All very busy with Country Life as have illustrated all the windows in their advent calendar cover, painted a double page spread written by the funny Kit Hesketh-Harvey and attended the launch of their new book called “Country Life: Curious Observations A Country Miscellany” which compiles quirky and fascinating stories from their archive. It is a must for every loo around the country for a happy leg-swinging time!

Have always found Sandi Toksvig a very funny woman and therefore rather pleased when I heard from Good Housekeeping’s art director asking me to illustrate her back page column. The first illustration I’ve done appears in the February 2012 issue and shall look forward to a laugh every month before thinking up a design for the page. Very cheering, also illustrated a piece for Tescos Magazine to appear next year too… I think…. have been a bit vague about when that’s to appear….

Ronald Searle has long been a hero and, to me, is the most exceptional illustrative talent today. His work has amazed and inspired me from early childhood and I had the honour of sharing his New York agent, John Locke, for several years and took great pleasure in seeing his original art on the walls and hearing stories about him – very fittingly over champagne and dainty biscuits. Having been brought up on the the hilarity of “Searle in the Sixties” (ensconced in our loo from its publication on), the discovery of harrowing drawings from Changi, where my Great Uncle Sid was also incarcerated, were a shocking revelation. My Great Uncle was so effected by his time there he could never talk of his experience in the camp itself and having seen those drawings all became perfectly clear. He too had a great love in his wife Jean and they remained utterly devoted till her death.

Monica must have been an incredibly strong and brave woman, and the tenderness of her husband’s drawings, that are infused with his love, are so touching and healing to us all.

Happily(though strangely knackering too), have been painting a more complicated piece for Country Life for a double spread and here it is…..

Christmas deadlines are usually July but have been working away on more ideas for Peking Handicraft, Inc. and also a ceramics line to launch in February next year. All very exciting…. shall keep you posted.

You can take a look at the interview here

http://www.youtube.com/user/askthebees#p/a/u/0/GUTyYdCoRSM

It is always a real joy to help in any way I can with posters, leaflets, murals, postcards etc and anyone who goes near Full of Life itself comes away laughing and overwhelmed by the love and integrity that resonates there. Most importantly, the children always come first and they literally blossom under their skilled and professional care.

Their next plan is to provide adult provision for the increasing number of children with complex needs coming of age who need their continued support very badly. It’s a huge task with the usual funding issues, but they’ll do it somehow and will continue to nurture and inspire.