Thursday 19 December 2013

Happy christmas



















This little wren features on the scbwi Words and Pictures advent calendar today - see
http://www.wordsandpics.org/2013/12/19th-december-anna-violet.html#comment-form
Some wonderful tweetable stories going up each day in response to each image.

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Tote bags Beech Road

Tote bags of Beech Road and other images for sale at Grumpy in the City (pop-up shop, Brasnose Street, Manchester)  until this Sunday (Beech Rd design from fri), late night opening until 8.30 pm this Friday. Also a few limited edition prints. Lots of work by other artists and illustrators, too. https://www.facebook.com/events/787267534621968






Thursday 5 December 2013

St Ann's Square, Manchester

Limited edition prints A3 size (out of 75) of St Ann's Square, Manchester, now available - complete with christmas markets.

Thursday 28 November 2013

Promotional Mailer Challenge

Just found out I won the scbwi promo mailer competition challenge (at the scbwi Winchester Conference last weekend) and I'm thrilled to bits! Here it is, a never-ending fold! Great fun to make, too - apart from lining up the printer to double-side print in exactly the right place. With thanks to Trish Phillips who showed me this template a while ago at her workshop - I've been itching to put it to use ever since.
More about scbwi conference illustration winners here
Words & Pictures - Online Magazine of SCBWI British Isles

If pigs could fly... a trip to the shops poster

Exhibition tonight celebrating Everyday Manchester and Salford, to raise money for Wood Street Mission. Prints and cards for sale, including my shopping pig print (A3). Will also be able to buy prints online from mid Jan. See http://www.manchesterandsalfordillustrated.co.uk/
Also http://manchesterandsalfordillustrated.mysupadupa.com/collections/masi-2013-collection

A trip to the shops

'And pigs can fly' is a sarcastic expression I remember from childhood, meaning something is impossible. But what if you popped out to the shops one day to pick up a paper or a sandwich and a pig was flying above you with a shopping trolley? 
Can you recognise the street in Manchester, too?


Sunday 24 November 2013

scbwi conference

Thrilled that my hedgehog/mouse image was one of the winning entries into the scbwi (society children's book writers and illustrators) showcase exhibition this weekend at Winchester.
I also designed some scbwi badges for the conference, using a slogan from writer Jo Franklin, Books are scbwi snacks, and another slogan from writer Nicki Schmidt, Every picture tells a story. 
Really chuffed that Books are scbwi snacks was a runner up and have been on sale at the conference.




Thursday 21 November 2013

Mugs for sale

Trying out some mugs for sale with my designs on of local scenes and events (Chinese New Year, Manchester City Football Parade 2012, Chorlton library and Chorlton Green).
For sale at Pop-up Shop at Grumpy in the City, Brasenose Street, Manchester (near Town Hall and along the christmas markets route). Nov-Sun 22nd Dec Wed-Sat 11-6.30pm Sun 11-4pm 
£10 each.
If anyone who lives local to Chorlton wants to place an order, please contact me at annaviolet@btinternet.com







Also Beech Road mugs for sale in Hurricane on Beech Road.



Sunday 27 October 2013

Hedgehog

Twitch finds Hedgehog too prickly.


Thursday 26 September 2013

Wednesday 4 September 2013

Artists of the River Pageant exhibition, Pump House Gallery, Battersea Park


I'm thrilled to be part of this delightful exhibition. I went to the preview last night, and was chuffed to see my image of the Thames Pageant up on the top floor of this four story Victorian tower. 

Over 50 artists exhibited in a great variety of styles and mediums, including 3D. My favourites are a scroll of Plein Air sketches by Alexander Creswell, a River Scroll by Max Naylor in windswept inks (sepia, blue and striking golds),a very atmostpheric Flotiila in the Rain Study by Antony Garrett, a very theatrical The Pageant from Shad Thames by Sophie Charalambous, a study on newsprint, River Pageant Print, by Roanna Stallard, the magnificent engraving , Gloriana Coronation Chicken by Chris Orr, the exuberantly colourful Guiness Court Street Party by Dominic Madden and the residents of Guiness Court and the fascinating 3D collection of Flotilla models by Micheal Coldman.

The exhibition is part of the Mayor's Thames Festival and runs until 15 September 2013 (Mon- Friday 11am - 5pm, Sat11am - 3pm, and Sun11am - 5pm. Admission free). Do go and take a look if you're free. http://thamesfestival.org/events/info/artists-of-the-river-pageant  

Chris Orr
part of scroll by Max Naylor

Pump House

part of scroll by Alexander Creswell




Micheal Coldman

Roanna Stallard

Dominic Madden and residents Guiness Ct
My image

Sunday 1 September 2013

Beech Road, Chorlton


Beech Road 2013, available as limited edition prints soon.


Saturday 24 August 2013

Artists of the River Pageant exhibition

I'm really excited - one of my ltd ed prints will be on show in London next month in 'The Artists of the River Pageant' exhibition, part of the Mayor's Thames Festival. Wed 4th -Sun 15th Sept, Pumphouse Gallery, Battersea Park.
Do take a look if you're in London!
http://thamesfestival.org/events/info/artists-of-the-river-pageant

Wednesday 24 July 2013

SCBWI Illustrator Masterclass June 2013


This excellent SCBWI (Society Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) workshop entailed working with Sarah Malley from Egmont Chilldren's Books on a yet-to-be-published text, so we were free to come up with our own interpretations. Participating illustrators submitted pencil roughs on their character designs and proposed spreads, and received initial feedback in April. Finished artwork was then brought to the June workshop. It was fascinating to see all the different interpretations and ways of working, and I learnt so much. I had great fun playing with made-up characters, too, especially the Guzzler. 

Here are some of my roughs and character studies for the Guzzler, Skidaddler and Minwriggler, followed by the final spreads.









Monday 8 July 2013

Cheshire County Show 2013 sketches

Watching the animals being judged was fascinating. Here are some of my sketches from the second day (19th June)