7 (and a half) Reasons To Take a Child to Edinburgh Book Festival 2015

I love Edinburgh. But I love it the most in August. (Sorry September to July Edinburgh, it's not your fault. It's just that in August you treat us all so blooming well, and this year looks to be no exception...) When the Festival and Fringe descend in all their crazy, noisy, spectacular glory I will seek refuge in Charlotte Square for as many of the 17 days of the Edinburgh International Book Festival as I can.

During the festivals of 2012 and 2013 I was an employee of EIBF, selling books in the Children's BookShop - easily one of the best summer jobs I have ever had. Despite no longer working there, I have poured over this year's 'Baillie Gifford Children's Programme' with as much care and attention as I did when my job depended on it. Having compiled an extensive list of events I am very excited about, I have whittled this list down to 7 of my favourites. All that's left is to borrow my sister's children and get us tickets while there are still some left!

1: Jacqueline Wilson, 1.30pm Sunday 16th (Age 9-12) £4.50

I have loved Jacqueline Wilson's books since the age of 9 when I became obsessed with Double Act (and the notion that somewhere out there I might have a long lost identical twin). She has written over 100 novels and is an inspiring and engaging speaker.

2: Are You Sitting Comfortably?, 10am Monday 17th (All Ages) FREE

Vivian French takes this session. I'm sure I don't need to say more, but if there is a young child (or adult for that matter) who hasn't yet experienced storytelling, poems and songs from this amazing author, then they are truly missing out. 

3: Debi Gliori's Big Draw,  11am Saturday 22nd (All Ages) FREE

This year's Illustrator In Residence is Debi Gliori. Her latest books feature 'Alfie', who joins the many loveable characters Debi has created over the past 25 years. Today she invites children of all ages to decorate Antarctica with penguins, seals and other creatures. I'm THERE.

4: Nick Sharratt, 1.30pm Saturday 22nd (Ages 4-7) £4.50

Remember when I said I loved Jacqueline Wilson books? Well this love can largely be attributed to the colourful, bold illustrations of Nick Sharratt. In this event he will tell the audience about his latest book through drawing, playing, and generally be a genius.

5: To the Moon and Back with Petr Horacek, 3.30pm Thursday 27th (ages 4-7) £4.50

When I was studying at ECA we were lucky to have visiting illustrators talk to us about their careers and show their work. Petr's memorable visit had us all totally enthralled. He is a very entertaining storyteller, and his sketchbooks and picture books are full of hilarious images and characters. 

6: Alex T Smith's Animal Obstacles, 2.15pm Friday 28th (Ages 3-6) £4.50

Okay, so I am slightly biased when it comes to fairytales (and humerous re-tellings of), but I promise this isn't why this event has made my list. Alex T Smiths's illustrations are not only engaging and communicative, but they are also BEAUTIFUL. Oh, and he is also brilliant on Instagram and Twitter. Follow.

7: Illuminating the Art of illustration, 10.30am Sunday 30th (Age 14+) £7/£5

I wish I had attended this event as a 14 year old. Actually, at any age it's going to be brilliant.  Three of the most talented illustrators currently working in the picture book industry - Chris Haughton, Oliver Jeffers and Chris Riddell - in conversation about their work and careers.

(And here's the half)
Seeing as you are already there...I'm doing an event on site on Sunday 30th. Yup! It isn't in the programme but I will be there, with my giant illustrated map of Edinburgh and plenty of pens. It's free, and the map is really rather big, so come along from 11am-1pm and help me colour in and doodle all over it! 

In the meantime, here is a picture of what my desk looked like shortly after I found out this was going to happen:

Out and about

For the most part, the work I do is quite solitary. I settle in the studio and work away quietly (or not so quietly...when no one shares your office space with you Disney sing-a-longs are totally allowed). However, I have recently been pulled out of my isolation to take part in some exciting events. The best part? I am still allowed to call this 'work'...

