I love to make things of beauty, heart and soul.
Books and art, basically.
I relish the craft of writing and the hunt for the perfect word. I adore the shape and sound of sentences, and the musicality of it all. I like reading aloud. I admire book binding, typeface, paper stock and handsome design. And I love a hand-drawn line across a clean page or a brush of paint on canvas.
Picture books
I write, illustrate and design picture books for children. My first three published books, Bea (2013), Sylvia (2014) and Bertha and Bear (2017), have each been shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards, and Sylvia was the winner of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2015 Children Food Books.
Cookbooks
With Brenda Fawdon, I co-authored (and designed, typeset, edited and photographed) two cookbooks for the Scenic Rim Regional Council: 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.
Art
I paint – large abstracts, small works, abstract landscapes. I am currently working on a series, ready to exhibit later in 2020.
Publishing and photography services
As well as creating my own books, I design and edit books and publications for clients, and offer related services. You can read about how I can help you bring your book or idea to life here.
Qualifications
- Master of Arts (Research) in Writing for Youth & Children, QUT, 2010
- Graduate Diploma in Creative Industries, Creative Writing, QUT, 2007
- Associate Diploma of Expressive and Performing Arts, UNSW, 1991
Background
I have worked in the literary, visual and performing arts all my life. Before launching my freelance business in 2006, I worked at Metro Arts in Brisbane for almost a decade, first as the Publications and Publicity Manager and later as the Designer. I currently work part-time in Arts and Culture at Gold Coast City Council.
Throughout my life, I have worn (and still wear) a few other hats: singer, narrator, voice-over artist, actor and (many moons ago) dancer. Besides all things books and art, some things that stir my blood are whole food, the bush, dreaming, film, my dog, firelight and music, sweet music.
Dream blog
As well as the blog on this website, I keep a somewhat secret blog, which I update from time to time, chronicling my dreams.
(All photos of me have been taken by Natalie McComas.)