Yesterday, I drew a waxwing

RIP Zdenek Miler

Last night when I was sitting beside the fire with my parents reading the papers my mum suddenly handed me a copy of the Times and said "Look! Your mole man has died!". After being momentarily mystified I realised that she meant Znedek Miler, the Czech creator of The Little Mole cartoons had died aged 90. You can read all about his life and work in his obituary here. My friend Alice Maddicott first introduced me to The Mole and the green star a few years ago and I have been smitten with these delightful Czech children's animations ever since. They are gentle and playful films and little mole is a charming and slightly silly character. The beautifully hand painted back drops reflect their creators deep love of the natural world. Watch him do battle with a grumpy gardener in this one.
Thank you Mr Miler.

Frozen Planet

Drawing whilst watching Frozen Planet. I am hypnotised by jagged patterns in the landscape and the harsh rhythm of it's inhabitants' lives.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree at the Poundshop

I am thrilled to be selling this Christmas Card with the lovely ladies at the Poundshop this Friday the 9th of December at Mother London between 6-9pm for a very reasonable £1. To get on the guest list for this very special, festive shopping night please go and register at http://thepoundshop.org/. The card will also be available from their webshop from monday!

Drawings from Sweden

I spent a couple of lovely days on the west coast of Sweden courtesy of my good friend Sara Melin. The pine trees, mossy boulders and whale like little islands were beautiful in the clear northern light. I drew in my sketchbook.

Perfect Christmas presents: prints on my etsy shop

There are lot's of new archival prints available on my etsy shop which could make very nice Christmas presents.

House and Garden Magazine

I was recently worked on a lovely commission for House and Garden Magazine. I was asked to handwrite their top website names which were then blown up into wrapping paper. The H&G team were then photographed around presents wrapped up in the website names for the December issue.

The Guardian: Independent Bookshops

I recently created this illustration for The Guardian's special supplement about independent book shops.

Coast Starlight

I got the train from San Francisco to L.A. and I looked out of the window and drew

Santa Monica Pier

I recently visited L.A. and stayed in Santa Monica. I finally got to see the pier in the flesh. I'm thinking of doing a daytime version...

Drawings from Portland

Drawings from Mountains and Pinecones

I went to Yosemite and the Mono Basin recently and drew whilst I was there.

What is There Beyond Knowing?

What Is There Beyond Knowing?

What is there beyond knowing that keeps
calling to me? I can't

turn in any direction
but it's there. I don't mean

the leaves' grip and shine or even the thrush's
silk song, but the far-off

fires, for example,
of the stars, heaven's slowly turning

theater of light, or the wind
playful with its breath;

or time that's always rushing forward,
or standing still

in the same -- what shall I say --
moment.

What I know
I could put into a pack

as if it were bread and cheese, and carry it
on one shoulder,

important and honorable, but so small!
While everything else continues, unexplained

and unexplainable. How wonderful it is
to follow a thought quietly

to its logical end.
I have done this a few times.

But mostly I just stand in the dark field,
in the middle of the world, breathing

in and out. Life so far doesn't have any other name
but breath and light, wind and rain.

If there's a temple, I haven't found it yet.
I simply go on drifting, in the heaven of the grass
and the weeds.

~ Mary Oliver ~

Hampton Pools Illustration

I recently worked on this private commission to create an image inspired by Hampton Pools, a lovely lido in South-West London....

Website Updated

There are a few new things on www.alicestevenson.com. Do have a look.

Saffron Walden

Some other things we saw on our rainy day trip...

Ravillious in Essex

On Saturday Caitlin and I went on a very rainy pilgrimage to the Fry Gallery at Saffron Walden to see Ravillious in Essex, an exhibition of Eric Ravillious's watercolours. His lovely, haunting depictions of the local landscape were well worth getting caught in the rain for, as well as the other delights on display in the Gallery. The exhibition runs until the 14th of August.

Doodles from Bologna

When I was in Bologna I sat on Milena's lovely terrace and drew a lot of lines.

London Loves

Whilst researching posters on the London Transport Museum archives I discovered these lovely pieces of inspiration. Enjoy.

Pictures at Frank!

I'm thrilled to announce that I'm now selling my screen prints, etchings and paintings at one of my favourite British galleries: Frank in Whitstable which is a space devoted to artwork, crafts and books by contemporary British designers. They also sell cushions in my St Jude's Treehouse fabric and my Art Angel's giftwraps. If you are lucky to find yourself down at Whitstable any time soon make sure you drop in.

Wigtown Festival 2011

I was thrilled to be commissioned by Bremner Design to illustrate this year's Wigtown Book Festival. I created an illustration featuring three literary goldfinches, continuing the theme of birds native to the Dumfries and Galloway region of Scotland (where the festival is held). You can see the illustration I did for last year's brochure here

Wedding Invitation

I recently created hand drawn lettering and decoration for these screen printed wedding invitations.