One day, not long ago, when I was procrastinating..ahem, researching... I came across Strawberry Lemonade and the lovely Alex. I instantly felt like I knew her.

Not only does she have a penchant for all things bright and colourful, but she collects together lots of inspirational images like these Yellow ones and these underwater shots.

So when I saw that she had a Studio on Fire calendar on her desk - open to my drawing - I knew I just had to say hi...with a photo of her photo on my desk.

And the rest, as they say is history. It's great to meet you too, Alex!

ps. In other news, the five of us just had a chat with Computerlove

pps. We've put up some special new projects recently:
Karl and Craig's Mecca Window Display
Steve's Plasmagoria for Pictoplasma
My tribute to Maurice Sendak

- Rilla

The new issue of The Pop Manifesto is now online. This issue takes a look at what's happening in Brasil with articles on musician Cibelle, fashion label Neon and illustration duo Mulheres Barbadas. Further afield, Fever Ray, Henrik Vibskov, Lori Hersberger and The Emergency are also featured.

- Karl

Each month Collective Edition produces and releases a t-shirt from an artist of their liking, this month it's our turn. Each print is limited run of 100 so get 'em quick. Other artists involved include Mike Perry, Jim Stoten and Nylon Magazine.

www.collectiveedition.com

- Craig

I am honoured to say that A journey round my skull, that wonderful treasure chest of forgotten illustrators and previously undiscovered (at least by me) deliciousness, is currently featuring my Garden of Earthly Delights designs.

I've explained the process of creating the patterns and designs from Hieronymus Bosch's loved masterpiece - and shared some of my pencil sketches.

Also, I'm happy to announce that the Prado Museum have just launched a shop so you can surround yourself with the Bosch menagerie without actually having to travel to Madrid!

- Rilla

...and so it seems do Steve and I. Listen to us chirp on Twitter so we're not just singing to ourselves:

@byrilla
@steverinzen

Also, I am not going segueway into this with any more talk of birds, but the Italian site Way of Women is doing lots of interesting interviews and you can read what I had to say here.

ps. Here are lots of photos I took at last week's Karneval der Kulturen here in Berlin. It was incredibly inspiring.

- Rilla