Matthew Land

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This is just something...

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:30:00 +0100

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

This is just something I’ve been working on for the past few months when I’m able to find the time. I had a really very clear idea of how it was going to pan out and now that I think I’ve finished I think I am relatively happy. Undoubtedly I’ll find mistakes and imperfections tomorrow, but that’s my problem/curse.

I’ve been working on a couple of new projects for the ss...

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 23:24:00 +0100

I’ve been working on a couple of new projects for the ss Great Britain. Above is a rough that I’ve just sent off before I can begin doing the things that I do.

Last week I went to the ship for a meeting, thinking I was just going to be seeing the designer, but instead I was shown into a big board room full of smartly dressed business power people, (who were really nice). I was a little bit completely taken by surprise and there was a lot of hand shaking (I was super embarrassed because my hands were sweaty and abit sticky with hair product) but I think on the whole I comported myself with perfect ease and repose. Also, at that moment, I was very thankful that I am both witty and charming, I was just a boy playing quite well at being a business man.

In other news

I’ve had a horrible bug that doesn’t seem to want to leave, and every time I feel well again and go to have food it is like HA! YOU THOUGHT WRONG, and moments later I am at the toilet, throwing up again. I blame the children I was exposed to last weekend.
My brother, Edward, caught me a baby rabbit to have as a pet, but then my dog ate it.
I feel asleep whilst watching a film for the first time EVER. I won’t say what film it was because it is hugely popular and I don’t wish to offend, but I personally found it really really boring.
I have an agent now, (which I think is a big thing?)
I am volunteering at the Hay Festival because I was super annoyed that the people I wanted to see were sold out so I thought well this way I don’t even have to pay, so I win.
I’ve learnt knitting. I mainly do scarves because anything else is just way too advance. I like to sit in public places and be that weird boy knitting whilst lip-syncing to the Pitch Perfect soundtrack (because I am not allowed to sing properly anymore because I’ve done damage to my voice cords).

Bologna- The Fair

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 23:06:00 +0100

I went to Italy (you can read all about my journey/travelling here ) to attend the 50th Bologna Children’s Book fair. At the weeklong fair, thousands of publishers and agents from all over the world come and set up stands within the buildings of the fair complex.

-Above is a rubbishy picture of my map which really doesn’t do justice to the size of the fair.

I went on the Monday and Tuesday, and honestly couldn’t have done another day because I was so tired, my poor feet were bleeding and blistering (slight exaggeration) and I’m a pathetic ninny. Everyone who managed the full week has my deepest respect.

Bright and early Monday morning I left the hostel (but not that early because I pretended to be asleep whilst my formidable dorm-mate got ready and left; I wasn’t ready for awkward conversations at that time in the morning) and it wasn’t bright because it was raining. Reaching the fair I joined the end of the awfully long queue for tickets. Everyone was buzzing and bumbling like excited bees, which made me quite excited even though I really had no idea what to expect. A lady next to me, who looked as though she’d hiked across the entirety of Europe, told me about the children’s book she was hoping to get published; In short it was story about a group of feisty teens who were training their dragons for the Dragon Olympics. I said things like ‘ooooh that sounds splendid,’ which was a lie because I don’t think it sounds splendid at all.

As the queue inched forward I texted Laura (who did illustration at Falmouth with me) to come and join me. She sneakily sneaked her way towards me through the crowds and it was oh so good to see a familiar face in that very strange, new place.

After we’d brought our tickets; I got the special illustrators discount because I’d applied for tickets online (I recommend doing this because it saves you a small fortune) (also buy your tickets for the rest of the week then too, because it means you can smugly avoid the horrendously long queues on the other days) we entered the fair. Initially I was quite lost for words, it was all so big and important, and I was suddenly very aware that I was naive little boy with thick unruly hair, a relatively mediocre portfolio and a star patterned cardigan. Powerful people with pinstriped suits and blackberrys marched around signing contracts and selling rights and other clever things (This is what I assume they were all doing because I really had no idea).

We headed to the UK publishers first, hoping it would be a kind of comforting home from home.

Matthew’s tips for talking to publishers/agents at fairs.

don your composure, if this is not possible try to appear as calm as you can, for it will at least help aid the illusion of professionalism and knowing what the hell you are doing.
Have plenty of business cards to hand AT ALL TIMES. It doesn’t look good, dropping everything in a fumbly, sweaty, stuttering, mess.
If the stand has a reception desk aim for that, and wait for your presence to be acknowledged (this could take longer than you’d think because the receptionists are very practiced in the art of looking busy and ignoring people)
Ask whether or not an art director is available to give feedback on portfolios (after a number of variations, this was the go-to line we went for because it says everything without being too pushy or demanding.)
If there isn’t and art director available, leave a business card.
If there is, you may be lucky enough to be seen right then and there, or you may be given an appointment time. Also many publishers will have time slots specifically for portfolio viewings which are really handy.

