Blog | Ian Morris

Tuesday 24th June 2025

A week on. An incredible week it has been too. I had the pleasure to attend the CLiPPA Awards at the National Theatre to show my unyielding support for Oliver Sykes’ ‘We Are Family’ published by Otter-Barry Press. Oliver had been shortlisted and invited to perform his poetry to 850 people.

Outside Southbank Book Market, National Theatre in Background, Ian Morris, 2025

In the lead up to this, I spent the days before on my PGCE. Reflecting within my Practice Journal and deconstructing the feedback I had from my Draft Teaching Philosophy and Teaching Observation. I must admit it is incredibly hard to find time to write academically when teaching and working in children’s book publishing. However, students have now left, and I feel I have the space to engage thoroughly with the content. I’m able to consider the pedagogical theories that apply to my teaching practice better. I am heavily connected with Humanist and Constructivist theories and has been fascinating to now be able to apply the literature to what I do. It’s almost as though I am writing a manifesto, values that are malleable - especially as I gain more experience – and hold me accountable. Abraham Maslow, Vygotsky, Montessori, Carol Dweck, Carl Rogers and Clements book ‘Sticky Pedagogy’ have been particularly influential on my writing. Informing my own philosophy that fosters a relational approach, to enable students to be comfortable with ambiguity that is often found within art disciplines. It has sparked curiosity within me whether my career within academia situates more with the ECR pathway opposed to REC.

Now, Friday! Oliver was electrifying. He was introduced by the great Roger McGough and first on the stage. Once up, he had the crowd eating out of the palm (or bowl) of his Nettle Soup. Personally, I think every author after had an incredibly tough task to follow up that performance. Oliver didn’t win the award; however, he was there seen by several publishers and editors who were excited by the performance they had witnessed. I wouldn’t be surprised if an opportunity arose from this networking. I’m proud to know Oliver, to see his journey and the obstacles he’s had to overcome. All this recognition now is a testament to his determination, kindness and ability. Oliver will go far.

We Are Family in the National Theatre Bookshop, Ian Morris, 2025.

I had a discussion yesterday with Dylan Calder from Pathways into Publishing/Pop-Up and is now working at Manchester Metropolitan University in devising a course like those previous iterations that focus on similar goals and values, interjected with more pedagogical teaching. I have been suggested as someone, especially with my publishing background to provide viewpoint on how illustration can be a successful part of this course. I’m looking to see how this evolves. This could also become part of Citizenship within the University.

Tuesday 17th June 2025

So, I’m back writing. That’s good, very good indeed. It emphasises how busy this last Semester has been. How my mind has wandered off, thinking, reflecting and doing. Part of that reflection as I mentioned in my previous entry was the decision to part ways with my agent.

Since this decision, I have been able to find better clarity with my work and how I wish to manoeuvre. I’d entered the world of publishing through my own determination and perseverance, that has never left me, and I had struggled at times with the idea of giving away a part of my autonomy. I’ve been working on a new portfolio – it focuses on bolder brush marks and less use of inked outlines. Therefore, my colour palette has become more advanced. There is a great project planned and underway for this new work as a collection of limited-edition prints that will be exclusively sent to select Publishers. PREST WORKS is preparing a custom-made archival box that will house the prints and enhance them as a premium, high quality collection.

'Wild', Ian Morris, 2025.

Amongst this work, I have managed to finally set time aside to explore True-Grain. This recent session I decided to approach the work with Indian ink, diluting it with varying ratios of water – I wanted to observe the range of tonal values that True-Grain can provide through a liquid form, as the previous experimentations had all been using a lithograph crayon or chinagraph pencil. I did note how a wash of ink, once dried, would produce a surface that would elevate lithograph and chinagraph marks to be bolder, when drawn onto the surface. There was another interesting discovery. Allowing the ink to semi-dry, I would use my finger to rub the ink and through this motion, the ink pigments would roll into each other and produce a ‘ripple’ effect. I’m yet to see if this mark is capable of being exposed onto a silk-screen. I hope it does. I will be exposing the drawings today on a silk-screen and will report back with my findings. There may need to be some testing with the exposure unit time.

Experimentation documentation in the Print Room, Ian Morris, 2025.

Sunday 15th June 2025

Wow. Five months on, since my last blog post. Oops. Apologies, it’s been a busy Semester 2.

A lot has happened. I decided to part ways with the agency representing my children’s book illustration work. I’m incredibly excited to be regaining autonomy over my work again and dealing with publishers directly. I think I was beginning to lose sight of who I was and what my self-worth was too.

