Monthly Archives: September 2009

WASPS Open Studios

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On October 3 and 4, we’ll throw open our doors so you can see where we work and what we’ve been doing.

Shadows Into Dusk We Pass

This is your annual chance to visit me in my lair, see the new miniature paintings and decorated mirrors I am working on and learn about some exciting news.

I am also delighted to be able to give you a sneak preview – this weekend only – of the painting I am donating to the Art for Hearts auction before it goes on exhibition at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London next month.

My colleagues will be showing their paintings, sculptures, jewelry, glassware, ceramics, installations, videos and much more. This year we also have visiting artists from King Street and Dovehill Studios showing work in our gallery and project spaces. Click here for essential info.

And once again, I am making a Treasure Hunt for children and their families. Pick up a clue map at the entrance and work your way around the studios to find certain special objects, answer questions, figure out a puzzle or two and register for a free prize draw! This year’s mascot will be Grumpy Cat, who will help guide you around the building.

Any of my blog readers who come to my studio this weekend and ask me what my exciting news is will receive a free postcard!

Art For Hearts

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I’m supporting this good cause.

I have just finished an acrylic painting for a charitable online auction to be held in aid of research by the transplant unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital. You can see it and other artists’ submissions on the Art for Hearts blog – and I’ll let you know the details of the auction as soon as I can.

Book Illustration Fan Sites #2

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Prancing knights, geometric landscapes – I absolutely love this blog.

Thank heavens for people who are passionate enough about book arts and illustration to scan pages and pages of historic book plates and put them up on the web. If I ever need inspiration, BibliOdyssey is one of my first ports of call.

A fiendlishly interesting selection of work, nicely presented. Bravo, Peacay!

Perthshire Open Studios

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Get thee to the country this weekend!

It finally seems to have stopped raining in Scotland for more than five minutes. People ventured out in t-shirts today and realised that over the past rain-sodden month, summer had departed with nary a look over its shoulder.

It ain’t that warm, despite the sun. Still, it’s pretty operable weather to get out and about in. I suggest you take your peeps and your wheels to lovely Perthshire for their Open Studios before the last day this Sunday. My talented friend Angela Heidemann has opened her doors in idyllic Crook of Devon (great name). Read more on her blog.

The Lost O

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In Which I Am Happily Reunited With My Letterform

Burns Banner Photo by Teresa Flavin

You may remember this previous post about the Burns Banner that was in the process of being created. The team behind it duly led a workshop here at the WASPS Factory and resident artists created a whole array of fantastic letterforms. None of us knew whether our contributions would eventually be used in the banner, but in the end quite few of them were. I reckoned mine hadn’t made the cut because I didn’t see my name on the list of contributors when the banner went live in Edinburgh last month during the Edinburgh Festival. Then I happened to notice a certain ‘O’ in the second row and was elated. It was mine and it turned out it was on a list of mystery letters whose owners’ names weren’t known.

Banner Detail Photo by Teresa Flavin

There it is, the golden O in the word “on” in the second row. I am so delighted.
I was lucky enough to get to Edinburgh just before the banner was taken down and to get a couple of photos, just in the nick of time.

And there was much rejoicing!

Jane Yolen in Edinburgh

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Your chance to participate in a picture book workshop with the award-winning American author of over 300 books.

The Scottish branch of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators has let me know that Jane Yolen will be leading an all-day workshop about children’s picture books on Sunday, October 4, from 9am to 5pm at the Braid Hills Hotel in Edinburgh.

This is a rare opportunity to connect with an author who has written everything from babies’ board books to graphic novels. The cost seems very reasonable at £25 for the day, including lunch and tea/coffee. Spaces will be limited, of course, so sign up soon to avoid disappointment.

Jane is also offering (to 8 delegates only) the opportunity to have your picture book manuscript critiqued for an additional cost of £12.50.

To get a full run down on the workshop schedule and to sign up, email ra@scbwiscotland.co.uk

To learn more about what the SCBWI does in Scotland, check their site here.