After a week as Illustrator-in-Residence at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, I’m slowly coming down to earth, and remembering, in a haze, the events, the sights and the wonderful friends that have made the experience so unforgettable. The week began by joining my son on a scramble to the top of the Scott Monument for this staggering view which had my legs shaking…
There are a few people I have to thank profusely. First of all, Janet Smyth, director of the Children’s Book Festival, who first invited me to be the Illustrator-In-Residence, and all the staff at the Book Festival – you were fantastic. Rebecca Hearne and all at Orchard Books for sponsoring and looking after me so well. Brilliant pianists Anna Cooper and Simon Smith; and the Alwaleed Centre for Islamic studies, all of whom were lovely colleagues to work with.
Seven events in six days was a bit of a marathon, but thanks to all the above, the events all went according to plan. More than that, I had wonderful warm responses from people who came.
The first event was the Arabian Nights storytelling, with music by Rimsky-Korsakov and live painting. Here I am with the chair, Marion, waiting to start…
And in full flow…
Here are some of the sketches created during the performance. The event was kindly sponsored by the Alwaleed Centre for Islamic Studies, at Edinburgh University, and I gave them the illustrations as a momento of the performance.
Afterwards, I was told that two mothers (“in top to toe Cath Kidston”) were overheard describing me as the “Waitrose of Children’s Authors”. Hilarious!
The next day, another Alwaleed Centre sponsored event took place, with me as chair. This was a talk by Justin Marozzi, author of a fascinating and timely book: Baghdad: City of Peace, City of Blood. It is a superb journey through 1300 years of extraordinary history, and a story of luxury, sex, extravagance and brilliance in the “Golden Age” (The Abbasid Dynasty), through horrific invasion, torture and destruction with the Mongols and Ottomans and right through to British rule and American intervention. Here’s Justin during his talk, a lovely fellow, I was honoured to be chair.
That evening, Edinburgh University and Hugh Goddard of the the Alwaleed Centre, who had already given us lunch, invited Justin and I to a reception, with beautiful live Arabic music. Many thanks to them for their appreciative welcome.
Next day, another event: This time it was a live performance of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, with young 15 year old pianist Anna Cooper and professional pianist Simon Smith. I was, of course, painting and introducing the “pictures”. The audience were very warm, cheering the young musicians at the end. Here are a few pictures… different practise versions of the Great Gate of Kiev:
The next day – Sunday – it was time to actually talk about one of my OWN books – Katie, of course, in her 25th Anniversary year. I demonstrated how I illustrate Katie, with nibs, ink and paint. There followed upside down storytellings and signings…
This was followed by a whole afternoon of Big Draw activities, which was packed all afternoon with children crawling all over enormous rolls of paper, drawing on an enormous scale, literally stepping inside the giant pictures, just like Katie.
The next day, I was in Blackhall Library with 60 children, creating a mural on the theme of books coming ALIVE! The children worked hard and did some great painting which has cheered up a very boring wall!
The last event was a repeat of the Katie talk, for the Schools’ Programme. I drew dinosaurs, made up monsters, told stories… One boy called out: “He’s drawing a T-Rex! This is better than the CINEMA!”
And in the middle of this full-on week was a special dinner with booksellers, agents and Orchard Books in honour of Katie’s big celebration. What a week! And what a Residency! PHEW!
To celebrate, I finished my time in Edinburgh with a family trip to see Josie Lawrence and others in a comedy show, “What Does The Title Matter Anyway”, allegedly inspired by a certain a Radio/TV show. I’m a huge fan of Josie and she was entirely hilarious and completely brilliant. The evening was completed by strolling back past the castle, illuminated by fireworks. And as always, there was a tinge of sadness at the thought of leaving this beautiful, vibrant, funny, warm and friendly city.
But never fear, I shall be back VERY SOON for more Katie celebrations, with a MAJOR RESTROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION of the original artwork created over the last quarter of a century, from the first ever picture to the last. This will take place at the NATIONAL GALLERY of SCOTLAND in Edinburgh, and opens on NOVEMBER 4th. It runs right through the Winter until March 1st. It’s a lovely way to cap the 25th anniversary and indeed my own 50th year. There will be lectures, workshops and free storytellings – check back soon for details here on the website.
Lastly, to all who came to the events and supported me: THANK YOU!
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