Gil Scott Heron II

 

I made a new Gil Scott Heron zine at the weekend this time using metallic implements to create the urban base in gelatine prints. I still love making these tiny one-off books, they are like a diary.

Victoria Semykina

 

I adore this piece made by Victoria Semykina, and I love what she has written about it. Having found two leather suitcases of photographs last week I feel hopeless as to what to do with this ancient treasure of love.

"I made this paper ship ages ago, but it still means a lot to me and I love how it came out. It's about the people that nobody remembers and they float away from our memory. The smoke was made from the old letters in different languages." Victoria Semykina

Ryan Sonderegger

'What Wesley Wore',  published by Owlet Press is a children’s book written by Samuel Langley-Swain and illustrated by Ryan Sonderegger. It tells the story of Wesley the Weasel, an individual who struggles to be accepted by a group of weasels who don't like anyone being different. Weasley loves wearing interesting clothes and his unique style means that he is bullied and ostracised. This fantastic book provides a great story for children to think about and discuss bullying, style, and individuality, and the illustrations of Weasley's fantastic outfits are magical and Samuel Langley-Swain's writing has a wonderful easy rhythm that allows the story to flow beautifully. 

Ximo Abadia II

 

 

'The Extraordinary Elements' is an exciting, accessible, exploration of the periodic table and its constituent elements, again a result of the clear and interesting writing of Colin Stewart and magical, funny, and memorable illustrations of Ximo Abadia.  Published by Big Picture Press in 2020.

Ximo Abadia I

'The Speed of Starlight' was published by Big Picture Press, in paperback last week and I was lucky to be sent a copy to review. It is an amazing exploration of physics in all its wonder, clearly and engagingly explained by science writer Colin Stewart and made even more magical by the stylish illustrations of Ximo Abadia.

Lito Leaf Art.

 

My good friend Lizzy alerted me to the wonders of this Japanese artist who cuts intricate and fantastic worlds into single leaves.

Izumi Hashiguchi I

 

Joy is a wooly jumper illustration by  Japanese illustrator Izumi Hashiguchi.

Benji Davies

 

The last 5/6 years have been in massive flux for me, due to my giving up a full time position as a lecturer of Art and Design to take an MA in Children's illustration. A rash move that has meant a huge loss of income, and many reincarnations through jobs and self-employment, trying to keep my head above water and be creative, the endless juggling of family, earning enough and producing work. 

The last few months due to covid, have been even more extreme, and I now find some of my time is spent gainfully employed by a bookshop. I am in love with the job, what a joy it is, and a privilege to be handling wonderful new books. 

This book 'The PuffinKeeper' by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Benji Davies, is one of the new beauties to arrive in time for Christmas. It is a charming story brought to life by the wonderful fluid illustrations of Benji Davies that have a timeless style akin to the illustrations of Edward Ardizzone's Tim books.

                    

Ed Fairburn

 

Ed Fairburn combines the topography of the land with faces, we are a product of the landscape. Ed uses paper maps, old maps, and reinvents them as these fascinating morphed images and information.  

Daniela Berti I

 

Another wonderful and funny book published by Corraini, and written and illustrated by Daniela Berti about 'Pit' a tiny chick who grows gigantic and the problems this causes, available in Italian and English, great for teaching language to little ones. 

Marion Barraud

 

Marion Barraud's 'Cow-boy sur champignon'. 

Keiko Shibata I

 

Keiko Shibata's portfolio is full of gems, I love this image which to me is about diving into the forest. 

Dawn Stacey I

 

Dawn Stacey's First Light, Dawn's paintings are a rich patchwork of nature, layered into a kaleidoscopic vision of beauty.