Going to miss our cow. She’s off today for greener pastures to graze in Margaret River for Cow Parade. Our cow along with the udder cows will be put “out to pasture” at wineries, galleries, restaurants, caves, lighthouses, local boutiques and businesses.

It’s been an unforgettable experience working with so many talented illustrators. The highlight was 6 of us in my small studio in 42 degrees Celsius or 107.6 Fahrenheit smiling and laughing and sharing stories. All for the love of art and children’s books.

From the first stroke of paint by Matt Ottley to the final varnish by Wendy Binks and all who came in between: Sam Hughes, James Foley, Karen Blair, Shannon Melville and Briony Stewart, all made imaginative contributions. Unfortunately, the finished work is under wraps until the launch.
Will keep you posted.
The grand auction will be held on Saturday 10th of July 2010. Charities and beneficiaries to be announced.

We got our cow. She is happily grazing in my backyard.

CowParade The world’s most famous public art event, is coming to Margaret River in 2010. When painted, she will graze in a park by a river in Augusta, West Australia.

Our cow team is made up of Society of Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrators who will be painting the cow in my studio over the month of January.

Wendy Binks also wrangled a cow. Together we picked up our cows. Anita Heiss was our official photographer, so for all your photography needs, do not use Anita.

Living and breathing, yet not coming up for air. Locked in, from the inside of my studio to finish Ned Kelly and the Green Sash.
Painting a character like Ned Kelly, is a bit like cloning him.
I always knew I’d be anxious in bringing him back to life. Would I be sympathetic to his legendary fate. Would I mourn his short life.
While I create the art, I constantly think of Ned’s last words written in his cell the day before he was hung. “After the worst has been said against a man, he may, if he is heard, tell a story in his own rough way”. This is permission from Ned himself for authors and artists, but mostly for me, to paint his story in my own rough way.

Every oil painting I’ve ever created left their mark on this palette. It’s never been cleaned. It was a present from Kate Summers back in 85′. It holds all my stories.

Dreaming: 4 judges sitting in an old Victorian Hall. 2 men in white lab coats walking across the stage with the painting. All I want at this point is a Maybe.
Awake: In my studio at 1am to have a look at the canvas.  I only have 3 weeks.