Recap - May 2023
What's Momo been up to this month?
Hello, everyone! How was your month? Maybe because here in the UK we had not one, not two, but three bank holidays in a month, I felt like this month had flew away! I managed to have some fun and reasonably productive month though.
I kicked off May by going back to a life drawing session. I used to go quite often but I got lazy after the pandemic. I meant to go back much earlier but I didn’t. But, hey, it’s better than never, isn’t it? And the session reminded me how much I enjoyed life drawing. I’m hoping to go back again.
The coronation weekend was followed by Karl Newson and Zehra Hicks’ Watch Out! There’s a Monster Coming! book launch. Great hosts, lovely guests, brilliant speeches and reading and loads of cakes and Monster Munch - it was such a great party! Zehra’s whimsical illustration is perfect for the Karl’s lyrical and hilarious story. I’d say, “Watch out! A picture book power duo has been born!”
Then, I visited some exhibitions and artists’ studios as a part of Dulwich Festival/Artists’ Open House in mid May. Highlight for me was Alex Barrow’s studio. His studio he shares with his partner was like a small toy museum filled with nostalgia and quirks. It was great to see his WIP drawings too. If you missed the festival this year, you should check it out next year!
I’ve lived in and around Brixton for over 6 years now but I just discovered that Vincent van Gogh had lived in the area once. So, I went to a guided tour at Van Gogh House London this weekend on a whim. I very much enjoyed learning about history of the house and the area and the lesser known part of the artist’s life. I also recommend to have delicious vegan lunch at Cafe Van Gogh even if you’re not vegan after visiting the house.
I did some work too. Earlier this month I had a quiet just-waiting-for-feedback period so I spent the time writing. I’m hoping to start working on my forth authored picture book, but, to make that to happen, I need some ideas to present to my publisher. I’m a bit of pressure because it took me about two years to come up with the idea for my last authored book 😨
I reworked on two of my old ideas, hoping my new editor might like them 😅. Then two new ideas hit me - one while I was in shower and the other while I was making dinner. That’s the thing, isn’t it? Ideas come to you when least expected.
I always carry a notebook with me as my ideas seems to flow better on paper. Also, my creative writing brain works better in a public space like cafes and parks. It must be the ambience. I mentioned this on my Instagram story the other day and it was interesting to hear other people’s preferences. One of my friends said her brain worked better typing on keyboard. Another said she could only write first drafts in her room with her favourite music in the background. Anyway, I brainstormed, wrote first drafts, typed them out and emailed them to my editor. FINGERS CROSSED! Hope she’ll like at least one of the stories!
Then, I had a meeting with my editor and art director for the two books I’m currently working on. They gave me feedback on a cover design for one of the books so I created a colour artwork and sent it off for feedback. This means that the finish line is on the horizon but cover is always the trickiest part of picture book making. I can’t relax just yet. I let you know how it goes.
For the other book, they were (more or less) happy with my storyboard so now I’m working on roughs. I usually illustrate stories set in domestic or urban settings, but this story is set in woods. I’ve got mixed feelings as background and scenery isn’t my strongest point but it’ll be an autumnal colour palette, which I love. So, I’m a half nervous and a half excited!
I’m going to wrap up this newsletter with books and podcasts I enjoyed/am enjoying this months.
I bought…
The Hideout by Susanna Mattiangeli and my favourite illustrator, Felicita Sala (Abrams 2019)
I read…
A Tidy Ending by Joanna Cannon (The Borough Press 2022)
Cannon’s debut novel, The Trouble with Goats and Sheep is one of my favourite books in recent years. How she writes with a voice of a 10-year-old girl is masterful. A Tidy Ending wasn’t as great as The Trouble but I still enjoyed the sort-of murder mystery with lots of twists.
I started listening…
Studiomate Steve
It’s back with a new season! You are probably already listing to it, but, if not, I highly recommend this inspiring and hilarious interviews of fantastic children’s book illustrators by Steve Lenton.
The Island of Brilliant
A new podcast by Frank Cottrell Boyce and Nadia Shireen. It’s all about brilliant children’s books. What’s not to like?
Poetry Unboud
Maybe because English isn’t my first language, I aways shyed away from poetries. This podcast gently guided me into the world of poetry. The host, Pádraig Ó Tuama’s voice is so soothing. Expect your soul to be nourished.
This Movie Changed Me
I studied film theories and filmmaking at universities. This podcast reignited my passion for the art of storytelling.
And…That’s it for this month! Speak to you in the next newsletter!
Any comments and question will be welcome!
And much appreciated if you could spread the word!
Great post Momoko! I love the image of the girl tiptoeing downstairs... I want to turn the page! Maybe 2024 will be the year you get to create a ballet story!
I also really don’t like doing backgrounds and was hoping I could use more white space in my artwork but would that generally put publishers off if I don’t have backgrounds in my portfolio? I’m unpublished and unagented at the moment so I’m still trying to shape my portfolio. Good luck with the deadlines 😊