Jane Cabrera

9 out of 10 Hamsters recommend this book

2012-02-23T03:13:00.009-08:00

But Jaffa cake lost interest of my Cat's Cuddles board book,
(which has just arrived) when she realised there was no Hamsters in the book.

Colour coming soon

2012-02-21T12:42:00.006-08:00

I've been playing with these muted colours for a while...
I think they take me away from the all singing and dancing bright colours of my kids book stuff.
Sometimes I feel like Justin Richel's Whirling dervish installation.

Holiday drawings

2012-02-20T10:59:00.005-08:00

A few more here.

Fuerteventura

2012-02-19T07:49:00.001-08:00

Hope you all had a romantic Valentines day. Mine is pictured above!
And we took a few googlie eyes to leave around the place.
More photos here.

There will be no broadcast for a week.

2012-02-10T04:45:00.001-08:00

When I was small and the world was black and white
this image appeared on our TV screens
when no programmes where broadcast.
I used to think the girl was me.

I'm off on holiday to the SUN and COLOUR and escaping the GREY.
Always plenty of Colour with Brian Wildsmith
And Olaf Hajek here and here.

On the loose!

2012-02-05T01:43:00.000-08:00

My creations have escaped from my studio!

Blob and Noddles were last seen mucking about on Dartmoor
and Enid was delighted to find tea for two in the woods.

Will they come back home? Perhaps they've gone to stay here?

My family and other strange creatures.

2012-02-03T06:55:00.001-08:00

My son just appeared like this, please note Jaffa cake the hamster in it's mouth!

My friend Claudia has some of her wonderful creations for sale on Etsy.

Tidy and Sunny!

2012-02-02T05:13:00.001-08:00

And my home's just been featured here at the aptly named Bohemian Hellhole!

Aaron Leighton

2012-01-30T13:44:00.000-08:00

When I get some more work (positivity!) I will treat myself to this book by Aaron Leighton
which can be brought here on blurb.

A little peek...

2012-01-28T05:34:00.000-08:00

of a detail from a new book idea sent to one of my publishers.
Now the waiting begins to see if they like it...

The Year of the Dragon

2012-01-24T03:22:00.000-08:00

Clever Colin is taking a walk in the snow when he meets the 3 little pigs.

"We are very very cold," they tell Colin.
"Our fire has gone out and and we have nothing to light it."

Colin has an idea.
What could it be?...

...A Dragon. Now everyone is warm.
You are CLEVER Colin!

Here's a little simple story from "Ohisima' pre-school children's magazine in Japan.
I created the character 'Clever Colin," for very young children.
He had many adventures where he helped animals out.
It was published monthly for about 3 years and apparently he went on tour around Japanese Schools!

Papercuts...the possibilities are endless!

2012-01-23T05:34:00.000-08:00

Now the top image is of course by Camilla Engman and it hangs on my wall over my dining table.
The one below is by me. It is so influenced by Camilla...but I was not aware of it the time!

Since I returned from her fantastic workshop last year (on again this year too at ACE CAMPS) the inspiration and creative possibilities have been endless.

I find creating images from discarded scraps and negative pieces from other work...such a delightful way to get those creative juices flowing! It has that control and chance balance.

And for my friends birthday I made her a little book with enclosed scraps for collaging.
I'm tempted to do a collage/scrap paper swop...by posting scraps to different Artists all around the world and see what they make?

Vanity

2012-01-21T05:17:00.000-08:00

“An inordinate passion for pleasure is the secret of remaining young”
Oscar Wilde

Children's books, the start of the process.

2012-01-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

I'm working on 3 main ideas at the moment.
I start with sketches in sketch books. (One idea shown above, you might reconise them!)
Then I draw and paint up a few character studies. (see mini chairs post below)
And at the same time I type out the evolving story.
Then when the story is written and fits the 12 spreads. (average for a picture book) I might work up a mini book in pencil or draw out the pages in thumbnail roughs.
Then I paint up 2 spreads to show the publishers. (along with the typed out manuscript and any roughs)

Other ideas often appear too and i'll scribble them down somewhere!

Then I cross my fingers.

Ground control to major Tom...

