Book Birthday ~ Thank You, Teacher
Hello, sweetest ones! How are we all?
Somehow, it’s almost summer, and I find myself in subtle disbelief. Was it the unusually hot weather we’ve had that disrupted my usual routine, or the influx of projects I’ve been juggling? Who can say. Regardless, we’ve made it this far, and I hope the year so far has been kind to you.
Today is a special post, celebrating the recent publication of my new children’s book, Thank You, Teacher, published by Hachette. This project kept me company through the slow weeks of January and is my first book created entirely in pencil (excluding the cover)! It was both a challenge and a joy to create, and honestly, I absolutely loved it. Through those quiet months, the heart-warming sketches gave me much comfort, and I managed to complete the whole book fairly quickly. It was a fast turnaround, taking just over a month to finish. April’s newsletter lifted the curtain on my process for this book. So if you’d like to read more about it, you can do so here.
Last weekend, I headed down to a sun-soaked Manchester to see the first copies of Thank You, Teacher on the shelves of Waterstones and HOBAF. It truly was a pinch-me moment. Seeing something I’d created by hand, printed and stocked in bookshops I’ve loved for a long time, I wonder whether there’s a word to describe the feeling it gave me. My inner child was so happy. I’m incredibly grateful for the guidance and support I had from my wonderful art directors, Samuel and Rosie, and, as always, my agent Mark. To work with people who are truly fans of your work is as fulfilling as holding the finished product. And of course, being a teacher myself, it was a pleasure to work on a book that will be drawn in, written in, and gifted by small hands to their teachers. I value connection deeply in my work, and I felt that at the heart of this little book. I’ve been celebrating with long, drawn-out moments of gratitude this month, with bookshop visits, lots of unboxings, and the odd piña colada. It’s been wonderful.
Let’s catch up!
While I was finishing up the edits for Thank You, Teacher, my agency took some future projects I’m optimistic about to the Bologna Book Fair. I couldn’t attend myself this year, as I recently started a new arts administration job in the city centre. While this means I’m no longer a full-time freelancer, the role brings a helpful boost in income during a quieter season for book projects. I still get to dedicate a couple of days each week to my beloved creative practice however, and the community projects that I get to be involved in adds another dimension to my life as a creative in the northern arts community. This change in routine has also made me curious about how other freelancers balance their time and income. From conversations with friends in the same field, it seems to be a constant, shifting balance. I do love it though, and I have a feeling this summer will give me a little more space to settle into these new roles and provide me with time to enjoy making art just for me.
I’ve also been spending a lot of time with people I love. It’s deeply nourishing, and has become more and more apparent how much I value connection. This month, the Drawn In gang and I visited the colourful Caterpillar Press to brainstorm a future risograph workshop, which I’m sure will be a hit with the creative communities in Manchester and Stockport! It’s always a joy catching up with Nicola, Jordan, Louise, and Nathan, and hearing about their own projects and progress. I also went on a Sketch & Stretch retreat with my dear friend Amber, which was a dream. It was led by Emma Thorlby, and I got to meet the lovely Caroline Dowsett! I even went to my first Eurovision party, which was MAD. I did enjoy this one however, from Latvia. Alongside a few private painting events and mentoring a third-year illustration student, it’s been a busy, variety-filled season. I guess I really am living the life of an illustrator!
So, what’s next? I’m currently working on a sweet community project in partnership with Bury Art Museum. I’m collaborating with a lecturer from my old university, Manchester Metropolitan, and the stories I’ll be illustrating have been written by children, some from my old primary school, so this is a project that is incredibly close to home. I won’t be doing full-page illustrations for this one, which should, in theory, make the process a little quicker. I’ve really enjoyed the collaborative nature so far, and I’m excited to see how the illustrations develop.
Thank you, as always, dear friends, for being here, for reading, liking, and supporting in every way you do. It never goes unnoticed. I wish you all a creative season ahead. Let me know what you’re working on in the comments below!
See you around!
C x
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), sharing how the book came to be, and the hidden details that are scattered throughout the pages.
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.
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! 🎉
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
Drawn In Conversation: A night of Illustrative Insights at Manchester’s AOI Meet-up
Happy happy February friends! It’s my birthday month, and a very special month for my debut picture book…but more on that soon!
