One of my favourite bits of BICS 2009 was to finally meet Sarah McIntyre, author of the much loved Vern and Lettuce and more recently Morris The Mankiest Monster (reviews here and here respectively). Sadly Molly wasn’t there with me, since she really, really loves Sarah’s work, but at least I got to briefly chat to her and found her to be as funny, enchanting and just marvellously nice as I’d previously thought.
(Sarah McIntyre and her wonderful stall – Morris crocheted horns specially made by Dave)
Her stall was unique at BICS in that she had set herself up to be a perfect children’s host. Chairs were laid out especially so any passing child was invited to sit down and create their very own Mankiest monster from the templates and pens Sarah had laid on. Throughout both days I saw a continual stream of happy, smiling children really enjoying the whole Sarah McIntyre experience.
(Whilst chatting to her late on Saturday – the first time I’d seen her stall empty of children all day I bumped into this gent and his lovely daughter Olivia who kindly let me take their photos enjoying creating their own bit of Manky heaven.)
Molly had created a bit of Morris fan art for Sarah, which I included in the recent review. But Molly was insistent that I present it to Sarah when I see her. And Molly was equally insistent that I get a Morris sketch from Sarah to frame next to her Vern & Lettuce sketch. I did both. Here’s the sketch:
And most surprisingly, here’s Sarah’s subsequent blog post about Molly’s artwork and her version of Molly’s “Maggie The Second Mankiest Monster”:
“I was so chuffed when I got the picture from Molly Bruton of ‘Maggie, the 2nd Mankiest Monster’ that I had to go ahead and try to draw my own version! I started with the softer one below, but it wasn’t quite right, and then I painted the top one, which I like very much! Maybe I’ll name mine Molly for now, and she doesn’t look as manky as Morris, but she has some of her own bizarre habits. Hmm, will have to think about this.”
My little girl is very, very happy tonight!
(Molly’s version, Sarah’s first version and, below, the final version of Molly!)
More BICS stuff from the FPI Blog
Comic Show part 1,
Comic Show Part 2 (pics and stuff!),
BICS Links.
Thu, Oct 8, 2009
Art and animation, Comics and cartoons, Conventions and events