Reading Shirley Hughes – various titles
Listening to Bon Iver, 10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⊠ ⊠ and 22 (OVER S∞∞N)
In the last few weeks, I’d had some conversations about the children’s author Shirley Hughes. Having not really thought about her for at least twenty years this was kind of strange. I do remember her illustrations from childhood. There was something slightly messy about her style in a comforting way, and a consistent brown palette. Her characters were permanently in Autumn. I was discussing her work because she featured in the BBC series A day in the life of an Artist.
The episode was filled with bumbling jazz music and followed Shirley on a typical day. Now as an office-hog the idea of working at home is appealing and as an aspiring artist, I was curious (see: jealous) about how she spent her day.
Shirley Hughes lives in Notting Hill, a widow, in the house she raised her family in. It seems doing what you love pays off, her home and her routine were beyond charming. There was something effortless about her. She continues to work on new books and is almost a nonagenarian! It’s not just work, it’s her passion.
She was also inspiring, probably because she was a stay at home mum who led a successful career as a storyteller and illustrator. But there is more. She is charismatic. She just goes against the grain. I read a few of the books in the Dogger series and a couple of the Alfie books. She very clearly articulates the challenges and compromises that young children make as they get to know the world and her books are filled with kindness and surprises.
I was listening to Bon Iver today. He’s the kind of singer who might be known by a handful of people – because his music feels personal, and his persona is not that of an international superstar. The music still stands for itself. I have been listening to 22 (OVER S∞∞N) on repeat, and it feels a little Moby-esque in the era of Play. Bon Iver brings together this sentiment of living in the present and adds a melancholy touch – it might be over soon – the lyrics swoop and dive with epic background vocals and brass solos. It is awesome.
