Hippopotamus on a T-Shirt

Still on the Hippopotamus theme, I've designed some items which are now in my shop online at Redbubble

These designs are based on the children's classic, There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof eating Cake. Story by Hazel Edwards and illustrations by me.
I have enjoyed designing in a new format and Redbubble has been a great site where I can display my works. It's been a lot of fun!

Here is a peek at some of the hippo inspired works. There are prints, posters, cards, notebooks and t-shirts, available in most sizes and colours, from newborn onwards. The design can be printed front or back. There are many other designs at my shop, but hippos are a favourite!

Hippo T-Shirt

Hippo T-Shirt

Hippo Hoodie from the back

Hippo Notebook

Hippo Poster

Hippopotamus at Glen St Theatre

Who would have thought that everyone's favourite hippo would be residing on the roof at Glen St Theatre, Belrose, Sydney?

He has been starring in the popular new musical especially for kids, called Hippo! Hippo! A new musical adventure!

The school holidays are on in Sydney so it is a great time to see this fun show which has been adapted from the books written by Hazel Edwards and illustrated by me. The first book of the series is There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake,  published in 1980 and continuously in print.

I'm taking some young family members this week. We are all looking forward to seeing the hippo singing and dancing!

A Musical Hippopotamus

Coming to many venues throughout Australia, in the next few months, is Hippo! Hippo! A Big New Musical Adventure!

Showing in popular areas in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, this fun production would appeal to all young children and adults who have a soft spot for a friendly pink hippo. 

It is based on the classic children's book 'There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake' written by Hazel Edwards and illustrated by me. 

The musical has been created by Gary Ginivan who has produced many exciting shows based on popular Australian books.

I'm looking forward to seeing the hippo star in his stage debut!  He'll rock it I'm sure!

http://touringselector.com/production?p=2438

The Art of Margaret Early

I have two treasured children's books, retold and illustrated by Australian artist, Margaret Early.

The titles are Robin Hood and The Sleeping Beauty.  Margaret does exquisite work.  Each painting is a gem. Her other books in this series include William Tell and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

All these beautiful books were published by Walter McVitty Books in Australia.  The production is excellent.

Unfortunately, I do believe these books are now out of print so I'll be hanging on to my copies to enjoy with the grandchildren.

Robin Hood

Robin Hood

Robin Hood

The Sleeping Beauty

The Sleeping Beauty

Mulga Bill's Bicycle...Part 1

Mulga Bill's Bicycle 1973.  Illustrations Kilmeny and Deborah Niland

This year, 2013, marks the 40th anniversary (yes 40th! ) of the first publication of my picture book, Mulga Bill's Bicycle.

The amazing thing is that this book has been in continuous print since 1973.  I believe it is quite rare to have a picture book still in print after all these years.

Mulga Bill's Bicycle is the name of a poem written in 1896 by Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson.

This picture-book version of  Banjo Paterson's poem was illustrated by my sister Kilmeny and me and first published by William Collins (Australia) Ltd in 1973.

To celebrate this book's long life, I thought I would post, at intervals, various snippets and original sketches which relate to the finished illustrations.  I would also like to make up some activity sheets for kids to download and print.

Mulga Bill's Bicycle 2007.  Illustrations Kilmeny and Deborah Niland

Some Black and White Illustrations

I've been looking through a lot of my older work of late, scanning and sorting. 

The works below are from a title published way back last century, in 1974.
The title of the book is Tell Me A Tale, stories retold and copyrighted by Jean Chapman and illustrations copyrighted by Deborah and Kilmeny Niland.

It's weird looking at your ownl work again after such a long time.  It was gratifying to see that the originals are so much finer and delicate as compared with the printed version.  As an illustrator you tend to forget that the printed work can be quite dissimilar to the original art.

Printing methods today are so much better which means good quality is more easily achievable in book production.

A Niland Art Exhibition

 
I've been busy the last couple of months sorting, painting and framing many of my works to be exhibited alongside my sister Kilmeny's fabulous array of her own paintings from her art collection.

This exhibition is presented as a tribute to Kilmeny's lifelong interest in art and will be held at the Artarmon Galleries in Sydney from the 6th to the 23rd October, 2012.

There will be a wide variety of artwork on show and for sale: original illustrations from books, oil paintings, watercolours, ink, humorous paintings, serious paintings, enigmatic paintings, portraits of people and portraits of fruit. There will be a scattering of hippos, monkeys and cows, dogs and cats, but no pigs.
You'll see big paintings and tiny paintings.

Come and visit the gallery if you are interested in book illustration and painting. Kilmeny has left a beautiful legacy.

Some more paintings on show from the exhibition.

Kilmeny Niland

Deborah Niland

Pamela Lofts

Some more sad news. This time about the well-loved illustrator and artist Pamela Lofts who died on July 4th, 2012.

Although I didn't know Pamela personally, I was a great admirer of her fine illustrations in many children's books over the years.

She will be remembered for her wonderful work in Wombat Stew written by Marcia Vaughan. Also the delightful drawings in Snug as a Hug, also written by Marcia.

Other books, illustrated by Pamela, include Mem Fox's Koala Lou and Hunwick's Egg brought vividly to life by Pamela's gorgeous illustrations.

Besides her work with children's books, Pamela was well-known as a fine artist with many art exhibitions to her credit.

Pamela Lofts will be deeply missed by the art and illustration world.

Maurice Sendak

The illustration and children's book world has lost a major figure with the death of Maurice Sendak.
He influenced the techniques of many, many illustrators over the years and his books have been enjoyed by adults and children alike.

I remember the fuss that was made after the publication in 1963 of  his classic Where the Wild Things Are.

'Experts' in child development were adamant that children would be terrified and have recurring nightmares if shown this book. Nearly fifty years later this book is still popular and I'm sure the nightmares have proved to be non-existent.

The beautiful pictures below by Maurice Sendak are from some of his books I still have on my shelves.

Where The Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak 1963

Where The Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak 1963

Thr Griffon and the Minor Canon - Maurice Sendak 1963

The Bee-Man of Orn - Maurice Sendak 1964

The Bee-Man of Orn - Maurice Sendak 1964

Outside Over There -Maurice Sendak 1981

A Catty Display

Here are some illustrations from various books of mine featuring the cat.
I've used different techniques for each illustration. Pen and ink, watercolour, and digital.

I'm really a dog person, though.

Annie's Chair

I've recently received copies of my book, Annie's Chair, which has been published in a new Chinese edition.
The publisher is Beijing King Ear Images.  It looks a beautiful production!

I believe this edition is not available in Australia but copies are selling online from here.

Here are some pictures from the book.

More favourite illustrations

The delicate art of Kazuo Iwamura...
Have a look at the delightful illustrations from a range of his children's books.

A plethora of pigs

What is it about the charms of our porcine friends which attract the artist and illustrator?
Many a delightful character has been created in pigly form by a large number of artists.
Here is a selection of superb swines to appreciate. All by artists who have a special affinity with the inspiring pig.

Colin McNaughton, Illustrator:   Book - Who's Been Sleeping in my Porridge?

Carol Thompson, Illustrator:   Book - In My Bathroom

Anthony Browne, Illustrator:   Book - Piggybook

Arnold Lobel, Illustrator:  Book - The Book of Pigericks

Mick Inkpen, Illustrator:  Book - If I Had a Pig