To welcome in this bright and breezy month, I did a talk at the Drawn In meet-up for illustrators at Seven Bro7ers in Ancoats. Events like this fill me with a deep sense of gratitude and connection, and the opportunity to meet fellow creatives and share insights into our freelance journies is always an enriching experience. For those who couldn't attend, I wanted to touch on the key points of my talk, and delve into the four pivotal lessons I've learned in my first 2.5 years as a freelance illustrator.
In my talk I delved into how I became an illustrator, my early beginnings as a creative child, my experience of graduating during a Pandemic, and how I bagged myself a book deal at Bologna Book Fair. There’s just too much to dive into here, but at the core of my talk were four key lessons that have shaped my journey, and these are the points I want to share with you today - I hope you find them insightful too. A lot of it was trial and error, but as you’ll learn, sometimes putting one foot in front of the other and showing up for your craft no matter what is the only thing that will move you forward.
Passion
The first and most fundamental lesson is passion. From the earliest days of childhood, drawing was not just a pastime for me, but a calling—an integral part of my identity. Transitioning into the freelance world amid the pandemic in 2020 tested the true nature of my passion. Stripped of any traditional milestones like graduation ceremonies, degree shows and some type of closure to that part of my life, I found myself adrift in uncertainty and isolation. Yet, my unwavering love for illustration remained the light at the end of the tunnel —a reminder of the pure joy I get from bringing imagination to life.
The first two years out of university were not easy. I was confused with the direction my life was taking, and unsure of how to “make it” as an illustrator. In moments of doubt, it was my passion that sustained me, urging me to persevere even when the path ahead seemed daunting. Through the highs and lows, I held fast to the belief that drawing was not just what I did but an integral part of who I was—a guiding light in a time in my life that was shrouded in uncertainty.
Consistency
During that challenging time, I decided to focus on building a picture book portfolio. I committed myself to the pursuit of improvement, revamping university projects and making dummy books, submitting them to agents and competitions regularly. Though I was met with rejection after rejection, each setback served as a stepping stone toward growth. With every submission, I honed my skills and refined my approach, undeterred by the occasional sting of disappointment. It was through this consistent effort that I began to see small changes on my path.
Resilience
My second lesson bled into the third. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way describes growth as “an erratic forward movement: two steps forward and one step back”. How true in the tumultuous journey of artistic pursuit! As I grappled with the doubts and uncertainty, resilience emerged as my greatest ally. At the beginning of 2023, I read The Artist's Way for the first time, where I confronted the limiting beliefs that had loomed over my creativity for many years. Through introspection, self-discovery and therapy, I began to dismantle the barriers that stood between me and my aspirations. I learnt so much during these first transformative months that I am embarking on the course again in 2024, this time with a group of accountability buds!
Nurture
Emerging into 2024, I find myself on the cusp of a new chapter - a chapter of supportive community, slow and steady pursuits and nurturing my inner artist. I used to show up to my practice with force and frustration, but while I’m no longer bound by the constraints of productivity, I have come to embrace the fluidity of creativity—the delicate dance between inspiration and surrender.
I have also now found solace in community. Since joining the Drawn In team, and showing up to my sketch group, I have discovered the transformative power of shared experience—the kind that arises from sharing your troubles, insights and ideas with other like-minded artists. Through mentorship and collaboration, I have come to understand that the truest expression of art lies not in solitude but in communion, and is a valuable part of my practice that I will be nurturing for years to come.
The whole evening was an absolute joy - I think you can tell from the photos that everyone really did find it a valuable and inspiring night. I am over the moon to be a part of the Drawn In team, and to share my insights into the illustration journey with you all. It fills my cup to the brim!
Card Collection on Moonpig.com!
What better way to celebrate my birthday month than with the launch of my celebration cards on Moonpig.com!
This collection has been almost a year in the making but I’m thrilled with the final designs. I hope they pique your curiosity enough to snag one or a couple. They’re perfect for any occasion and yes, you can personalised them too! 🎈🎈🎈
Search “celebration circus” on Moonpig.com to see the collection or click here!
As always friends, thanks for being here. See you soon!
C x