"Across the Atlantic Tour"

I am thrilled to be coming to America this November to promote  my new book The Boy Who Fell Off The Mayflower.
The tour kicks off at Plimoth Plantation and will also include an event at the Connecticut Children’s Book Fair  with lots of other events in between.
Can't wait!

"Love Lucie X" by Marita Conlon-McKenna

An old friend and one of my favourite authors, Marita Conlon-McKenna has a new book coming out.

"Love Lucie X" is a very touching and poignant study of one little girl's response to a tragic loss in her life.

It's almost unbearably sad in parts but Marita very subtly advances Lucie's predicament from the deepest grief towards hope and healing in the end.

In an uncharacteristic lapse of judgement Marita has asked me to launch "Love Lucie X" this evening at Dubray Books in Grafton Street, Dublin.

If you are in the area pop in and get a book signed by Marita.

I can guarantee you a really good read and probably a good cry.

The Ghost of Christmas Present: In the Shop Window

The first day working in Hodges Figgis window was certainly weird , but I got a bit done and all the people in the shop and those who stopped to watch were really nice.
If you come along, and I don't look round, please don't think I am being rude, it's just the only way I can get the work done.
Here's one of MaryBrigid Turner's photos.

The Ghost of Christmas Present: The First Steps

I got a good start on my big Christmas picture last night.
I got the whole thing scaled up on the 7’ by 4’ canvas, and I got a few hours of painting in.
It would be great if I could paint the whole thing in situ in Hodges Figgis bookshop, but there is going to be so much to do that I just have to get a start in the studio.
Also the light in the window is going to be very unpredictable and I will only have a four foot space to step back in, so I want to have my tonal values well established.
I am remembering too that the last picture I did of this size took four months and I am supposed to finish this one on Saturday.
Fingers crossed!

Some Sketches from "A Christmas Carol"

I've been looking through old studies from my version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol trying to get a suitable design for the seven foot painting I will be doing in Hodges Figgis window next week.

I find the drawings I do as studies have a freshness and immediacy that I can't often keep in the finished paintings.

I must do a book illustrated solely with drawings.

Illustrators’ Evening with Oliver Jeffers, Sarah McIntyre and Me!

I will be taking part in an Illustrators’ Evening with Oliver Jeffers and Sarah McIntyre
Thursday, 08 September 2011 at 06:00 PM •
I am very much looking forward o seeing Oliver again, and to meeting Sarah for the first time.
Its happening at Eason’s Bookshop, O'Connell St. Dublin
Illustration! Q & A! Book Signing!
This is a ticketed event. Book in store or call Dublin 8583815