My name is Christine Sharp. I am an author, illustrator, book designer, editor, photographer and artist.
I love all things creative.
I am either dreaming up a creative project – be it a book, an artwork or something else – or getting behind other people’s ideas – helping people bring their vision to life.
I have worked in the creative industries for almost 30 years, across the literary, visual and performing arts. As well as birthing books (the thing I do most often, these days), I have worn (and still wear) various creative hats. Things like narrator, actor, singer, publicist, graphic designer, proofreader, presenter, photographer, voiceover artist, arts marketer and even (many moons ago) dancer.
While I have, over the last ten years, delved deeply into the world of words and become a maker of books (no, not a bookmaker – that is an entirely different profession!), I love to draw on my creative superpowers to make ‘good things’. I especially love to create things of beauty, of heart and soul, and of benefit to the planet.
At the time of writing, I have written, illustrated and designed three picture books for children, all published by UQP: Bea (2013), Sylvia (2014) and Bertha and Bear (2017). All three picture books have been shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards. I have also co-authored, designed, edited and photographed two cookbooks for the Scenic Rim Regional Council called Eat Local: Food, Farming and Conversation in the Scenic Rim Volume 1 (2016) and Volume 2 (2018). You can read more about my books here.
Currently, I am writing and illustrating a book for middle graders, and a novel for young adults. I also create books for clients. Over the past ten years, I have designed, edited or illustrated numerous books for various authors, organisations and publishers. You can read about how I can help you bring your book or idea to life here.
Besides all things ‘book’, some things that stir my blood are the ever-changing sky, the Australian bush and landscape, whole food, dreaming, kitchen gardening, the sea, my fireplace, visualisation, abstract painting, movement and music, sweet music.
I hold a Master of Arts (Research) in Writing for Youth & Children, QUT, 2010; a Graduate Diploma in Creative Industries, Creative Writing, QUT, 2007; and an Associate Diploma of Expressive and Performing Arts, UNSW, 1991.
In a previous incarnation, I worked for almost a decade at Metro Arts in Brisbane, both as the Publications and Publicity Manager, and later as the Designer.
I also keep a blog, which I update from time to time, chronicling my dreams: Postcards.
(All photos of me have been taken by Natalie McComas.)