To your left is one of the first "stories" I ever wrote and illustrated. My dad liked fishing, much to my dismay. I sent it to a relative, probably as a cry for help. I remember being very passionate about this topic, though I no longer hates fish.

I loved dance, acting, drawing, and books, and always wanted to be a picture book illustrator. Then one day, I saw “the Making of Walt Disney’s The Little Mermaid” on television. I watched the wonderful animator Glen Keane at his drawing table producing beautiful sketches which then came to life on the screen. It was surely the best job in the world.

After studying graphic design, and many years of drawing, I was accepted as an inbetweener, and then trainee animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studio in Sydney, where I trained in animation, anatomy, movement, life drawing, acting and other filmmaking areas.

As well as periods of research, there was of course, drawing and animating - all day, every day - and the opportunity to work with incredibly talented and experienced artists. It was an wonderful environment for me to learn more about drawing, characterisation, the art of telling stories, and filmmaking.

However, I eventually returned to my first dream; creating picture books. They are listed below, or you can see them on my Books page. I also have more in the works, and you can see my illustrations pop up in School Magazine during 2008.

I hope you enjoy my books and illustrations as much as I enjoy creating them. Thanks for dropping by my site - have a look around, and say hello....

Love Tina x

 

I grew up wearing an Abba shirt in Warriewood, on Sydney's Northern Beaches. I'm not sure if I knew who Abba was exactly, but I like to think I was considered pretty cool (what do you mean, Abba was never cool??!). I do remember thinking the blonde lady was very pretty, and I liked the film clip where they wore dresses with cats on the front.

I grew up with two older brothers, Paul and Sean, my parents Janet and Ron, and cat called Honey - until we were told it was a boy, and changed it to Sonny (or maybe Sunny - I don't think we ever cleared that up. It was all a bit embarrassing, especially for the cat).

Me, with Roger Federer. (See that
orange tennis court by my right ear? Yup, he was right there, in the Monte Carlo Masters. Talk about the cheap seats...).

Fly Little Bird
Penguin Australia 2006
Kane/Miller Publishing - US & Canada 2006
Coming soon to Korea

It's Christmas
Penguin Australia 2006
(re-released in boardbook format, 2007)
Kane/Miller Publishing - US & Canada 2007

Sophie's Big Bed
Penguin Australia 2006
Kane/Miller Publishing - US & Canada 2007
Puffin Books, UK 2007
Also available in Spanish

(COMING LATER IN 2008 - Sophie Bakes a Cake)

Are You Hungry?
Penguin Australia 2007

Rosie to the Rescue
written by Meredith Costain
Penguin Australia 2007

Rosie and the Bunyip
written by Meredith Costain
Penguin Australia 2008