The first event for SCBWI (NSW) was a sketch and scribble expedition through Taronga Park Zoo. The goal – to unlock the creative juices of authors and illustrators.
We gathered at the entrance of Taronga Zoo. Authors and illustrators from Sydney were joined by an enthusiastic Newcastle contingent. Liz Anelli illustrator arrived straight from the airport after a 5 hour flight from Perth where she launched with author Mike LeFroy ‘Howzat!’ (Walker Books). Howzat! For dedication? Illustrator Natalie Daniel came from farther afield in the Hunter Valley. Sarah Davis Illustrator Coordinator drove from the Central Coast. Susan Whelan assistant SCBWI coordinator for Central Coast/Newcastle, Katrina McKelvey President of the CBCA Newcastle as well as SCBWI writer, illustrator Kirrili Lonergan, illustrator Gwynneth Jones and lots of others made the trek to Sydney for this event.
Marjorie Crosby-Fairall (ARA) had her checklist. Deborah Abela (ARA NSW) had her bag of goodies with stimulus titles – animals, places, journeys – and we were inspired to sketch and scribble. We headed off for the first stop, the giraffes with their graceful movements and long necks. There were the bears, tigers, monkeys and the antics of the baby Asian elephants. Highlights had to be the two performances – the bird show and the seal show.
Lunch included a wonderful show and tell with illustrators sharing information on their tools of the trade – from charcoal pencils to paints. Anita Howard shared her special technique of creating sun-pages as the background to her illustrations.
It was a day of comraderie, networking, illustration and story.
Thankyou to Liz Anelli for organising the discounted zoo tickets.
Susanne Gervay (RA), Deb Abela (ARA NSW) Marjorie Crosby-Fairall (ARA)
SCBWI Australia East & New Zealand