Listen to me talking

I was hoping to do a post this morning in response to receiving my first copy of the DFC through the letterbox, but it's not arrived! I really hope it's just me, otherwise there'll be a lot of disappointed children (and parents) this morning.
when I went down for the launch a few weeks ago, I was interviewed by Alex Fitch of Resonance FM for his regular comics show Panel Borders. Broadcast yesterday evening, the show features the speeches from David Fickling, Nick Abadzis and Philip Pullman, and interviews with a few contributing artists including myself (last 5 minutes of the show). Have a listen here, while you do your colouring in or washing up or whatever.
I had been a bit worried about it, as I'd had a few celebratory beers and so could have been slurring or repeating myself, but I reckon they have a filter that has corrected it all as I think I come across OK.

Links links links

I've added a button on the left (or your right as you are on the other side of the screen to me) linking you to the new subscribers offer for the exciting wonderful DFC comic. Go on, LIVE THE DREAM!
For those of you not prepared to pay for quality, you might enjoy Top Shelf's new online strips, updated daily - all looks good at first glance. I've added it to my dailies which pop up when I go online. Also on my daily visit list - which many will know of but many will not - James Kochalka's American Elf, Chris Onstad's Achewood, local lad John Allison's Scarygoround, and the always interesting Daily Cross Hatch.

The Laugh Book

After some very quick and lazy research, I've learnt that Ruth Belov Gross started writing for children in 1970 with What Do Animals Eat?, and is still creating this stuff for kids. The Laugh Book (1971) is illustrated by Leslie Jacobs, who seems to have started in the late 50's.
I think the simplicity of this book is what appeals to me; the diagramatic illustrations, and the laugh-along dumb rhymes and puns which make it look so easy. Surely if we just sat down and got on with it, everyone could be producing these books! Maybe not as elegantly as The Laugh Book, but I guess it would get easier.

New Linoprints

Recent linocuts produced in reponse to a new logo brief for a shipping company based at Salford Quays. Not quite what they were after, so won't be used, but I think I might start my own firm now I have a logo. I thought the heron represented timeless and effortless grace and soloidity, as well as suggesting a positive ecological element (one full cargohold of grain can replace 100 wagons on the road). I did the yellow and grey on the same inking, before cutting away to print the black outline.
The crane (from a photo taken next to their dry docks) is quite a landmark down there. In black it looks a bit brutal, so I mocked up a more positive one, inspired by old transport and shipping posters -

Gripping documentary

The results of yesterday's digital video training course. I am now a master at iMovie.

Mediawatch

Those who missed You and Yours on R4 on Friday (and there's probably more than one of you) can listen again here. The second feature, after something about DEFRA and milk, is about the new DFC comic, with David Fickling and Philip Pullman discussing the project.
And my mum has just told me that I've just missed Go For It, R4's children's programme (first I've heard of it) has been all about comics - including the DFC. I've not listen to it yet, but will tomorrow.

In other news, those who've seen the new Mike Leigh film Happy-Go-Lucky will still be trembling with excitement having seen a copy of Shorty Loves Wing Wong in pride of place in the bookshop scene. The rest of the film was good too. I've still got a handful of the Faber edition for sale (£8), and a couple of the extra special first editions signed by me and Michael Smith (£25, or £100 with 1 of 100 special accompanying etchings). These will be worth millions, especially as Mike Leigh has now immortalised it.