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.

foraging and slow

This morning, I went for my regular walk around the neighbourhood. I often take nature photos as I walk, but things are decidedly dowdy at the moment. It's too early for the autumn blaze here in Canberra. Summer still clings. We've had .002mm of rain (almost literally) since January 1, and only the trees with whopper roots and natives that thrive on three drips of water are eking out an existence.

Mostly, things are shrivelling up and dying, and this isn't really the ultimate state in which to find treasure.

Unless you really look.

One thing I've promised myself this year, is to stop and look. Observe and really see. I'm always in much of a rush, and I'm pretty jack of it. I want to slow down and do slow things. Walk slowly, eat slowly, breathe slowly, move my eyes slowly. Pause. Scour. Take in. Pluck.

Most of the treasures in these photos were simply plucked from a tangle of leaves and sticks on the ground, some snapped from a dying bush. Some were pinched from a tree with more than enough to spare. Many are dying, some already dead. Some with fruit and flowers crisped and stubborn on tiny stems.

All beautiful.

photographing your books

If, like me, you're a bit partial to beautiful imagery, you might be tempted to bypass the standard 'author with cheesy grin and book' photo, and think about ways you can capture your titles in more creative, eye-popping ways.

While flicking through my instagram account recently, reminiscing over all the stunning pics talented people have taken of my books, it struck me how droolworthy beautiful book photos can be--both for posterity purposes, and of course--for promo.

Don't be scared--beautiful book pics are not difficult to create. Here are some tips and ideas to get you clicking.

Au revoir, 2015. Bienvenue 2016!

Happy new year!

o lovely spring

Isn't Spring just lovely? The older I get, the more I appreciate its fluttery, blossomy appeal. Things seem fresher and brighter--overnight--and enthusiasm and creative mojo seem to burn a little brighter.

I had a challenging August but September is a new month and I'm loving the renewed sense of energy that's come to my work, after an unwanted hiatus.

I haven't worked on Le Book (my first self-illustrated book) for many, many weeks--and sometimes, when you don't work on something for so long, you not only lose enthusiasm, you worry if you could ever draw or write or think creatively again.

The thing about reconnecting, though (and most especially reconnection done with baby steps) is that enthusiasm and creativity rush back quickly--as though someone has reached out their hand and turned on a tap.

So if you're worried. If you're procrastinating. If you're uncertain. Just do it. The tap will turn on.

Here is a peek at my recent spring wanderings around my neighbourhood and yard, and a peek at recent doodlings for Le Book that have totally relit my fire.

I hope your fire is being lit right now!

Spring Reads Book-A-Day, days 1 to 5

Day 1: Garden #SpringReads #3LibraryLadies Matisse's Garden by Samantha Friedman and Matisse-reproduction illustrations by Cristina Amodeo (MoMA, 2014). A riot of colorful gardens in the way only Henri Matisse knew how, this stunning book celebrates the paper-cut artwork he produced, using Amodeo's own paper-cut artwork. A visual garden to behold.

Who could resist? Three lovely library ladies--Megan Daley, Trisha Buckley and Claree M--got together on Instagram to post a book-a-day to a theme--all in celebration of Spring.

I just had to join in (see my IG account here). I'm posting picture books, but you could post whatever genre you like.

Won't you come along for the ride? It's not too late to join in. Just use #3LibraryLadies and #Spring Reads. You may just find your next great read.

Day 2: Flower. #SpringReads #3LibraryLadies A breathtaking peek at a wordless walk that proves more fraught with meaning than words could ever say.

Day 3: Rain. #3LibraryLadies #SpringReads Adore adore adore Frank Viva's work, and this play on words with cut-out pages, is both a literary and visual joy.

Day 4: Colour. #3LibraryLadies #SpringReads These Puffin children's classics, with cover designs by the illustrious Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, have my heart apace every time I look at them. Books have the ability to enchant even when closed with spine facing out - not only because of the prettiness but because of the magical promise of story crammed inside. When the books' colours are as bright and colorful and enticing as this - it's like living in a literary candy store.

