the book!

The Birthday is a children's story that was written by Jill Tomasetti and illustrated by myself. Above are photographs of the digitally printed version of the handmade book. I made an edition of 4 digital and 4 original versions.

Below are images of the book made from original etchings. The cover is printed using drypoint card. This version is larger than the digital ones and the pages are Fabriano Rosaspina printmaking paper.

I will be exhibiting these books at Editions Gallery in Liverpool from July 9th. They will be a part of a show I am in, Magnificent Seven, with six other illustrators based in Liverpool. We formed as a group during a residency in the Bluecoat's print studio this Spring.

Thanks to Andy and Hannah for lending me their camera. Thanks to Emma for teaching me how to print, I will always be in debt to you for it. Thanks to Jesse, for so much.

 And of course, thank you Jill for writing this story. 

the birthday

I have been very busy lately, with traveling to Dublin, getting over a cold, changing flat bike tires, and making books! This book business has been a successful project and I am almost finished with it. My good friend, Miss Jill Tomasetti, has written a story for me and I have illustrated it using my newly aquired printmaking skills. This is the first story that I have illustrated from beginning to end and I chose to make them etchings, which is a techinque that suits my style really well. The line quality is amazing! 

The story is called The Birthday and is about a girl who goes to the park on her birthday. It is a unique and simple story that I made seven illustrations for.

"What do you think, Isis?" she said to the small bird under her bed.

The plan: I decided to make eight books, four of which will be the original prints on printmaking paper and four inkjet copies on high quality paper. So far I have made two of each, and hope to construct the rest this weekend. 

"Her feet soon led her to the park, where a friendly little dog noticed her crown and wished her many happy returns of the day."

This past weekend was the second Liverpool Artists' Book Fair, where I shared a table with my friend Jo Moore. I showed my books there and get very good feedback from the visitors and other book artists. I also made cards with my illustrations on them and brought the bookmarks that I made last year, both of which sold well and it was encouraging. The weekend was fun and I was inspired, so I plan to get involved with the book arts fair in Manchester this fall. 

Go books!

 I promise to post photos of the books as soon as I get my hands on a digital camera. They really must be seen to be understood, words just won't do. Jill's story is wonderful and I'm going to send much simpler versions of the book to children's book publishers. Why not?

forever

A very good friend of mine is getting married and commissioned me to design her wedding invitations. This is the 'Save the Date' card without the text. The couple bicycle a lot and I thought it was fitting to draw in a cute three speed!

Here is the invitation: two bicycles, a tall tree, birds, leaves on the tree... all good things. The couple are going to add text to this one as well. It will be folded three times and put into square envelopes. I can't wait to get one in the mail! Unfortunetly, Jesse and I won't be able to go to the wedding because we're living in England. It will be wonderful I know! I'm also creating a marraige contract for them, which all their guests will sign. It's a lovely Quaker tradition and I am so glad that I am able to be a part of it.