I took some time out to reassess and consider the way forward and have been developing a new portfolio – you may have even noticed how my website has been spruced up. There is an exciting set of limited-edition artworks that will be made available to select publishers soon. I have been working closely with PREST WORKS and look forward to sharing that news soon.

I’ve also regained my Research time and have been in the Print Room this last week exploring True-Grain. Some interesting discoveries I made too. I promise an incoming blog post about that, with photographs too.

Overall, I want to say thank you to Tara Collette, who reinspired me to continue my blog writing after we had a lovely catch up over pizza at Forbici with Callum Dawes and then visited her new studio space.

Friday 14th February 2025

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope whoever reads this blog, you spend the time well with a dear loved one. I’m looking forward to my plans tonight.

However, this week has been interesting. I have certainly found my spark again to write and draw after a strenuous two-year period of professional work. I’m keeping the ideas quite close to heart for now and will not be rushing with these ideas to my agent. They need to be nurtured.

The PGCert work continues. Mainly reading on teaching theory and philosophy. I read ‘The Montessori Method’ by Dr Maria Montessori and ‘Summerhill’ by A. S. Neill. Here’s a collection of interesting statements I found from the books.

‘There does not exist, however, an external prize for man… Our joy is to touch, and conquer souls, and this is the one prize which can bring us true compensation.’

‘They must, he says, render themselves attractive in voice and manner, since their task to awaken souls which are frail and weary, and lead them forth to lay hold upon the beauty and strength of life.’

‘Man, disciplined through liberty, begins to desire the true and only prize which will never belittle or disappoint him.’

‘The teacher must become a director of the spontaneous work of the children. She is not a passive force, a silent presence.’

(The Montessori Method, Dr Maria Montessori, 1912)

‘In psychology, no man knows very much. The inner focus of human life is still largely hidden from us.’

‘The tragedy of man is that, like a dog, his character can be moulded.’

‘…remove the danger without fuss.’

‘The adults who fear that youth will be corrupted are those that themselves are corrupt… The prude is the libertine without the courage to face his naked soul. But freedom means the conquest of ignorance.’

‘Fear must be egoistic, for every fear is ultimately a fear of death. A hero is a man who can change his fear into a positive energy.’

‘Rewards are superfluous and negative. To offer a prize for doing a deed is tantamount to declaring that the deed is not worth doing for its own sake.’

(Summerhill, A. S. Neill, 1976)

I’m going to consider these statements and how they reflect my teaching philosophy. What can I further extract from them that will inform me.

Sunday 9th February 2025

I feel as though the last few weeks have been hard to keep up the blog. If I’m honest with myself, I am still writing in it regardless. Sometimes, it is good to have breaks, periods of intense focus away from the act of doing. Especially, if it gives me refreshed perspective and time to regain my creative thoughts. Which, it has. I have been writing and drawing with more intent than during the busy bouts of professional project work.

I now have some of my time dedicated to the PGCert. I’m enjoying the course; it has certainly helped understanding a lot of the terminology that was thrust upon me when I first started working at the University.

The difference between learning objectives and learning outcomes. Learning objectives are brief statements that describe the overall intention of the educators. These are teacher focused. Whereas, learning outcomes are concise, clearly articulated statements that outline the knowledge, skills, attributes and values that learners are expected to possess and demonstrate.

The main takeaway I found for the intention of learning outcomes is to provide the learners with motivation and a sense of purpose. I have since pondered how it is I enable the students to feel they have a sense of purpose. I do tailor the learning to more self-directed study, that enquires the students to be visually explorative, develop technical skills and be able to demonstrate this through a body of work. Whilst I am a facilitator who encourages this through positive environments. There is a task to write learning outcomes for my ‘dream’ module before the 24th February. I need more time to think before then.

I’ve discovered my teaching is intrinsically linked with Humanism Teaching Theory. Naturally I have always gravitated to it, without knowing its term. I believe this stems from my Montessori Nursery. There I felt my individual needs were met. When I left for Primary School and later High School, I felt disenfranchised with learning and only viewed in the collective. Whilst at University I read the work of Abraham Maslow, particularly The Theory of Human Motivation. That alongside Stoic and Existential Philosophy has provided great guidance in my own learning and success. I do often quote and discuss philosophical ideas in my Life Drawing Classes.

I look forward to reading the works of Dr. Maria Montessori, Carl Rogers and A. S. Neill.

Going into this new week I am steadily regaining my creative pursuits. Tomorrow, I’m going to work on my writing in the studio for the morning. Then in the afternoon focus on sketchbook work for printmaking exploration. If it is still light, and the weather is amicable I will work on some observational drawings.

Thursday 30th January 2025

What a whirlwind of a few weeks.

