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June update

I received the print of “Hell is empty and all the devils are here” from @smithsonprints over the weekend (the quality of the print is amazing). Now proudly framed and ready to be displayed in the Wyvern theatre as part of the Swindon Arts Fringe 15th-28th June.

So I’m now beavering away with some other jobs. Quite a bit of news on that front. I have joined @indiechildrensauthornetwork where I’ve already had the chance to network with some great creative people and have learnt from some extremely useful advice. I also attended the Arts, Culture and Heritage consultation for Swindon 2029 City of Culture bid, another great change to network and hear about some very exciting plans.

I’ve completed the illustrations for ‘Nelly’s big adventure’ with the author Lou Chambers which will hopefully be published soon. The author Nick Morrice and I have begun work on our 7th book together and I’ve been commissioned to create a storyboard for the second book featuring ‘Boongsi the Penguin’

I’ve also begun a huge personal storytelling/writing project (knee deep in research for it so more news on that later!)

#Illustration #sculpture #ipad #procreate #shakespeare #caliban #prospero #thetempest #theatre #wyvern #swindon #creative #sWINdon2029 #giclee #print #theatre #staged #devils #network #business #childrensbookillustrator #picturebookillustrator #childrensbookauthor #selfpublishingauthor #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #bookillustration #illustratorforhire #artistforhire #authorcommunity #childrenspublishing #indieauthor #picturebookartist #storybookillustration #creativepartner #creativecollaboration #authorsupport #childrensbooks #publishingjourney #illustrationservices

@sheryllkfox_art

@swindonartsfringe

@artsite.ltd

https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk
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“… all the devils are here”

Meant to post this last week but forgot to press ‘publish’! (can’t get the staff!)

I thought I’d ‘finished’ my illustration inspired by “The Tempest” but I felt it had ‘something’ missing (as well as a proper title). Then I remembered the immortal line delivered by Ariel “Hell is empty and all the devils are here” – and so they came!

There’s a total of 11 devils to be found in the picture, all inspired by 16th century depictions of demons, the ‘Wave devils’ and the ‘Boat chewing devil’ are probably my favourites.

As the image was painted digitally (the video only shows the first 40% of the illustration process – you’ll have to come and see it at the Wyvern Theatre for the finished article) It’s getting printed in its full A2 size by the fabulous. This will be the only one of its kind (although there will be a very limited smaller image size print run for @swindonopenstudios in September)

#Illustration #sculpture #ipad #procreate #shakespeare #caliban #prospero #thetempest #theatre #wyvern #swindon #creative #sWINdon2029 #giclee #print #theatre #staged #16century #demons #devils

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Tempestuous Nonsense!

I’ve been planning my #swindonartsfringe creations this week. 

For the ‘Silly Little Nonsense’ theme I’m making a sculpture inspired by ‘The Golden Cavalier’ from St Mary’s Church, Lydiard Park – Introducing ‘The Golden Bustard’! I’ll be making a 3D Great Bustard based on the characters I’ve created for @greatbustardgroup hopefully raising a bit more awareness of this amazing project and Swindon’s place in Wiltshire (and the chance to have a bit of fun creating it!)

My second piece is an illustration of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” for the ‘Staged’ theme – this is going to be A2 size and in the Wyvern theatre, Swindon. I love the magical, ethereal elements in the play with some wonderful comedic scenes in it too. Caliban’s speech cursing Prospero (just before being ‘discovered’ by Trinculo and Stefano) being one bit of Shakespeare can I always remember – having performed it a few times in the past. 

@dollyandjane

@sheryllkfox_art

@swindonartsfringe

@artsite.ltd

@greatbustardgroup

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Spring update

I’ve had a busy few weeks with a couple of deadlines (successfully met of course!) During the last week I’ve had some great news that I’ve had a couple of proposals accepted for @SwindonArtsFringe, thanks to Ali Stump @dollyandjane and Sheryll Fox @sheryllkfox_art. I’ll be sharing progress on these projects ready for submitting my #staged and #sillylittlenonsense artwork.

