Back to where the colour lives! It's brighter here.

I've been beavering away on my current illustration job for what seems like many moons now (...it is actually about two and a half months). I remember the first day I was given the brief whereupon emotions and events proceeded in this manner:

Excitement! Terror. Research. Bad drawing. Horror. A cup of tea. More drawing. Doubt. Better Drawing. Relief. A glass of wine. Storyboards. Characters. Dummy books. Exhaustion.

Exhaustion was yesterday, which brings me to the present moment. I am on the precipice of starting the colour images. This is brilliant- it is what I live for. It may be my holy grail.

As I await the 'go ahead' from the client, I thought I'd give my marker pens a stroll around the page (and check I remember how to use them....). A selection of my much-loved art materials and of course; a cup of tea :)

Chin up, feet up.

My heart aches. That much is true. But at least I haven't had hip replacement surgery recently...so a big get well soon to my future Father-in-law. I've never seen him sit still for more than two seconds. He is probably entering a one-legged race (whilst eating a morning bun) at this very moment. And aren't crutches brilliant? Oh, fun! So, feel better, Eb. HOP, two three four xx

I Heart My Hat.

Firstly, belated thanks to those who congratulated me on my newly minted engagement to the boy. Forrest also perused your comments and was equally heart-warmed. You are really too kind. Thank you :)

So I am not the first to say it, but we have snow here in England. Oh yes. It's the kind that is unheard of- that is blanket-like and powdery rather than slushy and sleety and grey and muddy. It is amazing and I am amazed. The dog thinks it's heaven, and her attitude is contagious. I have never been more grateful for my hat.

I hear it is everywhere- a worldwide settling of snow. I hope you are all enjoying it as much as I am!

Happy, sad, happier in 2010.

it is a sad day indeed. The day when somebody reminds you that all good things must come to an end, and you tell them 'go away please' because you don't want to hear it. I tried to make myself feel better, but it turned out that eating half a Christmas pudding was perhaps not the answer. 

This morning, I peeled myself out of bed at 2.30am, showered with my eyes closed, dressed in the dark, scowled at my coffee and cursed the fact that it was time to take my better half to Heathrow airport (next time dear heart- book a later flight...).

Events have progressed to the point where I find myself engaged, to a very delightful individual indeed. Betrothed, committed, due to be married. As badly as I accepted Forrest's proposal -I am emotionally ill equipped for such moments- I am quietly overjoyed at the prospect of my future with the boy. He's the type to get excited about puppies, and tickle my hair, and tolerate tofu because I'm vegetarian and plant rose bushes and play football and hold hands and make coffee and work hard and take all my crap with a smile on his face. He also has a sticking out ear which is very, very endearing. 

Now he is on a flight to Atlanta while I keep one eye on the post and hope to be not so far behind him.

2010, how bold you are. 3rd January, how sad you are.

Three years ago- shortly after I first met Forrest- he 'proposed' to me in Germany with this plastic ring from a Christmas cracker. Guess I should have known how this would eventually end!

Christmas, in a nutshell.

No Christmas is complete without a last minute helping of work and on Sunday I had a few illustrations printed in the San Francisco Chronicle. It was for their 2009 Geography Quiz, and never have I learned so much from a project. Did you know that duelling is legal in Paraguay? You must be a blood donor however. That is a fact. It was a wonderfully pleasant assignment, if a little hectic with the many many family members whose arrival for the holidays coincided with the deadline!

It certainly has been a whirlwind. This Christmas has been a whole new experience indeed, and as if to confirm that conclusion the weather has put it's own uncommon twist on things. Day upon day of ice and hail and sleet and whistling winds turned the usually mild village of Saundersfoot into a giant ice rink. The hills were like glaciers and we've all been shuffling around like penguins in a bid not to hit the deck every few steps. 

There was also sunshine- fleeting but magnificent. We enjoyed it while it lasted.

Now 2010 is peeking across the last stretch of day, and I can't even believe it. Happy New Year everybody- I hope yours is a fun-filled and happy one!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree....

Fully aware that this could be my last Christmas in England for a little while, I embarked on the task of decorating this year with extra enthusiasm. Anybody who is familiar with my usual levels of Christmas-time exuberance would realise this is no small achievement.

The tree is a fragrant individual with much character. I am nothing if not infatuated with it. My goodness, it smells like heaven.

There have also been frosty walks and paper bags of roasted chestnuts and songs of the season creeping merrily into my consciousness. Looking around at the lights and the shops and the general abundance of gingerbread...it seems everybody is fully submerged in the magic of Christmas. Penelope Dullaghan says it better than I do, right here.

The German ornaments are out in force, complete with the customary tug of nostalgia for all of my Christmases past. Next year I should be back in the States, starting new traditions of my own with the Boy Pickle, but for now it's hard not to revel in the familiar traditions of my own family Christmas. 

In my little corner of the world (things are rather exciting).

A big new illustration job has compelled me to rearrange my work space/ sleeping quarters. Now everything is backwards and I've tried to climb out of the wrong side of the bed twice in a row. But finally my desk is under the window, and that's worth walking into the wall and stubbing my toes for. 

I write this with a smile on my face as I think about sensible things like hand lettering, and characters and layouts and pacing and deadlines. The smile transforms into a look of terror when I think about the deadline, actually.

So armed with a brand new teacup (thanks Kate) and a pen collection that seems to be breeding, it's time for action stations. I'm ready. Infact, I've already begun....