The great English prima ballerina (and the Marchioness of Londonderry), Doreen Wells has done me a great honour in providing a forward for the Ella Bella books. I am enormously grateful to her for her generous words. I have often seen her portrait in books about ballet and knew a little about her spectacular career […]
Category: Ella Bella
This is a post category for posts about Ella Bella Ballerina and includes posts imported from the original Ella Bella Ballerina blog on Google Blogger.
Ella Bella Concert !
I have very exciting news! After the de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra had their budget cut, it looked as though the annual children’s concert would be impossible as the concessions on tickets (we want to make it affordable!) mean the concerts run at a loss. However, because they have been so oversubscribed in the past it […]
The Stone Hart
I recently found a whole folder full of old work. It was quite a shock to discover my ‘A’level exam work amongst the pieces, and to experience the memories associated with that time. Usually ‘A’ level exam work is destroyed by the Examining Board, but because my sixth form art department was burned down, destroying […]
Ella dancing over the pond
In the post today came two handsome copies of the American edition of Ella Bella Ballerina and Cinderella, published by Barrons. It never ceases to thrill me to think of people in other countries reading my books and (I hope ) enjoying the pictures. Anyone who works in children’s books will tell you how vital […]
Ups and downs
The best laid plans of mice and men eh? No sooner have the de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra agreed to a ballet themed concert than the University of Hatfield, who host the concerts, have their budget slashed by a whopping 25%. Because of the big concessions to ticket prices, the children’s concert always makes a loss: […]
Ella Bella Extravaganza!
I realise things have been quiet for a while with Ella Bella; only because I have been so busy with Katie, who is celebrating her 21st anniversary this year(see Katie’s Picture Show). But Ella isn’t being overlooked and I can now reveal some of the thrilling things that are forthcoming. The really big news is […]
Ella Bella’s new book is announced
I am delighted to be able to tell you that the next Ella Bella Ballerina book is to be based on Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. I am so happy about this, it’s the perfect ballet story for Ella Bella to join in with. Many years ago I illustrated Hoffmann’s original story, and some of those images […]
Bella Beauty
Last night I took my dear friend (and old student) ALICE WOOD to see The Sleeping Beauty ballet, performed by the Birmingham Royal Ballet at the London Coliseum.(Alice is a fantastic illustrator and writer, a person of real depth and integrity with a superlative talent. Click on her name to find out all about her.) […]
Ella Bella book three to be published this year!
After a wait of a few weeks the “proof printing” of Ella Bella Ballerina and Swan Lake has arrived. There are some minor things to adjust but overall it’s looking great, thanks to the expert guidance of Tim and Liz, my wonderful colleagues at Orchard. Here are a couple of “details” from the book. I […]
Starting and finishing
As various little bits and pieces get finished for the Edinburgh exhibition and gallery trail (you can find out about that at Katie’s Picture Show), and the final parts of Ella Bella come together in time to be sent off for proofing (see Ella Bella Ballerina)my mind is already looking ahead to new things. I’m […]