In other news I’ve visited ‘Pheasant Foot Farm’ in Somerset with the view to working together on a story project. It’s a magical place full of stunning stories and sculptures (by artist Martin Galbavy at Dorset Forge and Fabrication) stories. One of the sculptures, “The Hauntings” has spent the last few years touring and has recently spent a few months at the Menin gate in Ypres.

#illustration #swindonculturecollective #swindonartsfringe #art #creativity #swindonculturecollective #SWAF #indieillustrators #selfpublishedchildrensbooks #authorillustratorcollective #icancommunity

The Hauntings

https://www.swindonartsfringe.co.uk

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A week to go!

Just a week to go until Niki Naki Noo’s crowdfunding ‘Kickstarter’ closes. If we don’t reach our goal, we won’t be able to publish, it’s all getting a little nervy here! To relieve and tension Niki Naki Noo’s gone fishing for the day with his giant otter friend.

If we do reach our goal (and to celebrate Swindon being long-listed for the UK city of culture 2029) we will donate a free copy to every primary school in the Swindon education authority – All 66 (and growing!) Alex will even hand deliver some!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/955424415/niki-naki-noo-goes-to-school?ref=user_menu

#swindon #culture #primaryschools #education #creativity #kickstarter #illustration #childrensbooks #publishing #crowdfunding

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Current project

I’m currently sketching out a storyboard for one of my commissions and having fun putting in a few nods to my younger days with @chrisgpackham2 as the ‘Animal rescue man’ (it was close between him and Terry Nutkins) – The postman = my homage to Pat and Fireman Sam turns up later too.

#illustration #wildlife #chrispackham #springwatch #postmanpat #firemansam

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Portfolio

I had a portfolio consultation with @Figtaylor for the Association of Illustrators @theaoi on Monday which I found inspiring. The feedback I got was incredibly helpful and constructive, it’s given me  a clear focus on the path I want to follow and a few ideas on how to improve my portfolio – I’ve already started work on refining and streamlining my website.

I’m looking forward to sharing some of the work in progress soon…

#illustrator #theAOI #portfolio #art #creativity

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Stranger Things

I’ve been a latecomer to the Netflix series #strangerthings – One of the benefits of having such a cool daughter with great taste (the fact she likes it gives me a reason to join in). I’ve been enjoying the characters and the creative storylines. Having grown up playing RPG (#Runequest) with friends, it’s great seeing the geeks as the heroes, makes me feel (almost) cool.

It’s always interesting seeing a villain with little in the way of redeeming features, hellbent on their greatness, how easy it is to see parallels in the real world. I don’t often create such characters – I suppose the closest is this little fellow here, in an unashamed parody of #vecna

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Niki Naki Noo (two!)

Following on from our first book, Niki Naki Noo, Book 2 is in process….and it’s

’Niki Naki Noo Goes to School’ 

Richard and I will launch a Kickstarter campaign shortly, the book is already written and edited…

If you’d like to support the illustration and publishing process (and receive exclusive rewards in the process), the link below will take you to the Kickstarter site and you can select to be notified of the official launch in a few days time. 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/955424415/niki-naki-noo-goes-to-school

#illustration #childrensbooks #kickstarter #crowdfunding #nationalyearofreading #independentpublishers

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Cuddly Trains

I’ve been lucky to have seen the prototype of the cuddly train I designed the images on for @steammuseum this week, the ‘rolling stock’ is due to arrive later this year. 
I occasionally work at the museum with school groups (that’s me training up some ‘Navvies’ to work on Brunel’s Great Western Railway).

During my time as a teacher, it was a great privilege to work with so many bright, inquisitive minds and sparkling personalities. The sessions I lead at Steam are great at getting me away from my desk and engaging with people, I’d really worry about turning into a hermit, tied to my work, otherwise!

This half term there is a ‘Signs of Spring’ hunt at Lydiard Park with some illustrations of mine on the checklist that’s available – it’s all part of the @festivaloftomorrow series of events happening around Swindon now (art exhibitions etc. check out what’s on, on their profile)