Cover Reveal "Book Week Bear!" June 2023

Hey there, picture book lovers and bear enthusiasts! Today I’m writing about the reveal of the “Book Week Bear” cover. I've had the honor of working on a new children's book titled "Book Week Bear," written by the talented Rory H Mather during 2022. And the time has finally come to unveil the cover! As the illustrator, I've adored working on this fun book which captures the essence of Book Week and has a few magical surprises. So here it is…

I'm delighted to announce that Scholastic Australia, an amazing publisher with a passion for inspiring young minds, will be bringing "Book Week Bear" to bookshelves across the country. Mark your calendars because the big day is just around the corner—1st July 2023!

Early 2023 Illustration

Hello there! Summer has just ended and I am looking forward to cooler weather. For those of us in Sydney we finished summer with a heat wave and now the few cooler days we have had, are bringing joy to my bones!

We also had a wedding in the family! Such a joyous ( and busy) occasion. I had the privilege of designing the invitation, the illustration was also used for the order of service- a little bit different to my usual style!

Here’s a little update of current projects I have been working on. My studio is a busy place and I always have a few projects going on concurrently. Let me share the one taking up most my attention at the moment…

It’s exciting to share with you about my current project which I am working on behind the scenes. It is a book that is being published by Wombat books called Walls. It's been a joy working on this project, I love the daily discipline of bringing characters to life.

However, one of the challenges faced by picture book illustrators is not being able to share any of the illustrations until the release date. As an illustrator, I'm always eager to share my work and get feedback from others. But I also understand the importance of keeping the illustrations under wraps until the book is ready to be unveiled. Then the fun begins!

Recently, I also had the opportunity to take part in SCBWI Create a Palooza, and it was such a fantastic experience! I listened to some amazing speakers and learned so much from them about the craft of illustrating for children's books. I also had the chance to participate in portfolio assessments, which was incredibly helpful. Getting feedback from industry professionals helped me to plan and grow as an illustrator, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity. Huge thanks to the SCBWI East team- I know this would have been a huge amount of work to facilitate!

I continue feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do what I love - bringing stories to life through my illustrations. It is always a delight to be entrusted with authors ideas. I am also in the process of writing my own stories, we will see where that journey takes me.

September Catch Up 2020

Is it a sign that I’m getting older that each year find myself saying , Wow this year have gone fast! Well even in this, strangest of years, I find myself saying it again! I felt it was high time for a catch up of all things children’s bookish so I hope you enjoy looking back with me over the past few months.

I have found some remarkable opportunities this year for catch ups via zoom with like minded kidlit lovers. The pandemic has forced the rethinking of ways to get together and I have been grateful for the way various groups have put so much effort into keeping members connected and informed. Here’s a few but there were many many more….

Juniper & Daisy

Juniper & Daisy

SCBWI- What an amazing organisation!

Illustrator critiques gives us the opportunity to come together and discuss our latest works. It’s such an encouraging group where knowledgable leaders are so keen to share their experience. SCBWI has also run online weekend conferences which have given the chance to hear from a variety of those in Kidlit with so much to share.

CYA

During the month of July, I was learning from the CYA conference in Queensland. Being online was a tremendous way to hear from so many others without having to leave my study ( or change my slippers!)

To my great delight…

I had the honour of receiving second place in the CYA open illustrators competition!!!

CYA Second Place for Fleur

CYA Second Place for Fleur

Kid Lit Vic

KidLitVic has been postponed but there has been the opportunity to meet with publishers and it’s also very exciting that there is to be an online showcase! I believe publishers with have access next week and then other KidLitVic folk the following week- squeeeeeeeeee!

Pinerolo

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the Pinerolo cabin in the Blue Mountains for a day of learning with Margaret Hamilton and author illustrator Tohby Riddle. There is always so much to learn! I went a lovely friend with her own interest in the Kidlit world, and we enjoyed a beautiful crisp Blue Mountins day and a wealth of information. The charming cabin is filled to the brim with picture books from over the years and original artworks.

As I said a t the start there is too much to mention in one post but I’m so thankful for the community of children’s writers and illustrators.

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