I trained and worked as an animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studio in Sydney, Australia, on a number of Disney films. It was an amazing opportunity, working with and learning from incredible artists. We trained in anatomy through life drawing classes, and visited zoos and studied animals to get a better understanding of movement, form and construction. We had some of the world greats come and teach us - including Glen Keane, Andreas Deja, Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, among many others. It was truly an amazing training ground for someone who has always loved to draw.
I have since written and illustrated 6 children’s picture books, all first published by Penguin Books Australia, and have subsequently been published in the US, Canada, Korea, the UK, and translated into Hebrew, Spanish, and Korean.
I've also illustrated chapter books, picture books, book covers, and various magazines for children including Highlights Magazine (US) and School Magazine (Australia).
I love creating dynamic and expressive child and animal characters for children's books, and am inspired by nature in my paintings and fine art drawings, particularly focusing on birds, butterflies, plants and animals. The natural world brings me so much joy, and I hope I share that through my art. You can see more on Instagram.
Selected for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library initiative 2013-2018
Author of the Month, March 2009
Borders Books Australia
Pick of the Month
Sydney's Child Magazine
2008 Notable Book
Children's Book Council of Australia
Great Aussie Read
National Literacy and Numeracy Week 2007
Shortlist: Best Picture Books of 2007
Early Childhood Australia
2007 NAHEE KIND Children's Honor Book
Humane Society of the United States
Best Children's Book of the Year list 2007
Bank Street College of Education, United States
Publishers Weekly Starred Review
for Fly, Little Bird
2008 Mom's Choice Award, US