Finished the book project, with exceptional praise from the publishing team. It has been the most enjoyable book I have worked on. I think once the book has been published and I can speak openly about it, I shall write my reflective thoughts on the process.

Red Sky at Morning, Poet’s Warning published on Thursday last week! It’s fantastic to have another book with Alex. I’ll write a more in-depth reflection soon.

And the past few days I have been travelling with Tom and Meg (our publicist from Quarto) around the UK touring ‘Wonderful Words that Tell a Tale’. We had an incredible time, educating an inspiring young kid about words and their etymology. I think I need another day before I speak about what happened each day. A book tour recount. It may be fitting as tomorrow we are participating in a virtual event.

Today I have been back teaching. Firstly, this morning attending my first PGCert session. I believe I’m going to enjoy this course. I’m excited to articulate my pedogeological teaching and philosophy better. Understanding the values that are crucial to developing it. Finally, I spoke to a few third years this afternoon who are preparing for their Authorship project. Tried to relieve some of the pressure they are facing, through reassurance that I will bear that pressure and allow them to flourish in enjoying the art of making work. I now have a group of third years I will tutor. I’m excited to get to know them better and help them achieve their endeavours.

Thursday 16th January 2025

Amid finishing a book project and assessing student work. Busy times, but times that make me stronger and sharper.

Since my last post, I have been interviewed for a project. Hopefully, I will hear a decision by Friday. I shall speak more of it depending on the outcome and my own ambitions for it.

Anyway, I must crack on with my work. Later, I will be enjoying fine food at Canto in Ancoats with Hannah. Lovely!

Friday 3rd January 2025

Watched Nosferatu. It’s rare I venture to watch a film in cinema. The last few trips were often disappointing. Never watch the film Old. However, I had built up great anticipation in myself for Nosferatu. The castings looked well-chosen, and they certainly were when I finished watching the film. A sombre story that focuses on the themes of shame, loneliness and coercion through the myth of the vampire. It wasn’t gimmicky. It handled each individual character with tender care, and I genuinely wanted the protagonist to be saved. I look forward to seeing the extended edition.

Wednesday 1st January 2025

Happy New Year!

Keep enjoying every day, stay positive and do not allow others to change my state.
Draw and paint, look to seek constant improvement and development. How can I better myself further.
Write. Write daily. Write for myself. Write ideas. Write stories. Write on my blog.
Read. I did well in 2024, I feel more knowledgeable and articulate in discussing topics. I hope to read about 50 books this year.
Develop my research at the University. Exploring true-grain printmaking, etching and lithography.
Complete my PGCE with competence and a want to better my teaching philosophy. Learning how I can apply these new perspectives under my own idea.
Get a mortgage sorted and begin looking at houses with Hannah.
Keep working out and running. Introduce more callisthenics to my workouts.
A holiday.
Appreciate the quiet, simple moments life has to offer in a busy, overstimulating society.

These are my goals for 2025. Manifestations. Writing is a powerful magic. It overrides the matrix, this ethereal plain. It does help one in achieving. I’ve been doing it since 2018. I started with five goals. Then once I saw how effective it was, the lists grew and became more demanding of myself.

Tuesday 10th December 2024

I better divulge about the filming yesterday. It is for a charity organisation called Culture Co-Op, which I believe is in partnership with Manchester International. They are telling stories of Northern creatives around Greater Manchester. I was asked if I would like to be involved due to my connections to Middleton and Heywood. My interviewer was a lovely filmmaker called Tom, who was endearing to talk to and was fully engaged in the conversation. He asked thoughtful, considered questions that gently pushed me into memories and tribulations I hadn’t delved into for a long time. It was difficult to keep stoic when speaking of my parents work life to keep me and my brothers clothed and fed, what I had learnt from this and the appreciation of all that I and my brothers have achieved being down to them.

Today, I was working in the University. It’s deadline week, so I haven’t ventured into the Print Room. It’s too hectic. However, I did receive student feedback for the Sense of Place module. Let’s start with the improvements:

Occasionally some of the information from the tutors contradicted each other.
Organised and clear
Clarification on what work is independent or studio study.

I’m relatively happy with the improvement feedback. It gives me clarity on the areas that were weak within delivery. Mainly, it wasn’t anything negative in the content itself. Organisation has been lacklustre on the programme due to shortness of staff and illness, so some delivery had to be changed. The contradiction can easily be student confusion, because each tutor has their own perspective and specialism within their own practice, we do not all share the same viewpoints. This makes the course rich and dynamic, over time the students will understand this. Lastly, the clarification of independent and studio study was made clear, as they are the same thing. This I believe is students not used to self-directed study, now they will be for future modules. We cannot hold their hands.

