Oh Hooray it's Friday!

It's been a busy week and next week looks even busier. At least there's Easter goodness to look forward to. I've got some plans that involve shredded wheat, melted chocolate and mini eggs! Bring on the Easter chocolate nests!

Inlaw or Outlaw?!

Today's doodle drawn as I peer mournfully out of my studio window at the blanket of white fog that seems to have enveloped Edinburgh. Brrrrrrrrr. The postie brought me a nice surprise though, 100 lovely postcards featuring my Animal A-Z illustration all ready to be addressed and posted to clients old and new. If you'd like one sent your way get in touch!

Little Dog Lost

A new character/ book idea about a little dog called 'Roo'. Possibly based on my own dog (!) apart from the lost bit. Oh now I'm hoping I haven't jinxed him or anything...

Super-sized Last Supper

Inspired by an article on the BBC website about a study of paintings of scenes from the Last Supper. According to the BBC "The main meals grew 69% and plate size 66% between the oldest (carried out in 1000AD) and most recent (1700s) paintings. Bread size grew by about 23%. The sharpest increases were seen in paintings completed after 1500 and up to 1900AD".

Mrs Buttkiss and the Big Surprise!

My first US children's book has just been published! You can buy it here or check out the website here.

Here's the blurb...

"Mrs. Buttkiss is the charming tale of a big woman with a big secret. She’s been holding in a fart….forever. And she’s terrified of what will happen when she finally lets it out. The story of Mrs. Buttkiss was born a decade ago, when author Eric Rosenfeld--a Harvard MBA and nationally recognized expert in investing and corporate governance--was desperately trying to get his three kids (then aged 6, 8 and 10) to settle down and go to sleep. Knowing exactly what got their attention, Eric dreamed up Mrs. B and her secret. The kids quieted down in minutes—and soon began to laugh. And laugh. By the end, all three were in hysterics. So what happens when Mrs. B finally lets it out? Will her greatest fears be realized? Or will the outcome be . . . magical?

You’ll have to read the story to find out!"

Pig-tastic

It's pigs on my brain today, as demonstrated by my scribbles! I'm sitting in my studio inhaling the lovely scent of the hyacinths blooming on my filing cabinet. I've just been reading about an experimental study, I think it was in Japan, where office worker's creativity was tested with and without a pot plant in the room. Those working with the plant present were found to be more creative! So get down to the garden centre and give yourself a little boost!

Joys of Spring

Today's quick sketch scribbled inbetween my commissioned projects. It was actually almost warm today in Edinburgh and the flowers in the Meadows are looking lovely. With Spring on my mind I drew this little pony full of the joys...

Butterflies flutterby

Part of a lovely illustration I'm currently working on for the nice people over at Scottish Natural Heritage. It's going to be a gorgeous orchard scene, full of hidden wildlife and luscious plants. I'll post the final piece here once it's finished and printed!

Elephant Algebra

I like drawing elephants. There's something very satisfying about them! This elephant was intended for something else but I got a little waylaid by a sudden idea, so here he is...

Sock It To Me Competition

I entered the 'Sock it To Me' competition to design a pair of socks. Sadly not a winner but my design (see above) got an honorable mention on the wonderful Print & Pattern blog.

Like buses...

...nothing for ages and then two come along at once! Here's another little doodle I coloured up this morning. I'm obviously trying to make sure I don't forget Mother's Day on Sunday (that's a head's up for anyone who hasn't remembered!).

Dinosaur Scene

Here is last week's doodle, a little late due to workload...

Coasting along...

Just thought I'd share some of the coaster designs I was working on over Christmas for Castle Melamine.

The Birth of a Rumor

A little doodle all coloured up and posted for everyone to see...

Wild Animal Alphabet

I've had a bit of time to play with a new project this week. This piece is actually on a larger scale than my normal work, it's around A3 size. I'm considering sending it out as a promotional poster, but then how many ADs have enough space for that on their wall? Not sure...

Jungle Fever

Or possibly cabin fever for me, it's been a busy few weeks but today I got out the studio for a nice long walk in the sunshine (always make the most of any sunshine you can get at this time of year!). I can almost feel Spring slinking around in the background...

A bit of light reading...

I've always found this phrase amusing and this little doodle found its way into my sketchbook today. A bit of research followed and I was interested to find that it relates to the Scopes Trial in the US, where a teacher was tried for violating the Butler Act (which made it illegal "to teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals" in any Tennessee state-funded school and university).

Okay so I'm slightly obsessed with drawing foxes...

...I think it's the colour. I just love that bold dash of red.

Paper Boat

I'm thinking of re-drawing this with just a load of animals in it. After all, there's always room for a giraffe...

Research Day

Today I've mainly been flicking through websites and images in search of inspiration. This little doodle kept me occupied and I thought I'd share it with you.