Visitor Post – Illustrating Ideas

Illustrating Ideas by Under One Sky Anthology
As many of Jacque’s readers would know she contributed a story in the Licuala Writers Under One Sky anthology which was released last year (2011). She was one of twenty writers who contributed to the anthology which is a mix of short stories, prose and poetry. As an artist and illustrator herself I’m sure Jacque understands too well the difficulty it trying to ‘match’ images to words. So was the experience of our anthology’s illustrator Sal Badcock.
Sal is a Mission Beach artist, well known for her strong vivid colours and tropical themes. Sal had the difficult task of creating digital images for many different types of writing by many different writers. Once all the written contributions were collated Sal sat down and read them all, thinking about how she might assist to illustrate aspects of the stories. Sal used many of her own photographic images as a base for her illustrations and digitally manipulated them to turn them into black and white illustrations (bar the main image on the cover which is in colour).
Adding texture, shade and movement, Sal’s illustrations bring the stories within to tropical life. She has managed to tap into the writer’s mind and capture the essence of the story on the page.
Many hours of work go into illustrating and laying out a book like the Under One Sky anthology before it goes to press. Sal’s artistic contribution to this book was invaluable. Licuala WINQ looks forward to working with Sal again on future projects and publications.
You can learn more about Sal Badcock and her artwork on her website.
The Under One Sky anthology was produced with the financial assistance of the QLD Govt and RADF Grant. It is an anthology of poetry, prose, fiction and memoir. Contributing writers are from the regional Cassowary Coast in far north Queensland, Australia. The book was compiled and developed by project leader Dr June Perkins of the Licuala WINQ Writers. Many of the Licuala WINQ Writers also feature in the book. Please visit the book’s website and connect with us on Facebook

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An Afternoon on the Couch

I don’t often get to watch television but yesterday afternoon when I got home I clicked on the television and flopped onto the couch, I was exhausted. What was on the screen was mesmerizing… I couldn’t move, not that I tried to; I was too involved with what I had begun to watch.

Yesterday was the first anniversary of the earthquake, tsunami and eventual nuclear meltdown that our friends in Japan had to suffer and are still suffering.

But can I not go there with this blog, I find it too upsetting, I have friends who have not been found. INSTEAD I would like to talk about the show that came on after the documentary….

Actually, no, I will put that in my next blog – I can not take away the importance and enormity of what happened one year ago. If I had sufficient money I would be there in a flash to offer serious help. Straight after the event I sent word to our friends offering to look after their children here in Australia until they get back on their feet – no answer. Other friends have looked for them but have had no success.

I watched the video footage with my hand on my mouth and tears almost blinding me, listening to the people on the screen yelling to others we could see to RUN, RUN, I found myself joining them… but it didn’t help. All the time I watched I looked for the loved familiar faces I may never see again.

Jacque

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Fatal Flaw

Fatal Flaw

A writers’ job is to capture the feeling of moment and place. It is to transport the reader into another’s shoes. Sandy Curtis does this expertly in her latest novel Fatal Flaw. She is a master at bringing a story to life written so succinctly it appears effortless.
In Fatal Flaw we meet Operative Mark Talbot as he learns of the murder of his father. Mark has a job to do, his father is not the only murder victim and these murders appear to have nothing in common. Do these murders have anything to do with a terrorist planning to unleash horror on an unsuspecting city?

It is up to Mark to save the day and the woman he loves.

Readers of thrillers, mysteries and romance will all enjoy Fatal Flaw. Sandy keeps the reader on their toes, she writes a love scene that leaves you wanting that cigarette.

I highly recommend Fatal Flaw and all of Sandy Curtis’s other books. Go order a copy from your nearest bookseller (and tell your librarian they need a copy too).

Fatal Flaw published by Clan Destine Press ISBN 9 780980 790092

Happy reading,

Jacque

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Sweaty Art

My glasses are sliding off my face and the keyboard is slippery with sweat, and not the sweat of hard work or inspiration either – just yucky OMG its hot kind of sweat.

In this kind of hot weather and the thick muggy air that goes with it I find it ever so difficult to be creative. My paintbrushes feel like they were made of lead and my arms simply too feeble to wield them. Am I pathetic or what…?

I have still got my to do list that is never ending; the picture books that I have prattled on about are still waiting to be finished off. I have great intentions, all of my artwork and the words that go with them spread out all over the table – I have decided not to work in my art studio this week due to it being school holidays and my kids being home. They are nice and cool in the swimming pool….

