Recently, I have been working on my “Worry-bear” series of stories. Having researched reactions to previous illustrations for the stories, I felt the pictures needed to be looser and fresher.

First drafts:

I have a list of commissions awaiting my attention – mostly portraits. Attended to one, this weekend. This is “Young Charlotte”.

My latest project has been to illustrate a story featuring a misunderstood monster. I decided upon the story of “The Iron Woman”, by Ted Hughes. Although she appears to be wrathful and vicious, she only wants to halt the processes which are destroying habitats on earth – a timely reminder, as we think of the plastics and other toxins pumped into the natural environment on a daily basis.

 

After two years of study and research for my Masters degree in Fine Art, Thursday 7th September saw the opening of the course Art Show. Lovely to see everyone’s work and to meet so many enthusiastic people.

My area of interest has been identity, the different “selves” we adopt in life and the major formative life events we experience.

As a child, I tended to block out unsettling things in my surroundings by immersing myself in books and comics. Using the imagery of children’s comics, I depicted key traumatic events from my past.

I have been asked to explain the “writing” in my work. This is an alphabet, created during my school days, to allow me to communicate with my closest friends in a way that prevented our secret notes being read by others. I felt it appropriate to use this writing to re-tell stories to which only a few trusted allies were previously privy.

”Cold Bath Street” goes from strength to strength. The next venture is an audio-book, voiced by the charismatic Christopher Eccleston. Here’s a glimpse of a work in progress.

I have begun a series of works based upon the effects of trauma, during the formative periods of childhood.

Domestic Violence

The lovely people at Forbidden Planet Megastore, London, made us so welcome recently, when we signed books and immersed ourselves in all things fantasy-based. (Photo by Jess Rose.)

A wonderful evening was organised by UCLan Publishing last night, to celebrate the success of “Cold Bath Street”, at The Gherkin. This little book has done remarkably well, in a really short space of time. This time last year, we were busy creating the book and now, here it is – all grown up!

During July, I’m joining A J Hartley, as he signs books around the country. He writes pertinent messages and I use my own “spooky eye” stamp with my autograph.

The BBC recently produced a feature on “Cold Bath Street” for their “Northwest Tonight” programme. Reporter, Ian Haslam, interviewed author, A J Hartley, who has travelled over from America, staff from Waterstones booksellers  – oh, yes – and the illustrator!