Dancing in the Rain ~ Book Birthday!
“You dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams” ~ Gene Kelly
Dearest friends, how are you?
I can’t quite believe it has been a year since Dancing in the Rain first arrived into the world. To be honest, I thought I’d have more time to reflect on this milestone, but the last few months have been something of a whirlwind. Between workshops, a new book, and the usual ebb and flow of creative work, I find myself almost a year older and a year busier. But I didn’t want to let this moment slip by without pausing to celebrate it properly.
My dear friend and author of the book Giulia Zucchini has been bringing the book to life across Italy, sharing the beautiful story of Olmo’s discovery of the legendary Gene Kelly — an encounter made possible by Giulia’s own son’s love of the dancing legend. With references to Kelly’s films and memorabilia, the book introduces young readers to the timeless artistry of Kelly, whose influence on dance and film continues to shine many years after the films first came to our screens. The first presentation was in Padua, last spring, at Pel di Carota. After this there were many others; the book began to travel around Italy and in some libraries and independent bookstores. In Bologna, at Giannino Stoppani - Libreria per ragazzi, Giulia sat in conversation with Marcella Terrusi (University of Bologna), pulling the curtain back on how Dancing in the Rain came to be—the tiny moments of inspiration, the behind-the-scenes magic, and the little details in the book.
Last November, Dancing in the Rain found itself at La Gang del Pensiero in Turin, where Giulia shared the book among vintage photographs and eager young faces. There’s something special about the children taking part, not just as listeners, but as participants, stepping into the story with small, joyful movements of their own.
To mark the first anniversary, Giulia hosted a special event on February 15th at Castello di Carta - Libreria per ragazzi, where children became part of the story—dancing, creating paper dolls inspired by Gene Kelly, and discovering the magic of movement and imagination. The event, in collaboration with Curci Young Editions, was a joyful celebration of art, film, and storytelling. The children were invited not just to listen, but to move. The story came alive through dance, laughter, and the tapping of small feet. At the end of the event, each child left with their own handmade Gene Kelly paper doll, a tiny memento of the day.
I wish I could have been there for all of it. The photos alone made me want to hop on a plane and join in. I am grateful to Giulia and the Edizioni Curci team who have cared for our book. I would also like to thank Mrs. Patricia Ward Kelly for always supporting this project and for continuing to follow this adventure with great affection.
There’s still more celebrating to do, more children to introduce to Gene Kelly, more tiny feet ready to step into the magic. For now, though, I just want to say thank you. To everyone who has held this book, read it, shared it, and danced along.
🎉 Happy first birthday, Dancing in the Rain! 🎉
Drawn In Co-Working at GRIT Studios: The importance of shared spaces and creative connection
It’s funny how these months seem quick and lazy all at once. August felt that way. We didn’t get much sun here in the North, but the lilac evenings made up for it. There’s a certain magic in watching a city sneak into dusk, a peacefulness in sitting by the sea, and spending rainy afternoons with fellow creatives. I’ve been documenting it all, of course, and taking stock of what this summer has taught me. You can read more about it on my Substack, where I shared some of my summer sketchbook pages during my trip by the sea. In this post, I’m sharing a little about our recent Drawn In co-working day. A warm, inspiring time spent with fellow illustrators in the heart of Manchester that reminded me of how much I’ve come to value working with others. It’s funny how collaboration, even in the simplest sense, can spark new ideas and breathe fresh life into our solitary practices. Here's what I learned from that day.
Making art can be such a solitary thing, can’t it? You sit, you think, you go deep within yourself. It’s a journey inward, to the quiet corners of a creative mind. But what I’ve really come to appreciate, is that I don’t want to stay there alone. I crave the quiet moments of connection too, not in the sense of shared work, but in shared space and shared conversations. That’s what I loved most about art school. Although we would work on our individual projects, we worked on them in a shared space. Just knowing someone else was there, also creating, was enough. There was this lovely, unexpected inspiration in passing someone’s sketches on the wall that had been ripped out of their sketchbook, glimpsing a corner of another artist’s process, or exchanging thoughts and ideas by the water cooler. Life drawing is another outlet that gives me this same feeling, where we work in silence, but each of us tapping into our creativity in mutual, silent synergy.
