A few things changed when Ken and I started bringing babies into the world. O.K....a lot of things changed! But one of the obvious changes was that we just didn't travel any more. Or just not as much. We have managed a few really great getaways, but over all...those plans to visit Japan and Russia were put into the "Keep Dreamin'" category. And that's OK: children are worth it. But I have a really strong love for traveling, and get the travel itch more often than not. In fact, most of my dreams (and I am a very vivid dreamer) are about traveling to new or favorite over-seas locations. The other night for instance, I traveled to Copenhagen. It's fair trade, I guess.
But it got me thinking of what I wanted to introduce to the shop next. I have honestly so much that I do want to introduce, but I've had this idea for a while now, and I'm finally getting around to it:
Children around the world. Travel posters. Multi-cultural prints. A chance to expose children to various places around the world....in the privacy and the comfort of their own rooms and playrooms.
We bought Ian an illustrated road map of London this summer, and pinned it right next to his bed. And because he is familiar with Sherlock Holmes, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan and Paddington Bear, this map brought a certain reality to these fictitious stories. Since I have been there many times, it only seemed natural for me to share my love for this great city. But it dawned on me....he has never been to London! He only knows what he learns from books and pictures.
And then it hit me. I want to illustrate childhood in cities all around the world.
So every month, for the next 12 months, I'll be illustrating a print from a major city around the world.
Here's the list:
London
Paris
Amsterdam
Tokyo
Beijing
Sydney
Buenos Ares
New Delhi
Cairo
St. Petersburg
Honolulu
New York City
Coming up with this list was rather challenging...I mean, where do you stop? But I factored in quite a bit: Places I know and love, places I know other people know and love, and places that I actually wanted to illustrate. It's always subject to change. But I think it's a pretty good list. And just FYI: these aren't meant to be cultural representations of each city and culture: just children interacting with the essence of that city in mind. Essence being the key word.
So, folks: there will be a shop update in the next few days. I'll keep you posted. But in the mean time, I'm thinking of seriously sweet vignettes of children from all around the globe!
Stay tuned!