Claire Goble – award winning illustrator and full time mom

Claire Goble – award winning illustrator and full time mom

Claire-Goble-award winning-illustrator-and-full-time-mom-interview-by-My-Home-and-Yours-blog

This week I´d love to present to you award winning London based illustrator, animator and designer, Claire Goble, who I am not only admiring, but I am also honored to call a friend! 

Her work has marked British kids television during the past 15 years and since she returned a few years ago to her illustration roots, her children´s picture books don´t stop winning awards and are translated to Japanese, Korean, Russian and many European languages!

In the following interview I asked her apart from her work about the changes she had to experience related to her work since she became a mother herself a few years ago:

Claire Goble award winning illustrator in interview by My Home and Yours blog

Describe in short, what you do: 

I’ve just finished illustrating a series of non-fiction children’s books for Thames & Hudson. ‘Why is Art full of naked people?’ and ‘Why don’t fish drown?’ are in shops now. The third book, covering science and the universe, will be published this August. I’m also writing and illustrating my first picture book ‘There’s A Monster In the House’ which is currently out for submission at major publishers.

Why is art full of naked people illustrated by Claire Goble
Why don´t fish drown illustrated by Claire Goble
Why is art full of naked people illustrated by Claire Goble
Why don´t fish drown illustrated by Claire Goble

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THAT? 

You may recognise some of my work if you have watched children’s television over the past 15+ years. I was lead designer on BAFTA award winning show Dick and Dom in da Bungalow and have designed, animated and illustrated for CBBCCBeebies and Nickelodeon. Now I am returning to my illustration and storytelling roots to make more permanent works for children.

Dick & Dom in da Bungalow animation by Claire Goble

YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE DAUGTHER, HOW DOES SHE INSPIRE YOU IN YOUR WORK? 

I have wanted to create picture books for a very long time, long before I was a mum, so this is not something that was born from motherhood. But I guess being immersed in a 3 year olds world is informing and influencing me all the time. I see the world through her eyes, and as a critic, I see what works well. We are immersed in a world of fun, exploration, silliness and colour and that shines through in my work.

there is a monster in the house illustrated by Claire Goble

YOU think that being a mom is still a taboo when we (working mums) talk about our career and work in general? are we actually allowed to mention this fact? 

Ha, I found this the most difficult question to answer… break the taboo! I actually find it the other way round. I have been a stay at home mum for over three years, trying to juggle work in the gaps between looking after my daughter full time. I think the taboo is choosing to stay at home to look after children. People generally aren’t interested and don’t see the value in that, which is a real shame.

Claire Goble illustrator on womans day

Does beeing a mom make you a better illustrator?

It doesn’t make me a better illustrator but it definitely makes me a better worker and more efficient with my time! I used to faff around for hours whilst working on projects. Now every working minute is precious. I am actually amazed at how much I can get done in a few hours. I have to hit the ground running and create. No more procrastinating or online window shopping.

there is a monster in the house illustrated by Claire Goble

Which has been you favorit illustration/animation project and why?

It has to be illustrating ´Why is art full of naked people?´ It was my first illustration comission and an introduction into the world of publishing. I worked very closely with Anna Perotti who is a good friend and the designer of the book. We have a great working relationship and enjoyed discussing concepts for the spreads. Our ideas fell into place easily. It was a sharp learning curve too and very challenging at times as I learnt about the print and production process and working in a different industry. Publishers work very differently to broadcasters! Seeing `Why is art…?´ in the Tate Modern bookshop, co-editions on sale globally and hearing that it has won awards both here and abroad has been an absolute high.

Why is art full of naked people illustrated by Claire Goble__

where do you get your inspiration from and what inspires you most?

I live in London and there is inspiration everywhere. We make sure to do all of the usual things; galleries, museums, film, theatre, dance. At the moment I’m obviously obsessed with children’s picture books. There are so many people making beautiful picture books – it’s a great motivation and inspiration. My friends and contemporaries are also hugely inspirational, especially my mum friends who are powerhouses, creating, making and bringing new ideas to life whilst raising children. I’m a huge comedy fan and will try and see stand up comedy whenever I get the chance. My work is often humorous and I love it when people laugh at my work – it is a spontaneous and truly genuine reaction.

Claire Goble robot illustration

where do you want to go next?

My main aim is to write and illustrate beautiful picture books, but my work is multifaceted. I’m keen to develop my illustration across a broad range of mediums and I love collaborating with other creatives. In the pipeline is an exciting opportunity to work with a friend who is launching her own children’s wear range. Seeing children running around wearing my illustrations, now that would be marvelous!

Claire Goble illustrator coming up next

Thank you so much Claire for your precious time for the interview and your inspiring thoughts!

Want to know more about Claire and her work? Check her out on her web page: www.clairegoble.com and get one of her books now! They are amazing!

For my last trip to London I printed one of her illustrations on the reverse of the cushion for her daughter and I think it looks so special like this!

