Rob Ryan

Edward Ardizzone, pen & ink drawing

This small pen and ink drawing by the italian sounding english illustrator Edward Ardizzone hangs on the wall to the left of the TV at home and I often find my gaze being drawn away from the box to this little picture.
I like pictures that seem to hold a hidden story, what is this young girl (dressed like a maid) looking out from her attic window thinking ? Is she a prisoner ? Is she waiting or looking out for someone ? It’s all a mystery but it seems somehow full of hope. And I like looking out of high windows because like the girl in the picture I’m a bit of a dreamer too.
The picture actually illustrates a story in Eleanor Farjeon’s ‘The little bookroom’ It’s a wonderful collection of stories, but I think this picture, like the best illustrations stands up as ‘art’ in its own right – whatever that is.

On the website blog we have posted a new hanky design we have just printed, go to New Stuff Blog