I’ve been so lucky this year to be part of Drawn In, Manchester illustrators’ collective. It’s been a year now since we launched the community (you can read about our launch night here), and it’s been such a gift. We created the group because we felt that connection in Manchester’s art community was missing. We wanted to build a space for illustrators to share their worries, hopes, and dreams, and to remind ourselves that we aren’t alone in feeling them.
At our first event, something that came up again and again was the desire for more a collaborative workspace. Somewhere to work together and bounce ideas off of each other. Thanks to John Cooper, a Manchester illustrator and member of GRIT studios, we were invited to host our August event at this collaborative space in the heart of the city. Working amongst friends, the event offered an opportunity to discuss current projects, to share how we work similarly, and how we work differently. Soaking it all in, as the gentle patter of August rain accompanied our conversations, I found it a wholesome and nourishing time to just to be with fellow creatives. There’s something special about those conversations, the ones that unfold naturally and without agenda. You never know what gem might come from them.
I used to be the artist who tucked herself away, isolated in a room, thinking that’s how the best work got done. But working this way never filled me up. This year, I’ve made a conscious effort to step out, to surround myself with other creatives, and nourish that part of me that craves connection. When I first started freelancing, I wasn’t shy about talking about my loneliness. There were periods when it hit me hard. The more I’ve pushed myself to get out there, the more I realise I’m just quietly extroverted, and thrive on spending time with other people. I need to express my ideas, and time to breathe and share my inner thoughts with other artists. Making connection a priority this year hasn’t just supported my mental health, but overall I feel more balanced and well-rounded in my practice.
We don’t grow in a vacuum. Trust me, I’ve tried it! Creativity thrives on connection, whether that’s the shared excitement of a new project, or just a new set of paintbrushes. So, if you’re looking for it, here are a few ways you can find connection and support in your community:
Join a life drawing class, sketchbook group, or art club. You’ll be meeting other creatives regularly, and can bond over your mutual love of a shared activity.
Find a studio to work in outside of your home. A change of scenery does wonders for the creative mind, and can add breathing time to your week if you tend to work alone.
Apply for mentorship. I had a mentor when I left university, and now I have my agent. This is someone you can bounce ideas off, and trust they will give you honest and helpful feedback that keeps you moving in the right direction.
Engage with your online community. Instead of just liking posts, try leaving a thoughtful comment, ask questions, and start a conversation.
Draw on location. You can be creative in cafes, parks, museums - anywhere! Not only does this one aid observational work, but you’re be surrounding yourself with community.
Attend events. There are book fairs, talks, art festivals going on all the time in our cities. I keep an eye on Eventbrite to see what’s coming up in my local area.
I can’t wait for our next event at the beautiful House of Books and Friends. It’ll be a good one - myself and my agent, Mark Mills will be hosting the talk all about children’s publishing! If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by! Let’s chat, share a drink, and find some new inspiration together.
Until then, C x
April Travel Blog: What the 2024 Bologna Children’s Book Fair has taught me
Good morning friends! I’m back, fresh-faced and buzzing after a wonderful trip to the 2024 Bologna Children’s Book Fair. In just a few days, the faces I met and the discussions I was a part of have left me feeling utterly inspired and energized to start creating again.
The thing is, there has always been this other part of me, the part that I am continuously witnessing and comforting, that fears taking the next step. During my Italian trip, I really came to understand that the most important step for us to take, is just to take action. Now I’m back and slowly re-shaping my routine to support me, I’m listening to my soul more and more, and balancing what I must do, by showing up every day with my most important tasks, with nurturing my creativity. The creative part of me that is the most valuable, and yet had previously been pushed further down my perceived scale of importance. Being surrounded by illustrators, new and established at the Book Fair, has lit a fire in me. That excitement that comes from my inner artist has been awakened again, and this time I’m choosing to act upon it.
On this bright Monday morning, as I listen to the blustery spring breeze, candles lit and tea brewing (ahh it’s good to be home!) I now have time to reflect and digest my trip to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, and what resonated with me the most, I think, is important to share.