2012-01-17T10:58:00.001-08:00

...Take your protein pills and put your helmet on!
Happy 65th to David Bowie this week.

Mini chairs and strange bears

2012-01-13T07:50:00.000-08:00

Busy in the studio....
Cutting and sticking,
painting and drawing
sketch booking,
working on new book ideas,
painting my nails,
arranging objects,
listening to music and
D A Y D R E A M I N G
Wish the days were longer.

A Walk by the river

2012-01-11T04:24:00.001-08:00

When the sun shines like this it's hard to come inside.
Loving my 'Coco Chanel' Spat wellies.
A few more photos here.

Jobs for the ladies

2012-01-07T13:06:00.001-08:00

Here is my Mother (standing) in her first job as a secretary in the 1960s.
She's modeling fly spray for a magazine advert.
(Perhaps they put it on their hair too!)

Another birthday card

2012-01-07T05:28:00.001-08:00

The Hamster, the Witch and the Wardrobe

2012-01-06T11:49:00.000-08:00

Introducing a new member to our family...Jaffa Cake.
Be prepared little friend for lots of photo shoots!

2012-01-01T06:55:00.001-08:00

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-24T03:18:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all my blog friends...
wishing you all a new year full of creativity and joy.

These are a few spreads from an out of print book of mine.
I really liked it but it didn't do too well in the shops!
Excuse the bad photos.

Ho ho ho!

2011-12-22T04:47:00.001-08:00

Santa Mustache biscuits perfect for a chritmas party!

...I found these biscuit cutters in the shop at the brilliant Wellcome collection in London.
I've only just discovered this place...
It's has changing exhibitions plus a permanent collection of Charles Wellcome's medical and health curiosites, from early prosthetic limbs, shrunken heads, Napoleon's toothbrush and Charles Dicken's walking stick..
And modern health concerns interpreted by contemporary artists.
...it's a winner and all free!

Christmas cards

2011-12-18T14:56:00.000-08:00

I added a few baubles to my glitter critter photos.

Easy to make Robins

2011-12-15T04:50:00.001-08:00

These are made from cheap ring bound file dividers card.
Cut out a Robin shape and a slot for the wings.
Cut another roughly this proportion to the bird.

Add a sticker for an eye and colour in the red breast.

Concertina the wing bit of card.

Round off the ends and fold in half..
then put through the slot,
open up and Voila! a little Robin.
Tie some cotton to hang it and staple the top of the wing in place.

13 days to go...

2011-12-12T15:01:00.001-08:00

...So I'm being told A LOT by my children!
I made these little sparkly christmas creatures for this years cards from
air drying clay and glitter.

Pipilotti Rist's Eyeball massage.

2011-12-11T12:37:00.001-08:00

A quick London visit...
where I entered the dreamy trippy wonderland world of Pipilotto Rist at the Hayward Gallery.
A video artist who hypnotizes with her witty, earthy and feminine films.
I can't recommend this enough.
There's large images layered and projected onto floaty white fabric curtains in a darkened room with cushions to sit on (stuffed clothes, so it's like sitting on someone!)
There's a chair to sit on and images dance on your lap.
(I opened my sketchbook and traced the moving pictures)
And Films to peek at inside handbags and large conch shells
and don't miss the tiny little screen in the floor.

I also did more collage on the train.

Next posts Christmas crafts!

More cutting and sticking

2011-12-08T13:43:00.001-08:00

In the studio

2011-12-05T12:58:00.001-08:00

So now I see... that's where I put my glasses!
The Morran book is ready..just in time for christmas!
Top black and white doggy in top pic and cat in middle by Tobin Eckian

Mushroom magic

2011-12-02T08:27:00.000-08:00

I went food shopping in a posh supermarket (a rare treat as 20 miles away) and brought these.
I've eaten them already!
I wish I had more knowledge to eat the mushrooms I find in the woods.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

2011-11-30T02:09:00.000-08:00

There was much excitement yesterday...
We got the Christmas box down from the loft!
My 7 year old, who still believes in Father Christmas
made this lovely display to print out as her Christmas cards.
Tomorrow the countdown begins...

