Celia Hyland Illustration Challenge

  (My personal Illustration Challenge for 2017 is to complete one 'page spread' from a popular, modern or classic children's story each week, picked randomly from a hat. Using lines from the original text, I am re-creating the 'imagery' in my own way, just for fun!) The genius of A.A. Milne's Pooh series is that each of Christopher Robin's toys reflects a different aspect of human nature and character. Piglet is tiny but strong, Pooh is huggable and safe, Tigger is bouncy and uncontrollable, Owl is wise and sensible... The House at Pooh Corner , by A.A. Milne, first published in 1928 Then we have Eeyore, my all time favourite. I was definitely a bit of an Eeyore as I grew up. The glass was usually half empty. And even now, if I have washing to hang out, you bet it will probably rain. But this quote sums up perfectly for me what I have learnt over the last few years. It's okay to be a bit different, to have your own little ways that seem odd to othe

  (My personal Illustration Challenge for 2017 is to complete one 'page spread' from a popular, modern or classic children's story each week, picked randomly from a hat. Using lines from the original text, I am re-creating the 'imagery' in my own way, just for fun!) Edward Lear's nonsense poem (yes, a poem not a story - forgive me) The Owl and the Pussy-cat from a collection published in 1871. Really simple. For some reason, I imagined they were travelling by night, and I really wanted to get the curve of the cat's tale mimicking the sort-of gondola they were travelling in. I wanted them to be comfortable in their own way, hence the snug 'high place' for the cat, and the perch for the owl. I had intended to do a lot of colour on the animals, but in the end simplicity won.

  (My personal Illustration Challenge for 2017 is to complete one 'page spread' from a popular, modern or classic children's story each week, picked randomly from a hat. Using lines from the original text, I am re-creating the 'imagery' in my own way, just for fun!) Dr Seuss... where to begin? "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." ( Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr Seuss, published in 1990) I really hated doing this one. Really, properly putting it off and not enjoying any of it. So it shows. Not my best work. I would probably come back and do something very different with more time. In fact, to be perfectly honest I wanted to get all political with it. (My daughters - unlike many other children - have options, for which I am very grateful. Choice is a privilege that I hope they never take for granted.)