I'm in a reflective mood and wanted to share a post about work, creativity and insecurity. I love drawing in sketchbooks and normally it comes naturally, but at the beginning of the year I couldn't pick up a pencil because everything I drew looked absolutely awful. I hadn't particularly considered "style" before, but it became an ever present doubt. My thoughts circled like this:  Does this look like my work? Am I allowed to draw dot eyes? Will people recognise my artwork? Does it matter if they do?  Last year I inherited a folder full of scrap paper from a friend leaving the studio, and decided to collage some Christmas cards for my friends and family. I started cutting and sticking and it felt so liberating. I began to treat collage as a kind of improvised art therapy, thinking of it as my "creative playtime". Through paper cut I actively considered things I had previously overlooked, I focused more on colour, shape and composition. It's been a...

Recently I've been exploring new visual ideas and I loved drawing these birds. It's been great pushing how I create and think this busier style of illustration may be an exciting path to follow... We shall see!

I was saddened to hear the news that Michael Bond passed away a few days ago. Paddington Bear has always been a favourite of mine (along with many others!). It's a timeless classic and a really wonderful children's book. 🐻

I've been wanting to work on some entirely digital illustrations for a while, so I was quite pleased when I finally found the time to do so this week! I ended up drawing these animal and dino scenes. It was so refreshing to push myself artistically - and really focus on colour and texture. It also felt oddly appropriate to label everything (perhaps it's just a phase?!) Anyway, here they are:

I've always fancied illustrating the Jungle Book, so I did. 🤓🐍🐻🐅🌴📕 It was great working with a slightly 'wackier' colour palette - mixing bluey purples, hot pinks and zingy greens. Anyway, here are a few illustrations and a speculative cover. Enjoy!

Because this marsupial means business. A Day In The Life Of Business Koala: The commute The coffee The calls The number crunching The filing Lunch The presentations The meetings The research The second coffee The big decisions The printer error Home time Bed time Repeat.

I re-read Peter Pan a little while ago and decided to draw a few things Neverland, just for fun. Anyway, this is what I came up with!

:-)

Hello all, 2015 is proving to be a busy year. Hopefully I'll soon be able to show you what I've been up to. In the meantime, here's a couple of recent artworks. Just some creative play!

 After a rocky start to the year (with a very poorly Dad in hospital) I've realised my escape is the studio. It's a place where I can be happy and creative - and being there just cheers me up! So here's a little homage to my happy place...

Much love for the terrible puns!

So it's the Bologna time of year again. Unfortunately I'm not going to the Children's Book Fair this year, but no fear - my work is! I designed this promotional poster to go along to Bologna with my lovely agents.  I hope they find nice new homes, mine's already up in the studio. ;-)

I've been drawing a few woodland characters recently.  Also have a huge loving for the purple-yellow combo!

Hi all, just a quick post with a few miscellaneous artworks.  I have a cheeky chameleon and some Valentine's day designs just for you. Better late than never, right?