Train journey sketchbook from the weekend

2011-11-29T05:42:00.000-08:00

It passes the time so quickly with paper, scissors and a glue stick!

Up north

2011-11-28T12:11:00.000-08:00

A weekend trip.

Bear Hugs in an Old Victorian Bear pit.
(where they used to fight for so called entertainment!)

Donna Wilson's Knitted wonderland and...

...Meditative and calm sculptures by Jaume Plensa at the Yorkshire sculpture park.
Photo by Dan Farrar

Sculptures by Barbara Hepworth at the fantastic
Hepworth Wakefield.

Misty mornings

2011-11-22T12:33:00.001-08:00

An Autumn afternoon

2011-11-22T12:19:00.001-08:00

More for my addiction...

2011-11-22T11:55:00.001-08:00

A lovely new painting full of magic by Laura Ferrara.
Visit her shop here.
Thank you Laura for the wonderful wrapping and the freebie too!

New things...

2011-11-21T13:20:00.001-08:00

As it gets colder it's time
to snuggle up under my new blanket
from Mar Mar
and read this inspirational book
by Lili Scratchy.

2011-11-19T08:59:00.001-08:00

My dog Tulip

2011-11-18T09:16:00.001-08:00

And my dog Carna.
My Dog Tulip is a quirky and sometimes strange film. More Here.
It's about our relationship with dogs and the human animal too.

Also my Morran illustration is on this dog blog .
Today I'm going to the dogs... even a computer generated security code
I had to type into a blog post today was, 'Barkk'!

Grayson Perry

2011-11-17T13:14:00.001-08:00

A weekend in London with Friends and a sketchbook.
Now, I've always loved a man who is manly enough to dress as he wishes and Grayson Perry
comes at the top of my list. He has curated artifacts from the British Museum plus adding his own Art to this fantastic exhibition.

Colours of home

2011-11-14T13:09:00.000-08:00

To cheer on a grey grey day.
Photos by Sarah Lauren

an afternoon cutting and sticking

2011-11-06T12:04:00.001-08:00

Inspiration and interviews at Oh Comely magazine

A concertina sketch book from 2009

2011-11-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

These were ideas for print.
One painting flowed into the other.
And here's something you might not want to try at home...
Remember whatever your reaction...It is the gateway to the world and we've all passed through it!

A project

2011-11-03T03:40:00.000-07:00

Do you know what i love most about blogging?
It's the sharing.
Here I am isolated in some ways from a vibrant arts community and just a click here or there
takes me to some other person sharing their creativity. Fantastic!

I love autumn

2011-11-01T09:57:00.000-07:00

Not that it's really began here as still unusually warm.
(yes, us Brits really do LOVE talking about the weather)
Love the change of clothes too. See what others are wearing by their drawings here.
or for one of my favourite comedy views on fashion here!

Morran, Queen of the blogs.

2011-10-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here is my submission for the book on Morran,
Hope it gets in!

Slow

2011-10-24T08:41:00.001-07:00

Things have slowed down and almost come to a creative halt recently!
Too much horrid practical stuff going on...and I'm missing my kiddies a lot (they're away for a week!) but
I find working in my sketchbook gets me back in that happy creative place again.
I really want to get something submitted for the book on Camilla Engman's dog Morran.
There is still time for you all to do something too.
More Morran sketchbook here.

The new book has arrived

2011-10-21T10:30:00.001-07:00

The suicidal Sylvanian is much better!

2011-10-19T06:56:00.000-07:00

If any of you were worried....here he is in Venice.
Meeting these two brass lasses really cheered him up!
See here if you missed his cry for help!

Life's Layers

2011-10-18T13:30:00.001-07:00

Hound Tor dartmoor...made famous by Sherlock Holmes in the Hound of the Baskervilles.
Part of a wasps nest.

Thinking of cosy Blankets as it turns cold, more here.
Too expensive for me, but I'ld love one of those fine little day Harlekin ones.

Into the woods

2011-10-17T01:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a large thin sketch (shown in 2 sections) which I did a while ago in my local woods.
I really lost myself in the silent wood that day and it was easy to imagine all those creatures.

