events – Page 10 – James Foley

Our second book gets a second book launch

By the time this blog post goes live, we’re likely to have reached capacity for the launch of The Last Viking Returns.

If you couldn’t RSVP in time, don’t despair.

We’ve got a second launch organised!

Keep Saturday 6 September free from 11am to 12pm for a Viking event at Beaufort Street Books, 567 Beaufort St, Mt Lawley, WA.

Meet Wolverine the dog and his new friend on the day!
There will be a special reading of The Last Viking Returns and activities.
Kids tickets cost $5 but can be redeemed off book purchases.
FREE entry for adults.

Reservations and ticket purchases: (08) 6142 7996 or hello@beaufortstreetbooks.com.au

You’re invited to the Last Viking Returns book launch!

TLV2---4-weeks-to-go

Our new book The Last Viking Returns will be in bookshops from September 1, and we’re throwing a huge launch party to celebrate.

You’ll be able to see original artwork from the book, meet the author Norman Jorgensen and illustrator James Foley, and you might even meet some real Viking warriors.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Here’s the details:

The Last Viking Returns
To be launched by Mrs Tonya McCusker

Wednesday 10th September
6pm for a 6:30pm start
The Place, State Library of WA
25 Francis St, Perth

DRESS CODE: Leather, sheepskin and horned helmets.
(You may be asked to leave your weaponry at the door).

RSVP by 5th September to (08) 9430 6331 or admin@fremantlepress.com.au

Picture A Story exhibition

The State Library of WA has a new exhibition beginning November 2nd called Picture A Story, comprising works from their Australian children’s book illustration collection.

You’ll see artwork by Shaun Tan, Ron Brooks, Graeme Base, Alison Lester, Frane Lessac, Leigh Hobbs, Matt Ottley, Sean E Avery and me!

There’ll be originals, sketches and sculptures I made for The Last Viking… including this little reference maquette for Josh.

And as you probably noticed at the top of the post, Wolverine is the official mascot of the exhibition!

More info at the State Library website.

Vikings invade Darling Harbour

The Jorgen Jorgensen pulls in Darling Harbour — The *Jorgen Jorgenson* docks at Darling Harbour

Last week, the Australian National Maritime Museum was invaded by Vikings!

The staff were happily enjoying the launch of their new exhibition Vikings – Beyond the Legend when a horde of real Norsemen arrived at the docks at Darling Harbour, Sydney.

They came in peace though. Only one Anglo-Saxon warrior died.

Studio Open Day- Sunday Nov 25, 2-5pm

My studio is in a Leederville complex called The Ward, and on Nov 25th we’re having an open day!

Come see where I work and what I’m working on next. I’ll have prints from ‘The Last Viking’ for sale too.

Plus you’ll get to meet all the other amazing artists here: filmmakers, photographers, illustrators, painters, textile workers… it will be awesome.

Come down and say hi! We’ll be open from 2-5pm.

More info at Artsource’s website.

Children’s Book Week 2012

Children’s Book Week has become Children’s Book Term for me this year.

Thank you Mt Hawthorn Primary, Rockingham Library, Tranby College, Melville Libraries, Clarkson Library, Kwinana Library, South Perth Library, Manning Library and Subiaco Library for inviting me.

workshopping under Shaun Tan's mural at Subiaco Library — workshopping under Shaun Tan’s mural at Subiaco Library

Some feedback from the sessions so far:

“Inspiring!”
“James’ wonderful storytelling captured everyone’s attention, great research and great activities.”
“Best Book Week session I have ever attended… Subiaco Primary School”
“The combination of drawing, history facts about Vikings and storytelling was fantastic and really captured the children’s attention and engaged them.”

Here’s some pieces of work that students gave me after the sessions. In one activity, I ask students to design their own viking god or goddess.

Continue reading “Children’s Book Week 2012”

Professional Development session for librarians and teachers

As part of the Term 4 exhibition at the Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre, I’ll be presenting a PD session for teachers and librarians on Fri Nov 18. Details below.

