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Flat Art Characters

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Illustrations for Seahorse Book Series 2020

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Serendipity brings Goorialla to life. Imagine that!

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In my efforts to promote "Adios Goorialla", a screenplay I wrote recently, I sought a suitable writer to help me to novelize the storyline.  Adios Goorialla  Kindle ebook The result was astonishing for two reasons.  Firstly, after assessing a few candidates, I was very impressed with one in particular. She was deft in her control of the language, making me smile and shake my head while reading every email. So I appointed her and we began corresponding. Then suddenly, she wrote, "Are you the same Russell Jones that lived in Drummoyne a long time ago"? I quickly considered all the people in the long distant past named Louise. A couple we had a close acquaintance with 50 years ago had a child who they named "Louise". "Is that you?" I wrote back. "Spot on Uncle Russell" She answered. Secondly, although we have never caught up face to face as yet, modern communication has allowed us to collaborate to produce a book together. And

Imagine that! A Seahorse in your brain.

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"In each and every one of us lives a cute little Seahorse. It lives in our brain. Seahorse is the meaning of the Greek word ‘hippocampus’, which is part of our brain". I was pleased to be given the job of illustrating a series of ten (10) 36 page children's books to be  distributed  throughout schools. My first job was to create ten character illustrations. A different character would feature in each book: Orlando The optimistic Octopus, Seth The Shrimp, Bradley The Bee and etc. Some of these characters feature in the following illustrations. The Preface to Book 1, "Honey For Your Seahorse" explains the  sentiment and purpose of the series  as a whole, I think. Preface to Book One: "This part of our brain is extremely important as it helps us regulate our emotions, foster optimistic behaviours and build resilience. We all need to feed our Seahorse ‘honey’ so we can look after our wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.  In th

Imagine this! Become an official Sketchbook artist in The Brooklyn Art Library.

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My daughter, Michelle surprised me recently with this little package: a 32 page sketchbook measuring 12.5cms X 18cms. They are encouraging creative storytelling, so I don't think a collection of random drawings would be the answer. It needs a theme. I had a story in my head and couldn't wait to get started. If you would like to be part of collection of 45,000 artists' sketchbooks from 130 different countries, The Brooklyn Art Library is facilitating this with a project that is designed to encourage creative storytelling, within a global community. Visit the sketchbook project site: https://www.sketchbookproject.com/ You must create an account, order a sketchbook and link your book to the website. Enjoy! See you there! My sketchbook submission .... Creetcha He stood up smiling  with muddy knees and dripping net  and gazed into the jar. Hidden in the sludge a creature writhed against the glass. frightened eyes staring Squinting at the tr

Format your eBook for Kindle Direct Publishing

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Imagine This. Self publishing at no cost and seeing it online today. I found this great video. So get to it. Imagine translating your book for overseas markets! Tomass Sarts explains how to do it.

Imagine This! "Goorialla" (Screenplay version) is now available on Amazon.

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Imagine This! "Goorialla" (Screenplay Version) is now available on Amazon, both as a Kindle ebook and Paperback version. It's been a few years in the writing stage, has not be optioned for production yet, but fingers crossed. You can check it out here: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B081LLPCQY > EXT. Desert plain - DAY We are travelling across a vast red plain at speed. We are just above the ground, as if sitting on the roof of a train. Silver tracks, in front of us, disappear on the horizon. Jirra (V/O) Goorialla passed through the land quickly...his tracks are only a memory.

Imagine This! Publish Your Book FREE.

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I am currently publishing my screenplay "Goorialla" and have come to realise Kindle Direct Publishing provides a wonderfully simple self publishing service. At the very least you will see your works in print by ordering author's copies at a very reasonable price.  Alternatively your work might be suitable as an ebook. Uploading to KDP is not too complicated, depending on your computer skills. There are free creation tools to be downloaded from KDP's site. Step One :  Upload manuscript prepared by "Kindle Create"  Step Two:  Use KDP's online cover creator or upload a cover of your own. Step Three:  Description. Tell readers about your book and help them find it on Amazon. Step Four:  ISBN. Get a free ISBN to publish your paperback. The screenplay "Goorialla" was named as quarter finalist in the Goldmine Screenplay Awards. It is currently being adapted to a novel. I will post details soon. Imagine that!

Googley and Friends

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:Googley Beats The Bully" Kindle Edition is now available  on Amazon!

