Tuesday 30 October 2012

In the Beech Forest Launch


We were very fortunate to be able to launch In the Beech Forest at the National Literature Conference on Friday the 26th, held in the Fremantle Prison. Thankyou to The Literature Centre, the volunteer staff and to Lesley, who organised the event, and also the Isobelle Carmody, who launched the book for myself and Gary . It was great to have Gary there as he is an incredible speaker. But thanks must be extended to the attendees who gave us their support through buying the books, as well as to the other presenters Shaun Tan, Lucy Christopher, Tony Eaton, Roy James, Julia Lawrinson, Jackie French and Matt Ottley who attended too.

It was a wonderful event with three launches altogether and two solid days of lecturing.  Thankyou as well, Paul, my publisher, for this working opportunity.




Wednesday 24 October 2012

Shaun Tan, Matt Ottley, Kim Michelle Toft and more in the one room!

In conjunction with BHP Billiton, the Literature Centre  has organised two FREE events to promote literature for children.

THE ILLUSTRATOR'S JOURNEY ART EXHIBITION
~Sunday 28 October, 2012, 11am to 4pm
An exhibition of work featuring Shaun Tan, Matt Ottley, Kim Michelle Toft and more. Selected prints  and original works will be available, along with the books featured.

At the last SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) meeting we got a sneak peek at the exhibition and it looks amazing. If you are interested in art or illustration I would highly recommend that you attend, especially if you would like to see a bit more of Shaun's behind the scenes work on certain picture books.

THE LITERATURE CENTRE'S FAMILY OPEN DAY
~ Sunday 2 December 2012, 11am to 4pm
Features special guests James Foley and the Redfoot Youth Theatre

Shaun's art and book information is here :http://shauntan.net/
Matt's work can be found at: http://www.mattottley.com/
Kim's portfolio as available to view here: http://www.kimtoft.com.au/

For more information on the events or more up and coming, check out The Literature Centre website: www.thelitcentre.org.au.

Fallout: Lanius update- $5000 raised!

Our lovely director Wade has posted a new video update on Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EETdVRMXBYg&feature=g-all-u
so please go and check it out.

The fundraiser at page over at IndieGoGo has just hit $5000, so thankyou to everyone who has been inv olved with that incredible effort. To pledge donations please head to: http://www.indiegogo.com/FalloutLaniusFanFilm

A callout was also released on the Fallout: Lanius Facebook page for anyone who is would like to be an extra in the movie. If interested please go to: http://www.facebook.com/groups/187616564682659/?fref=ts#!/FalloutLanius?fref=ts 
 for more information or to leave a like or comment.

Sunday 21 October 2012

Celebrate Reading National Conference 2012

On Friday the 26th of October and Saturday the 27th of October the Children's Literature Centre in fremantle will be hosting the 2012 Celebrate Reading National Conference. Including lectures from incredible talent including:

- Shaun Tan
- Gary Crew
- Jackie French
- Isobelle Carmody
- Anthony Eaton
- James Roy
- Julia Lawrinson
- Matt Ottley
- Lucy Christopher

There are several book launches and signings happening as well including that of In the Beech Forest (by Gary Crew and myself) which will be launched by Isobelle.

More information will posted as it comes to light including the line up for next year's conference.

Wednesday 10 October 2012

Old Work: Ara

This little dragon was drawn around 2008-ish from memory, when I was 15. I had won my first Young Australian Artist of the Year Award (YAAWA) from the Children's Charity Network and Australian Scholarships Group and was at the awards night in Melbourne when I met Marc McBride. Growing up "Deltora Quest" (by Emily Rodda) was the series to read before Harry Potter was released, the former now adapted to an anime series for television. I was and still remain, a big fan of the series and Marc's artwork.

As such, I own all of Marc's drawings books and all of his Deltora Quest related books. Marc noted that he liked my winning YAAWA painting of that year, Society's Puppet, so consequently I promised to send him a poster (which I did). After our conversion Marc also said he'd send me some works that he had lying around, so I gave him my address thinking nothing of it. A while later, a package arrived with three works in it: two cover paintings and the Emerald Dragon drawing from Marc's book, "How to Draw Deltora Dragons". Safe to say this was very unexpected and within a few days I had drawn Ara, the little dragon shown here, the send back to him in thanks.

I have met Marc again and again at YAAWA in the years since and he always seems to be handing out the excess copies of his books to the prize winners. Last year I picked up a copy of "World of Monsters". Finding Ara makes me want to draw more dragons though, maybe some ones from Deltora.


Monday 1 October 2012

What is Fallout: Lanius?


Image source: www.kotaku.com.au


"FALLOUT: LANIUS" will be a not-for-profit fan made film based on the story of Legate Lanius from the video game Fallout: New Vegas. Shot locally, it will largely be created by Australian artists across a range of industries and will even feature one of the voice actors from the game, Mitch Lewis.

Fallout: New Vegas was a game I played to no end when it was first released back in 2010, including most of the DLC packs such as Dead Money. Through various contacts I was placed to help out with the film which is very exciting. To help the project the only way I can I will be posting here regular updates about the production which can also be found at the movie's site: http://falloutlanius.wordpress.com/2012/04/

At the moment the project is in the funding phase through Indiegogo at http://www.indiegogo.com/FalloutLaniusFanFilm
using various tiers costing between $5 to $1000 with Perks including: free movie downloads and DVDs, autographed posters, Caesar's medallion and even the prop of the Sword of the East (which has sold out).

 If you are at all interested in the film please check out the link above and send the crew your support. Also, please check out the movie's website for production updates and competitions!