OK Back to my lack of inspiration and seemingly non existent work ethics… can I blame the weather or should I just suck it up? Do you have times when the weather either hot or cold adversely affects your creativity?

Cheers

Jacque

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Err Well, Yes…

Sometimes… I undress myself with my eyes.
It takes so much longer…

Hope you had a great weekend

Jacque

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No Longer a Flip Book Virgin

The Flip Book – or – No Longer a Flip Book Virgin

Well I have recently finished reading my first Flip Book. Initially when I began reading I was a little uncomfortable but I quickly got used to the format and by the end of the book I was smitten.

Perhaps it helps that I was reading one of my favorite authors I am not sure… have you ever read any Jasper Fforde? ‘Shades of Grey’ is the first in his new series – not too sure what the series title is but it should be something colourful.

I ordered the book from ‘Fishpond’ a website much like Amazon but Aussie friendly, free postage and the like. When it arrived it was sooo much smaller than I expected, I couldn’t believe my eyes and the novelty of this tiny book as yet unread was enough of a conversation starter. When I ordered it I had thought the book was a regular sized novel and just opened differently. But NO, this book literally fits into the palm of your hand OR better still into your pocket. The perfect handbag sized novel. My youngest son says the paper inside is Bible paper and I think he could be right it is very thin but surprisingly strong. Because I have been so busy of late and I was so amazed by the size of the book and the novelty of the idea it took me a while to read or for that matter even begin to read the book, so it lived happily in my handbag for about two months. And if you understand the handbag of a busy person you know it may not be the safest place to keep something you don’t want damaged. Anyway not so much as a dog eared page I am happy to report.

The story… ‘Shades of Grey’ well, let me tell you it is Jasper in full flight. If, like me you are a fan of anything colourful you will love it. I am amazed just how many different words there are to describe colour without being repeated. (I don’t mean colour as in Oooh La La either – just colour, you know the kind you paint with). As with other Fforde novels this book is set in England, recognizable and different in a very believable way (if you believe the Cheshire Cat could be a Librarian) and as with other Fforde novels it is really odd. I love the way his mind works… does he plot and plan these novels diligently before he starts or does he just write like the wind and go back to plug wind created holes later??

I highly recommend his novels, flip book version or regular novel – especially the Thursday Next series, in fact I suggest the Thursday Next books be the first Fforde books you read and please read them in order, the ‘Eyre Affair’ first 

Cheers

Jacque

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Melbourne Cup – Win or Lose

The big race has been and gone; the country held its collective breath and sighed. What a finish. What would they have done with out cameras – several of them? Can more than one horse win the Melbourne Cup? First and second were lest than a hair width apart and third and fourth weren’t that much different from each other either.

One bet I could win today is there are a couple of horse owners feeling pinched at the post. Amazing. There was no way you could tell which horse had its nose over the line first, or if in fact it was going faster than the other hose declared second. I put the actual photo of the finish with this post – how close is that! Can you imagine being the rider of the horse declared second? I know I would be feeling pretty ripped off.

My usual betting system failed me. I confess to having several methods to pick a winner. All let me down this year.

This year nine of my friends and I met at the local Leagues Club for lunch and the race, next year we may do a bit of a drive and head to Mission Beach for a nice lunch… not that the food wasn’t good where we were today, we just would like some more entertainment. At least a fashion parade or if all else fails some people with poor dress sense that we can pass judgment on. Speaking of dress sense… two of my friends and I happen to own the same dress (coincidence) we decided we would wear this gorgeous little Charlie Brown number and go to the lunch as a trifecta. Well, not mentioning any names (Kylie Farinelli) but one of us turned up in something else entirely…. So two of us, well… we looked like the Bobsy Twins from the 60’s. We tried telling her it doesn’t matter if you look good just make a statement! And that we did.

I wonder what people do if they don’t do the Melbourne Cup – go to work maybe.

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It’s On !

Ok, NaNoWriMo starts today the 1st of November. I have just watched a YouTube video by some NaNo Nuts and am thoroughly and suitably inspired.

But I am worried, I may have a problem achieving my word goal… I have had to set my laptop up in a very weird way; you see both my shoulders are still suffering from the past few months of hard labour and I find it painful to lift my arms. Luckily I paint and draw and cut with both hands (not at the same time) otherwise one of my shoulders would have left home by now. There is a fluid build up (so the chiropractor tells me) in my shoulders from over use and unless my arms are hanging limply by my sides I am in agony… well not agony, that is an exaggeration but hey I’m a writer its what I do. Embellish facts. I know what you’re thinking – sook, well yes, a little. I hope I can manage my 50000 words in the month. It breaks down to 1165 words a day … and look I have already written 187.

