It was a pleasure to create this illustration of Timmy, Brian and Lisa - three beautiful Jack Russells. Canine portraiture was new territory for me, it was a fun challenge!
Victoria 200
My first hand-drawn map! It was a delight to design and illustrate this trail for Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth. I had so much fun drawing all of the details, especially on the statues. Hopefully many families have had just as much fun exploring the royal trail this summer!
New Illustrations for Westminster Abbey
Here's a lovely little project that I recently completed - the cover illustration for Westminster Abbey's 2018/19 family events programme.
Westminster Abbey Family Trail
Very happy to introduce this bunch! They'll be embarking on adventures around Westminster Abbey as part of its brand new family trail. It's going to be launched this Saturday as part of the Abbey's action-packed Family Day. If you're in London with little ones then come along!
The Klaus Flugge Prize
I'm brimming with happiness to have been longlisted for Most Exciting Newcomer to Picture Book Illustration in the inaugural Klaus Flugge Prize, along with some of my friends' wonderful books! Hurrah!
You can read more about it on The Guardian http://bit.ly/1WJSp6G or The Bookseller http://bit.ly/2109Xvq
A little character I've been getting to know...
Reviews for The Jar of Happiness
It’s been wonderful reading reviews of The Jar of Happiness over the past few weeks! Here are a few...
“A beguiling story, beautifully told. But woven throughout are all sorts of empowering, encouraging and essential subtleties, making this a particularly perfect picture book”
“This is a delightful and whimsical little story… Certainly if a jar of happiness won't cheer you up a bit, then this fabulous little book certainly will! We love the positive message this book relays”
“This is a simple, but powerful story”
“With its warm-hearted feel, this is a lovely snuggle-up-together and share with a young child kind of book”
“A beautiful book of a good size with simple effective illustrations and a message which is useful for anyone living with or working with young children who are developing their own emotions and coping strategies… I would definitely give this a 5/5 score for overall value, presentation and quality”
“The pictures convey the emotions of the story to perfection”
“A wonderful book…that prompted a lovely conversation with Mr D at bedtime talking about what sort of things make him happy, or make me happy”
Barbara (Basya) Karp
“What a treasure this book is. Ailsa Burrows teaches a marvelous lesson: how one child can make a positive difference in the lives of others, and how those she touches give back happiness when she needs it most. The talented British author’s vibrant, imaginative illustrations bring Meg’s story to life. Endearing details like the band of stuffed animals accompanying Meg with their musical instruments are priceless. This story, like Meg’s jar, is sure to spread joy wherever it is read.”
The Jar of Happiness in Waterstones
I was delighted to spot The Jar of Happiness in Waterstones at the weekend - just in time for Christmas shopping!
Happy Days!
The Jar of Happiness is officially out today! Hooooray! You can order it from various websites including Amazon or from your local bookshop :-) Happy reading!
A Bit of Colour
It might be another grey day outside but happily I'm surrounded by colour, busily working on the illustrations for my first picturebook, which is due to be published in the spring. Watch this space for more details!
A Surprise Tattoo
I've been busy immersing myself in the world of Vernon Ganglythorpe over the past few weeks, but this morning in a bout of Google Analytics procrastination I had a pleasant surprise...
It turns out that someone in the US turned a neuron illustration that I did a few years ago into a tattoo. I think they did a pretty good job!
Sketchbook Snippets
A few drawings from the character development work I've been doing this week...
Passport Packed, Portfolio Prepared...
Portfolio and business cards at the ready for Bologna Book Fair next week, where I'll be meeting a few publishers, checking out beautiful books from all around the world and walking until my feet fall off. Exciting!
Cambridge Exhibition
Last night's Private View of our Cambridge exhibition was a great opportunity to bid farewell to Cambridge School of Art and thank our wonderful tutors Martin Salisbury and Pam Smy. With copious free wine and crisps on offer, a good night was had by all!
Ailsa Answers Ania's Eight Questions
This week I took part in Ania Stypulkowski's wonderful blog 'Ania Asks Eight Questions' which probes into the pencil, paint and biscuit-filled minds of illustrators and sheds light on their habits. You can read my answers and check out the rest of her blog here.
Here's the drawing that I did for her of my creative little helpers, based on the idea that we all have 'creative geniuses' to guide us along...
Hug On A Rug
A little drawing that I did yesterday working with a limited colour palette. There's something quite pleasant about drawing rugs, and it's not just because 'rugs' happens to rhyme with another of my favourite subjects - hugs :-)
A Little Bit of Feedback
Thought I'd share this little note left on the back of a business card for me from an excited boy visiting the MA exhibition...
The show has been bustling with visitors all week, it's been lovely to see!
MA Graduation Exhibition
Yesterday I got together with my fellow MA Children's Book Illustration coursemates to hang our graduation exhibition in London. It was a great opportunity to see everyone's work, what a talented bunch! The show will be up all week at Candid Arts in Angel - go along if you can!
For more info click here.
