Welcome to Story Street - a monthly newsletter from picture book maker, comic creator and community artist Jane Porter.
(photo by Tricia at Portrayed Photography)
Story Street is a cheerful roundup on the first of each month about what I’ve been doing. I share pieces of my picture book process, as well as snippets from other creative projects I’ve been working on. I love making things and experimenting, so this includes everything from collage to cyanotyopes and even a coracle. You’ll also get regular peeps inside my comic diary.
I’d love you to join me on this journey by signing up for free using the button below. I hope you’ll find Story Street inspiring and fun to read. And do share with friends who might like it too. If you’d like to know more, keep reading…
How did I get here?
I’ve been a picture book author and illustrator since 2012, and have created 16 picture books working with Walker Books, Otter Barry Books and Simon & Schuster. Before that, I used to write and edit magazines about landscape architecture and horticulture - and in Story Street, I’ve got my very own magazine at last.
My picture books have won several awards including the Little Rebels Award, the Derby Picture Book Prize and a Christopher Award in the US. You can buy my books by ordering in your local bookshop, or via Bookshop.org. Coming soon: Mabel and the Big Wide World, out in June 2024.
Alongside picture book work, I love doing community art projects, from murals to banner-making. I really enjoy inventing family trails too, for organisations like the National Trust and Historic Royal Palaces. One of the highlights of my week is my art class at a local nursery, which is ceaselessly inspiring – and I love visiting schools to talk about books. You can see me chatting about books and creative things generally on my YouTube channel.
Probably my FAVOURITE thing is comics. I’ve been keeping a comic diary for nine years, and I teach an online comics class with students from all over the world. Each term we do a postal zine swap and it’s so much fun. I’m also working on a four-part graphic novel, inspired by 20 years of volunteering cleanup up my local river. It’s called The Ghost Carp and I’ve borrowed the plot from Moby Dick.
When I’m not working, I’m usually to be found immersed the world of fiddles. I’ve been learning to play my great-grandfather’s fiddle for the last 8 years or so, and trying to be brave enough to join in with sessions…
Then last year I decided to take my interest in fiddles to the next level by signing up for a course to actually make my own violin from scratch. It’s HARD. You can follow my progress as it unfolds in each episode of Story Street. Do join me!
“A total delight! Behind the scenes stories from Jane's work as a picture book author/illustrator and an insight into her many passion projects - including learning to play the fiddle!”
Nanette Regan, Secret Sketchbook
“Jane Porter is an amazing multi disciplinary author-illustrator who is always up for something inspiring and creative. I love reading her newsletter every month. ”
Momoko Abe, Momo's Doodle Den
