Wow and here we are, about to say goodbye to 2022 and welcome in 2023! Trees are decorated (well they should be by now), the air is abuzz with carols and the excitement of Christmas and the fridge is beginning to overflow.

I'll make this newsletter brief, I promise, well I'll try, as no one really has time to read a long winded version at this time of the year. But I just wanted to drop in to say I hope everyone can look back on the year and find some amazing highlights. 

There are always pitfalls and this year has been no different - for instance, two of my story submissions which I've put a lot (and I mean a lot) of work into, have been rejected three times each by publishers. But each rejection is a learning opportunity, I've reworked them and I have some exciting publisher meetings lined up for early next year (different publishers again). That's one thing this industry does give you and that's a thick skin! But really, it's all in how you perceive things. You can't take it personally - sometimes that story is just not the right fit for that publisher at that particular time. Right time, right place and a little bit of luck is all they need... and belief.

This is probably a good time to share a little exert from one of the books I am reading right now, titled 'Enough' by John C. Bogle, the Founder of Vanguard. He refers to a nineteenth-century German philosopher, Goethe and an amplification from Scottish Author WH Murray.

Whatever you do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.

In a nutshell - bold commitment. When you commit to something it's amazing how the Universe unfolds for you - I'm a firm believer in this. At the start of each year I lay out a vision board, outlining my goals for the year, and I'll be doing it again next year. It works. This year, creatively, has been one of my best yet... despite the rejections! One new book released ('Bev and Kev'), another complete and currently in production ('Let the Singing Begin') and both are new styles where I was able to experiment and challenge myself artistically (not to mention Haighs). I'm working so much more with mixed media at the moment with numerous other creative projects in my sights.

Above and below are two illustrations from one of my earlier books. I thought I'd share these to add the obvious Christmas flavour. 'The Bush Santa' sold out weeks after it was released in 2016 but it is readily available in Libraries. Something I'd like to do next year is paint more cockatoos like this, they were so much fun. Another of my projects lined up for next year, is to research and co-author a paper about koalas in picture books. This will stretch me from an academic perspective, but if we don't look to stretch ourselves, we don't grow... and well things get a bit boring. I can honestly say I am never bored!

A very good Author friend and mentor gave me some invaluable advice a few years ago - don't pin all your hopes on one project/story. Submit it, put it in the drawer and work on the next one. Otherwise the disappointment will be too great and it will drive you mad.

So while my other stories are looking for publisher homes, I've been working on new ideas. Where do ideas start?

I simply went back to drawing and painting for fun, painting what I like to paint, animals from all over the world and wouldn't you know it, up popped a story idea! I started asking the questions of the characters I was drawing - how and what if. I have never painted in my sketchbooks before but this has been like a breath of fresh air. My process? Draw, at night, on the couch, while watching an episode of Wednesday or Yellowstone (actually no, not those, they are too engrossing)... some other random show that doesn't require my full attention. A mini paint pallette, one amazing Davinci Colineo size 8 brush that seems to do it all and a white chalk pastel pencil.

Now I'm jumping back and forth between words and pictures. Right now, it's like having 3,000 pieces to a 5,000 piece jigsaw puzzle and trying to figure out where they go.

I've also been enjoying painting wildflowers in my sketchbook, as a friend in the UK asked if I would paint some for him and I surprised myself how therapeutic this is. So I plan to paint a larger version of this in the New Year of which I will then have limited edition prints available. These were done using Daniel Smith watercolours - my go to - and I just love the vibrancy of them. I have a feeling a series is going to come out of this :)

I'm also looking forward to many more school visits of which bookings are already in place, thanks to my amazing Booking Agent, Becky Lucas and expanding on my Ponyfoot Greeting Card range, which is now available in Horseland stores throughout Australia.

I'm going to leave it there now and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Thank you so very much for your support this year and I look forward to sharing more of my creative journey with everyone next year. Did I mention Haighs and Easter and more Bilbies?
No... it's too early :) Take care, stay safe and enjoy the Festive Season!
Don't forget to find some creative time and down time... same thing :)

(Arty was not impressed).

Happy drawing :)