Ken Wilson-Max

Category: idea

  • Where ideas come from

    Where ideas come from

    I visited a school recently and was asked, ‘Where do your ideas come from?’ The simple answer is everywhere!

    My recent books are inspired by one or more of the 17 Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a really rich source of ideas, as they cover most of our lives. Aqua Boy relates to SDG 15 life below water, Eco Girl maps onto SDG 14, and Astro Girl takes its meaning from SDG 5, gender equality.

    It’s a wonderful challenge turning grown-up concepts and language into relatable and enjoyable stories for young children, and highlighting the lives of people from around the world. This is one place where ideas come from. There are others, depending ont day, or the mood, or the prompt.

    ©️ken Wilson-Max 2025

    One of my upcoming books is inspired by SDG 13, Climate action.
    The pace of climate change means more people are turning to renewable energy. If you wonder where ideas come from, current affairs is a great place to start. I like the fact people have the power to change their own destinies, even thought it must be very hard, and I always look for those stories in the news.

    ©️ken Wilson-Max 2025

    At times it feels like there will be no end to the stories that can come from current affairs, but it’s a tricky process involving research, iteration and experimentation. A can-do attitude will not be lost on curious children, who are the leaders of the future.

    ©️ken Wilson-Max 2025

    Understanding the world as much as possible helps creativity because it provides a reason to finish that book, by answering the ‘why’, while giving you energy to find out the ‘how’.

  • Out of time

    picture of a woman sitting on a train

    I was sitting on a train when a striking woman walked and sat down.  I started a to draw, picking up the obvious things first. Two stops later she got off. I should have finished the picture off later as I had made enough of a mental note. but for some reason that didn’t happen and I suspected that I had captured enough of this woman’ presence. My question: Is it enough to capture the essential first impression of a subject?  Weeks later when I look at the image I can clearly remember the details I wanted to add to finish the image and strangely enough it feels satisfying because of that. I’ve tried to do this with photography for a several years. It’s quite ‘easy’ to achieve with a drawing, which ultimately has more possible outcomes, but I am struggling with the camera.

  • Urban Chronicles; Volume one, No.2

    slang word visualised

    Breaking the recent stream of iPhone paintings, I’m on a quest to visualise as many slang words as possible, from as many countries as possible.  The criteria are that they must be either funny, common enough to be recognised, or particularly clever. I’ve established a small basic list which will keep me busy for a short while, but I need help finding new words. And just like the great actors, “I’ll only do nudity if it’s absolutely integral to the  story”, so don’t expect many offensive pictures. Word No. 2 is “Innit!”, used all over the UK. This sketch will hopefully become a finished illustration at some stage, so expect to see it again soon.

    Enjoy.