Right up your alley

As I mentioned in my last post, there will not be a new witch tomorrow, as I am off to Blighty and have been busy getting my orders, commissions and other affairs in order before I take a fortnight off.

So this post is to fill you in on a few things I've been doing today. I am designing the English street miniature set for the English witch (seen here). Below is my rough sketch and then an even rougher paper cut-out. I like to very quickly rough out a set in paper (with no precise measurements, or even the use of a ruler) so that I can get a feel for how it will look and then adapt it as necessary. When I get back to LA I will start constructing the set in 1:12 scale using wood and other mixed medium.

In case you've missed any recent Myrtle the Witch updates, please take a look at the last three witches created this month.

Also, did you know I recently created an Instagram account? I am having so much fun with it. If you like to get Instagram updates then please find me here!

See you soon...

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Cutting it in Burbank

I've had my work cut out for me these past few weeks. Literally cut out for me - I've got this brilliant new table saw which cuts all my wood for me so I don't have to struggle away with a handsaw - yippee!

My workshop is semi-unpacked in a space in Burbank until the end of the month when I get the keys to my new place in Los Feliz. So I've been focusing on sets and some furniture (including painting these chairs pictured below). Some sets will be 1:12 scale (the chairs are) and some will be 1:6. Of course some very large exteriors will be made on a much smaller scale (in cases I don't want to use matte paintings).

Aside from that, I just had a great mini break in San Francisco... you know what it's like being cooped up in a hotel room - felt like getting out and stretching my legs in an Alcatraz cell. Our prison tourguide was hilarious - definitely worth the trip if you're ever in the area.

Will have more to show when I am finally settled into my new place....!

miniature model sets, miniature sets, making miniatures for film, san francisco burbank film production

Wellies, Oxen and Angels

From Wellington, New Zealand, to Oxfordshire, England to Los Angeles in the US...!

After 18 months of inadvertently chasing winter, Tall Tales Productions and I have touched down on American soil. Yes... we're back and I am super excited about settling into a new space in Los Feliz (a brilliant area next to Hollywood and Silverlake), un-packing and getting down to a frightfully long list of commissions. I'll also be pitching 'Myrtle the Witch' as an illustrated children's book at the Bologna Children's Book Fair next month (well, my literary agent will be) so will focus on that before Myrtle movie sets and share some artwork here on this blog.

Out of Interest...
Having landed the other day, my first priority was shipping a Frog Prince engagement ring to its new owner so that he receives it in time to propose to his girlfriend on Valentine's Day. Just made it. See photos below (click to enlarge) and note that I just had a feature about my jewelry written up in a US magazine which comes out in May. Will share at that time.

Stay Connected...

Did you know that I recently created a Tall Tales Productions Facebook page? If you're too busy to check blogs but dip in and out of Facebook then click here to become a fan and stay connected to our news. ;)

Journey to Middle-earth

From La La Land, to Blighty, to Middle-earth.... I never seem to sit still. Yep, I left English summer behind for a wetter New Zealand winter and moved here for a 6 month stretch a month ago.

Packing all my tools and materials into 3 suitcases so I can continue to run my business whilst here working on 'Myrtle' was rippingly good fun as ever. Several hours in my mum's kitchen weighing clay, sand, documents and wood in little rickety scales whittled my workshop down to 130 lbs and a £70 penalty fee. Would have been handy if it had dawned on me that after 28 hours of flying I'd arrive in Auckland and promptly have 10% of my materials confiscated by Bio-security.

Here's my little damp and mossy abode pictured above...

Alright, there weren't any vacancies for Hobbit Holes, so I've settled into the 15th floor of a skyscraper in central Wellington, made an office out of the 2nd bedroom and planted my computer where I get the best view of this awesome city.
I'll give updates on 'Myrtle', but for now I've just finished an 8 page feature for an American magazine (out in Sept) and committed to a feature in a British magazine's Dec issue... deadline is mid August. Plus I've got commissions to plough through including a one inch scale Hogsmeade... so will be a busy bee.

Sunrise view from my balcony the day after arrival.

My apartment.                                   My building - photographed yesterday.

My brilliant view of the Pacific.