Brilliant Downs Syndrome Awareness creation

Such a wonderful, simple, engaging idea...
http://www.b-landau.de/fun/inspiring/

A Whole Bag of Words

When I'm writing, this is what the inside of my head looks like.

Emotional Landscape

What's all this about?  Good question.  I love 'alternative' maps, diagrams, info graphics and such like and when I was rooting through some old watercolour bits and bobs I found a little sketch / play / experiment.  When I looked at it, I could see how it formed a little surreal landscape and that was enough to set me off.

I'm also a big fan of the books of Magnus Mills and this scene also sort of reminds me of of his book 'Three to see the King'.

I tried out some beautifully surreal captions (which frankly I prefer) but settled on something a bit more romantic and touchy-feely.

New Illustration in progress

Spent most of today sketching out ideas for a new illustration.  It gradually evolved into a blend of fantasy, fairy tale and platform game setting.  Because of the pool, boulders and waterfalls at the base I was reminded of the Roger Dean cover for 'Close to the Edge' and so have given the structure the name: Edge House.

I'll upload pics as the Illustration progresses.  This, I guess is stage 2, as I have scanned the original thumbnail and I'm now working in Photoshop to tighten up the line work. You can see quite clearly original pencil and parts where I've been reworking.

Steampunk Cat

I wake to the sound of rain thundering down on the roof,
splashing down from the overflowing gutters
and gushing down the road in a torrent.

I also soon heard the sound of the cat complaining
as I let him in from the deluge.

I've paper-toweled the worst off him
and now he's curled up in my lap in bed
                                    ..steaming gently.

Little Red Dancing Girl, Pacific Place, Hong Kong

I was sorting through some Hong Kong photos today and found this one which I had forgotten about.  Taken near Pacific Place, just outside the lovely Petit Cafe, it shows this happy little girl who spent some time skipping back and forth full of the joy of life.  So sweet.