I-F: Ahead

At the moment I am looking ahead to the SCWBI conference in LA in July (anyone else going?) and revamping my folio. I hardly ever redo pieces, but I thought I would redo some which have gotten good feedback, but which need a style update.

This is one I orginally did for I-F: Skyline, almost 4 years ago. yeesh!

Drawing out Drawing In

Last night I went to hear one of my favourite illustrators, Shaun Tan, speak at Melbourne's State Library new Wheeler Centre. I always pick up some tasty tip or get inspired by a piece of his work I haven't seen before.

He was speaking as part of Drawing Out, Drawing In : Spotlight on Graphic Novels. I must admit I haven't been in to graphic novels much but the talk was eye-opening for me in many ways. I picked up Persepolis which I am eager to read (and see the movie/animation, once I have read it)

Shaun Tan talked a lot of the themes he enjoys exploring in his work: Language or lack thereof, miscommunication, displacement, and giving a voice to the voiceless (like his dogs in Tales from Outer Suburbia)

It made me think a lot about what themes there might be in my work, what I would like to explore in my painting on a deeper level, beyond technique and improving skill. One theme I see in my work is exploring the notion of 'home'. Tree imagery appears a lot in my work and I think of them as a home to many things, and I think of grounding, roots and family trees... there are many metaphors. Anyway that's something I'd like to delve deeper into in the coming weeks and months as I develop my folio for the LA conference....

a good day, a good life.

This morning.... I registered for the SCBWI summer conference in LA in July. (eee!)

Today... it was 28C.

This afternoon... I painted.

This evening... I had yummy food.

I'm very lucky.

My life is so good.

Books and book launches

Last night I went to the launch of Karen's new book Miscellaneous Voices, an anthology of blogging in Australia. Some of the contributors were there and read engaging passages of the book. It was good to see Karen again - it had been a while since we worked on Surprise! together - her kids have grown, her hair has been cut, but she is still forging through the complicated world of publishing with great avidity. Way to go Karen!

And while I was at Readings for the launch, I of course couldn't help pick up something for myself. This would have to be the most cleverest book I have ever seen:

The Black Book of Colours is an all black book - the grey parts you see in the picture above are actually black embossed glossy illustrations, on black paper. The only thing that is not black is the text in white, but it is accompanied by braille, in black. I know there must be tons of books for seeing impaired children (is that the correct pc term?), but I must admit this is the first one I have ever seen personally. It is quite exquisite. This one will not be for little greasy fingers in this house, and that means adults too!!

I-F: Dip

Boris the Bilby felt every dip and rise in his hot air balloon....

Hope everyone had a lovely easter! Here in Australia, we have easter bilbies, along with easter wabbits. I love the Australian spin personally.

I had a blissful long weekend - cooking yummy food for friends, planting trees and pottering in the garden, my first Illustration Friday since September! It's lovely to have 'normal life' time again after finishing a big illustration project.

so much to share about the book process and other things too... more coming soon!