Apps, Christmas Cards and No-Dogs!

What a busy time it has been! Next to getting everything ready with Tizio Publishing for our new children's book app "No-Dogs allowed", we're also creating a fun little app to help all you insomniacs fall asleep and it is that time of year that as an illustrator you get busy doing Christmassy illustrations for cards, tags, papers, labels etc. Whether that is for this year or already for next year! And on top of all that I am working on 2 new children's picture books and am illustrating 2 others. No peace for the wicked.


Well, let's start at the beginning, as that is probably the best place to start!

 

It is always so exciting when your new children's book app comes out in the App Store. What will people think of it? Will the reviews be good? Will they like my illustrations? Will anybody buy it? Any message, any review, gets read with great anticipation and a bit of anxiety as well. Because you love creating the illustrations and you do put your heart and soul into creating the App and therefore what people think about it is so important. Not only for your own sake but also as feedback for any future stories, illustrations and apps! Because we do listen to your comments and we are taking them to heart. 


Luckily the very first review has been great, so this morning started on a big high for me! 


The new IOS App that we created, "No-dogs allowed" was written by Phil Fryer, developed by Tizio Publishing and illustrated and animated by me. It is a very sweet bed-time story about a mythical creature, the No-dog, and how it looks after children. To learn more about the mysterious No-dog have a look in the App store where you will find some screenshots and a full description of the book.

Watch out! No-dogs about!

The next app that I have been working on with Tizio Publishing is the InsomniApp. This time it is not a story book, but an app that is there to help you fall asleep. When my partner or I cannot sleep, or wake up at night, we both seem to pick up our iPads to read or puzzle or do something to help us fall back asleep. Using the iPad is great as you do not have to switch on the light and are not disturbing your bed-partner. However, often you get too engrossed in a story to fall back asleep or you really do want to finish that puzzle or game. So I thought wouldn't it be great to have a little, simple app that is purely there to help you fall asleep! The thought stayed with me and turned into the concept of the InsomniApp. Being an illustrator I immediately started drawing and sketching and as expected ended up with a load of sheep...

For all you insomniacs, the sheep are not loose yet, but soon you can release them in a sleepy, fun App! I will keep you posted.

Last, but definitely not least, I'm very proud to announce that my first picture book app, Fierce Grey Mouse, has been nominated to go into the next round for the Cybils Awards,  keep fingers crossed for that little mouse!

Time has come to do a little more Christmassy drawing and painting now, deadlines are looming... Will tell you more about all that in the next blog post! Till then: Take care and sleep well!