This is my studio. A place to think, explore, reflect and draw. There is no washing staring at me here, or clothes to pick up. I have always worked in a studio, except when the children were tiny babies. I must admit I love having a studio. I know some illustrators work from home and are very happy, but for me being able to go to a studio and paint is wonderful. I thought you may like to see the view!

Speaking of illustrators and authors, this weekend there is a fabulous event on at the State Library! There are so many exciting people to see there. Its all happening on Sunday from 10am - 4pm and its free! 

In the heat of the evening I am finally writing some of the things that have been happening over the last month or so. Last week I received some excited messages from friends telling me that one of my books (written by Jane Godwin) was on The Block! Beautifully placed on the bedside table in the Children's bedroom that won that evening. The second time in the space of two weeks that I have had a book on television. There was a children's show reading 'I Don't Believe in Dragons' in the morning recently. It is great fun to see the books out on their adventures!

In other news the wonderful illustrator Sonia Kretschmar has painted a portrait of me for The Archibald Prize. The painting is called 'Basement Bird'. I was honoured and a bit overwhelmed when Sonia asked if I would sit for the painting. It has been an amazing and strange experience being the subject of an image but I am delighted with the result. Looking at the painting is like stepping into part of my imagination. Over here you can see the fascinating way Sonia creates the layers of the painting. Fingers crossed the painting makes it into the final exhibition!

Today was spent giving the studio an end of summer clean. I painted the floor again and it looks so clean and white, all ready for a busy day in the studio on Monday. My Frankie calendar is hanging up to remind me of some of my new year's resolutions. I have begun a course in Adobe Illustrator (improving my computer skills was one of my resolutions!). It has been a good start to the year and I am looking forward to the weather cooling down a little and beginning some new projects.

Hello, and Happy New Year for 2013! This space has rested for a while over Christmas and the summer holidays and is happy to be back now, ready for a shiny new year. I hope you have enjoyed some relaxing time with family and friends. We spent time at the beach, pottered about in the garden, went bike riding, walking, visiting and completed a giant puzzle! Among these adventures I have also been drawing and painting. The piece above is part of a poster promoting reading in May - so much fun to work on! There are other projects underway which I will gradually show further into the year, including a book which is coming out in September.

Our terrarium seems to be growing some tiny maiden hair ferns.

We have a tiny kitten arriving this week and I am knitting him a cushion.

With Cicadas singing outside and Christmas tree lights glowing, I am reflecting on the year that has been. In the stillness and heat that Summer has brought this evening, it is almost hard to imagine how busy it has been. The year began with moving house, and creating a garden in the backyard that makes the house feel like home. We now have a wonderful vegetable garden, fruit trees and fishpond with lilypads! 2012 was the year of creating a video about being an illustrator, creating my first book trailer, playing on Instagram, tweeting now and then, collecting pictures on Pinterest, venturing quietly into the world of facebook, the release of Peggy, the release of Today We Have No Plans and almost completing a new book to be released in September next year (another lovely project with Jane Godwin!). For the last few months wherever I go I have left small trails of paper.

Finishing books at Christmas time can be a bit stressful with trying to keep up with making gingerbread, ballet concerts, end of year parties, sewing Christmas stockings for nephew and celebrating the season with friends and family. The tricky part is I don't want to give any of it up! I think all the hard work has been worth it though, am very happy with the way the book is shaping up so far - still have a way to go but hopefully will make the deadline! Below is some of the time spent working on the skin colouring of the little characters.

Like the three bears on holiday (wooden dolls from BLANK), it is time for holly, mince tarts and taking some time to patter about with no shoes or lists.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!

x anna

Introducing Bat Boy! A friendly little character who features in a new Australian online bookshop. During the year I created a range of illustrations for The Kid's Bookshop, one of my favourites was this one. For a short time only, when you buy some books you receive one of these special bags below. I am taking mine Christmas shopping! I love seeing my illustrations translated on to different applications, bags, stickers, digital - all sooooo exciting.

I hope your Christmas preparations are going well. We have made our pudding, decorated the Christmas tree and in between painting illustrations for a book that needs to be finished very soon I am running around the shops and hunting online for pressies.