Illy words

I have recently done some illustrations for 'Illy words', a book-zine produced by Corraini for Illy coffee. The theme for the issue is everything Italian, and my part was to illustrate some unusually named Italian dishes, including 'Salad of escaped anchovies', 'Heartbreaker burger' and 'Rice and gold'. Images appear alongside interviews with the two Italian chefs who conceived these dishes - renowned chef Gualtiero Marchesi and Cristiano Meneghin, who makes Italian street food in London. 

 

Tu Chi Sei?

Tu Chi Sei? (Who are you?) is a philosophy book for children and curious adults, published by Edizioni Corraini and written by Ilaria Rodella and Francesco Mapelli, collectively known as Ludosofici. It came out last week and was launched at Festivaletteratura in Mantova. I contributed some drawings of philosophers, plus a portrait of the authors!

Association of Illustrators award for COOP poster!

I am very happy to be selected as a winner at the AOI awards, in the Research and knowledge communication category. The brief was to design a poster for COOP, Italy that aims to present ideas about sustainable living in a simple and clear way. It was a collaboration with Italian publisher Corraini Edizioni who I work with regularly, and the second part of a larger project about education in schools, called Sapere COOP. The poster will be used as part of EXPO 2015 in Milan, with the general theme 'Feed the Planet, Energy for life'. Here is the final image and an early sketch!

Drawing in the Sea co-editions

My sea-themed activity book 'Drawing in the Sea', originally published by Edizioni Corraini, is now available in French and German. Both editions are out this month: the French edition 'Tout sur la Mer' is published by Editions Les Grandes Personnes and the German, 'Meer Malen', by Verlag Antje Kunstmann.

Corraini Edizioni win best publisher in Europe!

Last week I visited the Bologna Children's book fair which was a great and very inspiring experience as usual. Also I'm very pleased to say that my Italian publisher, Corraini Edizioni picked up an award for best children's publisher in Europe. I first met Corraini 10 years ago in 2004, and we have worked together on and off ever since! To find out more about Corraini and their books, visit their website here.

Ilustrarte exhibition

Last week the children's book illustration biennial 'Ilustrarte' opened in Lisbon at the museum of electricity. Three of my pieces from 'Drawing in the Sea' published by Edizioni Corraini were chosen for the show - 'Large and small', 'The Bermuda triangle', and 'Deep sea divers'. I am grateful to fellow illustrator and exhibitor Gaia Stella for taking these pictures, as I haven't been able to visit yet but am hoping to do so soon! The exhibition is on in Lisbon until April 13th, after which it moves to Madrid and Ghent. More information is available on the Ilustrarte website.

Poster for COOP, Italy

Following on from my work for them last year, the COOP in Italy and Edizioni Corraini asked me to design and illustrate a poster for them on the subject of sustainability. Here is the final, very detailed piece! It contains lots of information on ways to live sustainably, including growing your own vegetables, eating in season, using renewable energies, recycling and using up leftovers. Here are a few details for a closer look. 

Unmöglich?!

The German edition of 'Sixty Impossible things before lunch' is out this week, published by Verlag Antje Kunstmann, and simply called 'Unmöglich?!' or 'Impossible?!'. As well as having a slightly different cover to the original, it has some new illustrations, as several of my 'Impossible things' didn't translate into German! Hence 'Flying pigs' became 'Flying words', and 'How long is a piece of string?' is now 'How long is a long cable?'. My flying pig is no longer flying but jumping over his own shadow, and I have also added an illustration of a jelly being nailed to a wall, something that I'm sure is impossible in any language!

Drawing in the Sea launch party!

Last week I was in Milan for the 'Grande festa del mare', an exhibition, launch and party for my new book 'Drawing in the sea'. It was a great night, organised by Corraini and held at 121 bookshop. Visitors could get involved by adding their own drawings to huge posters of pages blown up from the book, there was food, drink, a great band and a discount on all books for one night only! Here are some photographs of the event.

Fishing in Turin?!

Whilst at the Turin book fair, I did some children's workshops based on my new book 'Drawing in the Sea'. The theme was fishing - children had great fun first of all making 'the sea' out of large bits of blue paper and decorating it with waves, and marine animals and plants. Then, they made fish and other sea creatures out of coloured paper, and finally fishing rods out of wooden sticks, string and magnets. By attaching paper clips to each sea creature, kids could then fish for them out of their seas and catch them with their magnets!  'Drawing in the Sea' is now available from my online shop.