Wishing everyone a fabulous, long, Jubilee weekend!
Original Artworks Sale
I’m having a studio Spring clean sale, going live online from June 9th!
There will be a selection of original, signed artworks along with some one-off, slight seconds prints (just a slight crease in the corners from postage!)
If you’re interested, put 9th June in your diary 😊🎨
Wonderful Review from School Library Journal!
MOLLY ON THE MOON
Author: Mary Robinette Kowal
Illustrator: Diana Mayo
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Pages: 40
Price (Hardcover): $18.99
Publication Date: 04/12/2022
ISBN (Hardcover): 9781250259615
PreS-Gr 1–For the child who has ever wondered what it’s like to live on the moon, this lovely science fiction picture book imagines just that. Molly, her mother, and baby brother Luke are all sent to the moon to live in an underground room. They are limited on what they can bring, so Molly and Luke are each allowed only one toy. Molly chooses a stuffed lamb and Luke brings blocks. Molly has a good time creating new toys out of cast offs from other things but when Luke tries to take Molly’s lamb, Molly has to come up with an idea to get her toy back. The message of the story is one of problem-solving and generosity, which works on both the moon and the earth. The artwork is beautifully rendered in mixed media that feels like watercolors splayed across translucent paper, and gives the setting an appropriately ethereal feel. The plot plays with weightlessness, but it’s the author’s note that adds some substance to the setting of the moon, offering some facts about what it would be like to actually live there. VERDICT This is a lovely story with an SEL message and opportunities for maker space activities. –Debbie Tanner
Babayaga arrives on St John's Eve...
I’ve been making pictures about a traditional folktale from Ukraine…here’s another
It tells of St. John’s Eve (Kupala Night , the shortest night of the year) and the only night the fern flower blossoms. (Since no one has ever seen a fern flower, it was rumored that they must bloom at midnight, producing the precious seed).
In this quest for the fern seed, a young man who is too poor to be given his sweetheart’s hand in marriage, is told by an old man the secret of acquiring the fern blossom. After a frightful night in a forest, the young man plucks the red flower and, as it opens, it shines like a flame.
The old man (who turns out to be the devil in disguise) appears with the witch Baba Yaga, who stamps upon the ground, illuminating jewels, gems, and cauldrons filled with gold. But before the witch will allow the young man access to these treasures, he must first give her human blood.
The young man and his beloved do not live happily ever after. The one thing all of the St. John’s Eve fern tales have in common is a “Be careful what you wish for ending, and don’t make a deal with the devil…”
Great Review from Bookpage!
Molly on the Moon
By Mary Robinette Kowal, illustrated by Diana Mayo
Review by Jill Lorenzini
When Molly moves to the moon with her family, she learns a lesson about ingenuity and compassion in this sweet and slightly mysterious picture book.
Life in space means big changes, and when Molly moves to an underground room on the moon along with her mom and her little brother, Luke, there are many new things to discover. Molly uses her imagination to make the most of her family’s limited resources. She creates a fort, a cape and a tea set out of some packing crates, a solar panel cover and a couple of old tin cans. But when Luke wants to play with Molly’s toys, Molly encounters one lesson that’s just as hard to learn on the moon as it is on Earth.
Illustrator Diana Mayo’s art is an intriguing study in contrasts. She envisions the moon as a world that seems both strange and familiar, vast but confined, cozy yet intensely isolated. The deep blue color palette of her mixed media images feels appropriately lunar and a little mysterious. A string of lights draped over Molly’s fort casts a warm glow that tempers the sense of loneliness amid the vacuum of space.
Mayo demonstrates her skill for visual storytelling as she employs a variety of perspectives to create the atmosphere (or lack thereof) of life inside this tiny underground room. As Molly’s mom unpacks early on, two red buttons escape from a sewing box; they can be seen floating in every scene in the book, a clever nod to the moon’s decreased gravitational pull.
Author Mary Robinette Kowal places readers right alongside Molly as the girl puts her powers of invention to good use. Although older readers may interpret Molly’s family’s lunar journey as a metaphor for a myriad of scenarios such as illness, relocation or homelessness, younger readers may ask more practical questions: Why are Molly and her family on the moon? What will they eat on the moon? How will they get back to Earth? An author’s note answers some of these questions but will likely fuel even more.
Molly on the Moon is a sweet reminder that everything is better with a friend—and that a little ingenuity and compassion can lift any situation, regardless of gravity.
see here
Kapala Night - Ukrainian Folktale
I’ve been making pictures about a traditional folktale from Ukraine…
It tells of St. John’s Eve (Kupala Night , the shortest night of the year) and the only night the fern flower blossoms. (Since no one has ever seen a fern flower, it was rumored that they must bloom at midnight, producing the precious seed).
In this quest for the fern seed, a young man who is too poor to be given his sweetheart’s hand in marriage, is told by an old man the secret of acquiring the fern blossom. After a frightful night in a forest, the young man plucks the red flower and, as it opens, it shines like a flame.
The old man (who turns out to be the devil in disguise) appears with the witch Baba Yaga, who stamps upon the ground, illuminating jewels, gems, and cauldrons filled with gold. But before the witch will allow the young man access to these treasures, he must first give her human blood.
