Forever Friends - A man and his car.

Yesterday (March 4) was our son's 34th birthday and naturally I made him a card, and presented him with a mounted print. Julian bought this car around 10 years ago and when he was starting to get successful with his company, Regency Chess Limited, about 5 years later he part exchanged it for an Audi A4.

Julian often wondered what happened to his much loved silver VW Golf. He said he wished he'd kept it and might try and track it down. If it was still on the road and well cared for he might even buy it back!

Well, the present owner of the car tracked him down and a few weeks ago and Julian paid the car a visit in Birmingham. When the guy is ready to sell it, it looks like he'll have a ready buyer. Isn't that what you call SERENDIPITY?

Who do you know who is in love with their car and would love a similar custom cartoon of themselves?

Political cartoon. Not much has changed!

I'd forgotten I still had this. This cartoon illustration with cruel caricatures of world leaders and Arthur Scargill in 1991 was such a lovely job to do for a magazine cover for a lovely client. Their regular contributor was a famous cartoonist "who couldn't do it this time". I soon found out why. Never mind. They did send me a proof which was very kind.

Illustrations for language and activity books

Much of my work over the years has been for publishers of EFL and activity books. Here is a selection of illustrations including some for a book of tennis games, some creative projects, a kids'game for the RNLI, a language book and a book for Babysigners. Take a look at my website to see more of my work and the variety of styles.

The 125's

When I did this illustration the railway network in the UK was nationalised and went under the name of "British Rail".
I remember my first trip on one of these trains. They had been running on the Great Western route from London Paddington to Bristol for about a month in December 1977 when Christine and I went to Bath as guests of the printer Purnell. We were to see the illustrations for my first book coming off the press.
We thought the train ride was great. Now these diesel locomotives are due to be phased out and the line is being electrified. The end of yet another era for the railways.