There are two types of illustrators: Chameleons and Peacocks. A chameleon is not instantly recognisable by their work alone. They are regularly playing with mediums, styles, and materials. Trying on new looks. They adapt, whole-heartedly, to the text or environment that they’re given. Their range varies widely. Ann James and Bruce Whatley are good examples… Continue reading Is it better to be a chameleon or a peacock?
Category: Marketing
Making magic behind closed doors
If the practice makes it into the performance, how will anyone be blown away by the magic?
It’s not you, it’s me
It’s easy to blame ‘them’ for not understanding. For not getting it. For not seeing the genius in your work. But what if they’re right?
Roald Dahl doesn’t have an Instagram account
Roald Dahl doesn’t have an Instagram account. He passed away in 1990. But there are over 300,000 posts tagged #roalddahl and the ‘official HQ account’ on Instagram has over 57,000 followers. Managing social media, along with all the other stuff I have to do in life, is hard. It’s a time-suck. The algorithms that drive… Continue reading Roald Dahl doesn’t have an Instagram account
Do I want to make a living from my art?
Everyone wonders whether I will ever make art ‘full-time’ but no one asks whether that’s even possible, and what I’m willing to change to make it happen.
What’s the ecological cost of spreading my idea?
A book costs us humans a lot – in time, energy and materials. Materials that may never degrade. So, is it time to ask, “Is this idea really worth it?”
Prove them wrong
Being the underdog might just be the thing you need to make the work you want to make.
Scales of success
What success looks like to one person is different to another person. So which scale should we all subscribe too? Or should we simply stop caring?
Learning to see at Vision Australia’s Feelix Library storytime
Wow, do I take my vision for granted? I’m writing this having just finished being part of a storytime by the incredible Feelix Library at Vision Australia. I was asked to read my book, Eric the Postie, to children with vision-impairment and then spend some time engaging in some fun, letter-related activities designed by the… Continue reading Learning to see at Vision Australia’s Feelix Library storytime
Event: Workshop at Brimbank Writers’ and Readers’ Festival 2018
I’m looking forward to running a workshop with forty lucky kids as part of the Brimbank Writers’ and Readers’ Festival 2018 in Victoria. It’ll be happening on Saturday, 10 Nov 2018 starting at 2pm. Here’s the gist: Do you want your own personal letter from Matt’s CBCA Notable award-winning character, Eric the Postie? Matt will… Continue reading Event: Workshop at Brimbank Writers’ and Readers’ Festival 2018