Now into the positives of the module:

This module was more interesting and thought-provoking than Introduction to Illustration. It pushed students out of their comfort zone, and they have a sense that their practice has developed because of this. They appreciated the expertise and feedback of tutors and the discussions in group crits.
Range of workshops.
Encouragement to do exploratory work.

I’m pleased with this. At times, I did wonder if students were receiving the best out of myself and colleagues on this unit. Due to poor attendance in parts (I do wonder if it was down to the day being on a Friday). However, it seems students have resonated with the module and over the past two months understood its pedagogy. This is a testament to me and the colleagues that worked on this module. It affirmed my beliefs on the overbearing workshops on students. They want to be challenged intellectually.

Monday 9th December 2024

Filming today for Culture Co-Op, busy day ahead!

Friday 6th December 2024

One week to go before submission. A high number of students enquiring about tutor-led extensions. More than I have seen in my last three years teaching. It is concerning. However, when I reflect upon the size of classes, I believe it appears more than what the usual percentage would be 10 years ago with smaller class sizes. So, I don’t think there is too much to worry about. I do believe some try it on. The excuses I have heard, work mysteriously disappearing that was done in a day and didn’t consider backing it up in any other form I can’t accept. They need to learn from these mistakes. I remember a saying by my old tutor at the University of Salford. ‘If you put your mind to something, you can achieve a lot in a day.’

The writing may slow down over this week. Mainly as I prepare for a project application that has piqued my interest. I can’t disclose any more information.

In the evening, Hannah took me to listen to a string quartet playing Oasis songs in the Halle St. Peter in Ancoats. To my surprise, my friends Callum and Roisin joined us for food and the gig. It was an emotional and fun evening. I’m very blessed.

Wednesday 4th December 2024

I’ve been reading a book lent to me titled ‘The Voice That Thunders’ by Alan Garner. Alan Garner speaks eloquently through a series of essays about his practice of writing. If my memory serves me correctly the second essay speaks about his experience as a child going through meningitis. Death was imminent, the doctor writing him off and he willed himself, his frail body, weak but mind strong and powerful. Willed his life force and energy to get better. A remarkable example of the mind, breaking through those limiting barriers either set by us or in this instance by another person who had given up on hope.

In the same essay, he speaks of how the experience informed his writing years later for a book called ‘Elidor’. In the essay he describes what I believe is Astral Projection but doesn’t give a title to the experience. He narrates the calling of the ceiling, beckoning him to leave the bed, climb up and enter what appears to be an astral plain of existence. This profound experience has lingered with him. I do wonder if these experiences happen often to children. Without being conscious of it happening, dreaming. It has begun me to enquire about my own dreams, even picking a book up by Sigmund Freud for £1 at Rummage in the Range. I shall write about anything I find interesting.

The next essay discussed Alan Garner’s experience growing up from a working-class town in the North, and his sudden propulsion into Manchester Grammar School. How he would return to his roots and then be educated in speaking RP at the grammar school, becoming disassociated socially. Trying to find a new connection to who he is.

Later in the essay he mentions the positive ambivalence that the grammar school provided not only himself, but peers too. It’s been a long time since I have read a book that’s voice is powerful, it thunders, befitting of the books title. He was trained for excellence by the school, holding this standard to everything he partakes in, and distains the cult of egalitarian mediocrity. I must agree, in my own short experience I have seen this cult. They have infiltrated into positions of significance or influence. They have multiple masks, and each hides a hideous smile behind them. Breaking down culture. How often can working-class people engage with current art? Art that is being made in this century. It disengages. Personally, I strive for the same excellence in my work and judging by the trajectory of my practice in recent years it’s on course. I’ve witnessed how children and parents engage with my work, it resonates. I enter Waterstones often, browsing the illustrated books in the children’s section and the vulgar commercial illustration hangs heavy. Generic images that suit international markets. Devaluing idiosyncratic writing and illustration. Why write? Why draw? Because I must and want to.

Yesterday, we had a team meeting. Personally, I feel reassured, not as isolated as I was once feeling. So, those issues have now dissipated, and we can move forward now, confident in the planning and structure of the course.

Monday 2nd December 2024

29 today!

For a long time, my birthday and Christmas lost its resonance. When I was 8 my Grandad Naughty (Morris) passed away. I was very close with him and my parents thought me and my brothers (especially) were too young to attend a funeral, wanting us to remember him by the good memories. I never think that went down well with my Grandma Morris. After that she became very distant towards us. Every birthday was a short-handwritten card. No telephone or visit to the house. Meanwhile my other Grandad (Buckley) disappeared for 7 years. Which had significant impact upon my mum, who was an only child.

