State Library of Western Australia

Throwback Thursday: “Once Upon a Time” mural

In August 2013 a group of illustrators from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (Australia West) got together to paint a mural at the State Library of WA.

The theme was fairy tales with a local twist. Ten local illustrators (including myself) participated, each tackling a different fairy tale. Each tale was painted within a letter of the phrase ‘Once Upon A Time’.

Illustrator extraordinaire Chris Nixon compiled this time-lapse video of the process. On behalf of SCBWI, huge thanks to Chris and all the other artists: Samantha Hughes, Kelly Canby, Heather Charlton, Leanne White, Den Scheer, Frané Lessac, Sean E. Avery and Briony Stewart.

Long may the mural live on the wall; may it survive the sticky fingers of toddlers and the crayons of kids.

if the video doesn’t appear here, hit this link to watch.

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.