I’ve not posted for quite some time, being extremely busy with a special project – namely, “Written Stone Lane”, the spooky sequel to “Cold Bath Street”. This chilling story will be released on Hallowe’en, 2019. Here’s the wonderful cover – not by me, I hasten to add – I’m working on all the interior illustrations.

I have begun work on the illustrations for the sequel to “Cold Bath Street” by author, A J Hartley and the strain of keeping so much under wraps may well make my head explode (other body parts are also possible). Darker and “sinister-er”, I’m finding it so exciting to have licence to go full-on murky! Here’s a taster.

Some new ideas for the Worry-bear book.

Lots of research recently, with some lovely Key Stage 2 children from local schools.  They’ve been helping me create new characters for my Worry-bear stories. Having established that certain favourites – Hagrid, Violet Incredible, Loki etc – were unavailable for this project, we eventually produced some interesting proto-types.

Ongoing re-imagining of Worry-bear’s story.

Our little book goes from strength to strength.

I am very excited to announce that “Cold Bath Street” by A J Hartley, illustrated by me, has been nominated for the prestigious Carnegie Award. Books on this list are chosen by librarians, the people who get to see just how well books are received by the choosiest of readers – the children and young adults. Fingers crossed!

http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/press.php?release=pres_2019_nominations_carnegie.html

Today, I’ve been exploring a more atmospheric delivery of the “Worry-bear” story illustrations. This is a start. Probably a bit dark for a middle-grade book so now need to expriment with different ways of adding colour.

Spent much of today exploring different ways of portraying Alex for the “Worry-bear” book series. No matter how many different art materials I play with, I always enjoy good old pencil and paper!

Friday, October 19th, saw the official launch of the special, limited edition, version of “Cold Bath Street”, at the University of Central Lancashire, home of UCLan Publishing. Only 1000 copies produced, each with a bookplate signed by author and illustrator.

In the St Peter’s Arts Centre of the university, author AJ Hartley discussed the book in an online Skype interview. As illustrator, I was delighted to be asked to sign copies of this lovely book and produce a little doodle for each reader.

Paranormal investigators, Deadlive, demonstrated the tools of the trade they use in their operations and answered questions, in the deeply atmospheric church building.

 

Now we are all eagerly anticipating the publication of the sequel to this mysterious tale.