Refreshing Routines
Yesterday was also my first Artists Way Book Club after a week of rest, which I have to say was entirely needed. I feel refreshed, energized and creatively inspired, compared to the weeks leading up to Bologna which left me a little frazzled. At this most recent meet-up I voiced my wish of wanting a daily creative practice - a simple act, but one that hasn’t been executed for quite some time, due to my avoidance of feeling like a novice. I admire greatly the sketchbooks by Becca Hall or Lucy Salmon and am in awe of their consistency to show up to their daily drawing routine. It is not necessarily their illustrative ‘style’ that captures me - I do love their illustrations but I am also a fan of my own work, and believe in my own unique creative voice (something that has also taken years to learn) - but rather the way they are showing up as illustrators.
With this in mind, I have returned from the book fair with a dedication to carve out time each morning, just for half an hour or so, to draw. Because drawing is important to me, and my craft needs to be nurtured. Bologna taught me that anyone can have talent, but persistence and a good dose of hard work is so important in moving your practice forward at a consistent and expediential rate. In a Masterclass with Oliver Jeffers on Day two, I made this note on my phone, quoting the man himself. It is a valuable idea that I will keep with me moving forward:
‘Talent without effort is nothing, you only get what you put in. And that’s got to be a joyous experience.’
~ Oliver Jeffers
Even as I write this, I can witness the creative flow I am in. No planning on what I have to write, just a stream of consciousness that comes from listening to what lights me up. And that is because I began my day with an observational sketch. That’s it! My dear friend Jenny told me that observational sketching helps us understand what WE are drawn to, and this in turn helps us tap into our unique creative voice (which is always available to us by the way!) and this act alone can fuel us for the rest of the day, week or even the year! By tapping into this mindful act every morning we not only inspire ourselves for the remainder of the day, but over time we build confidence by showing up again and again and listening, witnessing or just playing with whatever wants to land on the page.
I also bring up this idea of inner joy, because this was undoubtedly the single most important phrase that kept coming up for me during the fair. I listened to talks by Oliver Jeffers, Felicita Sala, Beatrice Alemagna, and each spoke about joy being the seed that transformed their work into their most successful projects. Creating art first and foremost for their inner child, or inner artist, was repeated again and again, and slowly it became apparent to me that this was the secret sauce to being an illustrator who not only enjoys what they do, but can sustain themselves through a long career, and connect with their audience emotionally. Play and enjoyment comes first, creating for the industry second.
Asking the right questions
Witnessing these established artists up-close has also inspired me to begin embodying the illustrator I wish to be, by implementing small easy habits that over time will have a lasting positive impact on my practice. You can do this too by asking; What does Oliver Jeffers (or insert any other inspiring creator here) do on a daily basis that I can also do AND that my inner artist finds exciting? Remember that joy should come first. My own answers to this question inspired me to purchase some markers I saw Felicita Sala using at her book signing, because I’ve been loving using felt tips and markers in my sketchbook recently and decided to treat myself! Another small but significant change I am going to make is to keep my sketchbook in my bag, and pack a pencil case with all the necessities so I don’t have to think about when or where I can draw. If I feel the spark of inspiration, I will have my sketchbook close by, which hopefully will allow my ideas to flow more easily, and keep me accountable by removing the excuse of ‘I can’t draw because I don’t have what I need’. We’ve all been there!
After the exhilarating buzz of the first day, and seeing my illos for Danzando sotto la Pioggia big and bold on Curci’s stand (so amazing!) I enjoyed a well-earned bowl of mushroom pasta with my dear friends Jenny and Amber. Over the course of the evening our conversation veered towards the topic of procrastination - a common hurdle we all face so it seems. It was a moment of honesty as we discussed our own individual challenges. For me, that has been the act of networking, and actively getting my work seen by more and more people. Acknowledging our personal obstacles is always the first step towards overcoming them. By vocalizing our struggles we not only validated each other's feelings but also unearthed the underlying reasons behind our procrastination. It was a moment of collective realization that our perceived blocks were in reality just lessons waiting to be learned.
