Saturday 21 April 2012

Telegraph article on My Head-to-Toe Body Book by OKIDO
Here's a great article in today's Daily Telegraph magazine all about the new OKIDO Head-to-Toe Body Book. Lots about Okido magazine; Sophie Dauvois' words are both articulate and resonant. 



Spot-on bit of writing by Lorna Bradbury, who had road-tested the book on her kids (aged 4 and 7 years). I sense the time is coming soon when we'll all be seeing a lot more of OKIDO. I'm speaking cryptically and my fingers remain firmly crossed...just watch this space for the next installment.


THE NEW OKIDO MAGAZINE IS OUT! This is issue 20 and it's all about MUSIC...
I've written The Riverside Band, beautifully illistrated by Alex Barrows and set to music by the wonderful Severed Limb! Listen to it here by clicking on the song:


Wednesday 18 April 2012

sketch of turquoise boots
Boots by designer meher kakalia. They have sheepskin insoles and are lined with scarlett leather; the zips are royal blue.



Monday 16 April 2012

I have to admit to feeling far more excited/thrilled/moved upon entering this small-but-crammed sweet shop in Brighton on Saturday, than walking around the Damien Hirst exhibition this afternoon at the Tate.




 Cyber Candy art you can eat - and as a consequence, far more satisfying.

Thursday 12 April 2012

I've just discovered the charity Fine Cell Work which:
 "trains prisoners in paid, skilled, creative needlework undertaken in the long hours spent in their cells to foster hope, discipline and self esteem. This helps them to connect to society and to leave prison with the confidence and financial means to stop offending."

Several years ago, I worked as a volunteer in "B" Prison Visitors' Centre, via another charity called PACT  - the Prison Advice and Care Trust. While I was there, I also attended a couple of art classes within the prison, run by a rather wonderful and enlightened teacher. 

And having now discovered the calm industry and satisfaction of cross-stitching (see my step-by-step tapestry developing!) the very real and practical benefits of these quiet disciplines are clear. Following a pattern brings with it a kind of security; it forces a focus that leaves little room for other thoughts as you become totally "in the moment". But you're also creating something tangable and real and lovely.


My mother, looking pensive

Which confirms yet again, the place that art, in all its shapes and forms, has within all parts of society; not simply as something that can be beautiful or evokative or thought-prevoking, but something that is absolutely necessary if we are to survive and thrive. 


Wednesday 11 April 2012

Green shoe
LOVE 

Easter arrangement
Remarkable Orchids
We went to my parents-in-law for Easter; dreary weather but wonderful, restful time. Beautiful garden bursting into new life; blossoms and buds and blooms. The scents of Springtime emerging at last...
Swan and blossom


BACKGROUND information...

My first picture book - called A Possum's Tail - is a collaboration with brilliant illustrator Alex Barrow and came out 6th February 2014. A second book called London Calls! is a whistle-stop tour of London, led by a Pearly grandma and her granddaughter. London Calls! came out on 4th September 2014 and is my second book with Alex Barrow. A Possum's Tail was nominated for the 2015 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal.
Both books are by Tate Publishing.

Please see my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE or CURRICULUM VITAE for more details & updates.

As well as writing children's books, for children's television and two award-winning children's magazines, I do both private and commercial art commissions, a selection of which you can see here.

The children's shoes are part of an ongoing series of "first shoes", including several cards commissioned by the Almanac Gallery.

Hand-drawn, bespoke invitations, announcements, portraits and menus, such as the examples here are also available upon request..

Any enquiries please email: gabbydawnay@gmail.com

OKIDO MAGAZINE AND TV

I've been a regular contributor to children's art and science magazine OKIDO since 2007. HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY (WOW) beautiful Okido!

An Okido animated kids tv show, based on characters from the magazine is currently in production with Doodle/Squintopera http://www.doodle-productions.com. The original adaptation of the show (co-created/adapted by myself, producer Ceri Barnes and Doodle Productions) was acquired by CBeebies. 52 x 11 minute episodes will be coming to a screen near you soon in 2015.......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............................
MESSY GOES TO OKIDO Series ONE & TWO is now available to stream on Netflix & most episodes are available to watch on YouTube. Series THREE is currently in production.

CBeebies

CBeebies
OKIDO

Cartoon Forum 2011 Okido booklet

Cartoon Forum 2011 Okido booklet
Okido Cartoon Forum 2011

Happy Birthday OKIDO!

Happy Birthday OKIDO!
Okido was 5 years old this issue...the wonderful art and science magazine for kids I've been lucky enough to have worked on for the past - 8 - years now