There is a penguin in the school

I went on my first school visit this year. Manor Green School in Maidenhead is a new and modern school. The staff and teachers I met on the day were very nice and very friendly and the children were excited and enthusiastic, ready to hear some of my stories and ready to do some art later on that day.

I did two talks in the morning. One for the children in the junior school and one for the secondary school. It went pretty well and some of  the children attended two of my workshops in the afternoon.

The school had previously asked if I can include some penguins in my workshop, so with the children, we created a big picture full of penguins.There were penguins flying, skating, wearing jumpers and funny hats…. Sixty children were involved in making the mural! We all had great fun and I loved the drawings the children did. I got some of  the drawings to take home.This is a penguin going to a fancy dress party. A picture full of sunshine. A penguin from Ryan.A happy picture with two butterflies.

 Another picture with the sun shining from Lee.

 Soroush gave me this drawing and as I remember he also painted a very colourful penguin flying in the air using three balloons! 

That day we also opened a new school library and guess what

inside was a penguin, reading a book about Puffin Peter.

It was nice to see the children being so excited about their new library.

 This is me being also excited and trying to fit into one of the seats between the bookshelves.

It was a busy and very nice day at Manor Green. Thank you for inviting me!

Last week I also continued working on the sketches for Nicola Davis’s book.

Here is a sketch of a gorilla with a baby,a kangaroo with joey,

seahorsesand a snail. The book is going to have lots and lots of pictures of animals.

One more thing to mention. “Draw In” exhibition which takes place in Port of Tyne Gallery, The Customs House, Mill Dam, South Shields, Tyne and Wear NE33 1ES

Artists and writers were asked to nominate one of their friends and to do a portrait of themselves and a portrait of their nominated friend. It should be done from memory.  The nominated friend then will do the same. I drew Tony de Saulles

and Tony drew me. Here is the list of the other people who are taking part:

Emma Holliday / Sav Scatola

Valerie Laws /  Malcolm Gerrie

Petr Horacek / Tony De Saulles

Ethen Byrne / Faye Leydon.

Lou Sumray / Jason Sumray

Sudeshna Chattopadhyay / Kriti Chattopadhyay

Charlotte Johannes / Tom Adams

Nick Holmes / Esme Patey-Ford

Suzy Varty / plus name to be confirmed

Carol McGuigan /  Topsy Qur’et

Suzy Varty & Bridget Woodhall

It should be a good exhibition. The private view is 23 Jan 6pm – 8pm  and the exhibition will last until 1st March 2015.  Go and have a look if you can!