Monsters illustrated

It seems one of the illustrators I love & and wrote about recently is the same person that did this print sold in The Hoxton Street Monster supplies, since it's opening last November.

'Zingoula Cudacuda' by BEN NEWMAN 

School term has started again, so I'll be back there the odd morning illustrating the wild & wierd creations the youngsters come up with, as well as mentoring on the Saturday project The Hoxton AM. I'm kind of jealous really as I'd have loved a place like the Ministry to go to when I was young, to have a go at being a journalist, or local press photographer. These are some of the great workshops held regularly at the small shop located on the market, including the recent re-write of The Awfully Bad Guide to Monster Housekeeping. Children from the local schools worked with some top writers and poets on various sections to complete this important guide on on areas of monster Etiquette. But they are in need of some funds to get it published. If you can donate anything please do so here.

The Awfully Bad Guide to Monster Housekeeping from Ministry of Stories on Vimeo.




Alternatively feel free to pop along and buy your next jar of Pickled Eyeballs and support a great project.

notanyoldjotter

Were you one of the lucky ones to receive one of my branded handy notepads this new year? If so, do let me know if you've used it. Even better take a picture of how you have put it to use & upload it to my twitter page - I'd love to see. If you didn't receive one and  you're feeling very jealous, drop me a line & I'm sure I can sort you one out. Notanyoldtomdickorjo gets one you know!
 

A Monstrosity of a project

"Howl if you want to come in" says the sign by the doorbell of the new Hoxton Street Monster supplies everyone is talking about. The shop on the back streets of East London is now home to a vast collection of products such as tinned fears, fanged floss, Human not and zombie mints  - essential items for any monster.

But behind the bizarre facade lies an important and worthwhile project. The Ministry of Stories has been set up by Andrew Hinton, Lucy Macnab and Ben Payne along with the design skills of We Made This as part of the 826 literacy project, which now has eight centres around the world. The oraganisation aims to help young people from 6 - 18 unleash their creativity through writing and storytelling. At the back of the shop is a beautifully designed space where kids take part in short workshops, and are mentored by volunteers to create their own Monster inspired stories.

The project has so far been supported by the likes of Nick Hornby and Zadie smith, as well as numerous volunteers offering their time in many ways. I for one am hoping to jump on board and offer my monster claws.

Fancy some soup?

Winter is officially upon us, our fingers are frozen and bellies constantly hungry (well mine is anyway!). It is officially soup season too. Earlier this year I was asked to design and illustrate a Soup Recipe book for a beautiful health retreat at Buckland Hall, Wales. As well as taking in the fresh views of the wintery landscapes I got to savour the very yummy and warming soups. The book was sold to visitors of the hall and those on the retreat.I still have a number of the small booklets left if anyone is interested in purchasing one, for the bargain price of £5.50 (postage inc). they are beautifully illustrated by yours truly, and they are a good waty to save money on those lunches at this time of year. Just email me at jodmd@hotmail.com with your details, and I'll pop one in the post!

A special pack designed for one client who had a very messy daughter!