Hi, Friends, did you enjoy your weekend? I had a wonderful time with many authors and illustrators in Sydney Writers' Festival
(23 May to 26 May). It had a broad range of topics and many events from
children's fun to politics in literature. Leading people got togther in
our publishing industry. I was particularly looking forward to seeing Sally Rippin,
Libby Gleeson and Judith Ridge.
Sally Rippin (author/illustrator, above) is from Melbourne. Oh, Sally is so popular. Her workshop, "What It Takes to Write Great Kids Books" was sold out! She is an idol for children and adults! This charming and humorous lady is very sensitive and so caring! (*I soon realised she kindly offered me help at a stairway). We often had big laughs and chuckled together.
I sketched Sally during a fun workshop, "Making Characters Who Do What You Want Them to Do!" That workshop inspired me so much! Hey, Friends, it was very interesting to see how other illustrators develop characters. And people around me were saying, "Ooohh, wow..." looking at my quick sketch.
Sally Rippin (author/illustrator, above) is from Melbourne. Oh, Sally is so popular. Her workshop, "What It Takes to Write Great Kids Books" was sold out! She is an idol for children and adults! This charming and humorous lady is very sensitive and so caring! (*I soon realised she kindly offered me help at a stairway). We often had big laughs and chuckled together.
I sketched Sally during a fun workshop, "Making Characters Who Do What You Want Them to Do!" That workshop inspired me so much! Hey, Friends, it was very interesting to see how other illustrators develop characters. And people around me were saying, "Ooohh, wow..." looking at my quick sketch.
Then, I attended Libby Gleeson (author)'s 2 panell discussions. One was "Creative Writing as Freedom, Education as Exploration." Panellers tried to empower disadvantaged people by creative writing. I admire Libby Gleeson. Libby is one of Australia's best known and most highly regarded writers for young people. I check her any articles on children picture books and literature. She's a deep thinker with great enthusiasm for children's literature and so caring for emerging talents. Libby always encourages me and supports me so much! In the discussions, interesting arguments covered from politics, feminism to young people's creativity in respct of literature and writing. Ah, I'm a life long learner!
Judith Ridge is one of the key persons for publishing industry and fine art activities, especially, for Western Sydney. The project, "WestWords," is brilliant and exciting. Caring Libby introduced me to Judith. Kind Judith welcomed me. I'd like to talk about an Immigrant Women Speakout Association publishing project that I was involved last year. Judith gave me her precious time. We had a friendly talk. My "souvenir" to IWSA!
The Writers Festival was terrific! So many book lovers and writers-wannabes were, too, at pires in Walsh Bay, just under Sydney Harbour Bridge. Oh, yes, all these key persons above also belong to Australian Society of Authors and me, too. So, the Festival is the place for catching up as well as knowing each other.
Friends, networking is critially important, particularly, for illustration job. If you come across any conferences and big workshops related to your work, I highly recommend you to join them. I always learn lots and make friends with wonderful people and catch up with nice old friends. Surrounded by excellent people in our industry, I'm very happy and keep up my ongoing picture book projects. Nice, those leading people all care for me cheer me up.
Hahahaha, Sally and I will get together in her bookshop tour in Sydney this week. It would be a great fun!!
Friends, Happy Painting, Happy Cuppa with same minded people!!!