That was why birthdays and Christmas lost their magic. Growing up I often thought about my own feelings, seeing other kids receiving love on their birthdays and Christmas. I was quite embarrassed to mention what I did over those periods because I felt it didn’t amount to anything special in contrast to my peers. Shyly I would respond that we went for a bit of food and chilled. Nothing extravagant, not that I wanted it to be. What I really wanted was the whole family to be there.

Now that I’m older I reflect on that with a slight annoyance at myself for being a bit selfish in how I dwelled on my own feelings. I was young though and had little life experience. Thinking now, I can’t imagine how hard that was on my parents. This unusual dysfunction that was created out of the strangest circumstances with no real reason or explanation. I love my mum and dad, I respect them, they did their best in raising me and my brothers with no help from anyone. I’m happy, my brothers and I have made them proud in our own ways with what we have achieved in life so far. The sacrifice was worthwhile.

Then five years ago I met Hannah. She changed everything. I understand and know what love is. John Lennon said love is a concept. For me love is intrinsic. Woven into our spiritual and cosmic being. To find this though, you must be happy in yourself. Only you can do that. No one will save you. Give it you on a plate. It takes strength, resilience and patience. Appreciation for the small moments that make you happy. A brew, a piece of music, a good book, beautiful cinematography or an emotionally compelling reason for life itself. By raising to your higher frequency, you will attract good people into your life. This is the antidote to what we can often associate with a dull or depressing life. Either keep the cycle of generational trauma or break free and seek to improve and change that reality. Every barrier is only ever the limiting belief factor you apply to your mind. The mind is a powerful being. I often wonder if it is a separate entity to my actual soul. However, doing this work I manifested Hannah into my life. Now I see a future with my own children one day with all our family there, no jealousy, envy or dysfunctional traits creeping into our environment. All that stops here. Boundaries. And I’m not naive either, I’ve learnt a lot since being 18. Challenging times will come and go, it’s how you handle them that signifies greatness. Positivity isn’t blind hopefulness, it’s the strongest magic an individual can harbour.

Saturday 30th November 2024

A great day, I met up with my friends Callum and Tara. We became friends during our second year at the University of Salford. That was the year 2015/16. Me and Callum see each other often, both our girlfriends are friends since primary school, therefore its not unusual for us to see each other at least every weekend. However, Tara, we haven’t seen for a few years. I’m proud to call them my friends and particularly Tara. She never lost the essence of who she was and never needed validation from anyone. She made work because she loved it and didn’t enjoy trying to appease people for the sake of being accepted. Though she was never rude, always polite and friendly. She’s making brilliant work and has grown and grown since leaving University.

We went to the Art Bound Book Fair at the Whitworth Art Gallery for an hour or so then walked back into the city centre for a brew and food at Haunt. A lovely time.

Tuesday 26th November 2024

A good day. Finally, the first time in weeks I have been able to use my research time for its intended purpose.

I used this time to explore the Monoprinting process. Which I feel will help me approach True-Grain in a revised perspective. During this session, I used other materials to generate marks and create negative forms to work into. I haven’t used any ink and brush work with True-Grain yet and wonder about its versatility in achieving the brush marks against a textured acetate grain. Is it superior to monoprint?

The afternoon followed with Life Drawing. L5 are always eager for these sessions and have developed incredibly well over the semester. A series of videos played over in the background. Usually, I would have a music playlist playing on a low volume with myself narrating on subjects of philosophy, psychology and creativity. By allowing them to hear from successful creatives talk about their practice, not only supports my lectures, but allows them to aspire. Understanding if you want to be good, you need to look to those that have been before. What can we learn from these people?

L6 are a struggle to get engaged with the sessions. I believe there are a few factors at play with this. They are busy with the workload from the Units, have part-time jobs or possibly because I haven’t taught them over a long duration to build trust. Which saddens me. As I want to help and nurture their abilities and provide insightful guidance for them as individuals. Things are becoming too sanitised.

Monday 25th November 2024

Decided to write this on my phone notes while walking back to the flat. I’m listening to Soviet by Electronic on Spotify. What a beautiful piece of music. Still been meaning to purchase the vinyl.

Well there’s been another near week absence from the blogging. Mainly due to the intensity of the book projects and meetings.

The books are near completion. It’s truly showcased my developed work output. I’m quite surprised by the output, I wonder if Tom’s two books with their workload and teaching responsibilities have levelled up my decisive ability to produce ideas, work under time constraints and be able to produce the work to a high quality.

