Ann's Shop

Ann has set up an Etsy shop for her brilliant series of phobia prints. The above image in Octophobia, though I think my favourite is maybe Phobophobia which is the fear of phobias. Check it out.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/FlaneurDesign

Picture Book Report

I'm a big fan of this great project set up by Meg Hunt.

"Picture Book Report is an extended love-song to books. Fifteen illustrators will reach out to their favorite books and create wonderful pieces of art in response to the text that has moved them, shaped them, or excited them. From sci-fi to children’s books to fantasy to serious novels, we’ll cover them all. For three weeks out of every month there will be a new illustration every day from one of us along with our thoughts, process, anything we can come up with. Together we will try to excite readers both new and old and capture some of that magic of storytelling."

Its a great concept and has inspired me to have stab at a similar attempt myself.  I sat down in front of our large bookcases at the weekend, scanning the book spines and had a good think about what story would be fun to illustrate. It was a difficult job, there are so many great tales I'd love to draw. In the end I went for "The Enchanted Wood" by Enid Blyton. Not only because it was one of my favourite books when I was a child but also because it lends itself very well to a good mix of different images. Not quite sure of the style I'll go for or if they will be hand drawn or digital but I'm looking forward to the challenge.

As per the official Picture Book Report I'll try to stick to a monthly routine, though I've noticed that unfortunetly due to other commitments a few people have fallen behind and a couple of people have had to drop out early.

Good work to Meg for keeping it all running and for coming up with such a great idea in the first place.

Check out the site for all the great images. Below are a few of my favourites so far.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - P Murphy

The Hobbit - Sam Bosma

The Never Ending Story - Chuck Groenink

The Seed from Johnny Kelly on Vimeo.

Saw this earlier and really liked its simplicity and colour. My opinion might also have been swung by a recent foray into oragami and paper folding during our decorating the close for Halloween.

Lord of the dance

No, the lord of the dance is not Jesus or indeed Michael Flaterly - the king of the dance is 31 year old Matt Harding a "31-year-old deadbeat from Connecticut who used to think that all he ever wanted to do in life was make and play videogames."

Its a very strange film - its just of a slightly strange bloke dancing in different places around the world but for some reason it leaves you with a big smile.

Why do we humans enjoy, eccentric adventures like this. How does something so seemlingly pointless have such a profound effect on so many people around the world that they are sending Matt emails saying the video made them smile and cry.

Who knows but it is a video that shows, it is a small world after all.

Juice

I had a very nice drink of juice the other night - with a great label - check out the the tree trunk turning into a hand holding an orange. Top marks.