My kids are learning a lot of cool poems these days and this lead me to dig out an anthology of poetry called Ten Golden Years written by a great range of authors and illustrated by ten Mother Goose Award Winners including myself.
This spread illustrates a poem by Richard Edwards which I hope you will be able to read if you click on the image.
The boy looks a bit like Harry Potter, doesn't he?
I am an admire of your work from the moment I lay my eyes on your "East of the Sun, West of the Moon", which is one of my favourite fairy tales ever.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say
What an amazing illustration this is!
I'm loving the perspective, the colours, everything!
Kind regards.
Hi Nuria
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for that.
I'm really glad you like the picture.
All the best
PJ
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry for such a long post but do you remember this Belfast classic?
ReplyDeleteIn a mean abode on the Skankill Road
Lived a man named William Bloat;
He had a wife, the curse of his life,
Who continually got his goat.
So one day at dawn, with her nightdress on
He slit her bloody throat.
With a razor gash he settled her hash
Never was crime so slick
But the drip drip drip on the pillowslip
Of her lifeblood made him sick.
And the knee-deep gore on the bedroom floor
Grew clotted and cold and thick.
And yet he was glad he had done what he had
When she lay there stiff and still
But a sudden awe of the angry law
Struck his heart with an icy chill.
So to finish the fun so well begun
He resolved himself to kill.
He took the sheet from the wife's coul' feet
And twisted it into a rope
And he hanged himself from the pantry shelf,
'Twas an easy end, let's hope.
In the face of death with his latest breath
He solemnly cursed the Pope.
But the strangest turn to the whole concern
Is only just beginning.
He went to Hell but his wife got well
And she's still alive and sinnin',
For the razor blade was German made
But the sheet was Belfast linen.
What a gem this is, PJ. When did you paint this one? You are right, it looks a lot like Potter (great stories). It's always a pleasure to see your beautiful work my friend.
ReplyDeleteHappy painting.
Ps. What a joy it is for your kids to grow up knowing that their father is one of the great illustrators.
Many thanks for those comments James and Ciaran (quite a grim one from you!)
ReplyDeleteVery best wishes
PJ