Dicken's Doodlers

Google has a lovely doodle today to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens.

Rackham

Cruikshank

And a great article albeit controversial from The Independent which questions where have all the all the book illustrators gone? Wouldn't it be amazing if adult books were illustrated like they were in the golden era. As Alice said, what is the point of books without pictures?

"Charles Dickens enjoyed close collaborative relationships with the illustrators of his novels, 

but now it's rare to find a picture outside the world of children's books. 

Is drawing a lost art, or could we be on the brink of a new golden age?"

Tenniel

When I left college I really wanted to illustrate adult books.  My final project was a series of gritty illustrations based on Mikhail Bulgakov's The Heart of a Dog. I sent off my illustrations to Harvill straight after I graduated and got my first rejection letter; a charming rejection I do remember. I still have it, must dig it up.  But it's something that I always thought i'd go back to as there is so much scope for an illustrator in an adult text.  Dickens has been illustrated by some of the greats including George Cruikshank, John Leech, and our own PJ Lynch his version of Dicken's Christmas Carol is one of my favourites and refutes The Independent article. Here is a man who clearly knows how to draw and is up there with the classic illustrators of all time.

Lynch

Market Tomorrow!

Its on from 11-5pm at Newmarket Dublin 8. We hope to see you there!

Happy World Book Day Everyone!!!!!!

It’s been a busy couple of days. Yesterday, I was at a great school Dalkey School Project NS and was warmly welcomed by the teachers and children. The school are mad about books and drawing and I had great sessions drawing and doodling with the kids.

This morning after I dropped a princess, a skeleton and Hermione off to school, I headed to St Catherine’s NS, Rush to celebrate World Book Day!

They had really prepared for my visit too; this really makes a huge difference to the children’s enjoyment of the day, (and the authors too!) The teachers were brilliant and so enthusiastic; Junior Infants had made painted Hugglewug masks and Roarsome Roars welcomed me. They nearly lifted the roof off the building!

Its been a great two days, I love meeting kids and reading and drawing with them, as they're what its all about. I’ve done lots of doodling, character sheets, showing dummy books, notebooks and roughs too.

Hundreds of Mr. Aliens, Mavis and Marge’s and Hugglewugs have been doodled. I’ve almost lost my voice from celebrating too much. Tomorrow St Catherine's tell me they are opening assembly with The Hugglewug Song!!! Huzzah!

Here are a few drawings the children made over the last two days...

Happy World Book Day everyone hope you got to enjoy reading today! I’m off to my book club tonight. Now, that’s what I can a 24 hour celebration!

Peas and Pods Market This Sunday!

I'm delighted to be at the Peas and Pods Family Market this Sunday from 11-5pm.

I'll be signing my books and bringing along 'Love Bugs' and 'Little Critters' whom are hoping for new homes. Its going to be a wonderful family friendly event, (I've been promised good coffee too!) The Glór Gospel Choir will be singing live from 1pm until 3pm, fundraising for Barnardos.

Tucked away off Cork Street, (where my Dad grew up) at the Dublin Food Co-Op at Newmarket Square, with free parking all day. In case you get lost you can find it on Google Maps.

Hope to see you there!

Market cancelled tomorrow

Friends, I am so sorry but The Peas and Pods Christmas Market is cancelled tomorrow. There is just too much snow :(

I am really disappointed as I have been painting my Crimbo Critters for the last few weeks and they were looking forward to newly adopted homes.

I'll take some more photos of them tomorrow and post them up for you. I painted 25 originals in all, in acrylic and watercolour, they are all framed.

Peas and Pods Market Tomorrow!

I have been painting and framing my 'Little Critters' for the Peas and Pods Market tomorrow.

But the snow is coming down fast and heavy in Skerries for the first time in years. I really hope that I can make it in tomorrow! AAAAAGHHHH!

Crimbo Critters!

I've been up late-night painting little critters; dragonflies and elves and their ilk, they'll be framed up for the Peas and Pods Family Market next week. Looking something like this...

If you want to buy some of these little critters do come along next Wednesday, it will be a cosy indoor mulled wine affair to get you in the Christmas mood. It's on at the Dublin Food Co-op, Newmarket, Dublin 8 from 1-8pm.

I'll be signing books and available for orders of Take-away Doodles too!

I'm doing a Christmas Market!

I'm going to have a stall at The Peas and Pods Christmas Market on the 22nd of December. I'll be selling signed books and Takeaway Doodles both framed and unframed. I will doodle while you wait! Monsters, cats, chickens, cows, you name it, I'll doodle it. I hope to have other Christmassy stuff like cards and creatures on my stall too :)

The market looks brilliant with wonderful crafty people. There's loads of cool crafty stuff for sale, check it out here. It will be on at The Dublin Food Co-Op,12 Newmarket, Dublin 8 from 1-8pm on Wednesday 22nd December.

Peas and Pods are promising 'mulled wine (and an alcohol free version for the drivers among you!) live music, and the usual great food, this will be one Christmas where last minute shopping will be a delight, not a chore! See you there, we’re very excited! Can you tell?!!'

If you would like to commission a Christmas doodle you can contact me at niamhsharkey@gmail.com. I will have it ready for take away that day.