#bertie blackman

[california27]

Bertie Blackman

[erinclaireb]

Hello everyone! I know it's been a while since I posted a painting. Most of my art time so far this year has gone to mailing out Adventurous Princess books and starting on the commission tiers that came with the Kickstarter.

For a quick break and to get back into painting, here's a personal piece, something I've had an idea kicking around in my head about for a long time.

(Vaguely inspired by these songs,

Bertie Blackman, Byrds of Prey

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NUf9TdZCn0 and

The Natonal, Anyone's Ghost

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyughzZY9pg )

[365-things-i-like]

Bertie’s career has spanned from indie-folk to 80s inspired synth pop. This song is smack bang in the middle of that transition, and it’s simultaneously upbeat and a little bit menacing.

[dailymusicobsession]

Urthboy - Long Loud Hours feat Bertie Blackman

[shadowssounds]

Bertie Blackman - Peek-A-Boo (Official Video)

[booksandwords]

Mica the Star Sailor by Bertie Blackman

Age Recommendation: Early Primary Topic/ Theme: Imagination, Family Setting: Space

Rating: 5/5

This is gorgeous, I picked up Mica the Star Sailor from my local library on impulse after the cover caught my attention. The mix of big blue Mica, the shiny silver letter and the limited colours combine for an eye-catching cover. Then I saw that the limited colour palette is continued within I knew I had to read it. These illustrations are fantastic. I really like the design of Mica, with her big head and huge eyes, her smaller body suits the story it makes her feel more fluid. Not all the illustrations are blue but that is the primary palette for the book, with one page featuring a red palette and another a green. The red is sticking and not overdone, something that easily could have been done.

As part of the blurb this is called a meteoric exploration of love, loss and the power of the imagination, this is a brilliant description of it. There is an expected place of education on climate change when Mica realises how delicate the world is. Yes, the world is fantastical but it could be argued as literal. The story is fairly simple, a girl looking for memories of her father. The fantastical world she finds herself exploring is one that carries his fingerprints and is built on something they shared, a love of space (he was an astronaut). The ending is positive and has a moment of letting go. While I do like the book and the way it is sending its message it is the illustrations that will stay with me.

[california27]

[dailymusicobsession]

Urthboy - Long Loud Hours feat. Bertie Blackman