I had my PDR with Paul, who is also my Research Mentor. It was a great discussion and feeling more confident in my research ideas. I will explore the True-Grain printing process in more depth, observe it, explore and investigate its wider use. How can it be disseminated? Who can it be of advantage to? What are its strengths and potential weaknesses? How does it contrast against existing methods? All questions I want to uncover. Alongside my other practical book illustration and drawing research.

Well, I’ve got to crack on today. I’m nearly back at the flat. Been printing some bits off at the University early this morning before I have some brekkie and head to the studio for the day. I enjoy my studio days. Recently been watching a YouTuber called Unsolicited Advice. A great series of videos discussing philosophy and literature. Any students who may be reading this, I encourage you to listen to these while you work.

Tuesday 12th November 2024

Eudaimonia, “Human Flourishing”, the state or condition of good spirit. It is the highest human good and focuses on growth, authenticity, meaning, and excellence.

Will be discussing this state along with the virtues and self-worth in Life Drawing today. The students are engaging in long poses, which should ease them into a meditative state. This will result in them being able to listen attentively to affirmations of self-worth. They may wish to write and jot notes down on their drawing.

Let’s see how it goes.

Monday 11th November 2024

Blondshell’s song Joiner is in the background whilst I type this. The song recalls summer. Sat in the Woodsie tent listening to the band with Hannah. It was roasting that day and all the others for that time at Glastonbury. Now it is cold. Chilling. I was up at 6am this morning, making my way to the gym. Back to the weekday routine. Maybe that’s why I’m back writing here, I must be more consistent with this. It has helped me channel my thoughts, especially this last week with pressures mounting. Simply life’s challenges. I think re-reading the Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle helped too. I want to promote self-worth and virtues into the next Life Drawing session this week.

Since I last wrote here, I managed to finish the roughs for the pressurised book project. Coincidentally, as I write this, they have been accepted. Great, I can crack on with little resistance now. They will look brilliant; my favourite so far must be of the owl flying over the house with the coastal background.

In amongst this, I’ve begun the other book project. It has a lot more direction which isn’t new to me. Publishers do like control, though they un(fortunately) lack the artistic vision to bring it to fruition. Therefore, you can deviate slightly and rephrase the suggestion in a better form. I’ve finished the vignettes in my sketchbook and now working on the character development.

I must crack on its 16:10. Note to myself don’t forget eggs on the way home.

Tuesday 5th November 2024

Bonfire Night. I’m sitting in the flat whilst Han cooks tea and can hear the distant thundering of fireworks over Cheetham Hill. They usually set them off all year round, but Bonfire Night they love. It’s extravagant. Admittedly they are nice to see after a busy day.

I did say that this account would be honest. I’ve been left quite frustrated the past two days. Not because of my own doing but others. I know when I’ve made mistakes, and I will hold up my hand and do my best to improve for the next occasion, if it ever arises. Unfortunately, not everyone else holds these values. A client has been incredibly delayed during the entire process of this project I am working on, and I now have a month to complete it before it’s sent to print. Normally, I wouldn’t be so phased by it, but I have another project I’m working on that requires similar time constraints. This will result in many late evenings and full weekend days spent at the studio to meet the demand. I can do it; however, it’s added unnecessary pressure that could’ve been avoided.

I’m sure this is a sign from somewhere to test me. Bring it on. I’ll still make the book look brilliant.

Sunday 3rd November 2024

A bit better today. Nose still runny, but the horrible sore throat has gone. Sore throats are horrid, I hate them. So, good riddance to it.

I should be fighting fit tomorrow, which has timed itself well, as I begin working on this book for a top publisher. Five weeks though to complete it is tough going for a book project. Hopefully, if it goes well, it will lead to more work with them in the future. Excited to be illustrating lots of peregrine falcons and ruined castles for this.

I need to think about the Life Drawing session for this week. The last one was more focused on drawing approaches, I felt as though the last few sessions had been heavily holistic. Whereas, that one balanced it out with more aim at diversifying line and mark-making. Too many are tentative with their line, afraid of making mistakes and need to be courageous. For every ten drawings only one may be good. The main takeaway is that the other nine taught you something. Trusting in the process and being able to identify the areas of improvement is the key. The session did prove well, one student is incredibly afraid of being imprecise. Which holds them back drastically. By engaging them with the memory drawings and telling them to transition the marks made from that exercise into their observational drawings improved them considerably.

I’ve found similarities to my footballing days with teaching. Often, I learnt from the direct observations my dad made about my play. It was hard to hear at first, but deep down I knew he was right, the next time I would adapt to the suggestion and improve upon it to push it further (I recently found an article talking about my footballing prowess in an Oldham Chronicle article when I played for Oldham Rangers). The translation from this however is that students, often know these slight weaknesses in their abilities. With someone observing the same and being direct in a positive manner about the weakness makes them accountable. They can’t merely ignore it now; it’s been addressed, and it has to be resolved or improved.

