Summer Sunset Sketching

1926297_714942748550181_1778291404_oCroydon Library and the Maroondah City Council, had me sketching at sunset to a modest crowd of 47. It was to promote getting back to the library after holidays or summer vacations, and appreciating our local parks and community services. It was also a time to promote “Draw me a Story” exhibition that the local council have put on for the kids to highlight some talented illustrators and authors and their children’s books.

Maroondah Sketching Feb21_A5As a children’s book author I talked about drawing books, local wildlife and did a huge skills-building workshops to a very happy bunch of parents and excited kids.

The day was pretty rainy all day and the weather looked like cancelling the event. But late afternoon the sun came out, the storm could be seen racing up the sides of Mt. Dandenong and we had a fantastic evening of sketching.

It was nice to see some familiar faces and the drawing quality was excellent. Both kids and parents got some great starts to visual journals and some awesome drawing in as we eat a picnic dinner and celebrated a gorgeous evening under the trees outside the Library and council offices, and every now and again we had the screeching hullabaloo long billed corellas.

20140221_193919<<  My Boys trying to play DJ while we were packing up.

Finally, DJ Ben Courtney played some excellent drawing music from Australian Classics to some upbeat modern trance that keep every artist focused and keen for more drawing lessons. It all was nice to see the two hours slip by and met some lovely locals.

Final Thanks to Janet, from Eastern Region Libraries for all the tireless promotion and her commitment to community events.

If anyone would like to see more drawing and storytelling. Head to “Draw me a Story” The Maroondah Art Gallery. There you will see more amazing drawings and more of your favourite books come to life. >>  Enjoy for Now!  >>

draw me a story

Teaching kids to draw is great fun.

18lrSt. Kilda Village “Stripfest” was a great event from my perspective. 25 families joined me across the day and like these two in the picture above did some amazing drawings.

I enjoyed talking about animals, teaching kids to draw through simple shapes and lines and exploring interesting and different facts about the animals we drew. The kids have lots of questions and I seemed to answer them all, offering either a story or a simple fact. Most importantly, both adults and kids had a real “red hot go” at my Wildfire Workshop. It shows in their executions and, I believe, most could say they were happy with their results or even “surprised themselves”. That’s the beauty of teaching or tutoring skill-based classes – you have this opportunity to leave a lasting and positive impression on all who attend.

“Stripfest” was truly, real great fun! You can normally tell by the amount of questions the whole room has. The amount of noise and interaction that the day is a success and overflowing with fun. Thanks for the invite Vikki and Lucy and the St.Kilda Ecocentre, you left a warm memory and I hope to visit again soon. So sharper your pencils and keep drawing kids – I’ll be back.

Enjoy!

Wildfire Workshop at Stripfest 2013.

Stripfest 1St.Kilda Village will be presenting Stripfest – it’s not what you think! Festival.

Storytelling and Drawing sessions for kids

Date August 25th.
Time Sessions will run from 11 – 12:30 and 2 – 3:30
The Venue Port Phillip Eco Centre,
Location 55A Blessington St, St Kilda

www.ecocentre.com

To give anyone wishing to bring the kids and join me on these sessions, a heads up …
I will be doing a storytelling and drawing workshop for kids and as a wildlife illustrator there will be an eco-bent on it. The theme this year I heard was cake so I could have something up my sleeve for this workshop.

I amd really looking forward to it, the WE LOVE LIFE FESTIVAL was great fun in the gardens earlier this year. So I hope to see you all there Sunday.

Enjoy!