GREAT AUSTRALIAN PICTURE BOOKS TO USE IN THE YEAR 4-7 CLASSROOM
Presented by FCLC Director, Lesley Reece
and Illustrator James Foley

See picture books come alive before your eyes as you work with the original illustrations and discover the stories behind the books. Explore exciting and invigorating ways to use quality Australian books. You’ll find the day inspirational and gain unique insights from the presenters.

Friday 18 November 2011
9.00am – 2.30pm
Suitable: Year 4 – 7 Teachers, Teacher-Librarians and Pre-Service Education Students

Session 1
Presenter: Lesley Reece
Flood by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley
Water Witcher by Jan Ormerod

Session 2
Guest Presenter: James Foley, Illustrator
James will demonstrate and then guide you through creating a comic strip story. These strategies are guaranteed to enhance your students’ narrative and visual skills. Comprehensive handouts included.

Session 3
Presenter: Lesley Reece
The Great Bear by Libby Gleeson and Armin Greder
plus a selection of FCLC staff’s favourite for this age group.

Cost: $140 (inc GST)
Morning tea and light lunch included
Booking is essential.
To register, please phone 9430 6869

Last Viking outpost in Fremantle

The Last Viking has set up camp at the Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre for Term 4 2011 and Term 1 2012.

If you’re a teacher, bring your class to see copies of preparatory sketches, character designs, clay models, final pencil work and colour prints. Call the Centre on 9430 6869 to see if you can book a time.

If you’re a member of the public and would like to see the artwork, then the Term 1 2012 Open Day is your best bet. A date has not yet been confirmed, but when we know, we’ll post it on the blog.

The Lit Centre ladies have done an amazing job putting the exhibition together- Norm and I were ecstatic to see it, me especially. It was surreal to see my work on the walls of the Centre, where previously I’ve been able to see the work of my picture book heroes.

The Lit Centre is selling copies of The Last Viking and many other amazing books in their well-stocked bookshop. They’re also selling limited edition signed prints of Last Viking artwork, and prints from other great Aussie artists (including my favourite, Shaun Tan).

James and Norm at FCLC open day term 4 2011 — James and Norm at FCLC Open Day, Term 4 2011

Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival

One of the best things about making a book is getting to travel for writers’ festivals- it’s a brilliant perk. You get to visit places you’ve never been before, chat with other authors and illustrators, and meet your readers.

Speaking of which, Norman and I will be visiting Geraldton later week for the Big Sky Festival!

The festival is organised by the hard-working staff at Geraldton Regional Library, and runs from Friday Sept 9 – Sunday Sept 11.

Norm and I are running a few sessions together over the weekend:

Friday, 9.30 – 10.30am, Geraldton Library (youth session, talking about The Last Viking)
Friday, 1.30 – 2.30pm, Our Lady of Mt Carmel in Mullewa (youth session , talking about The Last Viking)
Saturday, 10.15 – 11.15am, Geraldton Universities Centre (talking about the collaborative process behind picture books)

Then on Sunday Norm and I will run two separate sessions at the same time.

Norm‘s session is called “Appealing to a Young Audience“…
and I’m running a workshop called “Comic Books: making words and pictures work“.
They’re both from 11am – 12noon at Geraldton Universities Centre.

You can find the full program here.

HeARTlines in Mundairing

Although Children’s Book Week is over for another year, the fun ain’t over yet – because the HeARTlines Festival is just getting started.

This biennial festival celebrates children’s literature and book illustration, and is held at the Mundairing Arts Centre in the Perth hills. This year HeARTlines is dedicated to the memory of the festival’s founder, WA author Louise Schofield. Louise was an incredible woman and it’s an honour to be a part of her festival this year.

I’ll have original artwork from The Last Viking on display in the exhibition, and prints for sale too… the exhibition opens tonight (Friday 2nd September) and closes Sunday 9th October.
I’ll also be running a school holiday cartooning workshop during the festival – here’s the details:

Friday 7th October
10am-12noon
Ages 9-13
Cost: $15 ($10 for members of the Mundairing Arts Centre or Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre).
Call (08) 9295 3991 to book your place.