Time to go a-Viking

I haven’t posted anything here in 6 months- because I’ve been illustrating a picture book. It’s called The Last Viking.

It’s written by Norman Jorgensen and will be published by Fremantle Press at the start of July this year.
There’s some more info on the book on my website, including some sample illustrations.
Plus, there’s a blog, where Norm and I have been documenting the process of making the book since June 2010. Come by and visit some time.

Quokka- my last covers

You might have noticed that the cartoons on the front of the Quokka have changed. I resigned from drawing their covers a few months ago, in August, so that I could focus on picture book projects like this one.

My 1st cover was in June 2003… my last cover, Aug 2010. It’s been 7 and a bit years, and it has flown by.

It’s been strange not drawing the covers any more, but it’s also been nice not having the weekly deadline. I do miss drawing the little guys.

Thanks to Quokka Press for giving me a space to practice and learn. And thanks to the people out there who’ve sent me comments and encouragement over the years.

I didn’t get around to posting my final lot of quokka covers, so here they are.

Quokka, issue 728, July 22 2010- beach

Quokka, issue 730, August 5 2010- wood turning

Quokka, issue 731, August 12 2010- paving

Quokka, issue 732, August 19 2010- winter storms

I really enjoyed this winter storms one- the rain was a fun effect. It was my final cover published, and it was a little nod to the very first cover I had published way back in June 2003. Here it is below.

Quokka, issue 365, June 12 2003- need a boat?

My style has changed a fair bit since then

That’s it for the quokka covers- no more for me. This blog will be very quiet for the foreseeable future, as I’ll be working on other things. Thanks for dropping by. If you want to see more pics from me, stop by the Last Viking blog.

Here’s a final quokka illustration that I did for myself. Adios for now

Quokka- RAC

Here’s one on the Royal Automobile Club (RAC), WA.

Quokka, issue 727, July 15 2010- RAC

My original rough was rejected:

Quokka- boat tattooing

Yes, that’s right folks- boat tattooing. A new advertiser in the Quokka is painting tattoo designs on boats.

I tried to make up some sort of tribal-inspired anchor. Bit random, but a huge flaming skull probably wouldn’t have gone down too well.

Quokka, issue 726, July 8 2010- boat tattooing

Quokka- master chef

I reckon George looks good as a quokka. Had to cut off his ears to make him look bald, but hey, it seems to work.

Quokka, issue 725, July 1 2010- master chef

Quokka- Cow Parade

The Margaret River Cow Parade is finishing up- we got this cover illustration in just in time.

The cows are being auctioned on July 10. Get down to the South West and see them while you still can.

In the back right, I’ve included a cow painted by myself and other members of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, WA chapter. Check out this post for more info.

Quokka, issue 24, June 24 2010- Margaret River Cow Parade

Quokka- End of Financial Year special

To make things different, edition 723 had two versions of the cover- an extra large wrap-around, set in daylight, and the usual cover, set at nighttime.

Quokka, issue 723, June 17 2010- End of Financial Year (cover 1)

Quokka, issue 723, June 17 2010- End of Financial Year (cover 2)

Quokka- World Cup

Quokka, issue 722, June 10 2010- World Cup

Quokka- Bridal Expo

I’m behind quite a bit in these covers- here’s one about a Bridal Expo that happened recently.

Quokka, issue 721, June 3 2010- Bridal

Quokka- Robin Hood

The new Robin Hood film is out, featuring a Gladiator-like Russell Crowe.

This Quokka Robin Hood is more like the Douglas Fairbanks or Errol Flynn version…

Quokka, issue 720, May 27 2010- Robin Hood