Anyhow, I’m going to get a hot toddy now and ramble on more tomorrow.

Saturday 2nd November 2024

It’s been a few days. That’s fine though, I appreciate being able to have time now to write. Appreciation, allows us to connect with the everyday, minute surroundings that we often take for granted when we fantasise about a life grander than what we currently reside in. We are all guilty of it. One of my favourite things is having a brew. A nice cup of tea. The ritual of waiting for the kettle to boil, the bag to brew and adding the right consistency of milk before giving the teabag one last squeeze, sitting down with a book or drifting off into a tv show or movie. I’m currently sat with a brew, listening to New Order’s Substance 1987 album on vinyl whilst writing this.

This week has been incredibly busy. Monday sparked a new picture book proposal idea. Interestingly, this idea evolved naturally and is the quickest I’ve ever written a story since I began developing my writing craft. Usually, my writing can extend past 800 words, however this is less than 350 and feels cohesive. The great difficulty of writing picture books is being concise whilst creating an engaging story that has depth to it. I can already envisage the illustrations for this and I’m excited to see how it develops.

Wednesday followed with a day trip to London. Meeting up with dear Tom Read Wilson and the Quarto Team to visit several bookshops (Daunt Books being my favourite), signing copies of the recent book, and heading to the publishing house to film promotional content in the run up to Christmas. I’m curious to see the response to them. Afterwards we went to Arabica, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Borough Market. Food was impeccable, its lovely to see publishers let their hair down and be able to chat about topics exterior to the world of publishing.

Thursday, I was tired. A long train journey back from London meant I only got home before midnight. So, it was a slow start to the studio. Although slow, I was able to finish the picture book idea mentioned earlier. I’m now prepping myself for an intense 5-week book project which begins on Monday. It’ll be challenging but rewarding. The story is exciting, and I like the setting for the book. It should be a joy to illustrate and being able to reflect about it in this space will be interesting. I’ve never reflected in this way apart from short notes in my sketchbooks.

Friday was the first studio support session. A nice way of rephrasing tutorials. I found tutorials key in my development as a practitioner. Although they can be daunting, being able to speak about your work and being mature enough to receive criticism or new perspectives is crucial in student and human development. Even now I believe I know nothing, so that I may be open to learning. I suppose I do know a little bit more now than I did as a student. The day was interesting. A selection of good work that needed further iteration and exploratory development. I was initially worried by some students being behind with only 2 or 3 pages worth of work. I could show my displeasure by berating them or embarrassing them. However, I think the best approach is to allow the student to question themselves why they haven’t produced a substantial amount of work. They need to be conscious of their inability to produce the work and what it is halting it. Usually, the group crits are a great way to indicate to those students what is expected of them by showcasing and making importance towards the work of students who either have created interesting work or showcase a work ethic and discipline. Peer learning. Then came the afternoon, I was hit by a touch of flu (I had woken up that morning with a sore throat) and had to head home.

I’m still a bit under the weather, but hopefully will be fine by tomorrow. Plenty of hot drinks and resting for now.

Tuesday 22nd October 2024

Today has been great. Life Drawing days are always great. The energy and the meditative reflection of the sessions provide a positive reaction for my students and myself.

Its lovely when you see a drawing by a student whom others may not take notice of produce a beautiful drawing. Especially a drawing that is devoid of ego. It was so pure and honest. This evening, I sent them a few reference images of Kokoschka’s drawings. They could also look at Feliks Topolski’s drawings too, I believe they would greatly benefit from observing and examining the work.

Then this morning I spent my time in the Print Room printing out the True-Grain drawings. Will, the print technician, had adjusted the exposure units which has produced a better transfer onto the silk screen. The previous exposure produced an image which had lost a fair amount of the subtle details. I’m happy with the recent printed outcomes. I need to investigate paper-stock and review which is the best for True-Grain. Snowdon Cartridge, white, smooth paper has been great to work with, though I’m sure when I was a student there was a good Fabriano paper. I used it often for screen-printing and it offered a lovely quality for the prints. I still have them stored in the studio. I will check the paper make tomorrow.

Monday 21st October 2024

Life is testing. The more you understand this, the better equipped you are to overcome, grow and develop. Even when you think you may have succeeded or passed, another obstacle emerges. Either in a similar form or completely and wholly new. Keep going, never lose sight of the emotionally compelling goal or reason you’re continuing to strive.

This Tuesday with Life Drawing, I’m going to focus on the seven functions of art.

