Year of the Snake

I have just been in Hong Kong absorbing the wonderful sights, sounds, smells and peculiarities of Chinese culture. Everyday was a sensory overload. Since my return I have begun digesting into illustrations the noise, bustle, skyscrapers, temples, food and hectic pace of life lived in a haze of red and gold.

The Lunar Chinese New Year was celebrated while I was in Hong Kong so lots of dragon and lion dances occurred to the sound of clashing cymbals, scaring away the bad luck to herald good luck in its' stead.

 

It was great to be in a city full of activity and familiar things but one that felt very different to London. A trip to Kowloon Park amidst tower blocks and busy roads and you can find a tranquil pond inhabited by flamingos.

Swallows and Arrows

I was recently asked by Ferment magazine to create an illustration in response to a poem on the theme of upside down.
The poem entitled; 'This Way Up' is by Ted Piker.
I drew lots of things but eventually it became whittled down to quite a simple image:

Ferment magazine is published quarterly in Oxford. 
Ferment is a quarterly non-profit zine combining original creative writing with complementary illustrations.
We invite writers and illustrators whose work we admire to make contributions on a theme that is chosen for each issue.