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Debi Gliori's avatar

Oh boy. This struck a chord big time. You nailed the hollowed-out expression ‘I’ll get you a taxi’ perfectly. Dealing with energy sucking vampire wombats is godawful.

Your koalas are brilliant x

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Helen Stephens's avatar

Yes! An energy sucking vampire. That is exactly what he was. I hope the taxi driver enjoyed him.

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Laura’s Creative Chaos's avatar

Have you ever watched the series What We Do In The Shadows? The energy vampire character on that is very funny and reminds me of a lot of characters I have met and wished I hadn’t in my life 😂

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Helen Stephens's avatar

OMG! I certainly have and yes Colin Robinson has nothing on David!

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Jason Chatfield's avatar

Man... that Blackwing has seen some sh#t!

(PS. I have excellent core strength.)

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Helen Stephens's avatar

That poor Blackwing has served me well. Congratulations on the core strength 🤓

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Nanette Regan's avatar

Does he know Tom Baker and Jilly Cooper? I’m not sure he mentioned it . . .

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Helen Stephens's avatar

Oh maybe he does, I’m not sure… 🤔

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Jane Porter's avatar

I think we need to see Barry Gibb and Jilly Cooper appearing as koalas now… so glad this was therapeutic for you and sorry to make you cry! 😂😂😂😂

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Helen Stephens's avatar

‘using only a koala and a pencil Jane helped me lance an old wound ’ - put that in your testimonial page

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Jane Porter's avatar

I'm going to treasure that forever!!

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Alice Wood's avatar

As a koala he’s quite sympathetic 😆. He had me at ‘the best table in Betty’s’! Have you got his number? I guess he doesn’t have a phone ☹️🐨

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Helen Stephens's avatar

I loved him for about an hour and after that the novelty wore off. Honestly you don't want his number. He does actually have a phone but, as he told us twice, he has no idea how to turn it off, or on.

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Rachel Kenny's avatar

Not sure if this was the intention but I cried too…with laughter

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Helen Stephens's avatar

Ha! Yes, I laugh/cried my way through the drawing too. It was a bonkers experience that I could not get out of my head, and when I drew it it became hilarious. The things he said!

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Kinga's avatar

Wait. he is an ancestor of Oscar Wilde but also only 60? My god, I have never met this particular man, but have met quite a few like him. They are indistinguishable in their tedium.

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Helen Stephens's avatar

I know, wrong word. But it’s drawn now so that’s how it will stay. 😂

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Phoebe Carter's avatar

I remember hearing you mention him in GSI’s Art Club. Love your illustration. Speaks volumes!

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Helen Stephens's avatar

Ah thank you 😍

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Phoebe Carter's avatar

You’re welcome, Helen 😊.

Hope to see you on ship tonight . . . . 😃

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Kristine Tague's avatar

That panel captures the exhausting emotional vampire at work. I can only imagine that the taxi ride was faster than usual. Actually it’d be funnier if the taxi driver didn’t speak English so whatever he’d prattled about would have fallen on deaf ears.

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Helen Stephens's avatar

We know the taxi driver very well, she is our postie, next time I see her I will ask. She is very laid back, but even she might break under the pressure if this energy vampire!

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Paula Heaphy's avatar

This made me laugh...and I needed that. Thank you for reminding me to bring joy into the process. What a fun way to release toxic energy!

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Susannah Elizabeth's avatar

This is brilliant. The grumpy Koala- he’s everything. Makes me think of the burger-chomping guy in ‘I, Tonya’ …

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Helen Stephens's avatar

Oh yes, spot on! 😂

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Gigi Bevilacqua's avatar

Helen! Yesterday i did “ the good ship Workshop” and it was a wonderful experience - I loved meeting you and the girls. I even signed up for the childhood drawing course afterward and felt so welcomed and close to all of you.

I wanted to ask: will you (or anyone here) be participating in the Bologna Children's Book Fair this year? As I'm living in Italy, I'll be attending the event and would love to meet you there! (Don't be startled if I stop by to say hello, okay? ❤️✨

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Helen Stephens's avatar

You signed up! Oh let me know how it goes!

And yes, Katie and I will be there for one day, the Monday. A flying visit. We don't have a stand or anything, just going for a quick nosy around. Come and say hello if you see us!

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Gigi Bevilacqua's avatar

Omg! So happy to know that! Hope I see you there ❤️

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Mrs Groovy on the Rock's avatar

Oh my! What a man! I feel your pain. I love your koalas. I can actually feel it all. What an incredible portrayal! I’ve always had an obsession with flying carpets! I would wish for one with every birthday cake candle blowing. They fly by MAGIC, obviously!!

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Helen Stephens's avatar

Yes, magic of course! Thank goodness he didn't actually explain in nay detail - it would be like hearing father Christmas isn't real! 😱

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Scribblings and Things's avatar

This made me laugh so much - and all the comments!!

On an unrelated note, I love your scissors stand too ☺️

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Helen Stephens's avatar

I had to look back at my photo to find the scissors stand 😂 Ha! I think I accidentally invented something there!

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Francesca Iannaccone's avatar

I find these people fascinating. The lack of self awareness is astonishing.

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Melissa Turland's avatar

He was probably the inspiration for Rivals 😂 Bet Jilly is sitting in a dark corner somewhere rocking backwards and forwards.

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Helen Stephens's avatar

I wonder! 😂🐨

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