Naughty... but Lovable

Have had a great work contract that I completed recently, explaining why the length between posts.

In the second half of last year I had a great consultation with Ann James, expert illustrator who was so encouraging and gave me many fantastic tips. The biggest change I'm going to be making from her suggestion is to rework my pigs to make them naughty but lovable. At the moment they are quite ugly characters, so I am looking at toddler body and facial shapes and young piglets. Everyone knows toddlers are naughty, but you can't help but love them. That is the type of look I'm going for. I've made a clay model of a head and some early drawings and look forward to developing these characters. Ann James loved my pigs houses and thought my sheep were endearing. I look forward to be able to post some pictures soon.

CYA Conference 2013

A great day today learning from some amazing illustrators:
Judy Horacek ('Where is the Green Sheep?' by Mem Fox)
Serena Geddes (helped illustrate Disney's 'The Lion King')
James Foley ('The Last Viking')
and I got to sit next to Katherine Battersby and chat.
James Foley had a look through my work in progress and was so encouraging.

Collaging sheep

The Big Bad Building Inspector

This is the result of some minor changes to this image to improve it using some of the ideas Tohby Riddle had - change the shape of the beard and make the text more of a feature.

Mentor Tohby Riddle

This morning I had the invaluable opportunity to have established author/illustrator mentor me with my work on 'The Three Lazy Pigs'. He was such a wealth of ideas and suggestions. I can't wait to tweak the manuscript and get busy putting my dummy book together.

New DSLR Camera

I bought a fantastic new DSLR camera and a trip to the zoo was the perfect place to test it out. I fell in love with the world's smallest monkey species, the pygmy marmoset.

One-on-one with Tohby Riddle

I am so excited to be able to have some time with Tohby Riddle soon as part of the ASA mentorship program. His picture books are fantastic so I can't wait for him to give me some advice with my picture book.

Highly Commended - ASA Mentorship

I have received a highly commended for my picture book 'The Three Lazy Pigs' in the Australian Society of Authors Mentorship program. I'm extra happy as there is only 1 picture book winner and I am the only highly commended so it like coming second!

 I will receive 2 hours of time with a well known published author/illustrator. Great prize!
https://www.asauthors.org/2012-13-mentorship-winners?utm_source=Member+Newsletter+6%2F3%2F13&utm_campaign=36761d51fd-Mem_Newsletter_Mar&utm_medium=email

Sharpie Art

Today I decorated this clock using a Sharpie pen. My inspiration came from my husband's love of motorbikes.

Mother Pig - from cut painted papers

Big Bad Building Inspector

This is a sample of my current illustrating style. The picture is made from cut pieces of painted papers.

How I start

Here are some of the monoprints still drying. These will be cut into little pieces and assembled to make my finished illustrations.
My inspiration was the butterfly paintings my children used to do at playgroup. The lines and textures were so interesting I wanted to used them in collaging papers.

More prep sketches

Early sketches

I have been busy sketching my three lazy pigs and the big bad building inspector.  I am busting to see the finished project but I'm putting in the time to get my early drawings right.  Please keep in mind these are works in progress but it gives you an idea of what I'm up to at the moment.  I decided to change the look of my pigs from my earlier pictures to reflect my own style more.

The Style File

Visit my profile on The Style File.  It is such an honour to be accepted by the selection panel of judges to be able to be a member of this site.
http://www.thestylefile.com/show.php?illustrator_id=275

The Three Lazy Pigs

Highly Commended

CYA Conference 2012

Wake up!

The Big Catch