I have a new pretty website!
Go and check it out.
I am still fiddling with some parts of it but overall I'm pretty happy!
Thanks to www.fuegos.co.nz for setting it up for me
Where did that half year go? In daze of book illustrations, more lockdowns and many cancellations for me at least. Just before this current lockdown, my publishers at Scholastic NZ sent me an advance copy of the lastest Little Yellow Digger Book written by Peter Gilderdale and illustrated by me! But it got lost somewhere on the way from Auckland and magically, 5 weeks later turned up on my doorstep.
Better late than never- just like the ship stuck in the Suez, which inspired this book. It's due out in shops next month in October and I hope The Little Yellow Digger and The Big Ship brings lots of kids yellow digger joy!
In other news, I'm getting a new website made. I'll post a link to it when it's live and it will look pretty nice and easy to navigate with emphasis on my book illustration and Wearable Art.
Speaking of WOW, you will have heard that it's been covidly cancelled which is super gutting for all of us- the WOW team, the production crew and last but not least and actually the whole point of the show, the designers. Bruce Mahalski and I will have to wait and see how our collaborative finalist entry did when the team decide how to show them at a virtual event/exhibition. And no, they won't just move over the 2022 show as that's a whole new theme. I hope by time this year is done we can show you how our creation looks (spoiler alert- it's AMAZING!) These are challenging times for the arts thats for sure.
Bruce meanwhile has been busy organising the next Great New Zealand Poster competition, this time for youth.
This year’s one has the slogan - Kia pai ake tātou! – We can do better!
Watch his video here talking about his inspiration for the project.
You can support this fantastic initiative by chipping in at Boosted for the prizes here. It would be a huge help and get young peoples art out into the streets!
I am running another Draw Like an Artist holiday programme, these October School Holidays, this time in Christchurch. Here are the details!
In the meantime, take care, wear your mask and get vaccinated.
Meri Kirihimete!
It's been a year huh? This time last year I was wondering what 2020 would bring, I felt anxious and disconcerted by the the fact I'd finished my Otago residency (and the regular stipend) and wondering what I'd do to earn a living, what hustle I'd have to concoct. As a freelancer for the past 40 years, I always worry about this. I should learn to just trust that something will turn up. Because it always does, just in the nick of time.
I didn't expect it to be Covid-19 though. Nobody did. As the world continues to evolve and adapt, we are learning not to count our chickens. Except that it seems I can count on one. Marvellous Marvin!
A late last book for the year - who would have thought that in one year, and the most challenging one at that, I'd have 3 books out! This is highly unusual, but very, very welcome. Scholastic offered me the illustration contract for a picture book by the one and only Nadia Lim. I've been a huge fan of hers since she was a Masterchef contestant (and then winner) and I've subscribed to My Food Bag for quite some time now. So of course I said 'yes!'
Now Marvin is on the Christmas best sellers list and I am extraordinarily proud of my work and how we put it together in record time!
Read about Marvin's story here
I am also doing regular illustration work for the Australian School Magazine, signed another picture book contract, have wearable art in progress and workshops lined up. Unexpected given the dire predictions for 2020, but there you are. Stay at home, wash your hands, wear a mask and life will continue. Just a bit differently.
I hope you have a peaceful 25th December and if you are limited wherever you are because of lockdowns, and can't have a gathering, then I think it could be useful to reframe Christmas as a state of mind, rather than seats at the table. Zoom your love, keep your friends and family safe.
Bottoms up xxx Fi
Lockdown Sketchmind by Fifi Colston |
Well Hung |
Level 1 achievement! |
Colston presiding over his success, talk about a guilded lily. |
When we could still travel...it seems so long ago now. |
The Crown |
Robert in the Shed- from my sketch diary. Riffing off the titles of his plays. |
Miss Havisham's Shed |
Fresh Ink- Ampersand Tattoo |