Emma Reynolds (@emmaillustrate)

I've been meaning to write this post for a while now. A few months ago - in summer last year, I'd guess - I tweeted asking for three random words that I could turn into a story. Emma tweeted me back - I can't remember what words she picked - and I wrote her a story called Marionette (which is currently on submission, and will hopefully see print at some point). In exchange she asked for three words off me, with the promise to illustrate a bag for me.

Emma is an illustrator, you see (if you didn't guess from her twitter name in the title of this blog). A fantastic one, actually. You can find her website and blog here. I adore her work, in particular the pieces from her kids book The Barrodor that she's posted. The images are haunting and beautiful, and one in particular was selected for the Association of Illustrators' annual "Images 35 - The Best of New British Illustration".

'The Barrodor Chase' - selected as one of the best of new British illustration

Crab and Sam in the forest

Gorgeous, right? And here's the bag Emma made for me...

I can't for the life of me remember what words I chose, though I *think* they may have been clock, suitcase and wings, all of which have been worked into the illustration wonderfully. 

If you get a chance, check out Emma's shiny new website and definitely go follow her on Twitter (she's been known to give out bags like this one to random followers). Definitely keep an eye on her; if she doesn't make it big, there's no justice in the world.