Get in the zone with me and my little friend. Another character for my online shop, Tees & stuff. This little guy is as laid back as it gets. Perhaps one day you will see him sitting under Little Bird's tree?
Actually he is a refection of where I plan to be this weekend, in my head at least. Two lovely days ahead started with getting up at 5am this morning, watching the sun come up and having a chilled out meditation. Lunch later today with David and a chat about some exciting work prospects we have going on, followed by Neil Gaiman at the Singapore Writer's Festival.
As for tomorrow... that's a whole other story stay tuned.
My latest range of characters on T-shirts and on sale in my online shop, have the biggest heads ever!
Just for the girls, I have been creating a range of colourful, chic kids with matching hair and outfits. All in the illustrative style of Little Bird and they JUST might pop up in one or two of LB's future stories.
As for my latest writing efforts…'Granny McGill's Garden' came to me in Starbucks this week. Have only shared it with a couple of friends and had a lovely response so far. Thank you all for listening last night in the car. :-)
Today…ummm…bit of yoga followed by a bit of a shoe thing this evening at Tanglin Mall. Speaking of which, Shoes are next on my list of illustration ideas for my shop. Every girl loves shoes, right? Keep coming back and you Will eventually see a pair of shoes on here.
...or so it would seem! I have been seduced by a delightful colour palate of pinks, purples and reds in the last 24 hours. The result of course is...Fairies!! It doesn't get more girlie than that.
What am I talking about? My online shop. I mentioned that I was working on some new stuff, well as serendipity would have it, someone else just called me to discuss Fairies too. But that's for another blog. :-)
Thought I'd share a couple of my new illustrations today. "A Pink Giraffe!" I hear you exclaim in horrified tones! Well, why not? It probably lives in a raspberry jungle and drinks from a caramel river. Hmmm interesting story idea...
For now, it's back to the sketch pad and on with more pink art.
My blogging has been nothing short of absent for some time now...but I'm back and reaching for new heights :-)
Just started a series of illustrations for my online shop. The theme is Jungle Animals, prompted by my friend Mayang who suggested the first creation be a Giraffe. You can check it out at http://www.cafepress.com.au/GekkoState.412766085# but first, here's a little preview of the leggy Giraffa camelopardalis munching on some leaves from Little Bird's tree.Since the GP I have come up with a new picture book story (David will be delighted to hear I have finally sorted that one out as discussed!), I have also compiled a lot of sketches and concepts for my trilogy that I have been working on forever. That's all very exciting and is growing daily.
Signing off now, I have one more Giraffe to colour then back to the Jungle for me.
With the impending weekend of wheel screeching, engine roaring and beer swilling, I doubt my blogging will be too coherent over the next few days.
Guests arriving from Hong Kong tomorrow to fully distract me with fun and frolics about town.
Little Bird will likely have to tuck her wee head beneath her wing until Monday, so she would like to introduce you to one of her favourite bird friends while she can still type (ahem!). This is Igmus. He looks a lot more serious than he acts. He is the tallest of my Little Birds by about two beaks!
Interested in hearing his story? I know I am! The closer I get to publication, the closer you get to reading all about Igmus.
It's birthday season in my family. Mum's B-day today and my Sister's big 40 at the weekend. So in the spirit of celebration, Little Bird is here to show you how she likes to party.
Busy day ahead, so will catch up on more bird antics more tomorrow.
For now, here is the opening to Little Bird's Birthday story…
Wakey, wakey Little Bird, It's your special day, There is something everyone, Wants to say…
Hi to everyone reading this blog and thanks for checking in with me (and Little Bird). :-)
I won't start at the beginning because I began a very long time ago; some forty years ago in fact. 'Little Bird', on the other hand is just starting out in life. Barely out of her shell at just under 4 years old she has already bravely and somewhat unsuccessfully, traversed the desks and slush piles of global literary agents and publishers alike. Shameless little thing that she is, she continues to take flight North, South, East and West in a never ending search for publication. Battle-scarred with an unending stream of rejection letters, she just won't GIVE UP!
I'm delighted that she shares my tenacity in this self-set challenge—to BE a PUBLISHED PICTURE BOOK AUTHOR*.
Now you are probably wondering, "Who IS Little Bird?". Well, she is a bright, cheerful, positive, curious and ever hopeful little character, the lead character in my Little Bird rhyming picture book series. You can see her here in her home—The Tree, Banton (Yes it's a real place)—hunting the elusive 'Wurm' who pops up in all Little Bird picture books.
If you want to see AND hear more of Little Bird, follow my blog. :-) Hopefully somewhere down the line she really WILL take off. Love to hear your thoughts on her look?
PS: Little Bird is NOT alone in her world, she has many many friends who I will introduce you to on here in future.
* Note to clarify what might appear to be a rather desperate statement. I have already self published and won an award for a picture book in Singapore, "Nereg the Ugly Frog" http://www.selectbooks.com.sg/getTitle.aspx?SBNum=039852 . The experience was well worth it, but I now want to try and be published on a grander scale; one that will require my attention be entirely focused on writing and illustrating as oppose to distribution and sales. Call me insane, but I'm convinced this Little Bird has what it takes!
Ex Creative Director, Freelance Editorial Copywriter, Illustrator, Online Shop Owner, Children's Picture Book Author and Jewellery Designer. I run my own company in Singapore called Gekko State.
Check out my Gekko State Online Shop for the latest designs & illustrations on clothing and merchandise.
Get in the zone with me and my little friend. Another character for my online shop, Tees & stuff. This little guy is as laid back as it gets. Perhaps one day you will see him sitting under Little Bird's tree? 
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