Gretel is an Illustrator, as well as a writer. Not a surprise to discover really, when right away you are presented with the catchy description … Children’s illustrator and cricket lover cultivates vegetables and cats in rural Oxfordshire … which is a true outline of her blog style.
Gretel writes around her illustrations sharing chickens hatching, picnics in open fields while armed with sketch pads, descriptions and photos of dead owls and such. It’s almost like being alongside in the Cotswolds really. I’ve yet to spend any extended time in that part of England. Perhaps next time.
Don’t miss out on Gretel’s portfolio: Gretel Parker | Children’s Illustrator and Toy Artist.
For a taste of her writing, start with Trinity – Faith.
From Gretel:
I’ve had a novel brewing in my head for about five years. I’ve made notes, but most of the plotting and amendments have been in my head. Thank God for a good memory. Now I’ve started to put it into words. I’m not sure if it’s unreadable garbage, teenage-style meandering or just plain cringworthy. For the foolhardy and curious, there’s a link up there, under my profile; I aim to blog a new chapter every week, on Fridays, just when everyone is winding down and getting ready for the weekend*. It’s nothing earth shattering and I never did aspire to be the next Virginia Woolf. But heck, it’s good to be back on the horse.
*Unless you’re an illustrator, in which case you’ll be working.
Snippet from Trinity – Faith: Faith put her thumb in her mouth and gazed up at the sky. Her little upturned face was just one of thousands, gazing up at the fragile golden cage, glimmering against the hot blue Midsummer sky. It swayed precariously on the end of a tall pole, as three gargantuan slaves bore their precious cargo above the excited, jostling crowds. Something inside the cage stirred and the people roared, throwing flowers, ribbons and bonbons at the tiny creature within, bobbing its way to where Faith and Ma were standing.
Technorati Tags: design, graphic, Illustrators, writer, writing
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Gretel’s work is inspiring as is her writing and shes really friendly to boot! Brilliant blog!
Inspiring, yes. Reading her blog, she has jerked me back into my own personal pursuit of writing.
I spent part of yesterday searching out different writing forums, web sites and blogs, and even ordered a book via amazon that came highly recommended. Of course it’ll get added to the bunch I already own, but amongst the suggestions I came across a few I have (yet unread) pronounced high on their list. So, it’s off to reading I go.
Here’s hoping I’ll stick to it this time [fingers crossed double, if that is possible]
[...] Making Light: Absolute Write is gone Yesterdays feature, The Middle of Nowhere (with illustrator and writer Gretel Parker), galvanized me enough to begin a google feast for writers sites, blogs and books. This morning (instead of working on a web project), my research brought a writer’s kerfluffle to my attention. [...]
Gretel is a very gifted artist and writer! Her blog is an inspiration!