New Things!

Childrens Illustration, General
mrfox_from BigWhoop

Big Whoop!

Just checking in quickly to shout about the fact that I’ve updated my folio with lots of new things. You can get there by clicking the link up there ^ or go to www.portfolio.maxinelee.com if you like typing.

I’ve uploaded lots of art from Big Whoop!, Sorry, Dad!, Pi-Rat!, a picture dictionary I worked on last year for Blue Rabbit and some educational spreads for Learning Focus and Compass Media.

I’ll post again shortly with a nice meaningful post about the fabulous commissions/projects I’m working on right now, just as soon as the heat stops frazzling my brain.

Max x

SorryDad2_PublishedMay14_maxinelee sml

Sorry, Dad!

Just a quick post to share some the fabulous reviews/comments left by Mumsnet members after their big Sorry, Dad! giveaway. I do love a bit of Mumsnet (in between sketching and writing) so when I saw these, I was smiling all over my face.

Click here to read Mumsnet reviews for Sorry, Dad!

Childrens Illustration, Childrens Writing, Giveaway, Links

Catch-Up, Musical Influence and a New Thing!

Uncategorized

Some things get inside your head and refuse to be ignored. I find this is especially true with music. There’s just something about particular songs/artists that draw you to them. You can weave a story between the lines or come up with a typographical composition, spread or doodle that you KNOW would never have happened without hearing a particular song at a particular time.

Some of the most influential artists for me (for this reason) are Sarah Blasko, Of Monsters and Men, Leonard Cohen, Fleetwood Mac, Blondie, ELO, Macy Gray, Bjork, The Jam, Pixies, The Doors, Portishead, Lana Del Ray, The Cure and piano/strings…..Way too many more to mention. Not all necessarily the stuff I’d listen to in my car but definitely good for me and my blank piece of paper. I think it’s the use of descriptive language/narratives/compositions that make them so influential/inspirational for me. Like idea fuel.

Anyways, the point of me drenching you with that info leads me on to the ‘New Thing’ that I mentioned up there ^. Buckle up.

Last week, I started writing a story whilst I was half asleep. It’s a bit odd and macabre and darker than my usual and the idea first sprung to mind as I was listening to one of my inspirational Spotify playlists. Some of you may be able to guess the song some of you not. Depends on your feelings about electro-pop. So I’ve knocked up a cover and I’m going to work on this for fun and post the spreads as I go. I can’t promise it will be a quick process, but if you’d like to follow my progress/comments, here’s a quick link to where I’ll be posting about (da da da daaaaa!) The Child Who Bought The Stars

In between all this listening to music and creative abandon, I’ve been working with some fabulous clients, old and new.

 

Sorry, Dad! was released last month

Pongalong_charsketch1

Big Whoop! is released next month (July 2014)!

bw

 

As soon as I have the nod from my lovely clients, I’ll post pics of what I’ve been doing this year so far.

In between working I had a fabulous trip to Cambridge to attend their ‘Read It Again!’ awards ceremony at the Bellbird School in Sawston (Hello, Wrens!). ‘Pi-Rat!’ received a ‘Highly Commended’ award – look:

award

 

A little Pi-Rat! inspired island as made by the Wrens at the Bellbird School in Sawston.

A brilliant Pi-Rat! inspired island as made by the Wrens at the Bellbird School in Sawston.

I’m now preparing for the Edinburgh Festival where I’ll be reading Pi-Rat! ( who will be making a very special appearance in person/ratson?) and making pirate hats, so if you’re in Edinburgh on the 19th August, I’l be at the Baillie Gifford Imagination Lab at 1.30 – information and tickets available here

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super-Awesome Drawing Competition!

Childrens Illustration, General, Giveaway, Goodies

You don’t have to draw like a boss to win – just draw a picture of the worst thing you ever did to your dad and write Sorry, Dad! on there. For example – my sister waited until my dad was asleep, bit the heads off all her jelly-babies and then stuffed the bodies in his gaping, snoring mouth. I’d give you an example of my own but I was angelic and was always nice. Ahem.

Are you as bad as the cheeky little cat in Sorry, Dad?

Pongalong_charsketch1

You can tweet your pics to me @maxillustration or you can post them on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/maxillustration.I’ll put them all in an album for everyone to see and announce the winner next week. You have until 4th June to get your entries in! If you have 10 children, they can all enter separately. You can help me decide the winner by ‘Liking’ your favourite pics.

