The SAA are very pleased to be supporting the World Illustration Awards by sponsoring The SAA Agents Award for New Talent.

Carole Bouvier: On a Spring Day, Winner of the SAA Agents Award for New Talent

The SAA run a new talent award every year in association with the AOI’s World Illustration Awards. Carole Bouvier was our winner in 2022 for her piece titled: On a Spring Day.

 

Carole’s entry really stood out and we were all very impressed with her strong compositions, use of colour and her visual storytelling – On a Spring Day is a fresh approach at picture book illustration.  Carole’s imagery has personality and she shows a sensitivity to the subject matter. We believe her work has a broad commercial appeal that could be applied to all manner of creative solutions. She’s a worthy winner!

 

The prize is 6 months mentoring with one of our member agents who is selected very carefully to fit with the winner. Carole chose The Artworks and started the mentorship earlier this year so we’ll check back on her soon to find out how it all went.

 

Carole is a French illustrator based in Cambridge, UK. Before completing a Children's Book Illustration MA at ARU, her initial career was in independent film distribution, an occupation that developed and nourished her passion for storytelling and her taste for strong compositions.

 

The illustrations were part of Carole's Masters Stage project for the MA, a picturebook called On A Spring Day, told in images and haikus - a Japanese form of poetry.

ZARA PICKEN – NEW SIGNING

 

We’re thrilled to introduce and extend a warm Meiklejohn welcome to Zara Picken, the latest artist to join the agency.

 

UK based Zara Picken’s bold illustration style incorporates vibrant colours, geometric forms and subtle paper textures to create striking layered compositions. Blurring the line between computer and paper-cut art, Zara works digitally to deliver concise concepts with strong visual impact.

Zara Picken is represented by Meiklejohn

Luis Mendo – Sustainable Fashion icons for Tenue

 

This month saw a celebration of World Earth Day, so it was fitting to reveal these icons Luis Mendo created for Amsterdam based clothing brand Tenue, who said “we hope to inspire people by showing that small steps can in fact make a big impact to the world we live in”.

 

 

Each illustration brilliantly conveys a set of principles and a guide to consume fashion sustainably, and Luis Mendo's organic line work and memorable characters bring a lighthearted touch to a serious subject.

 

 

And who could argue with one of the best dressed illustrators around? Bravo Mr Mendo!

 

 

Visit our website to see Luis Mendo’s portfolio:

www.handsomefrank.com/illustrators/luis-mendo

The Handsome Frank Podcast EP16 – Luke McConkey

 

In our latest podcast we embark on a magical mystery tour into the wonderful world of Liverpool based artist Luke McConkey. Luke spills the beans on how he first grabbed our attention, the fact that he "draws like he's a nice guy", and his side project as an independent record label owner.

 

Read all about it, and see some photos from our visit to Luke’s studio at: www.handsomefrank.com/insights/read/luke_podcast

 

 

 

You can find ‘The Handsome Frank illustration podcast’ on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon as well as most other podcast providers.

 

Luke McConkey is represented by Handsome Frank

Agnès Ernoult/Roi Kipu

Agnès Ernoult's recently published children's book has made it to the top 40 on the independent book-sellers list in France. 'Roi Kipu', which translates to 'King Smelly', is a book published by Editions Margot and written by Bernard Villiot.

The book follows the story of a King with a ridiculous name who actually doesn't smell bad at all, but because of his name, he struggles to find a partner to marry.

It's a heartwarming story about self-acceptance, tolerance, and the importance of laughing at oneself, with Agnès' humorous and characterful drawings connecting the reader with the King's journey.

 

Agnès Ernoult is represented by IllustrationX

Juliette Toma for Rebel Girls Rock: 25 Tales of Women in Music.

Icelandic sensation Bjork is illustrated by Juliette Toma for Rebel Girls Rock: 25 Tales of Women in Music.

The new and popular Rebel Girl's series now has the addition of a book on musical icons; inspirational women who have achieved success in this alluring industry, as a singer, songwriter or instrumentalist.

Juliette's portrait of Bjork is an electrifying illustration, with a spot-on likeness and animated composition.

The publisher says, Belt out pop anthems with Lizzo, bang on the drums with Nandi Bushell, and write country hits with Dolly Parton. The women in this book come from all around the world. They play different instruments, experiment with new sounds, and stand out in their genres. But one thing is true of them all: They rock!

More info on the book here.

Juliette Toma is represented by IllustrationX

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