Category: Making

I’ve always been a fan of live music. I spent much of my early twenties going to pub bands and watching people ‘rock out’ on stage. But I very rarely think, “Hey, I should go see some classical music.” And that’s not because I don’t like it. I listen to quite a lot of in… Continue reading Hope for humanity: The music of Joe Hisaishi

I’ve been working hard to understand language since I started writing for children. And while I ‘studied English’ in school, the focus was teaching you to communicate, not on how language can make you feel. Lines for Birds, Barry Hill and John Wolseley I was browsing a bookshop in Alice Springs on a recent trip… Continue reading Lines for Birds: poems and paintings

I spend a lot of time studying fine art watercolour artists who are doing some of the most incredible work you’re ever likely to see. When I was just starting out, my wife bought me a ‘Masterclass’ with this lady I have never heard of. I had no idea who she was or what she… Continue reading Fine Art Inspiration: Amanda Hyatt

Take a peek in to my sketch book where I play with ink and watercolour to try and capture one of the most beautiful places on earth.

I’m delighted to announce that I’ve been selected as one of May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust’s Creative Time Residential Fellows in 2017. I’m a gum nut baby! YAY!

Whether your an author or illustrator who couldn’t make it or you’re keen to know what happens under the hood at a publishing event. Here’s my key takeaways from this great day.

If you’ve ever been interested in how a picture book comes together, here’s a little insight in to the process I went through for my first picture book.