The Paper Watch Project

 

I have been keeping this particular project under my hat but today I'd love to tell you all about it. 

I'll start at the beginning...




A few years ago I worked with a wonderful, kind and inspirational lady called Phil Perry - She looks after lots and lots of fabulous illustrators (some of you may know her) because she's is the BEST in the business. Well the stars aligned and she got me my dream job at Templar Publishing - Then she got breast cancer - She was an utter inspiration through the whole process and always had a joke at Cancers expense, Then by a horrible twist of fate our colleague the majestic creative director of Templar Books Amanda Wood was also diagnosed with Cancer. Both of these wonderful women are recovering well but in recognition of their recovery I decided to help Templar raise some money for
 Breast Cancer Care. 



My little grey cells began to spark and fizz with wonderful ideas involving all my faveourite illustrators joining forces to create a once in a lifetime project to raise money for charity. And then in a light bulb moment our dashing art director William Steele discovered a blank paper watch -and everything fell into place. 




Aware of the demands on already over worked illustrators I was hesitant about approaching people I consider dear friends and imposing my bonkers ideas on them. 

After much ummm-ing and ahhh-ing I dipped my toe in and took the plunge expecting perhaps 10 marvelous illustrators to offer their services... Well like a magical illustrative snow ball the project spread like a wonderful fever via the hash tag #paperwatchproject and I ended up with almost 90 enthusiastic volunteers including some of my all time most beloved picture book creators Shaun Tan, Adam Stower, Steven Lenton, Chris Mould, Alex T Smith, Helen Hancocks, Mark Chambers, Owen Davey, Emma Dodd and many many more... I couldn't believe it, I was gob smacked to the point of giddyness. 





I promptly dispatched the blank watches with the slightly dubious instruction to just 'go mad' .. and then I waited ... 




One by one they started arriving back on my desk - Every single day was just like Christmas, piles and piles of wonderful creations adorned my desk. 



My heart brimmed to absolute bursting point with admiration for all of the lovely illustrators who put their all into their designs... and I can't ever thank them enough. 




Then by another incredibly fortunate random meeting via Twitter I found Sarah Yewman _ My picture book soul mate, by a strange tangled web of coincidence she came to work with me on the project and like a whirlwind of brilliance she created the Paper Watch Project word press site and built 86 charity auctions pages as well as contacting the press and co-coordinating  lots' of fabulous Twitter activity. I couldn't have done this without her. 




So now we are nearing the end of this wonderful project and it's been immense fun - The auction closes this Sunday and I hope we manage to raise lots and lots of money for this great charity.




If you have a moment please visit these contributor blogs to find out more about their experiences and get a sneak peek at  some brilliant development sketches..

• Gemma O'Neill
• Benji Davies 
• Sarah Yewman
• Amberin Huq
• Sarah Underwood
• Christina O'Donovan
• Christine Lau
• Chris Mould
• Wayne Blackhurst
• Josie Maskell
• Helen Hancock
• Tor Freeman
• Anna Searle
• Sally Felton
• Laura Steele
• Sharon Langdon
• Kerry Wheeler
• Rachel Clowes
• Emma Block
• Meg McLaren
• Sarah Bellisario
• Lucy Dillamore
• Emma Yarlett
• Jordan Andrew Carter

You can see more images of these beautiful watches here


AND PLEASE PLEASE if you are reading this before Sunday - BID! it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece of unique hand made art.

Dick Bruna - A moustachioed icon

Tis true to say the juiciest of apples doesn't fall far from the tree and this is certainly the case for Dick Bruna's 'The Apple' a book which first published a gob smacking 60 years ago but yet which remains as iconic and relevant as the day it was first published.

It is a comforting delight to see 'The Apple' popping up in book shops across the country again like a familiar old friend - each page instantly conjuring up memories of enjoying mini milk lollies and party ring biscuits whilst thumbing the pages of these bright bold and engaging books all those years ago (although I hasten to add I didn't read this particular book 60 years ago - perhaps 30 years ago but which still might be considered a frightfully long time.)   

Now published in over 50 languages (crumbs!) Bruna first created 'The Apple' in 1953 whilst working as a graphic designer in his father's publishing house in Amsterdam, it was his first experimentation with shape and form pre-dating his most recognisable character 'Miffy' the rabbit. 

Miffy with her trademark dots for eyes and a cross for a mouth

Tate are re-publishing 'The Apple' alongside 'The School' and 'On My Scooter' to mark the titles 60th Anniversary bringing Bruna's trademark style to a whole new generation to be explored and enjoy. 

'The Apple' tells the tale of a bright rosy red apple who falls from the tree - aggrieved that they will never get to see the world due to a lack of legs the apple befriends a weather vane rooster who in the dead of night whisks the apple off on a flight of wonderful discovery introducing the apple to lots of every day things which young readers will love to spot and point to.

As well as being the owner of (without contest) one of the finest moustaches Dutch artist Dick Bruna created a style which became instantaneously and timelessly iconic. Often imitated his bold black line and cleverly orchestrated pallet of bright contrasting colours captured the attention of young readers and became a staple additions to home libraries for generations of children across the globe. 

Dick 'The Tache' Bruna 

A trail blazing illustrator creating books of a convenient size for small hands and foresight and genuine interest in how children enjoy books. Perhaps one of the very first and arguable most successful brands but with an honest and joyful heart. 

I hope another 60 years worth of young readers will enjoy Bruna's books as much as we all have and if I could meet Dick now I would thank him, his books brought a comforting orange blush of sunshine to many a doctors / dentists waiting room

I'd love to hear about your memories of these wonderful books so please tweet me @maybeswabey #dickbruna

You can purchase ' The Apple in all good book shops and OBVIOUSLY Tate book shop online here 

With Many rosy thanks to Eleanor who sent me a copy of 'The Apple' (to replace the one which was loved to pieces many years previously.