Recent sketchbook

2011-10-10T14:24:00.000-07:00

Round and round and round

2011-10-08T04:53:00.000-07:00

My latest book...out now.
Please support your local bookstores.

Friends, sunshine and lots and lots of Art

2011-10-04T12:41:00.000-07:00

The Venice Biennale Art festival is in it's 53rd year.
As it's biannual that's a long time for such an international festival to be going! It was my 1st visit.
There was too much to take in really, with contemporary Art from all around the world.
My favourite was the Israel Artist Sigalit Landau

Venice

2011-10-04T11:14:00.001-07:00

A beautiful, magical and dreamlike city.
More here

La Beinnale and Bellinis, here I come!

2011-09-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

I've just finished the cover and changes for the last of my sing-a-long rhyming books,Twinkle,Twinkle,Little Star.
I've had great fun with these traditional tales, which I've added my own twist to.
But I now feel it's time to write more of my own stories.
The Artwork has gone off to the publishers and I'm of to Venice!
Looking forward to Inspiration at the Beinnale.

Worried

2011-09-22T08:58:00.000-07:00

i discovered this poor little Sylvanian with a rope round it's neck today!
We're had a chat about all that's worth living for and I think he'll be Ok.

Playing with pattern...

2011-09-20T09:23:00.001-07:00

... on the endpapers of my books.
A few more here

Slowly slowly working...

2011-09-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

...and organising my studio. The words in the middle on the wall read

THE
TIME
YOU
ENJOY
WASTING
IS NOT
WASTED
TIME.

Studio Morran Camilla Engman's new blog of cuteness.

A flickr favourite

2011-09-16T12:46:00.000-07:00

I've noticed this image has been re-blogged a lot (Thank you) and still gets favs on flickr.
I feel the bear image has been over used now...but it still seems to be going strong!

I haven't done any printing for over a year now...
I think it's time to start again.

Hello Tiger

2011-09-13T13:23:00.001-07:00

From a book for Korean babies to learn English.

This years small squash harvest.

Old maps for gift wrap and cards

2011-09-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

More cards for friends

2011-09-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

What to wear Little Bear?

2011-09-07T13:57:00.001-07:00

A few spreads from a book where the child chooses what clothes the little bear would wear for various activities.
The clothes will be on different coloured ribbons.

The end of summer

2011-09-04T12:06:00.001-07:00

Bantham Beach in South Devon, looking over to Burgh Island
with it's art deco hotel.
I would love to stay here one day. Need to sell a few more books first!

A couple more...

2011-09-04T11:57:00.001-07:00

And googlie eyes in the garden

2011-09-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

If you go down to the woods today...

2011-09-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

Top tip...always have some googlie eyes in your pocket!

Another quick visit to London

2011-08-26T05:21:00.001-07:00

It is still the school holidays...not much work being done.

Time travel

2011-08-23T11:12:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Hazel for another great discovery.
Make your photos look old (or from a cheap newspaper) here.
More photos here.

Summer garden...

2011-08-10T14:21:00.000-07:00

makes me feel fine.

Finished...

2011-08-06T08:27:00.000-07:00

and delivered Twinkle, Twinkle to the publishers.
There are a few changes that they want... the Condor's head apparently looks a bit rude!
I'll post a picture of that a bit later...!

In good company

2011-07-25T02:47:00.000-07:00

My cards below were posted on the great Kickcan & Conkers blog.
(Along with this Brilliant Dick Bruna book cover.)

Homemade birthday cards

2011-07-22T06:00:00.001-07:00

2011-07-21T09:32:00.001-07:00

I'm still sketching in the old book that I was given by Camilla in Sweden.
The lady is inspired by my daughters drawing shown below in previous blog.
Also a pic of me working in Sweden and part of a Thank You bunting we made for Camilla. (bottom photos credits)

Boxed

2011-07-15T02:42:00.001-07:00

The painting I'm working on, inspired by my Swedish visit. No cute amimals here!

Mini invites

2011-07-14T05:31:00.001-07:00

I wish those of you not so near could come.x

Panda in pants

2011-07-13T05:57:00.001-07:00

'What to wear Little Bear" for a Korean publisher

Decorated envelope...makes sending an invoice more pretty!

Local radio...Arh-Ha!

