Exhibition- 'Tales from a pea green boat'... coming April 2012

Sarah Dennis, Jennifer Pitchers and I are having an Exhibition next year April 2012 at Le Garage, 115 Dulwich Rd. It is going to be an exciting show celebrating Edward Lear's 100th anniversary. Here is the 1st painting for the show. I am not going to post up anymore... you'll have to wait and come see!!

Paper Horse Commission

I have just finished a lovely commission for Severine based in France.
It is for her 40th birthday present.
Original gouache on 480gsm Watercolor bockingford

Xmas Decorations

I spent my w-e being a total kid. The salt dough, silver paint, glue, scissors and buttons where out in full force. I have made a LOT of Xmas decorations for the tree... we are going to need a big one.

.... ropped Bassy in too...

First copies of EWhite have arrived!

To my delight as I handed over that annoying slip of red card, telling you that you have missed the post, I opened up my 'too large' package and lots of lovely copies of Elephant White were inside. I sat on the post office floor and read the book twice...I feel really proud, strange illustration emotion. Many concerning looks from fellow red card persons as I was in my bike helmet, reading a picture book on a soggy floor!

'Claude' Moc up Spread..

Lovely Moo Buisness Cards

Call me old fashioned, as there is probably not so much need for business cards with the whole online presence thing taking over but I still love to hold a little card in my hand with a tiny illustration on. It brings me joy...

Alfie Hop character samples....

I had a meeting on Wednesday with Andersen Press about a follow on book from my first picture book Annie Hoot. The story still needs a lot of work, so we will see where it goes. But I just thought I would share with you the color character samples all the same.

For the love of Goat

Original gouache on watercolor paper (commission):

Yarn @ The Nursery

Sarah Dennis and I embraced the impromptu challenge of working with a group of very talented actors on Friday night at the Nursery. We worked on easels along side the actors producing live illustrators from words thrown out by the audience. After the interval classical band, The Waverley Keys performed 5 songs. Sarah and I took to the stage again producing live illustrations along to 3 of their tunes. Titles for the songs were formed from our drawings. The evening was Mad, Exciting, innovative.... and we are defiantly going to do more! I'll keep you posted for the next Yarn event.

@ The Papered Parlour open Studio weekend...

... It was a huge amount of fun down at The Papered Parlour open studios event. Thanks to everyone who came down to show their support and especially to those who purchased a card or a print. Cake was consumed, tea round the clock and Bassy Fox (my boy) strummed and sang lovely lyrical tunes in the afternoons...

Elephant White -out on 1st January 2012

The book is coming out at the start of next year, but here is a link for anyone keen to order in advance -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elephant-White-Will-Brenton/dp/1848775903

Join us back @ Light Industrial Theatre, Arch 61, Ewer Street, SE1 0NR for 7.30pm doors, Friday 21st October 2011.

Sarah Dennis (Freelance Illustrator) and I are going to be doing some live improvisation illustrations at the above location this Friday pop down if your in the smoke...

Papered Parlour Open Studios 22nd-23rd October 11am-5pm

I've got a wee stall at the open studio event being held at The Papered Parlour, No. 7 Prescott Place, just off Clapham High street. The studios are amazing! There will be music, cakes lots of stalls and studios to peep at. Come down if you are in the area. I will be selling cards and prints and things.

Origami Knight

Just a little painting....

...Claude 4....

So he looked a little too old... so I think this one is a balance between the 2... I hope!

Latest Claude.....

.... and so the development of Claude continues. I'm not sure about the glasses but the publshing company felt he need to look a bit older...

Claude

I am starting on 'Claude', written by Will Brenton. Published by Egmont ltd.
Here is a the start of developing Claude. He will most likely change considerably. I will try and post the development process as it is interesting to see how long it takes to get a leading character just right.

Tate Modern

I was in the Tate Modern yesterday and stumbled across this in the Tate Modern Shop. It is the 2nd book I did way back when called, 'How to be a Ballerina'. Published by Carlton Ltd. Written by Harriet Castor Jeffers. Annie Hoot was also in there but I only got a phone snap of this one. I spent a couple of hours in the Tate going around the collections. Spent 45 mins of that sitting on the floor of the shop in the kids book section. It is these moments that reassure how passionate I truly am about children picture books.

Commission

First painting in the new studio. This is an original for someone's birthday coming up very soon. It has got me excited to produce some more original artwork and leave out the computer all together. No more hiding behind photoshops many gifts.

London -Herne Hill, Clapham North

I have moved back to the big smoke and into a new studio in Clapham Common.
I am now part of 'Studio Strike' a collective of South London artists. There are a lot of great things going on. I will let you know when there are open studio's and events coming up if you are in the area.

www.facebook.com/studioSTRIKE

The Big Birthday

written by Kate Hosford
Illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown
Published by Lerner Publishing ltd.

I have just finished the 2nd in the series of books for US publishers Lerner ltd. It follows on from the first book The Big Bouffant and is another tall tale about Annabelle. It should be out and about some time next year.

Here is a peek at the inside artowrk;

Greenpeace @ Glastonbury

I took on the massive project of illustrating a cornered wall in the Greenpeace fields this year. They were each roughly 25 m long about 2.5m high. My theme was 'Sustainable Fishing'. Unfortunately I have lost the lead for my camera so these are not the best shots. I had a great crew of girls working me, Jo, Kym, Chloe and Bex. It was the biggest challenge to date of my career and took 2 and a half weeks to paint come rain, shine or storm it was painted under a make shift shelter from morning to night fall.

Red House Children's Book Awards 2011

Two weeks ago I attended the Red House Children's Book awards crememony. I was shortlisted to the top x4 books of the 2010 list for picture books for my first book, 'Annie Hoot and the knitting extravaganza'. It was a really GREAT day and many thanks to all who voted for me!

Elephant White Final Artwork

So I have just sent off all the artwork for Elephant White and they have been sent of for proofing. Here is a sneak preview of what is in store for the book. It should be on the shelves and available online by Christmas time, maybe before. I'll keep you posted. I have loved working on this book!!

Fishing at dawn

Fishing