Snow Ghost is out today - Happy book birthday to Tony Mitton and Bloomsbury Publishing!
“Snow Ghost came whispering out of the air,
Oh, for a home to be happy – but where?"
“A timeless story of hope and belonging, perfect for sharing with loved ones this winter.”
With many thanks to Artist Partners and all the team at Bloomsbury.
It is with great pleasure that I can now share the cover of my new book, Snow Ghost, publishing on 1st October! Written by the fabulous Tony Mitten, published by Bloomsbury and represented by Artist Partners
“A timeless story of hope and belonging, perfect for sharing with loved ones this winter.”
“The most heartwarming picture book of the year.”
I’m happy to be able to reveal the cover of “The End is Just the Beginning”, written by Mike Bender, published by PenguinRandomHouse, being represented by Christine Isteed at Artist Partners and illustrated by me!
“The book is about teaching children to embrace the transitions and endings in life because they really are just beginnings full of promise. We are all living through a massive transition right now and the message couldn’t be more relevant.” Mike Bender.
Publishing in April 2021
Illustrated ceramic coil pot, depicting my two kittens whilst in quarantined in our garden till they’re old enough to roam free.
The good folk at Colchester Makerspace kindly sent a ball of clay during lockdown when unable to get to the space with instructions on how to make a coil pot. This was my first attempt at this process, usually preferring to throw clay on a wheel. It created quite a hand-built, chunky appearing shape, but I’m still reasonably happy with the decoration hiding all the imperfections!
I visited the newly re-opened Colchester Makerspace to collect this glaze-fired illustrated ceramic pot today.
I quite like it!
Sunset tree and night tree
I threw this porcelain pot way back in November at the fabulous Makerspace in Colchester, but ran out of time to complete it before Christmas!
So, it’s been fortunate that I had something to decorate during this time of staying at home and have enjoyed trying out a new Duncan EZ Strokes underglaze.
I’ve included the things that have made this family time notable for us and will now look forward to the time I can bisque fire and glaze fire back at the Makerspace…
Thinking how much we should appreciate our precious Earth and all it gives us, more than ever right now.
I’ve created a book mark for the #bookmarkproject an annual charity auction of author, illustrator and celebrity bookmarks that raises money for Katiyo Primary School in Zimbabwe. The auction opens in May and you can keep up to date with details over on Twitter here.
I’m currently feeling very fortunate to have continuing illustration work during this current pandemic crisis. But I’m still very conscious of everything going on in the outside world whilst in the UK’s lockdown. I’m sure it’s making many of us more contemplative about all that’s positive in our own worlds.
This image I created a while ago seems particularly apt right now.
Social Distancing
I’m finally seeing the light after what seems like a long, dark stormy winter and as I approach completing my next exciting picture book. It feels a good, sunny day!
Signed, limited edition “Transition” Giclee prints are available from my SHOP.
I’ve been buried under a pile of paintings for the last few months, but have finally finished the artwork for the first of a few children’s picture books I have on the go. Hurrah! It feels such a relief!
I can’t share anything yet, so here’s a serene picture of me pretending to work by the clever Polly Alderton. Wish it really looked that calm at my desk!
Meanwhile, onto the next book…
I am selling high-quality Giclee prints of some of my work throughout December with a 20% discount.
Follow this link to order yours in time for Christmas! PRINT SALE
I answered some questions about my creative practise as part of being November’s Maker of the Month at the Colchester Makerspace. You can read my answers over on the Colchester Makerspace Blog if you fancy!
Photograph by Polly Alderton
I’ve been invited to be the Maker of the Month for November in the lovely Cafe Saison over at Colchester Makerspace
Along with some delicious breakfast and lunch, you can browse and purchase some of my prints and ceramics!
I’m pleased to have an image in the Chelmsford Window Gallery calendar!
You can help support the Window Gallery, Chelmsford, by buying their 2020 Calendar. Price includes delivery within the UK and all orders will be posted first class by December 10th. Available for pre-order at www.windowgallery.org
The Window Gallery doesn’t believe artists should have to pay to display their work so they do not charge artists to display their work or charge them commission on sales. This helps to keep the gallery ‘artist friendly’ and accessible to all.
Each artist whose work appears on the pages will receive 2% from each calendar sold. All other profits help cover gallery costs including administration, maintenance, improvements and promotion. The calendar features stunning images by Carol Chesher, Keith Bird, Katie Osborne, Keith Bird, Lo-fi Guy, Magnolia Lily Prints, Martin Bagshaw, Pearl Of Thunder, Puddle Paints, Samantha Reilly and Tony Maskell.
Detail of Diana Mayo’s calendar page
Once upon a time a woman came to live in Lily Close, Chelmsford, with her young family. She had a baby daughter who she took for walks in her pram, exploring the surrounding neighbourhood without the aid of GPS.
Little did she know that the “Flower” roads she lived amongst were a labyrinth of short cuts, bunny walks, circular roads and mazes until she became completely lost, unable to find her way back to Lily Close!
Another time, her daughter dropped her favourite teddybear amongst the Flowers, taking hours to find it before finding the way back home…
To this day visitors continue to tell tales of getting lost in the Flowers…
So, it's the last opportunity to see the fabulous Just Imagine Illustrators Groups' illustration work at Chelmsford Museum this weekend!
Prints and artwork have been selling really well, but there's still time to purchase some of the beautiful images before the show comes down on Monday. Don't miss out!
You can still see the Just Imagine Illustrators Group exhibition for the next 2 weeks of the Summer at the newly refurbished Chelmsford Museum. Illustrations and prints are selling well so make sure you don’t miss out before the show comes down at the beginning of September!
This “Chelmsford” map print is available at A2 or A3 size and it even helps you find the museum!
Here’s the lovely updated Museum illustrated again along with some of the bees that live there…
(Children from Class 1B at The Tyrrells’ School helped me make the picture, too).
