Happy Christmas everyone!

Baftas Again!

Well, we carried off the Best Animation for the Charlie and Lola Autumn special, and the Best Pre-school animation for the Charlie and Lola series!

http://www.bafta.org/awards/childrens/nominations-childrens-awards-in-2008,593,BA.html

NEC Classic car show

Bafta Nominations

Its Bafta time again folks!
Some of the stuff i've been involved with has been nominated:
Charlie and Lola have been nominated in three categories, Animation, Pre-school and Best Writer.
Little princess is also up for best Pre-school.
Well done folks and keep your fingers crossed on the night!
http://www.bafta.org/awards/childrens/nominations-childrens-awards-in-2008,593,BA.html

One more bug

All these beetles

Browsing the Samba website reminded me of a Beetle illustration I did last year. Don't think i've put it up on here before.

Rusty beetles

Found this great site for pictures of rather sad and forgotten Beetles and camper vans.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_cat.php?cat_id=50

Indian stamp

Ice cream!

As promised, the Vintage Ice Cream van spotted earlier in the summer!

Esterel

I really enjoyed our brief sojourn in the Esterel mountains in the South of France. The quality of light is really inspiring, the warmth and smell of the wild plant and flowers.

Weald and Downland

I love visiting the Weald and Downland Open air museum. Nestled in an unspoilt corner of the South Downs, its one of the most inspiring and beautiful places to wander around in, daydream and get lost in.
http://www.wealddown.co.uk/

Pilot bear

Heres a little pilot flying over the Sussex countryside. I started the plane in Illustrator back in February and only just got around to the Photoshop work last week!

More great vans

More fantastic vintage vans. Just love those bold blocks of colour and swooping shapes. Enjoy!

Bloomin' Loverly

A rose by any other name, would it smell as sweet?
Summers here and the flowers are fantasticly lovely this year.

Simon's Cat

Simon's Cat has become something of a Youtube phenomenon. Mr Tofield has just posted up the third instalment at
http://www.youtube.com/user/simonscat
Simons a very talented chap, check out his Blog at
http://iron-mitten.blogspot.com/

Heavy Metal!

More heavy metal from the Vintage vehicle show. Embossed bits and bobs from traction engines.

Stop me and buy one!

Saw this fantastic Icecream van at a vintage vehicle rally. Can't wait to start an Illustration as soon as I get a minute. Ices! Ices!

Cars

Fran Crowe

Check out Fran Crowes website:
http://www.flyintheface.com/
Amazing art made from the detritous washed up on Britain's beaches.

The bike

Bluebells

Hinges and brackets

Traction Avant

More old fun

Robot Find

I found some great old packaging whilst having a clearout. This japanese model carton must date from the late Eighties.

Jim's Blog

Thought i'd put a link on here to Jim's Blog, check out his piratey stuff at:
http://www.jimnolanart.blogspot.com/

Collagetastic

I've really been enjoying the work of Eric Carle and discovered a great book about his life at work at my local library. Here are a couple of 'Carle' inspired collages i've been working on today. Very exciting to be working with paint, paper and glue rather than pixels for a change!

South Downs Way

Its been great to be riding on the South Downs again. My current favourite section runs from Clayton windmills to Black cap and back. This takes in some marvelous view northwards toward the North downs and south to the sea. It also takes you over Ditchling beacon, the highest point on the ride without having to negotiate the treacherous road climb.
I've also taken a ride in the fantastic Tilgate forest, a compact area of mixed woodland just off the A23. The whole woodland is densly packed with superb singletrack along with jump and downhill areas. Despite being midwinter and the recent heavy rain most of the trails were rideable. The terrain is a mixture of sandy surfaces, hard pack and heavy soil. I took a couple of runs at the DH course avoiding the bigger whoops. Great stuff!

Another Jeff and Yusef adventure

Scooter Bear

I've been working on this one since before Christmas. Finally got him into postable form!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! This ivy shrouded gate stands near the path down to Pooh bridge in the beautiful Ashdown Forest.