A Musical Hippopotamus

Coming to many venues throughout Australia, in the next few months, is Hippo! Hippo! A Big New Musical Adventure!

Showing in popular areas in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, this fun production would appeal to all young children and adults who have a soft spot for a friendly pink hippo. 

It is based on the classic children's book 'There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake' written by Hazel Edwards and illustrated by me. 

The musical has been created by Gary Ginivan who has produced many exciting shows based on popular Australian books.

I'm looking forward to seeing the hippo star in his stage debut!  He'll rock it I'm sure!

http://touringselector.com/production?p=2438

Kawase Hasui

Hasui Kawase (1883-1957) was a Japanese artist who produced a magnificent body of work.

Kawase worked on landscape and urban prints based on sketches he made during travels around Japan. Earlier ukiyo-e masters such as Hiroshige and Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849). were influential in Kawase's work

Kawase was a realist and used Western compositions in his paintings . He made travel and landscape prints from woodblocks and watercolours. His paintings are beautiful in their natural tones of light and shade.^.
 He also painted works in oil, and produced traditional hanging scrolls.

 His artistry was much appreciated worldwide and in 1956 was named a Living National Treasure in Japan.

Hans de Beer

Hans de Beer is a favourite artist of mine.  He has written and illustrated many books for children.
His very well known ones feature Lars the little Polar bear and his adventures.

I have other books that are beautifully illustrated by him.  He has a muted approach with watercolour and delicate inkwork in his art work. His animal characters always show great empathy without going overboard in the facial expressions.

Ollie the Elephant

Little Polar Bear

Illustration Hans de Beer

Ahoy There Little Polar Bear

Prince Valentino

 All his works are worth looking at for his fine drawing and reading for the amusing and heartwarming stories written by Hans de Beer and other authors.

It's Christmas!

Happy holidays one and all!

May 2016 bring exciting and creative times for everyone.

Here is something glittery to help the festive mood!

Old Photos

Early photo restoration Deborah Niland

I've been having a great time looking at and sorting photos from the family collections.  Some of these photos need a lot of restoration because of fading, marks, and damage due to age and fragility.

I found this one of my mother when she was a little girl.  I have restored it quite a bit but it still needs a lot of work.  It is such a sweet photo.

Easter Bunnies

Kano Osanabu (1796-1846)

  Happy Easter!  Here is a fine selection of rabbits depicted by different artists.

Mori Kansai (1814-1894)

Kawamura Bumpo c.1807

Old woodblock print

Shao Fan

Hui Yuan Chang

James W Johnson

Christmas Greetings!

Have a very Merry Christmas, everyone! 
Wishing you all a jolly festive season with family and friends.
Looking forward to more fun in 2015.

Here are some beautiful illustrations of birds in the colours of Christmas!

Maurice Saxby

I was saddened to hear that grand old man of children's literature, Maurice Saxby, died recently.

He was an enthusiastic and tireless promoter of children's literature and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of this genre.

Many an author, artist, teacher, academic or would-be creative person could not help but be inspired by his encouragement and generosity, whether through his books, lectures, articles or in person.

I will miss his cheery disposition and youthful outlook. He will be greatly missed.

Vale Maurice Saxby (1924 -2014)

This Little Piggy Went Singing

At last my illustrations have been published in a brand new picture book and it's in the book shops now!.  This is a sequel to This Little Piggy Went Singing written by Margaret Wild.  The new book features the piggies getting ready for Christmas and excitedly enjoying the journey to the big day!

It is just the book to get you in the Christmas mood. The illustrations were great fun to do especially as they involved happy piglets in a festive spirit.  I love the sparkly glittery cover.

Thanks to Allen and Unwin, the publishers! 

Piggy Cover by Deborah Niland

Piggy shopping by Deborah Niland

Piggy playing flute by Deborah Niland

More Piggies

I've been hard at work illustrating a sequel to This Little Piggy Went Dancing!  The new picture book will be called This Little Piggy Went Singing and is again written by Margaret Wild. 

This time the piggies are preparing for Christmas and all the illustrations have a joyous happy vibe.  The book is planned for publication towards the end of this year.

Below is a sneak peek!

Looking for Santa

Baking gingerbread

Hanging Christmas stockings