A year on - ECA Degree Show 2014

Reunited with some of my ECA studio pals.  

Cate James drawing 'What dinosaurs get up to' in Hannah Botma's exhibition space.

It is so scary to think that it has been a whole year since I finished my Master of Fine Art degree.

So much has happened in the space of a year: I have had one book published with Walker Books, my illustration for the Seven Stories 'Over the Hills and Far Away' book is set to be published in October of this year, I have recently finished my first full picture book with Frances Lincoln (tbp in January 2015) and I am working for Paper Dove greeting card company in the North East of England.

I recently went back to Edinburgh for opening night of the Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show 2014. It was amazing to be back in the best city in world and to catch up with all of my lovely friends.

Well done to all of those who have just finished their studies... with a special mention to my illustration friends Hannah Botma and Jessica Kettle. It was a fabulous show!

I'm excited to see where we all are this time next year!

Illustration Friday - Pattern

Here it is... Finally I can contribute to this week's Illustration Friday topic, 'Pattern.' This is an illustration from my first publication with Walker Books, 'The Book of Bedtime Stories'. 

I created the repeat pattern of the baby's clothing in the gorgeous print rooms at Edinburgh College of Art... lots of mess, fun and experimentation!

Macmillan Prize 2013

I am finally updating my blog! It has been so busy with the degree show but here is a little post about the Macmillan Prize 2013. 

I was extremely happy to hear that I was awarded Highly Commended for the prize this year, for my picture book 'Hiccups!' This is a book that I have enjoyed writing and illustrating as one of my main projects during my masters course at Edinburgh College of Art (2011-2013). 

Here are a couple of photographs from the private view of the exhibition which was held at the Foyles Bookshop Gallery in May.

ECA Degree Show Preparations 2

Some of my pieces waiting to be hung.

Eilidh Muldoon painting her table for the show. 

Philip Longson planning his layout for the wall space.

Eilidh Muldoon with her first pieces up and hanging.

One of our little MFA1 helpers, Jessica Kettle who dares to be sleeping in my bed.

ECA Degree Show Preparations

Edinburgh College of Art in the SUN!!!

ECA Artist in Residence, Kasia Matyjaszek helping to make my textile pieces.

MFA1 student Hannah Botma helping to make my textile items.

Philip Longson arranging his frames.

Caroline Halliwell making her lanterns.

Illustration Friday - Farewell

I am in my final two weeks of my masters course at Edinburgh College of Art and although it is the craziest time of my life, I was determined to take a bit of time out to enter a Illustration Friday sketch this week.

Here is my happy 'baby-farewell' for you. See you again soon!

Illustration Friday - Wild

Here is my post for this week's Illustration Friday. It is also a little something that is apart of a bigger something for my degree show.... #watchthisspace :)

Pre Degree Show (part 1)

Caroline, Eilidh and Alice working hard on a Saturday.

Eilidh Muldoon creating a new repeat pattern.

Alice Spicer's fabulous paper-cut-fish.

Philip Longson starting a new piece for the degree show.

I hope you enjoy these few photos from the  MFA (Master of Fine Art) Studio Space. Keep an eye out for more photos as we lead up to the degree show.

Opening night

Me with one of two of my favourite characters.

Eilidh Muldoon, adding the finishes touches to her exhibition space.

Cate James, adding the finishing touches to her exhibition space. 

Kasia Matyjaszek with her cheeky friend at the opening night.

Helen Coburn with one of her illustrations at the opening night.

Friends from Edinburgh College of Art at the opening night.

Here are a few snap shots of the 'Surrounded by Stories' opening night. 

I would like to say a big thank you to the wonderful illustrators who were apart of this wonderful event... it was a pleasure to work and exhibit with you. Also, a big thank you to North Edinburgh Arts for the wonderful exhibition space.

If you haven't yet had the opportunity to pop down to the exhibition, you still have time. It is open until the 2nd February. Hope you enjoy it!

Christmas Range, 2012

Christmas Cards, 2012.

Christmas Badges, 2012.  

Mono printing in the ECA Print Room

I have recently been making a product range for Christmas using these four little characters. They are all interacting with a different coloured snowflake that has been created using mono printing. There are cards and badges on sale for the very first time this Saturday at the Arts Centre Washington Craft Fair, followed by the launch of more exciting products at the Christmas Fair (Saturday 1st December).

Hope to see you there!

Rubber Stamps

 

I have had lots of fun printing my homemade rubber stamps this week. Here is a peak at some of the textures that I have made... now to make them into something even prettier...!!

Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show 2012

Kathleen Meaney

Josefin Sundqvist

Josefin Sundqvist

Jade Price

Lisa Lind

I have recently been to the Edinburgh College of Art degree show and have come back extremely inspired for the final year of my Masters course next year. My favourite work that was on display belonged to the talented illustrators Kathleen Meaney, Josefin Sundqvist, Jade Price and Lisa Lind.

Well done to all those graduating this year and good luck for the future!

Holly Surplice @ ECA

This week at Edinburgh College of Art, we were very lucky to have a very special visiting illustrator... the lovely Holly Surplice. Holly is one of my favourite illustrators working in the current children's book market so I was EXCITED when she agreed to coming in.

During her visit, Holly did a little presentation telling us all about her, her work and making it in the industry. She showed us a variety of her work, both old and new. We even got the opportunity to see her screen-printed children's book that she created for her degree show. "Silly Jack" went on to be her first publication with Walker books in 2006.

Those students who are particularly interested in creating artwork for children and children's books also had the opportunity to have personal tutorials with her. What a fantastic experience!

Thank you to Holly and ECA for this wonderful event. I am very much looking forward to the next visit in March.

You can find Holly Surplice here....
www.marblesink.co.uk
www.hollysurplice.blogspot.com