2024 Highlights and 2025 Hopes
Looking backwards and forwards (and trying not to get whiplash)
Hey,
I can’t believe another year has flown by—a year filled with illustrating, writing, submitting manuscripts, attending author-illustrator events, Illoguild meetings and ‘Illoguild Talks’, writing newsletters, taking courses, completing commissions, signing contracts, experiencing some disappointments, and enjoying bookstore readings.
This time of year always calls for reflection, and I’ve been looking back on my journey. To celebrate, I’m sharing some highlights through my #Artvsartist post. One standout project for me is Sebastian’s Changing Spots (bottom right), which I’ve written and illustrated sample pages for. Though it’s not yet complete or widely submitted, it’s a story close to my heart and I can’t wait to finish it and submit it.
From left to right Boldilocks, Love Birds, Seal Shenanigans, Farewell Snowy, Me, New Tricks, Rocky the CapyBara, The New Pup, Sebastian’s Changing Spots.
Looking ahead to 2025, I’m excited for what’s to come: more illustrating, more writing, more Illoguild time, and, most thrillingly, three books I’ve illustrated are set to be published:
‘Harries – The Lifeguard from Bondi’ by Anthony “Harries” and Emily Carroll
Published by EK Books
‘Boldilocks’ by Deborah Frenkel
Published by EK Books
I AM ME by Mitch Tambo
Published by Allen & Unwin
And writing this newsletter over the past 2.5 years, has taught me so much—helping me reflect, refine my processes, grow as an illustrator, and connect with an incredible community. I will be switching up the format a bit next year, and will also continue to answer the monthly illoguild question. I love contributing to the Illoguild newsletter every month - we are up to our 50th post!
For those who don’t know, the Illoguild was born during lockdown as a collective of children’s book illustrators from around the globe. Together, we’ve built a supportive space where we critique, share industry knowledge, and help each other grow. I’m so proud of what our group has achieved and I know I wouldn’t have achieved half as much without their support.
Through our monthly newsletter, we will share our treasure with you—insights, reviews, and tips for the month ahead. And we also do a monthly live chat that you can join (for free) on the topic of our newsletter. If you’re not already subscribed, join me on this creative journey there! Subscribe here
And follow me on instagram and stay connected that way.
Thanks for reading! And thanks for reading my news letter over the past 2.5 years.
You can see more of my work on my website and also stay connected on instagram.
Also please check out the December Illoguild Newsletter! It comes out next week - you can see other illoguild members share their #artvsartist. If you do one of your own please share it by tagging
so I get to see it and we will post it to our stories.Xoxo
My Books
‘Boldilocks’ (out 2025). “Boldilocks is a boy with hair so spectacular and shimmering that everyone looks at him, embarrassing him wherever he goes. But when Pa takes him to the hairdresser to do something about it, something unexpected happens. With a little salon magic and a whole lot of love, much more than hair is transformed. Boldilocks celebrates the power of community and being confident in your skin (and hair), and will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt a little bit embarrassed about how they look.”
‘Our Australian Heart’ is an anthology celebrating Australia, featuring my illustration “New Life at The Great Barrier Reef”. Sale proceeds are to be donated to The Indigenous Literary Foundation.
Mia’s grandma is no ordinary grandmother. She is a very busy grandmother who is curious, fashionable and adventurous. Glamma always has time to share her love of the world with her granddaughter Mia, so is she just like any other grandmother?
Little Shark Lulu is Sleeping Little Shark Lulu is trying very hard to go to sleeeep…
But, all around her, lots of sea life are wide awake and busily hunting, eating or playing. How can Lulu nod off with all that underwater fun and games?