Summer holidays with family are awesome!!

(Thanks Tessa, Olivia and Aunty Lynn for the photos.)

Last week I finally began work on some of the final images for my second picture book. As this time I'm planning a wordless picture book, there will be more than three times the amount of images in the finished book than there was in 'Custard and Carriages'. That's a lot of extra work!

Before leaving on holiday, I received my latest dummy book back from the assessor with her report on my changes to the storyboard. Her response was very encouraging and I think the story is coming together at last. The ending always seems to be the hardest part for me to structure, but I hope I've got it sorted now. Soon it will be time to start approaching publishers!

Also, since arriving home, I've been reading this book 'Show Me A Story: Why Picture Books Matter'. The book consists of twenty-one interviews with some of the leading illustrators of children's books. Compiled by Leonard S. Marcus, the selection of interviews are full of insights into the illustrators themselves and into their techniques and inspirations. 

Since the publication of this book Maurice Sendak has passed away, which makes reading his contribution even more absorbing. Finding out how some of his ideas were first conceived and why he wrote the type of stories he did was illuminating. 

Although I've never been a great fan of his style of illustration, Sendak's contribution to the field of children's literature was immense.

There are only three interviews that I haven't yet read and I can't wait to finish this wonderful book.

The first post for 2013!

While away on our week-long family holiday last month, we were able to drive out to my grandparents old farm in Hastings. They sold the farm 20 years ago and I hadn't been out there since I was about 6.

The picture book that I'm currently working on is set at this farm, so I wanted to make the most of the opportunity to get some photos to use as references for my drawings.

There had been some changes to the farm - hedges extended, swimming pool gone, house repainted - but there was still much that remained from when my grandparents owned the property.

Although we didn't actually go onto the section or into the house, the current owner met us as he was turning up the driveway and stopped to chat for a while.

He mentioned that the ancient blue tractor (which will appear in my illustrations) is still parked in the hay shed. That old machine was very exciting to play on!

Armed with a camera, I walked up and down the road, stopping to admire the view and take photos - I took over 40 pictures in the short time that I was there. The storyline for my second picture book is close to being finalised now, but the photographs will be a huge help as I draw the illustrations that will appear in the book.

       View of the farm house from the road.

The field directly next to the farm.

The driveway - by the yellow letter-box.

Standing outside this same driveway more than 20yrs earlier. I'm wearing the red hat.