Australian Wildflowers: Grevilleas And Banksias

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 My love of Australian wildflowers has brought me to photograph them whenever I see them near my home in Sydney. Finally I recently put together a book which has been published as an ebook on Amazon. Here are a few page examples......

Googley Beats The Bully

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Introduction to Googley Beats The Bully.

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Googley Beats The Bully. NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

Googley Beats The Bully. Available Now on Amazon!

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Googley's latest book for kids became available today  on Amazon   Googley is a unique character with magical abilities.  He dances his way into all kinds of fun adventures, and into the hearts of children.  He changes his appearance in an instant with just a few dabs of paint. The "littlies" will love this colorful magical character.  In this story, he beats the school bully, Bigmouth Ralph.

Paul Wayne - Looks to scream for

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Paul Wayne had all the ingredients to be a successful pop star. A powerful, gutsy singing voice, a personality and charisma to cut it with Johnny O'Keefe, Dig Richards and Johnny Devlin, and looks to scream for. Rocking tunes such as; "Don't Do That", Movin' Day", "I like It Like That", "Bye Baby Bye Bye", "Carol" and "Keep Walkin", to name a few, kept his teen idol status. Paul also recorded two successful covers; "Since I fell For You" (originally by Buddy Johnson and His Orchestra) and "That's All", A Nat King Cole single and That's All Right" by Arthur "Big Boy " Crudup. Paul and his wife Sharon now run a fantastic little restaurant by the sea at Copacabana, Central Coast, NSW, called the Sea Grill Restaurant - Great food by two of the best chefs on the coast, and great music. NEXT   Janice Slater x

Little Pattie - Entertained at Nui Dat

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Little Pattie is the stage name of Australian singer, Patricia Thelma Amphlett OAM (born 17 March 1949, Paddington, Sydney) later Patricia Thompson, who performed as a 1960s surf pop singer and then in adult contemporary music.  Her debut single from November 1963, "He's My Blonde Headed, Stompie Wompie, Real Gone Surfer Boy", achieved #2 chart success in Sydney and peaked at #19 on the national Kent Music Report. She appeared regularly on television variety programs, including Bandstand and toured supporting Col Joye and the Joy Boys. Little Pattie was entertaining troops during the Vietnam War in Nui Dat, Vietnam, when the nearby Battle of Long Tần began on 18 August 1966.  In 1994 she received the Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal in recognition of her services in support of the Australian Armed Forces in operations in Vietnam. Little Pattie received a Medal of the Order of Australia on 9 June 2003 for her services to the Media, Entertainment and Arts Allia

Barry Stanton - One of the most popular performers of his era

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Barry Stanton was discovered by fellow recording artist Johnny O'Keefe in 1958, and regularly performed on many Australian music programs such as Bandstand, The Johnny O'Keefe Show, Six O'Clock Rock, and Sing Sing Sing. Barry released six singles on Leedon Records, the first being Don't Let Go in 1960. His second release, Don't You Worry 'Bout That, reached number 3 on the Sydney Top 40 in September 1960.  Two other singles were issued, but his fifth and biggest release,  Beggin' On My Knees - written by Barry's brother Rod - reached number one in 1962.  Signed by RCA in 1964 he released A Tribute To The King - a song written for Barry by fellow musician and good friend Johnny Devlin. Stanton was one of the most popular performers of his era. He also achieved some success outside of Australia. He continues to perform regularly around the country along with other artists from the JO'K era. Leaving school a

Bev Harrell - An amazingly powerful superbly ranged voice

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Bev Harrell at 72, live 2015, at a various artists show called Yesterday's Heroes, put on by the Adelaide Music Collective to coincide with a collection of Adelaide music memorabilia at the State Library. Various acts with a strong connection to the city played a song each at the show, held in the Mortlock Bev Harrell  has an an amazingly powerful, superbly ranged voice. She began her career when she was 6 in "Kangaroos on Parade" a radio series in her hometown of Adelaide, South Australia. By the end of the 60's Bev had become a household name.  Her first recording "What am I Doing Here with You?" was an instant national No. 1  hit.      Her two following records  Come on Over to My Place  and  One in a Million  were also huge hits. In 1966 & 1967 Bev was awarded ”Australia’s best female vocal” and album of the year at The Major Network Awards (Now called the  ARIA Awards ). From that moment her career skyrocketed with many other