Earlier this year, in May, I returned to Singapore for a third extended month long visit. I didn’t write a post at the time, as having travelled the length and breadth of South East Asia unscathed, I returned to Hertfordshire and promptly fell and broke my wrist. Now I can type again, I thought it was time to update things and post a few pictures of all the events in the second half of this year. I had two main tasks in Singapore, working first for the Asian Festival of Children’s Content, then returning to Tanglin Trust school for several art projects. I was also delighted to catch an Asian/Austalian set re-interpretation of Donizetti’s opera “The Elixir of Love” when I was there – absolute magic in the Durian Fruit inspired opera house!
The Festival is more like a conference, a fascinating exploration of publishing (principly) in Asia. The country of focus was Indonesia, so when I was asked to paint with/to music, it was natural there should be an Indonesian twist: Gamelan music! A storyteller told traditional Indonesian and Singaporean tales and I had to think on my feet to interpret the music, which was haunting, strange, rhythmic and beautiful.
A local artist captured the scene much better than a camera can…
There were Indonesian dancers, workshops, talks, masterclasses, and the pleasure of meeting the Irish Children’s Laureate, P J Lynch, who was another speaker. In all I had seven events over six days! Even after that, there was no time off – as I was signing books and telling stories in Woods in the Books, a wonderful bookshop in Singapore, run by the lovely Mike and Shannon Foo, who treated me to an extraordinary local breakfast in their neighbourhood, the trendy 50s area of Tiong Bahru, and it was their two year old son who taught me how to use chopsticks!
The second task was working again in Tanglin Trust school, on assorted art projects, culminating in a huge rainforest mural, created with myself and my partner, the Catalan artist Antonio Reche-Martinez. Here you can see the “Tangin Pangolin” painted in 34 degrees and 95% humidity! Phew!
In the midst of this month in Asia was a trip to Vietnam, to offer teacher sessions and student sessions for the remarkable, pioneering Apollo English School. First Ho Chi Minh, then Hanoi, in a whirlwind four days, filled with glimpses of the beautiful French-colonial architecture of the past, and a vigorous, expanding future.
I was treated like royalty while there, deluged with TV interviews and had a wonderful time. Just look at the stage setting for a hotel based workshop!
You can watch one of the interviews, in English, right here. It was all so professionally done, and I met so many lovely people, it was a wonderful experience:
As always, an unforgettable experience in Asia – lovely people, and many new sites seen and friendships made, and wonderful talented people to be inspired by.
Obviously the Summer was quiet while my wrist mended, but I had some things that I couldn’t cancel. One was the World Premiere of The Caretaker’s Guide to the Orchestra. This was commissioned by conductor Spencer Down and the Docklands Sinfonia, to introduce an orchestra to modern children, kids from Tower Hamlets. Over 3,000 children came to the 3 performances. Although Jeremy Holland-Smith’s marvellous new score was for narrator, and not painter, the rest of the programme was to feature me painting to Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake”. Rather than cancel, I quickly trained Antonio to be my right hand – literally – and so he made his debut and saved the show. You can see the result in this little film here:
This autumn saw the publication of the latest Ella Bella book, “The Magic Toyshop”, inspired by the Rossini/Respighi ballet “La Boutique Fantasque”. It was launched in Wimbledon at the enchanting Wimbledon Books, with a guest appearance by the toymaker himself (Antonio again!), handing out toy musical instruments to all the children – a delightful event.
In October, the original Katie in London bench needed a new home. Originally positioned by the Tower of London, it was bought by Hachette Books at the subsequent charity auction. Now, with limited space, they asked where it could be accommodated. And so I suggested it should go to the original Katie – my sister Kate. It now sits in her garden, after delivery on her birthday; a most fitting gift! 
Also this Autumn, the very first Hitchin Children’s Book Festival, a wonderful inaugural event, brilliantly put together by Beano-man Danny Pearson, and lovely to be reunited with my old student Harriet Muncaster, whose irresistible Isadora Moon books are proving to be a big hit. We hope to be back for more next year – especially if we can use such an amazing venue as this year: The British School Museum in Hitchin!
The autumn also saw a return to Saffron Walden for another concert at Saffron Hall with Richard Hull at the helm. A mixed programme called “Around the World in 60 Minutes” sold out very fast, and once more Antonio came to the rescue, with Philleas Fogg inspired steam-punk costumes, and to join me on stage for some fun-filled paintings of scenes from all over the world: from Carmen in Spain to Aida in Egypt, via Elgar’s England and Sibelius’ Finlandia, we had a ball!
This year’s annual Hatfield concert fell on November 5th, so inevitably, fireworks was the theme, with Stravinsky’s Fireworks, his Fire-BIRD, and Tchaikovsky’s 1812. I can safely say we raised the roof on these two sell out performances, with cannon, bells, and splashes of paint! Bravo as always to conductor Robin Browning, and the de Havilland Philharmonic – it was (literally) a blast!
Funds raised by raffling the pictures went to Side by Side with Refugees, a humanitarian aid charity close to my heart. I also designed Christmas cards for them this year, and joined in a gala concert, sharing the stage once more with two superb musicians: Tanita Tikaram and Helen O’Hara – what an honour!
The Christmas cards depict “Peace” and “Three ships a sailing” (which seems to capture the journey of refugees…). Both were created from lino print and collage.
This autumn three new Katie titles appeared – activity books for fans of the series to flex their own creative muscles, and produced directly with the National Gallery.
Katie was also handsomely profiled in a great article by Julian Shea in the New European newspaper…
For myself, I managed a quick trip to Dublin, to be re-acquianted with PJ lynch and to speak at the Children’s Books Ireland conference, where I also caught up with Sally Gardner and Debi Gliori, who doodled beautifully in an old book, used for a menu, in a Dublin pub.
Such a joy it is, to meet with lovely, creative, talented, inspiring people!
Amongst them I include Alexander Ardakov, who I’ve collaborated with so often – here’s a recent picture from another performance of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition”, this time at the Russian School in Gerrard’s Cross – exciting to perform to a *Russian* audience! I think they approved of the costume!
Somehow, in the midst of all this, I managed a two week trip to Shanghai and Suzhou, visiting three branches of Dulwich College. There was little time for sight-seeing, but it was a tremendous adventure, and I did manage to escape the crowds of this hugely populated city, to see a few temples, and exquisite gardens, like a living Willow Pattern Plate.
My last events were back in my beloved Edinburgh, and the National Gallery for a masterclass, and some storytelling, underneath a Constable painting – not *too* shabby a backdrop I think. Lovely to see old friends, especially Education Officer Linda McClelland, who has been the biggest supporter of my work for so many years.
Lastly, a nearby Scottish school, a challenging catchment area but filled with exceptional teachers and the warmest possible welcome. Knightsridge Primary school, YOU are my SCHOOL OF THE YEAR, without a doubt. It was such a joy to meet again ex-pupil Piper, who won the “Nessie” competition many years ago, and had her art incorporated into “Katie in Scotland!
Next year will see more concerts, more books, more of everything. I want to to thank everyone who has hosted, supported or attended an event, who bought or borrowed a book, who showed friendship and kindness this last year – you are hugely appreciated, if too numerous to mention, and none of these things can happen without you. So thank you with all my heart!
Now it’s time to settle down for festivities and an end to a very busy year. But my work is not yet done. While everyone else is eating mince pies or drinking mulled wine in front of the TV, I’ll be burning the midnight oil and spending my time in the company of the handsomest fox in London, as I illustrate the first book by Zeb Soanes, about GASPARD!
Merry Christmas everyone! xxx
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