desk, floor

Maybe I've been a little bit too relaxed the last couple of months...suddenly it is almost September, my deadline month!! It's time to become a hermit and resist all temptation to see friends, spend the afternoon watching films or have a little snooze on the sofa.

I've got to illustrate 28 spreads for my second book for Lion Hudson. I'm about half way through...got to do a bit more before I'm off to Pembrokeshire for a 4-day break next week. I shouldn't really be taking time off at this crucial stage, but I work better under pressure. I say this now but I'll be crying and stressing and cursing and panicking in a couple of weeks.

Blue

The last week gallery opening soon!

I spent most of today trying to finish off the pictures for The last week gallery.

It's been lots of fun, making pictures all over the walls, spreading onto the ceiling...it's hard to know when to stop! I'm not used to so much white space as I usually tend to fill up whole spreads with lots of colour, but on a canvas this size with the time that I had, it was impossible! Maybe it's good to have a little breathing space sometimes.

The private view is this Saturday 15th August 6:30-9:30pm, Flat 61, Cotall Street, London E14 6JX

It's a group show, so there will be a whole variety of works, each artist responding differently to the space, which is a squatted flat currently in the process of eviction.

Come say hello before it's all gone...!

work in progress...

I'm working on a second picture book for Lion Hudson. It's a lot of pages!

When I work on picture books, my floor space gradually disappears, and I have to hop over works to make my escape. I usually work on all the spreads at the same time, so I like to be able to see everything in one go. This helps me make decisions about colours and compositions.

It's going to be a busy couple of months ahead!!

The last week gallery

I have been working on an unusual project, making pictures for The last week gallery. I've always worked from home since graduating from college many years ago, so it is strange taking my studio out and working in an environment very different to what I am used to. What do I take with me? What will I make?

My canvas is huge! I've never made pictures on walls before. It is liberating and fun and much more physical than working on a desk. It takes much longer to make the images, and I have to stretch and crouch and sit down on the floor. I have to work quickly before the sun sets.

All the work will be destroyed once the demolition of the flats begin, but nevertheless, I am just enjoying the whole experience of doing something very different to my usual work :)

super girly

So here are a couple of the birthday cards I have just finished for James Ellis Stevens. There are 4 in total. All very girly and pink...

The Christmas cards I worked on last year are now available here. I know I know, it's still supposedly summer, but Christmas will be here before you know it!! Scary isn't it.