so you know it's got soul

I was really touched by the generosity of the Herranz family on my recent trip to Bologna. One of their acts of generosity was to find me a lovely place to stay, in Theresa's apartment. An apartment filled with all sorts of interesting stuff. All sorts of curiosities. Just the right place for somebody whose imagination is fired up by such things.

I haven't drawn a thing for about a month. This is just a little something to ease me back into it.

I'm also going to use this as Everyday Matters challenge 21. Draw something old, antique or vintage. You can see the rest of my Everyday Matters set HERE.

in a foreign land

Hey, folkies. Back from my trip. It's late and I'm very very tired. I just wanted to say Hi. I'll wade through all the photos I've taken (lots of photos) and fill you in on all the news over the next couple of days. And, I shall endeavour to reply to all the comments and emails. Thanks for all the encouraging words.

As I, myself, have not got around to any drawing, I thought I'd post this piece of gorgeousness. (I'm talking about the drawing not the model!). It's me, by the way. Me, by the amazingly talented illustrator, and friend of mine, Miguel Herranz.

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.

all the weaving of my dreams

Well, sorry to leave you hanging like that. I've been a little busy. And, I've been struggling with this drawing. It's been a love hate relationship. I've given up on it a couple of times, then I've given in and worked on it some more, then finally, after a couple of weeks, I finished it. It's another drawing from, erm, 'my book' (!). Which is another reason I've been away for so long - getting ready for Bologna. Yikes, folks, it's getting close.

So, click on the drawing to get a better view. Go on, stick your beaks in.