Saturday, March 21, 2009

like some kind of magic

Well, guys, I'm going to shut up shop for a week. I had been hoping to squeeze a cheeky one in(drawing, that is) before leaving for the Bologna Chilren's Book Fair, but that isn't going to happen. In fact I don't think I've drawn since finding out I'd been selected! I'm so excited about this trip. In fact, I feel really excited about things in general right now. It feels like something is happening, I don't know what. Some kind of shift.

My very favourite illustrated children's book is called The Red Tree by Shaun Tan. I've bought so many copies of this book for people (never for a child, though!) over the years. There cannot be another person on this planet who has bought as many copies of this book than me. It's beautiful and perfect. I can't recommend it enough.

Anyway, the reason I'm telling you this because when I was perusing the list of selected illustrators for Bologna 2009, for the millionth time, whose name do you think I found? Yeah. Shaun Tan. Only Shaun Tan. Me and Shaun Tan on the same list. My life is complete.

Some years ago, before I began blogging and drawing daily, I entered a drawing into a competition at the Sheffield Book Festival. You had to draw a character from a children's book. I won the competition, and amongst the prizes was a signed Quentin Blake book. The book is called Angel Pavement and is about a drawing competition! The book ends with this line, that never ever fails to make me feel totally utterly warm and fuzzy inside;

You can't though, can you?

Bye, folks. I'll try and post some photos from Bologna over the next week. And, maybe, I'll draw soon, too. Cheerio, my ducks.

27 comments:

bettyfromtexas said...

I have love children's books always, and when you recommended The Red Tree, I had to buy it. It is perfection! I hope your trip is glorious!!!

F L E E said...

I am very happy for you!
Totally deserving!
CONGRATS!

no way said...

Andrea, this is one of the best blog posts I've read, ever. I am excited to hear about what happens-in Bologna and beyond!

Congrats again! Becky

fredsscratchings said...

Enjoy dear lady. You've earned it.

littlemithi said...

Whoopeee! Have a great time out there Andrea!

bubblemunch said...

Have an amazing time. Big congratulations!

Caroline said...

Good luck in Bologna! Look forward to reading all about it!
Caroline

Amy said...

No, you certainly can't know what comes next. There's a whole universe in the tip of your pencil.

Good luck in Bologna! :)

MILLY said...

Good luck and have a great trip. So excited for you. Eileen x

Stephen Hall said...

How utterly freaky! My favourite Shaun Tan book is The Arrival - picked it up in the bookshop in the National Portrait gallery!!! Well I never ... Have a wonderful time, come back with loads of commissions and enjoy every moment.

Unknown said...

congrats andrea! such an awesome "shift" for you - enjoy!!

Lelia Sorokina said...

Andrea, all I could say - it's fantastic! And it's the magic of drawing!
Keep your colors flying high!

Anonymous said...

indecI wish you the best in Bologna Andrea! You know, I feel the same way too, that something is happening. Talk to you soon.

Anonymous said...

Shaun Tan! What's not to like.
Have a great time in Bologna!

Rick said...

Take a camera - take pictures - post pictures - make us happy.

Rottoland Library said...

Hey, I'm a 'Red Tree Pusher' just like you! Have lost count of the number of people I've given the book to who have screwed up their face when they saw it was a 'children's' book, only to come to me later and tell me how much they'd changed their minds :o)

Even have a freaky Red Tree coincidence story but won't bore you or your lovely readers with that.

Tell Shaun I very unashamedly love him if you meet him.

Unknown said...

Congrats!
Enjoy the fair and Bologna, and if you have time go to Ferrara, my beatiful city!

Emma said...

Have a great time! I'm looking forward to hearing all about it.

Sandy said...

Oh have fun - we will miss you!

Mixing-Katie said...

I haven't read the Red Tree -- will hae to look for it!

Hope the book fair is awesome!

Anonymous said...

Good luck in Bologna! Love the quote, too - so true that you never know where drawing might take you.

suzanne cabrera said...

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY. I'm so happy for you Andrea! Say "hi" to Shaun :)

Anonymous said...

I'm so very excited/happy for you about the festival. I hope you have an awesome trip. And if you want us to be your ducks, your duck i will be.

Sarah Ketelaars said...

enjoy the book fair Andrea!

Andres said...

Enjoy the time & mortadella sandwiches :o)

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Cheers, everybody, for such kind words.

Stephen, that is possibly one of the most mind blowing books I've ever seen. Can you imagine how many hours went into that book? It hurts my head just thinking about it.

Thomas, YES! We did visit Ferrara and it really is a beautiful city.

Cheers Y'all (that's American, that is).

K said...

Sounds like it must have been an awesome trip, Andrea! And very cool about winning that drawing competition (I am not surprised). Love that last line of the book you won, too! :) xo