Crowned with Flowers Print

In 2019 I was commissioned by world renowned author Joanne Harris MBE to illustrated her third novella ORFEIA. Previous novellas written by Joanne and illustrated by me include "A Pocketful of Crows" and "The Blue Salt Road". Joanne Harris is an Anglo-French writer, whose books include fourteen novels, two cookbooks and many short stories. Her work is extremely diverse, covering aspects of magic realism, suspense, historical fiction, mythology and fantasy. In 2000, her 1999 novel CHOCOLAT was adapted to the screen, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. CHOCOLAT has sold over a million copies in the UK alone and was a global bestseller. She is an Honorary Fellow of St. Catherines College, Cambridge and in 2013 was awarded an MBE by the Queen. ORFEIA is a gender-flipped retelling of the Orpheus Myth.... "When you can find me an acre of land, Every sage grows merry in time, Between the ocean and the sand Then will you be united again." So begins a beautiful and tragic quest as a heartbroken mother sets out to save her lost daughter, through the realms of the real, of dream and even into the underworld itself. But determination alone is not enough. For to save something precious. she must give up something precious, be it a sing, a memory, or her freedom itself........ This image is not of a named character in the book, but there were so many wonderful descriptions of the Fae that I simply could not help myself. Both Joanne and I are of the same opinion, neither of us believe that the Fae are always pretty little creatures, some are frightening, most are dangerous and all are magical. But of course with their glamours and magic they can appear as anything they like, even flowers. This story gave me the prefect opportunity to draw as many interesting faces as I wanted, with Joanne's full support. All of Joanne's characters are real, all have feelings, opinions and are happy to express themselves. What the critics say....... The way the author discusses themes such as grief, identity, loss and family is done with such grace and beauty, and this paired with illustrations by the incredibly talented that are as timeless as the tale itself, it all comes together to make for one gorgeous read. ​ There are absolutely fabulous illustrations inside to accompany this story, produced by Bonnie Helen Hawkins. They are striking and evocative; sometimes dark, sometimes filled with beauty and emotion and always atmospheric and outstandingly drawn. She expertly interprets the written word in the most artistic way. How each character is captured and each picture also tells a story is petty awe-inspiring as they leap off the page (almost). Between Bonnie Helen Hawkins and Joanne Harris, they are creating the most wonderful and beautiful books together. ​ . I obviously cannot finish without passing comment on the fantastic artwork by Bonnie Helen Hawkins. The illustrations add an extra dimension to the story and really do the author’s words justice. They really are a thing of beauty. ​ James Tormey Further information can be found on my website or Joanne's website