Little something...

The weather isn't the best in the UK right now, but here's a new illustration to warm us up a little.

Crossing the Tees Festival

I'm looking forward to my first event at Crossing the Tees: The Book Festival for the Tees Valley next Friday. This is a Girls Only (11 - 16years) event and will be hosted at the fabulous Stockton Central Library. Look forward to meeting some lovely ladies and getting stuck into some illustration activities!

Further information about the event...

Lipstick Library VIP Girls Only Event with author and illustrator Holly Sterling

Date: Friday 24th June

Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Location: Stockton Central Library
Cost: £2 / Booking Essential
Suitable for girls aged 11 – 16

At this exclusive event you can take part in an illustration workshop with Holly and there will be henna, hair braiding, temporary tattoos, nail painting (£1.50), crafts, competitions and an exclusive free goodie bag for everyone who attends!

The twitter name for Crossing the Tees is @CrossingtheTees 

The twitter name for Stockton Libraries is @stocktonlibrary 

Crossing the Tees website http://www.crossingthetees.org/

Seven Stories - Rhyme Around the World Exhibition

My work in the Rhyme Around the World Exhibition

Seven Stories has relaunched this summer after undergoing a huge refurbishment to celebrate their 10 year anniversary.

I'm extremely excited to have my illustration from the Over the Hills and Far Away - A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes from Around the World  (Seven Stories and Frances Lincoln, 2014) in the brand new exhibition, Rhyme Around the World. This fabulous exhibit invites families to step into their favourite and nursery rhymes and discover new ones that are shared across the world.

In this multi-sensory show, there is the opportunity to explore the original artwork commissioned by Seven Stories for the Over the Hills book, collected by Seven Stories co-founder, Elizabeth Hammill.

Story-time in the Attic space

My sister Robyn reading her favourite children's book

Exploration in the newly designed book shop

*** NEW BOOKS *** 'Everyone Feels' Series

Here are some sneaky peeks of some work I have recently completed for QED Publishing (Quarto Publishing UK imprint).

This is a four book series written by award-winning author Moira Butterfield. Each book focuses on a different emotion (Happy, Sad, Angry and Scared), looking at why children may feel a certain way and how they can deal with their emotions.

A little more info from Amazon:
Every title features two stories, each told from a child’s point of view, which involve common scenarios or situations. For example, the main characters interact with each other through the series, sharing experiences that readers can easily relate too.

These sensitive stories reassure young readers and provide them with a vocabulary which helps them to express and understand their feelings as they grow up and encounter different situations. 'Story words' in each book explain words simply and gently.

Beautiful, fun illustrations from an award winning illustrator, plus supporting text for parents and teachers ensure children get the most from the books.

Looking forward to all four books coming out in 2016.

Summer Reading Challenge has started!!!

Both myself and author Margi McAllister are very excited and proud to have '15 Things Not to do with a Baby' included in this year's list for the Summer Reading Challenge run by The Reading Agency. This is the UK's biggest reading promotion for children. Those participating could have the opportunity to become a Guinness World Record title holder.

You can sign up for this year's challenge by popping into your local library, selecting six books of your choice, collecting stickers and other awards along the way.

If you live in Sunderland, you can check out See it do it, to stay up-to-date with events taking place at libraries across the city.

And don't forget to grab a read of '15 Things Not to do with a Baby', of course.  :)

Happy Reading!! x

Included in the Summer Reading Challenge 2015

I am happy to announce that my first picture book, 15 Things Not to do with a Baby (written by Margaret McAllister and published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books) has been selected for this year's book collection for the Summer Reading Challenge 2015, Record Breakers.

There are two lists - one for younger children and one for older readers. You will find 15 Things in the collection for younger readers (ages 4-7).

The Summer Reading Challenge is the UK's largest reading event for children and is organised by the charity The Reading Agency. If you would like your children to be involved in this year's challenge, pop into your local library, sign up, select your six book titles and collect stickers and other rewards along the way. You can do all of this for FREE... so go and get signed up!!!

Happy reading!

15 Things Not to do with a Baby - Launch at Seven Stories

Celebrating with my 7 year old niece, May.