The prize is a signed illustration (by me) of you and your Dad (Step-Dad, Granddad – use your imagination here) and the worst thing you did…I’ll even throw in a signed copy of ‘Sorry, Dad!.

Please only enter if you’re in the UK – sorry for the exclusion, I wish we could all do what we like but I don’t want to get told off.

Get drawing!

Children’s Illustration – Catch-Up

Uncategorized

It’s been a busy old year, so far. I’ve illustrated 3 titles for Learning Focus, a cover for Top That, written 3 new manuscripts and started my first YA, written and illustrated a big book dummy (more soon), designed a couple of logos, started a book series idea and as soon as we’ve finished putting our kitchen in, I have another dummy in production. Sorry, Dad! (Caterpillar Books) is out in May and Big Whoop! (POW!) is out in July. Exciting times! In between, I’m enjoying the Daily Doodle’s over on Facebook…Lot’s of fun. I’ll write a proper update shortly, but for now, here are some of the illustrations (I can show you) I’ve been up to…

bundles_bunnyBundles – A logo for my friends new online business – go see!

ami

 

 

And another for my friend Ami, here!caninmuchsmallhat badfairy_sml dancing_banana_sml

The Importance of Being Inclusive – Children’s Books.

Childrens Illustration, Childrens Writing, General

I’ve been commissioned to write and illustrate an inclusive children’s book (full details later, it’s a huge project with lots of people involved). Feeling really proud to be working on it, I mentioned it to a friend. She asked Why?

So how do you explain inclusivity to someone with seemingly no understanding of the term. To someone who doesn’t work with children or communities.

I asked how she felt about some children being under-represented in books or on TV. She didn’t believe that this was the case. Instead insinuating that we (as a society) are ramming inclusivity down peoples throats when there’s no need.

We talked about the project some more and I explained how everyone involved doesn’t want an ‘issue’ book. How nobody wants or feels the need to lecture young children on what a family is or how many shades of skin or conditions and disabilities there are. The aim is to normalise, not to set apart.

Again, I couldn’t get through. She felt it was unimportant and that children are too young to be taking notice of these things in picture books. Essentially, that it was unnecessary.

Later in the week, my youngest (6) was playing on the floor. There was a local news feature on TV about adoption rates in the area for LGBT couples. I prepared myself for a barrage of questions as I decided it was a really good time to test the water and try and gauge his understanding of family units. I said something along the lines of ‘Aww, look at the baby with his dads – they’ve adopted him’. He looked at me strangely, so I pre-empted and said ‘Some children have two dads and some have two mums and…’ He cut me off and said, ‘Yeah, I know…But what does adopted mean?’

It was one of those moments that made me stop and smile. Just like I did when he told me all about recycling, the week before. These little tiny people are more aware of their environment and diversity than ever before.

canyoudraw

That conversation with my friend ultimately ended up biting me, as she came to the conclusion that my portfolio is not very diverse. We weren’t arguing, I should probably point that out…All very civilised over a cup of tea and a cake.

She’s right. Evaluating my own portfolio, it is imbalanced. I could do a lot more and I will make more of an effort in future to be inclusive. And if a six year old goes home comfortable with and accepting of cultural and lifestyle differences like mine did, I’d be very proud to have created that material under her (or his) nose. The point is, he didn’t find it unusual. And this is down to exposure. This is where children’s authors and illustrators have a big responsibility. Show diversity in your words and pictures. Expose children to an open society where everyone is equal. Show little girls they don’t need to be rescued and show little boys there’s no shame in pushing a pram.

Above all else, don’t make a big deal of it. How do you draw a gay man? You draw a man.

 

 

 

 

The Snow Queen

Childrens Illustration, Drawings, General

snow queen

 

I know, I know…But I had to. The Snow Queen has been on my to-draw list for a long time. Ever since Father Christmas stuffed my stocking with a very dark and beautiful jigsaw when I was a tiny little-person, I’ve been fascinated. The whole scene was the most gorgeous thing I’d ever seen – I was completely transfixed and often commandeered my nan’s coffee table for days at a time to put together my amazing, silver-sparkly jigsaw. I’m still enchanted by snow and ice and her so if I was ever going to draw a queen, it just had to be this one.