it's march. autumn, wherefore art thou?

More on what Cat, Piglet and Bunny (above) are up to, shortly, but first--if you've read my February post, you'll know I've been doing lots of looking, peeking, souring, observing. And I've noticed something.

Autumn is missing.

At this time of year, the blaze is normally alight. For sure. Evidence in this image from 20 March 2017, below.



And now look at my garden...



Not only is the blaze kind of almost-non-existent, can you notice the lack of fluffiness of leaf? The vibrancy and fullness? Not there, is it? I mentioned this to my husband when spring sprung and he said I had jumped aboard the crazy train, but I knew it--just knew it, even without comparing to last year. Our garden, the gardens in our neighbourhood, just look scraggly. Unhappy. Kind of grey.

I even mentioned it to my Favourite Employee at Woollies the other day and she also said 'Golly, things are kind of meh right now, are they not?' Glad I'm not the only one seeing climate change in full operation, with my very own eyes.

And I worry. I really do. I worry that we have a barrel of monkeys in power (not only in Australia) who have about as much competence as a crayon on a tequila bender (and let's not even mention the greed because it's truly unfathomable and I'll just weep).

Nevertheless, I'm heartened by kids who are doing things like this. They give me hope and confidence that once the crayons melt away, we may just have some incredible, rational, creative and mindful individuals taking the reins of this planet. That's if everything doesn't end up owned by Google. Shop local, won't you? Ten Reasons Why Shopping Local is Great for You and the Planet.
11th reason is that every cent you spend won't go to Google.

Right--onto happier things. Books.

Here are my most recent acquisitions/gifts.

I don't normally single books out because everything I show you is spectacularly spectacular and practically perfect in every way, but this one--After the Fall--well. I had that rushed-with-goosebumps thing around three pages from the end, and it continued, unabated for a good 30 seconds, I reckon. It's just spectacular. And best of all, the amazing Dan Santat has actually signed it AND he drew a feather inside. Heart times a million. (And enormous thanks to Nicole Godwin for bringing this surprise back for me when she went to SCBWI NY Conference in Feb!)

The last two book are published by Flow Magazine. Did I tell you I have an illustration appearing in their 2019 365-day calendar? Surely you must know because if you didn't read it somewhere, you must have heard me SCREAMING IT FROM A MOUNTAIN TOP! Calendars will be coming out around September, and I've just learned that Flow's German counterparts are publishing a German edition. I'll show you both when they arrive on my doorstep! (Gritting my teeth, patience not one of my strengths.)

I've been having giveaways on Instagram, don't you know? Prints from Australia Illustrated and also from my Australia: Illustrated Map. There's one happening now (below) and another three or four before the end of the month. Click the pic to check it out, or head here @taniamccartney.



Now, onto this pic. Here is Cat, Bunny and Piglet looking up into the stars, just as they do in their new book--See Hear (a Smile Cry sequel, both with EK Books). The book is out 1 April, and I'll be sharing some blog posts with you next week--the chance to win some copies of the book, some activities for the kids and a fun little interview with Jess and me.



Cat, Piglet and Bunny are also enjoying my new find. Micro fleece sheets. Yep. Have you even heard of this? I haven't... where have I been??? They are a stretchy and bubble gum pink and they are soft as cotton balls and I'm absolutely head over heels in love. I put them on our bed then stood over them, smoothing my hand across the softness and summoning every scrap of willpower I could not to dive in and have a nap. They are sooooo warm, too.

I found them at BigW (this is not a sponsored post) and when I got home, I got online and ordered three more sets. Wintry flannelette sheets are divine but can't stand the pilling, so I'm hoping these darlings last and last.

Speaking of acquisitions, I've promised myself I'll buy less this year (other than books; they don't count) and I've been pretty good so far, but couldn't resist this mirror from Target (not a sponsored post). $25, can you believe it? How could I not own this??? Impossibility. And the happiness it brings.

A Bear a Day is in its final week, I can hardly believe it. So, if you're keen on a bear, better get bidding! Have loved getting to know a whole new batch of art lovers, and I've even received a couple of commissions from my new clients (will share soon).

At the end of this post, you'll find images of the most recent bears. Keep an eye out in your local book and gift stores, too, as the bears (68 of them) are now being featured in a greeting card range, with more to come mid-year.

Also love hearing that kids have been drawing their own bears, and here is an amazing creation by Declan--how cool!??! I'm hopeless--I keep every single treasure kids send me. Just adore this.

I've also been busy with my Flora series of illustrations. I now have six and will do more later in the year. I hope to create 12 and perhaps make a calendar. They'll be made into cards soon--more than likely out this winter. Below are the five I can show you (the sixth will be in the Flow calendar!).

And now ... drum roll please ... my latest Instagram crush.

@blackkings_

I still remember Blythe dolls from the '70s, and they have (like many things from the '70s) quite the cult following (amongst grown-ups, of course). If you adore them, you simply must follow @murmelinette, too.

I accidented upon blackkings_ last night and OMG. What he does with Blythe dolls... he customises them into the most incredible, astonishing, delightful, whimsical, sometimes creepy creations. They're the kind of thing you just sit and stare at in wonder. For a noticeably long time.

Here are some of my faves. And it's so very lovely that many of his muses are from the arts and literature--or at least holding a book. Harry Potter fans will also take delight.

It's love.

If you're like me and are eagerly awaiting the CBCA Book of the Year shortlists for 2018, it will be announced on 27 March. The Kids' Book Review team have posted shortlist predictions (and wishes) --thanks to Managing Editor Dimity Powell! They're SO much fun to read. Who are your predictions?

Speaking of books, Mamie, is just about off to print. I'm working slavishly on my junior fiction series and have been doing some character studies, one of them below. They are the kookiest cast and I'm loving going on adventures with them. I wouldn't be writing this series if it wasn't for the amazing people at ArtsACT, who granted me fairy wishes in the form of a grant. Thank you, artsACT!

I wanted to finish with something a little weird. It's about perspective. Never in history has the immense difference in perception and reality been so polarising, but also so laser-lit. I mean, I know we all see the world differently, but I never realised how VASTLY variant our perceptions can be... to the point of skewing actual reality. But then, what IS reality?

Yesterday I was lying on the floor in my studio and I saw this:

Then I rolled around and I saw this:

and this...

and this...

So, I rolled around in other rooms and snapped all these things:

 

 

...and I just thought these images were beautiful. Imperfect, different and even intriguing. It made me realise that how we see the world can vary depending on where we're standing, yes, but also that maybe, if we stop and look or really listen, we'll learn something new. And we might even come together.

Have a sensational weekend, everyone. I hope it involves pink micro fleece sheets.

Tx

A Bear a Day latest images...

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

NOT YET SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

NOT AVAILABLE

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

NOT YET SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

CURRENTLY FOR AUCTION