Today (28th Nov) is National Illustration Day – but what has Lefevre Chocolate got to do with it!? It’s a funny little tale – so lean in.
After tea and homework last night, Freya (5) requested we snuggle under her new penguin blanket and watch ‘Loveykins‘. This is the most beautifully illustrated animation – bringing the tale by Quentin Blake alive. The whole series is on BBC iPlayer Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures and is simply eye pleasingly perfect. I am so glad that even at 5 years old, Freya can appreciate this art form.
Angela discovers a small, abandoned bird which she lavishes with care and delicious cakes.
But Laura – you still haven’t told us what Lefevre Chocolate has got to do with National Illustration Day!?! Bare with – I’m getting there! Even since about Freya’s age, I’ve been a huge fan of Quentin Blake – so while we snuggled and watched ‘Loveykins’ I had a sneaky Google to see if he was still alive and was so happy to see he is!
At 92 years young he still draws every single day! How fantastic is that. I then went onto the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration website and noticed that National Illustration Day is this coming Friday (writing this on Wednesday 26th Nov)
THEN (here it comes – stay with..) my mind went straight to the fantastic illustrations that the incredible Josephine at the Artisan Lab in Shrewsbury drew of our chocolates last April!
I just had to schedule this post for Friday – to show her and you how much those gorgeous illustrations meant to me. There are a zillion other things I should be doing right now but writing this post makes my soul happy – the rest can wait.
Here they are…….. simply beautiful don’t you agree? Thank you ever so much Josephine!
I hope you agree these are very special indeed and I really hope to collaborate with her again soon for some more tantalising chocolate illustrations. I’m thinking maybe Valentine’s Day vibes….
Josephine – Artisan Lab – Shrewsbury
If you’re able to get to Shrewsbury – do pop into The Parade for a very unique retail experience – it really is A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Shrewsbury! Set within a beautiful Grade II listed building, The Parade Shops offer a truly distinctive shopping experience. Across two vibrant floors, you’ll find an eclectic mix of independent boutiques, artisan businesses, and speciality services — all just a stone’s throw from the River Severn. While there you could pop into the Artisan Lab for a browse too. For those unable to visit in person – Josephine has a very lovely online shop for you to peruse.
Have any illustrators popped into your mind while reading this? Love to hear your memories from childhood or more recent illustration admirations. Take a moment today to reflect on the sheer beauty of illustration. I’m now not sure if Loveykins classes as animation or illustration – it started off as an illustrated book but now is an illustrated animation!? No idea – all I know is I will always adore the style of Quentin Blake – today and everyday.
Lefevre Chocolate 