Apologies for the rather long gap in posts, the October/November/December months seem to have a way of flying by before we’ve even had a chance to enjoy that first fall cup of hot apple cider. Of course, fall doesn’t stick around long in the UK. In fact, I’m not entirely sure they celebrate November at all since the lack of a Thanksgiving makes everything go from Halloween to full-on Christmas at midnight on the first of November. But as the twinkle lights and carols have been making their ways through the London streets, I’ve been kept quite busy working on three 16-page books, one 8-page graphic novel, and numerous writing assignments all due in early January. In addition, I’ve finally been able to secure a part-time job! While this much needed income is very welcomed, I have had to be much more diligent in making the best use of my time. Fortunately my job is at a museum so at my fingertips are plenty of books and pieces of art to inspire my creative interests. And as if that wasn’t enough, the team I get to work with are so friendly and welcoming, I truly feel blessed.

I wish I could tell you a bit more about the numerous Christmas markets across London, but I’ve yet to fully explore them. Once my classes finish for the holidays I’ll feel I have a bit more time to venture out. But just because I’ve not been to all the markets doesn’t mean I’ve not gotten into the holiday spirit! While my resources are fairly limited, I was able to winterify my flat. It’s amazing what you can do with just a few reems of printer paper… I think Buddy the Elf would be proud, even without the Mona Lisa recreated on an Etch-A-Sketch.

Regarding my actual school work, you know, the whole reason I’m in London, I have completed one of my three 16-page books and am fairly well along with one other and the graphic novel. The first took me a very long time, probably longer than I would have liked. Several dummy drafts and attempts in silk screen, riso, coloured pencil, and gouache were all made before I ended up with what I have now. Despite my frustrations with this labored book, I think the struggles were necessary. Not only was I able to learn the silk screen and riso techniques, but I was able to learn that my own personal style needs to be much more defined regardless of the medium. And furthermore, the movement and energy in my drawings must come through in the final product for them to be successful. Lots of trial and error, and so much more to learn, but it’s a journey I am looking forward to making. Not planning on sharing the book as it’s more a learning tool for me than a polished product for publication. I say that having such an amazing group of talented and support illustrators around me is such a wonderful way to keep up my spirits. Today we did a Secret Santa to get into the holiday spirit and it was the perfect way to spend our last class together before the break! Some of us even had a silly photo op with one of the trees decorating our the atrium in our studio building after class.

So just a brief post for now, though hopefully I’ll have more holiday fun to share soon. Until then, let me know if you’d like some paper snowflakes and stars posted to you. Clearly I have more than enough to spare!

Hello, December! Where did you come from?