week's post I've thought about my collection of art-related resolutions, such as spending more time and money on art (not feeling guilty about buying supplies and different memberships, that sort of thing, getting more time in nature (a long term plan - but going to make it happen this year! Good fodder for creative inspiration) and finally, of course, to make more art. Back on track.