Memory

Hope

Sorrow

Re-Balancing

Self-Understanding

Growth

Appreciation

Using the model as a conduit for the students to address these words and how they reflect them as practitioners. Approaching the mark-making in response to the words too. How do you apply a line or mark that considers ‘growth’. Think it’ll make for an interesting session and be challenging too.

Aside from this. I’ll be in the studio cracking on with the book projects. With the poems, I have visions of the illustrations I wish to produce and have considered them within my sketchbook. A few need more time to linger, reflect and develop. Then, regarding the young fiction text, I need a few reads before doodling, noting and underlining sentences and ideas.

Bring on the week.

Saturday 19th October 2024

Currently sat in the living room of our flat. The building use to be an old toy warehouse. There’s an ancestral connection here too. Grandad ‘Naughty’ Morris would deliver to this warehouse. I often wonder what he was like, aside from the memories I have. He passed away when I was 8, but in that short space of time he had a profound impact upon me. For a man that often played daft, he was incredibly astute. He bought the Beano and Dandy comics every week ready for me and my brothers visiting him on the weekend. Those comics influenced my early visual culture and helped me begin creating my own comic narratives. I’m sure somewhere, with the rest of my grandparents they are aware of their influence in my life.

I’ve began writing this morning as I’ve some time before needing to set off for an Open Day at the University. I began reflecting what I’ve learnt or achieved this week.

Firstly, the Life Drawing sessions are an incredible pleasure to teach. That year of teaching with Mack was illuminating. For the first time, I truly understood the importance of drawing and art. It isn’t merely the act of just doing it for the sake of doing it, there is a purpose. It is offering introspective reflection into our soul and essence as a human being. How do we break through this infantilisation that institutions and government bodies exercise onto us now, and push through to become self-aware, emotionally in-tune adults. I believe that may be a reason I have taken to journalling again. To remember who I need to be to help and guide. I see this too, first-hand, through the reflective statements or words of the questions I ask during the session. It results in moving thoughts and tender drawings. My hope, in time, over the course of these sessions they learn to understand and accept themselves. Especially in an age where comparison, envy and jealousy are prominent within society. I’m an old soul.

Secondly, I finished a draft manuscript for a picture book idea I’ve been working on for a few months. I think the next stage would be to discuss it with Neil and develop some sketches and visuals. Bring it beyond the page. It’s the most fun I’ve had writing recently.

Thirdly, I feel my physical health and mental clarity are in great condition. I feel sharp and precise in my actions and thought processes. Last year was intense with the work environment and book projects. Twelve, fourteen-hour days or heading to the studio straight after teaching. I appreciate the experience; I’ve certainly grown and developed from it.

Fourthly, I’ve began working on ideas for the illustrations to a sequel poetry collection and acquired a young fiction book to illustrate. This stage excites me the most. The unknown.

Finally, I had a lovely evening yesterday with Han. We went to Gorilla in town, had nice food, a few drinks and watched UNKLE in the venue space under the arches of the railway line. Both of us had never seen them before, and I think we were also the youngest people there. It’s always interesting seeing middle-aged people acting like teenagers at gigs. I’m sure at one point in life, we will be that age and like that too. Holding onto youth.

Friday 18th October 2024

I begin this entry with the desire to recount an honest, authentic documentation of my profession. Both as Illustrator and Lecturer. I started to consider this whilst reading ‘A Time of Gifts’ by Patrick Leigh Fermor and ‘Art as Therapy’ by Alain de Botton and John Armstrong. The process of journalling or blogging in this digital age, I have always done in some form either through sketchbooks or notebooks and found it helps focus the mind. A guide in manifesting dreams, aspirations and goals.

I do wonder if this approach to my practice can be used in my academic research.

I remember discussing blogs with my friend and old colleague Mack Manning. Who shared his blog spanning over his career as an educator. A fascinating artefact. Not only did it feature academic reference for the students but imagined dialogue with fictious characters.

I hope my account can emulate the same resonance. Naturally, I enjoy writing, so I’m looking forward to seeing the development of this space. Either, if in the future a descendant happens to discover it, or a researcher interested in Illustration. Who knows. My life and career have been guided by universal powers. Yes, I work hard, I treat people with the respect I wish to receive. Though opportunity and the people close to me have always related to a mystic force. A book I read a long time ago, spoke of putting positive energy into the world and at some point, whether its next week, a month, a year or a decade the universe will gift the right opportunity, situation or person into your life. That’s why I now don’t worry as much. Enjoy being in the present.

Anyhow, I’m teaching L4 today on Sense of Place at Manchester School of Art very soon. I think I will leave it there for my first entry.