SMILE
IMAGINE
LOVE
ACHIEVE
SING

May this be our inspiration forever more

From the boy who is forever 11

xxxxxxx

Ok, so I'm a bit late posting this...

But it's a piece of advice that should be a mantra; Grayson Perry said it in relation to choosing a career in the art world - I think it applies to Life.

"..stay on the bus. For god's sake, stay on the bus!"

(Or perhaps in his case, "stay on the bike..."?)

Clever, witty, wise...man of the people, philosopher, cyclist, artist.
Hear his Reith Lectures here.
Nice work, Grayson.

Grayson Perry: The Annunciation of the Virgin Deal, 2012

Hold the date! 

We're proud to be part of magical Tales on Moon Lane half term programme.

Will post a reminder on Facebook and twitter nearer the time...

We're counting down now...

See more pictures, possums and add to the buzz HERE!

&/or

Pre-order your copy HERE!

A Possum's Tail - jacket

Out on 6th February! 
"A Possum's Tail follows Samuel Drew and his toy dog as they make their way to visit the possums at London Zoo. Disappointed that the possums are asleep, Samuel turns around and heads back the way he came, unwittingly surprising onlookers who notice that the possums have decided to follow him. Written in charming rhyming verse, children will delight in spotting the differences between street scapes as Samuel Drew walks to and from the zoo. A Possum's Tail is a humourous caper that beautifully illustrates the richness of cosmopolitan London."

Alex and I will be VERY excited to see this on the shelves - it's taken a long time to arrive! Huge thanks to wonderful Tate Publishing, who have done the most amazing job, this is the book we always imagined. And we have had so much support and encouragement along the way...we just need to spread the word now.

To that effect, we've set up A Possum's Tail facebook page (ahhh, facebook, that mixed blessing of useful tool where people like me feel like a tool…although I'm now quite addicted to finding funny/cute pics of possums and posting them) 

Do please go and LIKE! :)

And if you really do like the look of it, you can pre-order a copy online from Amazon or wait until Feb 6th for Tate or your local book shop!

Okido 27

Hey dudes, what's this groovy new issue of OkidO all about..?

Here's a clue:

   

"Help! It's the Hair Bear Bunch!"

The theme tune was an awesome mix of catchy melody, sticky lyrics and rocking beats...

Too cool for school, too hip to trip and too dope to mope, these dudes were like some kind of Scooby-Doo trinity of funk.

"I only want to hold you, 

I don't want to tie your down or *fence you in the lines I might've drawn…"

(Looks Like Rain, Grateful Dead)

*Actually should be "fit" but I prefer "fence" and don't think these guys would mind the change.

A version of this song with Donna singing in it, was the version I've always loved best (even though she was traditionally a most unpopular addition to the band). Haunting and lyrical, I basked in its beautiful melancholy, writing self-pitying poetry in a flea-infested, Paris apartment many, many years ago. I find it's lost none of its charm. I can't say the same for the poems...

Find myself doing here what I so disliked on Facebook - ok, I get it now! 

These fish, which are a detail from son's art GCSE piece, are too good not to share. Plus at least I'm not showing-off to friends but to approximately 10 random strangers…and hey, I'm proud of my son. He causes us so much strife, but deep down he's struggling like the rest of us. I'm celebrating the positive here!

(Apologies to one dear friend who does follow blog - but know she'll understand.)

"Fish" part of GCSE art project by FD

Observer Review section Sunday January 5th 2014

Delighted to see this piece about the Naked Mole Rat - one of my most favourite critters!

My admiration only grows for this brilliant beastie and now it's won Science Magazine's vertebrate of the year.

Well done Naked Mole Rat!

Also proud that I'd written my essay on the NMR for JUMP! magazine - I think we'll be hearing a lot more about these Curious Creatures...

PS just when you think you've got it pegged, House of Cards twists into a new direction.
How deliciously capricious it is! Oh boy, I am in awe.

A sneaky peak at my poem in the new January Okido  

I posted this a while back but so, SO much more engaging with Alex Barrow's brilliant illustrations. 

Can you guess the theme of the next issue..? 

(It'll be a crazily 'hairy' ride…)

Kew Gardens night time walk - a mesmerising sensory and emotional mix. (Also very cold toes)

Strangely reminiscent of travelling at night in India; the smells and sounds and other-worldliness. (Even had shacks selling food and drinks…)

I am the light that soared

I am the light that soared

bursting from nothing into brilliant being!

When the dark sky wraps a thousand dreams

in a blanket of winking stars…there am I!

I am the brightness in heavenly streams

of consciousness 

I am in each particle that floats

and spins on moonbeams

I am the almost imperceptible warmth

that melts frost-spiked leaves.

The normality of variety

Life in all its random games,

The breadth and depth of thought

The expectation of experience

The journey ahead, around, above and beyond

each path you tread.

I sing exuberantly

in a voice that clears the shadows!

Poised, watching, sure.

I am the answer to silence,

I am the love that will endure.

I am ready, steady GO!

The ebb and flow

Of Hope, Potential.

I was and always will be

Playful, sparkling

Possibility.

GD January 2013
For S

Unbroken Chain by The Grateful Dead suits the mood.