This fascinating blog about all things Disney has a a great post about the estimated 1200 insignia that The Walt Disney Studio created over the course of World War II.

Illustrators Ireland member Chris Judge is launching his first children’s book The Lonely Beast on Saturday the 29th January at 12pm in Filmbase, Temple Bar, Dublin. Click here for directions.

The much beloved author of The Tiger Who Came to Tea and the Mog books, still going strong at 86, tells Alison Flood about her new book. And above is a recent video of Judith at work in her studio.

Chase away those January blues by making this awesome papercraft from artist Matt Hawkins. You can get everything you need from here.

The Irish Times has a feature on the upcoming Angoulême International Comics Festival – fresh from the recesses of John Byrne’s cranium and complete with some bande dessinée reading suggestions:

• Lucky Luke (Cinebook) Created by Belgian cartoonist Morris (aka Maurice De Bevere) and written, during its golden years, by Asterix co-creator René Goscinny, this affectionate parody of the American West remains one of Europe’s most popular and enduring comics series.

• XIII by Jean Van Hamme (Cinebook) Played out over the course of 19 volumes and 25 years, Van Hamme’s best-selling thriller about an amnesiac’s long quest to reclaim his past is an engrossing experience – for those who can stay the pace.

• It Was the War of the Trenches by Jacques Tardi (Fantagraphics) Tardi is, simply put, one of the most important and influential French comic artists of the last 30 years. This welcome translation of his harrowing and haunting first World War narrative is as good a place as any to start.

• Epileptic by David B (Jonathan Cape) David B’s sprawling, multi-layered and bewitching childhood memoir is one of the most significant Francophone breakout hits of recent years. Its bold, woodcut visual style proved influential on Marjane Satrapi’s similarly acclaimed Persepolis.

Here’s two recently posted videos on Vimeo from the 2009 Offset event of presentations by Illustrators James Jean and PJ Lynch.

Funny or Die and Gallery1988 present “IS THIS THIS THING ON?” –  an exhibition that sees 100 artists take a stab at portraying their favourite comedian. It runs in Los Angeles until Jan 29th but you can see all of the pieces here. Above is Sarah Silverman by Stella Im Hultberg.

CR Blog writes on B.ü.L.b ‘s tiny accordion Comix having reached up to set W since starting with set A back in 1997. Check them all out here.

Here’s some recent work created by members of Illustrators Ireland (IGI). Each member has submitted one of their favourite illustrations from the previous month, either commissioned or personal. Follow the link below to see all this month’s entries.
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If you are like me and don’t want to face the outside world to browse the January sales I point you in the direction of online store Munky King. They are selling these excellent cup and saucer sets including designs from Gary Baseman,  Ron English, Nanami Cowdroy and Kozyndan to name a few. Drinking tea has never been so awesome.

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