2011-07-11T13:22:00.001-07:00

Today I was chatting live on BBC Radio Devon about my work.
The general public phoning in before and the choice of music reminded
me of Alan Partridge which set me off into a silent giggling fit. Good Fun.

There's a guy works down the post office...

2011-07-11T05:10:00.001-07:00

and he swears he's Elvis...but the pubishers said "No, he can't!".
So I had to make him look like this. Shame.

The Parcels also had address labels written on them..T
he guitar to a Mr Hendrix, The crocodile to a Mr Mears (a nature guy on British TV)
and a love gift to me from a certain Mr Deep.
The publishers also said "NO" to that too. What spoil sports.

I had to fight to keep the upside down pack with the 'This way up' label on.

From Fetch, published 2012 Orchard books.

House and garden

2011-07-08T11:49:00.001-07:00

Drawing by my daughter

Seems so long ago..

2011-07-07T14:28:00.000-07:00

At the workshop with Camilla Engman I made cut-out paper dogs
and chinese men and gave them to the folk on the course.
I thought It would great if they took them home to their various
countries and past them onto walls somewhere.
Mine is balancing 11 chocolate balls on it's nose. (our blogs name)

And here I am in Goteberg putting my one legged chinese man
by the children's zoo. I wonder if he's still there?

3 weeks...

2011-07-04T13:52:00.000-07:00

before the kids break from school for the summer holidays and 3 books to finish. Yikes!
Plus distracted by a canvas I'm working on and of course my garden.
top image, middle pic by lizzie stewart and owl by night owl paper goods

Big Balloons

2011-07-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

horse">

Eden project Cornwall. A few more pics here.

2011-06-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

Jane Foster

2011-06-23T11:46:00.000-07:00

More inspiration and excitement as I nosed around Jane's fantastic Home and studio. Love her eye for colour, pattern and simple graphic design. More here.

My loves

2011-06-22T14:32:00.001-07:00

Midsummers day in the studio

2011-06-21T12:30:00.001-07:00

London

2011-06-19T14:22:00.000-07:00

Scary sculptures at the Saatchi gallery. Photos by Lydia Monks
Also met up with Angela Corti from Argentina. I embarrassingly took her to a very poor Summer show at the Royal Academy of Arts.

More Twinkle twinkle

2011-06-17T04:21:00.001-07:00

Little Star

Roaaaaar!

2011-06-17T01:51:00.000-07:00

Great to see children are still having fun with one of my old books, Rory and the Lion.
See Simone's blog

Influence and inspiration

2011-06-15T05:44:00.000-07:00

Here's an acrylic painting which I did under the guidance of lovely Camilla.
She shared with us how to make textured backgrounds...such generosity in sharing her process.
Our blog that's slowly emerging.

Slowly getting on with new book

2011-06-10T03:07:00.000-07:00

A beautiful visitor

2011-06-09T11:57:00.000-07:00

A greater spotted woodpecker that flew into our window.
Recovering now at the Devon wildlife centre.

Too much work to do, so...

2011-06-08T12:33:00.001-07:00

instead of facing it all I painted this polystyrene dog for a friends birthday, this doggy kindly delivered the card in his mouth (like Fetch)

Our creations

2011-06-08T03:18:00.001-07:00

Photo by Amy Rowan
To see links to ALL the talented folks websites through Camilla's blog (Thanks Camilla, I don't have to do that now!)

Wonderful workshop with Camilla Engman

2011-06-07T01:33:00.001-07:00

The most magical and inspirational week in Gothenberg Sweden.
* Photos * Sketches

and more pics here too...Camilla Engman

Excitment!

2011-05-27T10:49:00.000-07:00

I'm off to Sweden for an ACE CAMPS workshop with Camilla Engman, Yippee! And the proofs came in for 'Fetch'. This is the title page. I'm happy they followed my type suggestions.
My next posts will hopefully be super inspired sketches and creations from Sweden.
I'm trying to stay away from a computer for 9 days...will I manage...?

Sketchbook

2011-05-27T03:04:00.001-07:00

Top pic Tenerife.

More Twinkly Stars

2011-05-26T07:02:00.001-07:00