Feeling the fear and doing it anyway
Armed with this new awareness, I approached day two of the fair with renewed determination. Instead of passively handing out business cards, I adopted a more intentional approach. I made a conscious effort to engage with publishers whose catalogues resonated with me the most. It was no longer about quantity but about quality - building genuine connections that could mean potential, meaningful collaborations further down the line. And it didn’t matter what answer I got, the win was in the act of trying. With each deliberate interaction, my confidence increased. The more I pushed past my discomfort, the more receptive publishers became to engaging in genuine conversations. It was a powerful reminder that the way we approach a situation can significantly influence its outcome.
Amidst the bustle of the fair, serendipity arrived through familiar faces, and I crossed paths with Nicki, a friend and super talented artist, who gave me a gentle nudge towards the Plum Agency stand, where an unexpected opportunity awaited. With courage I asked for a spontaneous portfolio review and the Director of Plum, Mark Mills, gave me an on-the-spot review! His feedback was a highlight of the trip, and provided a fresh perspective on my work, shedding light on areas for improvement while simultaneously affirming my artistic vision. For each suggestion he gave, I noted down the ones that gave me a surge of excitement, and decided that those were the ideas that I should pursue. My meeting with Mark not only confirmed the direction of my portfolio, but allowed me to see my work in a different light, and how I can shape my own place within the illustration market. I can’t see this replicated anywhere yet, because it’s a personal journey, and that means there is no map to show me how to get there, no formula, and certainly no rules. For each of us pursuing illustration it is really the small daily acts that build up to the most important changes, and by following what lights us up, the path ahead will almost certainly be uncovered.
In hindsight, my trip to the Bologna Children's Book Fair was not just about networking or building confidence in showcasing my work; it was a confirmation as to where I should be heading with my creative practice. I am so excited to continue drawing, and plan more artist dates with myself and my sketchbook. I’m willing to learn, open to being a beginner again, and looking forward to where my inspiration will take me next. Thank you dear friends for supporting this blog as usual, I hope you have a spectacular rest of your week. And remember to listen to those small bursts of joy, because often that is where your answers lie
Keep listening! Keep creating x
Witnessing the Discomfort: What I’m discovering with The Artists Way Book Club
Hello sweetest chickpeas! How’s March treating you? I’m back, fresh from a delightful birthday jaunt to London, and still basking in the glow of my debut picture book Dancing in the Rain. Now at 26, there’s a sweet scent of possibility in the air, and I find myself equally at the summit of my goals and on the edge of a new beginning.
This morning, fuelled by a surge of creativity, I feel the need to write. Perhaps it’s the result of a night spent offline, reconnecting with myself and delving into the root cause of some recent overwhelm I’ve been feeling. I've come to realise that often times, the solution lies in rest, play, or simply disconnecting from social media to embrace moments of presence and quality time. Last week was also my second in-person session at The Artist’s Way book club, and having a space to discuss, share and connect other creatives has been completely nourishing. This practice of nurturing my inner artist has been integral to my creative journey, and although it comes in waves, its significance has been amplified by my current exploration of The Artist’s Way. I’m now immersed in Week Four of the book, which is serving as both a guide and companion on my creative path. It’s a roadmap that encourages introspection, self-discovery, and the nurturing of artistic potential (you can read my first review of the book here). These past weeks have been about reconnecting to my ‘why’, and rediscovering what it truly means for me to be an illustrator. And some lessons I’m learning along the way!
Paying Attention
As a prelude to the book club, I met up with some lovely illustrators from Manchester (you can see Nicki and Kate’s work here) in preparation for Bologna Children’s Book Fair. It’s a trip I’m highly anticipating after my first visit in 2023. This time however, there’s a distinct shift in perspective - I’ll be attending as a published illustrator! It’s a curious feeling to know this - a concoction of pride and imposter syndrome. At the meet-up, surrounded by the brilliance of fellow artists, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. I noticed a sense of disconnection from my own creativity, and this realisation hit me like a bolt. I’d become so consumed by the demands of productivity and sense of urgency that undeniably comes from working on briefs, that my creativity had taken a back seat.
