This is my first children's book, commissioned by The Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) for their 150th anniversary, which has been such a rewarding project to work on.

Originally I was asked to do some art workshops, for schoolgroups, to encourage children to explore the museum. From the workshops the idea for this story developed.

I had free reign to chose a creature from the museum's collection and develop it into the main character in this story. One day I was drawing in the birdroom and suddenly I saw him! The sparrow - because he was small and ordinary, sitting in the middle of a vast array of beautiful, big, colourful birds. So, Alfie was born! Small and ordinary but ready for an exciting adventure...

I have been working on some new characters today #illustration. I have had a couple of trip to the theatre lately, so maybe that inspired this lovely lady. I have seen two amazing plays 'La Strada' and 'Othello' at the Northcott Theatre. #theatre. Both producations spectular in very different ways. La Strada was so creative and visually beautiful and held me spellbound throughout. Othello was so convincing and moving. Both productions had such wonderful actors and although I didn't dress up like the lady below, I hope to visit the theatre more often for some inspiration.

This is the first exhibition by The Exeter Illustrators at RAMM, which I am thrilled to be part of! It's on until 2nd July, so if you live in Exeter go and see it!

Since creating the character of Tamlin, I have drawn hundreds of horses from various of angles, trying to work out the essence of what a horse looks like.

Drawing from photographs is not much good as it tends to create a static character, so I tend to draw from videos, which helps to see their movementsand I can stop and replay if I miss something. Drawing from life is best and if I see a beautiful horse in a field I stop and draw it, especially if it is a sunny day in Devon.

When I draw Tamlin I try and imagine an innocence or naivety in his nature, which hopefully comes across through his expression or posture or the way he holds his ears or tail.

Tamlin is based on a Dartmoor pony as he is quite short and fat with a long fringe and mane, and very lovable. Here are some of him in various positions.

I have been drawing today, which has made a nice change from the computer. I have been working on some character studies for my horsey Tamlin, who started out as an MA project, and is now turning into a book for a charity called Access2Books.

Access2Books make stories accessible for blind or visually impaired children and adults. To make Tamlin accessible he must have a black outline all around him and clear unfussy backgrounds. The story will be in giant print and include braille. It's really very exciting!

I got the idea for Tamlin from a folk song 'Donna Donna' by Joan Baez which we had to sing at primary school. It was about a calf who was led to slaughter compared with a swallow who flew away 'proud and free'. I thought it was a very beautiful but very sad song, however it gave me the idea of a horse who was trapped in a field, becoming dissatisfied when he sees a swallow who tells him about the 'wide world" outside. Luckily my story isn't as gloomy and Tamlin has his own taste of freedom.

Lots of concentration when deciding where Jack will fly next!

Jack's journey workshops in full swing.

Jack flying away!

This is an illustration from the story of Jack the sparrow; done for 'Exetreme Imagination'.

I had such good fun doing art workshops with groups of 5 - 8 year olds, during the Exetreme Imagination Festival at RAMM. Will post the children's work when I get the photographs.