March 2012 is NZ Book Month! 

Not long to go now! Take a look at the website for more details about what's going on in all the different parts of New Zealand. There are heaps of events happening! Go to your local library and check out some awesome books created by NZ authors and illustrators.

Last week I had an informal photo session at my neighbour's place. Although I don't naturally feel comfortable in front of a camera, my neighbour was able to get some great shots. Here are a few of them.

One Year Today

Exactly one year ago the structure and face of Christchurch was dramatically changed. On 22 February 2011, a massive earthquake hit just before 1pm, destroying much of the central city and claiming 185 lives.

At the time of the earthquake I was not in Christchuch, but living on the West Coast - over 280 kilometres away. The house was shaken by a strong tremour but we (those of my family who were at home) did not know where the quake was centred. Because there had been a 7.1 magnitude quake in Christchurch five months earlier, we suspected that the city would again bear the brunt of the violent shake.

One of my brothers had just moved over to Christchurch two days previously and our initial thoughts were of concern for him and his fiancee who was visiting him in the city for the day. We didn't have to wait too long before receiving a text to say they were both fine.
As we found out later, they had been in one of the malls and when the earthquake hit, items from the shelves fell down around them, covering the floor of the aisles. Thankfully neither of them were injured and they were able to exit the shopping centre soon afterwards.

Although we were listening to updates on the radio, we didn't have a tv (long story!) so were unaware of the extent of devestation around the city. As the afternoon progressed and more aftershocks jolted the area - several of which we felt - we began to realise that the aftermath of this event would be much worse than the earlier September quake.

We gathered at a friend's house to watch some of the footage coming into the news stations and saw the surreal images for the first time. Much of the footage was raw and because it was coming straight from the devastated areas, the numerous injuries and the destruction of buildings were vividly portrayed. I couldn't watch very much - it seemed too unreal and bizarre.

In the days following as more images and information filtered though, the severity of the event really hit home. Even though I did not personally know any of those killed in the tragedy, and I remain largely unaffected by the earthquake, it still had a big emotional impact on me.

There have been more quakes since 22 February 2011 and it is unnerving to see people around me panicking, to hear massive sheets of glass window panes creaking as buildings sway, and to live with the uncertainty of if - or when - another major tremour will occur. I do not know the future or how long I have on this earth. But instead of despair or fear, I can be certain of Jesus Christ, my sure foundation.

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28

It doesn't feel like we've had a proper summer here so far this year. When the sun does come out we have to make the most of the opportunity to enjoy the heat outside. Although I much prefer sunshine to rain, it has been a blessing to have bursts of rain a few days every week as that means we avoid droughts and water restrictions.

Because of the many earthquakes around Christchurch in the last year or so, some of the water reservoirs were damaged and the city's capacity for holding the necessary huge amounts of water for its population is limited. In the long run it's good that there we haven't had a long hot summer - that's what I tell myself anyway.

There was a few beautiful fine days last week and on one of them, I decided that the driveway could do with some bright designs and drawings. The rest of my siblings thought that was a great idea- they actually made it outside and started on their pictures before me!
Before long numerous colourful doodles and patterns appeared on the concrete. As the drawings progressed, quite a lot of the pastels we were using made their way onto the limbs and faces of the artists. Some of the boys were beginning to take on a distinctly blue tinge by the time we finished.

I was attracted to the fuchsia flowers that were growing in the garden alongside the driveway and attempted to draw one with oil pastels.

The others each created circular designs with chalk pastels. Here are some photos of the afternoon.

The new issue of The School Library (New Zealand online newsletter for schools across the country) has just come out. I've been waiting for this issue for a couple of months because I was hoping that it would review 'Custard and Carriages'. Back in October I sent a copy of the book to the reviewer of the newsletter and then just had to wait. Finally I received an attachment of the newest issue and yes! my book is in it. Check it out for yourself.

Those last two illustrations are proving to be very difficult. I've written out the text, and although it still needs changing and editing, I know the general direction of the story. But trying to finish the final pictures is hard. It's not that the process of drawing is the problem - it's figuring out how the illustration is going to look in the first place.
 The way I've worked with all the previous pictures, has been to find a photo that I want to use as a reference, then edit or crop the image until I'm happy with the composition and then start on drawing the illustration. I'm not good at working from my imagination - that's why it has been so wonderful for me to have access to a variety of family photos.

Sometimes I get to the point where I'm itching to start drawing but don't know what to produce when I sit down at the desk. That feeling was creeping up on me the other day.  I desperately wanted to play around with my pastels to create something, but still didn't know how to tackle those final illustrations. I was given a new set of pastels for Christmas and the bright new colours were tempting me to try them out.

Before I started I knew that it needed to be a quick drawing, full of colour and movement. Sketching a pain-stakingly detailed pencil portrait was just not going to work on this occassion. I found a photo in one of my DK children's books and clipped it onto my desk. It took me about three and a half hours spread over two or three days to complete the picture - for me that is fast!

 

When I look at this picture, I see all the places that aren't quite finished or could have been done better - but it captures the vibrancy and colour that I was after, so I'm pleased with it.Don't know if it will help me to attack those last remain illustrations though...