Katie in Edinburgh!

10 responses to “Katie in Edinburgh!”

1. 

   Victoria Stitch

   18 August 2009

   Thankyou for your comment! I don’t know if you would remember but I came to your house to ask you questions about being an illustrator a few years ago with my teacher from St Francis in Letchworth. It wasn’t until I saw your exhibition in the Letchworth gallery that I even knew that I could do an illustration degree! it inspired me so much! I love your work and I just bought your Katie and the British Artists book, I especially like the crayon-like drawings contrasting with your other drawings in there, I think it makes it look really interesting all the different styles put together, Anyway good luck with your trip to Edinburgh and thanks for being such an inspiration to me, I often look at your books.

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2. 

   James Mayhew

   19 August 2009

   Hello Victoria,

   Yes I DO remember your visit! I’m really pleased that you’ve carried your art forward and followed your dream. I think your work is looking really great and I congratulate you.

   Thanks for the kind words about Katie and the British artists. I have to tell you that the crayon drawings were created by my son, who was around 7 years old at the time. He is even given a separate copyright notice at the start of the book! So I really can’t take the credit for that!!!

   Keep in touch!

   J

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3. 

   Griffin

   19 August 2009

   The thought of Spanish folktales sounds wonderful. I am addicted to folktales generally so this will be fabulous. I love the National Gallery of Scotland too. The last time I was there I went straight for the lovely portrait of Lady Agnew of Lochnaw to say hallo. I love the two Noel Paton paintings of Midsummer Night’s Dream too.

   The only thing that gets me about Edinburgh is getting from one side of that steep valley to the other!!!

   So this is your very own Edinburgh Festival show!

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4. 

   James Mayhew

   19 August 2009

   Well…a mini festival show perhaps. I know what you mean about getting around. Having grown up in Suffolk it feels a bit vertiginous! But it makes for a good view…

   The Gallery has all sorts of gems. I love the Botticelli Madonna with roses. And although rarely displayed they have one of Gontcharova’s set designs for Rimsky-Korsakov’s Le Coq d’Or, which gets me ridiculously excited!

   I have yet to learn the folk-tales by heart…Surprisingly I have found it relatively difficult to find a decent selection of folk tales from Spain. Most countries have plenty but Spanish tales are less well documented. Perhaps because of the Moorish influence at a crucial time…maybe stories got lost or were replaced with Arabic mythology…I don’t know. But I’ve found a couple of lovely stories, ideal for this visit…

   Good to hear from you, thanks for posting!

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5. 

   joanne May

   19 August 2009

   Hi James,
   Good to see you again. Thank you for stopping by. Edinburgh is one of my favourite places to visit. I love the art galleries there as well. It is such an inspirational place.
   I hope your trip goes well!:)
   Best wishes, Jo.

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6. 

   Griffin

   20 August 2009

   The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland is also wonderful. The building is fascinating as well as the paintings. You can’t go too far wrong with a Botticelli. The Goncharova must be amazing, I will have to go and see it next time I get to go there.

   Many countries have similar tales or motifs that come up again and again. There’s a Turkish folktale called the Magic Hairpins that is very close to Snow White for example. I am sure there must be a lot more but with their own influences within them. Most folktales are about basic human issues after all.

   Still, a couple is a good start!

   I grew up in Sussex, but Edinburgh feels positively mountainous next to the South Downs! But you are right about the view! I hope it doesn’t rain on you when you’re there!

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7. 

   JamieDOTBall

   21 August 2009

   hi james! Firstly a great honour that you have come across my blog / decided to follow it 🙂 I am of course a huge fan of your work and it must be such a great experience / dream to sit and draw for people.
   Do you ever remember visiting Radcliffe on Trent Infant School (in Nottingham some time around 1996) and leaving your paints on the train? If so you may remember my mum, Morag who organised this on behalf of The Childrens Book Group. A small world :).

   Perhaps it would be possible and indeed wonderful if i could send you some prints to have a look at? any feedback would be greatly appreciated to a young illustrator.

   All the best.

   Jamie

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8. 

   James Mayhew

   22 August 2009

   Thanks for the tip about the Portrait Gallery Griifin. I’ve never been and understand it’s a beautiful building. Must try to get there!

   And Jamie – I remember the missing paints vividly! Fortunately the school lent me some and all was well in the end. What a coincedence! I’d love to see more of your work and I’ll get in touch…

   J

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9. 

   julia

   24 August 2009

   Thanks so much for your kind comment, I have to admit to being a bit overexcited to receive a comment from you – “Can You See a Little Bear” being one of our favourite books. I think “Ella” will be making her way onto our heaving bookshelves very soon!
   Julia

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10. 

    James Mayhew

    25 August 2009

    Hi Julia

    Now it’s my turn to be overexcited, on behalf of my wife especially. She loves your blog (me too) and as I said in my message, the images and things you’ve mentioned were a big source of inspiration for Ella Bella. Jackie Morris will be delighted with your comments on “Can you see a little bear?”. I’ll pass them on.

    Best wishes,

    James

    Reply