Author: Sue

Putting the fun in dysfunctional

Who has the best Christmas anyway? That’s what I want to know. Every year we’re made to feel inadequate due to our inability to replicate the perfect family scenes we see on telly every year. You know, the ones where Mum or the turkey aren’t frazzled, Dad’s not swearing his head off at the kids fighting and Grandad’s not moaning about his gout. Here’s a scene from my new book that describes what I’m on about.  1984 was only bearable because Band Aid’s ‘Do they know it’s Christmas?’ made us grateful for what we got that year.

Dazzling autumn colours

The mild weather this year created the most beautiful colours I’d seen for a long time. It gave me the perfect opportunity to do the Bournemouth Gardens walk (which I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t done yet, even though I’ve lived here for almost 10 years!) The path starts at the seafront and meanders alongside 1.5 miles of shrubs and trees from around the world, planted to provide interest throughout the year. I started at the other end, Coy Pond, and ended the walk in town with a lovely hot cuppa.

This is petrifying!

The Bournemouth Natural Science Society opened its doors to the public for Arts by the Sea week. What an amazing place! Set in a Victorian mansion, the museum houses an impressive collection of fossils, minerals, birds and insects, plus a mummy in a tomb. My science highlight of the week was this calcified bird’s nest. Calcifiction or petrification happens when mineral rich water impregnates organic material, leaving it preserved like stone.

Family portrait

I’ve just finished the first draft of my new book, so I’m on to the drawings now. This is a depiction of my family back in the 80s – we were an angry lot!

 

The Catchpole Agency party

I’ve been with The Catchpole Agency for five years and had never met any of the other writers and illustrators till now. To celebrate 20 years, my agent James organised a get together at his home in Oxford. I was so lucky and excited to meet such talent all in one place for the day! Here we are managing to cram ourselves into a group shot.

 

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

So far July’s been an unpredictable mix of cloud and drizzle, but I don’t mind because I have a garden full of bright golden poppies to fill me with sunshine. I scattered the seeds back in March and just let them do their own thing. They are a veritable froth of flowers now.

 

Skills on show

When Tate Modern’s new Switch extension opened this month, I just had to take a look. The space has a wider variety of artwork from artists all around the world, presenting an international view of modern and contemporary art. And if you go to the top floor, there’s something equally amazing to see – a 360 degree view of the London skyline.

Just my cup of tea

I was given this absolutely beautiful set of Oliver Bonas Beatrix Teacups, inspired by vintage floral and mark making paintings. Have put them on my shelf until I can bear to use them!

 

 

‘Sweet’ idea

Look what I got for Easter! Instead of the usual egg, I got a whole nest full of them! Thank you Colourgraphic Arts.

 

Sketch of sleeping son

I found this while I was looking through some of my old sketchbooks. It’s a pencil crayon snapshot of my son when he was 3 yrs old. While looking at it, I was instantly transported back to the moment I drew it 22 years ago.