Friday 21 December 2012

Home for Christmas

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I love decorating our home for Christmas. These are a few of my favourite festive bits.
1. I can't get enough of dots this year. I picked up a string of Engel confetti bunting at the brilliant Castor & Pollux down here on Brighton seafront and the ball lights are by Cable & Cotton. Card by Walter Erhard.
2. Fisher Price helicopter, Pez Santa, Vintage Mr Frosty and my favourite Marc Boutavant book-'Another Night Before Christmas' written by Carol Ann Duffy.
3. Tree detail from 'The New Nutcracker Suite' beautifully illustrated by Ivan Chermayeff.
I couldn't help but spot this hand drawn envelope when it arrived in he post. It contained a fantastic poster by Helen Dardik-an early Christmas present!
4. I am loving all the bright knitwear this year. I picked these up at H&M.
5. Noel card from a great selection by Lisa Jones. Pez Snowman.
6. Last but not least - my very own 'Quality Street' angel made a couple of Christmases ago.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS
see you in 2013

Thursday 20 December 2012

Illustration
A Little Star
...and the runner up is!....
This little fella very nearly made it on to my christmas cards this year.

Tuesday 18 December 2012

A String Dog is for life...

Could you give Monty, Salty, Archie or Bertie a new home?
Thursday is the last day for UK Christmas orders in the String Shop.
The shop will then be closing for the Christmas holidays.
Many thanks to everyone who has ordered prints this year.
Illustration
Happy Christmas

Finally got round to making my Christmas Cards. It has been a very hectic few weeks! I'm really really looking forward to putting my feet up for a few days this Christmas.

Saturday 1 December 2012

Illustration
The Countdown has begun!!!

The first door on our Percy Pig Advent Calendar was opened at 6 am this morning. The early start was made slightly less painful by hearing my youngest say 'Percy Pig is my favourite!'
Percy Pig illustration by Jane Massey. Percy Pig © Marks and Spencer Plc.

Wednesday 21 November 2012

Illustration
Wet Wednesday
Grrrrrrrr!!!

Sunday 11 November 2012

String Prints
Selling Like Hot Dogs!

I seem to have had a sudden rush on Sausage Dog Print sales - thanks everyone who has ordered! I am always intrigued to know where Hubert and the gang find a home.

Wednesday 7 November 2012

Illustration
One Little Baby
written by Richard Dungworth
'One Little Baby' has been selected by The Booksellers 'Editors pick of Picture Books' for January 2013: A gentle, lyrical rhyme full of observations about the daily activities that babies love. A real snuggle-up treat for very little ones.

Thursday 25 October 2012

Illustration
One Little Baby

I am really pleased to finally be able to give you a little peek at my latest book. One Little Baby written by Richard Dungworth is due for publication on January 3rd 2013. Thanks to Lucy, Louise and Goldy at Puffin for doing such a great job and to Richard for his beautiful text.




Tuesday 23 October 2012

Illustration
In Good Company

I have long been a fan of John Burningham, Anthony Browne, Quention Blake and Debi Gliori so I was very proud to find that 2 of my books Knight Time and Mummy Did You Miss Me? have been included along side theirs in 'A Collection of Modern Classics'. It is a box set of ten miniature books now available in Marks and Spencer. 

Wednesday 10 October 2012

Publicity
Pierre is off to Italy!

After having had several requests recently from lovely folks outside the UK wanting to purchase String Prints I have now decided to go international (almost!) I am currently dispatching to Europe. Pierre left for Napoli yesterday-Lucky Pierre!

Thursday 4 October 2012

Inspiration
Galt School Puzzle



I love old wooden puzzles especially the Galt ones. I was trying to stop buying them as I don't really have space to display them but my other half picked this one up at a charity shop yesterday-so that's ok! I love that it is such a  sensible subject and also the way the wood is used within the image. The houses in the background look very much like our home.
Illustration
Knight School

The sequel to Knight Time written by Jane Clarke and published by Random House. Knight School is now in all reputable stores!


 On the first day of school, their daddies helped them get ready.

 "I'm not scared!"

 Hoot!

 You will have to buy the book to see what Little Knight is pointing at!!


Knight Time is also being published in a new smaller hardback format with a cuddly Little Dragon for Christmas 2012. A new friend for Percy Pig?!
I am currently working on a new picture book with Random which is taking me off in a very different direction. You could definitely describe the style as mixed media-ink,watercolour,gouache,felt tip pens, coloured pencil, wax crayon.....my desk has been very untidy these last couple of months!
On the theme of Knight Time...I have been asked along with the author Jane Clarke to do a workshop in London for the SCBWI in early 2013 talking about how we created the story and characters for the book. Hope you can make it. I will give more details nearer the time.

Tuesday 2 October 2012

 New Cuddly Percy Pig

Percy Pig © M&S Plc

Marks and Spencer have created a new soft version of my original Percy character. Percy's features haven't changed since I first sketched him around 17 years ago. I am really pleased at how he has turned out. It seems that a lot of Percy Pig's Facebook followers are keen to get their hands on him too!
I have illustrated a couple of other new Percy Pig products which are launching anytime now-Percy's Pig Sty and a Percy Pig Advent calendar for Christmas 2012. Photos to follow soon.

Monday 1 October 2012

Faces of London


Spotted these 2 characters on a family outing to the Big Smoke this weekend.
Illustration
Illustration Friday-Book

I couldn't resist doing a quick doodle for this weeks illustration friday.

Monday 24 September 2012

HOME






A few recent snaps of our home. Where has that blue sky gone!? My gorgeous new wooly (above) from M&S is already getting plenty of wear.

Sunday 23 September 2012

Illustration
Woolies



There is a definite change in the weather here today and I'm not liking it! I am trying to cheer myself up with the thought of colourful tights and wooly hats but it's not working yet. May have to treat myself to a little Donna Wilson number!

Thursday 20 September 2012

Illustration
New Books


I was busy painting bunnies and kittens earlier this year! I love Rabbits and I love Kittens published by Caterpillar Books are due for publication in January 2013.

Tuesday 4 September 2012

Summer Colours





Bournemouth Beach on a very hot day in July (click on photo to see in all its glory!), visiting friends, Village Fete-Norfolk, a favourite bloom and some car boot treasure.

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Illustration
Illustration Friday-Bounce


Friday 20 July 2012

Illustration
Paperchase Cards



I am thrilled that the animal illustrations I created for my String Print Range are now available in Paperchase stores. The Art Group approached me last year to see if I would like to put the designs on to cards. Hubert, Pierre and friends are also available in a slightly larger format through WHSmith.