Some exciting news!
I’ve been fortunate enough to receive funding from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, towards attending the World Fantasy Convention in Arlington, VA this November, as part of my development as an illustrator. Angela Slatter and I are working on a graphic reworking of the title story of her collection Sourdough (to which her newest collection, The Bitterwood Bible, is the prequel), and I’m also putting together some work for the art show, so… it will be a busy few weeks (eek) leading up to the trip. I’m hoping to spend some time in New York and Massachusetts either side of the convention.
I also found out that I’m going to the Creative3 forum this month, sponsored by Redchip Lawyers, in my capacity as a creative business-person, and also hoping to bring some ideas back to my involvement with the Queensland Writers Centre. It’s two days of entrepreneurs and business people talking about creativity, enterprise and investment, all things I am endeavouring to think about more.
And also I finally booked for a steam-train ride up to Toowoomba for the Carnival of Flowers, something I’ve been wishing to do for several years. The little cardboard tickets arrived today.
Kathleen Jennings 
This is outstanding! Congratulations are in order. I look forward to hearing more about this as it progresses. Safe travels!
Thank you, Will! It was very exciting and I will give updates!
Congratulations Kathleen. Hope you have a great time, learn lots and enjoy the flowers, though not necessarily in that order.
Thank you! The flowers will be limited to Toowoomba, I suspect. America seems set on staging a production of The Day After Tomorrow.
Congrats, Kathleen! Looking forward to seeing illustrations of all events!
Thank you Emma! I will stay busy
Congratulations, Kathleen. I can lend you Steampunk clothing if you want to dress up for your train trip. And I am envious of your going to the World Fantasy Convention … and I think the Queensland Government have shown uncommon good sense (for once).
:) Thanks! I think we might go in sundresses with a picnic, for the sake of Enid Blyton.
Congratulations!
Have you been to Virginia/East Coast America before?
Sorry to burst your sundress and flowers bubble darling, but Virginia in September is colder. A sweater, not a sundress might be in better order. :) However, the trees will be lovely this time of year and a crispness in the air that is delicious, making one dream of apple pie and hot mulled cider.
I live in Maryland, about an hour’s drive from Arlington proper, and the weather is pretty much the same there as here.
Have a fun, safe trip!
-Kaitlin
Thanks Kaitlin! The sundresses are for Queensland, where it’s early spring and already up to 30C (85F) :)
I have been there a few times, but usually visiting relatives, and this time I’m more of a free agent. Very much looking forward to it!
Okay. Just checking! Enjoy your sundresses and 30c weather! I’m headed down south for vacation soon, so I get to wear sundresses a little bit longer than the folks at home. Not that I’m rubbing it in… :) You have relatives here in Arlington? Since you’ve come to the area before, have you been to DC, or Mount Vernon? If you have time, I highly recommend Hillwood Estates & Museum (if you are at all into big historic houses and gardens and all things Downton Abbey-esque). Beauty is the name of the game there. My sister had her senior photos taken there. Here is a link to my Mom’s blog where she posted her favorites of the pictures. It gives you an idea of the grounds.
http://artschilipepper.blogspot.com/2013/08/hillwood-brianna-senior-pictures.html