Day 4: Colour II. #3LibraryLadies #SpringReads
Couldn't resist a second colour book - totally in love with the Pantone books! 

Day 5: Spring. ‪#‎3LibraryLadies‬ ‪#‎SpringReads‬ Yes, another obsession - Blexbolex and his colour/simplicity/whimsy genius. In Seasons, we not only enjoy the visual joys of Spring, we revel in all four seasons of the year. ‪

Frosty Canberra

Who says Canberra isn't beautiful? Even in winter? Deliciously frosty.

So long, 2014 ...

2014 was a bag of mixed lollies for me.

Sometimes sweet, sometimes exhilarating and sometimes, like the deepest cavity, immensely painful.

At times I wished the year away, but a surprising calm has come over me as the year release its grip ... I have come through to the other end feeling {despite some truly momentous life difficulties} happy. I feel I can look back and grasp all the joys with full gratitude, for these joys, even in the smallest ways, have outshone all the hardships.

2014 was a year of spiritual introspection, of looking inward and feeling the full impact of my past, my future and my belief {and disbelief} in humanity. It was a year of destruction and breaking things down in many, many ways, but it was also a year of reconnection, of rebuilding on a more solid foundation and redefining a brand new life direction.

All in all, it's been a miraculous year--not easy, but certainly life-changing. For the better. Sometimes we need to go through difficulty to understand exactly how fortunate we are.

Along with some wonderful career achievements and rewarding friendship connections, my greatest wins this year have been in regard to health and creativity. Aligning with these life forces so deeply has cut a brand new path for me and my family--a path I feel I've been waiting a lifetime to walk on. Finally, I feel I've entered The Flow and I've never been more excited about what lies ahead. For me, it will be a year of Focus, Earthing, Productivity and Calm.

I hope you can look back at 2014 with much fondness, seeking the beauty and precious moments in a relatively trying year for many. And I hope that 2015 is a year of reconnection for you, in even the smallest ways. I hope the next twelve months shine a light on Graciousness over Industry, Connection over Networking, Listening over Speaking, Groundedness over Faffing, Depth over Winning, Gratitude over Want.

As you move through the following 12 months, lovely readers, stand strong, seek out beauty, express gratitude daily {for it truly, truly is the key to happiness}, do what you love and what makes you smile. Heed that mantra:

Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you or makes you happy. 

And remember, above all else: never let anyone dull your shine.

My 2014 in Instagram Pictures

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

shooting up at Floriade

I'm all about angles when it comes to photography. I love getting down and shooting up, or taking my iPhone and holding it beneath my subject - sunflare optional but almost always fabulous.

Yesterday at Floriade, people gave me endless queer looks as I snuck my phone underneath a hazy bed of poppies and snap, snap, snapped. Just look at the results (above).

I prefer natural light when I shoot, but flash illumination on the brightest of days is also a trick I've learned. Although I didn't do it for the flowers above, it works really well on solid objects (the use of flash on the petals would have dulled the opacity of the petals). Just turn the flash on when taking pics in direct sunlight--it will add an illuminating freshness to your subject matter, especially if the object is well-illuminated but actually out of direct sunlight.

All of the following photos were taken shooting UP, with no flash and with my iPhone 4S. No filter has been applied, though I have lightened the midtones by 10%, just to give that extra pop of light.

Enjoy!

You can also shoot into the sun with the subject in shade, rather than direct light, as seen by the two pictures  below. This gives a lovely silhouetted effect, with less saturated colour and more depth. You could also add flash to these images for a cartoon-like popping effect.

Not flowers - but feathers. These belonged to two beautiful girls on stilts, wandering the Floriade grounds. The image on the right caught a little too much haze from the sun, so it has had its contrast levels adjusted. You can see how this has given the sky a more saturated blue.

And here are the girls, in all their splendour.