Rejection Take 2...

Back in...March (boy time goes quick) I wrote about how bad I was feeling after being told by a local establishment that they didn't want to stock my books.  It seriously hurt and it made me question for awhile whether I was cut out for this whole thing. 

But this week I received a rejection letter from Fremantle Press and I am happy to report that everything feels AOK. 

I had to ponder this awhile and I've come up with two things.  The first is that I really expected to be supported locally - particularly when they didn't stock any locally made kids' books.  I may have...presumed that they would be really happy to have my books.  Wrongly as it turned out but the presumption was well and truly there. 

The second is that Fremantle Press are experts in what they do - if they didn't want my book then it is either because it doesn't suit them or it isn't good enough.  Strangely enough either way is ok with me - if it is because it doesn't suit them hopefully it will suit another publisher.  If it isn't good enough then it is time to write something else for publishing that is.  Luckily for me lots of people have enjoyed The Pilbara Pixies so far so even if it is never officially published I am still so happy that it has been liked. 

Time changes so much but so does a change in attitude!

Welcome to my world...

What could an artist wish for if she was living in regional Australia? 

• A brilliant, supportive arts course in town where local artists can meet, learn and develop - check. 
• A stylish and gorgeous gallery that regularly has exciting exhibitions - check. 
• Art Awards that support and encourage regional artists - check. 
• Workshops and skill development opportunities - check. 
• Markets that focus on hand made art and crafts - check. 
• A community that recognises, supports and enjoys art and artists - check. 
• Incredibly old, vivid and beautiful landscapes that tell stories and provide inspiration - check.

Not sure how it happened that I get to be here and experience all of this but I am so grateful for it.  I am off to De Grey Station next weekend for an Artists Camp run through the Courthouse Gallery.  How amazing that I get to do something like that - life is brilliant.

 

A happy story...

I just had the most sweet thing happen to me yesterday and it was totally unexpected which made it even better.  My last book was about a little boy who doesn't like going to school.  A mum I knew bought a personalised copy of the book with the hope that it would help her little boy settle in to kindy.  When I saw her yesterday she said that after the school holidays he had come back to school a bit easier which was lovely to hear.  But even nicer was that he had taken to Queen Pixie and his mum had copied Queen Pixie and put her on a keyring on his school bag!  Way too cute!

I am just thrilled every time someone likes my books but to have a little boy like them that much - well it just made my heart glow.  I feel very lucky that something I love doing can be a good thing for others as well.  Hope you have as good a day today as I did yesterday! 

Its raining again...

When it rains in the 'wet' season we have here it is a bit of a tradition for the kids to strip and run around screaming naked for awhile.  However, today it is actually more like winter weather - the temp is 24 degrees and by Hedland standards that is freezing!  But tradition is tradition though, so now my kids are starkers and running around outside.  Not so many happy screams though - more the sounds of violent shivering to be heard!!

We have so many fabulous arty things happening around Hedland that it isn't always easy to get to all of them.  There were some brilliant lomography workshops on the same weekend as the markets and sadly for me I just couldn't do both.  It was a bit the same as The Pilbara Project - it has been on my to do list for awhile but I just hadn't got there.  However, this last week I've had a flash of energy and I have caught up on so much - including finally visiting, and contributing to, The Pilbara Project. 

I just love the idea of this blog - if you have a story to tell about the Pilbara then this is the place to do it.  Written or visual, past or present - whoever you are and whatever your connection you are welcome.  Isn't that brilliant!  I've popped a link below to my contribution and I would urge you to contribute if you can.  If you haven't had anything to do with the Pilbara then I would urge you just to have a look and I will be doing the same to any people in the future who question where we choose to live.  It might help them understand!

http://blog.thepilbaraproject.com/2011/05/03/this-is-home/

In the meantime school starts back tomorrow and now I've cleared out the back log of to do jobs it is time to get on with some artwork.  My son and I actually did the walk over Redmont Bridge the other day because I wanted some photos of the salt works for an artwork.  Boy was that scary!  It sounds and feels like you are about to be run over!  I've seen some beautiful photos of the salt works but I was pretty happy with this photo - now we just have to see how the salt works look in a lino cut!