Storyboarding with Rachel Fuller Townshend
Rachel & Karen
Rachel, Karen, & Pete
From August 2020 to January 2022, I created storyboard drawings for British composer, Rachel Fuller Townshend.
The project began with Rachel contacting me about drawings she had seen on my Instagram page. She liked the linear, quick sketches I had made of people and dogs. Rachel went on to explain that she was composing music for a ballet, and needed storyboards for her project. That was the beginning of a year and a half collaboration.
For over a year, Rachel and I worked together via email. In November 2021, I flew to London and went to Rachel and Pete’s home in Oxfordshire. Rachel and I continued to work on the storyboards in person. My illustrations were completed in January 2022.
“Working with Karen was a magical experience and absolute joy. Watching the character of Bee come to life through Karen’s sketches was such an important part of the whole process.”
– Rachel Fuller Townshend
Storyboards One
Title: On the school playgroundA group of children in a playground. Off to the other side a lone child. Fairies and Nature moving all around with aura. This child is different.Materials: Ink on paperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Title: At HomeFather berating child. Exasperated. Exhausted. Anxious. Why can’t you fit in? Mother defending child.Materials: Ink on paperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Title: I Can FlyThe child can fly when alone. In different dimensions and in the real world. Hearing, feeling, seeing, smelling, touching all of nature.Materials: Ink on paperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Title: The EvaluationSpeaking with the school psychiatrist; thoughts feelings, sensations like tornados.Materials: Ink on paperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Title: Kitchen ShowdownDo you hear us? See us? Where are you? You are going to a special boarding school; we cannot cope.Materials: Ink on paperDimensions: 14” x 17″
Title: In the Great HallApproached by twins in the school auditorium. A boy and girl. They connect with a smile. They, too, can fly.Materials: Ink on paperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Title: The SufiInstruction by a female Sufi master at University. She teaches how time and space can be transcended.Materials: Ink on paperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Title: Under The StarsAn observatory at the University. A backdrop of stars in the sky. A floating embrace – first love.Materials: Ink on paperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Title: A Working ScientistIn the laboratory, creating a fuel that is safe for the world.Materials: Ink on paperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Storyboards Two
Title: March of The SuitsOn stage presenting a new fuel to the unfriendly, corporate suits. Ridiculed.
Disrespected. Thrown out.Materials: Ink On PaperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Title: On The StreetsCast out from the scientific community. Isolated. Living on the streets for years. Dancing with an elderly street woman.Materials: Ink On PaperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Title: HeavenTaken to a magical place by animal angels. All is beautiful and animals and people live in harmony. But the visit is brief, as there is work to be done to save Earth.Materials: Ink On PaperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Title: The World (in 45 years)Time traveling with a fuel company CEO. Showing him the dying planet of the future if a new fuel isn’t used.Materials: Ink On PaperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Title: Winning the Nobel Peace PrizeThe new fuel is recognized as global miracle. Parents attend ceremony and reconcile with love.Materials: Ink On PaperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Title: New Scientists ConventionThe older scientist shares knowledge to open minded young scientists. Fairies are in attendance at the convention.Materials: Ink On PaperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Title: In the Rose GardenNow retired and attending an exquisite rose garden. Animals and fairies are companions. The world is in harmony.Materials: Ink On PaperDimensions: 14” x 17”
Additional Sketches
Title: Lion in HeavenMaterials: Ink and watercolor
Title: Elephant on a skateboardMaterials: Ink and watercolor
Title: Angel terrier on a bicycleMaterials: Ink and watercolor
Title: Evie in flightMaterials: Watercolor and ink
Title: Bee in Yellow shirt with planetMaterials: Ink and watercolor
Title: Green Fairy with StarMaterials: Ink and watercolor
Title: Pink FairyMaterials: Watercolor and ink
Title: Green Fairy in the windowMaterials: Watercolor and ink
Title: Rose FairyInk and watercolor
Title: The EvaluationMaterials: Watercolor and ink
Title: Bee sitting crossleggedMaterials: Watercolor, ink, pencil
Title: Bee sitting crosslegged, black and whiteMaterials: Ink
Title: Standing BeeMaterials: Ink
Title: Sketching other scene options