Julia Cameron talks about synchronicity in The Artists Way, and that once we start taking action, doors begin to open. While I pondered on this realisation, I made a visit to my old university and attended an inspiring talk by Nick Sharratt. During his talk I found myself drawn not to his fame or portfolio, but to his roots, and his old uni work, characterised by life drawing and observational sketches. "That’s it!" I thought. "That’s what I've been craving!” I think the essence of illustration lies in capturing the world as we see it, and translating mundane moments into magic on the page. Yet somewhere along the way, amidst deadlines and obligations, I had lost sight of this fundamental truth. I guess this happens to all of us, but I hope this serves as a reminder to reconnect to your ‘why’ as you pursue a career in the arts.
Starting Book Club
It took a couple of weeks after this realisation to really immerse myself in The Artist’s Way. My first book club session felt like coming home. It served as a reminder that surrounding ourselves with a supportive community can provide invaluable encouragement and inspiration. The third week was particularly eye-opening for me, as I had to confront feelings of uncertainty around pursuing a freelance career and making enough money to sustain myself. I’ve been sensing this imbalance for a while and with the help of The Artists Way, I’ve finally been willing to look at it in the daylight. I am looking at "it," whatever that may be, and realise that in pursuing illustration, I really lost sight of the enjoyment of being creative. During one of the exercises, we were tasked with noting down our ‘imaginary lives’. Things we’d do if money wasn’t an option. Among the whimsical dreams and aspirations, I found myself avoiding adding art to the list. And this was a shared experience with the rest of the group. We spoke freely about yoga retreats and roller-skating, manicures and cinema solo-dates. But where was the art? The thing we all chose to do because at one time, we loved it.
One discussion we had was around the influence of social media, particularly Instagram, and how it has gradually eroded any connection to our creative selves. The unavoidable feeling of comparison and saturation of curated content builds an atmosphere of inadequacy, and perhaps that’s where the heaviness and pressure to create comes from. This situation however, leaves little room for play and experimentation. From what I’ve learnt, it's easy (and natural) to lose sight of why we create when working towards the pressure of deadlines. My calendar has recently been devoid play, and the art I’ve been making consequently felt a little uninspired, and hollow.
Preparing for Bologna
Returning to the topic of Bologna fills me with a mix of excitement and apprehension. The idea of building a revised portfolio looms over me, and despite having a freshly published book to add to my list of accolades, the prospect of engaging with publishers still feels daunting, reminding me that I am still, and probably always will be, learning as I go.
I have found in these weeks of self-reflection, that this job does require a certain amount of mental strength, and whether you give yourself time to do affirmations in the morning, or to simply delete IG when you’re feeling overwhelmed, it all contributes to self-care for your inner artist. Joining the book club has been the safety net in which I can unpack my own limiting beliefs around time and money as a creative, as well as owning up to the fact that perhaps I haven’t been allowing myself to play as much as I would like. The most important step is to move towards this discomfort, to talk about it, write about it, and ask for guidance when you can. As Julia Cameron puts it; "Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace, and power in it." It's a reminder that every step, no matter how small, carries the potential for transformation.
Other Tidbits:
*My lovely friend Jenny (who started the book club!) makes videos about her illustration journey. I made a cameo in her latest episode! You can watch it here.
*Eternal Sunshine is my album of the month. This song has been on repeat.
*In London I visited Frameless, an immersive experience that blends art and music. While the Impressionist room may not have been my favourite, the ethereal soundtrack and mirrored walls created a very dreamy atmosphere, and I really enjoyed my visit!
*Old movie nights at the cinema are the best! I recently saw a re-run of Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark and it filled my inner child’s cup to the brim!
Moving into a new week, I’ve cut my social media time down significantly and I’ve already witnessed pockets of inspiration come through. I’m getting opportunities that before didn’t have the space to emerge, and ideas for projects that no longer seem so daunting (before I was overwhelmed by wanting to do it all at once). I’m now following those sparks of inspiration, and following what lights me up, even if the answers in front of me don’t make sense right now. I do believe what excites us is what we’re meant to pursue, and hopefully by creating from this space, the answers will reveal themselves in time.
Remember to listen out for them!
C x