Endpapers and Paws!

Final Call! My Print Drop Ends Tonight (Midnight UK time) 🌟

Hi Studio Friends!

Just a very quick little note - I’ve been chatting more about this on my ‘Online Store Newsletter’, because I don’t want to make my Substack feel too ‘salesy’. Then I thought… maybe I haven’t said enough here, and I really don’t want you to miss out!

So here it is - a gentle reminder: my limited print drop ends tonight at midnight (UK time)!

I have three really lovely prints available in this drop: ‘Otto Himself’, ‘Otto and Friends’, and ‘Sox and Friends’.

The ‘Otto Himself’ print (above) is taken from page one of Otto the Top Dog (my latest book!). In the book I had to crop right in to show his happy face - which works well for the story, but I’ve always felt a little sad that his lovely paws were left out! So for this print, I let Otto appear in full, paws and all.

Some pages from inside the book ‘Otto The TOP Dog’ - also to show you how he appears on the first page!

This print means a lot to me. Obviously, I adore Otto - he’s my dog, my studio companion, my nighttime bed-warmer, my funny little friend. He’s a magical presence in my life. This illustration feels just like him - it makes people smile the way he does in real life. He’s a jolly little chap with a very strange bark (more on that another time!) and a slightly patchy coat and some very peculiar habits. Also - he was meant to be a mini dachshund but he is massive. Such a character.

I love imagining this print on someone’s wall, quietly doing its job: cheering people up, making them smile. The response to it has been so wonderful, but there are only 9 hours left to order! It makes me a little sad to close these drops, but that’s the only way I can make them work. I’m also so happy to be able to offer them at all.

Otto (and his paws) framed and ready for the wall!

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The other two prints in this drop are taken from the endpapers of my book Otto the Top Dog. I made those endpapers full of detail because children love to look for things - and I wanted dog-loving little ones to spot breeds they know, or dogs like their own.

Two new prints based on the end papers of 'Otto The TOP Dog'

I adore making special endpapers. They give the reader extra joy, another secret part of the book to explore. I always tell children at events to peek at the endpapers - you never know what hidden gem might be tucked in there! It’s such a nice way to make books feel even more magical. And as we all know, helping children fall in love with stories from the very beginning brings endless joy - and benefits for their wellbeing too. Anything I can do to increase that pleasure is such a privilege.

Here are the back endpapers (the front ones feature a different collection of dogs!)

Making books is my life’s work. I take it very seriously - writing and illustrating for children feels to me, like the biggest honour a human can have. These little books help shape young minds - the very minds that will one day shape the world. Magical, isn’t it?

Anyway - I’ve wandered off from endpapers! A lot of people loved the endpapers in the book and asked if I’d make them into prints (or wrapping paper… which is tempting!). I loved the idea of the endpapers stepping out of the book and onto the wall - another way to celebrate our canine friends.

For extra fun, there’s a hidden cat in each print! Perfect for a game of ‘spot the cat’ or ‘spot the difference’ if you hang them side by side. I love adding these little layers so the art looks pretty on your wall but also holds a secret or two.

You can order the prints framed which is ace! Here is Otto and Friends on the black frame but you can also choose Oak

One of the biggest compliments I’ve ever had about my work is that it’s enjoyed by all ages - from nursery walls to senior homes. I love that. Art with no age limit, whose only purpose is to lift spirits and make people feel happy.

So - this is a very limited print drop and it ends at midnight tonight (UK time).

If you’d like a smiling Otto, or a host of happy faces and waggy tails for your wall please do order before they’re gone forever.

And if you don’t want one but simply enjoyed reading about them - that makes me equally happy! I love that, in this strange and lovely modern world, I can share my work with you here, even if only on a screen.

But I didn’t want you to miss out, just in case I hadn’t shouted quite loud enough here on Substack.

Also - massive thanks to everyone who has already ordered. I know they have started arriving in peoples homes because I’ve had some lovely emails :)

Much love, and thank you for reading!

and Otto, of course! x

Here is the book! The paperback comes out next month!

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P.s - I’d LOVE for you to come and join us behind the scenes so I can chat to you and show you more of my beautiful techniques and projects. You can find more details and see what you get as a paid subscriber if you click the link below (and there’s a special launch offer running just now!):