May checking out the entrance display at Seven Stories.

Had the most amazing evening of my life last night at Seven Stories, National Centre for Children's Books for the launch celebration of my first picture book, '15 Things NOT to do with a Baby', written by award winning author, Margi McAllister. It was a overwhelming turn out by many of our family, friends and supporters.

I would like to thank Margi McAllister for writing a dream of a text, full of fun and silliness! Thank you to Janetta Otter-Barry and Frances Lincoln Children's Books for believing in the book, trusting in me as a new illustrator and making it a reality. Thank you to Andrew Watson from Frances Lincoln, for being a fabulously talented designer to work with.

Thank you to Elizabeth Hammill and Seven Stories for their ongoing support of me as an illustrator and friend. 

A combined thank you to Nicky Potter and the Seven Stories team for organising such an amazing launch celebration. It was completely magical night.

A very special thank you to my agent Kathryn Ross and partner in crime Lindsey Fraser for simply being the best!!

Lastly, I would like to thank those family, friends and supporters who couldn't join us on this special evening!

As an added note, I am happy to share that I have been announced as Books For Keeps 'New Talent' this month. You can read their fabulous review of the book here... http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/issue/210/childrens-books/reviews/15-things-not-to-do-with-a-baby

We have also been announced as one of the Book Trust's 'Books we like: February 2015'.


Other reviews of the book:

Book Trust http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/view/34170

Mirrors Windows Doors http://mirrorswindowsdoors.org/wp/review-15-things-not-to-do-with-a-baby/

Parents in Touch http://www.parentsintouch.co.uk/Book-reviews-fiction-age-2-to-5-page-14

Red Reading Hub https://jillrbennett.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/family-matters/

The Bookbag http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=15_Things_Not_to_Do_with_a_Baby_by_Margaret_McAllister_and_Holly_Sterling

Books In My House https://littlebooktastic.wordpress.com/2015/01/21/15-things-not-do-do-with-a-baby-written-by-margaret-mcallister-illustrated-by-holly-sterling-frances-lincoln/

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall at Seven Stories

Meeting HRH the Duchess of Cornwall

HRH signing the Seven Stories guest book

On Wednesday 28th January I was honoured to receive an invitation to attend a visit by HRH the Duchess of Cornwall to Seven Stories, National Centre for Children's Books. The Duchess is a passionate supporter of initiatives and organisations that promote literacy and the enjoyment of books and reading, so Seven Stories was the perfect place to have included in a visit to Newcastle.

The Duchess enjoyed a tour of the building and we then had the opportunity to meet her over a cup of tea in the bookshop. She signed the Seven Stories guest book and was presented with a specially signed copy of 'Over the Hills and Far Away' by Elizabeth Hammill, which she said she would enjoy reading to her grandchildren.

This visit marked the start of an important year for Seven Stories, who are celebrating their 10th birthday in the summer. Keep your eyes peeled for many exciting events to follow this year, starting with a refurbishment of the building in the spring.

Photographs courtesy of © Damien Wootten Photography.

15 Things NOT to do with a Baby is LAUNCHED!

So here it finally is... 15 Things NOT to do with a Baby. This is my first picture book for Frances Lincoln and first time illustrating the text of award-winning author, Margaret McAllister.

As soon as I read the story, I knew I had to illustrate it! It involved a cute new baby (tick), it was hilarious (tick) and revealed an interesting relationship being siblings (tick).

We are very happy to announce that the book is currently 'Book of the week' with the UK's leading independent children's book magazine, Books for Keeps. You can also read my FIRST BOOK REVIEW, written by Ferelith Hordon, right here.

Although the book is officially released and for sale, we will be celebrating the launch at Seven Stories (National Centre for Children's Books) on Thursday 29th January. To say I'm excited, is an understatement!

Illustration Friday - Sea

Full illustration

Close up

Noah and Bear having more fun together this Christmas.

Illustration Friday - Light

Noah brought Bear a little light to help him see in the dark wintery night.

