The books have arrived! A Christmas Menagerie.

A Christmas Menagerie books have arrived!  The book looks gorgeous and my illustrations came out well for Janeen Brian's story 'Clever Wombat'.  The books will be available in November.

One of my illustrations for the story 'Clever Wombat'.

One of my illustrations for the story 'Clever Wombat'.

Clever Wombat story

I had fun creating the illustrations for Clever Wombat written by Janeen Brian, one of the entertaining illustrated stories included in Christmas Press' upcoming A Christmas Menagerie, soon to be released.  Look out for my illustrations in this Anthology for the festive season!

Clever Wombat busy sweeping his home clean.

Clever Wombat busy sweeping his home clean.

A Christmas Menagerie

Christmas Press' 2017 gorgeous Christmas Anthology, A Christmas Menagerie, is now at the printers and will be available in November!  My illustrations for Janeen Brian's story, Clever Wombat, feature in this collection of entertaining illustrated tales for young readers.

SCBWI Success Story

I was asked by Susanne Gervay to write about my experience being 'snapped up' by Author and Publisher Sophie Masson (Christmas Press) at the SCBWI Sydney Conference 2016.  Hope this encourages other pre-published and emerging writers and illustrators to keep plugging on!  (My article can be read in full at https://scbwiaustralianz.com post of 5 March 2017.)

One of my initial roughs for the front cover of Jack of Spades (author Sophie Masson, Eagle Books).

One of my initial roughs for the front cover of Jack of Spades (author Sophie Masson, Eagle Books).

 

 

SCBWI Draw This - Wild!

Going wild, in the wild!  I wonder who's having more fun?

Detail of my 'Wild' illustration.

Detail of my 'Wild' illustration.

The full image of my 'Wild' illustration for SCBWI Draw This August prompt word.

The full image of my 'Wild' illustration for SCBWI Draw This August prompt word.

SCBWI Draw This: Celebrate

Two mice having their own 'celebration'!

My inclusion in the July SCBWI Draw This prompt word of 'Celebrate'.

My inclusion in the July SCBWI Draw This prompt word of 'Celebrate'.

CYA Conference 2017

I was thrilled to hear today that I was placed Highly Commended by the final Judge Clare Hallifax (Scholastic) for my illustrations entry into the 'Aspiring Category: Graphic Novels, Illustrated Middle Grade Novels, and Illustrated Picture Books'.  Thank you CYA Conference organisers and judges!

ICPBS - International Centre for the Picture Book in Society

I'm taking part in the Migrations Exhibition of artwork from around the world, hosted by ICPBS and BIBIANA (International House of Art for Children) in Bratislava, Slovakia.

This exhibition intends to draw attention to the plight of refugee children and families, using artists as visual storytellers and communicators and the theme of a migrating bird.

We were encouraged to create our own unique postcard and send it across the world to the University of Worcester, UK and its ICPBS, the 'flight' of the postcard (via the postal services) also carrying its own significance.

My postcard arrived safely and can be seen on the online map of the world, showing from where each artist's card has originated - a fascinating and truly global response.  Many beautiful, whimsical cards, with profound and thoughtful comments.

My Bird Postcard, flown all the way from Sydney Australia to Worcester UK.

My Bird Postcard, flown all the way from Sydney Australia to Worcester UK.

Splash!

SCBWI 'Draw This! monthly art prompt for June was 'Splash!'  I couldn't resist creating a wet and close encounter of the 'whale' kind...

 'Splash!' Whale watching...

 'Splash!' Whale watching...

CBCA Author/Illustrator Afternoon Tea

I had a fantastic time at Terrey Hills Public School, during the CBCA Author/Illustrator Afternoon Tea.  Part of a group of 10 authors and illustrators, I presented to 3 groups of enthusiastic and engaged Years 5 and 6 students.  It was wonderful to hear that all of the students had taken a look at my website and work and some had even created artwork inspired by my own illustrations.  During the afternoon, we looked at my process of creating the illustrations for Jack of Spades, which included fascinating historical research and the students also had fun learning a little about what life would have been like in 1910 Paris.

Thank you kids and teachers at Terrey Hills Public for a fun afternoon!  Hope you've all been inspired to write and illustrate your own stories.

A great group of students learning about illustrating an exciting historical thriller.

A great group of students learning about illustrating an exciting historical thriller.

One of the period hats I brought along for the children to try out.

One of the period hats I brought along for the children to try out.

Thank you for the lovely flowers!  Our CBCA Northern Sydney Sub-branch Author and Illustrator group (L-R): Lindy Batchelor, Wendy Blaxland, Jan Latta, Louise Park, Penny Morrison, Aura Parker, Shelly Unwin, Debra Tidball, Yvonne Low, Belinda Murrell, Lesley Gibbes.

