Happy New Year!

2016 is off and running and January has already flown by. I'm also very late getting round to updating everything on here so apologies for that. However it's been a very busy start to the new year!

So what's been going on since my last news update way back forever ago in August last year. The Bright Group Christmas party was fun as always being held at the new Bright Emporium which is a fantastic new gallery space that also hosts book readings and other events. Now in my thirteenth year represented by Bright this new premises will open up a whole new dimension to the agency and I'm very proud to be a part of it.

Martha from 'Too Many Moose' on the Bright Emporium window

Over the Christmas and New Year period I also moved out of my old studio and into my new one at home. There were many factors that contributed to moving out after being there for seven years but sometimes you need a fresh look and a change. After all….…change is good! It's certainly worked out very well for me as I'm really happy with how the new studio has come together, even turning my hand to carpet fitting in the process. But the end result has produced a very creative, inspiring space to work in. I've filled it with all my books and prints that I've acquired over the years, it's also energised me into picking up my paints and pencils again. Sadly I downed these tools for far too many years and decided to sit in front of a tablet. Digital artwork is fantastic and the majority of my work is produced using lots of different custom-made brushes and textures in Photoshop, however it's been great to pick up a brush again and 'retrain' myself using traditional media. Currently working up some pieces in the style below as they've been well received so I'm very pleased with how it's going!

Work-wise I don't think I've been busier. Around some of the smaller projects I've got on I'm currently writing and drawing up the concepts for the next two 'Brian the Smelly Bear' books with Hinkler in Australia, one involves a love interest for old Brian and the other…..well you'll have to find out but things get a little bit crazy for him let's just say that. Also my work with Macmillan is moving forward at a rate of knots. Revised roughs are being drawn up and the cover has just been approved for 'Pirate Pete and his Smelly Feet' so it can go into the Rights Guide. Sneak peek coming soon!

As well as all this I was asked by Cygnet Ink to come up with an image of our fantastic cathedral here in the city of Lincoln. It's currently for sale in the cathedral shop and will be online here very soon!

I chose to do the iconic West Front which is the main entrance of this incredible building. I wanted to keep to a very simple design and a limited colour palette while giving it a contemporary feel.

So all in all it's a busy time in the new studio. Bologna Children's Book Fair is just around the corner which I'll be visiting again this year, we've managed to get a fantastic place in the middle of the city with a roof terrace so drinks round ours. Looking forward to catching up with friends and publishers out there and generally having a few days away from the studio. I'll be sorting my personal shop on here out at some point as well where you'll be able to buy limited edition prints.

In the meantime, watch this space for more news! :)