the most marvelous Roald Dahl

It has been brought to my attention that we are approaching what would have been Roald Dahl's 100th birthday.

 Yes, today I (and I'm guessing lots of other people in the UK) have been watching, and voting on, Roald Dahl's Most Marvellous Book; a programme that has taken a look back at all of his greats

Well, ten of them. Ten of his children's books that is, as, of course he also wrote for adults (we all remember Tales of the Unexpected, right?).

Not only has the programme reminded me as to what an amazingly ridiculously phizz-whizzingly whoopsy-whiffling genius he was, but it also reminded me of these drawings I made a few years ago.

I made twelve drawings that were used as backdrops for a production of James and the Giant Peach at the Buxton Festival.  And an extra one for the programme (top of post).

It was a really good excuse to re-read the book too. I find a lot of childhood favourites don't read quite as well (to say the least) when you're an adult. But Dahl's do. Try it.

As much as I love James and his Giant Peach it's not the most marvellous. That, of course, is Danny Champion of the World. Which is what I voted for, and which, incidentally, is also as good a read when you're grown up (ish).

(By the way, Matilda won the poll. But obviously everyone was wrong)

but something real to me

 A while back I did this project for Buxton Festival's production of James and the Giant Peach. I produced a number of drawings that were used as backdrops to the performance. It was a great experience all round, especially seeing the final production and my drawings so BIG.

For some time now I've sat drawing. And drawing. For around about seven years in fact. Since I picked up my pens, back then, I've never stopped. I've always felt that, because I haven't been drawing for a huge amount of time (relatively speaking), I need to squeeze as much of it into my day, into my life, as possible. This has meant that other areas in my life have suffered and been neglected whilst I just draw draw draw.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Drawing has become everything to me. It's taken over my life. I feel it might be time to think about redressing the balance. But just thinking about it has thrown me into a bit of a funk. Wondering how I do that - because I still love drawing so much. If anyone has all the answers please let me know. 'Cos, I'm struggling.

Photographs courtesy of Buxton Festival.

and dream of sheep

I've been a little distracted of late. By this amongst other things. Yes, this week saw the production of James and the Giant Peach at Buxton Festival. It was very sweet indeed. And, a real treat to see my drawings so BIG (they were the backdrops to the performance). I do hope I can get some photos of the event to show you but I'm not so sure - you know with all those rules and regs about photos of kids.

Anyway, lots of new drawings to post, including some from today's International Sketchcrawl Day. I'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail. But for now I need some sleep.

side-streets that you slip down

I've finally finished the drawings for the production of James and the Giant Peach at Buxton Festival.

These two drawings depict the two stages of completing a deadline.
Above; panic = trying to get all the work in on time.
Below; bliss = all work in on time (ish).

There are three performances of the James production, in early July,so, if you are close to Buxton then bring your kids along. I can't wait for it, myself. It'll be a new experience to see my work as backdrops. How exciting. I hope to post some photos from the event.

You can get your tickets HERE.

above the clouds

And now for something completely different. Different from all the sketch crawl stuff that I've been posting of late anyway. Here's a couple more from the James and Giant Peach project. These drawings will become the backdrops to the play. I find it quite difficult to not get sucked into all the details. After all, that's what I love to do.

The scene below is what goes on inside the peach on an average evening. As I was finishing it I was reminded of one of my favourite Spike Milligan poems which goes like this;

'Today I saw a little worm wriggling on his belly,
perhaps he'd like to come inside and see what's on the telly.'

I bloody love that.

fame is but a fruit tree

Fame is but a fruit tree. Isn't that a great line by the beautiful Nick Drake? I'd like to have known him.

Anyway, here's another of the backdrops I am illustrating for the Buxton Festival's production of James and the Giant Peach. I'm pretty happy with this one and though I might still add a little background I also liked it against the white.

Right, I'm off to do some more drawing whilst day dreaming about knowing Nick Drake. Sounds like a perfect afternoon. If only I didn't have to go to work. Ah well, you can't have it all.

Lots more on it's way this week.

it was set in a different life

 Here are another couple of drawings that I have been working on for Buxton Festival's production of James and the Giant Peach. This has been an interesting project to work on. It's quite different to what I'd normally do in that usually my work is all about the detail. This brief is almost opposite to that. These images will be the backdrops to the production and therefore should not distract from everything that is going on on the stage. So, with that in mind, I've tried to create them through colour and atmosphere.

Anyone interested in attending the production can find the details here. I'll be there on for the Monday afternoon (9th of July) performance and the original drawings will be displayed in the foyer throughout. I'll linger in that area before the show so come and say hello.

here comes the sun

Here's one from the series I am doing for a stage production of James and the Giant Peach. These drawings will be used as the backdrops (is that the right word? Despite having lots of gay friends, I'm not much of a theatre goer).

I actually did this one this afternoon whilst watching Bondi Rescue. I was obviously watching it to study the colours and textures of the water, skies and clouds. I was definitely not watching it to study all those hot lifeguards. Definitely not.

you're here in my head, like the sun coming out

I recently completed a couple of drawings for the Buxton Festival's 2012 brochure. This one is, obviously (well, at least I hope it's obvious), for a production of James and the Giant Peach.

I do believe this is the first time I've actually made a drawing from a subject that is already so famous (I could be completely wrong, I have a rotten memory). I didn't really let that bother me, I just tried to, as every 'judge' of every tv 'talent' show says every five minutes, "make it my own". Yuk.

I can't tell you how much I want to scribble 'James and the Giant Peach' in big scratchy writing in the left hand corner of this one. I suppose now it's scanned.......