Recap - January 2024
How I slew a dragon
On the first Sunday of the year, I went to a ballet lesson. Even when I came out from the class around 11 am, the central London was still sleepy. It reminded me of how much I like the city on Sunday morning, especially in the new year. The hangover from the Christmas past was still evident in the empty streets and the air was filled with lazy morning-after-ness mixed with optimism of the brand new year.
Facing the fear
Feeling already nostalgic about the year gone by, let me tell you how I slew a dragon. No, I didn’t really kill any animals, mythical or not. I’m talking about how I sort of got over the fear of drawing the beast. First of all, why am I talking about dragons? It’s because 2024 is the year of the dragon.
I design my mum’s new year’s cards every year but I was reluctant to work on this year’s card because dragon was one of my drawing phobias. I had been avoiding drawing the beastly thing where possible. It’s ironic. Dragon is a mythical creature so there is no right or wrong way to draw it, right? Of course, I could have drawn something else. For example, Mount Fuji, cranes, kites, decorated rice cakes and pine/bamboo/plum trees are other popular new year motifs in Japan. However, I started designing mum’s cards in 2016 (the year of the monkey) and I always used eto (Chinese zodiac animals). I was determined to keep the theme at least until I complete the full 12-year circle (2027).
For the past designs, ideas come from all sorts of places. For example, the idea for 2019 card (the year of the boar) was based on wordplay (boar / bore) and my mum’s love for jazz. The 2022 (the year of the tiger) was my take on Tiger Who Came to Tea. The last year (the year of the rabbit) was inspired by the Japanese word, 飛躍 (hiyaku), which means “big leap”.
For my dragon design, I was so uninspired and swamped with other work that I looked for a shortcut. First, I remembered that a monster I had illustrated for The Awfully Bad Guide to Monster Travel – Africa by Ministry of Stories was similar to snake-like East Asian dragons. I thought of doing something similar in the William Morris style with Asian flora, but my mum wanted some negative space for her to write personalised messages. So, I ditched this idea.
Feeling really stuck, I started looking up other artists’ dragons on Pinterest. I generally wouldn’t recommend to go there to figure out how to draw a certain thing by looking at how other people do. You could end up in the danger zone where you lose your uniqueness. But I was desperate and the clock was ticking…
Pinterest showed me all sorts of dragon illustrations and nothing really inspired me until, with some algorithm magic, Pinterest led me to a cover illustration by Swedish mid-century illustrator, Rolf Lagerson for J.R.R. Tolkien’s Farmer Giles of Ham. Then, something clicked in my head. I looked up some mid-century crocodile illustrations. (The animal is said to have inspired many dragon myths in the world.)
I picked up what I liked about these illustrations and mashed them up and added my own twists. I was having a very stressful time back then. All I wanted was a cosy and quiet time with a book and a mug of hot chocolate in my hands. It clearly shows in the end result (see the end of this post). I wouldn’t say this is completely original but I think I still managed to create something very me.
Onwards and Upwards
After I left the ballet class, I found myself on the Jubilee Bridges on the Thames. In the middle of the bridge, I turned to the east. The last year marked my 20th year in the UK and this year will be my 17th year in London. To my surprise, the familiar view of the Thames still took my breath away (partly because the sky was uncharacteristically clear). My heart swelled with possibilities and anticipations for things I would do and people I would meet in this city and beyond this year. Here are some of the things I’m looking forward to in 2024:
Paperback publication of The Blue Umbrella (Andersen Press) written by Emily Ann Davison and illustrated by me will be out on 1st Feb! Emily and I will be doing some in-store events. Do come along if your will be in the areas.
Yoko Ono exhibition at Tate Modern. I’m looking forward to seeing some of her artwork I illustrated in Little People, Big Dreams: Yoko Ono (Frances Lincoln) in person!
Spirited Away at London Coliseum. The stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli classic, Totoro, was one of the best productions I’ve ever seen, so I can’t wait to see this one!
Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking at Dulwich Picture Gallery (June).
And last but not least, publication of my third authored picture book, Pearl & Her Bunch (Hachette Children) on 9th May! I’m looking forward to share some behind-the-scene stuff closer to the time. Let me know what you want to hear about the book.
In terms of my writing and illustration work, I’m finishing my forth authored book (this book is going to this year’s Bologna Children’s Book Fair so I’d better hurry up 😬); and I’ve just started working on a new book; and there is another exciting project lined up for later this year. But first, I have to completely re-do cover of a book I did last year...😓 (I’ll write about this another time.)
Also, one of my resolutions for this year is to give a go at writing a chapter book. Let’s see how it goes… Oh, have I told you that I want to learn a new language this year? Maybe French, Spanish or German…I haven’t decided yet… And I really should get back to life drawing classes and do more observational drawings, and I want to start climbing again too. I know, I know…this is my ongoing problem. I like keeping myself busy but sometimes too busy. Another resolution is to improve my work-life balance. Hope I will make better judgements about how much to put on my plate this year, haha 😅
The Year of the Wood Dragon
One last thing about dragons - 2024 is the year of the “wood dragon” to be specific. Apparently, this year will bring evolution and improvement; it is the perfect time for rejuvenated beginnings and setting the foundation for long-term success. With that in mind, I hope to continue sharing my struggles and joys of being a children’s author-illustrator with you here!
Till next month!
Momo x
Let me know what you want to read/see in my newsletters this year. Or, if you have a question for me about being a writer/illustrator, about my book, or want to share your thoughts, feel free to leave a comment.
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I love your 2024 dragon Momoko! Here’s to a good year for you, it sounds as if you have lots of exciting plans (though I know what you mean about doing too many things! 😂). Can’t wait to see more about Pearl...
Ha - I just discovered your Substack thanks to seeing a comment of yours on Jane Porter's latest post. I had to start with your Dragon as I have always had a dragon drawing phobia too so I didn't even challenge myself. You solution is brilliant - love all your new year cards! Look forward to catching up and following you . Best of luck in Bologna! I used to go quite often - delicious food in the Centro Citta too!