Category: artwork

Merry Christmas, from James and Norm … (and Odin)

Merry Xmas, from Odin

 

I often joke with school kids that Odin looks like a pirate Santa. (You may already know that similarities between depictions of Odin and Santa are not coincidental). Anyway, that running joke led to the drawing above. There could be a story in it; who knows?

On behalf of Fremantle Press, Norman and myself, I want to say thank you for your amazing support since the release of The Last Viking. Can you believe that was 2 and a half years ago?? And it’s now only 10 months until The Last Viking Returns!?

Right now I’m working on final illustrations, but I’ll have more time for behind-the-scenes posts in 2014. Stay tuned. And Merry Christmas!

 

James

 

The Amity Kids Adventures: A gorilla and a gumnut

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It’s been a long time between posts! Thanks for waiting. I’ve been working on three chapter books, e-books actually, called the Amity Kids Adventures. Book 1 is called Magpie Mischief, Book 2 is called Disturbing the Peace, and Book 3 is called Kidnapped! They’re written by Jon Doust and Ken Spillman and illustrated by me.

Continue reading “The Amity Kids Adventures: A gorilla and a gumnut”

Sneak Peek

Hello readers! We’ve been away for a bit. But Norm and I have been working on something new. Hopefully I’ll have a cover image to reveal in the next month.

In the meantime, here’s a section from one of my colour roughs. It should give you a little idea of what’s to come.

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Onward to glory,

James

‘In The Lion’ noted in 2013 CBCA Awards

CBCA Notable Book medalMy picture book ‘In The Lion‘ was named a Notable Book in the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Picture Book of the Year category. Thanks to all the judges, and congrats to all my colleagues who had books noted and shortlisted.

Better homes and gardens for those with Alzheimer’s

Earlier this year I worked with Alzheimer’s Australia on an interactive website.

The website shows how to adapt living environments for people with Alzheimer’s.

I did the illustrations for each living environment. The illustrations stretched my perspective skills (and vice versa- I stretched the perspective in quite a few of these!). Here’s some examples.

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You can check out the Enabling Environments website here.

There was a Babushka who swallowed a fly

An illustrator friend, Karen Blair, recently had her first bub. So our local illustrator crew made a set of Russian nesting dolls for her, based on The old lady who swallowed a fly.

It was my job to paint the goat.

Here’s the sketch-

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Continue reading “There was a Babushka who swallowed a fly”

Look mate, a bookplate

Here’s a great project I was involved in earlier this year.

The Better Beginnings literacy program asked a bunch of local illustrators to design a bookplate (one of those ‘This Book Belongs To’ labels that goes on the inside cover of a book).

The best part is, they’re all completely free to download and print!

You can download designs by me, Shaun Tan, Moira Court, Rebecca Cool, Karen Blair, Frane Lessac, Tracey Gibbs, Chris Nixon and Ambelin Kwaymullina.

Here’s my design (click to go through to the Better Beginnings bookplate page).

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One Word, One Day

Back in April I participated in “One Word One Day”- a fundraiser for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, supported by the Australian Society of Authors and Micador.

We had lots of luscious Micador art supplies, 3 or 4 hours, and a one-word theme (‘nightly’). We made pictures, and they’ll be auctioned some time in July, with all proceeds helping the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

Most importantly: please check out the Indigenous Literacy Foundation website and register your interest in the online auction.

It’s a great cause, so get behind it 🙂

Here’s the main piece I made:

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You can see rest of the pieces I put together (including my prep sketches) on the Micador website.

Last Viking flying high

My first picture book The Last Viking (written by the great Norman Jorgensen) has won the 2012 Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ (SCBWI) Crystal Kite Award.
SCBWI Crystal Kite This is a members’ choice award. Writers and illustrators from each region voting on their favourite title for the past year.

Congratulations to all the other Crystal Kite winners around the world! And many many thanks to all the Australian and New Zealander SCWBIans for choosing our book; it’s very humbling to have your support.

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