Tuesday 16 October 2012

October 31st.

Here is my card design for this October. I love this time of year, But as it starts to get colder, working in the home studio requires a few extra accessories. Such as Two Blankets, One Scarf, a Hat and a Hot Water Bottle. So with that in mind Happy Halloween everyone.

Wednesday 19 September 2012

The Boy Who Could Fly

I've been drawing a lot of visual notes lately and this is a result of some quick sketching.

Thursday 2 August 2012

The Vagabond Bazaar

I recently took part in The Vagabond Bazaar which was presented by Laura May Woodley at the Melbourne Centre in York. It was really fun setting up a stall of my work, I am starting to feel more and more like a real illustrator. It was a good turn out considering how far it was from town. It was really fun seeing a variety of stalls on show, live magic, and performances there. Also it must be noted I had the most amazing chocolate cake which had a full can of Guinness in it.

Monday 21 May 2012

Grand Pa Pa

I'am currently working on a new idea for a picture book based on my Grand-Pa. This idea came about from a sketch I did a year or so ago that I wanted to expand on. Here are some samples of my ideas that I recently exhibited in York at Space 109.

Sunday 20 May 2012

Grand-Pa-Pa Badges

Set of four (38mm) Badges.

I am really happy how they turned out, I differently think the larger size works better for my illustrations than the smaller size (25mm).

Monday 7 May 2012

Against The Grain Artshow

I have recently made a small series of illustrations inspired by my Grandfather that will be featured in exhibition this month. This will take place at Space 109 in York on Walmgate. As a child and into to my early twenties I was under the impression my grandfather was and always had been a sailor. This was supported strongly by his big bushy beard, he smokes a pipe, he has many tattoos and he likes to fish. Later I found out from my older sibling that this was not true and he was a bus driver and later pub landlord. I hope to turn it into a book in later on in the year.

Against The Grain Artshow

An underground art exhibition responding to themes within subcultures May 18 at 7:00pm until May 19 at 6:00pm at Space 109 in York.

Art, Live Music, Burlesque, Booze, lots of Sweets & Tattooed People.

I really enjoy showing contrasts of size with my character, showing small with larger. The balance of these themes plays off each other making for endearing charters that both children and adults can enjoy.

Below is a small preview of the 38mm Badges i have made from my work. Badges will be on sale at the show.


Sunday 1 January 2012

About me




Hello, 

My name is Jam Grantham and I am a Children's Illustrator. 

I live in the lovely city of York. I am a book enthusiast, so words are my inspiration. I love the feel, smell and weight of a good book. One of my favourite thing about books is that there's always more to read. I also take inspiration from silliness, film, photography and day to day life.

I was awarded Highly Commended for the Macmillan Prize 2010, for my children's book "What Should I Be When I Grow Up"

In 2010, I graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in Drawing & Applied Arts with a 2-1.

The themes which interest me focus on the unusual pairing of characters, typically demonstrating a contrast in scale, opposite personalities, and other whimsical differences between the relationship of the two. I love pugs, sweets and I'm rarely seen without my woolly hat.

If you would like to contact me for any information such as print enquiries or work,

Feel free to contact me: jam.illustrations@hotmail.com