The feedback I received from British publishers was all very positive and encouraging, many cards were exchanged and I now have lots of people to email and a contract that I need to read (which means my mum will read it).

I loved bumping into familiar faces. There were a group of very brave ladies who’re in third year at this very moment, and my ex-classmate Jo Chappell kept appearing here and there (I was slightly disappointed her hair wasn’t in a ponytail, because Jo Chappell has the worlds best and swingiest ponytail I’ve ever seen in my whole life).

Every so often there were neat little fooderies and pizzerias. The pizzas were very good, and all made right there in front of your eyes by a big, butch italian woman who kept shouting at everyone and frisbeeing pizzas all over the place with those large ore-like-pizza-paddles.

Sidenote- When you buy food, the till is first so you have to guess what they sell and pay for it before you see/get it. It was a bit confusing but I am sure it made sense to anyone who wasn’t me.

After lunch on the first day we tried casting a wider net and decided to make an effort with publishers/agents from other countries. This for me, really really didn’t go well. One lady with a blonde bob and a lingering smell that was abit like questionable meat, physically cringed at my work and told me to just GO because my work was far too artificial. A man with a tie pin of a small shoe told me my work was way too British and I was wasting my own, and his time. A man with tiny glasses in a little room told me my work was ugly. There were many simular encounters but these are the most memorable.

I returned to UK publishers requiring some much needed consoling. I wasn’t really offended by anything they said (well maybe that my work is ugly, which was kind of like I’d just been slapped in the face); I just decided to take on board the constructive advice and ingore the rest. I’ve learnt that on the whole I’m comfortably suited to the British market, which is handy because that’s where I live.

I think it was all an incredibly worthwhile experience. I am still slightly dumbfounded but the sheer scale of it all, but it was worth going simply to have my eyes opened. I highly recommend the trip, and if anyone is like well maybe, buck up and JUST DO IT.

Bologna- Travelling

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:06:00 +0000

I went to the 50th Bologna Children’s Book Fair, and I thought if people were interested I’d do a write up. I’m writing them up in separate sections to make it easier. I can’t promise that it will make very interesting reading but this is my experience…

T R A V E L L I N G.

People kept telling me how very brave I was for embarking upon this trip alone, and I really didn’t understand what they meant until I was in the thick of it.

I flew from Bristol to Milan with Ryanair and was trapped in a window seat, by a group of non english speaking youths who were to the side, front and behind of me. I kept trying to work out who was dating who, but they all were all openly fondling and rubbing each other so it was quite impossible.

In Italy my suitcase was the first to come around that spiny-take-your-suitcase-quick-before-you-miss-it-and-goes-around-again-thing, which was some sort of miracle because mine is never first. I then caught a nice bus to Milan Central Station. I purchased a train ticket to Bologna from a rude lady who had fake snake skin patterned nails and skinny lips,

*1st sidenote - Milan Central Station is an incredible building*

I then ran to the train because it was moments from leaving. I seated myself amongst the hustle and bustle of my fellow travelees who all knew exactly what they were doing and where they were going, unlike me. Also, they all seemed to know one another and I was quite sure they were talking about me a lot of the time. Everyone was just so breathtakingly gorgeous, they all looked as though they could be modeling this high-end fragrance or those sexy underwears with their flawless complexions and dark eyes. I stood out in stark contrast with my pale slightly sweaty face, scared murky-green-pond eyes and un-model-like looks.

The train journey took around three and a half hours (because I’d mistakenly taken the slow train instead of the fast train), in that time I was fined money for something about my ticket that at the time I had no idea what it was for. I have since learnt that when traveling on any means of transport in Italy to ALWAYS VALIDATE YOUR TICKET!!! Everyone stared at me like I was some pathetic smelly pig. However, I did very much enjoy watching the Italian countryside unravel itself in view of the window. It all seemed so magical, there were hills with turreted castles and great big houses in vast parklands with tall skinny trees and deer. I was also very aware that every single house had their shutters closed, as if everyone was off sleeping until the sun came out.

When train finally reached Bologna it was dark, cold and raining. I hunted all over for the bus that’d take me too my hostel but it didn’t seem to exist. I stood under a little shelter thinking ‘WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GOING TO DO MATTHEW?’. There was no one to ask, and even if there had been, the likelihood of them understanding what it was I was saying was pretty slim. But I didn’t panic because that would’ve got me nowhere.

Two things I learnt about myself,

I can stay remarkably calm in seemingly hopeless situations.
I have a very very good sense of direction.

I had no map whatsoever, but I had traced/travelled my route from the station to my hostel on google street view incase such an event should occur. I knew that if I walked out of the station and turned left and carried on for about three miles I’d come to a motorway, and that if I proceeded to somehow cross the motorway, my hostel was like a mile after that. So thats what I did.