'Over the Hills and Far Away' Book Launch

On Monday 13th October, we had the launch of the 'Over the Hills and Far Away' book that was held at the Free Word Centre in London.

It was an absolute honour to be asked to be apart of the illustration panel including illustration legends Jane Ray and Michael Foreman, and 'illustrator of the moment,' Yasmin Ismail.

'Over the Hills and Far Away' Special Edition Cover by Jane Ray

Michael Rosen headed the evening and encouraged lively discussions about the power of nursery rhyme and verse, the importance of diversity in children's books, how each illustrator responded to the invitation to contribute to the book, creative working method (traditional vs contemporary) and how an artist approaches colour.

The Panel: Me, Yasmeen Ismail, Michael Foreman, Michael Rosen, Jane Ray, 
Elizabeth Hammill and Joseph Coelho

Performance poet Joesph Coelho, who was also on the panel, entertained us with beautiful and humorous readings of verses such as 'In the Blue Night' and 'You thumb there, wake up'.

Pre-event book signing (Jane, Michael Foreman, Elizabeth Hammill and me!)

After a wonderful evening at the Free Word Centre, I made a quick dash to Kings Cross with the rest of the Seven Stories team for our train back to Newcastle. Now we look forward to the second celebration event on Wednesday at Seven Stories itself.

You can order your copy from the Seven Stories website. All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to Seven Stories, to help save and celebrate the wonderful world of children's books.

KUGB Christmas Cards 2014

Earlier in the year, I decided to use my illustration/design skills to help raise funds in support of the KUGB's (Karate Union of Great Britain) England Squad. There are 16 cards in each pack (4 of each design) and will be available at KUGB events for £3.99 per pack.

There are a limited number available so please take this opportunity to get them while stocks last and help to support our England Karate Squad competing at the European Championships in Zurich at the end of the year.

PDSA Christmas Cards

Samples of my christmas card designs for PDSA have finally arrived in the Paper Dove Studio. It is also nice to find my illustrations on the cover of the 2014 Christmas catalogue.

All profits made from the sale of these cards will help to support PDSA in serving sick and injured pets... so get ordering!!

Learning how to Letterpress

With Verity and ready for acton in the print room.

Jen putting the next plate in place for print.

Over the past few weeks I have started joining Jen and Verity in the letterpress room learning how to letterpress on a beautiful Heidelberg machine.

Letterpress has become the go-to printing technique for greeting cards, business cards and wedding invitations. Invented in the 15th Century, it was the most reliable and widely used method of printing. This printing method originally involved manually arranging words and images before pressing them into high-quality paper.

Although this is still common practice for many designers, at Paper Dove, we create card designs digitally and have metal plates made from them to then print onto beautiful paper. 

It is great to design for letterpress, but it is even better now that I am learning to print for it as well.

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 - Red

I've been drawing quite a few rabbits recently, so thought it would be nice to continue using them for this week's Illustration Friday topic, Red.

Hope you enjoy!

Illustration Talk - The University of Sunderland

As part of the Seven Stories 'Picturebook in Progress Project', I was asked to present an illustration talk at The University of Sunderland. This wonderful project aims to inspire young artists to follow into an illustration career. What a great project to be apart of!

During the event I discussed my artwork for the 'Over the Hills and Far Away' book, my transition from being a student to working in the professional world of illustration, my working methods/techniques, my experience of working with publishers, editors and book designers, and my new job at Paper Dove.

At the end of the talk, the students had the opportunity to look at some of my original material, work in progress, and published pieces, seeing a project from the very beginning to the very end.

If you are in Newcastle on the 25th January, make sure you get yourselves to the Picturebook in Progress Gallery Opening at Seven Stories and view the artwork of some of the UK's best loved illustrators.

With special thanks to Alison Barratt, David Wright and Carey Fluker Hunt.

Illustration Friday - Spirit (of Christmas)

Here is a Christmas card design that I finished this week for one of our briefs at Paper Dove Company. I thought this was a perfect image to contribute to this week's Illustration Friday post with my representation of the 'Spirit of Christmas'.

I hope you enjoy this illustration and have a magical Christmas and New Year!

Holly x

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!