The young man and his beloved do not live happily ever after. The one thing all of the St. John’s Eve fern tales have in common is a “Be careful what you wish for ending”
The moral being: if you ever see a fern flower at midnight, best to leave it alone!
Kirkus Review - "Out of this world!"
Mary Robinette Kowal and I received a great review from Kirkus for “Molly on the Moon”! Apparently, it’s “Out of this world!” Published by Roaring Brook press, MacMillan Kids USA
“Mayo’s illustrations are quiet yet exquisite, with expressive characters and many full-bleed spreads that indicate the vastness of space. Almost every shade of blue is included, from periwinkle to indigo, and the tiny twinkling lights in the module seem to glow on the page.”
You can read the full review here
Earth Day
It’s #EarthDay. The day we celebrate and demonstrate protecting our planet and all its wonders from things like pollution, deforestation and other serious environmental problems.
Ferns have been living on our planet since before the dinosaurs, unfurling with hope ever since.
I planted some in my garden last week, injecting a little local positivity and as a reminder of all things earthly.
"Molly on the Moon" Launches Today!
Happy Book Birthday to “Molly”! Congratulations to Mary Robinette-Kowal for writing such a sweet, knowledgeable, science fiction story about sharing. On the moon! Published today by the lovely team at Roaring Brook Press, MacMillan US with support as always from my agent Artist Partners.
”A big sister finds that even in a place as lonely as the moon, all you need is a little creativity—and someone to play with—in Molly on the Moon, the debut picture book from award winning sci fi author Mary Robinette Kowal, and illustrator Diana Mayo.”
Chelmsford Map 2022
This up to date, 2022 map, of all venues creative in Chelmsford Essex, is the third reincarnation of my original Chelmsford Map, made around 12 years ago! Can you spot what’s new?!
A2 and A3 signed, limited edition, Giclee prints are available in my shop, via the menu above.
Mannequin: Art Trail, Chelmsford
The "MANNEQUIN: Art Trail" starts next Thursday 3rd March - here's preview of the decorated mannequin bust which I am showing as part of it.
Details below:
The Art Creatives and Original Creative Work are proud to present MANNEQUIN: Art Trail. This exciting event runs from the 3rd to the 17th March 2022 and is kindly sponsored by Chelmsford For You. The trail showcases the work of 12 outstanding local artists, each commissioned to design a unique mannequin and displayed in Chelmsford city centre's windows. Trail maps are available to purchase from The Art Place (Unit 7, The Meadows Shopping Centre) and The Art Place Pop-Up (1 High Chelmer Shopping Centre) for £3. All proceeds in aid of the Ideas Hub Chelmsford. Correct and completed trail maps will be entered into a draw to win a £50 gift voucher.
With @originalcreativework @theartplacechelmsford @theartplace_popup @ideashubch @chelmsfordforyou @essexyouthservice
First copy of "Molly on the Moon"!
It’s always thrilling to see my work in the actual book form!
So it is receiving my first copy of “Molly on the Moon” - written by Mary Robinette Kowal and publishing with Roaring Brook Press at Macmillan US on April 12th . It looks great!
We’ve also just received this great review from Publishers Weekly
Interview with Kids' Book Review
I was recently interviewed by German-born Katrin Dreiling, now living in Australia, via Instagram. The power of the internet!
She asked somebintersting questions about my life as an illustrator and you can read the results, here .
Thanks Katrin!
Orlando
I created a book jacket for Viginia Woolf’s “Orlando” - An inspiring, if challenging, book group read!
Just Imagine Podcast
I recently caught up with my friend Nikki Gamble for her fabulous “Just Imagine” Podcast.
We talked about the process for making my illustrations for Tony Mitton’s Snow Ghost, published by Bloomsbury.
You can listen here or via your usual podcast platform.
Wishing You a Happy and Healthy New Year!
It’s been quite a tumultuous year, probably for most of us, so here’s to looking forward with positivity, mindfulness and creativity!
Chicken and Frog Bookshop Window Decoration
The delightful Chicken and Frog Bookshop invited me to bring a little Snow Ghost magic to their window - such a glorious sunny day for painting snow! Thanks to Natasha, Rosa and Dave for making me feel so welcome. Lots of great books to read and things to see in the shop in Brentwood, Essex. I’m sure she’ll be very happy there this Winter!
Snow Ghost - written by Tony Mitton, published by Bloomsbury, available from all good book shops and online.
Folktale Week
I’ve just completed making images for @folktaleweek, over on Instagram. Phew! What a week busy creating images based on African folktales, trying out new compositions, colours and subject matter, as well as finding so much fantastic artwork from lots of new illustrators. Very inspiring!
Here’s one of my favourite images based on the traditional African story, “Why the Sun and Moon Live in the Sky”. You can see the other six images in my portfolio.
Alice in Wonderland
I’ve been enjoying creating some illustrations for the classic Lewis Carroll story “Alice in Wonderland” of late. I’m hoping to add some more characters soon…
Snow Ghost Paperback
Snow Ghost is out in paperback! Written by Tony Mitton, published by Bloomsbury Publishing, it’s a
“timeless story of hope and belonging, perfect for sharing with loved ones this winter.”
“Unique and Magical” - Storytime Magazine
