“Imagine all the things you could do if you
could do all the things you imagine”

I have loved drawing ever since I could hold a pencil. In fact, when I was a toddler I drew on freshly painted walls – I just couldn’t resist a blank canvas!

I’ve always loved making and creating things. As a child I made dolls’ houses out of shoeboxes, complete with tiny furniture and accessories and clothes for dolls. I also made clothes for myself, and drew and wrote my own picture books and magazines.

My wonderfully supportive parents have taught me that you can make and do anything you set your mind to, and that it’s better to take a leap of faith in yourself than playing safe –and not achieving anything. They taught this by example which, in my opinion, is the best way to teach.

After graduating from college with a degree in graphic design, I pursued a career in advertising, working as an art director on major fashion accounts. It was a fantastic, fast-paced career involving long hours and much travel (mainly to exotic locations on photographic shoots). However, when I started a family, I wanted to settle down. So I embraced the other career I’d always had in my sights – publishing. I already had a stockpile of ideas, so I worked hard at creating the types of books I wanted to share with my own children. I had read to my girls from the word go.

I am very passionate about reading with children, sharing an experience, spending time together, and fostering a lifelong love of learning.

I live by the bay in Melbourne, Australia, with my two delightful daughters, and our crazy miniature chocolate Labradoodle Coco. As a relatively new addition to the family, Coco’s first appearance in the series was in The Enchanted Dolls’ House Theatre. Can you find her?

My daughters often work on their own projects alongside me. They get to see and comment on all aspects of each book’s production – and they also have access to a great art studio!

“I always have a notebook and pen with me, and when I haven’t, I have found serviettes to be very useful!”

I work from home and my studio is filled with artwork, roughs, mock-ups and lots and lots of books. I use a computer for research, roughs and writing, but I also spend hours reading books and going to libraries. I always have a notebook and pen with me, and when I haven’t, I have found serviettes to be very useful! Inspiration sometimes just hits me and I feel as though I will burst if I don’t jot things down.

My artwork is intentionally produced in the traditional way with a fine black pen and watercolours. I love the adaptability and subtle colour spectrum that watercolours provide. I prefer the ‘organic’ nature of working with pens, paint and paper as opposed to computer-generated illustration.

My daughters often work on their own projects alongside me. They get to see and comment on all aspects of each book’s production – and they also have access to a great supply of paints and pencils!

I feel very fortunate to have a job where I can ‘wear many hats’. I enjoy all aspects of my work - but I also love the sense of relief when a large project is completed.

I always work on more than one book or idea at a time. So far, I have never run out of ideas, but my problem is the lack of time to produce all the work I dream up.