Anne's Tragical Tea Party
Anne’s Tragical Tea Party, adapted by Kallie George and illustrated by me is out this week! This is the fourth book in this Anne of Green Gables inspired series published by Tundra Books and it’s a delight to illustrate a character as iconic as Anne Shirley. There’s lots of raspberry cordial and wintry adventures in this one, but I wish I had some currant wine with which to celebrate. This recipe, though, looks like it might come in handy…
Swept Away
Sketchbook things, St. Patrick’s Day on my mind. I had a great-great grandmother named Delia Delaney and it’s always seemed like a splendid name for a book character. That said, I have no idea if she ever did battle with malevolent fairies. Hopefully.
The Hint of an Explanation
Here’s something I worked on end of last year, an illustration based on the opening scene of The Hint of an Explanation, by Graham Greene. The short story is one of my favorite things ever written — regrettably, I can’t find the text online, otherwise I’d link. Without giving away the ending, it’s a turning, twisting tale of one man’s childhood encounter with evil and the good that paradoxically results. I feel like it’s begging to have a film adaptation (see also: The Secret History, The Saboteur, The Last Gentleman, The Paper Garden, etc., etc., etc.). Which in turn has me wondering: what book would you want to see made into a movie?
All that to say, though, this t-shirt is hilarious (and 99.9% accurate).
Staying Warm
It seems like everybody and their brother is sewing a quilted vest at the moment and because it can snow here until April, I didn’t feel like it was too much of a lost cause to be making one myself in March. I’m using prints from Eloise’s Garden, vintage linens, Spoonflower test swatches and a few bits of linoleum block printed fabric. And this quilted vest pattern from Purl Soho is free (!), so that’s what I’m using to put this all together.
Other March things:
I’m reading An Unsuitable Attachment at the moment.
Around the World in 80 Days is delightful escapist fare. It’s also making me want to travel. Badly.
Only a few more days until Anne’s Tragical Tea Party! There’s lots of “raspberry cordial” in this book. Poor Diana…
The Wild Atlantic Way
Going through some old artwork recently, I ran across scans of this coaster I illustrated for the Salut! 6 show at Nucleus Portland last year. It’s reminding me of the west coast of Ireland, which seeing as St. Patrick’s Day is in a few weeks, seems apropos to post.
And if you, too, fantasize on the daily about running off to Eire, may I recommend the website Cheap Irish Houses? The site is absolutely fantastic for kickstarting daydreams about your dream cottage in County Wherever.
The Infanta
This Infanta has been showing up in my sketchbook for the past 15 years. I probably owe her a story, with that level of persistence.
Also, I’ve been updating my portfolio over the past few weeks. In addition to new book samples, there’s now a section for lettering and design, updated sketchbooks and some new surface design work.
Words on the Wall
I have a mental list of dream projects and clients. Over the years, the list has shifted, some hopes staying and others evolving. And there’s a few things on that list that have even come to pass — like illustrating for Taproot Magazine.
But one project I’ve wanted to work on for ages is a mural. For someone who tends to work at impossibly small sizes, this is definitely playing against type. But the heart wants, etc., etc. So here’s me hinting rather loudly to the internets that I’d very much like to paint a mural for someone, somewhere. And if you were to ever let that mural incorporate my favorite line from Dostoevsky, I would love you forever.
I possess a decidedly snarky streak and make daily attempts to squelch it, with varying degrees of success. But these words make even me stop and feel that maybe, just maybe, beauty can destroy what is hideous and build up what is wounded. Perhaps not today, but maybe tomorrow.
And I’ll take that bit of a glimmer, for whatever it’s worth.
