Cat on hind legs

In my dream last night I was followed up a flight of stairs by a cat walking on its hind legs - I was slightly disappointed when I woke up to say the least.

Flat Earth

Beards From Outer Space - published today!

It's BEARDAGEDDON! Beards From Outer Space the second in the Pet Defenders series by Gareth P Jones & illustrated by me is out today May 4th published by Little Tiger Press!

'The Secret Life of Pets meets The X Files - Pet Defenders are secret agents with a difference.

The humans of Nothington-on-Sea have no idea their sleepy seaside town is a hot spot for space invasions, and it's up to secret agents Biskit and Mitzy to keep it that way.

So when an army of alien beards arrive, the Pet Defenders need to act fact...If the Beard King gets his way, soon every living chin will be under his control'

For the making of this book I undertook some dangerous excursions into 'peak beard territory' by sitting in various fancy coffee shops in the badlands of Shoreditch & Dalston et al to risk life & limb by sketching various beards in their natural habitats to bring you the hirsute illustrative glory of this book. I hope you appreciate the kind of risks an illustrator like me selflessly exposes myself to on a regular basis to bring you these artworks!

 

Superdad's Day Off

 Superdad's Day Off by Phil Earle with illustrations by me is out now published by Barrington Stoke.

"Stanley is a normal little boy, whose dad just happens to be the greatest superhero on the planet. Six days a week, Dad saves the world from disasters, aliens, and bad guys. Friday is his day off and he always spends it with Stan. But one Friday, Dad and Stan meet a series of people desperately in need of Dad’s help! Soon Stan finds himself saving a lion stuck up a tree, rescuing a monster truck from a ditch and taking on shark-infested floodwaters. That’s right: Stan is a chip off the old (superhero) block!"

Was an absolute blast to illustrate & I'm pleased with how well it's come out, here's a few bits & pieces from the book.

It's Beardageddon!

As it's #NationalPetDay I thought I'd share a preview of the second Pet Defenders book Beards from Outer Space by Gareth P Jones & illustrated by me 

'There's a new mayor of Nothington-on-Sea and the bearded, sunglass-wearing politician has attracted a whole load of fans.

Soon everyone in the town is sporting a beard - even the women!

But these are not just any beards - the Beard King is in town and he's planning to conquer the world.'

It's out on Star Wars day (May the fourth be with you! Ouch!)

(Here is a picture of me with a rather feeble excuse for a beard but I rock the sunglasses ok!)

Pet Defenders published TODAY!

Pet Defenders - Attack of the Alien Dung written by the very funny Gareth P Jones with illustrations by me is published today (9th February) by Stripes. It's the first in a brand new series in which an unlikely pairing of pets Mitzy & Biskit protect Earth from an assortment of invading aliens. 

'The planet is under attack and it’s up to Pet Defenders, Mitzy the cat and Biskit the dog, to save the world but first they are going to have to stop fighting like cat and dog long enough to do it! Secret agent Biskit is really not happy that his new partner Mitzy is a cat – everyone knows that the two don’t mix. But saving the Earth must come first when the planet is being invaded.' 


In the words of the author "It's basically Men in Black meets Dogs & Cats meets Dempsey & Makepeace with a giant space beetle made out of cowpats." which was obviously music to my ears when it came to illustrating it, giving me the chance to draw lots animals & aliens which are some of my favourite things (& drawing poo is ALWAYS fun, right kids?)

You can buy it here or if you're lucky enough to have a good local book shop go & say hello to them & buy one there. There's also a theme tune performed by the great Mr Jones which you can listen to here!

Collective nouns...

The collective noun for cats is a 'clump' surely...?*


*Ok, ok, the correct term is a 'clowder', happy now?

Cat burglar (plus dog)

Another illustration for 'Burglar Trade Secrets' from Which? magazine (apparently dogs & cameras aren't too popular with the burglar community - let alone dogs WITH cameras!)

See previous 'burglar' post

Demonic Kittys

Some demon cat hybrids I've been sketching recently

Smoking Bowie cat

Just found this crittur & thought I'd post it in lieu of yesterday's sad, sad news. RIP David Bowie

NB This blog does NOT condone cats smoking cigarettes

cats & laptops

Some recent character designs

More cats?

Cushion envy...

Various permutations of cat comfort.

World Cat Day - official merchandise

Yes, it's World Cat Day (apparently) so why not purchase an official* World Cat Day Collar of Shame™?

(* this is a rather loose definition of 'official' - may contain lies)

Being British illustrations - Woman's Weekly

 Illustrations to accompany comedian Hugh Dennis' article for Woman's Weekly on Being British including inability to choose correct outfits for weather, obsessions with gardens, pets & not turning your back on the Queen.
(shamefacedly I hadn't realised Woman's Weekly still existed & was immediately reminded of the line 'beat me on the bottom with my Woman's Weekly' from a song by Victoria Wood!)

Cat's bum!

Booze, cats, bum references, what else do you need on a Monday morning?

Advent of unwanted gifts #14

Anti-hypo-allergenic make up kit.*


*not tested on nice animals (or even nasty ones)

Advent of unwanted gifts #2

Nice tie.

Compendium of Useful Things #1 Cat Pants™

Cat Pants™for the more prudish pet owner

Wine, women & song...

Inspired by my friend Lisa's cats Norman & Stanley during my stay in New York last week

Wet sketchbooks, cats, balloons & other stories

My sketchbook was left in a damp tent & seems to have remained irrevocably soggy