“This wasn't a strange place; it was a new one.”
― Paolo Coehlo
Misnomer madness…
After going to the trouble of transferring the beans to their own jar, (because they were melting in a packet) I completely ruined the label.
A tree is a tree is a tree…
“A book is made from a tree. It is an assemblage of flat, flexible parts (still called "leaves") imprinted with dark pigmented squiggles. One glance at it and you hear the voice of another person, perhaps someone dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, the author is speaking, clearly and silently, inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people, citizens of distant epochs, who never knew one another. Books break the shackles of time ― proof that humans can work magic.“— Carl Sagan
Drawing on newsprint.
Grey with chance of rainbows…
A fine book launch for Laura Dockerill and Lauren Child’s picture book GREY at Battersea Bookshop. A good time was had by all, with impressive words from the authors and even a book reading by the writer.
The hill overlooking London when the sun is out…
Serious lounging and smoking.
Hey, presto…
“Creativity is magic. Don’t examine it too closely.” – Edward Albee
Why don't you go outside?…
Working on the computer constantly reminds me of the importance of working in a real space, with real spacial awareness and real scale. Inhabiting the world of the application one is using can be the kiss of death. How satisfying it is to see the work on the table in front of you, with the edges of the paper in reach and the imperfection of the surfaces in full view.
A constant reminder.
My Dog, Hen shortlisted in V&A Illustration Awards 2024…
My Dog, Hen is shortlisted in the Victoria and Albert Museum Illustration Awards 2024, in the illustration for children category. What a nice surprise.
Scenes from a Fair…
Bologna Book Fair, 2024.
Perseverance Rover: Mars. The Solar System…
The Perseverance rover drawn for a forthcoming book on life on earth and beyond. The initial drawing – in primitive biro – was done from memory in 1g.
I have seen photos of the Perseverance rover before, but was surprised to learn it is the size of a van. I had not seen anything relative for scale next to it until seeing some scientists or engineers standing alongside at the JPL.
On Mars, there’s no way to tell what scale it is. If only there was a tree or a bus stop or something to make it all make sense.
Cave drawing found on Mars.
One of many drawings on paper, thanks to NASA.
The finished drawing. 1:16.