A Day of Amazingness...

I spent the day in London yesterday at the Association of Illustrator's Children's Book Event, bathing in the glorious creativity of some really wonderful illustrators. On the one hand it was inspiring to be around such gifted people, on the other hand it made me feel a wee bit intimidated and on the other other hand, it gave me much motivation to find a cure for Procrastinitis and get on with producing some really good work.

I met Tony Ross (Little Princes, Horrid Henry) who has illustrated an astonishing 2000 books since 1976; he very kindly signed my copy of The Pet Person and drew me the dawg!

I also met Alex T Smith of Claude fame, who is currently one of my most favourite illustrators and thoroughly nice chap! We chatted about the merits of chihuahuas as we both have a duo and it transpires that the mad behaviour I have experienced with my two is quite normal.

So, back to the drawing board with my next book and onward with the building of the Groovy Studio.

I shall say zees only vunce...

My Mother has joined the French Resistance, as borne by her attire today. The onions might have been artistic license.

Octagenarian she might be, but she can shock a Nazi into submission with a withering look. I know it's Father's day officially, but I'd just like to say Thank Gawd for Mums!

In other news, I'm halfway through drawing out the pages for Wally & Bert, BFF. Now, I will have to do some serious research before I commit myself, but is it BFFs or BFsF? Best Friends Forever or 'Best-Friends-Forever's, as if the three words are turned into one noun? Hmm, any advice greatfully received!

Finally, as my Dad and Harry's Dad are no longer with us, I'd like to say Happy Father's Day to Roger, my 1st Father-in-Law and dear friend.

Wally & Bert

I've started the next book. It's about 2 best friends, Wally and Bert. It's going to be in a different format than Vincent or Fleas, smaller in size but longer in content.

I've done my planning and rearranging and some character studies. Here's a sneaky look.

My scruffy sketchbook.

 My messy table!

Disaster, danger and dear doggies.

Narrowly avoiding COMPLETE disaster, our day has been less than productive. The second of our three days of Diamond Jubilee fayres started with a bit of a breeze and soon became darned windy. Normally that would just be a bit annoying, but as we were on Tarmac and unable to stake our marquee onto ground, things soon took a turn for the worse. A huge gust of wind blew head on into our marquee and flipped it over, twisting the steel legs and ripping the sides.
Thankfully no one was in the way and loads of lovely people rushed over to help us retrieve the marquee and some of our pictures which had blown away. Amazingly, a large framed pic and it's accompanying easel which also made a bid for freedom was undamaged. Having packed away the busted poles and material, we struggled on without shelter, but by about 3pm we decided it was really getting a bit dangerous when the heavy duty Market stand next door nearly took off. I didn't want to be responsible for anyone getting hurt, so we put the rest of our stuff away and headed home.
At least there were two happy little faces eager to see us on return. Dogs are great, aren't they? Bembridge Street Fayre tomorrow, 2-4.30.

My Favourite Cardboard box of the day.

Quite unexpectedly, a new postie brought me a box of Royal Fleas this morning. I really thought that the publisher hadn't sent them to print yet, but what they hadn't done was log it on their computer system. 

This is fabulous news because now I will have plenty for the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

Appley Beachfront on 2/3 May

Bembridge Street Fayre 4 May bank hol Monday.

Other than kissing postmen, I have mostly been prizing Dairylea sandwiches out of Wallydog's mouth today. He has discovered how to get in the compost bin. What a tinker. 

Here's a pic of my favourite cardboard box of the day.

Where the Dickens????

Now I'm nervous! My order for copies of Royal Fleas went in on the 10th May and as yet (8 days later) they have not been printed. Oh cripes, I hope I have copies for the Diamond Jubilee. On a brighter note, I found the best shop in Newport (the Wighty one) in Watchbell Lane. Don't know what it's called but they do dressing up clothes and loads of retro cartoon ephemera. I was in HEAVEN! Dangermouse,Taz, Yogi Bear, Penelope Pitstop, Dastardley and Muttley. It was hard to leave, but at least I managed to get a bald head for Small Fellow to be Voldemort at Halloween. We prepare early in this house.

Tomorrow (19th May) it's Riverfest at Newport Quay from 11. I'll be taking orders for Royal Fleas. TTFN

Royal Fleas is ready!

The proof for Royal Fleas came today while I was out learning about Lemur Conservation! I've ordered copies to take to the Bembridge Street Fayre on the Monday of the Diamond Jubilee weekend. Hopefully Mr Postie won't let me down. See you there!!