Canolfan Peniarth, University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s publishing house, is to publish a new story book, Nature’s Nasties by renowned author, Carol Barratt, which has been illustrated by student Ocean Hughes.
Ocean Hughes is studying BA Illustration at the University’s Swansea College of Art, and specialises in children’s book illustration. Having made an impact on staff during a work experience period at Canolfan Peniarth, Ocean was commisioned by Peniarth to illustrate a new story book.
Authoured by Carol Barratt, and translated to Welsh by renowned poet, author and UWTSD lecturer, Professor Mererid Hopwood, Nature’s Nasties and in Welsh, Natur ych a fi, includes ten factual short stories for young children. Set in the Gower Peninsula the stories feature many fun and playful wildlife characters that will capture children’s imagination.
Gwydion Wynne, Canolfan Peniarth Director said, “Nature’s Nasties is the second book that Peniarth has published with author Carol Barratt. Ocean introduced herself to us after meeting Peniarth at the Swansea college of Art’s Design Week. Her style immediately struck us as being a perfect match for Carol’s new book which had arrived with us not long previously. We were extremely pleased with her initial illustration ideas and character designs for the stories, they were above and beyond what we expected. We sent them on to Carol, and together, decided to give Ocean the commission. The quality of Ocean’s work is truly fantastic. She brings these fun and factual stories and characters to life. Every time you read the book, you find something new in the detailed and whimsical illustrations, we are very excited with the whole publication.”
UWTSD Student, Ocean Hughes always knew she wanted to be an artist from a very young age. She said “I remember spending hours looking at pictures in books when I was young, trying to get a sense of what it would be like to one day see my own pictures in print. Looking at the book now. I’m very grateful for the opportunity and extremly proud of the work”.
Derek Bainton is the Head of School of Graphic and Digital Arts at
UWTSD where Ocean is studying for her degree. He said, “The BA
Illustration programme at Swansea College of Art has long-established,
strong links with Canolfan Peniarth, with our students and graduates
having worked on a number of live, paid commissions in both Welsh and
English over the years. This relationship is an immensely valuable one
for our students and our academic team. Ocean Hughes’ illustrations for
Nature’s Nasties are wonderfully warm and original and are a perfect
match for Carol Barratt’s rich narrative non-fiction writing style.
Ocean’s commitment to this picture book and her wider studies has been
exceptional, and we wish both Ocean, Carol and Nature’s Nasties every
success.”
Nature’s Nasties will be launched at Swansea College of
Art on 6th of December, with a special lecture for students with author
Carol Barratt and Professor Mererid Hopwood taking place at 11am and an
exhibition of Ocean’s illustration work and designs for the book.
The books will be available to purchase from local book shops from 1st of December onwards, and from Peniarth’s online shop, www.peniarth.cymru.