![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzGSCHF9yVC98rS3dXl0-tkde62BvxDAkEBgGZ7wPAQVMbyD7bp9tdSF6Z6krwPnk1Hb-DJop2fJz9SY4e9mSna-Ca3VylCn-vUbtDgKZg6GyKIKBLoxcoAC4q5aMUBoGmPbPrcvpUAN3/s200/10.05.31Ben.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSKp89JiXsfRWMowb8dpT5HwVuQKf2qVq9tUHJOotY7aMSL9uqZHGYlZwGVL_xPq2IGkcNZoiey9C2waKDOYwi68AbgvhUWJZlbqYeutr43gYYWY8T7Yn1gcSY0mbPMbLZOCsgG8l2ySz/s200/10.05.31Opeel.jpg)
Well, everyone. This is my first blog. I'm hoping to start adding in a back catalogue of older work to get me started and start working through my present day journey of illustrating texts. But, while I'm gathering the older bits and bobs together I'll start my blog off with my latest.
I'm currently writing/illustrating the story of the Mighty Orange Peel. The world of O, the main protagonist, and Bansho Island City, his home town, has been growing like a weed in my brain for almost 15 years. I don't believe that it will be finished in a oner. Something this big will continue to pass in seasons; growing, resting, germinating, growing and eventually blossoming into something sweet and juicy for others to digest. Here are two illustrations that I've drawn of O and his best friend, Ben.
As I draw I write, scribbling characteristics and details of the characters that may or may not weave their way into the eventual narrative. Mostly, these little details help make the characters real in my head, making writing about them as easily as if I was telling you about a memory of my own.