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LOM Art - the arts and crafts imprint of Michael O'Mara Books - has acquired a new colouring book by London-based textile and homeware designer Zeena Shah.
Scandia: A Colouring Book Journey is for "Scandinavia enthusiasts" who will be able to work their way through a Scandinavian folk-inspired patterns and illustrations to colour in. The line drawings, incorporating traditional motifs of nature and wildlife, will be on one-sided perforated pages so artwork can be pulled out and displayed once complete. The book will also have a die-cut front cover - a first for Michael O’Mara books.
Lauren Farnsworth, senior editor for LOM Art, struck a deal with the author directly to acquire world rights (all languages).
Farnsworth said: "I have always admired Zeena’s unique and beautiful designs, so when we were looking for an artist to offer something special, I knew Zeena would be perfect for Scandia. She draws with elegance and with a style that is so unique to her, making each piece instantly recognisable. Her love of simple, earthy Scandinavian influences comes across on every page. My favourite artworks from the book are undoubtedly her animals – they are so characterful and have so much personality, as does every image she dedicates herself to."
Joanne Rooke, production director at Michael O’Mara Books, added: "Zeena’s intricate and charming line drawings needed a stunning cover to do them justice. We followed a hand-cut interpretation of one of Zeena’s artworks as the basis for our design, and worked closely with the printer to ensure that a complex die-cut cover was both achievable and robust enough to cope with its future life in bookshops and customers' homes. It’s been a challenging but rewarding project to work on, and I’ll be very proud to see it on display."
Shah is a Chelsea School of Art graduate who launched her own business Zeena in 2010. Her collection of hand silkscreen printed and handmade home accessories are all crafted in her East London studio and sold internationally. She has made TV appearances on Kirstie's Vintage Home, The Apprentice and 60 Minute Makeover, as well as featuring regularly in both the craft and women's lifestyle press, including Red, Country Living, Mollie Makes, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, and Elle Decoration. She also runs a programme of workshops with museums and organisations including the V&A and Google.
Shah said: "I am so unbelievably excited about the arrival of my first colouring book, it was a dream come true to work with Michael O’Mara Books. I can't wait to share my illustrations with everyone and see how they colour them in!"
Scandia: A Colouring Book Journey by Zeena Shah will publish on 9th June in paperback, priced £12.99.