1: The Book Launch

Never Bite a Tiger on the Nose was launched last week as part of the Bookbug Pirate pack. The lovely Early Years team at Scottish Book Trust held a launch event and exhibition in Methil, Fife. It was here that the book was written as a collaboration by Lynne Rickards and a group of parents. The project was set up by HomeStart Levenmouth and grew into a wonderful creative writing project, the result of which is this book that I feel truly honoured to have illustrated.

A bookbug session was held at the event and judging by the noise seemed to prove pretty popular with the children in attendance. Lynne read the story aloud and we then signed copies for everyone. This was strange to start with (you mean I'm allowed to write my name and draw a picture on your new book...??) but I quickly got used to it. I have decided I like signing books. And doodling in books. 

And I like book launches in general because there are also snacks.

2: The Nursery Visit

The next day I paid a visit to North Berwick Nursery to draw some pictures and read the Tiger book. I was welcomed by a bigger crowd than I had expected (roughly 70 wee ones aged 2-4, two of whom are my nephews Lachie and Struan). They were a very well behaved and creative bunch so I had an easy time of it. Actually, I had a great time! (I'm not bragging but even though it was my first day I was totally asked to play on the monkey bars AND invited into the den to hang out). I have a lot of respect for the teachers, they are incredible ladies who keep everything under control while also making it sooooo much fun.

I brought colouring in sheets and we drew our favourite foods...

...my plan was then to draw the food items and animals from the book. However, I quickly learned that these kids had some really cool ideas and actually it was much more of a priority for everyone that I draw a big pirate ship. And that this pirate ship had a resident cat, spider, Spiderman, and octopus. I think we all agreed it was the right decision.

3: The Art Competition

Recently I was asked to come along to The National Gallery of Scotland to judge an art competition. Having spent years entering my own artwork into various competitions (starting with Blue Peter at the age of 7 - no, I didn't win but yes I have a badge) I found myself on the other side of the table and I felt uneasy at being given this responsibility. This was swiftly eclipsed by thorough delight at the work I saw. The age category was Primary 1-3 and submissions had come from all over Scotland, displaying incredible creativity and imagination. So my delight was squashed a little by the difficult task of actually deciding on a winner. There are some very talented young artists in this country and I can't wait to see what they are capable of.

4: The Feedback Workshop

Aaaand finally with the help of staff at the Portrait Gallery I presented some work from a new project to the public in order to gain some feedback. I am working with the galleries on a colouring and drawing book, and at this stage we felt we should put a bit of the work out there and see what people thought. 

I spent Saturday afternoon at the Portrait Gallery, armed with pens and samples from the book and found that people were very keen to get involved. 

The response was overwhelmingly positive and I am even more excited about the book than I was before the event (which is saying something, I have been dreaming about making this book for a long time).

The past two weeks have been fantastic, I've met some brilliant people and learned a lot (mainly that I really like working creatively with people of all ages...and signing books). But now it is back to the studio for me, which is fine, I have missed the quiet drawing time and I have work to do! 

Plus I haven't sung along to The Little Mermaid in almost a month.

A picture is worth 1000 words

I was recently asked by the lovely people at Scottish Book Trust to write a small piece of text for their blog - about my work and my first experience of illustrating a picture book. They also asked if I could submit a list of my favourite picture books, which turned out to be a lot harder than it sounded. My list is too long. FAR too long. 

In addressing these tasks I faced the familiar struggle of putting my thoughts and ideas into words. I love to read and to make up stories in my head, but writing has never come easily to me. Pictures are my thing. So, in coming up with my 'top 5 picture books', I sought comfort by looking at some of my favourite picture books that have no words at all. My final list had to be dramatically narrowed down and many of these books did not make it, so I thought I would use my blog to give a little nod to some beautiful works of wordless genius I have been pouring over recently. And here they are:

 My Favourite Wordless Picture Books

1. Clown by Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake's illustrations of Red Riding Hood as she 'whips a pistol from her knickers', and Fantastic Mr Fox dancing with glee as he breaks into the chicken coop will always be first to come to mind when he is mentioned. But this charming story about a lost toy clown holds it's own special place in my heart. It is a lovely story of friendship and perseverance with such lively energetic images that there is no need for words.

