My First Book!

A week ago I moved into my new place in Port Macquarie. It's a gorgeous townhouse and I feel so blessed to be here!

But perhaps what I found even more exciting was when yesterday I purchased some bookshelves. I sold my bookshelves over a year ago when I first moved from Toowoomba. Since then, my books have existed in a pathetic pile on the floor. A depressing sight! But now I have these beautiful shelves - sometimes it's the small things you appreciate the most.

While organising and shelving my beloved books this morning, I was quite surprised to find a children's book that I wrote and illustrated for a school project in year 4! What a laugh! I don't think it's going to win any literary or illustrative awards, but here it is for a bit of fun.

Mr Gardners New Boat
Written and Illustrated by Katherine Appleby (Age 10)

Mr Gardners has bought a new boat, and has decided to try it out on the river.

Mr Gardner was just about to leave when Kate and Tim came running towards him and said,
"Please Mr Gardner, can we come on your boat?"
Mr Gardner said, "OK, as long as you don't rock the boat".
So Kate and Tim climbed aboard.

Mr Gardner was floating down the river when Cat came walking quietly up to the side of the river.
"Please Mr Gardner", she said with a meow, "May I come on your boat trip?"
"OK", said Mr Gardner, "As long as you don't meow all the time".
So cat jumped on.

Mr Gardner was floating under a bridge when Dog appeared.
"Excuse me," he said with a bark, "May I come on your boat please?"
"OK," said Mr Gardner, "As long as you don't chase Cat".
So dog leaped on.

Mr Gardner was floating past a farm when Pig appeared and said, "If it's OK with you Mr Gardner, may I come along on your boat?"
"OK", said Mr Gardner, "As long as you don't be mean to dog".

Mr Gardner was floating past a paddock when Cow came walking down to the bank.
"Excuse me Mr Gardner, can I come on your boat too?"
"OK", said Mr Gardner, "As long as you don't tread on Pig's tail".
So cow came aboard.

Mr Gardner was almost home when...

Cow stamped on Pig's tail,

Pig was mean and teased Dog,

Dog chased Cat and almost knocked everyone over and

Katie and Tim rocked the boat! And then...

The boat
          tipped
                  over!!!

KERSPLOSH!

So everyone swam back to the bank and went home to Mr Gardner's house for tea.

THE END.

A Special Secret Santa

At work we were told that we'd all be taking part in a workplace Secret Santa. When it came time to choose a name from the hat, I was thrilled to get Jo, our gardener.

She and I share a love of birds and animals and nature in general. We are always sharing stories about the silly antics that some animals and some birds get up to! So I knew exactly what I would create for her as a Secret Santa gift.

This little painting (only about 25cm x 25cm) was created with acrylic, and includes a piece of old sheet music in the background. It was an absolute pleasure to paint - and I think I will have to paint some more birds in the New Year.

When it came time to finish the painting and varnish it, I suddenly realised that this would not be such a 'secret' Secret Santa after all - as I would have to sign it! Oh well... But she was certainly thrilled with it - and that's the one thing that matters most to me when it comes to art: that it makes a positive impact on those around me. I hope my art brings a smile to you today. 

Advent - Day One - And Dragon's Christmas!

As part of the 52 Week Illustration Challenge, a bonus challenge has been issued to create one illustration a day during Advent!

As I am currently working on a book illustration project, I probably won't be able to do one per day (it is day four after all!), but I did want to pictorially illustrate Dragon's Christmas.

Here's Day One - and it looks like it's just started snowing...

This illustration is created by scanning in my pencil sketch and then colouring it in Photoshop CC, a technique that I rather enjoy.

Hope you're having a great Advent so far!

Christmas Designs!

 My two new Australian Christmas Card Designs are now available through Indikat Designs.

These were created using pen and watercolour - and a shading technique called stippling (also known as pointillism). 

Stippling is quite time consuming! I usually find myself, as I am making hundreds of tiny dots with the tip of my pen, thinking, "Why?! Why did I do this?!" But the results are always so fantastic that I just can't stop. Try it!

And while we're at it, click here to head to my Facebook page where you'll find a free Facebook Christmas Cover image. :) Enjoy!