Stars in my eyes...

The countdown to August is underway!

On August 2nd Katie and the Starry Night is published, and I'll be back in Edinburgh for a series of events to celebrate the latest Katie book!

I was in Edinburgh recently as Ambassador to the National Galleries of Scotland Art in Schools Competition, for a special prizegiving, sponsored by Tesco Bank. It was a wonderful occasion seeing the joy and pride on the faces of the children whose work was exibited at the refurbished National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.

Then we went on to the National Gallery itself for prizes - lots of lovely art materials (what could be better?). It was all put together by the brilliant Linda McClelland, and it is she who hosts two of my Edinburgh events...

Firstly, on August 13th, I'll be offering a morning masterclass in illustration to adults. This will be a fun and relaxed introduction to how a picturebook is created, and a sharing of techniques, tips and advice. VERY LIMITED PLACES so if you are interested, book soon. Details are here:
http://www.nationalgalleries.org/whatson/events-calendar/illustrating-for-children-master-class-with-james-mayhew/date/2012-07-13/interval/0/

Then there will be two FREE storytelling sessions in the National Gallery of Scotland - such a grand setting - in the afternoon of the 13th of August, at 2pm and 3pm. No need to book for these, but do arrive in good time to get the best view... as I'll be doing my upside down illustrations!
Details of the storytellings are here:
http://www.nationalgalleries.org/whatson/events-calendar/meet-the-illustrator-james-mayhew-for-children-and-families/date/2012-07-13/interval/0/

FINALLY, on August 14th, there will be an extra special event at the Edinbugh Book Festival. Rumour has it there will be a very unusual guest of honour. CLUE: he only has one ear!

A hour of arty fun and Mayhew Mayhem is promised, so I hope you can join me in this celebration of one the world's truly great artists!

BOOKING ESSENTIAL and the details are here:
http://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on/james-mayhew

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING LOTS OF YOU THERE!

In the land of the Arabian Nights

Rimsky-Korsakov's magical Scheherazade never fails to transport me to the land of the Arabian Nights. And telling the stories, painting illustrations and collaborating with wonderful gifted musicians from the Orient made the vision even more vivid!

Here are pictures of my recent collaboration with the Orchestra of the Music Makers from Singapore, who joined me in Cheltenham and Lichfield for their respective music festivals. Thanks to Zoe Toft, Jane Churchill and Clive Edwards for taking pictures. You can see some rehearsal shots as well as of the performances themselves. It was such an exciting weekend, especially seeing so many children enjoying a classical concert!

This orchestra of volunteer youngsters were astonishing... They performed magnificently and audiences absolutely adored them!  I just hope I have the chance to work with them again, they really are sensational!!!

Lichfield Cathedral - a magnificent setting for the second concert...

Pop Up Velazquez

One of the most popular things at the Pop Up Picture Pavilion was this cut-out Infanta, inspired by Velazquez's Infanta Margarita.

Here a little girl has put her head into place (like a saucy-seaside-cut-out!) and transformed herself into a Spanish princess.

She looks very serious. But then being a princess IS a serious matter.  She also looks uncannily like the real painting. A little moment of magic where life imitates art!

A Promenade around the Pop Up Picture Pavilion

Yesterday the Pop Up Picture Pavilion was unveiled at the Pop Up Festival of Stories 2012. And it was sensational. Designers Gabriella Malewska, Fabrizio Panella (and friend Marco) created a thing of rare beauty and wonder, where art really had come alive! Katie was very at home there!

Clara Vulliamy, Vanessa Stone and Peter Jones helped hundred of happy children in this wonderful celebration of art and creativity. My thanks to all these people and those who came of course, and stayed for stories and surprises from Clara (drawing with her lipstick because her pink crayon had gone missing!), magical paper cuts from Vanessa and my own upside down stories and pictures! Oh and thanks to Rebecca from Orchard Books for support,  snacks and more photos than you can shake a stick at... (which will be posted in due course... )

Above all, thanks to director, Dylan Calder and his team for pulling off such a great and unique festival for children. It felt like history in the making and just great to be part of it!

Here's a little YOUTUBE tour of the Pavilion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptdqJXUmGzE&feature=youtu.be

And some pictures of an unforgettable day... enjoy!