The New Year is well underway, although it will still be some time before I remember to write “2016” on inscriptions in books, cheques, or anything else requiring a date. My head is far too full of stories and pictures, with a tumbling assortment of book projects lined up.
This year The Magic Sword will be published by Orion. Essentially an early reader for schools, in the same series as Horrid Henry and my own Miranda the Castaway, it’s a simple retelling of The Sword in the Stone for fledgling readers, illustrated in my usual ink and wash technique.
It looks something like this:
This year, I’ll be working on several new titles, including a companion early reader, possibly a twist of the St. George and the Dragon legend, now that I have become so familiar with knights and castles!
A new Ella Bella title is written and I am working on rough sketches. It is called Ella Bella and the Magic Toyshop, and inspired by a favourite ballet of mine – La Boutique Fantasque, by Rossini (arranged by Respighi). It is full of captivating music and is a charming tale.
But for a variety of reasons, I am moving away from ink and wash for another book: Mrs. Noah’s Pockets. This was written specifically for me by the magnificent Jackie Morris, and the text is a gem. She was inspired by the designs I created for Noye’s Fludde, the opera by Benjamin Britten. You can see those HERE.
Part of the process of designing the opera involved me taking a set design course, and finding new and unexpected ways of working. Also the concerts where I paint to music have demanded a new visual language. Out of this evolved a love of collage, shape and print-making. Recently I have developed a shoulder condition, exacerbated by close fine work. Cutting/printing is easier than drawing. And so Mrs. Noah’s Pockets is going to look a bit different, and I am *very* excited. Here’s a sample of work in progress (and the mess involved!):
I have a few other irons in fires; but I hate to jinx things with premature announcements. No doubt there will be other book news as the year progresses. And lots of concerts coming up too. It’s good to be busy…bring it on!
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