Illustration Cupboard

BBC News has published a video showing interviews with Judith Kerr, 90, and Shirley Hughes, 88, and posing the daft question Why don't they retire? (CLICK). So long as an artist can hold a paintbrush, why should she forgo the satisfaction of creating fine artwork? The Illustrationcupboard Gallery at 22 Bury Street, St James’s, London, is currently showing its 18th Annual Winter Exhibition, featuring 350 original works from the very best book illustrators from around the world, mainly for children's books. The gallery reopened today after its seasonal break (CLICK). The works on sale aren't cheap. This gouache painting of Alfie Outdoors from The Shirley Hughes Collection (2007) will set you back £3450. However, the gallery bookshop sells signed, first edition books at cover prices, starting at £5.99.