Five Favourites

Sophie Masson asked me to contribute to her blog Feathers of the Firebird and share my 'five favourite' books from childhood.  What a difficult choice to make! It was great to revisit this liberating world, where as a child you can read, absorb, escape, wonder and imagine to your heart's content.  Interesting to see how the illustrations were so much a part of why I loved these books, and still do!

I still love this book and the charming illustrations.

I still love this book and the charming illustrations.

Medieval Paris

I was inspired to write a travel article after an in-depth visit to Notre-Dame in Paris. Every nook and cranny of the cathedral is filled with history, from its stones to the rooftop sculptures, carvings and gargoyles and its famous bells.  My article includes tips on seeing other wonderful medieval sites in Paris, as well as a great place to stay and eating out in medieval surroundings.

Notre-Dame gargoyles who have a great view of Paris.

Notre-Dame gargoyles who have a great view of Paris.

Words and Pictures

Following @Artmedieval on Twitter, I've come across a great explanation of the wonderful 'calligrams' from centuries past @PublicDomainRev.  The 9th century manuscript Aratea, consists of poetry, text and image, explaining and illuminating the astronomical constellations.  Combining science, poetry and art in a beautiful and intriguing way, even the stars' astronomical appearance in the sky is depicted in this work.

Learning new graphic and visual art forms with @ComicsMasterYou, the calligram is a great example of combining words and pictures through interdependence.  Just like the best picture books, words and pictures work together to add layers of meaning and enrich the reader's experience.

Love the expression of the Hare - looks like he's in a hurry! (being chased by the hunter Orion or his hunting dogs).

Love the expression of the Hare - looks like he's in a hurry! (being chased by the hunter Orion or his hunting dogs).

New ways of seeing and communicating to readers

I'm really enjoying learning new ways of seeing and communicating with Comics Mastermind 'How to write Comic Books and Graphic Novels'.  One fascinating technique is 'montage', which called to mind some beautiful images I recently saw (via Twitter) from the British Library's Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts, in the Harley 647.   The scribe/illuminator created this in 9th Century!  Writers and artists are linked through the centuries...

May Gibbs' Nutcote gardens

A stroll around May Gibbs' Nutcote gardens offered plenty of hidden surprises and magical moments.

May's caterpillar hedge.

CBCA excursion to Nutcote

On a gorgeous sunny day, a group from CBCA Northern Sydney Sub-branch discovered May Gibbs' wonderful home on the shores of Sydney Harbour.  It was a revelation to learn about May Gibbs' prolific life as an artist and writer, especially working as a woman in that male-dominated era and field.  She really was ahead of her time, working as a cartoonist, artist, illustrator and author and promoting her own work with cards, illustrated covers and even wine bottle labels!  I particularly loved her watercolour paintings of family and friends -  a truly gifted portrait artist.  Of course her watercolour illustrations and stories inspired by the Australian bush, are her most famous work and beautifully rendered.

We took a guided tour of her house and learnt many fascinating details of her life including her love of Scotty dogs and lack of interest in cooking!  I loved seeing May's easel and original cartoons and caricatures.

May Gibbs' home Nutcote in Neutral Bay. 

May Gibbs' home Nutcote in Neutral Bay. 

May Gibbs' beautiful artwork.

May Gibbs' beautiful artwork.

View from back verandah of Nutcote.

View from back verandah of Nutcote.

May and her husband watched the Harbour Bridge being built, from the comfort of their own home!

May and her husband watched the Harbour Bridge being built, from the comfort of their own home!

Jack of Spades Launch

Fabulous day on Saturday 18 March with my first book launch!  Hosted by the wonderful Paul Macdonald at his Beecroft Children's Bookshop and surrounded by gorgeous books, Jack of Spades (Eagle Books, imprint of Christmas Press) was launched by author Pamela Freeman. Despite the continued rain, the afternoon went 'swimmingly' with a great turnout of people!  Author Sophie Masson spoke about her inspiration for the book and the historical background of 1900's Paris and I spoke about developing the illustrations for this exciting novel.  Sophie's folklore and fairytale picture book, Once Upon an ABC (Little Hare) was also launched by Paul, with Sophie and illustrator Chris Nielsen giving a reading of this beautiful alphabet book.

Paul Macdonald, Chris Nielsen, Sophie Masson and me at the signing table.

Paul Macdonald, Chris Nielsen, Sophie Masson and me at the signing table.

A great turnout!

A great turnout!

Describing the process of developing the illustrations including researching 1910 Paris - lots of fun!

Describing the process of developing the illustrations including researching 1910 Paris - lots of fun!

Pamela Freeman, Chris Nielsen and me.

Pamela Freeman, Chris Nielsen and me.

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