The month of April has been brought some lovely news. The CBCA shortlist was announced recently and to my surprise and delight, Peggy is in it! I can hardly believe she is there, but very happy to see her quietly sitting in the bunch.

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! 

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

Last week I heard a rustling in the letter box at the studio and thought it was probably another bill arriving. . . but on further investigation I discovered a BIG envelope full of lovely letters and drawings! The children in Prep at Coolangatta State School have been busy exploring Dragon adventures! I was beaming as I looked through them all. Thank you to the children for the special words and pictures, and to Mrs Jenny Waldon and Ms Caprice Schmida for sending the joyful bundle. I have pinned up the pictures next to where I paint, so that I can look at them while I work on my next book!