Claire Goble illustration hand printed cushion by my home and yours p

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Unique and very personal christmas gifts!

Unique and very personal christmas gifts!

Hand printed custom cushions, unique and personal christmas gifts

Unique and very personal christmas gifts!

Before language was written or money minted, humans exchanged gifts. Gift giving is probably one of the oldest and most basic human behaviors. The act of giving is a powerful act of communication. It enhances and even changes relationships between us and others.

With Christmas approaching fast, the gifting season soon will be reaching it´s yearly climax! 

But expectations of finding the right little (or bigger) something, which will really find appreciation is getting more complicated, as mass produced goods struggle to reach the heart of its recipients and neither do they show that you really care for them. 

Giving a handcrafted gift to the contrary speaks volumes about the giver. It says that they care about finer things, and that they took the time to choose the gift carefully. 

There is a big difference between wrapping a unique handmade gift or simply handing over a gift card.

Now if you give a gift that actually has been made only and exclusively for it´s recipient, using even your own words, or adding names and dates, you really can make sure that this will turn into the most heart warming gift under the Christmas tree! 

definition of happiness pillow with custom names

Remember all My Home and Yours can be customized, however we have many many designs directed to all kinds of recipients, be it grandma, a new born or your big love, which are already prepared for your name or/and date to be inserted.

And exactly on these very special custom gifts we decided to give you an unique discount for your Christmas shopping! Yeah!!!

The offer is valid for a limited time only! (until 6.12.17) So don´t wait for a last minute gift, but check out which styles are the ones for you! Find the full collection here:

GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS:

unique – hand PRINTED –personalised

 

MY HOME AND YOURS CUSTOM FAMILY COLLECTION
best friend quote gift custom cushion
family names custom cushion
family name custom cushion
happiness quote gift family love custom cushion

“Every person has their own definition of happiness. (your names) & you are mine.”

Gifts that the whole family will love!

MY HOME AND YOURS CUSTOM LOVE COLLECTION
love gift custom cushion with ynames of the couple and wedding date
names of the couple and wedding date custom cushion
names of the couple date and monogram custom cushion
happiness quote gift family love custom cushion

Be it for you or your partner or for your parents, these cushion covers with names and date are:

The perfect gift to show your love!

MY HOME AND YOURS CUSTOM KIDS COLLECTION
custom kids name cushion
custom message cushion in high quality
custom kids name and monogram custom cushion
unicorn quote cushion with your own name

A new member in your or your friends family? With out a doubt with these cushions covers your message and intentions will be present day by day.

Kids just love to see their name

baby girls name initial and birth date cushion with wreath
boys custom name cushion with quote car illustration and age
name cushion with tent and arrow ideal kids gift
name and super hero quote cushion for boys room
boys name cushion with balloon and monogram
monogram and kids name custom cushion
kids monogram and name personalised pillow
girls name cushion beautiful and elegant
MY HOME AND YOURS CUSTOM YOUR TEXT HERE COLLECTION
custom message cushion with cloud graphics
custom message cushion in high quality
your text here custom cushion
own quote cushion with cute decor

And what about your very own words with some beautiful graphics to frame them?

Nothing can be more personal then your own message

my own text printed on a quality cushion with wreath graphic decor
personalised frase or song lyrics on a pillow
hipster vintage frame custom quote pillow
your personal love message in a heart hand printed on a quality cushion
your text here cushion cover hand printed with vintage tecnique
custom text cushion vintage style with bears ideal for gays
personalised text pillow printed with love
custom text cushion with wreath illustration

And remember the SPECIAL OFFER is only on until the 6.December!

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Grandparents Day coming up

Grandparents Day coming up

grandparents day what is it all about by my home and yours blog for design and family lovers

And while we might just be busy getting our little ones prepared for their start of school, Grandparents day is just around the corner! 10.September

What is this day all about?

Well, it was initiated back in 1970 by Marian Mc Quade, a housewife from Virginia, US. She and her husband had 15 children, 43 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Not bad at all!!! A family reunion might require an approx. 80+ seat table! I really wouldn´t get my head around it I guess. haha

Anyway this lady, you can see her here in a picture, got her idea eventually approved by the White House and proclaimed its purpose: 

– To honor grandparents.

– To give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children.

– To help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.

I personally have to thank my own grandmother for having shown me so many things, actually even my profession has its origin in her teachings and many skills and ways to see life.

You probably have your own special memories of your own grandparents! So I believe it is just fair to help our kids to honor theirs and for your parents to receive the message of appreciation.

In the mean time you have until 8.Sept to make use of

a fantastic 50% OFF

of this special Grandparents cushion, which will surely provoke their heart to warm and may be even some tears of emotion to roll down. If you want, for this occasion you can even

add their names or a date

totally FREE of charge! 

There are 9 fabric colors to choose from.

To let them know your love and apreciation, click here and use code:

GRANDPARENTS50

50% off the grandparents quote cushion of my home and yours

 

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