I wheeled my wheely suitcase through the dark streets of what I assumed was the grotty untouristy part of town. The streets were almost deserted save for a few suspicious unsavory characters, but I just kept walking for I daren’t make eye contact. I was very wet and cold but my ipod kept me calm and surprisingly optimistic, it also stopped thoughts like OMG I AM GOING TO BE MURDERED entering my head. My song of choice was ‘I have confidence’ from The Sound of Music [Original Soundtrack].

*2nd sidenote - Thank you Julie Andrews I think you might have saved my life*

Most of the time I really had no idea where I was going, now and again I would see things that seemed to indicate I was on the right track. And then I saw the Shell Garage and I knew I was was nearly there and everything was going to be all ok, so I did a little skip.

When I reached the motorway the pavement came to an abrupt ending, and I had to follow an unlit path went off to the right, down what I can only describe as a sketchy little rape hole. I crossed underneath the motorway through a little tunnel (see pic) and walked for another mile along a road across the large flat expanse of farmed fields and what I think were probably abandoned nuclear power-plants. And then I was there, as simple as that.

picture 1, the sketchy rape hole motorway underpass.

picture 2, the walk to my hostel.

*The pictures were taken in the daytime (obviously) and not the night where I was all wet, cold and alone, so imagine it dark*

I realise that a lot of the things I do are stupid, and in hindsight it was quite dangerous, however I do have a tendency to clumsily launch myself into things without thinking of the consequences, but then i’d be someone who is sensible and probably a lot less fun.

I promise I will stop writing soon, but I’ll just pass on some advice if anyone is still reading this (I don’t blame you at all if you’ve given up).

Matthew’s advice on bus travel in Italy

You have to buy bus tickets from places that aren’t the bus. (I brought a bus ticket from my hostel and a shop that sold bobble head dolls and tobacco)
When you get on the bus you have to put it in a machine that beeps. This is VALIDATING.
It’ll seem like no one else is paying for the bus apart from you, BECAUSE I AM SURE NO ONE ACTUALLY DID.
The drivers avoid making any form of contact with you at all costs.

Traveling home, was relatively straight forward, it just took a long time and I am so very glad I didn’t do what my friend Laura did, and sleep in the airport like a little hobo (no offense Laura, but you did say it yourself, and you are one mighty fine hobo).

I flew from Bologna airport to Brussels, and then waited like a million hours to catch a flight to Bristol because my flight was delayed. Here I finished reading ‘A Murder is Announced’ by Agatha Christie.

*3rd sidenote - when reading murder mysteries and I’ve been introduced to all the characters, I write who I think the murderer is in front cover and reward myself with chocolate if I am right, this IS a fun game*

And then I flew from Brussels to Bristol, where we had the grumpiest air hostess I’ve ever encountered, I mean isn’t it her job to be welcoming and happy? It was all very long, and I was worried that my suitcase wasn’t going to be transfered to the right plane, but it was all just fine.

I am thinking about things today and not really doing much in the way of anything. 40 seconds on...

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 13:24:00 +0000

I am thinking about things today and not really doing much in the way of anything.

40 seconds on high in the microwave is the right amount of time for a chocolate croissant to be warm and nice.
My youngest brother, Edward, recently received an acceptance letter to a prestigious school in middle of the country where they all wear tweed and brogues and I’m a bit jealous, but it’s like a farm academy so I’m not actually.
I have to make a portfolio and all my files are everywhere and I don’t even have InDesign and I don’t really know what InDesign does but everyone seems to have it.
I don’t think I should ever take up smoking and/or other drugs because I have an addictive personality. However it wouldn’t be so bad becoming an alcoholic because i’d like to go to an A.A. meeting. I think it would be an excellent place to make new friends.
I really, really hate the book I’m reading but I’m continuing with it because I feel sorry for the author.
Mini travel products make me very happy.
It’ll be mandatory for everyone to wear yellow at my funeral. And on that, I won’t be buried because I am sometimes claustrophobic.
Do old people have sex, or is handholding enough?
There are too many exceptions to the ‘i before e’ rule for it to be a rule.
My newish neighbour who moved in about a year ago, has in that time grown a boarder of tall leylandii all around her house so no one can see what see does. I want to know what she does.
Nipple, is without doubt my least favourite word.
I am concerned I have no plans for the future whatsoever, but this has been the case for nearly a year and I am doing quite well and I like that everything comes as a surprise.

‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens, for Usborne...

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:04:00 +0000

‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens, for Usborne Children’s books, as a part of their illustrated classic series.

This was a book cover I did over the summer, it really was my dream project, as I harbour a not-so-secret desire to illustrate any and all classics I can get my hands on. I was content with it at the time but now I cannot bear to look at it, however, seeing as though I am currently sorting out my portfolio, (without InDesign, which is the hardest thing of my life (not that I understand InDesign at all)) I thought I might as well share it will the world, or the 10 or so ex-classmates that look at my blog because I force it upon them.

Actually oh my goodness I hate it so much.

The Surgeon. Character’s for Brunel’s SS Great...

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:56:46 +0000

The Surgeon.