2. The Conductor by Laetitia Devernay

Any text on these pages would be a travesty! The stylised illustrations of trees and leaves manage to come to life in such a way that they communicate not only the simple story but also a real sense of music and movement.

3. The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

I had to include this one. I always have the sound of 'Walking in the air' in my head when I look through this book. This is probably because of countless Christmases spent viewing the animated version, but I like to think the soft, sweet illustrations have something to do with it (though they can't account for David Bowie popping into my head and introducing the story...)

4. Rosie's Walk by Pat Hutchins

Okay, confession time - this one has some text. But it doesn't need the words! The humour and the real story are in the pictures alone. I remember reading this as a child and feeling SO clever that I could see the accidents waiting to befall the oblivious fox (while silly grown ups busy reading the words had no idea!)

Admittedly I am sitting in my studio reading these books alone (and having a lovely time thank you very much) but the best thing about picture books with few words is the experience you can have when you share the book with a child. Point things out, spend time over the illustrations, or even have a play and make up your own story to go with the images. I think I know what books I'm taking next time I visit my nephews...

Art Rookie

So, it turns out there are some cool websites out there that help designers sell their artwork slapped onto lovely products. When one such site - Art Rookie - sent me a nice email inviting me to sell with them, I went for it! And now these patterns...

...and this one...

...and this guy...

...are all available on phone cases, mugs and cushions. See?

It wouldn't be very easy for me to produce these things myself, and now they are out there for sale online, which is very cool indeed. 

Why not take a wee look: http://www.artrookie.co.uk/EilidhMuldoon

Never Bite a Tiger!

This morning I was very excited to hear the post pop through the letterbox (and not just because I was staring blankly at a very confusing and out of date spreadsheet and desperate for a distraction) because today I was expecting something special.

The preview copies of 'Never Bite a Tiger on the Nose', to be precise. This is the picture book I alluded to working on a few months back and I'm very chuffed to have my hands on the final printed and bound book...

A snap of the front covers

The book was written by the brilliant Lynne Rickards and has been published by Scottish Book Trust. The plan is to distribute it for free to children across Scotland in March as part of the BookBug toddler packs. Not only was it a joy to work on this book (I think I could happily draw that monkey all day), but I was honoured to be involved in a project which encourages reading as a family and healthy eating. And also, nothing beats getting a free book! Here are some of the interior pages:

 Oh, and it's also in Gaelic! Which is very cool.

Lines from a Fairytale...

Fairytales are actually really scary. I'm just making sure that you know that I know this. Because when I draw pictures from my favourite fairy tales, you really wouldn't think that I knew most of them involve stealing, abandoning children, kidnapping children, cannibalism and bloody murder. But I'm okay with the decision to focus on the nicer bits. 

Cinderella

My 2013 degree show included patterns and characters inspired by Grimm's fairytales and I've recently returned to this theme. I'm working on a series of line drawings of places, characters and events from some classic fairytales. 

Rapunzel & Sleeping Beauty

The tales I chose were all adapted by Andrew Lang at the turn of the 20th century. I like his versions for a few reasons. I like that he was writing at a very interesting time for fashion, interior design and the decorative arts. I've always loved the patterns of the Arts and Crafts movement and the collection of decorative designs at the V&A, all of which influence the decorative patterns in my line drawings.

I also chose him because he colour coded his books. I like colour coding. And lists.

Chambers Street: Now and Then

Here we go! I've been unearthing some lovely photos of Edinburgh taken over the past two hundred years and reading about the history of these places I walk by every day. Yesterday I made these:

This is an illustration of the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, and below is an illustration of the same spot drawn from a photograph taken in 1908. I found this photo in Batsford's Edinburgh, a beautiful book I stumbled upon in Edinburgh's Central Library.

I'm finding that the buildings, photographs and storied that interest me the most are those that have changed almost entirely from 'then' to 'now'. We are lucky enough in Edinburgh to still have so many historical buildings that have been here for hundreds of years, but it is fascinating to find images of shops and residential buildings that are no longer here. These buildings seem so full of life and stories, I hope I can keep finding images and information about these places and the people that inhabited them. 

So...where to next? I'm open to suggestions!