Week 24 - Kimberley Scott

Week 24 sees the book heading to the lovely Kimberley Scott in South London.

Kimberley is a professional Illustrator and Designer, and semi-professional pick-n-mix eater! After dipping her inkpen in a number of creative roles (including assisting in-house for a top British fashion label, designing and illustrating for a small stationery company and working in-house as a greetings card illustrator) Kimberley began her career as a freelance Illustrator and Designer. She regularly works with a diverse range of clients on a variety of projects including children's books, greetings cards, puzzles, stationery and calligraphy.

With a fascination for line and a slight obsession with all things inky Kimberley has developed her own quirky yet somewhat traditional illustrative style. She starts all her creations by hand, using a mix of pencil, pen and ink, and then either moves to her trusty Mac or takes to the watercolours to bring her characters and illustrations to life.

Thanks to Kimberley for a wonderful week. If you fancy seeing more of Kim's work check out her brill website, have a gander at her blog, be a fan on Facebook and follow her on twitter. Next up is the superb Katharine McEwen, with the book travelling to see her in Kent. More in a week's time!

Week 23 - Sarah Horne

The bear stays in London town for a second week while it makes its way to the wonderful Sarah Horne.

Sarah grew up in Derbyshire under a snowdrift. She studied Illustration at Falmouth College of Arts graduating in 200. Sarah now specialises in funny inky illustration and text for young fiction and picture books. She also works on book covers, magazine and newspaper editorials and in Advertising. She loves music, painting, colour, photography, film, scratchy jazz and a good cup of coffee.

Sarah is represented by Kate Johnson at Advocate Art. Her recent clients include; Simon and Schuster, Hodder, Orchard, Ladybird, Penguin, Pan Macmillan, Kew Gardens, The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Quercus, Nosy Crow and More Than.

Sarah currently lives on a hill in Forest Hill, London.

Thank you, Sarah for a wonderful week and spread! To see more of Sarah's work check out her website, blog and follow her twitterings on her twitter page. And so the book stays in London for a third week to be posted to the lovely Kimberley Scott. Until next time bear fans...

Week 22 - Benji Davies

We travel back to London for week 22 with the next three illustrators all residing there. This week the book is with the animation director turned illustrator, Benji Davies.


Benji studied animation at university, and his career so far has juggled illustrating children's books alongside directing animated commercials, music promos and short films. His books have been co-editioned in many languages and countries, across Europe and around the world.
He is proud to now be working on his own texts, with his first self-penned picture book, The Storm Whale, due for release August 2013.

Benji is the illustrator of Nosy Crow's start-up list favourite Bizzy Bear. The series, which continues to expand, is now being rolled out as a series of apps to compliment the books.

He currently lives in East London with his recently appointed wife.

Thanks for a great spread, Benji! If you'd like to get to know Mister Davies a bit better check out his wonderful work on his website, be a fan on his Facebook page and follow him on his twitter. So week 23 lurks around the corner with the book staying in London to visit the brilliant Sarah Horne. Until the next post...

Week 21 - Sam McCullen

It's Week 21 of the Bear With Me Project and this week finds the book travelling to a creaky cottage in Camberley in Surrey. The owner of this creaky cottage is pastel maestro, Sam McCullen, an illustrator who isn't a stranger to drawing a bear or two.

Sam's first picturebook 'Billy Back-To-Front' was produced for his final Masters project at Cambridge School of Art and was published by Hodder Children's Books after he graduated. Since then, Sam has illustrated children's books by Julia Donaldson and Ian Whybrow, and he's worked on a series of books for a publisher in Korea. Alongside the books, Sam has illustrated for magazines, multimedia and advertising campaigns in the UK and China.

Sam was shortlisted for the Booktrust Big Picture Best New Illustrators Award and he was an illustration finalist in the London International Awards. Sam's work is currently included in 'The Illustrators', a touring exhibition of contemporary children’s book illustration, curated by Julia Donaldson. The exhibition is visiting art galleries, libraries and public spaces throughout the UK.

This Autumn, Sam's second picturebook 'Hairy Bear' will be published. You can see its trailer here and pre-order it here.

Hat's off to Sam for a brilliant spread. If you'd like to see more of Sam's work check out his fantastic website. You can also keep up to date with his comings and goings on his blog and twitter. Now back to London town to visit the animator turned illustrator, Benji Davies. See you again in 7 days!