My plan for NaNoWriMo this year is to write my blog every day…. Lucky you – I promise not to mention my shoulders again. I am also going to be working on my novel ‘The Clockmaker’ (working title). In my next post I will have an update on what my story is all about – hopefully.

While I am not writing I will be painting, I have to finish three works for ‘UnderArt Gallery’ if ever you are in Cairns drop in for a visit, Spence Street, near the casino and the Louis Vuitton store, there is some gorgeous art work in there for all purse sizes.

Well there it is 297 words, the tip of the iceberg, wish me luck I may need it.

PS. I know I promised not to mention the shoulders again… but now that my laptop is set up like this I am finding typing easy and not painful at all. I may have to paint lying down or some other way. (358 words, counting this one).

Catch you tomorrow

Jacque (362)

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Light at the End of the Tunnel

Light at the End of the Tunnel

I can see it I think… the light at the end of the tunnel. As my previous couple of posts indicate I have been ridiculously busy. It is as though I have been climbing an enormous spiraling staircase, quite beautiful with glorious views out of occasional windows but seemingly never ending just up, up, up. However I think I have reached a landing and managed to almost catch my breath, I see that light. Mind you I am aware that this staircase will start again as I can never manage to do ‘not much’.

The Writer’s Retreat I attended last month was welcome in so many ways. Firstly Venero Armanno (the tutor from UQ) liked my writing which was a nice surprise (in fact I didn’t believe him because he was so enthusiastic) and the work covered in the retreat was endless. The only problem, I have been so caught up with my painting and exhibitions I have had no chance of writing at all. So starting tomorrow November the 1st I am changing that.

NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month starts tomorrow and I intend to glue my bum to a chair for a certain amount of time everyday and write. I completed it in 2009 and had no idea of what I was going to write; this time I have a plan.

The art exhibitions I have been involved with have been successful. The biggest one, the Innisfail Biennial looked great and the opening was well attended also we had four businesses approach us to sponsor next time – always a positive sign. I won two sections, miniatures with an etching and digital art with illustrations for one of my children’s books.

The exhibition in the Cairns Regional Gallery was interesting… the judge was… interesting… but I am happy to say one of my larger paintings sold so now I don’t feel too bad going back to Summer School in January, it can be paid for with artwork.

Writing again soon, I promise

Jacque

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Busy part two

Yes I would still like to pull a Bruno Mars and lie in my bed but alas I can only dream about it.

Apart from my art commitments, this weekend is a full one. I am involved with ‘Book Creators Circle’; it is a group of people and businesses who have something to do with the book industry. It is a world wide group. Weather a writer, publisher, printer, editor etc. there is a place for you. To find out more visit www.bookcreatorscircle.com.au You will find it very interesting.

This Saturday Book Creators Circle are having a book Expo. Visitors from out of town will be here in Cairns, writers will have tables and there are two new books being launched. Spike Milligan’s daughter will be here as one of our visitors and guest speaker. The Expo is from 10am at Rydges Hotel, Cairns Esplanade. Come along and purchase yourself some new books, with every purchase your name goes into a draw for some fabulous prizes.

Also on this weekend (and what I am attending), is the Cairns Tropical Writers, Writers Retreat. The presenter, Veny Armanno, is senior lecturer at UQ and has published quite few novel of various genre and has won, and been shortlisted, for quite a few literary awards. The retreat will be broad-based but will cover mainly novel and memoir writing. There are obvious things like character development, plot structure included, but he will cover much more.

It is to be held at the Cairns Colonial Club. The retreat includes 1 night’s accommodation, breakfast, morning and afternoon teas, buffet dinner and a one-on-one feedback session on Friday afternoon for anyone who sent a sample (10-12 pages of their novel – chewing my nails about this) by 1st September.

The retreat will start at 9am on both Saturday and Sunday. Which means, I need to be over at the ‘Rydges Tradewinds’ early. I have to set up two tables and get back to the Colonial Club in time for the retreat start. I won’t have time to worry about all of my unfinished artworks this weekend.

I know it’s only Thursday but I have to get in as much painting as I can before I leave Friday lunchtime I also should be packing everything I need for both weekend activities. Phew.

Are you exhausted … I am.

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